"This match is so boring," Dai Mubai sighed, his gaze drifting aimlessly.
"Mubai, this match is really boring," replied Dugu Yan, who was clinging to his arm, nodding in agreement. Suddenly, her face turned crimson as if a thought had crossed her mind. She leaned close to Dai Mubai's ear and whispered softly.
"Mubai, why don't you, Lingling, and I go do something... more interesting?"
Dai Mubai shivered all over upon hearing this. In broad daylight, under the bright sun, with the heavens watching...
This... isn't appropriate, is it?
Luckily, Dai Mubai and Dugu Yan were standing some distance away from the rest of their team, who were all focused on the ongoing match, so no one overheard their hushed conversation. Gritting his teeth, Dai Mubai made up his mind and finally nodded.
Given his strength, dealing with both Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling would be a piece of cake!
A while later, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and the others noticed that Dai Mubai, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling were missing.
This realization left them momentarily stunned before their faces flushed. In broad daylight? How shameless could they be?
Xiao Wu pulled Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong aside, speaking in a hushed, conspiratorial tone.
"Zhuqing, Rongrong, that guy Mubai is seriously too strong. Do you think either of you could handle him in a 1v1 Soul Battle?"
"Xiao Wu, is this Soul Battle of yours even proper?" Ning Rongrong said, covering her face in exasperation.
What are you even talking about in broad daylight?
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly, her lips parting as though to speak, but she stopped herself. Shaking her head, she remained silent.
"So, none of us could beat him, huh? I have an idea..." Xiao Wu's voice dropped even lower, audible only to Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, who were standing closest to her.
After hearing Xiao Wu's plan, both girls turned beet red, as though they'd thought of something. In the end, they bit their lips and nodded in agreement.
The three girls exchanged glances and broke into knowing smiles.
In the audience stands
"Shrek Academy really is incredible. The match isn't even over, and their captain has already left the arena."
"He's slated to appear last in the lineup. Do you really think he'll even get a turn?"
"..."
Those familiar with Shrek Academy didn't bother debating this. Forget the captain leaving early—if the vice-captain left too, would it even matter? Could anyone defeat Shrek Academy?
Don't be ridiculous.
This year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament? Maybe only Spirit Hall Academy stood a chance against them!
"Yue'er, stop looking. If I know Dai Mubai, he's probably off with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling discussing what to name their future kids."
"That guy is such a playboy. He's not right for you."
"What are you even talking about?" Shui Yue'er's face turned red. What did it matter to her if Dai Mubai was a playboy?
Does liking someone need a reason?
Does it?
She liked Dai Mubai simply because he was handsome. It had nothing to do with his strength.
Shui Yue'er was very clear about this.
She was just a sucker for looks.
"Let's not dwell on this," Shui Bing'er interjected, cutting off the conversation. She continued, "If we end up facing Shrek Academy, should we surrender outright, or get beaten first and then surrender?"
This wasn't her underestimating their own team or overestimating the other side. It was just... Shrek Academy was unbeatable!
Her question left the girls silent.
Losing without a fight might be seen as unwise, but blindly charging in wasn't courage—it was foolishness. If they got hurt, what would happen in the next matches?
With that in mind, the girls reached a decision.
"Surrender."
"Yeah, I think so too."
Shui Bing'er nodded. If Tianshui Academy hesitated slightly before making up their minds, Thunderclap Academy had no such qualms. They were genuinely terrified!
A few Soul Kings, plus a 48th-level direct heir of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan...
During the preliminaries, Thunderclap Academy had already suffered enough.
Yu Luomian: "This is classic Flender!"
Back on the stage, Tang San froze, clutching his left cheek. He hadn't expected his opponent to endure one of his hammer strikes just to slap him across the face!
That slap left not only Tang San dumbfounded but also the audience.
"Ahhh..." The Barak Academy captain let out a sigh of relief. "Now that's symmetrical!"
It turned out he had obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Seeing the handprint on Tang San's right cheek but not on the left had made him extremely uncomfortable!
The match was already lost. Even if he defeated Tang San, he couldn't possibly take on the rest of Shrek Academy alone. Resolving himself, he endured Tang San's hammer and landed his slap.
Only when he saw Tang San with matching cheek marks did he finally feel at ease.
"???"
Are you insane?
The audience mentally screamed. But on second thought, the captain's reasoning wasn't entirely wrong. Tang San had sported a handprint on his right cheek since before the match, and no one knew how it got there. It had just felt... off. Once his cheeks matched, though, that feeling disappeared.
Tang San: "..."
His eyes turned red, and his hands trembled. This wasn't fear—it was rage, pure and unbridled!
"You... want to die!" Tang San ground out word by word, his anger burning so hot it nearly consumed his reason.
The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament strictly forbade deliberate injury, let alone killing...
"Referee, we forfeit," the Barak Academy captain said, waving dismissively and not even sparing Tang San another glance.
Continuing the fight was pointless; better to conserve strength. Besides, taking that hammer wasn't exactly painless—he'd suffered some injuries himself.
Tang San, mid-outburst, felt as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, instantly dousing his fury.
He gritted his teeth, glaring daggers at the Barak captain. Slap him, then forfeit? Did Tang San's dignity mean nothing?
This man clearly had a death wish!
Once the tournament ended, Tang San vowed to visit the Barak Kingdom personally. He'd make sure this captain paid the price for that slap.
"Revenge is a dish best served cold. Just wait—I'll make you regret it," he thought darkly before stepping off the stage. There was no point staying after the opponent conceded.
"I basically did a one-vs-seven, so why isn't anyone cheering?" Tang San wondered.
The Royal Knight Corps: "..."
"Advancement Match, Round One: Shrek Academy versus Barak Academy. Shrek Academy wins!"
Unlike the preliminary rounds, there weren't as many teams in the advancement stage, so there was only one arena.
(End of Chapter)
Notes-Read all chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X