Chapter 135: Another Cross-Level Battle?

Ma Hongjun, understanding his teacher the best, gestured silently to Dai Mubai with his lips. Only then did Dai Mubai realize the truth behind Flender's actions. The two words formed by Ma Hongjun's lips were: Gambling Fight.

Yes, in battles of the same level, with Shrek Academy's team composition, how could they lose? All Flender needed to do was place a hefty bet on their fight, and they'd naturally walk away with a considerable profit. This was Flender's real calculation.

"Alright, let's head out." Flender swiftly paid the bill, asked for directions to the Sylvis Grand Spirit Arena, and led everyone out of the hotel.

The Sylvis Grand Spirit Arena appeared even more majestic than the Soto Grand Spirit Arena. After all, Sylvis was the capital of the Sylvis Kingdom, one tier higher in status than Soto.

Donning the masks that had once shocked Soto's Spirit Arena, the Shrek team was ready to make their entrance. However, Flender was dumbfounded when he tried to register the team for a group battle.

The arena staff carefully inspected the Shrek team's Spirit Badges and looked at the masked fighters in astonishment. The staff member hesitated before speaking. "I'm sorry, esteemed Spirit Masters, but I'm afraid you cannot participate in tonight's group battle."

The Shrek team was unfazed, but Flender was visibly anxious. After all, he had already spent quite a bit since entering Sylvis City, banking on earning a tidy sum here.

"Why? Are you saying there's no one left in the Sylvis Grand Spirit Arena?" Flender exclaimed.

While Flender's words were somewhat arrogant, the staff member didn't refute them. A Gold Spirit Badge team of their level certainly had the right to be arrogant. The staff member, who had worked in the arena for over two decades, had never encountered such a peculiar team before.

"Apologies, esteemed sir, but there is indeed no 30-level Gold Spirit Badge team here that can provide a fair fight," the staff member replied awkwardly.

Flender, visibly irritated, pressed further, "What about Silver Spirit teams, then? Surely they'll do!"

The staff member shook his head. "That won't be fair either. We do have a single 30-level Silver Spirit team here, but pitting them against you would be blatantly unfair. You must know the rules of the Grand Spirit Arena—teams are categorized based on the highest-ranked member of the group. Since your team consists entirely of Gold Spirit Badges, it would essentially be bullying."

Zhao Wuji chuckled from the sidelines. "Looks like someone's grand plans are falling apart."

Standing beside Zhao Wuji, Lu Qibin, Li Yusong, and Shao Xin couldn't help but laugh as well. As old friends of Flender from before the founding of Shrek Academy, seeing Flender's schemes fail was a source of great amusement.

Flender, unwilling to let go of his plan, asked, "Is there really no other way?"

The staff member pondered for a moment before replying, "There is another option. You can choose to challenge a higher-level team. If you opt for a cross-level battle, you won't be restricted by your current Spirit Badge level. That means you can challenge the lowest-level 40-level teams."

"Forty-level teams?" Flender was taken aback and immediately shook his head. "Forget it."

He wasn't about to risk his students' lives for short-term gains. A battle against a higher-level team, particularly at the 40-level, wasn't worth the potential harm it could bring to the Shrek team.

"No, I think it's possible," Yu Xiaogang's rigid voice interrupted. He stepped forward to stand beside Flender.

Flender frowned deeply. "Xiaogang, are you serious? You can't be! A single Spirit Ring's gap is monumental. Do you want to send the kids to their deaths? Don't forget, four of them haven't even reached the 30-level yet. Against a 40-level team, they wouldn't stand a chance."

Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "Of course, I wouldn't let the kids risk their lives, Flender. Not all 40-level teams are created equal."

Turning to the staff member, Yu Xiaogang asked, "You mentioned we could pick our opponents. Is that correct?"

"Yes, sir," the staff member replied hurriedly. "You're free to select your opponents, and I can assure you the fight will take place in the central main arena."

Cross-level battles were a rarity in the Grand Spirit Arena, especially in group matches. While one-on-one matches occasionally saw Spirit Masters with superior Martial Spirits overcoming a single Spirit Ring disadvantage, group battles were an entirely different matter. In a group setting, collective strength was paramount. A team disadvantaged by an entire Spirit Ring gap was virtually guaranteed to lose.

Such battles were exceedingly rare, with only a handful of successful examples in the arena's history. However, cross-level battles were guaranteed to draw immense attention, filling the central arena to capacity. Naturally, the Spirit Arena welcomed such spectacles.

Yu Xiaogang continued, "Do you have any particularly ruthless teams? Preferably ones with a high injury rate in their matches—the more brutal, the better."

The staff member looked at Yu Xiaogang in disbelief, thinking, Is this man trying to get his team killed? He had expected Yu Xiaogang to select the weakest 40-level team available, but this request left him utterly baffled.

Flender grabbed Yu Xiaogang's shoulder, his voice rising in frustration. "Xiaogang, are you insane? You're sending the kids to die!"

Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly. "Flender, do you really think I'd risk Tang San's life? Trust me, I have my reasons."

Flender hesitated. True, Yu Xiaogang wouldn't endanger Tang San, his sole disciple. Moreover, Yu Xiaogang knew Tang San's abilities intimately.

Taking advantage of Flender's moment of hesitation, Yu Xiaogang turned back to the staff member. "So, do you have such a team?"

"Yes,

we do," the staff member replied, still shocked by the request.