"Second-stage training is… battle matches?"
That day, the Grandmaster gathered Han Feng and the others, announcing the completion of their first phase of training and the beginning of phase two—real combat.
But after hearing his words, Dai Mubai wore a puzzled look. He couldn't understand why the Grandmaster specifically designated arena battles for the second stage. After all, as Shrek Academy students, fighting in the Great Spirit Arena was practically routine.
The Grandmaster, hearing Dai Mubai's doubts, took eight differently colored masks from behind him and handed them over.
"Of course, it's not just simple sparring. See these masks? You'll wear them for every fight."
"You're all well-known in the arena by now. Dai Mubai, especially you—your martial soul and skills have been thoroughly studied. Many opponents either avoid you or intentionally surrender to conserve their strength. This has limited your perspective and, more importantly, hindered your growth. Wearing these masks will let you start fresh, from the ground up."
Dai Mubai shuddered at the words and nodded.
The Grandmaster was right. Because he and his team had fought in the arena for so long, all the veterans already knew them.
For control-type spirit masters it wasn't as bad, but for assault- and agility-types, the moment opponents learned they were facing Dai Mubai, they either forfeited or ran.
Not because Dai Mubai was unbeatable—just that they had different priorities.
Shrek's team was there to hone their skills and experience, and Flender had forbidden them from avoiding any fight.
But the older fighters in their thirties or forties, still stuck at Spirit Master or Spirit Elder levels, were there to make a living. Winning a bout against Dai Mubai might earn them one victory's prize money, but the injuries could keep them out of fights for several days, losing five or six more chances to earn.
Everyone could do the math.
"Once you're wearing these masks, you can't use your real names—only your codenames. Think of one for yourselves," the Grandmaster continued.
Dai Mubai donned a gold mask. "Call me Evil-Eyed White Tiger."
"I'm Evil Fire Phoenix! Like Boss Dai, I'll use my martial soul's name!" Ma Hongjun cheerfully grabbed a red mask.
"Hah… Phoenix? More like Fat Phoenix," Oscar snorted, poking Ma Hongjun's belly before putting on a white mask. "I'll go by Sausage Specialist."
"Nether Spirit Cat!"—obviously Zhu Zhuqing.
"Soft Bone Charming Rabbit!"
"Thousand-Handed Asura!"
Tang San and Xiao Wu smiled at each other, speaking in unison.
"Han Feng, should I be Seven Treasures Glazed or Blazing Treasures Glazed?" Ning Rongrong looked at him meaningfully.
Han Feng rolled his eyes. "Why 'Blazing Treasures'?"
"Because of our duo!" She sounded anxious, as though he'd forgotten about their tag-team pairing.
"That combo's out of the question now. I'm a Spirit Ancestor, you're still a Grandmaster. If we team up, we'll have to face teams with two Spirit Ancestors." He frowned, confused and slightly irritated by her insistence.
Shrinking back, Ning Rongrong whispered, "Then… I'll just train harder."
"Han Feng, what about your codename?" Dai Mubai cut in quickly, sensing the tension.
Han Feng stared at the crimson mask in his hand, feeling oddly unsettled. How does wearing a mask and using obvious martial-soul-based aliases fool anyone? Is this some kind of rule of the world—like those mountain bandits who would only rob, never harm?
"Han Feng?" Dai Mubai prompted again.
Snapping back to focus, Han Feng cast aside his thoughts. "Call me Reverse Flame Guardian."
"Good. Since everyone has a codename, form your teams. Remember: in addition to solo and duo matches, there's a seven-man team battle—and none of you can skip it," the Grandmaster said.
"Team battle? But there are eight of us," Ma Hongjun asked, puzzled.
"We'll rotate. I told you to stay out of brothels, but you never listen!" Dai Mubai kicked him, scolding.
"Exactly," the Grandmaster said coolly. "With eight members and only seven slots per standard team, I'll rotate you based on performance, compatibility, and tactical matchups."
"Performance?" Oscar blanched. "So it's not about the team fight itself, but the shame of being the one benched?"
The Grandmaster glanced at him but said nothing—an answer in itself. Oscar wilted.
He lacked confidence in his arena performance and feared becoming a permanent substitute.
Han Feng pitied him. Looks like he'll be warming the bench for a while.
Han Feng then asked, "So what's our actual goal for this training? Surely it's not just endless fighting?"
"Of course not." The Grandmaster raised two fingers. "Two objectives."
"First: each of you must earn at least one Silver Spirit Badge."
The team collectively sucked in a breath. That badge was one of Flender's graduation requirements.
So the Grandmaster wants us to complete a graduation trial right at the start?
"Second: earn 2,000 gold spirit coins to pay off the academy's deficit."
"So basically, we're fighting to make money for the academy!" Xiao Wu blurted, mimicking Han Feng's signature eye-roll.
Tang San quickly pulled her back, bowing in apology for her outburst.
The Grandmaster, unfazed, continued, "The first stage of your training consumed significant resources, all funded by the academy. Your training has left the academy heavily in debt. It's only right that you repay it."
"No wonder I saw Teacher Zhao eating steamed cornbread in secret while we were feasting!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed, suddenly enlightened.