A few days passed. The night was silent and the air was chilly.
Although it was night, the city was abuzz with activity and clamor from many people. Every store was open for business and children ran around with excitement, with numerous posters and festive decorations plastered all over the city.
There was only one reason for such a huge change: the Continental Advanced Academy Soul Dueling Tournament that was held every five years. And now, the tournament was taking place tomorrow in Star Luo City.
Star Luo City, the number one city of the Star Luo Empire. It was the Star Luo Empire's political, cultural, and economic center. It also had the title of 'The Undefeated Imperial Capital'.
Star Luo City's population exceeded 8 million inhabitants, and could hold up to 20 million people if one were to add the foreigners.
But astonishingly, even such a big city had started to become crowded as of late due to the upcoming tournament.
This just shows just how important the event was.
The tournament was going to be held in Star Luo Plaza, in front of the inner city. Star Luo Plaza was very big, and could hold many spectators. There were thirty thousand soldiers tasked with keeping order in the city, and about ten thousand of them were stationed at Star Luo Plaza.
Not far from the east side of the Star Luo Plaza was a big hotel with seven stories.
This was the Imperial Star Grand Hotel, and it belonged to the royal family. Currently, it was being used to welcome the various high-ranked soul masters and soul engineers coming from the other countries to participate in the tournament.
It was in this hotel that the members of Shrek Academy were situated in the most luxurious room on the highest floor. Everyone had their own bedroom, and in addition, they also had a meeting room that they could use as they wished.
At this time, the twelve members of the team and their leading teacher, Wang Yan, were in the middle of the meeting room, talking things over before the start of the match.
They had only arrived in Star Luo City yesterday. They were quite late compared to the other academies participating in the tournament. However, in their eyes, it was just Shrek Academy acting arrogantly because they were the defending champions and the number one academy on the continent.
Wang Yan sat in the place of honor. He had somewhat pale complexion, considering the recent events, it was expected, but he still had powered through and showed a slight smile on his face.
"Did you have a proper rest yesterday? The Star Luo Empire's hospitality isn't half bad, right?"
Bei Bei slightly nodded and said, "We had a good rest. However, today is the last day for the registration, most of our injuries has healed, but..."
"Are we really going out there tomorrow and fight?! In front of thousands, if not millions, of people?!" Xu Sanshi complained loudly, scratching his head anxiously. "Sister Ma and the rest can take on individual matches easily, but the tournament's first round tomorrow is a 7v7 group match!"
"We would be fine if Sister Ma, Ling Luochen and Xi Xi would lead us... but teacher Wang, you want only us, the outer courtyard students, to be the ones to fight in tomorrow's match?! I heard that at least one Soul King is among the other teams!"
There are a total of a hundred and thirty three advanced soul master and soul engineering academies who've come to participate, and all of them are staying in this hotel.
The first round of the preliminaries is a direct elimination match. In other words, the losing party will be directly eliminated. The first round will be a 7v7 team fight. The lot-drawing for which will be carried out tomorrow at the start of the tournament.
Once the first round is finished, the members of respective group of soul masters and soul engineers of different academies will be split into groups. Each group will have eight or nine teams, and will undergo a round-robin tournament. The rules for each of the round-robin matches will be randomly chosen from one of three situations.
Firstly, Single Elimination or 1v1 match. Secondly, a 3-man, 2-man, and 2-man Coordination Match. And lastly, a 7v7 Team Fight. This will test the comprehensive strength of every team.
Every match will have a lot-drawing preceding the match, and this will determine which situation will be used for that match. This is the best way to test the strength of the participants as a whole.
Wang Yan raised his hand and said, "Calm down, Xu Sanshi. I understand your concerns but I have a plan for you all to win the tournament. And for it to work, I need Ma Xiaotao and the others to be kept a secret until later on down the tournament."
"Don't forget, you're all Shrek Academy students! People above than even your peers! Ones who have proven themselves to have surpassed this generation of Shrek Monsters and create a new legend in the history books."
Wang Yan growled, an intense look behind his glasses. "I won't coddle you, nor will I put you down. But what I will do, is tell you that you are here because you have the qualifications. Even without the current situation. Do not put yourselves down, stand proud!"
"Yes, sir!" It wasn't just Xuan Sanshi, everyone else in the room stood up and responded in unison. The room was filled with a renewed sense of determination and resolve.
Wang Yan nodded approvingly and leaned back in his chair comfortably, "Good. Now, go rest. Preserve your energy and go beat them up tomorrow. Let the other academies see that they won't have any chance against us, even if we send out our reserve team. Oh, right. I have to remind you that we'll definitely be going out on the first match tomorrow. As the reigning champions, we'll be the first ones out."
Somewhat astonished, Xu Sanshi asked, "Teacher Wang, are you not going to make any strategies for us?"
Wang Yan snorted. "What do you need a strategy for? Are you trying to humiliate me, or yourselves? Do you even need a strategy against these types of opponents? Go. Xiaotao, you three stay behind for a moment. I have something important to convey with you three."
The outer courtyard students left, but they didn't returned to their rooms. They instead visited one particular room with a certain unconscious boy in bed with a patch of white cloth around their eyes.
"...He's still sleeping." Tang Ya muttered, biting down her lower lip. The others gathered around Huo Yuhao with solemn expressions.
Bei Bei sighed, placing a hand on Tang Ya's shoulder. "He'll wake up soon. He's strong, stronger than any of us. We just need to believe in him."
Tang Ya nodded.
Ning Tian pinched the bridge of her nose and said. "This just doesn't make any sense. The medical experts the academy had sent to check on him said that there was no physical reason for him to remain unconscious. It's almost like he's trapped in his own mind."
Wu Feng, who had been quietly standing at the back, stepped forward. "Do you think... it's likely the result of overusing his martial soul? His spiritual power, or whatever the core of it, is broken?"
She scratched the back of her head. "Haaa. We would've known more if that doctor knew how to inspect his spiritual power! Elder Xuan would've known more, but he still hasn't return! Just what's wrong with Yuhao?"
Xiao Xiao sniffed. "Oh, Yuhao..." The rest hung their heads low, feeling completely helpless in this situation.
"He'll wake up," Wang Dong'er said firmly as she tightly held Huo Yuhao's hand. She was wearing the academy's uniform but unexpectedly, her long blue and pink hair cascaded her back like a waterfall. Her pretty face was more feminine looking than before. Right now, she was no longer hiding her true gender.
It was long revealed after the incident, as whatever helped shielded them from the explosion had forced her secret technique of disguise to dispel. She tried to using it again but it wouldn't last a minute before it dispels. Now, she stood before her friends as her true self.
As for the family tradition, eh, she's sure her uncles would understand the situation.
"He'll wake up," She repeated with a confident smile on her face. "And when he does, he'll lead us to victory. Until then, we have to make sure we honor his spirit by giving our best."
The others nodded in agreement, feeling a surge of motivation from Wang Dong'er's unwavering belief. They knew Huo Yuhao would want them to fight their hardest, and they were determined to make him proud.
"Rest well, everyone," Bei Bei said. "Tomorrow is a big day, and we need to be at our best."
The group dispersed, each heading to their rooms with a renewed sense of purpose. As Wang Dong'er remained by Huo Yuhao's side, she whispered softly, "Hang in there, Yuhao. We'll be waiting for you." she hesitated for a moment before placing a soft kiss on his forehead.
As she left the room, Huo Yuhao's right hand fingers twitched.
.....
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