A monster among monsters

Shrek Academy

"Mu Bai, what happened to you?" Zhao Wuji frowned slightly as he looked at Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai's face was bruised and swollen, but he said nothing. It was simply too humiliating. His opponent had defeated him without even using his martial soul. How could he, a prince, possibly admit that?

"Mu Bai, I asked you a question. Which powerful figure beat you? Tell me," Zhao Wuji asked again.

Dai Mubai looked at Zhao Wuji. Recalling Su Chen's terrifying close-combat abilities, then taking in Zhao Wuji's muscular build, he thought his teacher could surely give Su Chen a sound thrashing. With that in mind, Dai Mubai recounted what had happened. Of course, he was not foolish enough to admit that he had gone chasing women again.

Dai Mubai changed the story to make Su Chen the one at fault, claiming he had violently seized the last room, which rightfully belonged to Dai Mubai.

"Such divine strength at such a young age. Truly a monster among monsters. Well, don't worry. Once he enters Shrek Academy, I'll make sure to vent your anger for you." Zhao Wuji's blood surged with excitement as he wondered how many of his moves the boy could withstand.

"All right, go help Teacher Li Yusong at the entrance. Make sure this year's recruitment goes smoothly," Zhao Wuji instructed.

"Yes, Teacher."

Dai Mubai accepted his orders and headed toward Shrek Academy's gates. He had barely left the small square when a red-haired young man approached. Surprised, Dai Mubai said, "Are you a student hoping to enter Shrek Academy? Recruitment is outside. You've come to the wrong place!"

"Boss Dai, don't you recognize me?" the red-haired young man asked, his words muffled.

"You are...?" Dai Mubai studied the young man before him. He seemed familiar, but his face was swollen like a pig's!

"I'm Ma Hongjun!" the red-haired young man answered.

"Ma Hongjun!?"

"Yes."

"Who beat you up like this?" Dai Mubai asked in astonishment.

Dai Mubai knew Ma Hongjun's strength well. Ordinary Soul Grandmasters were no match for him. With his fiercely clinging evil fire, Ma Hongjun could even put up a fight against some Soul Elders above rank thirty. Anyone capable of beating him into this state was not to be underestimated.

"Someone called Su Chen!" Ma Hongjun answered.

"Su Chen? Him again?!" Dai Mubai frowned.

"What? Mu Bai, the person who beat Ma Hongjun was the same person who beat you?" Zhao Wuji asked in surprise.

"They have the same name, so they should be the same person!" Dai Mubai answered.

"To think our Shrek Academy will receive a monster this year. Excellent. You two can go now. I'll vent your anger for you when it comes to a troublemaker like him!" Excitement flickered in Zhao Wuji's eyes. Shrek Academy had not admitted a monster in three years!

The Great Soul Arena was a symbol of Suotuo City's standing as a first-class city in the Heaven Dou Empire. It was a place where Soul Masters clashed with their martial souls, and where gamblers placed their bets before the stakes were locked in.

Soul Masters could improve their practical combat experience here. By accumulating points, they earned higher ranks of honor and thereby increased their own worth. Even the two great empires recognized the Great Soul Arena's badge ranks, making them highly prestigious! With these badge ranks, Soul Masters could secure better treatment from nobles.

For gamblers, particularly wealthy nobles who spent their days with nothing to do, this was an important venue for seeking thrills.

At the Great Soul Arena, Soul Masters and gamblers each got what they wanted.

As the evening lights began to glow, Su Chen, Zhang Ping, and Hu Liena returned to Suotuo City, turned in their completed mission, and entered the liveliest place in the city.

"Su Chen, what kind of match are you planning to sign up for?" Hu Liena asked, swaying her slender waist. Every expression and movement made her a uniquely enchanting sight in the night market. Nearly everyone turned to look at her.

The more conservative Zhang Ping dressed simply, but her exquisite features still drew plenty of glances. Naturally, she could not compare with Hu Liena, who had cultivated the art of charm.

Having two beauties beside him made things difficult for Su Chen. He could look but not touch, and he attracted countless gazes filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred for nothing. The lecherous men looked as though they wished they could kill him.

The Great Soul Arena offered three match formats: Match Fights, Death Fights, and Gambling Fights! The latter two put lives on the line.

"I'll start with Match Fights, where the focus is sparring!" Su Chen answered.

Su Chen knew more about the Great Soul Arena than most people did. Its owner behind the scenes was neither merchant nobility nor an imperial royal family, but Spirit Hall.

Ever since the two great empires had sensed the threat posed by Spirit Hall, they had stopped providing it with any financial assistance. Forced to find a livelihood, Spirit Hall had not only posted bounty missions far and wide, but also established the Great Soul Arena.

Every day, countless nobles placed bets at the Great Soul Arena, and Spirit Hall took a portion as its fee. For example, out of ten Gold Soul Coins, Spirit Hall would take one from each match. The winners divided the Gold Soul Coins in the prize pool, while Spirit Hall was guaranteed a profit without any risk of loss. In addition, admission cost one Gold Soul Coin per person per day.

The Great Soul Arena drew enormous crowds, with matches held every day. It was Spirit Hall's most important source of income. At the same time, it was a place where Soul Masters could demonstrate their worth. Its establishment had curbed private fights between Soul Masters to some extent. For ordinary people, that was a wonderful thing!

"Su Chen, do you really plan to spend the next two years here?" Hu Liena asked.

"Yes." Su Chen nodded.

"Don't you think that'll be a little dull?" Hu Liena glanced at Su Chen.

"If you want to become strong, you should get used to solitude. Besides, this place is close to Holy Soul Village, and Suotuo City has plenty of places to enjoy yourself. My life here won't be too monotonous," Su Chen answered.

Qian Renxue's image suddenly surfaced in Su Chen's mind. Compared with him, Qian Renxue, trapped in the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial palace, was the one who was truly lonely!

Several years had passed since Qian Renxue had left Su Chen's side. Judging by the timing, she should already have disguised herself as Xue Qinghe!

The Great Soul Arena had a complete system and was a relatively fair place. A Soul Master's background did not matter here. Even the heirs of great families faced severe trials when they competed.

"Su Chen, what rank did Teacher set as your objective?" Hu Liena asked curiously.

"I have to obtain the Purple Gold Badge before Teacher will award me the Purple Merit Badge!" Su Chen answered.

"What?"

"The Purple Gold Badge?"

Hu Liena's and Zhang Ping's beautiful eyes widened, and both stopped in their tracks. They stared at Su Chen in astonishment.

At the Great Soul Arena, every Soul Master received an Iron Badge upon registering, starting with zero points. After that, each victory earned one point, while each defeat deducted one. Upon reaching one hundred points, they could advance to Bronze Soul Fighter and receive a bronze badge.

The Great Soul Arena's badges had eight ranks in total. Above the Iron Badge, the ranks from lowest to highest were bronze, silver, gold, purple gold, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, and Diamond.

In other words, the Purple Gold Badge Su Chen wanted was the fifth rank.

Did that sound easy?

No, things were not that simple. Getting ahead in the Great Soul Arena was no easy feat. Competitors were grouped by rank, so the opponents they encountered were all Soul Masters at the same cultivation tier as themselves.

Only after accumulating one hundred points could they advance to the next rank. Obtaining the Purple Gold Badge required four hundred points.

The Great Soul Arena also limited how often each Soul Master could compete. Each day, a Soul Master could participate in no more than three matches: one-on-one, two-on-two, or team battles.

Su Chen was alone. To meet Bibi Dong's expectations within two years, unless someone partnered with him, he would have to compete almost every day for the next two years. Moreover, to account for points deducted after losses, he would need a win rate of 94.68%. Obtaining Spirit Hall's Purple Merit Badge was no less difficult than Hu Liena's or Zhang Ping's missions!

Of course, the Great Soul Arena had another scoring rule. After five consecutive victories, the next match would award ten points. After ten consecutive victories, the next match would award one hundred points.

If Su Chen could win forty matches in a row, his soul fighting badge would advance to purple gold. In that case, those forty matches would take only forty days.

However, in the several hundred years since the Great Soul Arena's founding, the Soul Masters who had won ten consecutive matches could be counted on one's fingers. As a winning streak grew longer, the opponents matched against a competitor would have the same winning record. In other words, the opponents would only grow stronger!

As they chatted, Su Chen, Hu Liena, and Zhang Ping arrived at the counter. Su Chen provided some of his information. Since the Great Soul Arena was affiliated with Spirit Hall, he received an Iron Badge after the clerk verified his details and he paid the registration fee.

"I'd like to register too!"

Beside him, Hu Liena suddenly took out five Gold Soul Coins and handed them to the clerk behind the counter.

"You?" Su Chen glanced at Hu Liena in surprise.

"Yes. We'd like to sign up as a two-person team," Hu Liena told the clerk with a radiant smile.

"You want to form a two-person team with me?" Su Chen asked, taken aback.

"You helped me kill that Evil Soul Master, so I have to repay you somehow. Don't worry. With my strength, I won't hold you back." Hu Liena gave him a seductive wink, brimming with confidence.

"The registration fee is ten Gold Soul Coins!" the young woman behind the counter replied.

As instructed, Hu Liena took ten Gold Soul Coins from her Soul Tool and placed them on the counter.

"Team name?" the young woman asked.

"Su Chen, what do you think we should call it?" Hu Liena asked.

"Just pick whatever you like!" Su Chen shrugged indifferently.

"Hmm..."

Hu Liena pondered for a moment, resting her delicate hand against her lips. Lost in thought, she possessed a lovely grace she did not usually show. After a little while, she said, "Let's call it the Hu-Su Team!"

The Hu-Su Team took its name from their respective surnames!

"Here, keep these safe!"

The young woman behind the counter handed Su Chen and Hu Liena their Iron Badges. The characters for "Hu-Su" were engraved on them!