Chapter 335: Today, I Will Give My All

This scene stunned Gu Li and Du Bai, and even Tang San was taken aback.

Who among them didn't know about Cheng Zicheng's feelings for Wu Bingji? Wu Bingji kept a deliberate distance from her, never giving her any chance. Who would have thought that the eldest brother would give such a startling hug at this moment?

Cheng Zicheng's mind went blank. The eldest brother's broad and warm embrace, his strong arms, and his unique scent all made her lose the ability to think.

Then she heard Wu Bingji's voice echoing in her ear: "Zicheng, don't say anything. After the match, when we've won, you can tell me. I'll listen to you slowly then. We will have plenty of time to talk, okay?"

Wu Bingji released her from his embrace as he spoke, smiling at Cheng Zicheng. "Du Bai is right. At a time like this, we can't jinx it!"

Cheng Zicheng felt dizzy, her face turning bright red. She sneaked a glance at Wu Bingji and vigorously nodded.

Wu Bingji turned to Tang San. "Tang San, do you have any instructions for us?"

Tang San smiled. "Nothing. Today, I will be the captain."

He stood up, still smiling, and his gaze swept over his four companions. "Today, I will give it my all."

At these words, the eyes of Wu Bingji and the other three lit up.

They still didn’t know exactly how strong Tang San was, but his promise to give this battle his best instilled more confidence than any other words could.

Tang San extended his right hand, and Wu Bingji placed his hand on top, followed by Cheng Zicheng, Du Bai, and Gu Li. Five hands stacked together!

Tang San's smile deepened as he remembered a phrase he had cried out countless times in his previous life, a phrase imprinted in the depths of his soul.

He suddenly roared, "Shrek! Victory!"

"Shrek! Victory!" the five shouted in unison.

***

Due to the overcrowding in the Great Beast Fighting Arena, today's admission started an hour earlier to allow ticket holders to enter on time and ensure order.

Inside the arena, it was already packed. However, today's human audience was much smaller than for previous matches. It wasn't that humans didn't want to watch this most crucial showdown; it was simply that ticket prices were exorbitant. Due to the nobles' deliberate price inflation, few humans could afford the tickets.

On the stands, several teachers from the Redemption Academy were present.

Led by Mayor Zhang Haoxuan, Si Ru, Guan Longjiang, Mu Enqing, and Mu Yunyu were all there.

With Zhang Haoxuan's current financial capability, buying tickets was no problem. Around them were about twenty other human spectators, all vassals holding some status within their respective ruler clans. This represented the entirety of today's human audience.

Mu Yunyu nervously clenched her fists, biting her lower lip. She was genuinely unsure of what the outcome of today's battle would be. All the information she had heard was unfavorable for the Shrek Squad.

She originally didn't want to come to this match, but she was here nonetheless. She couldn't abandon those children.

When Tang San and the others disappeared earlier, Zhang Haoxuan told them they were undergoing special training. And to prove the teachers’ initial skepticism wrong, they had secured nine consecutive victories.

As members of the Redemption Society, the teachers felt unprecedented cohesion among the humans in Kali City. Everyone was united in praying for the Shrek Squad's continuous victories.

The more this happened, the more they felt the immense pressure. This match was already historic for humans, a historic attempt to achieve noble status. But if they lost and died on the battlefield, it would undoubtedly be a massive loss for the Redemption Society.

No one questioned why Zhang Haoxuan hadn’t stopped them; those questions had been asked long before they arrived.

Guan Longjiang hadn't spoken to Zhang Haoxuan for several days, and even now, he still wore a stern face.

Si Ru's expression was relatively calm as he sat next to Zhang Haoxuan. He always maintained a faint smile.

Mu Enqing took a deep breath and turned to Zhang Haoxuan. "Mayor, are you really confident?"

Zhang Haoxuan glanced at him and said, "Even if we aren't confident, do you think we can back out now?"

Mu Enqing's lips twitched slightly. Indeed, at this point, nothing could be done. Both sides would soon enter the arena, and this battle was inevitable. Moreover, it was a real fight to the death!

"Since we're here, let's settle in and not be anxious. When have you ever seen Old Zhang do something he wasn't confident about?" Si Ru smiled.

These words eased the tension of the other teachers a bit. Indeed, Zhang Haoxuan was known for his steadiness. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become the principal of Redemption Academy; someone with higher cultivation would have been chosen instead, like Si Ru.

Zhang Haoxuan remained silent but thought to himself,

My confidence is only valid when it comes to things within my control. That boy has long been out of my control. I just have faith in him as a person.

The massive gates on one side opened as the teachers spoke, and the Shrek Squad entered the Great Beast Fighting Arena.

Wu Bingji still led at the front, followed by Tang San, Gu Li, Du Bai, and Cheng Zicheng. Despite Tang San declaring himself the captain, they didn't change their formation. The opponents must have studied the Shrek Squad’s tactics, and a sudden change in formation was bound to alert them.

As the gates on the opposite side of the Shrek Squad slowly opened and their five opponents appeared on the battlefield, almost all the demon spectators erupted into deafening cheers.

Among the five demons on the opposite side, the one in the center was a sturdy figure about two and a half meters tall. He looked surprisingly similar to a human, with short golden hair that seemed to flutter even though there was no wind, a handsome yet stern and cold face, and crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, indicating he was past his youth. Its body was muscular and well-proportioned. He held a large sword that it planted into the ground before him, his slightly bloodshot eyes scanning the Shrek Squad.

Despite knowing his identity in advance, seeing him in person still made everyone in the Shrek Squad, except Tang San, feel a chill in their hearts.

This figure was indeed famous in the Great Beast Fighting Arena. How could his reputation be described?

When Tang San attended the grand auction, he saw a powerful one-eyed demon, a peak ninth-order powerhouse named Yu Xi known as the Slaughter Maniac. Tang San had once considered challenging that powerful one-eyed demon in the future, as he genuinely detested the guy.

But Yu Xi was dead.

About a month ago, that arrogant one-eyed demon was killed. And the one who killed him in a one-on-one fight was this very figure before them.

He had no name, or at least he didn't reveal it. In the Great Beast Fighting Arena, he was known only by his moniker: Lion-Tiger Sword Saint!

Yes, Lion-Tiger. Two bloodlines flowed within it, both golden bloodlines: the Golden Lion and the Golden Tiger bloodline.

His physique didn't seem as robust as either the Golden Lions or Golden Tigers, but the explosive power contained within his body surpassed both these clans. His bloodline wasn’t quite first-tier, but it was at the very pinnacle among second-tier ones.