"If you have the guts, come to the Soul Dueling Arena. Let's see how I deal with you then."
Many people looked at Xia Yi with ill intentions.
Seeing Leng Yulai acting so affectionate with him, they were burning with jealousy, wishing they could throw Xia Yi out immediately.
In the Star Luo Empire, aside from Tang Sect and Spirit Pagoda—two organizations spanning both continents—few people actually took Xia Yi, Gu Yue, or even Shrek Academy's Na'er and Tang Wulin seriously.
Most of these people were under fifteen years old.
According to the regulations of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament,
Those under fifteen belong to the Junior Division, Those under twenty belong to the Youth Division.
Xia Yi and his group might have a chance at winning the Junior Division championship.
But Chen Xinjie had offered the Demon Octupos King's soul spirit and soul bone as rewards for the Youth Division's two-on-two champion.
To fight for it, Xia Yi and his team would likely forgo the Junior Division and enter the Youth Division instead.
Not just them—even some under-fifteen prodigies from the Star Luo Continent signed up for the Youth Division.
Even if their chances of winning were close to zero, no one wanted to give up without trying.
The Star Luo Empire had always worshipped individual heroism.
Thus, the most popular event here was the one-on-one battles.
In past Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournaments, the most participants always signed up for one-on-one battles.
But this time, because of the Demon Octupos King's soul spirit and soul bone, many gave up one-on-one and seven-on-seven battles, fully focusing on the two-on-two event.
As of today, registration was closed.
Two-on-two event: Over 12,000 participants Seven-on-seven teams: Less than 100 teams registered.
However, that didn't mean the seven-on-seven battles were any easier.
The Monster Academy's Eight Heavenly Kings had signed up for everything.
Long Yue was absolutely confident that he could win the seven-on-seven, two-on-two, and one-on-one championships at the same time.
Watching Xia Yi's smug, relaxed expression, many were already eager to teach him a lesson during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament.
Xia Yi himself, besides teaming up with Gu Yue for the two-on-two event,
Signed up for the one-on-one battle Mecha Challenge Did not participate in seven-on-seven due to lack of a team.
The one-on-one champion would also win a soul bone.Even if it wasn't as strong as a Beast God's soul bone, it was still valuable.
As for the Mecha Challenge, Xia Yi wanted to test Xiao Bing's capabilities.
Xiao Bing was already a black-grade mecha.
If it kept upgrading without actual combat experience, problems would eventually arise.
Since the Mecha Challenge had fewer participants, it would start ten days after the other matches.
For now, Xia Yi only needed to focus on the one-on-one and two-on-two battles.
As for the Mecha Challenge, that pressure belonged to Ice God's Heart—it depended on how much she could upgrade Xiao Bing in the meantime.
The Banquet Ends
At the end of the banquet, with envious, jealous, and resentful gazes from all around, Xia Yi and Leng Yulai were the first to leave the hall.
"Boss, have some tea."
As soon as they returned to Star Luo Hotel, a sweet female voice rang out.
A red mecha gracefully landed in front of them, presenting two cups of perfectly warm tea.
On the table, a feast of delicious dishes was already set up—Even more delicious than the Star Luo Empire's royal banquet.
"Xiao Hong's cooking is as amazing as always," Leng Yulai praised.
Even she couldn't help but be impressed by Xiao Hong's culinary skills.
That's right—Xiao Hong was Mu Ye's red mecha.
Originally, Ice God's Heart had started disassembling her.
But after discovering a 100,000-year-old soul spirit in her core, they reassembled her instead.
Red mechas require fusion with soul spirits—Mu Ye's mecha was no exception.
However, because Mu Ye died, its soul spirit was severely damaged and fell into deep slumber.
After Ice God's Heart noticed it, Xia Yi gifted it to Leng Yulai.
Only after Leng Yulai absorbed it did Xiao Hong awaken.
For now, Xiao Hong was still weak, but she was perfectly capable of cooking.
Mu Ye had loved mechas so much that he incorporated all his skills into Xiao Hong.
As a result, Xiao Hong had top-tier cooking abilities.
She even knew the Innate Secret Techniques of the Body Sect—But Xia Yi had no use for them.
Those techniques required an astronomical amount of rare resources.
Even if they looted the entire Star Dou Forest, it wouldn't be enough to cultivate a flawless golden body.
For now, Xiao Hong's main tasks were:
Cooking Teaching Leng Yulai and Ice God's Heart about mecha engineering.
With Xiao Hong personally instructing them, it was far better than Ice God's Heart dismantling her for research.
Xia Yi didn't eat but instead entered his spiritual world to check on Gu Yue.
As expected, she was still cultivating and wouldn't wake up anytime soon.
Xia Yi didn't disturb her—he had already prepared to fight one-on-two until she returned.
After all, Gu Yue choosing to retreat into closed-door cultivation at this time also showed her trust in Xia Yi's ability to hold on.
The Tournament Begins
The next morning, when Xia Yi and Leng Yulai arrived at Star Luo Stadium, the place was already packed.
Fortunately, competitors had a separate entrance, or squeezing in would have been impossible.
Just as Xia Yi entered, Yuanen Yehui descended from the sky.
She wore a dark purple long dress, accentuating her proud figure.
Her ample curves, straight, slender legs, and semi-transparent purple lace stockings made her impossible to ignore.
Her flowing purple dress and silky hair swayed gracefully as she landed among the Shrek Academy team.
Instantly, all eyes were on her.
In that moment, the entire Shrek team became mere background characters—Even Na'er.
Blame it on Shrek Academy's ugly green uniforms, which dragged her beauty down by at least ten levels.
"Yuanen-sis, that's not fair," Xu Xiaoyan grumbled, grinding her teeth.
Yuanen Yehui didn't explain. Instead, she looked at Xia Yi, her pale face flushing red.
She had never dressed like this before—If not for repaying Xia Yi's debt, she never would have worn this in public.
Seeing this, Xu Xiaoyan suddenly recalled something.
"Yuanen-sis, I heard you got poisoned a few days ago when you went shopping with Xia Yi…This dress—don't tell me he gave it to you?"
"No! Don't overthink it." Yuanen Yehui shook her head.
Xu Xiaoyan sighed."Yuanen-sis, Xia Yi is too charismatic…
Be careful, or you might fall for him without realizing it."
"Fall for him?" Yuanen Yehui shook her head.
"Impossible. Until I avenge my parents, I won't love anyone."
"Yuanen-sis, let me remind you—you can't control feelings.
Sometimes, you don't get to choose whether you fall for someone."
"Don't worry. I'll be careful." Yuanen Yehui nodded, then turned to Ye Xinglan.
"Later… don't hold back."
Their luck was terrible—In the first round of the singles competition, they had to fight each other.