Chapter 44: Blood
Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke up, his voice calm and thoughtful. "I think it's possible."
Everyone turned to stare at him in shock.
Flender's eyes widened. "Xiaogang, you know the difficulty of challenging higher ranks! The children can't possibly win against Soul Ancestors. Do you want them to go to their deaths?"
"I wouldn't joke about the children's safety," Yu Xiaogang replied seriously. "I have my reasons, and I'll explain later."
Flender studied his old friend's face carefully. After a long moment, he nodded slowly. From what he knew of Yu Xiaogang, the man wasn't someone who would act recklessly without considering all consequences.
Yu Xiaogang turned to the staff member. "You said we can choose any opponent from the available teams?"
The staff member nodded eagerly. "Yes! You can pick any of the Soul Ancestor-level Silver teams."
Yu Xiaogang's next question surprised everyone: "Among these Silver teams, which one is the most brutal and ruthless?"
The staff member blinked in confusion. He'd expected Grandmaster to ask for the weakest team, not the most dangerous one.
Flender started to protest, but Yu Xiaogang raised his hand, cutting him off.
"The... the Ferocious God Team," the staff member stammered. "They've participated in forty-seven team battles. In those matches, they've killed sixty-seven opponents and seriously injured ninety-five more. They're the most vicious team we have, with a reputation for showing no mercy."
Yu Xiaogang nodded with satisfaction. "Then we choose the Ferocious God Team."
"Are you certain?" the staff member asked, wanting to confirm.
"Completely certain."
"Alright, I'll arrange it immediately. The match will be in three hours—our final exhibition of the evening." The staff member hurried off to make the arrangements.
As soon as he left, Flender grabbed Yu Xiaogang's arm. "Xiaogang, you'd better have a damn good explanation for this!"
Yu Xiaogang leaned close and whispered something in Flender's ear. The dean's eyes widened, then his expression shifted to understanding mixed with uncomfortable pity.
"I see," Flender said quietly. "That makes sense, but still..."
Behind them, the students had overheard parts of the conversation and were looking increasingly confused and worried.
Oscar whispered nervously, "Grandmaster actually wants us to challenge opponents ten ranks higher? With such a huge difference in spirit power levels and soul rings, can we really win?"
Dai Mubai tried to sound confident. "What's there to be afraid of? So what if they're Soul Ancestors? We might not necessarily lose."
But even he didn't sound convinced.
Ning Rongrong frowned. "Even if Grandmaster has some strategy, why would he choose the most brutal team? That doesn't make sense."
Being clever, she went straight to Chen Sheng, who stood slightly apart from the group looking completely unconcerned. "Brother Sheng, what kind of charade are Grandmaster and the Dean playing? It feels so mysterious."
Chen Sheng's response was casual, as if discussing the weather. "It's nothing much. Just letting you all kill someone and see some blood to temper your minds."
"Ah?! Kill someone?!" Ning Rongrong's eyes went wide with shock.
The others—except Tang San, who maintained a carefully neutral expression—all reacted with similar alarm.
"Kill... people?" Xiao Wu repeated, her cheerful demeanor vanishing.
Ma Hongjun's face went pale. "You mean actually kill? Not just defeat?"
Chen Sheng nodded. "Yes, actually kill. This is the Great Spirit Arena. Death matches happen here. The Ferocious God Team has killed dozens of opponents. Grandmaster is giving you the opportunity to experience real combat—where the stakes are life and death."
Zhao Wuji, who had been listening nearby, stepped forward with his arms crossed. His voice was gruff but not unkind. "The world of Soul Masters isn't as beautiful as you imagine. You always have to pass this hurdle eventually. Grandmaster is being thoughtful by letting you experience this now, while you have support, so you won't suffer worse consequences later in life when you're alone and unprepared."
Despite Zhao Wuji's attempt at comfort, the atmosphere remained heavy. Everyone's mood was difficult to calm. They all felt deep resistance to the upcoming duel.
Tang San approached Yu Xiaogang, his voice low. "Master, do we really have to kill them?"
The other six students couldn't speak, but their eyes all fixed on Grandmaster, silently pleading.
Yu Xiaogang's expression was serious but not harsh. "This is something you will all have to experience eventually. Sooner is better than later. In the world of spirit masters, there will be times when showing mercy means your own death."
He paused, making sure they were all listening. "Remember—you are facing the Level 40 Ferocious God Team. Every single member of their team has killed before, multiple times. They will show you no mercy. If you hesitate, if you hold back, they will tear you apart without a second thought."
Yu Xiaogang gestured for Tang San to follow him to a quiet corner. When they were out of earshot, he continued, "I know you're confused. With raw strength alone, you certainly can't defeat a Soul Ancestor-level team. But for this soul battle, I will allow you to use the hidden weapons you've made."
Tang San's eyes widened slightly. "Teacher, if that's the case..."
"That's exactly why I chose the most brutal Ferocious God Team," Yu Xiaogang interrupted. "They are killers. Ruthless, vicious, without conscience. You need to understand—this won't be murder. This will be execution of those who have murdered dozens themselves. Don't carry any psychological burden about what you're going to do."
Tang San was silent for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "I understand."
"Good." Yu Xiaogang placed a hand on his student's shoulder. "You can arrange the specific battle strategy. Use your hidden weapons wisely. And remember—hesitation kills. When the match begins, you strike first, strike fast, and strike to kill."
After delivering these final instructions, Yu Xiaogang and Flender left the preparation area, giving the students time to mentally prepare themselves.
Tang San turned to face the others. They all looked shaken, uncertain, scared—even Dai Mubai, who usually projected confidence, seemed subdued.
Oscar broke the silence nervously. "Xiao San, can your hidden weapons really deal with them? I mean, they're Soul Ancestors. If the hidden weapons can't stop them, we'll be torn to shreds immediately."
Tang San's eyes flashed with irritation. "Xiao Ao, are you lacking confidence in my hidden weapons?"
"It's not that I lack confidence," Oscar defended quickly. "But they're truly brutal. Their reputation... if by some chance, I, this handsome, dashing, and charming young man, were to—"
"Alright, everyone," Tang San cut him off sharply. "We have three hours. Use that time to prepare yourselves mentally. Check your equipment. Practice your coordination. And when we step onto that stage, remember what Grandmaster said—they won't show mercy, so neither can we."
Meanwhile, Chen Sheng stood apart from the group, completely relaxed. He wouldn't be participating in this match—he was already far too strong, and this experience was meant for the others.
Oscar noticed and couldn't help himself. "Brother Sheng, why aren't you nervous at all?"
The best way to alleviate tension was to transmit it to someone else, Oscar figured. Misery loves company.
However, Chen Sheng just spread his hands helplessly. "I'm not even participating. Why should I be nervous?"
Oscar: "..."
[DETECTED! Oscar Emotion (Frustration, Increased Anxiety) Congratulations to Host! Treasure Chest acquired!]
This made Oscar even more nervous than before.
Yu Xiaogang, who had returned, smiled slightly. "Xiao Sheng is different from you all. He has a very stable mindset and doesn't need this particular experience."
Grandmaster thought privately. The way he moves, the way he fights—that's not the movement of someone who hesitates or shows mercy.
---
Three hours passed both too quickly and too slowly. For the students, every minute felt like an eternity as they wrestled with what they were about to do.
The main arena of the Silvis Great Spirit Arena was massive—easily three times the size of Soto City's largest stage. Thousands of spectators filled the stands, their voices creating a deafening roar of excitement.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the host's voice boomed across the arena, amplified by spirit power. "Tonight's final exhibition match is a special challenge! The Gold-ranked Shrek Seven Devils team, fresh from dominating Soto City's arena, will face our own Silver-ranked Ferocious God Team in a cross-rank challenge!"
The crowd erupted in excited shouts.
"The odds are seven-to-one against the challengers! Place your bets now!"
In the VIP betting area, Flender placed an enormous wager on Shrek Academy's victory. If they won, his returns would be astronomical. If they lost... well, he tried not to think about that.
The Shrek Seven Devils—minus Chen Sheng—walked onto the stage wearing their masks. Tang San, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar lined up, facing their opponents.
From the opposite entrance, seven men emerged.
They were all around thirty years old, tall and burly with muscles like iron. Their eyes held a disturbing bloodthirsty gleam—the look of men who had killed repeatedly and enjoyed it.
"Tear them apart! Kill them!"
Sections of the crowd chanted, clearly regular fans of the Ferocious God Team's brutal style.
The team captain, Meng Li, was a mountain of a man with scarred arms and a cruel smile. His martial soul was a Bear-type beast spirit. Around him, his teammates each possessed powerful beast martial souls—wolves, tigers, apes.
All of them were Soul Ancestors, with four purple soul rings each rotating around their bodies.
The Shrek team released their own martial souls. The sight of their soul ring configurations—several with thousand-year third rings caused murmurs in the crowd.
But the level gap was still enormous. Spirit Ancestors against Spirit Elders? The outcome seemed obvious to most observers.
In the preparation area below, Chen Sheng sat with Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Zhao Wuji, watching through a viewing window.
The host raised his hand dramatically. "Are both teams ready?"
Tang San gave a sharp nod. Across from him, Meng Li cracked his knuckles with an ugly grin.
"Then let the soul battle... BEGIN!"
The Ferocious God Team activated their martial soul possession immediately. Their bodies swelled with bestial power, muscles bulging, claws and fangs emerging.
"CHARGE!"
Meng Li roared. "Rip them apart!"
All seven Soul Ancestors rushed forward together, their strategy simple and brutal—close the distance, use their superior physical power to overwhelm the younger, weaker opponents.
But Tang San was already moving.
"Now!"
He shouted.
All seven Shrek members pulled out identical devices from their spirit storage tools—Godly Zhuge Crossbows, Tang San's mechanical hidden weapons.
The Ferocious God Team was committed to their charge, too close to stop.
"Fire!"
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!
Numerous crossbow bolts launched simultaneously, filling the air with a dark swarm of deadly projectiles.
The Soul Ancestors tried to protect their vital points with their arms, pushing forward stubbornly despite the incoming attack. Their bear, wolf, and tiger spirits provided natural toughness.
PUFF PUFF PUFF!
The sound of sharp weapons entering flesh rang out repeatedly. The bolts tore through the Ferocious God Team members' bodies, punching through muscle and bone.
The charging Soul Ancestors staggered. Blood sprayed. Their bodies were riddled with holes, the poison spreading rapidly through their systems.
Meng Li, the captain, managed to get within ten meters before his legs gave out. He crashed to his knees, confusion and rage mixing in his dying eyes.
"Im... possible..." he choked out, blood pouring from his mouth.
Then he collapsed face-first onto the stage.
His teammates fell one by one, their bodies hitting the ground with heavy thuds. None of them had even touched their opponents.
The arena fell completely silent.
The frenzied cheers died as if someone had cut all sound from the world. Thousands of spectators sat in shocked stillness, their minds struggling to process what they'd just witnessed.
An absolute instant kill.
The Ferocious God Team—Soul Ancestors, a full rank higher, with a brutal reputation spanning years—had been slaughtered without landing a single blow.
Seven bodies lay on the stage in spreading pools of blood. White brain matter mixed with crimson, flowing from the final headshot bolts that Tang San had deliberately aimed last.
The sight was gruesome, horrifying.
In the Shrek team, Ning Rongrong suddenly turned away, her stomach churning. She bent over, trying desperately not to vomit.
Xiao Wu's face had gone pale, her hands trembling as she lowered her crossbow.
Ma Hongjun was breathing hard, his eyes wide and unfocused.
Even Dai Mubai, who projected strength, looked shaken.
Only Tang San maintained his composure, though his jaw was clenched tight. He forced himself to look at the bodies, to accept what he'd done.
He turned to the host, who stood frozen in shock, and spoke in a deliberately steady voice: "Can the results of this spirit battle be announced now?"
The host snapped out of his daze. "I... yes. Team spirit battle, the Shrek Seven Devils team wins! They have successfully challenged a higher rank through... through complete victory."
Having received confirmation, Tang San gestured for his team to leave. They walked off the stage quickly, nobody wanting to stay near the carnage any longer.
Down in the preparation area, Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Zhao Wuji stood waiting. Behind them, Chen Sheng observed the returning students with careful attention.
Chen Sheng stepped forward, his presence somehow calming despite the violence they'd just committed. He approached Ning Rongrong first, who was visibly shaking.
"Rongrong," he said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Look at me."
She raised her tear-filled eyes to his face.
"What you did tonight was hard," Chen Sheng continued softly. "Killing is never easy, and it shouldn't be. The fact that you feel this way means you're still human, still compassionate."
"But they would have killed us," Ning Rongrong whispered. "They would have enjoyed it."
"Yes," Chen Sheng confirmed. "They would have. You heard their reputation—sixty-seven people killed in the arena. Dozens more permanently injured. These weren't good people forced into bad situations. They were predators who chose to be brutal."
He looked at each student in turn—Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai.
"This was your mental baptism," Chen Sheng said clearly. "Your first real experience with the harsh reality of the spirit master world. Not everyone will be your friend. Not every battle will end with handshakes and mutual respect. Sometimes, you will face true enemies—people who want to kill you, who enjoy hurting others."
"In those moments, hesitation means death. Mercy shown to a killer means they live to kill again. What you did tonight was justice, not murder."
[DETECTED! Ning Rongrong Emotion (Trust) Congratulations to Host! Treasure Chest acquired!]
[DETECTED! Xiao Wu Emotion (Relief) Congratulations to Host! Treasure Chest acquired!]
Yu Xiaogang nodded approvingly. "Xiao Sheng is right. This was necessary. The guilt you feel now will fade, but the lesson will remain—that you can act decisively when you must."
Flender cleared his throat. "We should leave. You all are now the focus of attention here at the Silvis arena. To avoid unnecessary trouble and questions, I think it's better if we depart immediately."
"Good idea," Chen Sheng agreed. "Let's return to the hotel, gather our things, and leave this city tonight."
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Agreed."
They left through a side exit, avoiding the crowds still buzzing with shocked conversation about the unprecedented slaughter they'd witnessed.
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