Soul Land 5: The Rebirth of Tang San

Chapter 278: A Bloody Spectacle

Without a doubt, this was a place of utter cruelty, so brutal that it could be described in no other terms. Yet, it was also a land brimming with opportunities. These so-called chances lured competitors, who then offered up their blood and even their lives for others’ entertainment.

As he listened in, Tang San found out something rather important. If a team secured ten consecutive victories, all surviving members would be elevated to nobility, regardless of race, and treated without discrimination. This was far more efficient than winning a hundred solo matches as a vassal.

The group battle required a minimum of three people for registration.

The number of participants registered determined the number of opponents they would face.

Tang San stepped from the line without finalizing his team's arrangement or registering. His departure caused laughter to ripple around him, with cries of "coward" and the like being common. But for those who came here to register for the competition, such reactions were to be expected. Though they came here to register and earn money in a moment of impulsiveness, many lost their nerve upon arrival, a scene all too common.

Approaching Wu Bingji and Du Bai, Tang San pointed at the registration desk and said, "There are two ways to attain nobility: win a hundred consecutive matches in solo battles or ten in group battles. A group battle only ends when one side is dead. At the very least, all opponents must be incapacitated, but in most cases, it ends with eliminating one side."

"You mean we should enter the group battle," Wu Bingji suggested.

"Let's do it," Du Bai exclaimed, pumping his fist.

"Beat it, what's it to you?" Tang San replied irritably.

"Of course, you should take me! If worse comes to worst, I won't use my bloodline power. Can't I just lie down and pretend I’m dead?" Du Bai said, putting on a wronged face.

"How can you say such shameless words with such conviction?" Wu Bingji asked, clearly annoyed.

Du Bai chuckled, "It's because I trust you guys! I believe you're enough. Let's call Gu Li and Zicheng. The five of us are enough. It's perfect for a group battle. Then we can head to the Ancestral Court together. It'll be great!"

"Little Tang, I think it's a good idea, too," Wu Bingji said, eyes gleaming with eagerness.

Tang San smiled wryly. "It’s too risky, and the teachers won't agree to it."

"Is it that you don't trust your strength, or you don't trust ours? I've mastered the Soul-Chasing Cluster Ball," Wu Bingji's fighting spirit was well-founded. Over the past year, his diligent cultivation had elevated him to the eighth order, and his control over the ice element had also advanced significantly. He was quite confident in his current abilities.

"Let's go back and discuss it. We should consult with our teachers," Tang San said.

Of course, he was inclined toward the group battles, considering that it would save him a massive lot of time.

Except for Du Bai's Celestial Fox Transformation, which couldn't be exposed, revealing the abilities of his other companions wasn't such a big deal. Those who registered to compete voluntarily and weren't part of the Great Beast Fighting Arenas were allowed to wear masks to conceal their real identities during the competition.

"Let's go!" Fully intent on claiming the win by doing nothing at all, Du Bai led the way out, even more proactive than Tang San and Wu Bingji.

Upon returning to the Redemption Academy, Tang San went straight to Zhang Haoxuan, while Wu Bingji sought out his own master, Guan Longjiang. Participating in the Great Beast Fighting Arenas required the teachers' approval.

"Do you have confidence?" Zhang Haoxuan asked Tang San.

"If I don’t reveal any of my abilities, about eighty percent. If I reveal some of them, then it's over ninety percent. And if I go full throttle, ninety-nine percent. As for bringing everyone back safely, I can guarantee that," Tang San said.

Great Beast Fighting Arenas did not allow the presence of god-level warriors, as decreed by the Ancestral Court. At his current level, Tang San had nothing to fear from opponents below the god level.

Zhang Haoxuan nodded, "But this is a matter of great importance. You are too important to the academy and the organization. Although I oversee the entire academy, it's not something I can decide on my own. You'll still need to find a way to convince the other teachers."

"I do have an idea. See if it might work," Tang San said, whispering a few words in Zhang Haoxuan's ear.

Zhang Haoxuan's expression instantly became animated, then slightly bizarre, "I think it's feasible! Just like that. Hahaha. You guys must give it your all!"

Tang San couldn't help but smile.

By the time he and Zhang Haoxuan returned to the Redemption Academy, they saw Guan Longjiang waiting grimly as soon as they entered.

Upon seeing Tang San, his face darkened even more. "Tang San, have you lost your mind?"

"Old Guan, don't be angry. Please, calm down," Zhang Haoxuan quickly said.

"Calm? How can I stay calm? Your precious disciple is about to lead our core members to their deaths, and you're asking me to stay calm? Is this what you taught him?" Guan Longjiang said, barely holding back the urge to curse out loud, his voice thick with anger.

Wu Bingji peeked out from afar, his somewhat disheveled appearance making it clear he had been scolded.

It was more than a scolding. When he returned and proposed their idea to Guan Longjiang, he was berated harshly.

"Do you not know what the Great Beast Fighting Arena is? Huh?" Guan Longjiang pointed at Zhang Haoxuan's nose, his anger surging. "That place is not just a den of filth; it is filled with bloodshed. They will never allow what they consider lower races to become nobles. And individual fights are one thing, but group battles are to the death. Do you want to ruin the great situation we've spent so many years building? Your disciple hardly ever shows up, and now, when he does, he brings us this mess. If he wants to die, let him go alone. Don't let him drag the academy down with him."

"Enough!" Zhang Haoxuan said irritably, "Just calm down and listen to me."

Guan Longjiang's raised voice drew the attention of other teachers and students. Mu Enqing was the first to come forward and try to smooth things over.

"Old Guan, don't be so hot-tempered. What's going on?"

Guan Longjiang's lips buzzed as he reported the situation to him through voice transmission.

"What? Have they gone mad?" Mu Enqing was taken aback, his gaze turning somewhat unfriendly toward Tang San.

"Can you listen to me?" Zhang Haoxuan's expression darkened, and the mayor's authority burst forth.

Si Ru, leisurely just coming out of his room, didn't approach; instead, he watched the drama unfold with a detached interest.

"Speak then. Did you instigate this?" Guan Longjiang still couldn't calm down.

"Of course not. But I don’t think it’s unfeasible. You all understand how important noble status is. If humans could attain noble status the way demons do, many things would become much easier. But the ways for us to get that status are extremely limited, and fighting in the Great Beast Fighting Arena is the most direct method. If we are strong enough, then we might bet on this, no?"

"Nonsense! Are you trying to send them to their deaths?" Guan Longjiang retorted.

"Why are you so impulsive today? Don't rush, hear me out," Zhang Haoxuan said. "They want to participate in the group battles, and I was against it too at first. As you said, it's dangerous, and they are our core disciples. However, Tang San told me that if they could prove their strength, I should allow them to compete. In other words, they believe they are confident in facing the Great Beast Fighting Arena's group battles."

"How will they prove it?" Mu Enqing asked.