Chapter 53: Seven Treasures Combination

When the students saw Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong return, each looked a little surprised; they hadn't expected the dignified Little Princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to still make a mistake, but Yang Xiong, watching Ning Rongrong lower her head a bit, saw her eyes darting wildly, wondering what crooked idea the Little Demon Girl was plotting.

Under Flanders' lead, the group quickly left the academy and arrived at Suotuo City's Great Soul Battle Arena, which is the so‑called first lesson.

After Dai Mubai and Flanders gave an introduction, all Shrek students must take part in the Soul Fighting Competition and earn a Silver Soul Battle Medal to graduate.

Ning Rongrong seemed to regain her lively demeanor: "Dean, as a Support Spirit Master, do I also have to join the Soul Fighting Competition? That would make graduation impossible for me."

Flanders glanced at the group: "I know you and Oscar are both Auxiliary System Spirit Masters; although you cannot take part in one‑on‑one Soul Battles, you can join two‑on‑two or team battles, which will increase your combat experience and even better hone your skills."

"Of course, who you can team up with for the Soul Fighting Competition depends on your own abilities; I don't interfere with that."

In the two‑person Soul Fighting matches, theoretically there are few Auxiliary System Spirit Masters, because only two participants are allowed; if one of them is a support master, the combat master would be outnumbered 1‑vs‑2, which is too disadvantageous.

Ning Rongrong seemed to recall something and rushed to Yang Xiong's side: "Xiao Xiongzi, if I remember correctly, you once went to the Heaven Dou City Great Soul Battle Arena and achieved a record of thirteen wins and zero losses; from now on the two of us will enter the Soul Fighting Competition together."

Yang Xiong sighed helplessly: "That's fine, but even so you must learn to protect yourself on the arena. As the Dean taught today, if you can't even outrun a chase, you'll be easy prey; then I'd be facing 1‑vs‑2 and couldn't spare attention to guard you."

……

The others were surprised by his words; they had just heard Dai Mubai describe the cruelty of the Soul Fighting Arena, and didn't expect Yang Xiong, only Level 26, to have a thirteen‑win, zero‑loss record—quite intimidating.

Yang Xiong first entered a solo Soul Fighting match, easily winning within minutes, and then he and Ning Rongrong signed up for the double‑team contest.

At Ning Rongrong's strong insistence, the two named themselves the Seven Treasures Combination and soon prepared to start the second Soul Fighting match.

However, their luck was average; they faced two Soul Masters with Beast Souls, whose pair was called the Bear Leopard Combination.

Both opponents had Soul Power at Level 28; one's Beast Soul was the Earth Demon Bear, the other's was a Black Leopard. Their records were impressive, with twenty‑one wins and four losses.

The Earth Demon Bear is a Power‑type Beast Soul, belonging to Li Meng; the Black Leopard is a Speed‑type Beast Soul, belonging to Wang Bao. One focuses on strong attacks, the other on swift attacks, making them one of the best attack pairings in the two‑person Soul Fighting arena.

The spectators on the stands wore solemn expressions; as Great Soul Masters, they naturally understood the significance of such a pairing.

Tang San asked with some doubt: "Mubai, how high do you think Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong's chances are?"

Dai Mubai shook his head: "The odds are low. This duo has been on the Soul Fighting arena for a long time; although their cultivation talent is lacking, their combat experience is abundant. When I was a Great Soul Master, I faced them, and my team with Little Oscar lost to them."

"You should know they were only Level 24 back then, while I was already Level 29, yet Little Oscar and I still lost. Their coordination was excellent, especially their ability to compensate for each other's weaknesses."

Tang San thought for a moment before speaking: "Yang Xiong just finished a match and seemed to win easily; clearly he didn't give his all. How much of his strength do you think he actually used?"

Dai Mubai replied: "I'm not sure. Yang Xiong defeated his opponent without even using a soul skill. Perhaps the Dean is right; his combat power is outstanding, and among Great Soul Masters it's hard to find anyone who can match him."

Tang San smiled: "I'd also like to spar with Yang Xiong, to see just how strong he is, given that he earned the Dean's approval."

On the arena, Yang Xiong said to Ning Rongrong: "Rong Rong, don't provide me any support later; focus on keeping yourself safe on the arena. I want to test the two of you's strength."

Ning Rongrong quickly replied: "You've thought this through; there are two combat masters here, and without my support it'll be hard to face 1‑vs‑2."

Yang Xiong's face showed a faint smile: "How would I know otherwise? I also want to put some pressure on myself."

When the match began, only three participants manifested their martial souls on the arena, while Ning Rongrong stepped back a few meters, clearly unwilling to fight.

Tang San and Dai Mubai were taken aback: "What's up with Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong? Does Yang Xiong intend to try a 1‑vs‑2?"

Dai Mubai's expression grew solemn: "Tang San, the two‑person Soul Fighting arena imposes heavy restrictions on Auxiliary System Spirit Masters. When Little Oscar and I lost to those two, it was because they both surrounded Little Oscar; I had to expend massive soul power to protect him. In terms of combat power alone, each of them still lagged behind me."

The Bear Leopard Combination, clearly experienced, even sneered: "This little girl won't give you support? In a 2‑vs‑2, taking a support role is looking down on others."

Yang Xiong smiled: "Against you two I don't need any support; I actually want to see how long you can last against me."

When the match started, the Bear Leopard Combination moved at blistering speed; Liu Meng's body swelled rapidly, his height exceeding two meters, his muscles becoming enormously bulky, and he charged straight at Yang Xiong.

Wang Bao, like a black leopard, reacted and moved with extreme speed, charging directly at Ning Rongrong.

Yang Xiong saw the two advancing, especially the massive Earth Demon Bear's paw slamming forward—a single punch, its fist shimmering with Silver soul power.

Unexpectedly, Yang Xiong used Li Qiang's charging force to spin backward swiftly, then rushed toward Ning Rongrong, moving even faster than Wang Bao.

Just as Wang Bao was about to strike Ning Rongrong, Yang Xiong appeared before him and blocked the black‑leopard‑like claw with a swift hand slash.

Yang Xiong shouted angrily: "Rong Rong, hurry up and run! Are you just standing here waiting to die?"

Ning Rongrong, clearly on the arena for the first time, was momentarily stunned, then quickly darted to the side.

Wang Bao clearly aimed to crush Ning Rongrong, at least to knock down a support first; after delivering a claw to Yang Xiong he tried to continue toward Ning Rongrong, while opposite Li Qiang also charged at her. This was a classic surround‑the‑support tactic—encircle and strike the aid. Even a normal Great Soul Master, no matter how powerful, finds it extremely difficult to protect a support spirit master on the arena.

Yang Xiong's reaction was equally swift; his hands, like a pair of sharp claws, lunged at Wang Bao, and in speed he even outpaced Wang Bao.

Although Wang Bao's speed was extreme, his defense was weak; facing a faster Yang Xiong left him somewhat at a loss.

Especially with Yang Xiong's cultivated Divided Mind Control, he could multitask on the arena—fully attacking Wang Bao while simultaneously watching Ning Rongrong, ready to rescue at any moment.

Nevertheless, judging from the situation, the Yang Xiong–Ning Rongrong pairing appeared rather awkward.

In the audience, Dai Mubai shook his head: "The Bear Leopard Combination's coordination is excellent; they used this very tactic to defeat Little Oscar and me. Looks like Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong are in trouble."

(End of Chapter)