After filling their bellies, the three of them strolled around Soto City. Though they were all men, this was Qian Jue's very first time stepping foot into the city, and everything here seemed fresh and curious to him. Dai Mubai and Oscar accompanied him as tour guides, introducing him to Soto's customs and sights.
As they walked, they came upon a massive structure—like a stadium from Qian Jue's previous life, but even grander. From within, waves of roaring cheers erupted one after another.
Qian Jue had noticed this building earlier, but he hadn't expected such a magnificent construction to exist within Soto City. Aside from its style, it was no different from the skyscrapers of his former world.
"This is Soto's Grand Spirit Arena," Dai Mubai explained when he saw Qian Jue staring at the building. "Only major cities like Soto have one. As the name suggests, Spirit Arenas are where spirit masters fight. We can go in for a look, but if you want to participate, you'll have to wait for the academy's arrangements. Don't worry—since the Spirit Arena is the best place to gain real combat experience, we definitely won't miss out."
"Don't worry, little ones," came a raspy voice from the side. "When your spirit power reaches level 29, I'll let you enter the Spirit Arena. It's part of your graduation trial. By then, even if you want to escape, you won't be able to."
It was Flender, dragging his wide robe behind him as he approached.
"You're awfully free, aren't you? Instead of cultivating your soul power, you're wandering around the streets."
"Uh, Dean Flender, we were just welcoming Ah Jue and showing him around Soto City. We'll head back soon," Dai Mubai said weakly.
"Be back early. Tomorrow morning, meet at the training ground. I'll be assigning you special training tasks." Flender finished, about to turn and leave.
Dai Mubai and Oscar exchanged a helpless look. But at that moment, Qian Jue suddenly hurried forward and tugged at Flender's robe.
"Dean, Dean." He gestured that he had something to say.
"What is it now, brat?" Flender lowered his head to look at him. Qian Jue stood just a little over one meter and fifty centimeters tall; every time Flender looked at him, he had to bend down.
"Dean, what do you think of my strength… at the Spirit Grandmaster level?" Qian Jue asked mysteriously.
"You should be pretty strong, I suppose," Flender frowned, uncertain. He had only seen Qian Jue fight once, when he hunted the Green Pouch Beast. The duel with Dai Mubai this afternoon he hadn't witnessed—he had been minding the shop in Soto City.
But from that single battle, coupled with Qian Jue's temperament and the way he carried himself, Flender could tell his combat sense and battle experience were far from ordinary.
Add on the four spirit rings attached to his one-of-a-kind martial spirit, granting him overwhelming attributes… within the same rank, there should be no one who could defeat him.
"Wait… same-rank invincible?"
Flender's eyes suddenly widened, as if he had just realized something.
"Hehe, Dean, isn't the academy short on funds? The Spirit Arena should have outside betting pools, right? Let me fight, I promise I'll win you a fortune. How about it?"
Flender narrowed his eyes, silently weighing the feasibility.
He had held Dai Mubai and Qian Jue back from the Arena for two reasons. First, they were still too young—most who fought in the Arena were seasoned veterans. He worried they'd suffer losses.
Second, he feared if they entered and lost right away, their confidence would be crushed. He wanted them to have a good start, which was why he required them to wait until level 29 before stepping into the Arena.
With Shrek Academy students' talent, reaching the peak of their rank practically guaranteed they wouldn't lose.
But now… if this brat Qian Jue was already nearly invincible within his rank, then there was no longer the risk of early defeat. The only danger left was dirty tricks from opponents.
"I'll let you try," Flender said sternly. "But I have conditions. You cannot participate on your own without my approval. Every match you fight must be under my watch. Mubai, that goes for you too."
"Understood, Dean." Of course Qian Jue didn't refuse—he knew Flender only had his safety in mind.
"Good. Then let's go. Tonight, I'll show you the place countless spirit masters flock to—the Spirit Arena!"
Walking into the Grand Spirit Arena, the first thing they saw was a massive stone tablet. Carved into it were countless names.
Those names belonged to the dead.
The Arena was no place of kindness. With honor came risk. Since its founding, for every spirit master who rose to fame, ten had fallen. One man's success is built upon the bones of thousands. Countless spirit masters had become nothing more than stepping stones.
Registering for the Arena was simple: fill out a form with name, age, birthplace, martial spirit, and pay ten gold coins to receive the initial Iron Spirit Arena Badge.
Every month, tens of thousands registered, yet nearly half vanished after only a few fights. If they didn't die or end up crippled, they were broken by repeated defeat, leaving this sorrowful place behind.
This was why Flender required his students to reach level 29 before entering.
"Dean," Qian Jue suddenly extended his hand toward him.
"What? Why are you reaching out to me? Don't tell me you're asking me for registration money! Don't you have your own? Where did all your monthly stipends go?" Flender exclaimed like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"I don't have any money. Since awakening my martial spirit, I haven't gone to the Spirit Hall to update my level," Qian Jue said innocently.
"Then borrow from that brat Dai Mubai! Why are you asking me?" Flender was exasperated.
"Why would I borrow? I'm about to earn money for the academy. This is the capital—shouldn't it come from the academy, not me?"
Qian Jue looked at him with puzzled eyes.
"I—" Flender faltered, unable to explain.
"Fine, fine, take it!" With a sigh, Flender dug into his pocket and handed over ten gold soul coins for Qian Jue's registration.
Dai Mubai was stunned. His little brother had actually managed to swindle ten gold coins out of Flender, the Iron-Haired Eagle himself. It was truly eye-opening.
"Tsk, tsk…" Dai Mubai clicked his tongue in admiration, then also registered for an Iron Badge.
Oscar, watching the two hold their badges, was a little envious. But he didn't register—he wasn't even level 20 yet. His monthly stipend was just one gold coin, with barely any savings. Besides, as a support-type spirit master, he could only participate in team battles anyway. Better to wait until he reached level 20.
Once registration was done, Flender led Dai Mubai and Qian Jue to the wagering section of the Arena to sign up for one-on-one matches.
There were three types of battles: Match Duels, Bet Duels, and Life-and-Death Duels. The most common was the Match Duel—two spirit masters of similar strength paired to fight. Most entered for money and honor, some for training. The injury rate here was the lowest.
Bet Duels and Life-and-Death Duels were more private, requiring both parties to sign agreements. In Bet Duels, losing meant losing everything staked. In Life-and-Death Duels… losing meant death.
The entry fee for a one-on-one fight was ten gold coins. Lose, and you get nothing. Win, and you not only get your fee back, but also your opponent's. The Arena itself took no cut—it made profits from tickets and gambling pools.
This time, it was Flender again who paid. Not only the entry fee, but an extra ten gold coins to change Qian Jue's registration from his real name to a battle alias. When it came to money worth spending, Flender didn't skimp.
For names, Dai Mubai chose Evil-Eyed White Tiger. Qian Jue, after thinking for a long time, decided on the alias from his past life's League of Legends—The Eternal Hunters. A small tribute to the world he once belonged to.
During registration, they also underwent soul power testing—a mandatory step. For the first time since his awakening, Qian Jue got an exact number: just as he had guessed, level 23.
Soon, the battle assignments were announced. Since they had registered together, both were placed in Arena Sixteen. Dai Mubai was number 14, Qian Jue number 18—their fights not too far apart.
With registration complete, Flender brought them to the waiting area entrance.
"Spirit battles are quick. The longest might last ten minutes, the shortest could end in seconds. Your turns will come soon. After your one-on-ones, sign up for a two-on-two team battle. Pick a name for yourselves—I hope you'll have a strong start.
Most importantly, remember this: no matter what, your safety comes first. If your life is truly in danger, surrender immediately. Understood?"
His tone had grown strict by the end.
"Understood!" Qian Jue and Dai Mubai answered in unison.
"I'll be watching from the audience," Flender said as he left with Oscar.
Qian Jue and Dai Mubai exchanged a smile, then stepped together into the waiting area of Arena Sixteen.
…