Chapter 22: Great Spirit Arena
On the Shrek training ground, Dai Mubai and the other seven were already assembling.
“Xiao Wu, do you know Gang Zi?” Ning Rongrong, soaked through and with a flushed face, stood beside Xiao Wu and whispered.
Xiao Wu paused, then nodded and whispered, “Yes, Tang San’s teacher, but we’re not very close.”
Ning Rongrong looked puzzled. “Tang San? Didn’t you always call him Big Brother? Why the change in address?”
Xiao Wu lowered her head, not answering Ning Rongrong, unsure what she was thinking.
When Bai Yu arrived at the training ground, Flender was speaking to the seven of them.
“Oscar, Ning Rongrong, you both did well. You completed all twenty laps. You don’t need to participate in tonight’s activity. Get some good rest at the academy.”
As Flender spoke, a hint of disbelief was in his eyes, and he frequently glanced at Ning Rongrong.
Bai Yu had just arrived and heard what Flender said, his expression also turning to surprise, thinking to himself, “She really ran it?”
He then walked over to Flender, glanced at Ning Rongrong, who was drenched in sweat, chuckled, and said, “Hey, Dean, you should take it easy. If she runs into problems, the only way I’ll be able to chat with you is by visiting your grave!”
Flender’s mouth twitched, and a hint of worry flashed in his eyes. He hadn’t expected Ning Rongrong to actually run twenty laps, and he had no reason to stop her as he followed behind.
He then turned and glared at Bai Yu, saying, “You Little freak, all you do is make sarcastic remarks. Oscar, take Ning Rongrong to Old Shao’s place and get a few recovery candies.”
“Then you two get some good rest. As for the five of you, come with me to the Great Spirit Arena. Your training today will be there!”
Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes at Bai Yu, then looked at Flender and said, “No need. I’ve done this kind of physical training at home before; I’m not that delicate. I’m going back to the dorm first. I’m covered in sweat, it’s so uncomfortable!”
Oscar watched Ning Rongrong leave and also said, “Then, Dean, I’ll head back too!”
After speaking, he turned and ran towards Ning Rongrong.
Flender watched the two walk away, then turned to Bai Yu.
“Bai Xiaozi, what are you doing here? You’re not here just to gloat, are you?” Flender asked irritably.
Ning Rongrong had turned the tables on him, making him uncomfortable, and now Bai Yu was here to gloat?
Bai Yu looked at Flender’s unwilling face, tinged with lingering fear, and burst out laughing:
“Haha, I say, Dean, isn’t it inappropriate for you to come at me like that? I just came to watch the excitement!”
Flender looked at his grinning face, shook his head helplessly, and said, “Then let’s go together.”
He then waved to Tang San and the other five: “Let’s go, follow me.”
As they ran out of the academy, Tang San’s eyes were fixed on Bai Yu, who walked beside Flender.
He observed that although Bai Yu’s strides were not large, his movements were like flashes, incredibly fast. Staring for too long even caused a dizzying sensation.
He then shook his head, thinking to himself:
“This is definitely a movement technique, and it’s a more advanced one than my Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. I was truly narrow-minded before!”
As they entered Soto City, their pace slowed. Seeing the bustling streets, Xiao Wu and the others couldn’t help but look around.
Soto City had no curfew. The city at night was even livelier than during the day, with all sorts of general merchandise stalls and acrobatics performances.
Ever since Ma Hongjun entered the city, his eyes had been fixed on the various women around him, unable to look away.
Regardless of their height, weight, or build, they were all scrutinized.
“Bai Ge, look at that one over there, her waist sways so provocatively.”
Ma Hongjun tugged at Bai Yu’s clothes, speaking excitedly.
Before Bai Yu could speak, Xiao Wu, standing nearby, couldn’t help but interject, “I say, Fatty, can’t you live without women?”
Ma Hongjun grinned. “You’re absolutely right!”
“Alright, stop bickering. We still have some time. Let’s go to a teahouse and I’ll tell you about the Great Spirit Arena.”
Flender glanced at the bickering pair, then said.
The group arrived at the teahouse, and just as Flender was about to speak, Bai Yu stopped him.
“Let me do it. What you order, Dean, is not as smooth as plain boiled water.”
Hearing Bai Yu’s words, Flender waved his hand and said, “I didn’t bring them here to drink tea, but since you’re treating, I won’t be polite. Bring a pot of top-grade Spring Green!”
Bai Yu rolled his eyes. “Alright, it’s not like I’ve ever seen you be polite. Xiao Bai, tell them about the Great Spirit Arena.”
Dai Mubai looked at Bai Yu, then said, “Alright, Bai Ge, but isn’t it a bit early to bring them here directly?”
Flender then spoke, “Shrek is a monster academy, and you are all Little freaks. Monsters have monster training methods.”
Bai Yu scratched the corner of his mouth, a half-smile on his face.
“Come on, Dean, if the conditions are poor, they’re poor. If there are few students, it’s simply not enough for combat. As for monsters, don’t fool yourself.”
Flender’s face instantly became awkward, and he couldn’t help but wave his hand to shoo Bai Yu away:
“You Little freak, get away from me. Why do you always undermine me? Mubai, quickly introduce the Great Spirit Arena to them!”
“Yes, Dean!”
Dai Mubai continued:
“The so-called Great Spirit Arena is a type of building found only in main cities, and it also represents the strength of that city. The Great Spirit Arena is named after its city, so this one is called the Soto Great Spirit Arena.”
“The main purpose of the Great Spirit Arena is for Spirit Master battles. According to the Great Spirit Arena’s arrangements, different Spirit Masters engage in combat for others to watch!”
Tang San, looking confused, couldn’t help but ask:
“Aren’t Spirit Masters the most noble profession? Why would there be a place like this, where Spirit Masters are like monkeys, entertaining others?”
Bai Yu took a sip of tea and took over the conversation.
“What you said isn’t entirely correct. First, no matter how noble Spirit Masters are, they still need money, and this place allows them to earn money.”
“Second, this place can increase combat experience; otherwise, they would only be able to train outside, which is very dangerous. Third, this is also a place for geniuses to make a name for themselves.”
Dai Mubai nodded and said,
“That’s right. Winning a match here earns you a medal, and after that, every win earns you points. If you have enough points, your medal will upgrade. Holders of high-level medals are very famous and can earn a lot of money!”
“Of course, it’s not that easy, because if you lose, your points drop, and every Spirit Master who comes here will generally lose points when they upgrade to a major rank.”
“Why?” Tang San looked puzzled.
Dai Mubai gave a bitter laugh: “Heh, take you as an example. You are currently level 29, and you have few opponents among Spirit Grandmasters.”
“But when you reach level 31? You’ll be at the bottom of the Spirit Elders. All your opponents will be level 38 or 39. You’ll lose more than you win!”
Flender glanced at the sky and then said, “Alright, you’ve learned enough. Let’s go in.”