Douluo: Two brothers in douluo

Soto City was known as the Granary of the Heaven Dou Empire, and its defenses were among the best in the region.

However, thanks to this anime world setting, there were plenty of baffling "high-tech" oddities that left Dai Mubai utterly speechless.

Opposite the Great Spirit Arena in Soto City stood a teahouse.

The Shrek Academy group had gathered inside, seated comfortably as they sipped tea and listened to Flender.

"Those are the rules of the Spirit Arena. Did you all understand?"

Flender took a sip of his tea, looking quite relaxed.

Thank goodness for Dai Mubai, he thought. Without his gold spirit coins, there wouldn't be any tea to enjoy here.

"Understood!"

Tang San and the others responded in unison.

The small city of Nuoding didn't have a Spirit Arena, so this was their first exposure to such detailed and complex rules.

1v1 matches, 2v2 pairs, team battles, betting fights, and even life-and-death battles—it was far beyond what they'd imagined.

"Oh, by the way, Mubai. You'd better not participate in the Spirit Arena for now."

Flender suddenly directed his attention to Dai Mubai.

With Dai Mubai's spirit power at Level 40, he would be placed in the Soul Ancestor category. Without his fourth spirit ring, competing at that level would be a significant disadvantage.

"Alright."

Dai Mubai nodded nonchalantly. He didn't particularly care. After all, battles in the Spirit Arena were primarily for entertainment and training, and the experience they provided in real combat was limited.

Even without his fourth spirit ring, he was confident he could hold his own against Soul Ancestors.

Like a tiger sprouting wings—Dai Mubai's current state could be described no other way.

"Now then," Flender continued, "you can either observe the Spirit Arena first or sign up to compete. Either way, it's up to you."

"Remember, to graduate from Shrek Academy, you must achieve two things: earn the Silver Spirit Badge and reach Level 40 spirit power before turning twenty."

Flender's gaze lingered briefly on Dai Mubai as he spoke, his thoughts betraying a hint of concern.

If this kid gets his badge early and runs off, then what?

Dai Mubai already met the spirit power requirement. All he lacked was the Silver Spirit Badge to graduate.

Flender's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew Dai Mubai's combat history—it wasn't stellar. Even if he obtained his fourth spirit ring, reaching Level 42 or 43 at best, how could he possibly contend with Level 46 or 47 Soul Ancestors?

In the Spirit Arena, victory was never easy.

Smiling faintly, Flender felt oddly satisfied.

With seven students finally gathered, the academy could compete in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. If Dai Mubai graduated early, though…

Flender's dream was to turn his "fraudulent" Shrek Academy into something legendary. And how could he achieve that if his strongest students ran away?

Time passed, and everyone except Dai Mubai and Oscar registered for battles at the Spirit Arena.

The only hiccup occurred when Tang San and Xiao Wu—calling themselves the "Three-Five Duo"—faced a minor delay at registration.

Tang San and Xiao Wu confidently signed up for 1v1 and 2v2 battles. Zhu Zhuqing, taking Dai Mubai's advice, registered for 1v1 matches. Ma Hongjun also signed up for 1v1 battles.

As a non-flying agility-type spirit master, Zhu Zhuqing wouldn't gain much from team fights. After all, agility-type fighters struggled in the arena: they were countered by control types, crushed by strength types, and couldn't break through defense types.

Agility-type fighters excelled at assassinations and backline eliminations, which the Spirit Arena didn't particularly accommodate.

Soon, announcements began booming over the loudspeakers.

"Would Spirit Master Xiao Wu please proceed to Arena 13!"

"Would Spirit Master Tang San please proceed to Arena 14!"

"Would Spirit Master Zhu Zhuqing please proceed to Arena 14!"

"Would Spirit Master Ma Hongjun please proceed to Arena 8!"

Hearing this, Dai Mubai blinked in surprise.

Zhu Zhuqing is matched against Tang San? What kind of coincidence is this?!

She'll lose.

Let's not kid ourselves—at this stage, Tang San was practically unbeatable among Spirit Grandmasters.

With his Purple Demon Eyes, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Mysterious Jade Hand, and Tang Sect hidden weapons, not to mention his two spirit skills, Tang San was a one-man army.

"Tang San, if you dare hurt Zhuqing, I swear I'll teach Xiao Wu a lesson!"

The thought popped into Dai Mubai's head, a perfect display of his double standards.

As Tang San stepped toward Arena 14, a sudden chill ran down his spine.

What was that?

He turned instinctively and found Dai Mubai staring at him, his heterochromatic eyes gleaming strangely.

Like a pie chart, Dai Mubai's gaze divided into three parts: 30% ridicule, 30% indifference, and 40% thinly veiled malice.

Tang San froze for a moment, then realization dawned.

Zhu Zhuqing is going to Arena 14 too—that means she's my opponent.

And Zhu Zhuqing is Dai Mubai's fiancée. Dai Mubai must be "contemplating revenge" right now…

Tang San wasn't wrong. Dai Mubai had already planned out how he'd deal with Xiao Wu later.

"Dai Mubai, a prince of the Star Luo Empire, yet so petty!" Tang San scoffed internally.

It's just a Spirit Arena match. Does he really intend to retaliate afterward?

Someone like him has no right to be a prince. A man like that is destined for ruin.

Still… for now, I can't afford to offend him. I'll endure for the time being and settle things when I'm stronger.

This was precisely why, in the original timeline, Dai Mubai transitioned from being "Boss Dai" in the early game to "Dai Mubai" in the mid-game, and simply "Dai Mubai" in the late game.

It was a clear sign of Tang San's opportunism. When you were strong, he called you "Boss Dai." When you weren't, you were lucky to get a formal name.

In Tang San's mind, Dai Mubai's existence was already on borrowed time. The only reason Tang San hadn't taken action yet was because of Dai Mubai's imperial status.

Meanwhile, Oscar, having skipped registration, was seen chatting cheerfully with a lovely young lady at the counter.

The Spirit Arena staff were all notably attractive, and this particular young woman in a purple dress was no exception.

"Typical Oscar," Dai Mubai muttered as he watched from a distance. "The man just can't help himself."

After all, the Spirit Arena was one of the few major entertainment hubs on the Douluo Continent.

(End of Chapter)