Duolou: After taking advice, I became Supreme!

It seems that certain tropes from novels don't apply everywhere, at least not here where there's no "dumbing down" in sight.

Sigh, looks like I'm not the main character after all!

After registering, it was time to be sorted for the Spirit Battles. Flender led them to the match area for standard spirit duels, briefly instructed Dai Mubai, and then went into the arena himself.

Dai Mubai explained to Yun Feng and the others that, in the Great Spirit Arena, only those with a winning streak of over five matches, a high enough spirit rank, or an exceptionally high Spirit Master level could battle in the main arena. As newcomers, they would start in the sub-arenas.

Winning a match as an Iron Spirit Fighter awarded ten gold coins, but losing yielded nothing.

Soon, they were sorted, all grouped in the fourteenth sub-arena for standard spirit duels since they had arrived together. Yun Feng's opponent was a Spirit Ancestor-level fighter, while Xiao Wu and Dai Mubai faced Spirit Elders. Tang San, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun, meanwhile, were matched with opponents at the Spirit Master level.

The Great Spirit Arena dazzled Tang San with its complex setup. There were 24 sub-arenas, each divided into categories for standard duels and deathmatches. Both categories had formats for one-on-one, two-on-two, and team battles, making each sub-arena six separate platforms. As for the betting matches, Dai Mubai had mentioned that all levels of betting matches took place in the main arena.

The Great Spirit Arena operated like a well-oiled machine, with different prices for tickets in each area. Yun Feng and his friends' one-on-one duels were the cheapest and least attended.

The Spirit Masters awaiting their matches were gathered in a spacious waiting area to rest. The sight of such young participants like Tang San and his friends drew attention from the others, but despite their surprise, no one mocked them. Everyone was focused on staying in top form for their upcoming battles.

Sitting beside Yun Feng, Xiao Wu whispered, "Yun Feng, I just asked Dai Mubai. Although each Spirit Master can only participate in one standard duel per day, they can compete in multiple categories. But our levels are too different!"

Xiao Wu's tone carried a hint of regret.

Yun Feng smiled and replied, "Well, you could compete alongside Dai Mubai."

Xiao Wu shot him a look. "Compete with him? That'd just be awkward! He's at a totally different level than me!"

Thinking it over, Yun Feng realized she was right. Dai Mubai was close to level 40 as a Spirit Ancestor, while Xiao Wu had only recently reached Spirit Elder status—quite a gap.

"Ha! Well, that's up to you then," Yun Feng teased. "Unless you want to try a two-on-two in the Spirit Ancestor arena."

Xiao Wu rolled her eyes and fell silent.

Hearing their conversation, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing shared their own thoughts with Dai Mubai. Although he was reminded of the possibility of a two-on-two, his and Zhu Zhuqing's spirits weren't compatible for teaming up, so he let it go.

After explaining the situation, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing headed to the two-on-two area to register.

In the one-on-one zone, the matchups were drawn randomly. While other Spirit Masters fought, those waiting could either watch or rest. Dedicated seating areas allowed participants to view matches up close.

Xiao Wu was the first to fight, so the group chose to watch. Guided by a staff member, they reached a designated section near the edge of the platform.

Despite being a sub-arena, the platform was spacious, with a 20-meter diameter, allowing the Spirit Masters ample room. However, only about a fifth of the seating was filled for these one-on-one duels in the fourteenth arena.

A middle-aged man in a tailcoat stood at the center of the platform, clearing his throat before announcing:

"Next, we begin the first match in the fourteenth arena's one-on-one duels. Our contenders are both Spirit Elders. First, we have Xiao Wu, with the Soft Bone Rabbit Beast Spirit, against Qing Bao, a Spirit Elder with the Iron-Horned Bull Beast Spirit, who's on a two-match winning streak."

"Will Spirit Elder Qing Bao continue his streak with a third win, or will newcomer Spirit Elder Xiao Wu claim victory? Let's find out! Please welcome both contenders."

The audience's reaction was sparse, with only a few people calling out Qing Bao's name. Most seemed indifferent.

A towering figure soon entered the platform. Nearly two meters tall, he had broad shoulders and bulging muscles that looked like granite. His dark skin was crisscrossed with veins, like snakes slithering across his bare torso. His steely gaze and deep roar as he stepped up displayed his formidable presence.

It was clear this man was a power-type Spirit Master, much like Zhao Wuji.

Sitting next to Yun Feng, Ning Rongrong whispered, "He looks pretty strong. Do you think Xiao Wu can handle him?"

Before Yun Feng could reply, Tang San behind them confidently answered, "Of course, Xiao Wu can handle it. Her spirit abilities are disadvantaged against power-types, but that only matters if the opponent's strength far surpasses hers. At the same level, power-type Spirit Masters are…"

Before he could finish, Xiao Wu, looking both youthful and excited, leaped onto the platform.

Dressed in a white top and pink pants, with a face still full of childlike charm, she immediately caught the audience's attention.

"How old is this girl? Did the announcer really say she's a Spirit Elder? That can't be possible," skeptical murmurs filled the stands.

As always, the audience sympathized with the underdog, and with her appealing appearance, Xiao Wu quickly gained the favor of the crowd over her Iron-Horned opponent.

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