Watching Ning Rongrong leave, Lin Jie let out a sigh of regret. Given his personality, he typically wouldn't let such a tempting opportunity slip away. But the thought of that sword-wielding fellow from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan made him abruptly stop. There was no helping it—if Rongrong returned home and this was discovered, that guy might just cut him down with a single slash.
Still, if Ning Rongrong dared to act so boldly again, Lin Jie swore to himself he definitely wouldn't hold back next time.
What Lin Jie didn't know was that someone else had been waiting for him with hopeful anticipation all night.
Seven days of rest passed quickly, and the group gathered once more. Since Yu Xiaogang hadn't arrived yet, Lin Jie was chatting and laughing with Ning Rongrong. The two seemed to be getting along well—but beside them, Zhu Zhuqing let out a cold snort. Whether it was jealousy or something else, no one could say for sure.
Just then, Yu Xiaogang entered the room. His gaze swept across the group, and the previously cheerful conversation ceased as everyone straightened up.
"I've already spoken with Flender," Yu Xiaogang began, his voice steady. "All of you have been to the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena. From now on, the second phase of your training will also take place there."
Ma Hongjun and the others felt a weight lift from their shoulders. If the next phase of training was simply more Spirit Arena battles, it sounded manageable.
But Yu Xiaogang continued: "Each of you must earn a Silver Spirit Fighter Badge in one-on-one combat. On top of that, you'll need to earn the team battle version of the Silver Spirit Fighter Badge as well."
Oscar raised a hand in protest. "Master, Rongrong and I are Support-type Spirit Masters. Do we still have to earn Silver Badges in solo combat?"
Yu Xiaogang glanced at him coolly. "You can stick with your previous training, if you'd prefer to continue until everyone else has earned theirs."
Oscar immediately shut his mouth.
With that, Lin Jie and the others packed lightly and set out for Suotuo City. Since matches at the Great Spirit Arena typically took place at night, they checked into a nearby hotel upon arrival. The place seemed modest on the outside, but the prices were anything but—nearly double what inns in other parts of the city charged.
Once settled, everyone retreated to their rooms for a rest. There was still a good half-day before the fights began, so there was no rush.
Because Shrek Academy operated on an "everyone handles their own food and lodging" basis, Lin Jie—who had a bit of coin to spare—booked himself a nicer room. After a short rest, he headed to the hotel's dining hall and ordered a meal for himself. The others? He wasn't sure if they were even in the hotel. As long as they met up later tonight, that was enough.
Sipping a glass of wine, Lin Jie savored the brief calm.
A voice called softly from nearby. "Hey, Lin Jie."
He looked up and was surprised to see Xiao Wu walking over.
"You're here? Not sticking to your Third Brother's side for once?" he teased.
"Why, am I not allowed to be here?" Xiao Wu replied as she sat down without asking for permission.
"No, it's just surprising. You're usually glued to Tang San," Lin Jie said with a chuckle.
"None of your business. Hmph." Xiao Wu huffed, then waved down a server and ordered her meal—insisting it be charged to Lin Jie's tab.
Lin Jie wasn't bothered. Buying her a meal was no big deal.
Then Xiao Wu gave him a suspicious look. "Hey, Lin Jie. What's going on between you and Zhu Zhuqing?"
Lin Jie blinked. "Didn't you see it that day?"
At the memory, Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed. That damned scoundrel—what he'd done to her still burned in her mind. And the way he used to lie when they were kids… she hadn't forgotten that, either.
"So the two of you are... involved?" she asked.
"You could say that," Lin Jie replied nonchalantly. "Aren't you and your Third Brother the same?"
"Don't talk nonsense! I only think of him as my brother!" Xiao Wu shot back, flustered.
"Biological brother? Or something else?" Lin Jie grinned.
"Say that again and I'll punch you!" Xiao Wu raised her tiny fist in mock threat.
"Alright, alright. I won't tease anymore." Lin Jie's tone shifted slightly. "Xiao Wu, what do you think would happen if a transformed spirit beast fell in love with a human?"
Xiao Wu's body went rigid. She froze mid-bite, staring at him in shock. "W-What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. Just eat." Lin Jie offered no further explanation and returned to his meal. He left soon after.
But Xiao Wu was left rattled. She couldn't shake what he'd said. Could it be…? No, impossible. There's no way he knows.
As night fell, everyone gathered at the entrance. After a few words from Yu Xiaogang, they donned their masks and headed toward the Spirit Arena.
Currently, all eight of them held Iron Spirit Fighter Badges. Lin Jie had earned two points, Zhu Zhuqing had one (thanks to her loss to Tang San), and Tang San and Xiao Wu each had two. Ning Rongrong had zero, and the rest were in a similar position. Each had selected an alias—Lin Jie casually chose the name "Swift Thunder Shadow."
Soon, the solo and duo battles would begin, followed by the team match later in the evening.
After entering the arena, they each registered using their Iron Badges, which took quite some time—and cost a decent amount of coin. Once signed up, everyone headed off to their respective arenas.
Since Lin Jie and Zhu Zhuqing had previously signed up for duo battles, they agreed to complete their solo fights first, then meet up for their two-person match.
Tang San and Xiao Wu went straight to their duo match, accompanied by Yu Xiaogang. Oscar and Ning Rongrong, being Support-type Spirit Masters, weren't participating in this round and instead followed Flender and Zhao Wuji to observe the more popular one-on-one matches.
Lin Jie stepped into his designated solo arena. His lack of fame meant his entrance didn't earn any cheers.
In contrast, his opponent—a tall, muscular man—walked in to a chorus of excited shouts. The man's imposing figure and burly physique clearly impressed the audience.
"And now, the one-on-one Spirit Battle... begins!" the host called out, prompting a new wave of cheers from the stands.
The brawny man facing Lin Jie released his Martial Soul with a roar. Three spirit rings rose beneath him—one white, two yellow. His Martial Soul: a black gorilla. No wonder he was built like a mountain.
"Heh, you scrawny brat better be careful! I'm not going to hold back!" the Spirit Elder barked at Lin Jie.
As soon as the words left his mouth, all three of his rings lit up. The burly figure charged.
His speed was impressive—but to Lin Jie, it was like watching a slow-moving slug.
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