Immediately, the representatives from each team took their turns to draw lots from a sealed box...
Upon seeing the number on the white paper in their hands, they couldn't help expressing their dismay, "Damn, I got number four. Somehow that doesn't feel very lucky!"
"You think number four is bad? I got number eighteen. Could that be a bad omen?"
"I'm number six... phew, I should avoid facing a strong opponent, right?"
"Hey, I got number six too. Looks like we're going to be opponents, but don't think we'll go down easily!"
Only Gu Yue glanced at the white paper in her hand and stepped down from the stage without a second look...
In an instant, Tang Wulin and the others gathered around, asking anxiously, "Gu Yue, what number did you draw?"
"You didn't run into a tough team, did you? Gu Yue, do you know which team it is?"
"Yeah, Gu Yue, come on, tell us so we can be mentally prepared!"
Gu Yue shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know, I didn't pay attention to it. As for the number... I'm sorry, it's number one!"
She hadn't expected her luck to be so terrible!
At those words, everyone's face turned to stone...
Number one? Didn't that mean they would be the first to compete?
Xie Xie covered his face and lamented, "It's over, we were hoping Gu Yue would draw a good lot, and now we're stuck with number one!"
Tang Wulin sighed, "There's nothing we can do about it, maybe it's fate."
Inside, he regretted letting Gu Yue draw...
Wu Siduo and Ye Xinglan didn't speak, but their faces clearly showed they weren't happy either!
Shen Yi, seeing their dejected looks, said coldly, "What are you all so down about just because you drew number one? Where's the spirit of a team aiming for the championship?"
After a pause, she continued, "Or do you want to disappoint Teacher Xu? Surely no one is unaware of how seriously he takes his teaching of you all."
Tang Wulin was stunned, and his lips pressed together revealing a hint of shame on his cheeks...
Indeed, Teacher Xu's dedication to teaching them could definitely be described as wholehearted...
If they were to ask themselves, could they really face Teacher Xu if they didn't even make it to the final round?
Finally, it was Xu Xiaoyan who spoke earnestly, "Teacher Shen is right. We are students of Shrek Academy. This is just drawing number one, it doesn't mean we have lost!"
Tang Wulin clenched his fists tighter, "Yeah! Even if we have to compete prematurely, as long as we hide our abilities properly, we won't reveal too much."
Ye Xinglan echoed, "Teacher Xu is still watching from the stage, we can't let him down!"
Wu Siduo's beautiful eyes flashed with a fierce will to fight, "I haven't even faced off against that princess from the Star Luo Empire yet, how could I possibly be easily eliminated!"
Xu Lizhi bit his lip firmly, "I... even though I have no fighting ability, I will still try my best to support everyone!!"
Seeing their renewed spirit, Shen Yi finally praised them with satisfaction, "Very good, this is the true spirit of Shrek Academy! Now, let's see how you perform next!"
It seems that using Teacher Xu to motivate them was indeed effective!
Before long, after sorting out the numbers drawn by each team, the dueling chart for the preliminary contests of Star Luo Land was all set...
Pan Wen, who was in charge of hosting the contest, gave Dai Tianling a slight nod and then announced loudly, "The dueling chart is all set. Now we will proceed with the contests in order!"
"For the first match, we have Shrek Academy versus Star Luo Plant Academy, we hope they set a good tone for this exchange tournament!!"
After the announcement, the students from Shrek and Star Luo Plant Academies stepped onto the stage amid thunderous applause…
This scene naturally sparked discussion among many students…
"Hiss… Shrek Academy is fighting in the first match? Good, let's see the strength of this edition's Shrek students!"
"They're just average, I saw them at the youth Soul Master competition, and there wasn't anything impressive!"
"That's not necessarily true, when have Shrek Academy's students ever been mediocre? They might be hiding their real strength!"
"Whether it's a mule or a horse, pull it out for a stroll and you'll know. We just need to focus on watching the battle."
"Poor Star Luo Plant Academy, facing Shrek Academy in their first match, things look very grim!"
"Hmm, although Star Luo Plant Academy is not bad, they are far behind the Xingluo Royal Academy and Monster Academy! Probably not a match for Shrek Academy"
Dai Tianling, sitting on a throne carved with dragon patterns, glanced towards Xu Sheng and Mu Ye, inquiring, "Elder Xu, Sect Master Mu! What do you make of this matchup?"
In his opinion, although Star Luo Plant Academy was not a top contender among the myriad of academies in Xingluo Empire, it was still at a moderate level and might not be without a fighting chance!
Mu Ye stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes, "Your Majesty, while it may sound absolute, in my view, Star Luo Plant Academy's team doesn't stand a chance of winning!"
Having witnessed the overall strength of Shrek Academy's team, a simple comparison made it clear who would win!
Dai Tianling frowned slightly and turned to Xu Sheng, "Does Elder Xu also think the same?"
Xu Sheng responded with a polite smile. Though he did not answer, it said everything...
If Tang Wulin and his team couldn't defeat this team perfectly, that would be very disappointing!
Their attitudes caused Dai Tianling's eyes to narrow slightly, "If so, then let us see the true strength of this year's Shrek students!"
...
Around the outskirts of the Star Luo Empire Palace, a large number of evil Soul Masters had silently gathered at some point…
Each one's face bore a thick bloodthirsty intent, seeming to be eager for the upcoming slaughter…
The Dark Blood Devil turned to Halosa and asked, "The Xingluo Land exchange tournament has started, we can launch a surprise attack at any time! Vice Sect Hierarch, shall we…"
Halosa glanced at him and sneered, "No rush! It's only just begun, the palace's defenses are extremely tight right now, we'll move after they let down their guard!"
An immediate strike would only increase the casualties of the evil Soul Masters. It would be much easier to wait until most Soul Masters were preoccupied with the tournament!
The Dark Blood Devil nodded thoughtfully, "I see, but the Dark Bell and Darkness Phoenix have not yet arrived. If we were to move now, I'm afraid…"
Within the Star Luo Empire Palace, there would certainly be Super Douluo level powerhouses on guard!
What he could think of, how could Halosa not have considered…
Licking his thin lips, he explained, "Rest assured, I already had them infiltrate the palace disguised as Soul Masters in order to better control the situation!"
This was the Holy Spirit Cult's first strike against the royal household of Xingluo Empire!
They must make the entire Xingluo Empire fear the evil Soul Masters!!
...
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