Soul Fighting
Inside the Mingdu Grand Hotel, Xu De frantically washed his eyes several times before he felt a little better. Tian Meng lay in the space of their sea of consciousness, utterly despondent. For the first time, both of them hated having such vast spiritual power.
When Xu De returned to the private room, the women were discussing what they had just heard from Xiao Wu. Seeing him arrive, Ning Rongrong was the first who could not resist asking:
"Xu De, are we really going to participate in Soul Fighting?"
The others also looked at him with curiosity or apprehension. Clearly, they all felt a little uneasy. After all, they had yet to face the Sun Moon Empire's Soul Masters in a proper fight, and Soul Tools had cast far too great a shadow over them.
"That's right. And not only that, Soul Fighting and making Soul Tools will become the main focus of our lives from now on. Later, the academy will also hold a Soul Master Tournament, and Mingdu will hold the Sun Moon Empire Academy Soul Master Tournament."
The Soul Fighting Arenas in Mingdu had naturally been built in imitation of the rules used over in Douluo. Although Mingdu was more advanced, it was indeed lacking in certain respects, namely its Soul Masters' combat experience and willpower.
That was because the Soul Masters in Mingdu lived lives that were too sheltered. With the help of Soul Tools, they did not need to engage in production, and Soul Beasts posed little threat to them. With the development of entertainment Soul Tools, the situation had grown even worse.
Thus, the Mingdu Great Soul Arena had been established, and every Soul Master was required to participate. All Soul Masters in Mingdu had to take part in at least ten fights a month, whether individual or group battles.
The requirements for academies were even stricter. Students at ordinary academies had to obtain a Silver Soul Badge to graduate, while top academies like Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy and Mingdu Royal Soul Master Academy required at least a Purple Gold Soul Fighter Badge.
After listening to Xu De's explanation, Hu Liena was the first to question it. "Purple Gold Soul Fighting? How many fights would that take? Isn't that too hard? Even disciples of the top academies and sects on the Douluo Continent only reach Silver Soul Fighter by graduation, right?"
"Actually, it's not as hard as you think. There are so many Soul Masters in Mingdu, and the Soul Fighting Arena has restricted and unrestricted areas. The former doesn't allow Soul Tools, while the latter has no restrictions on combat at all. However, there's quite a gap between the points awarded in the two."
He really did not think it was difficult. Was it not just a matter of going up and blasting the opponent away with one punch? An ordinary Soul Ancestor was not even qualified to make him summon his Martial Soul.
The others breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, there was a restricted area. Otherwise, as things stood, they really did not know how to counter Soul Tools. After a while, they could learn to use Soul Tools themselves and equip themselves with a set before taking part in unrestricted battles.
"Since we're already here, I suggest we go to the Soul Fighting Arena and get some practice after we eat. We can also familiarize ourselves with each other's Martial Souls and fighting styles."
Aside from Ning Rongrong, no one objected. Everyone supported the suggestion, and even Huo Wu wanted to test her strength in Mingdu.
The Soul Fighting Arena had special clothing that would not burn in flames or tear when attacked. As long as they wore it, they would not have to worry about encountering the kind of deliberately disgusting behavior they had faced before, and they could fight without holding back.
"But I'm a support-type Soul Master! I don't have to go up there, do I? Just call me for the team battles!" Ning Rongrong was strongly opposed. She had been pampered since childhood and could not endure this kind of hardship.
Xu De had no intention of indulging her. He shook his head and dismissed the idea. "It's fine. You can team up with me for two-person battles first. Once you have Soul Tools, we'll step up your training and have you participate in individual battles."
Ning Rongrong's face immediately fell. What?! Not only do I have to fight in team battles, I have to fight in two-person battles too? And in the end, he even wants a support-type Soul Master like me to go up there and fight one-on-one? Is he even human?!
By now, they had eaten most of the meal. The food at the Mingdu Grand Hotel leaned somewhat toward Chinese cuisine, which was also a result of Xu De's eating habits. Apart from Hu Liena, who did not care much for it, Zhu Zhuqing and the others all ate with relish.
"Bing'er, Yue'er, you two can form a team. Hu Liena, Huo Wu, I suggest you start with individual battles. After all, you're both at the Soul Ancestor level, and two-person battles would still be a bit of a struggle for you."
Based on his own understanding, Xu De made what he considered the most suitable arrangements for everyone. Hu Liena and Huo Wu had no experience working together, and their Soul Power was at the lowest tier of the Soul Ancestor level. They would be better off starting with individual battles.
"What about me? Am I supposed to watch you fight?" Zhu Zhuqing frowned and looked at Xu De with displeasure, clearly unhappy that he had made no arrangements for her.
That really did leave Xu De stumped. After all, Zhu Zhuqing's Soul Power was too low-relative to the others present, of course. Against people her own age, she could still crush them as though attacking from a higher dimension.
He considered it for a while and still felt he could not let Zhu Zhuqing participate in individual battles. What use would individual battles at the Soul Grandmaster level be? What he wanted to hone this time was teamwork.
He was not doing this for no reason. Although he could currently fight seven people on his own, he definitely could not sweep through the Sun Moon Empire Soul Master Tournament single-handedly, especially when it came to the Sun Moon Empire's other top academy, Dongyang Advanced Soul Master Academy.
It had no shortage of geniuses whose strength surpassed that of the core members of Shrek Academy and Spirit Hall in the original work. After all, they were older, and with the aid of secret medicines, their Soul Power had risen rapidly. Some had even participated in the previous war in Fasinuo Province and had abundant combat experience. He could hardly lose to someone from Dongyang City in Mingdu, could he? That would be far too embarrassing.
"Zhu Zhuqing, wait until Rongrong and I are done, and then I'll fight in a two-person battle with you." After thinking it over for a moment, Xu De decided to take the field himself as well, just in case.
Zhu Zhuqing's face remained as cool as ever, without the slightest change in expression. She merely nodded and said nothing more.
Seeing that no one objected, Xu De called over one of his guards and ordered him to go to the Soul Fighting Arena first and arrange the battles. Of course, he also gave the guard some instructions unrelated to arranging the battles.
"What? Go to the Soul Fighting Arena for two-person battles now?!"
Dai Mubai's exhausted voice was filled with shock. In the room, he looked listless and weak, while the faces of the four women beside him glowed rosy. Clearly, his body had been drained dry.
"Um, could we do it another day? The thing is, I'm feeling a little unwell today." Looking at the guard's unmoved expression, Dai Mubai spoke again, a little embarrassed. Sigh, I don't know what got into the four of them today. They just had to pester me into coming here. I really am drained now.
The guard sneered, clearly displeased by Dai Mubai's refusal. "Does Young Master Dai still think he's a prince of the Star Luo Empire? Don't forget who gave you the life you have now! This is His Highness's order. I'm only here to pass it on!"
"Oh, Brother Mubai, just go fight a few rounds. As it happens, we sisters haven't met our quota for the month yet. You can take each of us for two rounds."
The women behind him also began egging him on. Xu De had arranged for them to come. Though their looks were average, in some respects they were far more experienced than Dai Mubai and could easily wrap him around their fingers. Dai Mubai did not think about it for long. He gritted his teeth and decided to go through with it. After all, he was living under someone else's roof now; he could hardly refuse outright.
"All right, I'll be sure to carry out His Highness the Crown Prince's order!"