Facing the Outer Court Twin Stars

Tian Chen's words landed like a heavy bomb, stunning everyone present, including the exceptionally powerful Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi.

Hearing that Tian Chen wanted to challenge both of them, Bei Bei frowned slightly. "Are you sure?"

Tian Chen nodded.

After a moment's hesitation, Bei Bei said slowly, "All right, but you'll have to wait until Xu Sanshi and I finish our match." There was a hint of caution in his voice; clearly, this sudden challenger had left him both surprised and curious.

Yet Tian Chen's next words only poured oil on the fire. His gaze firm and fearless, he declared loudly, "No, I want to challenge both of you at once, first." At those words, the already silent crowd grew so quiet that not even a crow's cry could be heard. Tian Chen's declaration stunned everyone present, including Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi. Neither had expected this seemingly unremarkable junior to possess such courage and confidence.

The whispers instantly grew louder. "This Tian Chen really has guts. He actually dares to challenge the two seniors with the strongest offense and defense in the outer court at the same time."

"Yeah. Who knows whether he's genuinely capable or just too full of himself? Still, that courage alone deserves respect."

Quite a few people shook their heads and sighed. "This junior is probably in for a beating. Those two aren't famous for nothing."

The incident in Freshman Class One had only happened that morning, and Yan Shaozhe had suppressed news of it, so few people knew about it.

Watching this unfold, Wang Dong remained calm, as though she already knew how this soul fighting match would end.

Huo Yuhao, by contrast, frowned slightly. He knew about Zhou Yi being injured that morning—after all, he had been right there watching! Whenever he thought about it, he could not help worrying for his eldest senior brother.

Beside them, Xu Sanshi took those words as a declaration of provocation, and his temper flared at once. Still, he sneered. "Don't think you're impressive just because you caught me off guard earlier and made me suffer a little. We aren't called the Outer Court Twin Stars for nothing. Let me tell you, once I get serious, even a Soul King has to give me a wide berth. Have you lost your head?"

Across from him, a complicated emotion flashed through Bei Bei's eyes, part surprise and part curiosity. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Junior Tian Chen, think this through. This isn't a joke. Neither Xu Sanshi nor I is a pushover. You're being a little reckless."

Faced with everyone's reactions, Tian Chen's expression did not change in the slightest. He remained utterly confident, as though everything had unfolded exactly as he expected. He looked around before finally fixing his gaze on Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi. His tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable force. "I'm not joking, and I haven't lost my head. I want to challenge both of you at once and see just how strong you really are."

Thoroughly enraged by Tian Chen's attitude, Xu Sanshi glared at him like a furious lion and spoke through gritted teeth. "Fine, kid. You're courting death yourself, so don't blame me for showing no mercy." Bei Bei fell into thought again, seemingly weighing the advantages and disadvantages, but finally nodded, accepting Tian Chen's challenge.

Seeing this, the surrounding spectators held their breath, waiting for the thrilling showdown about to unfold, their hearts brimming with anticipation and tension.

Beside them, Tang Ya tried to dissuade him worriedly. "Bei Bei, isn't this a bad idea? What if..." Bei Bei nodded gently to indicate that he knew his limits, but his eyes remained fixed on Tian Chen.

Seeing that both of them had agreed, Tian Chen smiled faintly and turned to Wang Dong. "Wang Dong, wait here for me. I'll give you a gift when I get back."

The Soul Fighting Zone was a very important part of Shrek Academy. All kinds of matches could be held there, with dedicated teachers serving as referees, determining the winner, protecting students, providing aid and treatment, and so on. Naturally, all these services cost money.

For a soul fighting match, the two sides had to pay at least ten Gold Soul Coins as a venue fee, yet many students never tired of it. Fighting there was unrestricted, and they did not have to worry about causing danger by striking too hard, since the referee teachers would keep the situation well under control. Winning a match in the Soul Fighting Zone also earned them a certain number of academic credits.

News that Tian Chen was challenging Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi at the same time quickly spread throughout Shrek Academy, drawing crowds of students to watch. As two of the academy's most prominent figures, Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi were already well known to everyone, and Tian Chen's bold move undoubtedly ignited the crowd's enthusiasm and anticipation.

In the Soul Fighting Zone, the spectator stands soon became packed so tightly that not even water could pass through. Many students even stood in the corridors, gazing at the arena from a distance.

At that moment, in the Soul Fighting Arena's rest area, in the Soul Fighting Arena's rest area, Huo Yuhao hurried over and told Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi how Tian Chen had defeated Zhou Yi that morning.

Both looked astonished at the news.

Bei Bei frowned slightly, a thoughtful gleam flashing through his eyes as he seemed to reassess Tian Chen's strength. He murmured, "No wonder he dares to challenge both of us at once."

Xu Sanshi's anger subsided somewhat, but his tone grew colder. "That old hag Zhou Yi may be unpleasant, but she's still a Soul Emperor. This kid actually beat her?"

Huo Yuhao continued, "Teacher Zhou Yi attacked him outright, but Tian Chen not only blocked her attack with ease, he also completely enraged her with his words. In the end, he overwhelmed Teacher Zhou Yi with his formidable strength."

Bei Bei nodded. "It seems we really did underestimate him. This match won't be as simple as we expected."

Xu Sanshi snorted coldly. "No matter how strong he is, I'll make him pay for provoking me today!"

Bei Bei nodded and said, "Even if he defeated Zhou Yi, he probably used some clever trick, or she underestimated him. Little junior brother, could you tell us about his specific abilities and soul skills?"

Huo Yuhao gathered his thoughts before speaking slowly. "From what I observed, Tian Chen's strength really shouldn't be taken lightly. His martial soul also seems connected to Blood Lightning, and its attacks are extremely fierce. Besides that, his martial soul is a blood blade. That blade showed tremendous defensive and destructive power when it countered Teacher Zhou Yi's attacks."

"The most frightening thing is that all three of his soul rings are ten-thousand-year ones."

Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi reacted with utter shock when they heard that all three of Tian Chen's soul rings were ten-thousand-year ones.

Bei Bei's gaze sharpened abruptly, his brows knitting tightly, and unmistakable astonishment entered his voice. "Three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings? How is that possible! Even geniuses like the students of our Shrek Academy couldn't have a soul ring configuration like that." He paused before continuing, "It means his body's endurance and his spiritual power both far surpass those of ordinary people. We can't afford to be careless."

Xu Sanshi's mouth fell slightly open, disbelief written all over his face. He quickly regained his composure, but his tone grew colder, edged with irritation. "Impossible! How old is he? Three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings... that defies all common sense! Does he have some special constitution or support from an outside power? Or... are those soul rings fake?" He clenched his fists, clearly angered by the news, yet faintly uneasy as well.

Huo Yuhao added, "From what I observed, Tian Chen's first soul skill can conjure several blood blades. His second soul skill isn't very powerful offensively, but it seems to have an effect that continuously damages his opponent. His third soul skill is a sonic attack. You'll need to watch out for that one in particular. When he fought Teacher Zhou, it not only blocked her fifth soul skill but also damaged her mind."

Bei Bei pondered for a moment, his tone growing more serious. "If he really has three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings, then his potential and strength have already reached a terrifying level. We have to give this everything we've got. We absolutely cannot underestimate him again."

Xu Sanshi snorted coldly and said in a low voice, "No matter how strong he is, I'll show him what real power is today. However good his soul rings are, it still comes down to the strength of the person using them!"

In the spectator stands, Jiang Nannan clasped her hands tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white. She was clearly uneasy about the impending battle. She did not want anything to happen just after she had reunited with Tian Chen! She still had so very much she wanted to tell him!

Her gaze moved back and forth between Tian Chen, Bei Bei, and Xu Sanshi, as though she were weighing the possible outcomes of this battle.

Jiang Nannan murmured softly, "Tian Chen, you have to be careful..."

Beside her, Tang Ya gently patted her hand and reassured her. "Don't worry. Tian Chen looks very confident. I believe he'll find a way."

By then, Huo Yuhao had also returned to the spectator stands and sat there quietly.

In the rest area, Wang Dong's eyes followed Tian Chen's retreating figure, an indescribable emotion welling up within her—perhaps anticipation, or perhaps some hidden unease.

It was not because she feared Tian Chen would lose. On the contrary, Wang Dong's displeasure manifested more as irrepressible jealousy and a faint sense of disappointment. Especially when she saw Tian Chen take the initiative to approach that exceptionally beautiful senior girl with her extraordinary bearing, some inexpressible emotion seemed to stir within her heart.

Just then, the referee teacher called for them, and Tian Chen and the other two entered the arena one after another.