SS - 22

Chapter 22: First Arrival at the Soul Fighting Arena

By lunchtime, Oscar and Ning Rongrong had yet to return. Running thirty laps around the village proved to be a significant challenge for two auxiliary soul masters.

However, Su Xiao wasn't concerned about their absence. As soon as the cafeteria food was ready, he was the first to rush in, grabbing not only his share but also claiming Ma Hongjun's portion as payment for skipping breakfast.

Just as he began eating, the system, which had been silent for six years, suddenly chimed.

[The check-in location has been refreshed: Shrek Academy cafeteria.]

[You will receive a three-star reward for signing in this time.]

Su Xiao's heart skipped a beat. So even eating can earn me rewards?

Without hesitation, he thought, 'Sign in!'

[he host has successfully signed in. As a reward, the next time you absorb a soul ring, you are guaranteed to obtain an attached soul bone!]

Hearing this, Su Xiao nearly jumped out of his seat. Soul bones were treasures of unimaginable value in the soul master world, and attached soul bones were even rarer. Tang San's Eight Spider Lances played a vital role in his battles, giving him a significant edge despite similar soul power levels.

'And now, the system guarantees me an attached soul bone with my next soul ring absorption?' Su Xiao's anticipation grew. 'My body is strong enough to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring. If I can obtain a ten-thousand-year soul bone as well, it would truly be a treasure that flows through my veins.'

---

That evening, Flender gathered everyone together again. Oscar and Ning Rongrong had finally returned from their grueling run, though Ning Rongrong stood as far away from Oscar as possible, moving directly to Su Xiao's side and even nudging Tang San away.

Flender announced the evening's agenda. "Tonight's class will be about soul battles. The carriages are ready. We'll head to Soutuo City immediately."

Before leaving, Su Xiao instructed Xiao Bai to stay behind. Soul beasts were not permitted in the soul fighting arena, and their presence would attract too much attention.

On the way to Soutuo City, the group split into two carriages. Su Xiao, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong shared one, while Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar took the other.

As soon as the carriage started moving, Ning Rongrong began chatting enthusiastically.

"Brother Xiao, I feel like my stamina has improved after all that running today."

"Brother Xiao, this morning, many shops in the city weren't open yet. Let's check them out next time."

"Brother Xiao..."

Su Xiao, unable to ignore her enthusiasm, responded with short, polite answers. Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged amused glances as Ning Rongrong's laughter filled the carriage, seemingly unfazed by their reactions.

Finally, as she started to speak again, Su Xiao interrupted, "Rongrong, you've been running all day. Would you like to take a nap?"

The carriage fell silent. Ning Rongrong blinked at him for a moment before smiling. She then hugged his arm and said softly, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Xiao. I'll rest now."

She leaned her head on Su Xiao's shoulder and fell asleep almost instantly.

Su Xiao let out a sigh of relief and opened the carriage's curtain, glancing at the other group. 'Oscar, I gave you a chance, and you didn't take it.'

---

When they arrived at the Soutuo Soul Fighting Arena, everyone registered for their battles. Tang San and Xiao Wu signed up for the two-person competition under the name "Three-Five Combination."

Ning Rongrong eagerly pulled Su Xiao aside. "Brother Xiao, let's join the doubles competition too!"

Su Xiao shook his head. "Rongrong, soul battles aren't a game. People get hurt or even killed. As a Soul Elder, my opponents would also be Soul Elders. You'd be in danger. It's better if you team up with Zhuqing or Ma Hongjun."

Though she understood his reasoning, Ning Rongrong couldn't hide her disappointment. She didn't want to team up with the aloof Zhu Zhuqing or the straightforward Ma Hongjun. Her thoughts drifted back to when she and Su Xiao had cooperated against Zhao Wuji during their trial.

In the end, Ning Rongrong and Oscar decided not to participate in any soul battles for now. The other six signed up for individual matches, while Tang San and Xiao Wu entered the doubles competition.

---

That evening's matches were a resounding success for the Shrek group. Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Tang San, and Xiao Wu all won their respective battles. Tang San even defeated Zhu Zhuqing in their individual match. Now, only Su Xiao's battle remained.

Su Xiao's status as a thirty-ninth-level soul master with three thousand-year soul rings caused a stir in the arena. As a result, he was matched against an opponent of the same level.

The announcer's voice echoed through the arena: "Li Yao, a thirty-ninth-level battle soul master. Martial soul: Yin and Yang Swords!"