Soto City, the Great Spirit Arena.
"Iron Dragon, Iron Tiger, you two got here pretty fast today!" Xiao Wu greeted the two sturdy young men waiting at the entrance with a bright smile, clearly pleased.
Tang San, beside her, only chuckled lightly without adding anything.
Iron Dragon and Iron Tiger were the sons of a blacksmith in Soto City. The pair had once formed the "Ironblood Duo" and faced off against Tang San and Xiao Wu's "Three-Five Combination" in the arena. Though they lost, their strength was undeniable. Their second soul skill, All or Nothing, allowed them to throw their hammers with a tracking effect,an ability that gave Tang San no small amount of trouble, even leaving him injured.
Back then, Xiao Wu had been so enraged she nearly killed them with her sleeve darts, but Tang San stopped her in time.
Later, Tang San encountered them again at a blacksmith shop,owned, as it turned out, by their father Tie Xin. When Tie Xin learned of Tang San's age and soul power, he immediately asked if his sons could join Shrek Academy.
But the academy's strict requirements left Tang San no choice but to refuse.
Not long after, Grandmaster arrived to lead the Shrek team into the Great Spirit Arena's team battles. With a minimum of seven members required, Tang San recommended the brothers as temporary additions.
Tie Xin relayed the news, and since then the two had followed Shrek's team faithfully.
Though never officially accepted as Shrek students, they still learned much by fighting alongside them. With rivals to compare against, their training became more diligent, their progress greater. They eagerly answered every call to battle.
In short, they were unofficial reserve members of the team.
"Of course, Sister Xiao Wu," the brothers said sheepishly, scratching their heads.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang had arrived at the team registration counter. Handing over his badge with practiced ease, he said, "Please register us for the team battle."
The staff member accepted the badge, glanced down,and his expression shifted instantly.
"Shrek Six Monsters?!" he exclaimed.
Yu Xiaogang frowned, disapproving of the man's lack of composure.
"My apologies, sir." The staffer bowed quickly, then asked cautiously, "Are you the leader of the Shrek Six Monsters?"
"You could say that," Yu Xiaogang replied calmly. "Now, if you would, arrange it quickly."
"Please wait a moment, sir." The staffer bowed again before hurrying away with the badge.
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened at the delay, but he endured it silently.
Soon the staffer returned, accompanied by the arena's manager.
"Honored leader," the manager said respectfully, "I hope we might have a word with you. It won't take much of your time."
"Are you speaking for yourself, or for the Great Spirit Arena of Soto City?" Yu Xiaogang asked coolly.
"Of course, for the Great Spirit Arena."
"Then I'll be direct," the manager continued. "On behalf of the arena, I sincerely invite your team to hold today's match in the Central Main Arena.
"To be frank, two days ago a new team appeared here,seven Soul Elders and one Great Soul Master. We had no choice but to send in the Mad Battle Team to face them, and the result… was predictable. They lost. The difference lay in soul rings. Every single member of that team has optimal rings."
Yu Xiaogang's expression tightened.
"There's more," the manager pressed. "This team may only be registered as Silver Spirit Fighters, but their vice-captain is a holder of the Purple Gold Badge,and remains undefeated."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes narrowed. A Purple Gold Badge was no easy feat.
"I've also learned," the manager continued smoothly, "that your vice-captain, the 'Thousand-Hand Asura,' is a level 32 Soul Elder with the Blue Silver Grass martial soul. By coincidence, that other team's vice-captain is also a level 32 Soul Elder… and also wields Blue Silver Grass."
The words struck like a hammer.
"Not only that,he even looks younger than your vice-captain," the manager added lightly.
One handsome and refined, the other ordinary and dark-skinned,the contrast was stark.
Impossible. Yu Xiaogang's composure faltered for the first time. His lips moved, but words caught in his throat.
"And during their match against the Mad Battle Team, their vice-captain didn't even take the stage," the manager said steadily. "Yet in the last two days, he has won four consecutive personal matches against Soul Ancestors, each of them stronger than him in soul power. None lasted long.
"Forgive me for being blunt, but based on my observation, his control over Blue Silver Grass far surpasses that of your vice-captain."
The implication hung in the air.
"Tell me, sir," the manager asked softly, "don't you wish to see your vice-captain stand against him? Isn't this too valuable a chance for growth to miss?"
In recent matches, Shrek's Thousand-Hand Asura had become the brightest star of all, drawing cheers and wagers alike.
Now, pitting him against a Purple Gold Badge holder with the same martial soul,the crowd would go wild.
Yu Xiaogang broke the silence. "How long did it take that spirit master to earn the Purple Gold Badge?"
"About three months," the manager answered honestly.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes sharpened. "Very well. We accept."
Tang San had been here only one month, yet was already on the verge of a Gold Badge. Two more months, Yu Xiaogang believed, would be enough for him to reach Purple Gold as well.
Even across a ten-level gap, Tang San's control could overcome a stronger opponent. Against an equal, with the same martial soul? Yu Xiaogang had no doubt where victory would fall.
This was an opportunity,a chance for his disciple to prove himself.
Still, his voice remained calm as he added, "But I have one condition. That man _must_ go on stage."
"Of course," the manager agreed readily. "I believe he is just as eager to face your vice-captain."
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Good. Then prepare the information on this team. I'll gather my students."
"No need, sir," the manager replied quickly. "Our staff will handle that. The opponent's information is ready,I'll have it delivered. I'll also seek their consent. If all goes well, you'll be guided to the Central Main Arena shortly."
With a polite bow, he left.
Moments later, a staff member arrived with a stack of documents and led Yu Xiaogang to a prepared rest area.
He leafed through the pages as he walked.
"Emperor Battle Team. Captain: Yu Tianheng."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes flashed.
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