Flandre said with a touch of helplessness, "I say, Great Master, you shouldn't have agreed so quickly. At least you should have waited until we got here first. They already told us that some noble placed a heavy bet — the stakes are obviously enormous. If you'd negotiated properly, they would have paid even more."
The Great Master replied with some exasperation, "When did you become so money-minded?"
Flandre smiled bitterly. "A single coin can defeat a hero, you know. You think I want this?"
The Great Master said, "If we win this time, our gains will already be quite substantial. Ten thousand Gold Soul Coins is a significant sum. I've already worked it out — one thousand for each of the children will be enough, and the remaining three thousand will stay with the Academy. It will support the arrangements I have in mind for their third-stage trial. Do any of you have objections?"
That last question was not directed at Flandre and Zhao Wuji, but at the Shrek Seven Devils.
All seven shook their heads almost in unison. They had some idea of the Academy's financial situation, and none of them were short on money anyway. Over the past month of Soul Duels, not only had their points risen, but they had also earned corresponding income. After winning more than five consecutive matches, each additional victory was worth one hundred Gold Soul Coins, and after ten wins, it doubled to two hundred. Flandre had even mentioned just the other day that every single one of these kids now had more money than the Academy.
The Great Master rapped his knuckles on the data scroll spread open on the table, his expression grave. "All right, we'll discuss that later. First, let's study your opponents. For you, this will be an exceptionally difficult Soul Duel."
The white scroll had a border of gold-thread embroidery, with the insignia of the Sotuo Grand Soul Duelling Arena stitched on either side. It contained neatly organized information about a team. Everyone lowered their heads to read through it. Even Dai Mubai, proud as he was, couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. A chill settled in every person's heart.
According to team battle rules, each team could have no more than ten members and no fewer than seven. During the Soul Duel, the number of participants for both sides was determined by whichever team had fewer members. The team that appeared in the records before them, like the Shrek Seven Devils, had exactly seven members. Their information was as follows:
Imperial Battle Team — all seven members, all Silver Soul Badge holders.
Captain: Yu Tianheng. Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Level 39 Assault-Type Battle Soul Master. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple.
Vice-Captain: Dugu Yan. Martial Soul: Emerald Serpent. Level 38 Control-Type Soul Master. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple.
Member: Shi Mo. Martial Soul: Black Tortoise. Level 38 Defensive-Type Soul Master. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple.
Member: Shi Mo. Martial Soul: Black Tortoise. Level 37 Defensive-Type Soul Master. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple.
Member: Yu Feng. Martial Soul: Wind Chime Bird. Level 36 Agility-Type Assault Soul Master. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple.
Member: Osro. Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard. Level 36 Agility-Type Assault Soul Master. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple.
Member: Ye Lingling. Martial Soul: Nine-Hearted Begonia. Level 35 Support-Type Tool Soul Master. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple.
Nowhere in the records was there any mention of the opponents' Soul Skills. On this point, the Great Master understood — it wasn't that the Grand Soul Duelling Arena didn't want to provide the information, but that it simply couldn't. Who could be certain that the other team hadn't deliberately held back in their previous two duels? A misjudgment of their Soul Skills could very well bring catastrophic consequences. So the Arena had chosen to let the Shrek Seven Devils probe for themselves.
After reviewing the opponents' data, the seven of them raised their heads and exchanged stunned glances. The shock was plain in everyone's eyes. They had already guessed that a team capable of earning Silver Soul Badges wouldn't be weak, but they hadn't expected them to be this powerful.
Flandre adjusted the crystal glasses on his nose. "If I'm not mistaken, this team must be famous in whatever city they came from. How did they suddenly show up in Sotuo City? Great Master, you really shouldn't have agreed to this Soul Duel. I'm afraid we're no match for them."
The Great Master replied calmly, "Pressure is what drives progress. Retreat at the first sign of difficulty, and you'll never become a true powerhouse. Flandre, where's the spirit you had when you were young?"
Flandre's expression turned a bit sour at the Great Master's words. Zhao Wuji, standing off to the side, didn't miss the chance to fan the flames, saying with undisguised glee, "The Great Master makes a fine point. He's absolutely right — only by facing challenges head-on can you achieve anything."
"Fine, but safety must come first." Flandre shot Zhao Wuji a glare before turning back to the Great Master.
The Great Master nodded. "I have a rough guess about the origins of this Imperial Battle Team. If I'm right, then the children will be in no danger whatsoever. Tang San."
"Master." Tang San quickly stepped forward.