Inside the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy's Soul Dueling Arena, the spectators who had paid for their tickets erupted into curses upon seeing Xia Hong step onto the stage.
A ticket cost 5,000 Federation Coins.
Were they really just here to watch a match with a predetermined outcome?
The male audience members were relatively fine with it—they at least got to witness the most beautiful police officer display her overwhelming strength. That alone made the 5,000 Federation Coins feel worthwhile.
The female audience members, however, were not pleased at all.
They simply could not understand how Xia Hong could have such a well-developed figure while maintaining a soft, youthful baby face.
Her skin was even smoother than that of a newborn, glowing with a delicate radiance, as if a gentle squeeze would make water ooze out.
Even Gu Yue felt a pang of envy, let alone ordinary women.
The moment Xia Hong appeared, a large portion of the female spectators started clamoring for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy to refund their tickets.
However, when Xia Yi was dragged out from the VIP box by Ya Li, the entire audience immediately quieted down and sat back in their seats.
These two were the undisputed top-ranked geniuses of the current era.
There had always been debates about who was first and who was second.
Today, at last, they would witness their direct confrontation.
"The tickets were sold too cheaply," Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy's Dean, Xu Cangyu, murmured to himself.
A clash between Xia Yi and Xia Hong was far more exciting than an ordinary battle between the talents of Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.
A showdown between the strongest prodigies of the current generation—people would have bought tickets even if they were priced at 10,000!
Everyone's eyes filled with anticipation.
When Xia Yi and Xia Hong stood face-to-face in the Soul Dueling Arena, the tens of thousands of spectators immediately fell silent.
For an instant, everyone held their breath. In the vast arena, the only sound was the collective thumping of their hearts.
But this silence lasted only a moment before it was shattered.
"The most beautiful police officer, go for it! We love you!"
The moment someone shouted this, the crowd instantly erupted into a frenzy.
"Xia Hong, our beloved police officer, let's send Shrek's genius packing! Let's declare to the continent that we are the strongest academy!"
"Police officer, police officer, I love you like a mouse loves cheese!"
The deafening cheers surged like a tidal wave.
Shouts of encouragement rang out one after another. At this moment, Xia Hong had undoubtedly become the focal point of the entire venue.
Though a few young girls desperately cheered for Xia Yi, their voices were far too faint and were entirely drowned out by the overwhelming support for Xia Hong.
The cheers lasted for over ten minutes, and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy had no intention of stopping them.
The match couldn't even begin under such circumstances.
Finally, Ya Li spoke up:
"Dear spectators, we have gathered here today for an exchange and learning experience. Please allow both contestants a fair and proper competitive environment."
Her voice was not loud but carried a soothing grace, resonating within every spectator's mind.
This was the manifestation of her Spiritual Domain level mental power in its full glory.
Spiritual Abyss was considered the ultimate limit of human mental strength.
Once a person broke through to the Spiritual Domain, it meant they had transcended human limits and gained the qualification to pursue the elusive path of godhood.
With just a few words, though soft, Ya Li's warm voice immediately silenced the crowd of over 100,000 spectators.
At that moment, a referee flew into the Soul Dueling Arena and began announcing the rules.
"Are you both ready?" After reading out the rules, the referee looked at Xia Yi and Xia Hong and asked in a deep voice.
"I'm ready." Xia Hong was visibly excited. Her long, jet-black hair was tied behind her head, and she wore a radiant smile. Her large black eyes gleamed with mischief as she looked at Xia Yi, appearing eager to pounce.
"I'm ready too." Xia Yi's black hair swayed slightly, his dark eyes shining brightly. His temperament was as warm and refined as jade, his handsome face flawless.
At this moment, however, his eyes burned with intense battle intent.
Standing there, unmoving, his aura continued to rise—thick and steady as a mountain, yet restrained like a dormant volcano.
He gave off a feeling of absolute stillness, but once he moved, it would be like a thunderous eruption.
Once again, the tens of thousands of spectators held their breath.
In their eyes, Xia Yi had become a towering volcano on the verge of eruption.
The sheer pressure radiating from him was suffocating. No one dared to speak too loudly, afraid they might trigger this sleeping giant.
At the same time, he exuded an aura of absolute authority, like an unrivaled sovereign.
"Spiritual power, soul power, and aura—perfectly fused. Shrek Academy is indeed worthy of its name. Xia Yi has only just broken through to the Spiritual Abyss, yet he can already wield it with such mastery. As expected, his reputation is well-earned," Xu Cangyu sighed.
Fortunately, they had Xia Hong.
Otherwise, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy truly would have no one capable of forcing Xia Yi to fight seriously.
Seeing Xia Yi in this state, Ya Li finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Her greatest fear had been that Xia Yi might simply surrender.
Now, it seemed she had nothing to worry about.
"Every genius has an unyielding heart. Xia Yi is no exception. Though he usually appears carefree, it's only because he hasn't encountered an opponent worthy of his seriousness. Once he does, he will fight with everything he has."
Ya Li nodded inwardly, satisfied.
Even for her, this was the first time seeing Xia Yi in such a serious state.
"So this is Xia Yi when he's truly focused?"
Tang Wulin's team, who had already been eliminated, were momentarily stunned.
Though it had been a long time since they had last fought Xia Yi, based on his current aura alone, they knew they were no match for him.
"He's just putting on a show," Na'er muttered, unconvinced.
But her voice was noticeably lacking confidence.
She even lowered her head, unwilling to look at Xia Yi's imposing figure in the arena.
"Do you think Xia Yi can defeat Xia Hong?" Xu Xiaoyan asked curiously.
"I don't know. Xia Hong doesn't seem affected by Xia Yi's aura at all. Her spiritual power might be just as strong as his—she could also be at the Spiritual Abyss level," Ye Xinglan replied seriously.
She had originally thought that after breaking through to Soul Ancestor and further comprehending her sword intent, she had closed the gap with Xia Yi slightly.
But now, she realized the gap had only widened.
Even Na'er, who always refused to acknowledge Xia Yi, now didn't dare to openly challenge him.
Na'er didn't dare to lift her head and look at Xia Yi.
And neither did she.
As a sword fanatic, she still harbored youthful fantasies about her future partner.
At this moment, Xia Yi embodied every one of her ideals.
Of course, Ye Xinglan knew that there was no chance between her and Xia Yi.
She would never develop feelings for him.
But she feared that if she looked at him for too long, she might unconsciously compare every potential future partner to him.
Like the chubby Xu Lizhi standing beside her.
Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoyan had no such concerns. She was far more emotionally intelligent than Ye Xinglan, who had grown up in Shrek Academy's inner court. She knew exactly what was worth considering and what was not.
As the entire audience watched with bated breath, the referee slowly raised his hand before bringing it down sharply.
"Begin!"
"I'm coming!" Xia Hong didn't immediately attack. Instead, she flashed Xia Yi a mischievous smile.
"Come at me! No matter how strong you are, I will never back down. Shrek's glory must be defended with blood!" Xia Yi beckoned her with a finger, his battle intent reaching new heights.
"I love it when you're like this. Hehehe!" Xia Hong let out a strange laugh and charged at Xia Yi—without even using her martial soul.
The oppressive aura of Xia Yi, as unshakable as a mountain and as regal as a sovereign, had absolutely no effect on her.
This was a rare chance to beat up Xia Yi fair and square.
She intended to fully enjoy it.
The more Xia Yi resisted, the more excited she became.
Before she even reached him, her delicate fist was already in front of his face.
It looked ordinary, without any soul power fluctuations—yet it shattered his aura like nothing.
Xia Yi narrowed his eyes.
He could sense that Xia Hong's seemingly simple punch actually contained countless hidden variations.
He didn't use his martial soul either.
Crossing his arms in front of his chest, he took Xia Hong's "ordinary" punch head-on.
Boom!
Xia Yi was sent flying.
His body tumbled in slow motion, as if replayed in a slowed-down frame.
"Ahhh... wow! Xia Hong is so strong! I'm no match for her!"
As he flew through the air, he shouted dramatically.
Just as he finished speaking, he hit the ground and immediately "fainted."
"…"
The audience of over 100,000 were left staring at each other in stunned silence.
Ya Li's face turned black as coal.
Damn it!
What happened to defending Shrek's glory with blood?!
Damn it!
Where was that terrifying battle intent from a moment ago?!
Damn it!
Where was that supreme, kingly aura?!
(End of Chapter)