The next morning, the Heavenly Fight Grand Arena remained as bustling as ever. Although the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy had no match scheduled for the day, the stands were still packed to capacity due to the strength Shrek Academy had previously demonstrated and the formidable power of their opponents, Blazing Academy.
Marco did not arrive with the rest of the Royal Fight Team. Instead, he appeared alone near the competitors' rest area, his presence immediately causing a stir. Countless eyes focused on him, filled with awe, curiosity, and scrutiny.
The Shrek Academy team had already arrived and was making final preparations before the match. Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang was giving last-minute tactical instructions to the team members about to take the stage, with Flender and Zhao Wuji standing by to maintain order. Liu Erlong stood with her arms crossed, her gaze sweeping the surroundings.
When Marco slowly approached the Shrek Academy area, all eyes from Shrek instantly focused on him, and the atmosphere immediately became somewhat subtle and tense.
Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing and others all had alert and serious expressions in their eyes. Ma Hongjun shrank his neck slightly, while Oscar instinctively moved closer to Ning Rongrong, his eyes filled with wariness as if afraid Marco had come to "steal" Ning Rongrong from him.
Marco paid no attention to their reactions, his gaze directly falling upon Ning Rongrong, who looked charming and adorable in her goose-yellow dress. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he proactively greeted: "Rongrong, long time no see."
Seeing Marco, Ning Rongrong was momentarily stunned before revealing a bright smile and responding gracefully: "Brother Marco, long time no see! Congratulations on winning another splendid match yesterday!" Although she was shocked by Marco's strength, the upbringing of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's young princess prevented her from losing her composure.
Marco smiled slightly and turned his gaze to Shrek Academy's teachers, nodding in acknowledgment: "Dean Flender, Grandmaster, Vice Dean Liu Erlong, greetings to you all."
Flender immediately put on a professional smile, pushing up his glasses: "So it's student Marco, hello hello!" Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang remained expressionless, giving a stiff nod in response. Liu Erlong merely snorted coldly and turned her head away, clearly still displeased with the strength Marco had displayed yesterday that had dampened her disciples' confidence.
Marco didn't mind, turning back to Ning Rongrong and speaking in a gentle tone: "Today you're facing Blazing Academy. Your opponents are quite formidable, especially Huo Wu's Repelling Fire Ring and Fire Dance Sun - their power is immense. You must be very careful."
Ning Rongrong raised her small face, full of confidence: "Don't worry, Brother Marco! We're very strong! The Grandmaster has already devised detailed tactics, we're sure to win!"
At this moment, Marco noticed the almost blazingly alert gazes from the other Shrek members, especially Oscar, and couldn't help finding it somewhat amusing. He naturally understood this young fellow's thoughts and found it rather entertaining.
He smiled and asked instead: "Will you be competing in today's match, Rongrong?"
Ning Rongrong proudly wrinkled her small nose with a hint of pride: "Hmph, this young lady is the team's secret weapon, our trump card! This match isn't worthy of my appearance yet!"
Watching her charmingly confident demeanor, Marco's smile deepened slightly. He turned his gaze to Flender and Grandmaster, speaking in a calm tone: "Dean Flender, Grandmaster, I have some matters I'd like to discuss privately with Rongrong. Would it be possible for us to step aside for a moment?"
Flender was momentarily taken aback, glancing between Ning Rongrong and Grandmaster before waving his hand with a laugh: "Haha, no problem at all! Rongrong, you may go, just make sure to return before the competition begins."
Grandmaster furrowed his brows slightly but remained silent.
Ning Rongrong was also curious about why Marco sought her out. She signaled to Xiao Wu, who was holding her hand with a mix of curiosity and wariness: "Xiao Wu, it's fine, I'll be back soon." Then she followed Marco to a relatively quiet corner.
Xiao Wu pouted, watching their retreating figures with a frustrated expression.
Once they reached a secluded spot, Marco deployed a soundproof layer of Soul Power before speaking to Ning Rongrong: "Rongrong, the reason I sought you out is regarding a transaction I'd like to discuss with Ning Zongzhu through you."
"A transaction?" Ning Rongrong blinked her large eyes, growing even more curious.
Marco turned his palm, and a soft rainbow light flashed as an egg-sized, irregularly shaped bone appeared in his hand, radiating pure Mental Power fluctuations. "This item was something I obtained by chance. A Ten Thousand Year Skull Soul Bone, gemstone category, with quite remarkable mental illusion skills attached. I wonder if Ning Zongzhu might be interested?"
"A Ten Thousand Year Skull Soul Bone?! And it's gemstone category!" Ning Rongrong's beautiful eyes instantly widened, her pretty face filled with shock and excitement! As the young princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, she knew all too well how important a suitable Soul Bone was for support-type Soul Masters! Especially a skull Soul Bone, and such a rare gemstone category - this was practically a treasure tailor-made for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School!
"Interested! Of course we're interested!" Ning Rongrong was so excited she nearly jumped, her voice rising an octave, "Brother Marco, are you serious? You're really willing to trade it? My father would be overjoyed when he finds out! We must trade! What do you want? Soul Bones? Elixirs? Or some rare natural treasure? You can choose anything from our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's treasury!"
Seeing Ning Rongrong's flushed, excited face, Marco smiled faintly: "The specific exchange details need to be discussed with Ning Zongzhu. I'm just expressing this intention through you first. This Soul Bone isn't suitable for anyone on my side."
"No problem! Leave it to me!" Ning Rongrong patted her chest in assurance, barely able to contain her excitement, "I'll go tell Father right now! Brother Marco, wait for my good news!" She could already imagine her father's delighted expression when he saw this Soul Bone.
Marco nodded: "I'll trouble you then, Rongrong."
Ning Rongrong was ecstatic, hopping back to the Shrek team like a happy little butterfly. The moment she returned, Xiao Wu immediately approached her, pulling her aside and asking quietly: "Rongrong, what did that Marco want with you? So mysterious, and you look so happy?"
Ning Rongrong forcibly suppressed the excitement in her heart, but the smile at the corner of her lips simply couldn't be hidden. She mysteriously leaned close to Xiao Wu's ear and whispered, "Keep it a secret! It's absolutely wonderful news anyway! I'll tell you after the match ends!" Though thrilled, she knew the matter of the Soul Bone was too significant to casually disclose.
Xiao Wu, thoroughly tantalized by her, stamped her foot in frustration. "Rotten Rongrong, still keeping me in suspense!"
Oscar, who had been eavesdropping nearby, grew even more anxious when Ning Rongrong refused to elaborate. His gaze toward Marco became increasingly complicated.
Just then, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back. "Alright, the match is about to begin. Mubai, San, Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, Hongjun, Huang Yuan, Jingling—the seven of you will start. Stay sharp! Blazing Academy is no pushover, especially Huo Wu. Her control and explosive power are extremely strong. Do not let your guard down!"
"Yes, Grandmaster!" the seven named replied in unison, their expressions instantly turning serious as they suppressed their individual emotions and devoted themselves entirely to the upcoming match.
Dai Mubai's Evil Eye burned with fighting spirit, Tang San's gaze was calm and profound, Xiao Wu was eager for action, Zhu Zhuqing's aura was restrained, Ma Hongjun was rubbing his hands in anticipation, while Huang Yuan and Jingling took deep breaths to adjust their states.
The great battle was on the verge of breaking out. In the spectator stands, Marco found a seat with a good view and calmly turned his gaze toward the Soul Duel Stage, awaiting this match that might become different due to the "butterfly" effect of his own actions.
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