After finishing the duel with Yu Tianheng in the main arena, it was already very late.
Even the team battle of Shrek Academy had long concluded. By the time Lin Ye arrived at the lobby of the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena, Meng Yiran and Zhu Zhuqing had been waiting for quite some time.
"Lin Ye!"
"Young Master!"
Seeing Lin Ye approach from behind, Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran immediately went to greet him.
"Young Master, why did you come out so late today?"
As they walked out of the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena and headed back to the hotel, Meng Yiran couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Today, someone from the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena came to find me and asked me to participate in a duel in the main arena. Because the match was scheduled quite late, that's why I'm only coming out now," Lin Ye replied slowly.
"Lin Ye, your duel rank is only Silver Spirit, right? You shouldn't be able to enter the main arena for duels yet, should you?"
Beside them, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but ask in confusion upon hearing Lin Ye's words.
"My points have already reached ten thousand, so they promoted me to Gold Spirit in advance," Lin Ye said with a faint smile.
"Promoted you to Gold Spirit in advance?"
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's heart stirred, and she immediately asked,
"Lin Ye, did they ask you to stop a certain Spirit Master from the Heaven Dou Imperial City who was on a winning streak in our Suotuo Great Spirit Arena?"
"How did you know?"
Lin Ye couldn't help but look at Zhu Zhuqing.
But as if suddenly realizing something, he understood.
"After your Shrek team's winning streak today, did someone from the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena also approach you, asking you to stop a Spirit Master team called the Imperial Team from continuing their winning streak?"
Recalling his earlier conversation with Manager Ao, Lin Ye remembered that the arena had invited him for solo duels while the team battles were assigned to Shrek Academy.
Now that he thought about it, he guessed that the Shrek team must have also received an invitation from the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena.
"Yes, that Imperial Team. I took a look, and every member is quite strong. For the same development direction, their Spirit Power levels are higher than ours, and their Martial Souls are all extremely powerful. I feel like we'll probably lose in tomorrow night's battle," Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly and said.
"Lin Ye, who did you fight against? What was the result?"
"I fought against the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master, Yu Tianheng. Naturally, I won, but his strength is indeed among the best I've ever seen. None of your Shrek team members can defeat him head-on," Lin Ye replied with a faint smile.
"I also think none of us can defeat him. His cultivation is level 39, and he's a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master, the strongest Beast Martial Soul."
"Although we have Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul to support us, her current strength is still too low, and the boost she can provide is limited. If it were you, victory might be possible, but with only Rongrong, I feel we'll likely lose."
"However, Master has already accepted the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena's invitation and listed this as the final test for Rongrong and the others' training. Only by winning can they pass. For tomorrow night's battle, I can only do my best," Zhu Zhuqing shook her head and said softly.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just do your best."
…
The next night.
As the sky turned completely dark, the spirit-guided street lamps in Suotuo City began to light up.
Departing from the hotel, Lin Ye brought Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong to the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena.
Because they were fighting the Imperial Team today, Shrek Academy had arrived particularly early.
In the lobby, Tang San was discussing tonight's battle arrangements in low voices with Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar.
As an auxiliary-system Spirit Master, Ning Rongrong was somewhat bored and looked around idly.
Suddenly, noticing Lin Ye approaching with Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran, Ning Rongrong's face lit up with a smile as she went to greet them.
"Why are you only coming now? We've been waiting for you for so long. Today, the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena arranged a luxurious resting room for us. Do you want to come take a look?"
"Just tell us where your resting room is. I'll have Zhuqing come find you later. Team battles should be the last to take place, and yours is in the main arena. We still have solo and duo duels to prepare for."
In contrast to Ning Rongrong's excitement, Lin Ye remained rather indifferent.
Although he had a cooperative relationship with Shrek Academy, among its members, only Ning Rongrong still held some of his favor. His feelings toward Tang San and Xiao Wu were now quite complicated.
As for the others, apart from Oscar, Lin Ye only felt disdain for the rest.
Thus, Lin Ye had no interest in spending time in close proximity with Shrek Academy's members.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, among Shrek Academy's members, only Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong held some of her favor.
Due to Zhao Wuji's earlier attempt to persuade Flender, Zhu Zhuqing could barely tolerate him, but her feelings toward the others ranged from indifference to outright dislike.
And that wasn't even considering the fact that Flender had come today with Zhao Wuji and the Master.
Zhu Zhuqing had no desire to spend time with Shrek Academy's group!
"Alright then. We're in Resting Room 30 in the VIP area."
Hearing that Lin Ye, Zhu Zhuqing, and Meng Yiran still had duels to participate in, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but feel disappointed.
After Ning Rongrong told Zhu Zhuqing the location of Shrek Academy's resting room, the group left the lobby to head there.
As for Lin Ye, he, Zhu Zhuqing, and Meng Yiran first each participated in a solo duel, after which Lin Ye watched Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran team up for a duo duel.
Once the duels concluded, Lin Ye felt that it was about time and led the two girls toward Shrek Academy's resting room.
However, when they arrived outside the resting room, the Shrek Academy members inside were still discussing tactics.
Lin Ye had no intention of entering. Instead, he turned to Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran beside him and said,
"Wait here for now. I'll take a walk around."
Uncertain how much time remained before Shrek Academy's team battle, Lin Ye left Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran there and began strolling around the area.
The VIP resting area was lavishly decorated both indoors and outdoors. Along the corridors, ornamental plants were placed at regular intervals.
Lin Ye didn't recognize many of these plants, but they were all quite beautiful.
He wandered leisurely, admiring the ornamental plants around him.
But suddenly, for some unknown reason, the Nine Spirit Immortal Begonia Martial Soul within his body trembled.
This surprised Lin Ye.
"What's going on?"
Though puzzled, Lin Ye still followed the direction indicated by the tremor of his Nine Spirit Immortal Begonia Martial Soul.
After passing through several corridors, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from ahead.