Inner Court, Soul Duel Arena.
With their bet now set, Dugu Xianmeng led Zhou Sicheng straight to the Soul Duel Arena to register his Soul Duel Badge. He hadn't even received his inner court uniform yet, and he was already jumping into a Soul Duel.
Even though it was early morning, the arena was already hosting matches.
On the Soul Duel Stage, two striking figures faced off—one clad in fiery red, exuding an aura of raging flames, while the other was draped in icy blue, radiating an unbreakable chill.
The Fire Phoenix's cry pierced the air, while frost elements filled the surroundings with biting cold.
A glimmer of excitement flickered in Dugu Xianmeng's eyes. "You're in luck. You're about to witness one of the biggest rivalries in the inner court."
"That's Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Xiaotao—the one who lives next to Big Sister. She's known as one of the Twin Volcanos of the inner court, earning her the nickname Flame Demon Ma Xiaotao."
"Her opponent is Ling Luocheng, the Ice Elemental Master, widely regarded as the strongest ice-attribute user in the academy."
"Their battles are always intense—you might learn something from them."
As she spoke, Dugu Xianmeng pulled Zhou Sicheng toward the spectator stands, casually picking a seat.
But Zhou Sicheng didn't even need an introduction—he was already very familiar with these two beauties.
Yesterday, he had been looking forward to this. In his past life, he had read countless stories about transmigrators entering Shrek Academy, and their first battle was always against Ma Xiaotao...
Yet his first night here had been peaceful and restful.
On the stage, the two beauties clashed, while scattered spectators watched from the stands.
For them, this was a rare opportunity to witness two of the inner court's top beauties in action.
As Zhou Sicheng and Dugu Xianmeng arrived, several eyes turned toward them.
The Poison Enchantress of the inner court suddenly had a handsome young man by her side?
Since when did Dugu Xianmeng start enjoying such fine company?
Wait... this guy wasn't even wearing an inner court uniform.
A new inner court disciple?
None of the sixth-year students had heard of any handsome prodigy among the recent graduates...
The female students couldn't help but let their imaginations run wild, while the male students shot hostile glares.
The inner court already had more men than women—now a stunningly handsome junior had joined?
Did this mean their chances with the inner court beauties were even lower now?!
Zhou Sicheng ignored the gazes, calmly focusing on the two dueling women.
Ma Xiaotao's six soul rings—two yellow, two purple, two black—marked her as a Soul Emperor.
Meanwhile, Ling Luocheng had five soul rings—two yellow, two purple, one black—putting her at Soul King level. The gap of one soul ring meant Ling Luocheng was constantly on the defensive.
If not for her extremely powerful ice element, she would have already lost.
Within minutes, Ma Xiaotao, like a goddess of fire, overwhelmed Ling Luocheng. As she walked away, she smirked provocatively.
"Your progress is still too slow. But thanks for helping me burn off some evil fire."
Ling Luocheng's eyes flashed with killing intent, but having exhausted most of her soul power, she couldn't be bothered to argue.
"Hmph!" She scoffed and turned away, walking off the stage.
Ma Xiaotao, full of confidence, remained standing on the stage like a battle goddess, basking in the cheers of the spectators.
However, not all the male students supported her—some preferred Ling Luocheng's calmer and colder personality over the flaming temper of the Flame Demon.
Just then, Ma Xiaotao's gaze locked onto Zhou Sicheng.
Zhou Sicheng had been watching the duel intently, and his eyes met hers.
Under the cheers of the crowd, Ma Xiaotao raised her slender hand, pointed straight at Zhou Sicheng, and said:
"You. Get up here and entertain me. Satisfy me, and I'll give you thirty points."
A moment of stunned silence followed.
Then, every single person in the arena turned their gaze toward Zhou Sicheng.
So this was the power of being handsome?!
In a crowd full of people, the inner court's fire goddess had singled him out?
Zhou Sicheng froze for a second. He had just been thinking about this—could Ma Xiaotao read minds?
Even Dugu Xianmeng was surprised.
Ma Xiaotao had never shown much interest in any male students—if she wasn't ignoring them, she was dragging them onto the arena to beat them senseless.
And now she was calling out Zhou Sicheng?
Was it really just because of his looks?
Before Zhou Sicheng could respond, Dugu Xianmeng spoke up.
"Senior Sister Ma, Zhou Sicheng just entered the inner court yesterday. You, a mighty Soul Emperor, challenging a new student—isn't that a bit unfair?"
Ma Xiaotao scoffed. "Oh? You don't like it? Then how about you get up here and show me how much your poison has improved?"
Dugu Xianmeng's expression darkened.
She might act sweet around Zhou Sicheng, but in the eyes of others, she was still the Poison Enchantress of the inner court.
With a cold snort, she stood up. "Fine! If I were afraid of you, I wouldn't be Dugu Xianmeng!"
But just as she was about to step forward, Zhou Sicheng grabbed her hand.
"Senior Sister, what are you doing? Since this senior sister has taken an interest in me, it would be my honor."
"Besides, I'm a man—how could I let a woman take a hit for me?"
Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow.
Did this kid not know about her reputation?
The other spectators looked at Zhou Sicheng like he was an idiot.
More like he just signed his death warrant!
Though... it made sense.
A new student wouldn't know just how terrifying the Flame Demon truly was.
Dugu Xianmeng glared at Zhou Sicheng.
"Didn't you hear a word I told you earlier? You have talent, but she's a Soul Emperor!"
Zhou Sicheng was touched—even though he knew Dugu Xianmeng had her own motives, she had still stepped forward to shield him.
With a gentle smile, he reassured her. "Don't worry, Senior Sister. I wouldn't risk my life so recklessly."
He had been looking for an opportunity to stand out, and now, one had fallen right into his lap.
Zhou Sicheng placed his hands on Dugu Xianmeng's shoulders, gently pressing her back into her seat.
Then, in a quiet voice, he whispered:
"Relax. It's just a Soul Emperor. It's not like I haven't beaten one before."
Dugu Xianmeng sat there, stunned.
"It's just a Soul Emperor"...?
"I've beaten one before"...?
Zhou Sicheng stepped onto the stage, facing Ma Xiaotao.
She smirked. "You do know that higher-ranked opponents have to ask for permission before challenging someone weaker, right? You could have refused."
Yet, you still agreed.
"Are you an idiot? Or just arrogant?"
Zhou Sicheng smiled warmly.
"A sincere invitation from Senior Sister—how could I refuse?"
"And you said you'd give me thirty points if I satisfied you. As a junior hungry for red-tier meals, I have every reason to accept."
The audience was shocked.
Even Ling Luocheng, who had been about to leave, turned back and took a seat.
Now she had to see this.
Ma Xiaotao's smile widened.
"As expected of someone living in Ye Guyi's villa... You're even cockier than she is!"
The crowd erupted in chaos.
He's living in Angel Goddess Ye Guyi's villa?!
Wouldn't she kill him when she got back?!
Zhou Sicheng had been wondering—sure, he was handsome, elegant, and effortlessly charming, but it still didn't make sense for Ma Xiaotao to single him out like that.
Turns out, she had heard about him staying in his sister's villa yesterday.
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