A seven-day holiday is a rare break for everyone, after all, three months of high-intensity training is not an easy thing for anyone.
During these seven days, Qi Ling assigned Zhu Zhuqing a task: to spend at least half a day each day shopping with Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu.
Zhu Zhuqing was utterly puzzled by Qi Ling's task, not understanding its purpose. Qi Ling simply smiled and replied, "Too much of a good thing is a bad thing!"
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang gathered everyone together again and said to them, "More than three months have passed since I started teaching you. You have all done very well in these three months and have laid a solid physical foundation for becoming excellent Soul Master."
"But that's not enough. Without the baptism of battle, you can never truly grow!" The Grandmaster paused, then continued, "So, starting today, our training enters its second phase!"
Upon hearing that the training was over and the second phase was underway, everyone tensed up. They had already witnessed enough of the Grandmaster's skills; they wondered what awaited them in this second phase.
"The second phase of the mission is simple. I heard you've already been to the Great Soul Arena, so our second phase of training will take place there! This time, there's no time limit; training will end when you receive your Silver Soul Badge!"
The Grandmaster then glanced at Qi Ling and said, "Of course, in order to gain points as quickly as possible, in addition to participating in individual and two-on-two matches every day, you must also participate in team battles to earn team battle points! However, Qi Ling is not allowed to participate in any of these battles!"
Ma Hongjun and Oscar were initially delighted to hear about the team battle, since having Qi Ling meant it would be a free win for them. However, upon hearing that Qi Ling wasn't allowed to participate, they immediately deflated, asking, "What? Grandmaster, why can't Boss Qi fight?"
"If Qi Ling fights, will any of you fight seriously?" The Grandmaster glared at Ma Hongjun and Oscar. "What kind of progress can a match you can't lose make you? Only matches with no way out can help you grow. Your Boss Qi can't be with you forever."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately agreed that it made sense. After all, if Qi Ling were really present, they would inevitably become accustomed to relying on Qi Ling, which would be detrimental to everyone's growth.
"Of course, besides that, I allow you to freely form pairs for two-on-two Soul Fighting, with victory as the ultimate goal! Also, during the battle, you are not allowed to reveal your identity or age; you must fight using code names!"
After confirming that everyone understood, the Grandmaster led everyone to Suotuo City, found a hotel to stay in, and then called everyone together.
"How you participate in the Soul Fighting is up to you. You must wear these masks. You must wear masks when you participate in the Soul Fighting!" The Grandmaster said, handing eight masks to the group.
"Furthermore, to better conceal your identities, I've come up with a nickname for each of you. Use that nickname during the competition; just inform the Great Soul Arena, and your real names won't be broadcast."
Oscar asked curiously, "So what should we call our titles?"
"These are the nicknames I've given you, which basically summarize the characteristics of each of you. If you think there are any more suitable ones, you can suggest changes," the Grandmaster said, placing a piece of paper on the table.
After everyone made their own decisions, their nicknames were revealed: Evil-Eyed White Tiger Dai Mubai, Thousand-Handed Asura Tang San, Soft-Boned Charming Rabbit Xiao Wu, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Ning Rongrong, Netherworld Spirit Cat Zhu Zhuqing, Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Hongjun, and Sausage Specialist Oscar.
At this moment, Ma Hongjun said strangely, "Hey, Grandmaster, why isn't Boss Qi's nickname in there?"
"You all know your Boss Qi better than anyone, so I'd like to hear your opinions," the Grandmaster said with a wicked grin. "In the end, the nickname everyone agrees on the most is Qi Ling! Qi Ling, you're not allowed to object!"
Qi Ling was taken aback by the Grandmaster's words. Did this mean that if the others gave her a strange nickname, she would have to wear that name every day during the competition?
Before she could even protest, Ning Rongrong cheered, "Oh! I'll go first, I'll go first! Qi Ling bullies us every day, how about we call her Super Bad Guy?"
Qi Ling felt her eyebrows twitch involuntarily. If I were a super villain, would I have let you little girls get away with this?
Ma Hongjun then said, " Boss Qi is so powerful, no one can beat him, I think we should call him Super Awesome!"
Oscar agreed, "That's right, how about calling it 'Super Master'? That would be great too!"
"Oh no, these two have hopeless taste," Qi Ling thought to herself. "If I really called them that name, I'd have to teach them a lesson!"
In the end, Dai Mubai and Tang San's tastes were closer to those of normal people. Dai Mubai said, "Since we're giving Qi Ling a nickname, it should naturally be something powerful, after all, he represents the strongest fighting force of our Shrek! How about 'Invincible War God'?"
Tang San pondered, "Invincible? That does suit Big Brother quite well, but considering his Twin Martial Souls, I think changing it to Undefeated Demon God would be more appropriate."
Upon hearing this, the others nodded in agreement, and in the end, " Undefeated Demon God " passed with six votes in favor. Only Ning Rongrong still insisted on her title of "Super Villain".
"Alright, since that's the case, then Qi Ling, your nickname will be the Undefeated Demon God. You'd better make good use of the characteristics of this nickname!" the Grandmaster laughed.
Qi Ling said helplessly, "Giving me such a nickname, I think you just want me to draw your attention, right? Who wouldn't want to beat up someone so arrogant?"
"Hehe, Boss Qi, what's the big deal? If we're going to do something, we'll be the most arrogant! Anyway, nobody's a match for you, so what's wrong with being a little arrogant!" Ma Hongjun said.
The Grandmaster chuckled, "That's right, Qi Ling, this title reflects everyone's expectations of you, and you're not allowed to object! Also, you all need to come up with a team title for the team competition! Any opinions?"
"As for a team name, I think we should call ourselves the Shrek Seven Devils!" Qi Ling said. "Since we're all monsters, let's embrace that monster spirit to the end."
"Huh? But Boss Qi, there are clearly eight of us, so why are we called the Shrek Seven Devils?" Ma Hongjun asked, puzzled.
"There are eight Shrek Seven Devils, isn't that common sense?" Qi Ling said with a smile.
"Hmm, not bad, this way it can also confuse the enemy!" The Grandmaster nodded and said, "Alright, then your team name will be Shrek Seven Devils!"