บท 187: Chapter 187: The Team of Four Scoundrels, Preparing for Battle
"Alright, now that you're all aware of the new graduation standards, let's head to Soto City's Great Spirit Arena. We'll register a team, and I want to see how well you can work together in a team battle tonight. If the performance is satisfactory, we'll give you a seven-day break starting tomorrow. You all deserve a rest after returning from the Star Dou Forest."
Dai Mubai and the others exchanged excited glances. This was great news—they could finally relax.
Tang San also welcomed the break. He had been planning to visit some blacksmith shops in the city to begin working on his hidden weapons.
Su Ming, on the other hand, wasn't sure how to feel. He was already committed to teaching Ning Rongrong the Ling Bo Wei Bu (Wave-Step). Could this really be considered a vacation? Was Yu Xiaogang being intentional about this? Still, considering Ning Rongrong's talent, she might only need four or five days to master the technique. She had already made great progress today.
"Oh, and before we head to the Spirit Arena, there are a few things I need to clarify," Yu Xiaogang added. "First, during the competition, you must not reveal your real identities or show your faces. Second, I understand from Tang San that you've been given a concealed weapon. During the matches, you are prohibited from using any hidden weapons."
As Yu Xiaogang spoke, he noticed the strange looks from the group. Flender turned to Dai Mubai, asking, "Is something wrong, Mubai?"
Dai Mubai scratched his head awkwardly. "Dean, about the first point... when we registered for the Spirit Arena the first time, Su Ming had Xiao Wu buy us masks to conceal our identities."
Flender shot him a glare. "Then why didn't you mention that earlier?"
Dai Mubai shrugged helplessly. "I... forgot."
Yu Xiaogang felt a bit embarrassed and said, "Well, Su Ming was right to prepare for that. I'm pleased you took the necessary precautions."
"Lastly, if your team battle tonight goes well, you'll get the seven-day break, but once that's over, each of you will need to participate in at least two fights a day in the Spirit Arena. The format is up to you."
Flender chimed in, "Also, during your time at the arena, all accommodations are on you. The academy won't cover any expenses. But if you keep winning, that shouldn't be a problem."
Everyone thought: Dean, you really are stingy.
They could already foresee spending a significant amount of time in the city until they earned their Silver Spirit Badges.
Oscar couldn't help but protest, "Master, I'm an auxiliary-type spirit master! Do I still need to fight twice a day?"
Yu Xiaogang responded flatly, "Yes, Oscar. That's why you'll need to form a duo for the two-on-two fights."
"Or," he added ominously, "I could design a special training regimen for you that's as hard as the weight-running exercise. You'd be doing that until the others get their Silver Spirit Badges."
Oscar immediately backpedaled. "Master, your suggestion of fighting in the Spirit Arena to improve our combat skills is truly wise!"
Better to compete in the arena than endure more grueling training. He wasn't about to subject himself to running with weights.
The Spirit Arena battles took place at night, which was why Yu Xiaogang had called them together in the evening. After arriving in Soto City, they booked a hotel near the arena since they didn't know when their team match would take place.
The cost of the accommodations wasn't a problem for most of them since they received monthly stipends, except for Su Ming and Xiao Wu. Ning Rongrong, of course, didn't need any help. Once they registered as a team, they would be competing in the Iron Spirit division at the Soul Ancestor (Spirit Elder) level, something that Dai Mubai had never seen before. He was curious how the arena would handle it.
Once everyone had settled in, Yu Xiaogang called them to Tang San's room for a team discussion.
"I understand that some of you have already formed teams," Yu Xiaogang began. "For example, Su Ming and Xiao Wu's Thousand-Handed Enchanting Rabbit duo, and Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's Seven Treasure Spirit Cat combination."
"Now, Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar still need to form teams. You four should figure out how to pair up."
"Once you've decided, register your two-person teams at the arena. After that, you can sign up for one-on-one or two-on-two battles before the team match, as those happen earlier in the night."
"Of course, if anyone wants to participate in all three events, I won't stop you, but be mindful of your spirit power."
Yu Xiaogang finished speaking and looked to the remaining four to see what they had in mind.
Oscar, with his charming "peach blossom" eyes, fluttered his lashes at Tang San and Dai Mubai. "Little San, Boss Dai, who wants to team up with me? My support is pretty good!"
The two struggled to maintain composure under Oscar's eye-batting. Dai Mubai quickly waved him off. "Oscar, stop flirting. I'll team up with you. You and Tang San wouldn't be a good match anyway—he's a control-type, so he needs someone with offensive power who can deliver finishing blows once he locks down the enemy."
"Besides," Dai Mubai teased, "Your flying sausages may not last long, but they're still useful when we need to engage the enemy in the air."
Dai Mubai's joke lightened the mood, but it reminded Oscar of his limited duration. His flying ability really didn't last long, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Ma Hongjun, grinning, turned to Tang San. "Guess that leaves you and me, Third Brother. Don't worry, I may still be a Spirit Grandmaster, but with my Phoenix Martial Spirit's burst power, I can finish off any enemy you control!"
Tang San smiled and nodded, though he had originally wanted to team up with Xiao Wu. But she had already paired up with Su Ming.
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