Chapter 110: The Beginning of the Melee
The next three days passed quickly. While most students enjoyed their usual routines, the atmosphere among Shrek Academy's core disciples was anything but relaxed. Every one of them who had qualified for the upcoming selection tournament treated this time as precious, sharpening their strength and refining their skills for the challenge ahead.
During this period, Chen Junting had made significant progress. With Electrolux's assistance, he extracted a unique energy pattern from the branch of the Golden Ancient Tree, a pattern that revealed key insights into the flow of natural elemental energy. This data helped him upgrade the complex formation he had begun building during the summer break.
But that wasn't all. He also needed raw materials for an experimental soul device—something that blended formation theory with soul guidance tech. And for that, he needed two very specific things: Wang Dong's Haotian Hammer and Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, and Wu Feng's Red Dragon Flame.
Unfortunately for him, neither of them was thrilled about being used as part-time blacksmiths.
After being hounded multiple times, the two eventually avoided him altogether and even enlisted Ning Tian to plead their case.
"How can a decent guy let girls do his forging?" Wu Feng had shouted the last time she slammed a door on his face.
Thankfully, their earlier efforts had been enough. Chen Junting now had all the rare metal alloys he needed. His priority shifted fully to construction—of both the formation array device and a true array-patterned soul guide.
Unlike his previous setups, which merely engraved temporary array patterns onto regular soul guides, this new system was a permanent structure. A fusion of the spiritual and material—a genuine formation core that could be deployed like a tactical weapon.
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Three days later—
The school bell rang out at the end of the final class.
Wang Yan, standing at the front of Class 1, set aside his lesson plan and addressed the room.
"Core disciples, please remain. Everyone else is dismissed."
The classroom stirred with excitement. Within minutes, only six students remained: Chen Junting, Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, Wu Feng, Dai Huabin, and Zhu Lu.
Wang Yan looked around and nodded.
"Teacher Mu Jin should've already informed you. The day has arrived. Follow me to the Soul Fighting Arena. The selection will begin shortly."
A quiet ripple of anticipation swept through the room. Without hesitation, the six stood and followed him out. In the hallway, they encountered the other second-year core disciples—Xie Huanyue from Class 2 and Ning Tian from Class 3.
Despite being in different classes, Ning Tian turned to her teacher and spoke quietly. Moments later, she and Xie Huanyue joined Class 1's group.
"We'll go together. That okay?" she asked Junting with a smile.
"Always."
Their teachers had no objections. After all, fostering camaraderie between elite students could only help the academy long-term.
Together, the second-year core disciples made their way to the Soul Fighting Arena. The field was quiet—still waiting for the others to arrive. But it wasn't long before third- and fourth-year disciples began to show.
None of the second-years looked intimidated.
Why would they?
In the last assessment, they had proven themselves more than capable—some even stronger than upperclassmen.
And soon enough, a group of black-robed fifth-years entered the arena. It was a familiar trio—Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan. All three were still under fifteen and thus eligible for the tournament. He Caitou, from the Soul Guidance Department, was the fourth and final fifth-year to qualify.
Twenty-three in total.
"Little brother Chen!"
Beibei grinned as he walked up and exchanged greetings with Junting and the others. The casual way they mingled raised eyebrows from other teams.
"Senior Beibei, if you stay near us, won't we be the first targets?" Junting asked lightly.
"What's the big deal?" Xu Sanshi flung an arm around his shoulder. "One-on-one, we're not afraid of anyone. In a group brawl—why not join forces and flatten the rest?"
Junting laughed. "You're pretty bold, Senior Xu."
"I've earned it."
But as Junting thought it through, the numbers didn't sit right. Even if they formed an alliance—including Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Yuhao, Wang Dong, and the four fifth-years—that made nine people. And only seven slots were available.
At least two of them wouldn't make it.
Before the thought settled, a rough voice echoed across the arena.
"Xiao Wang!"
An old man with a crooked back, tangled hair, and a wine jug in one hand wandered in like he'd just left a tavern. He looked barely coherent.
"Hey! That's him!" Ning Tian whispered, eyes wide.
"Who?" asked Wu Feng.
"He's the only one besides Dean Yan who ever visited the sect on behalf of Shrek. And from the way Yan Shaozhe treated him… he might actually outrank him."
"An elder of the Sea God's Pavilion?" Junting's tone grew cautious.
"No way…" Ning Tian frowned. "He looks… unreliable."
"Unreliable is an understatement," Junting muttered. This is the man who almost wiped out the Inner Court's elite team—twice.
But even he stood still when Wang Yan and the other teachers stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Despite his drunken appearance, this man—Xuan Lao—was a living legend.
The rest of the students fell silent, watching carefully.
Even Dai Huabin, who usually carried an air of arrogance, lowered his head.
Xuan Lao's bleary eyes scanned the group, his voice suddenly sharp.
"Everyone here?"
"Yes, Master Xuan," Wang Yan confirmed. "Twenty-one core disciples from the Martial Soul Department, one from the Soul Guidance Department, and one dual-core disciple—twenty-three in total."
"Good. That's plenty."
Xuan Lao took another swig from his jug, then turned back to the students.
"All right, brats. Here's the deal."
His tone was flippant, but no one interrupted.
"You want to be selected? Easy. Beat each other up. The last seven standing win."
Gasps rippled across the arena.
"No special rules. No teams. Just survive."
He waved to the teachers. "Everyone, step off the field."
Once the staff had cleared the perimeter, Xuan Lao's voice rang out like a cannon blast:
"—Begin!"
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Author's Note:
Quick clarification of terms:
Soul Guides – Tools powered by soul power or external energy, typically for battle or support.
Array Pattern Soul Guides – Soul guides inscribed with permanent formation patterns, enabling effects like barriers, energy amplification, or environmental control.
Array Devices – Specialized tools designed only for setting up formations, not for direct combat use.
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(End of Chapter)
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