Xu Sanshi wore a bitter expression.
"With the kind of relationship we've got, be straight with me—did I just offend that person today?"
"One Xuan Shui Pill."
Beibei's face didn't change.
"Talk!"
Xu Sanshi generously tossed over a jade bottle.
Beibei caught the pill with practiced ease and smacked his lips.
"From what I know, that little girl you tried to snatch grilled fish from earlier has a pretty good relationship with him. Seems like they've known each other for a long time. So… you're on your own now."
"Ah?!!"
The Soul Dueling Arena.
The crowd had already exceeded a thousand people—about twelve or thirteen hundred—nearly filling the entire venue.
"Lightning Beibei!"
Shouts of support rang out one after another.
For someone who was both handsome and exceptionally gifted, the female spectators in the stands were naturally enthusiastic.
Beibei responded with a few smiles, then immediately turned toward Tang Ya's seat and made a heart gesture. Their little interaction stuffed the surrounding crowd full of dog food.
But when Xu Sanshi entered, hardly anyone cheered.
He took it in stride; he knew his looks, and besides, he only liked Jiang Nannan—he had no interest in other girls.
From the moment they stepped into the arena, the two men acted like bitter enemies again. This wasn't their first time throwing a fake fight.
"Alright, take your positions."
At the center of the Soul Dueling Arena—
Neuvillette slowly opened his eyes, his calm, water-like gaze sweeping across the two of them.
"Crap?"
Xu Sanshi's face twitched, scalp prickling.
He swallowed hard.
He had good reason to suspect this was payback. In that case, did he still have any chance of winning this match?
Beibei's brows rose as well, clearly not expecting Neuvillette to personally preside.
But unlike Xu Sanshi, he didn't cling to wishful thinking—he knew this man had fairness carved into his very bones, an iron-faced impartiality to the point of harshness.
The onlookers around them were just as puzzled.
"Is this a teacher?"
"He only looks about seventeen or eighteen. I don't think the Academy has any teachers this young, right?"
"Is he really officiating? He doesn't look very reliable…"
"He might not look reliable, but he is really handsome. I've decided—starting today, I'm un-fanning Beibei and becoming his fan instead. By the way, anyone know his name?"
Huo Yutong listened anxiously to the voices around her, wanting to stand and argue, but Wang Dong pressed her shoulder down, leaning in to whisper:
"Pointless. You can't explain it clearly to them."
"But…"
Huo Yutong's small face showed her worry.
"Relax. You have to trust in Teacher Neuvillette's strength."
Wang Dong smiled faintly.
She had been around true peak-level experts before, and the feeling Neuvillette gave her was exactly the same as her "First Dad" and "Second Dad." Once he got serious, that suffocating aura would press down so hard you couldn't breathe.
"Quiet."
Neuvillette's expression stayed calm as he lightly tapped his staff on the ground.
A pale blue ripple spread out from the floor, instantly covering the entire Soul Dueling Arena. Crisp water bubbles popped in the air, carrying a refreshing, mind-clearing sensation.
In an instant, the whole place fell silent.
Seven soul rings rose at his feet:
Purple, purple, purple, black, black, black, red.
A terrifying aura belonging to a hundred-thousand-year soul beast swept through the crowd.
Everyone's eyes widened, holding their breath in tension.
Not a single sound—true pin-drop silence.
Beibei and Xu Sanshi felt it most directly, utterly shaken. That feral beast-like pressure could have made a lesser person wet themselves on the spot.
Fortunately, both had strong talent, so after turning a little pale, they quickly steadied themselves.
"A hundred-thousand-year soul ring…"
Xu Sanshi swallowed in shock.
Even though he'd suspected it, seeing that eerie, dark-red glow with its intricate, ancient patterns slowly rotating was still overwhelming.
Seeing their reaction.
Neuvillette gave a faint nod.
Worthy of being the Academy's Twin Stars.
"Begin!"
The moment the word left his mouth, his figure vanished from the stage—
And reappeared outside the ring.
Only then did the sounds of combat break the tense stillness, gradually bringing the atmosphere back to life.
Countless eyes stayed fixed on that slender figure standing at the edge, staff in hand, poised and powerful—like the solemn blade of Damocles itself.
"He's an Academy teacher?"
"Obviously. A Soul Sage with this kind of soul ring lineup—how could he not be qualified to teach at Shrek?"
"No, I mean… with that age, he's probably a graduate from the Inner Court, right? Anyone know his real identity?"
"I'm in love."
"Coming here today was so worth it."
Up in the stands, little clusters of girls chattered in hushed tones, their gazes stealing toward that figure with girlish anticipation.
Everyone who entered Shrek Academy had a solid background; it wouldn't be surprising if a prince or princess from some kingdom were your classmate.
That meant the students' looks and bearing were extraordinary—handsome men and beautiful women everywhere you looked.
Huo Yutong heard the chatter. Quite a few of the girls had already decided that once the match was over, they would go introduce themselves to him.
Aside from her looks, she couldn't compete with them in talent or family background at all.
She bit her lip, mood dipping.
Her pale, delicate hands clenched tightly together as she lowered her head, lost in thought.
Wang Dong, meanwhile, was perfectly at ease, cheering for Beibei alongside Tang Ya, neither of them noticing Huo Yutong's change in mood.
"What are you worrying for? You're destined to become a god!"
From within her spiritual sea, Tianmeng Iceworm's deep, resonant voice rang out.
"But Sister Tianmeng…"
Huo Yutong's eyes went red at the comfort.
"No 'buts,' little Yutong. As long as you do what I tell you, your future accomplishments definitely won't be beneath that man."
"As the one who possesses the first ever million-year soul ring, you can't even handle this little bit of pressure?"
"Alright, Sister Tianmeng!"
Light returned to the young girl's eyes.
"I'll do my best!!"
"Silly child."
In her spiritual sea, Tianmeng Iceworm looked at the girl—now brimming with energy again—and sighed softly.
"The path to godhood is incredibly difficult."
"But maybe a little naivety isn't a bad thing…"
On the Arena.
Beibei and Xu Sanshi's match was already nearing its end.
Both were going all out.
Dense soul power—one blue, one black—split the arena into two distinct halves.
Both were Soul Elders: one specializing in offense, the other in defense, neither able to overpower the other.
"Yutong, use your soul skill, quick!"
Tang Ya quietly reminded Huo Yutong.
"Oh!"
Huo Yutong snapped out of it, her second soul skill faintly lighting up beneath her feet.
Spiritual Sharing!
In the next moment—
On the stage, Beibei's lips curled upward.
His body suddenly turned hazy—Tang Sect's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track! A slide along the ground brought him right behind Xu Sanshi.
Behind his shield, Xu Sanshi's pupils contracted, but it was too late to evade.
Beibei smiled faintly, dragon claw hooking onto Xu Sanshi's shoulder.
With blue lightning arcs wrapping around Xu Sanshi's entire body, everyone knew—the match was decided!
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Just as everyone was waiting for the referee to announce the result—
Neuvillette appeared before the two men.
Casting a calm glance at Beibei, then another toward Huo Yutong's seat in the stands—
He spoke slowly:
"Xu Sanshi, victory."