Chapter 193.
Tai Long would have considered himself insane if it weren't for the words spoken by the Shrek Seven Devils. Wang Feng narrowed his eyes slightly.
The appearance of "Jiu Yikai" on stage was orchestrated by Wang Feng, who had asked dean Fei Lun to find someone with a similar physique to stand in for him. Nonetheless, Jiu Yikai usually donned a black and white mask, rendering himself indistinguishable.
When the actual match commenced, he reappeared in person. At this moment, it wasn't just the seven members of Shrek who drew attention.
Upon hearing the emcee's introduction, many individuals turned their gaze toward Purple Star Academy with curiosity. 'One man alone is enough!'
It seemed like a ludicrous notion!
However, the fervent cheers from the crowd reverberated through the air, lending an air of excitement.
Yet, such words appeared more like a marketing ploy, the true outcome depended on the game itself and the performance of the teams. Naturally, not too much credence was given to it. Soon, it was Shrek Academy's turn to take the stage.
The emcee's announcement added a touch of theatricality, "Taking the stage last is none other than the Shrek Academy team. Previously called Blue Bull Academy, their attire is truly distinct and eye-catching, accompanied by their umique slogan."
" There's slogan is just like that of the motto of the Purple Star Academy. It's quite similar." As the words trailed off, laughter rippled through the air.
Tang San's expression remained serious, as the laughter gradually faded away. Even Dai Mubai, usually quick to anger, remained eerily quiet.
Wang Feng's gaze was fixated on the main stage ahead.
"A lot of familiar faces... Prince Xue Xing... That must be the esteemed Empeor Xue Ye? And the three dean of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy ... Ning Fengzhi is among them too." He murmured to himself.
The VIP area, accommodated three individuals. At its center sat a figure adorned in a golden -red robe, crowned with diamonds, exuding a dignified aura despite his somewhat elderly age. He seemed to command the entire venue with his mere presence, akin to the epitome of authority within the Empire. Worthy of someone called as the emperor.
Beside the emperor sat Ning Fengzhi.
"Ning Rongrong is stunning. One can assume she inherited most of her traits from her esteemed father," Wang Feng remarked quietly, observing Ning Fengzhi. In the world of Douluo, Ning Fengzhi could be considered somewhat middle-aged, his white robe and serene demeanor akin to that of an immortal. Adorning his head was a crown of silver metal, signifying his status as the Sectmaster of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Clan.
To the left of the emperor also sat an elderly man dressed in a red robe, his head adorned with a white gold crown featuring five horns. He was none other than the Platinum Bishop of Soul Hall.
In Soul Hall, under the Pope, there are four Platinum Bishops, each overseeing a Soul Hall main branch within the two empires.
Beyond this first row, figures akin to Prince Xue Xing and the three deans of Heaven dou Imperial Academy were positioned. However, Wang Feng didn't spot Qian Renxue among them.
Following the formation of the teams, the customary opening speech commenced as Emperor Xue Ye took the floor for the inaugural address.
It marked Wang Feng's first encounter with the voice of the esteemed Xue Ye. Though aged, his voice resonated with authority and grandeur.
After Emperor Xue Ye's speech, the distinguished guest Ning Fengzhi delivered his own speech and motivated the participants. Ning Fengzhi's voice held a gentle, soothing quality, akin to a breeze, offering listeners a sense of tranquility, evidently honed through experience.
"Sect Master Ning, as the most formidable auxiliary soul master of the Heaven Dou Empire, may I pose a question on behalf of our audience?" the announcer inquired, aiming to foster engagement.
"Certainly," Ning Fengzhi replied with a smile.
"I wonder, among these 28 teams, which do you hold the most in regard?" the announcer pressed.
Ning Fengzhi smiled in response.
He surveyed the twenty-eight teams, his gaze unwavering, leaving observers unable to discern his thoughts.
"Besides our Heaven Dou Imperial Team from the Empire, I believe there are two other teams whom I held in great regard," Ning Fengzhi remarked, still smiling. "I anticipate these two teams will not only provide excitement during the qualifiers, but also in the subsequent matches and even in the finals. We should witness their valor."
The announcer regarded Ning Fengzhi with astonishment. However, Ning Fengzhi maintained his enigmatic smile, withholding the names of the teams.
Recognizing Ning Fengzhi's intention to keep it suspenseful, the announcer refrained from probing further.
With the conclusion of the speeches, Platinum Bishop Salas also proceeded to conduct the drawing of lots. A court maid approached him with a box, from which the bishop drew lots silently.
After each draw, the court maid announced the pairings,
"Oakland College vs. Blazing Academy."
"Shrek Academy vs. Heaven Dou Imperial Academy!"
"Purple Star Academy vs. Blue Sunshine Academy!"
….
As the drawing came to an end, everyone except Wang Feng stood in stunned silence.
"The course of history remains unchanged."
In his heart, Wang Feng mused quietly. The first match would pit Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team against the Shrek Seven Devils. However, this represented the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team, as their first team received a bye, skipping the qualifiers entirely.
"Surprisingly, my first match is against Blue Sunshine Academy," Wang Feng remarked, intrigued by the pairing.
The vast disparity in reputation between Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and Shrek Academy led many to speculate that the former had manipulated the draw. However, Platinum Bishop Salas refuted such claims and publicly swore by the honor of Soul Hall, offering a bold promise: "Any team advancing to the finals will be granted direct entry into the Soul Hall."
The Soul Hall stood as the pinnacle of all institution alongside the Supreme Pontiff Palace. Such assurances quelled the audience's discontent, though Emperor Xue Ye harbored some dissatisfaction over Salas's public recruitment of soul masters, a simmering conflict between Soul Hall and the two empires that had persisted for quite some time now.
"The tensions between Soul Hall and the two empires have deep roots," Wang Feng mused, shaking his head.
Following the conclusion of the draw, the announcer promptly announced, "Today, will feature only two matches. First, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy versus Shrek Academy, and Second, Purple Star Academy versus Blue Sunshine Academy. All other academies, please stand by. The games will commence in half an hour."
Due to the opening ceremony, the schedule for the first day was limited to a few matches.
"Damn, are they just using us as a show?" Ma Hongjun exclaimed, rubbing his hands. "No way, third brother, let me play! I still remember my time at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. If it weren't for the captain stepping up, we would've been humiliated and kicked out of there with no respect!"
The others mind also echoed with this sentiments, their anger reignited as they recalled past events.
Wang Feng, however, felt detached from it all. Over a year had passed, and he had long since moved on, the memories fading into the past.
"No, let me handle it," Tang San intervened with a laugh. Then, he spoke calmly, "For this match, only Mubai and I will play out of us seven. Brother Feng, are you joining?"
Joining?
Tang San's simple question carried a hint of chill, indicating his vivid recollection of past events.
"Me?" Wang Feng shook his head.
"I'll pass. It's too predictable. There's no excitement in this match. But I suggest you use your spirit abilities sparingly. Of course, if you want to payback, go ahead and show them. Just combine your Blue Silver Cage with Mubai's White Tiger Meteor Shower to catch them off guard. I think that'll be enough."
Tang San couldn't help but smile wryly at this revelation. "Brother Feng, you thought the same strategy as me?"
Despite arranging for Dai Mubai and himself to play, Tang San was secretly planning for a swift victory. On one hand, it would settle old scores, and on the other, it would establish their reputation as the Shrek Seven Devils, a formidable academy that one should watch out for. After all, enduring ridicule and scorn was intolerable.
"Isn't it obvious?" Wang Feng glanced at the others. "You guys handle this match. Even though it's against the empire's second team, it's still worth observing. I'll head back first."
After his brief words, Wang Feng waved to everyone.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get in the game!" Dai Mubai cracked his knuckles eagerly, ready for action.
While Wang Feng remained uninterested, the rest were brimming with enthusiasm.
Tang San nodded, taking a deep breath. Guided by the staff, he made his way from the passageway to the arena.
Wang Feng didn't depart, instead, he changed his attire and headed to the Purple Star Academy's rest area.
"The seven students from Blue Sunshine Academy are all over level 35," Dean Fei Lun informed Wang Feng upon spotting him, taking off his clothes after the opening ceremony.
Fei Lun handed Wang Feng the information, but he declined. "I don't need it. I'll aim to end the fight within ten seconds."
Fei Lun nodded, retracting the information, though he couldn't help but shake his head at Wang Feng's confidence.
As shouts emanated from the arena, signaling the commencement of the match between Shrek Academy and Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Wang Feng joined the spectators, observing the battle unfold.
The performance of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team didn't surprise Wang Feng. They weren't weak by any means.
However, they proved no match for Tang San, especially after he acquired his fourth soul ability.
As a group control technique, the Blue Silver Prison was akin to a spike in team battles. Tang San's mastery of it was also very formidable, requiring atleast a power attack system soul master of Dai Mubai's caliber to break free from it swiftly.
The combination of Tang San's Blue Silver Prison and Dai Mubai's White Tiger Meteor Shower, which required charging, was devastating: group control soul skill paired with group attack soul skill. Predicting such a strategy was nearly impossible, given that only a control system soul master above level 50 could possibly react to such abilities without knowing about them beforehand.
Wang Feng glanced at the unfolding match, shaking his head in acknowledgment.
After the two teams took the field and engaged in combat, it took less than a minute for all seven players of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team to be incapacitated, writhing on the ground in agony. Meanwhile, Tang San's teammate, Jiang Zhu, a healing soul master, tended to the fallen opponents.
...…
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