As the first rays of sunlight hit Star Luo City in the early morning, this ancient capital—its history even older than Shrek City—took on a solemn atmosphere.
Armored soldiers had sealed off all the roads surrounding the Star Emperor Grand Hotel. Thousands of soldiers in shining armor formed two walls, and only the participating teams leaving the Star Emperor Grand Hotel could pass through.
The competition stage for this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Battle Tournament wasn't set up in the center of Star Luo Plaza but rather in front of the imperial palace gates.
This arrangement allowed Xu Jiawei, Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, and his civil and military ministers to watch from atop the palace walls. It not only provided the best view but also served as a precaution against potential assassins.
Of course, the anti-assassination measures were mostly for show. Xu Jiawei was a titled Douluo, and his martial soul, the powerful Star Crown, granted him formidable combat abilities.
Anyone wishing to assassinate him would need to send at least three super Douluo, or top-tier experts like Xuan Zi, Du Busi, or Long Xiaoyao. Otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to touch a single hair on the Star Luo Emperor's head.
The competition stage was slightly smaller than the one in Shrek's Soul Battle Arena, measuring 100 meters on each side and standing five meters high.
Surrounding the stage were 108 metal pillars imported from the Sun Moon Empire, serving as defensive soul tools. During the competition, 108 soul masters would activate these pillars to form a protective shield, preventing any soul skills from leaking out and damaging the imperial palace or harming the audience.
On the west side of the stage, a luxurious rest area had been set up specifically for the participating teams from the various academies. However, it could only accommodate about 70 academies, meaning there was no space for teams eliminated in the first round.
The soul master world operates on the law of the jungle—survival of the fittest! Only the winners would have a place, and losing academies wouldn't even have the chance to leave their names behind.
Of course, this didn't apply to the unlucky teams that would face Shrek Academy or the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy in the first round.
In every tournament, spectators would debate which unfortunate team had drawn these two behemoths, only to be swiftly eliminated in the opening match, serving as a sacrificial lamb for these powerful teams to showcase their strength.
This year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Battle Tournament was different from the one organized by the Spirit Hall thousands of years ago. The first round was a direct elimination, and the level of excitement—even brutality—far surpassed the later round-robin stages.
The round-robin stages allowed for tactical maneuvers and even strategic losses. However, the elimination stage was do-or-die. As soon as the dice were cast, it was win or lose, and no changes could be made. Therefore, the first thing many soul master academies did that morning was burn incense and cleanse themselves in preparation for the draw.
Given the enormous cost of organizing such a grand event, the Star Luo Empire naturally wouldn't pass up the opportunity to profit from it.
To watch the matches, spectators had to pay a ticket price of two gold soul coins per day. For reference, even Huo Yuhao, who sold grilled meat outside Shrek Academy, charged two gold soul coins for his basic fare.
This pricing effectively locked out ordinary civilians from watching the tournament. Only well-off families could afford the tickets; otherwise, they simply couldn't bear the cost.
Moreover, the two gold soul coins were just for the basic seats. The closer one was to the stage, the higher the ticket price. The most expensive seats—right next to the stage—cost 100 gold soul coins per person.
For the major powers of the soul master world and wealthy merchants, this was a mere drop in the bucket. But for commoners hoping to rise through the ranks and become soul masters, it was an extravagance they could never afford.
Early in the morning, the leading teachers from each academy had already arrived at the imperial palace to draw lots using the competition number plates they received during registration. The draw ceremony had already concluded, and officials from the Star Luo Empire had compiled the results.
As soon as the match schedule was posted, the final preparations for the tournament would be complete.
The sun rose higher in the sky, warming the streets of Star Luo City.
As the spectators began entering the venue, Huo Yuhao and his companions were already standing in the contestant area.
Today, all the Shrek Academy students were dressed in their traditional dark green school uniforms—the standard color of Shrek Academy. However, Huo Yuhao still wore his simple black training outfit, clearly marking his status as a temporary team member.
Before leaving, Elder Xuan had suggested that Huo Yuhao wear the Shrek Academy uniform to compete.
But Huo Yuhao's response had been simple: "It'll cost you."
Since his spirit bone supplier, Ma Xiaotao, had disappeared, he naturally had to find other ways to procure spirit bones.
However, when Elder Xuan heard Huo Yuhao's exorbitant demand, he merely snorted and left without another word.
Huo Yuhao didn't let it bother him and continued wearing his own clothes.
After all, Shrek Academy's ugly green uniform had been mocked since the first tournament, and he had no desire to wear such an eyesore.
They stood at the very front, a position no academy dared to dispute. But as the other contestants looked at Shrek Academy's lineup, they couldn't help but feel surprised.
This time, Shrek Academy had only brought eight participants, and among them, there didn't seem to be more than two who looked 15 years old. Without even testing their bone ages, it was clear that they were exceptionally young.
But Shrek Academy's long-standing reputation caused many of the other academies to silently pray that they wouldn't face Shrek or the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy in the first round. Otherwise, it would be as good as announcing their immediate elimination.
The contestants from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy stood behind the Shrek team. At that moment, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, the brilliant brother-sister duo, had their gazes fixed on Huo Yuhao, who stood at the forefront of the Shrek lineup.
Meng Hongchen was admiring Huo Yuhao's profile, while also taking note of the handsome, pink-haired Wang Dong.
Wow, how does Shrek Academy have so many good-looking guys? Is this heaven? Huo Yuhao or Wang Dong... Which one should I pick? It's so hard to choose!
If Huo Yuhao knew what Meng Hongchen was thinking, he would have told her bluntly not to overthink it. Even if they slept in the same bed, he wouldn't mind.
Xiao Hongchen, however, had a different expression. His eyes were filled with murderous intent, fully focused on his goal of revenge.
Let the lustful fools wander—I, Xiao Hongchen, will protect my pride!
By midmorning, the audience had all taken their seats, and the tournament grounds fell silent as a voice rang out:
"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived."
All the academies had been previously informed that they were permitted to remain standing and only needed to bow slightly.
However, the audience and the soldiers maintaining order in the arena formed a wave-like motion as tens of thousands of people simultaneously knelt, creating an awe-inspiring scene.
"Rise."
The Emperor's voice was amplified by a soul speaker, allowing the crowd to hear clearly. Only then did the people rise to their feet. The students from the various academies also straightened their backs, their gazes turning toward the palace walls.
"The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Battle Tournament is the most important event in the soul master world. This year, it is being held in our Star Luo Empire, and I am pleased. On behalf of the Star Luo Empire, I welcome all the academies, especially Shrek Academy, who have traveled from afar. I hope you all demonstrate your full potential in the coming month of competition."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The leaders and students of the 133 academies bowed again in unison.
The Star Luo Emperor smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
"Very well. I now declare the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Battle Tournament officially open!"