"Fair?"
Su Yu looked at her with a strange expression. "Dong'er, you're not a child anymore. How can you still ask something like that?"
"Where does fairness exist in this world?"
"Besides, with how carefree and lazy you are lately, I think it's necessary to give you a bit of pressure."
Wang Dong'er pouted, looking pitiful and aggrieved. "You're being unreasonable."
"Mm, you're right. So, what do you want to do about it?" Su Yu joked.
"Hmph, so annoying!" Wang Dong'er snorted and turned away.
An arm can't beat a thigh; facing Su Yu, Wang Dong'er was powerless to resist.
But she would never truly yield.
Wang Dong'er was so angry her little mouth was pouted high enough to hang a soy sauce bottle from it.
Su Yu just smiled calmly, not minding at all. He swept his gaze over the other girls. "What about you all?"
Jiang Nannan and Lan Fozi both shook their heads.
They had no objection to Su Yu's arrangement.
This was also a good chance to temper themselves.
"Xiao Yu, I do have a concern," Jiang Nannan said at that moment.
Su Yu signaled with his eyes, "Sister Nannan, just say it."
Jiang Nannan hesitated. "In this kind of competition, one-vs-seven is far harder than imagined."
"If we want to pull it off, we'll have to reveal our true strength."
"If we show all our trump cards, other teams will be on guard. Won't that put us at a disadvantage in the finals?"
Su Yu and Xue Di exchanged glances, both of their eyes flashing with amusement.
Xue Di chuckled, "Nannan, do you know just how strong this guy in front of you is?"
Jiang Nannan shook her head.
She knew Su Yu was strong, but she didn't know how strong.
After all, she'd never seen it for herself.
The only impression was from the Soul Fighting Tournament five years ago, when Su Yu went all out and single-handedly defeated seven Shrek Academy members.
Other than that, she had no idea where Su Yu's strength was now.
Even when they trained in teamwork, Su Yu never participated.
Xue Di smiled teasingly, "Looks like you're not a very competent captain, huh? Nannan doesn't even know how strong you are."
Su Yu just smiled without saying anything.
Lan Fozi, off to the side, was also watching Su Yu with curiosity.
She didn't know how strong he was either.
She only knew from Wang Dong'er that Su Yu was very, very strong—stronger than any of them.
But just how strong, remained a mystery.
Wang Dong'er pouted and said, "Sister Nannan, you don't need to worry. This brute's strength is completely off the charts."
"Even if all those guys ganged up, they couldn't take him alone."
"What we need to worry about is our tasks. As for whether other teams will be on guard, it's not something we need to consider."
"No matter how prepared those guys are, they can't withstand three punches and two kicks from this brute."
Su Yu could go toe-to-toe with Tai Tan.
His strength had long since reached a terrifying level.
With Su Yu around, there was no way their team could lose. Worrying about this was pointless.
"Ah, is he really that strong?" Jiang Nannan looked at Su Yu in shock.
Had Xiao Yu's strength reached such a height?
"That idiot Wang Dong'er is right, you don't need to worry," Di Mingli added.
If Su Yu could even beat Bear Lord, how could he not be able to handle a mere Soul Fighting Tournament?
It simply wasn't a real concern.
"O-oh~" Jiang Nannan replied.
At this, Wang Dong'er was a bit upset. "Who are you calling an idiot?"
Su Yu calling her silly was one thing, but how could Di Mingli insult her too?
"Of course I mean you," Di Mingli said blandly.
"You... Are you looking for a fight?" Wang Dong'er huffed.
"You?" Di Mingli sneered. "Call me 'big sister.'"
"You!" Wang Dong'er's pretty face flushed red, recalling unpleasant memories.
She'd lost to Di Mingli before—it was a major setback in her life.
"One day, I'll win it back," Wang Dong'er said, clenching her fists in frustration.
She had twin martial souls—she might be losing to Di Mingli now, but she refused to believe that would always be the case.
Once she mastered both martial souls, she'd reclaim her pride.
"We'll see," Di Mingli smiled unconcernedly.
She knew Wang Dong'er's confidence came from her twin martial souls, but so what?
Besides, Wang Dong'er's martial souls were not even comparable to hers.
Now or in the future, she'd always suppress Wang Dong'er.
"Just wait," Wang Dong'er said fiercely, determined to train hard and get her revenge.
Su Yu looked on helplessly, not knowing what to say.
Both Wang Dong'er and Di Mingli had mellowed a lot recently.
They hadn't been causing trouble and were getting along with the others reasonably well.
The only problem was that Di Mingli and Wang Dong'er seemed naturally at odds.
Normally, it only took a few words before they started bickering and mocking each other—never a quiet moment.
Fortunately, both knew their limits and never actually fought, so Su Yu just let them be.
Both were dear to him, so he couldn't take sides. As long as it didn't get out of hand, he wasn't going to interfere.
After glancing at the two girls, Su Yu said calmly, "That's about it. There's nothing else to explain."
"If anyone wants to know more, you can come find me privately."
"Oh, and I've prepared a set of soul tools for each of you."
"Mostly flying soul tools and invincible shields."
"To protect your safety and prevent anyone from hurting you, these are essential. No one is allowed to refuse."
"I know some of you don't like soul tools, but you have to wear them."
"I have a feeling that this Soul Fighting Tournament will be much more brutal than the last, and quite a few people may die."
"What? No way?" Wang Dong'er's mouth dropped open in shock.
"This year's rules are way looser than the last."
"Even the ring is now surrounded by soul tool barriers, totally sealed."
"Just like last time, you can't just fall off the ring and lose; that won't happen now."
"This time, there are only two ways: either you surrender, or you're beaten until you can't fight back."
"In that situation, if someone goes too far, how many do you think will die?"
"Not to mention those who like to intentionally cripple others."
"This time, there's no rule about being punished for killing someone. That says it all."
"This... The Sun Moon Empire is out of control. How dare they?" Jiang Nannan was shocked—thinking deeper, it was terrifying.
"Why wouldn't they dare? This tournament is far from pure."
"So you all need to be ready. If anyone comes after you, don't hold back."
"No matter who they are, if they try to kill you, kill them right there!"
"No matter what happens, I'll take responsibility."
Su Yu's words were full of confidence, and he was justified.
With the God Realm sealed, Su Yu no longer had any scruples.
On the whole Douluo Star, there was virtually no one he had to fear anymore.
Given that, he could be bold.
"Understood," the girls all nodded. They weren't the type to be overly scrupulous.
If someone wanted to kill them, they wouldn't hesitate to fight back.
"Good. Here's your equipment..."
Su Yu took out a set of soul tools from his Black Dragon Ring and handed them out...
...
...
Time passed quickly, and soon the new tournament was about to begin.
The drawing ceremony was held yesterday, with far more teams participating than expected.
There were 168 teams in this Soul Fighting Tournament.
Since the number of teams was even, there were no byes.
Every team had to go through the first round of elimination.
The location surprised many—it wasn't in central Radiant City but in the suburbs.
Compared to the city, the suburbs were much more spacious and could hold more spectators.
At dawn, as the first light shone, the outside of the Bright Moon Hotel was already heavily guarded by armored soldiers.
The soldiers stood in two lines, stretching from the hotel entrance far into the distance.
Su Yu and his group had been ready since early morning.
Two days prior, two more had joined the team—Ji Juechen and Jing Ziyan.
Both wore Holy Slayer Palace uniforms and blended in with the team.
However, they were both over twenty, so appeared as team leaders.
Crowds packed the street to watch the teams emerge from the hotel.
Su Yu's group exited the Bright Moon Hotel, spread out along the street, and left Radiant City.
The competition was held on the eastern outskirts. The usually empty area was already packed with people.
Tens of thousands of soldiers maintained order, dividing the crowd into sections.
On the north side of the arena was a tall platform, all metal.
The platform was ten meters high, and over a hundred meters in diameter, its broad surface shimmering silver in the sun.
Strangely, there was a groove encircling the arena, from which a faint yellowish transparent barrier rose skyward.
Looking up, it seemed to have no end.
The soul power required was staggering.
Around the arena, every hundred meters was a giant soul tool screen for broadcasting matches.
Only the Sun Moon Empire could put on such a show.
Su Yu's group headed straight for the rest area, on the east side of the arena, divided into two sections.
Near the arena was a canopy shelter, holding about twenty teams.
Behind it were rows of neatly arranged seats.
Su Yu and his team were placed under the canopy, right beside the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and Shrek Academy teams.
Both teams had arrived early.
Su Yu and his group sat between them.
Seeing Su Yu and company, both teams greeted him.
Su Yu waved in reply and led his group to their seats.
"Everyone's early, huh?" Su Yu sat in the front row, with Zhang Lexuan to his right, and Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen to his left.
Beside them was an elder from the Illustrious Virtue Hall, apparently an eighth-level soul engineer.
Upon seeing Su Yu, the elder smiled in greeting.
Su Yu was a celebrity in Illustrious Virtue Hall, with high status and many acquaintances.
Su Yu smiled back, glancing over the Illustrious Virtue Hall team.
Aside from Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, he recognized only two other team members.
Most were unfamiliar.
But their soul power wasn't weak, not inferior to Shrek's, and included several Soul Emperors.
Although mostly beginner Soul Emperors on the edge of rank 60, a Soul Emperor was still much stronger than a Soul King.
Plus, with Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen both now Soul Sages, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy team was terrifyingly strong.
"You're the one late, okay? Tell me, brother-in-law, is your team serious?"
Looking at Su Yu's team, all girls, Xiao Hongchen looked strange.
Those who knew Su Yu knew he was here to compete; those who didn't would think he was playing house.
Seriously.
Except for Su Yu, the entire team was girls—did this look like a competition team?
Anyone would shake their head—truly a bit ridiculous.
"Oh, got a problem, brother-in-law?" Su Yu raised an eyebrow, smiling coldly.
Seeing the danger in Su Yu's eyes, Xiao Hongchen shivered and quickly changed his tune, "N-no problem."
"I'm just curious—why don't you have a reserve team?"
"Reserve team?" Su Yu laughed indifferently. "Seven is enough. We don't need a reserve."
"As expected of my brother-in-law—so domineering!"
Xiao Hongchen gave a thumbs up, looking admiring.
Su Yu smiled faintly. "Brother-in-law, even if you praise me, I won't go easy on you when I beat you."
Xiao Hongchen's face stiffened.
Meng Hongchen giggled, her laugh crisp as silver bells.
"Brother, you miscalculated, huh?"
Xiao Hongchen rolled his eyes.
Meng Hongchen smiled, her beautiful eyes falling gently on Su Yu.
"Yu~"
"Meng~"
"Yikes~"
Xiao Hongchen shuddered with goosebumps. He couldn't stand Su Yu and Meng Hongchen acting like that, and his disgust was obvious.
"Brother looks like you want a beating~," Meng Hongchen said quietly.