Entering the cafeteria, Dugu Xianmeng took him directly to the third floor.
The third floor was the third tier, accessible to those possessing a Purple duel badge.
Duel badge ranks matched the colors of soul rings: White, Yellow, Purple, Black, and Red.
Currently, only one person possessed a Red badge—Eldest Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan.
Based on known information, even the most basic meal allowance in the Red tier included at least one delicacy made from ten-thousand-year soul beast ingredients per month.
For Dugu Xianmeng to reach the third tier, Purple, in just one year, was enough to prove her strength, considering she was only at rank forty-eight.
White was the lowest tier, granted upon entering the Inner Courtyard.
Yellow required one hundred points, Purple five hundred, Black fifteen hundred, and Red over three thousand…
Winning a duel earned only one point.
However, achieving a five-match winning streak doubled the points, a ten-match streak tripled them, a fifteen-match streak quintupled them, and a twenty-match streak multiplied them by ten…
The current academy record was a twenty-three-match winning streak, set by Zhang Lexuan.
Ye Guyi, just like the Flame Maniac Ma Xiaotao, had a highest streak of eighteen wins.
Winning streaks were actually very difficult because your opponents, while sharing the same soul master title, would have level differences.
Duels in the Inner Courtyard were divided into two types.
One was open registration, where you could pick your opponent, and if both agreed, the duel commenced.
The second type was hidden dueling, where registered participants were randomly matched.
This meant that at rank forty-three, you might be matched with a rank forty-nine opponent.
However, there was a benefit to this: if your soul power level was five ranks or more below your opponent’s and you still won, the points earned were doubled.
But this was almost impossible.
Everyone in the Inner Courtyard was a genius; fighting above one’s level was something only a select few could manage.
Coincidentally, Dugu Xianmeng, who was currently enjoying her meal beside Zhou Sichen, was one of them.
Her Biphosphor Five Poisons was several times stronger than the already highly toxic Biphosphor Snake poison.
At rank forty-eight, unless opposed by a martial soul that countered hers or a soul master with extremely high poison resistance, even a rank fifty-five Soul King might not withstand her Biphosphor Five Poisons.
This was exactly why she could earn a Purple duel badge in just one year.
While eating, a thought suddenly struck Zhou Sichen.
“Senior Sister, according to what you said, doesn’t that mean I can go straight to the top floor right now and taste the exquisite delicacies only available to the Red tier?”
Dugu Xianmeng was taken aback for a moment, then glared at him.
“That’s right, all you new students have one chance to taste Red-tier food.
But I can’t go up there!
Are you going to leave me here all alone?”
The corner of Zhou Sichen’s mouth twitched.
That was a problem.
But aren’t you the Poison Witch?
Acting cute with a dark, edgy older sister face?
Are you testing my resolve?
What kind of man could withstand a test like this?
Zhou Sichen wasn’t stupid, and he was very sensitive to emotions—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to make his sister so deeply attached to him.
Although he had only been with Dugu Xianmeng for a few hours, he could clearly feel her affection towards him.
Actually, it wasn’t just Dugu Xianmeng.
The senior sister from yesterday, and the other beautiful girls who had just entered the Inner Courtyard, all felt a sense of closeness to him.
No other reason than: he was too handsome!
Sometimes, good looks equaled justice.
Not to mention, Zhou Sichen’s talent and strength had been acknowledged by everyone!
No one could dislike a super handsome guy with both talent and power.
Just like how Zhou Sichen liked beautiful women.
Of course, this was purely aesthetic appreciation, nothing inappropriate.
Zhou Sichen chuckled.
“Then I’ll go when I have time later.
I have a whole month anyway.”
“That’s the spirit.” Dugu Xianmeng smiled faintly.
“If you can’t finish it then, you can pack it up and bring it back, and I’ll help you finish it.
After all, we can’t waste food.”
Zhou Sichen chuckled inwardly.
Her ulterior motives were written all over her face.
However, since Dugu Xianmeng suggested it, Zhou Sichen was even more curious about the Red-tier food.
Of course, if he got the chance, he would definitely bring some for Dugu Xianmeng.
Since she took the initiative to mention it, he had no reason to refuse.
Sharing a delicious meal with a great beauty—why not?
Truth be told, Shrek Academy’s food was truly excellent.
The Purple-tier breakfast alone contained treasures from thousand-year soul beasts, allowing Zhou Sichen to feast to his heart’s content.
Although he had eaten like this since he was a child…
After breakfast, Zhou Sichen didn’t go explore the Inner Courtyard.
There was simply no need; he would naturally become familiar with it as he walked around more in the future.
Dugu Xianmeng had already verbally summarized everything he needed to know.
Leaving the cafeteria, Zhou Sichen said softly, “Senior Sister, let’s go check out the dueling arena.”
The Inner Courtyard also had a dedicated dueling arena, and its scale and equipment far exceeded those of the Outer Courtyard.
Hearing his words, Dugu Xianmeng thought she had misheard.
“What did you say?”
Zhou Sichen smiled.
“We have free time anyway, why not go to the dueling arena and witness the strength of the senior brothers and sisters?
It’ll broaden my horizons.”
Dugu Xianmeng looked utterly speechless.
“I know you’re very strong, but you just entered the Inner Courtyard.
There’s really no need to push yourself this hard right away.
You’ll have plenty of time for extra training later.
Wouldn’t it be better to just let me show you around the Inner Courtyard and admire Sea God Lake right now?”
Zhou Sichen couldn’t be bothered to expose her little schemes.
Having a beautiful woman’s company was indeed relaxing, but what he needed to do right now was to attract the focused attention of Shrek Academy’s higher-ups.
It would be even better if they decided to nurture him like their own son.
How satisfying it would be to use others’ resources to strengthen himself—he couldn’t even begin to imagine.
“Senior Sister, do you want to eat Red-tier food or not?” Zhou Sichen asked.
Dugu Xianmeng was stunned for a moment, then nodded, somewhat confused.
Zhou Sichen smiled.
“There you go.
If I reach the Red tier sooner, won’t I be able to bring you Red-tier food sooner?”
Hearing his reasoning, Dugu Xianmeng couldn’t help but laugh.
“You?
You’re strong, and you defeated me with just one soul ring, but that was because your attribute perfectly countered my poison.”
“Besides, what’s your level?
Do you know how many powerhouses are in the Inner Courtyard?
With your current strength, you’d better only dream about the Red tier while you’re asleep!”
“You don’t believe me, Senior Sister?”
“I don’t believe you!”
“Then how about we make a bet?”
“Bet on what?”
Zhou Sichen thought for a moment.
“Let’s bet on whether I can achieve a Red duel badge within a year.
If I succeed, you grant me one request.
If I fail, I’ll grant you one request.
How about it?”
Hearing Zhou Sichen’s bet, Dugu Xianmeng couldn’t help but smile, her heart full of excitement.
“Deal!
A gentleman’s word is a bond!”
Dugu Xianmeng extended her delicate hand, and Zhou Sichen high-fived her to seal the pact.
“A word spoken is an arrow shot!”
Dugu Xianmeng was laughing inwardly.
Let alone Zhou Sichen, even Eldest Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan couldn’t go from White to Red in a single year.
Do you think you’re a god?
Unless you maintain a continuous winning streak and your points keep multiplying, it’s impossible for anyone to reach the Red tier within a year!