How could Ning Rongrong, who had been pampered since childhood, bear the succession of blows Flender had dealt her?
What was more, Flender had questioned her mercilessly in front of so many people, and the "spiritual pillar" that had always sustained her-her belief that she was a genius one in ten thousand-had collapsed. Ning Rongrong immediately burst into tears and ran toward the dormitory.
Watching Ning Rongrong run off, Xiao Yan and the others exchanged glances, still somewhat astonished by the change in her. Such an overbearing witch had previously put on the act of an obedient girl and fooled everyone.
"All right."
Flender spoke, drawing everyone's attention back to him. He looked at the others and said to Oscar:
"Oscar, your punishment is waived this time. Go and comfort Ning Rongrong. She's only unable to understand because she's been pampered since childhood. Her talent is still considerable. If she can change, her future accomplishments will surely be extraordinary."
"Thank you, Dean..."
Oscar nodded. Flender turned his gaze to the others again, a smile appearing on his face as he said:
"The courses at Shrek Academy aren't dull and rigid. Tonight, I'll take you to experience one of Shrek Academy's special courses. Everyone, keep up!"
As soon as Flender finished speaking, he shot toward the academy gates. The others immediately followed him, heading in the direction of Suotuo City.
Flender did not deliberately slow down, and the differences in their strength gradually became apparent.
Dai Mubai, the strongest of them, followed close behind Flender. Next, however, came not Xiao Yan or his two companions, but Zhu Zhuqing, whose specialty was speed.
As an Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master, her speed over long distances was naturally one of her strengths.
Xiao Yan came next. In Battle Through the Heavens, the Xiao Clan had established dominance over Wutan City. Although they had not obtained any Black Tier Dou Techniques, they had acquired quite a few Yellow Tier High Level Dou Techniques.
Two years had been enough for Xiao Yan to master them, including the two Yellow Tier High Level Dou Techniques he had used before, Lion Mountain Split and Mountain-Bombarding Fist, as well as a Yellow Tier High Level movement Dou Technique, Limitless Step.
Bolstered by Soul Power, Xiao Yan was second in speed only to Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. Behind him came Tang San and Xiao Wu, traveling side by side.
Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track excelled in its subtlety and unpredictability, but it was not particularly suited to covering long distances.
Although Ma Hongjun was last, he was not too far behind Tang San and Xiao Wu.
The group of seven gradually reached the outskirts of Suotuo City.
As one of the principal cities in the Balak Kingdom, Suotuo City remained open around the clock and had no curfew.
Once they entered Suotuo City, the group slowed down, and Ma Hongjun's eyes began sweeping over the women passing by.
His eyes lingered greedily on the proud curves of every woman who passed, and he kept swallowing.
Xiao Yan and the others ahead noticed what he was doing. Although they knew it was due to a defect in his Martial Soul, they still found it somewhat embarrassing.
Flender brought them to a teahouse and sat down. Xiao Wu could not help asking in surprise:
"Dean, our first lesson isn't going to be held here, is it?"
Looking around the simple teahouse, Xiao Wu was full of surprise. She could not help wondering whether this was some mysterious meeting place for a secret organization.
"Of course not." Flender shook his head and pointed out the window.
"The place for your first lesson is over there."
Flender shook his head. Xiao Yan and the others looked in the direction he was pointing and saw a tall, magnificent building standing there.
Judging roughly by the distance, Xiao Yan estimated that the enormous building was over a hundred meters tall. It looked sinister and terrifying beneath the night sky, and faint light and shouts emerged from within.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, standing nearby, seemed to have expected this and wore helpless expressions. Only Xiao Yan and the other three looked puzzled.
"Only cities on the level of a kingdom's principal city have a building like that. Its size can be said to indicate whether a city or even a country is prosperous. It's called a Great Soul Arena, and it's named after the principal city. For example, the one before us is called the Soto Great Soul Arena."
"A Great Soul Arena is a place where Martial Souls clash-in other words, where Soul Masters fight."
As soon as Flender finished, Tang San frowned. As he understood it, why would Soul Masters fight in a place like that?
Like monkeys in a cage, put on display for people to watch.
"Hehe, the Great Soul Arena isn't that simple." Knowing that Tang San and the others did not understand the Great Soul Arena's rules, Flender explained:
"The Great Soul Arena was established jointly by the seven most prestigious Soul Master clans on the continent. It belongs neither to the two great empires nor to Spirit Hall. It could be called the first neutral third-party power, and its wealth rivals that of a nation."
"Likewise, Soul Masters who make a name for themselves in the Great Soul Arena can gain not only gold coins and benefits, but also renown, their names spreading across the continent."
"Moreover, because of the Great Soul Arena's impartiality, even if you kill a disciple with a powerful background in a match there, you needn't worry about retaliation from the power backing them."
Flender said to them:
"The level of a Martial Soul is an important indicator of a Soul Master's strength, but actual combat experience is also a very important part of it. The Great Soul Arena is the best place for you to gain that experience."
As they listened to Flender's explanation, Xiao Yan, Tang San, and the others also became somewhat interested in the Great Soul Arena.
However, Xiao Yan did not believe Flender in the slightest when he said there was no need to worry about retaliation even after killing the heirs of great clans.
Xiao Yan did not think that if you killed a clan's disciple in there, the other party would still treat you pleasantly.
Anyone who believes that is a fool... a fool.
"Whatever level your strength is at, once you enter the Great Soul Arena, you'll be represented only by the words 'Soul Fighting.' After your first victory, you'll receive a badge. After that, every victory earns you one point, while a loss costs you one point."
"As your points increase, you can keep upgrading your badge. Your badge's rank represents your status in the Great Soul Arena. High-ranking badges have many benefits, which you'll learn about in the future, so I won't say more."
"There are eight badge ranks, from lowest to highest: iron, bronze, silver, gold, purple gold, sapphire, ruby, and diamond. My requirement is that you obtain at least a Silver Soul Badge before graduation. Understood?"
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun took the opportunity to explain their badge ranks to the four. Only after hearing about Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's win rates did Xiao Yan and Tang San turn serious.
After all, they had all seen Dai Mubai's strength for themselves, yet even he had a record of twenty-nine wins and twenty-seven losses, with a pitiful two points on his badge.
"All right, it's about time. I'll take you inside now."
Flender had finished explaining the Great Soul Arena to them. After paying for the tea, he led the six of them into the Soto Great Soul Arena.