"I will personally be the referee of this match," Elder Xuan proclaimed whilst eating fried chicken. "There's only one rule in this match to decide your future, and that is... no using killing moves."
He stared especially at Tang Ya and then at Huo Yuhao. "Especially you two! I know you two have some crazy ass insta-kill secret techniques and tools against those stronger than you, and this is a friendly match. So don't use them!"
'Welp, that means I can't use my fourth soul skill... I was curious to see if it can affect senior Ma.' Tang Ya wryly thought.
'I don't even intend to use any of them in the first place.' Huo Yuhao inwardly said. His most powerful skills involved using the Ice God's Legacy, which would shorten his lifespan, and go all out with his Spiritual Power and put them under a powerful Genjutsu.
Which isn't going to be easy. Having heard their respective strengths from Ma Xiaotao, they're not going to be easy to deal with, without using more lethal skills.
Because all he knew and taught by his Ancestor, was that: "being merciful to an enemy makes you a fool". Why do you think he hadn't spared almost everyone who became his enemy? The Ironblood Sect and his half-brothers are a prime example.
If it wasn't for their special privilege as the children of the White Tiger Duke, he would've killed Dai Huabin right then and there.
Thinking about such a lost opportunity made him shake his head.
No point in crying over spilled milk. He already made his decision and he was going to stick by it.
'I just need to get even stronger! Huabin, Duchess and... the Duke, will all suffer their due.'
Such thoughts went by in a flash in Huo Yuhao's mind.
He glanced back at his team and asked, "Alright, are you all ready?"
"Yeah!" Wang Dong'er and the rest nodded with determination. Unlike yesterday's match, this was going to be several times harder.
The group they were fighting against are people who carried the title of the group that once saved this world!
They couldn't be compared to their peers, especially since they're also inner courtyard students. The resources and training they received are the best in the whole continent, they couldn't be compared to other soul masters at the same level as them.
However, if they wanted to climb to higher heights, then they have to overcome such an obstacle.
None of them wanted to be ordinary, or be content as the new generation of 'something'. No, they wanted to carve their names into history as great heroes and be remembered for many years to come.
They wanted to become... Legends.
'Good. Now, this is how we're gonna do this...' Huo Yuhao then mentally communicated with them, sharing his plan.
With the Shrek Six Monsters, Ma Xiaotao's lips twitched. Her face was covered with her hands as she felt a headache, listening to her comrades.
"Pfft. What's with Elder Xuan telling off our juniors? Restricting them from using deadly moves? Is he overestimating them or is he underestimating us? We can easily take care of them in a few seconds."
"Hm. I heard from a friend that these kids are building up their own sect! And considering they're so confident, they might really be holding onto some very powerful trump cards."
"Maybe. But Elder Xuan has already forbade them from using their tricks. Which really makes you think, just how deadly are their secret techniques or tools that made Elder Xuan speak up?"
"..." They all went silent, a cold shiver running down their spines.
A girl with ordinary looks and short black turned towards Ma Xiaotao and asked, with a soft and lazy voice.
"Captain, do you want to handle them on your own? Even with their numerical advantage, I'm sure you can handle them on your own."
Ma Xiaotao shook her head and said, "No, Xi Xi. All of us are taking them on and we are going all out. We don't hold back our punches and skills against these juniors."
All of them looked at her in disbelief, they were going all out?
"Captain!? They-"
"Are dangerous..." Ma Xiaotao harshly interjected, her expression serious and cold. "Look, unlike you guys, I'm acquainted with some of them and let me tell you—they are strong. Especially Huo Yuhao and Tang Ya. The guy has Ultimate Ice, making me and Ling Luochen here incapable of using our full strength against him, while the girl is probably as talented as her Ancestor: Thousand Hands Douluo, Tang San!"
Listening to her words, the rest of the group fell silent, their expressions grave. They had underestimated their opponents, assuming that their status as juniors meant they would be easy to defeat. But Ma Xiaotao's warning made them realize that Huo Yuhao and his friends were not to be taken lightly.
The girl with white skin and light blue hair that extends to her shoulders, cast a curious glance Huo Yuhao. Ultimate Ice? This was the first time she met someone with the ultimate attribute, especially Ice! She wonders if the stories of the powers of the ultimate attribute are true... Also if he wasn't seeing anyone.
'Hm... He looks so good. Even with a scar on his lips, he still looks handsome.' she unconsciously bit her lower lip, her face slightly flustered.
Huo Yuhao shivered. He looked around, confused by the sudden chilly feeling he was getting.
"So trust me when I say that we have to get serious if we want to win this match," Ma Xiaotao continued, her voice firm. "We won't hold back. For the reward and our reputation, let's show these juniors what it means to face the true power of the Shrek Seven Monsters!"
With determined nods, the rest of the Shrek Six Monsters rallied behind their captain, ready to face their opponents with everything they had.
"Students, have you finished planning your strategies?" Elder Xuan's voice echoed across the arena, drawing the attention of both teams.
Huo Yuhao and Ma Xiaotao, the captains of their respective teams, stared at each other before nodding in acknowledgment of Elder Xuan's question.
"Yes, we're ready."
Elder Xuan nodded, rubbing his beard. "Alright, everybody introduce yourselves so that you all can get to know each other. We'll start with the juniors."
After exchanging a brief glance, and a bit of Spiritual Sharing, Huo Yuhao was the first to speak up, "I'm Huo Yuhao, a second year student from the outer courtyard. I'm a Rank 43 Control-type Soul Ancestor."
R-Rank 43, Soul Ancestor?! Other than Ma Xiaotao, the expressions of the others in the inner courtyard became somewhat strange. Second year students are mostly 13-14 year old students, and they're typically around Soul Grandmaster or the rare Soul Elder levels. To be a Soul Ancestor at such an age...
Their expressions turned grave. No wonder Ma Xiaotao had warned them to take Huo Yuhao and his team seriously. Being a Rank 43 Control-type Soul Ancestor at such a young age was indeed an extraordinary achievement.
Next, Tang Ya introduced herself, "I'm Tang Ya, also a fifth year student from the outer courtyard. Similarly, I'm also a rank 43 control-type Soul Ancestor."
Bei Bei was the third to come up. "I'm Bei Bei, a fifth year student from the outer courtyard. I'm a rank 42 assault-type Soul Ancestor."
He Caitou was the next to take a step forward. "He Caitou. Fourth year from the outer courtyard. I'm from the Soul Tool Department, and I'm a Class 4 soul engineer." As a student of the Soul Tool Department, he evidently had no need to give out his own cultivation. On the contrary, he would use his Class to reveal his own strength.
"Xu Sanshi. I'm a fifth year from the outer courtyard, and I'm a Rank 43 defense-type Soul Ancestor."
"I'm Jiang Nannan. I'm a fifth year from the outer courtyard, and I'm a Rank 41 agility-type Soul Ancestor."
The gazes of a few male students from the inner courtyard immediately lit up after seeing her. Jiang Nannan was indeed extremely beautiful. Of the females present here, she was the most beautiful in terms of looks alone; Ma Xiaotao, on the other hand, had the best physique. As for Xiao Xiao, Wu Feng and Ning Tian, they were simply too young. Also, Wang Dong'er still wore her male disguise on.
While Xu Sanshi heatedly glared at his seniors, trying to stand protectively before Jiang Nannan, Wu Feng stepped forward. "Wu Feng. I'm a second year from the outer courtyard, and I'm a Rank 36 assault-type Soul Elder."
Some of the seniors twitched, thinking just how talented their juniors were.
Ning Tian stepped forward beside Wu Feng. "I'm Ning Tian. I am also a second year from the outer courtyard, and I'm a Rank 34 auxiliary-type Soul Elder."
One of the seniors furrowed their brows and muttered, "I have heard that name before. Don't tell me, is she the young miss of the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile clan? We have to concentrate all of our power on her. The buffs she can provide is a game-changer in this match."
"I'm called Xiao Xiao, greetings to my senior upperclassmen." The next in line was Xiao Xiao, she wore a smile on her face. "I'm a second year from the outer courtyard, and I'm a Rank 30 control-type Soul Grandmaster. Due to not having enough time, I am unable to fine a soul ring to become a Soul Elder." After she and Wang Dong'er fought against the assassins, Xiao Xiao's soul power had increased.
It was unfortunate that she didn't manage to find the time to get her third soul ring.
The last in line was Wang Dong'er. Letting out a huff of annoyance, she then said. "Wang Dong. Second year from the outer courtyard, and a Rank 34 assault-type Soul Elder." She clicked her tongue and glared at Wu Feng, who glanced at her with a smug look.
She knew deep inside that she could take her own, with her ninjutsus, but dammit was it annoying to be looked down upon! Especially by Wu Feng!
Elder Xuan nodded and pointed towards the disciples from the inner courtyard, "Your turn."
The first one to walk out from among the group was naturally Ma Xiaotao. She still stared straight at Huo Yuhao, a confident smirk on her face.
"Inner courtyard, captain of the Shrek Seven Monsters, ah, but it's six now. Anyway, I'm Ma Xiaotao. Rank 68 assault-type Soul Emperor."
Aside from Huo Yuhao, who already knew about it, the rest let out a gasp of surprise. Although they knew she was powerful, they couldn't help but be shocked.
They knew that the current Shrek Seven Monsters are to participate in the Continental Advanced Academy Soul Dueling Tournament from their respective teachers; the most important competition on the entire continent, and was thus conducted by the officials of every single country. It would be held once every five years, the venue would constantly change, and the Star Luo Empire was the one to hold it this year.
One of the many rules of the competition was that the students shouldn't be older than twenty years old to participate. That meant that Ma Xiaotao was likely nearing the upper age limit for the tournament, yet she was already a Rank 68 assault-type Soul Emperor. Her strength was truly astonishing, and it sent a clear message to the juniors: they were facing formidable opponents.
As Ma Xiaotao finished her introduction, the other members of the Shrek Six Monsters stepped forward to introduce themselves, each revealing their impressive ranks and specializations.
"Inner courtyard, Chen Zifeng. Rank 57 assault-type Soul King."
"Inner courtyard, Xi Xi. Rank 56 agility-type Soul King."
"Inner courtyard, Ling Luochen. Rank 55 control-type Soul King."
"inner courtyard, Yao Haoxuan. Rank 55, control-type Soul King."
"Inner courtyard, Gong Yangmo. Rank 59 auxiliary-type Soul King."
After hearing his senior upperclassmen introduce themselves, Huo Yuhao etched their names, specialties, and soul ranks into his mind. Inwardly wondering if he could recruit them...
These competitors were all under the age of twenty, but they were all above Rank 50! Moreover, there were even two of them who were Soul Emperors. Was this actually something that could be achieved before the age of twenty? Though they were definitely consummate existences amongst their peers, since they were studying in Shrek Academy's inner courtyard, the fact that they were all Soul Kings and Soul Emperors still managed to startle Huo Yuhao. He was thinking of the commotion he'll make if he manages to become a Soul King by 15.
Elder Xuan nodded slightly, "Okay, you all know each other a bit now. Now, let me reiterate this, this is a friendly match... which determines your reputation and rewards. But anyways, let the match begin!"
With Elder Xuan's declaration, the tension in the arena reached its peak. Both teams braced themselves for the impending battle, their eyes locked on their opponents with determination.
Huo Yuhao and Ma Xiaotao looked, and shouted at the same time.
"Release your martial souls!"
Flashes of white, yellow, purple and black lit up as their soul rings appeared around their bodies.
...
AN: Sorry for the lateness. Internet got cut here, again.
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