"No, Master, how could you be so heartless? I can't live anymore!" Ma Hongjun cried out, clinging to Yu Xiaogang's leg with a miserable expression, forcing out a couple of tears.
The rest of the Shrek team couldn't help but cringe, unable to look at this embarrassing display. It was utterly shameful.
"It's not just you; Rongrong won't be participating either," the Master said, his tone firm and unyielding.
"What?"
Ning Rongrong was stunned. Why was she not allowed to compete either?
"Alright, your match is about to start. Hurry and get ready. The lineup will follow the list we agreed on earlier," Yu Xiaogang ordered, his hands behind his back and his tone resolute, making it clear that he wouldn't change his mind.
He had his own plan, keeping their trump cards hidden until the end. Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was too extraordinary to reveal prematurely.
"Yes!" The Shrek team responded in unison.
"Fine." Ning Rongrong, feeling dejected, could only go to the resting area to watch the match.
The preliminary round had been going on for a while, with two matches already completed. Now, it was finally Shrek Academy's turn.
The Second Heaven Dou Team vs. Shrek Team!
These bold words were displayed on the large screen above the grand arena.
Following that, the screen displayed the martial spirits and levels of both teams.
"Shrek Team Captain: Dai Mubai, Martial Spirit: Evil-Eyed White Tiger, Level 42, Power Attack Battle Spirit Master."
"Shrek Vice-Captain: Tang San, Martial Spirit: Blue Silver Grass, Level 41, Control System Battle Spirit Master."
…
"Shrek Team Member: Chen Xuan, Martial Spirit: Flying Thunder God, Level 38, Support System Spirit Master."
Upon seeing this martial spirit information, Chen Xuan frowned and glanced back at Yu Xiaogang in the audience. However, he said nothing and followed the team into the arena.
"Flying Thunder God" was the name he had written down during registration, not his original martial spirit. He had also listed himself as a speed-type agility system.
As for why he was now classified as a support system, only the Master knew.
In the audience, Yu Xiaogang's lips curled into a smirk as he cast a disdainful glance in the direction of the Shrek team.
At this moment, the arena was packed with spectators—nobles, merchants, and students from various academies—who had come to cheer for their respective schools.
As the match began, the crowd's excitement surged, visibly more enthusiastic.
The host, Dou Dou, holding a microphone, shouted, "The second match of this year's Spirit Master Tournament is officially starting! Both teams, please take the stage!"
"Heaven Dou Imperial Soul, dominate the continent, Royal Academy, rule the clouds!"
"Heaven Dou Team, go for it!"
"Heaven Dou Team, invincible!"
The Heaven Dou Royal Team represented the Heaven Dou Empire. As soon as they entered the arena, they were met with enthusiastic cheers and shouts, drawing the attention of all major forces.
The Shrek Team's entrance also caused a stir, but it was negative compared to the royal team.
For no other reason than their eye-catching uniforms—who else would wear all green with "Ad Space Available" printed on the back? They were a laughingstock, a self-inflicted embarrassment.
"This is hilarious! Where did this team come from, wearing those ridiculous outfits?" someone mocked.
"Look, they even have 'Ad Space Available' on the back! What kind of idiot would sponsor this academy?" Many people sneered.
The audience was in an uproar, pointing and laughing at the green-clad team in the arena.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing's faces turned red with shame, wishing they could find a hole to hide in.
The rest of the Shrek team was equally uncomfortable. They blamed Dean Flender, resolving to settle the score with him later.
"What a bunch of toads, coming to the Spirit Master Tournament dressed like that. Did they escape from a circus?" The captain of the Second Heaven Dou Team mocked.
The rest of his team wore expressions of disdain, holding their heads high and refusing to even glance at the Shrek team.
A petite girl covered her nose and shouted, "What's that awful smell? These disgusting toads, how long has it been since they've bathed? Captain, even if they don't bite, their stench is unbearable!"
She covered her nose with one hand and fanned the air with the other, as if the Shrek team's stench had genuinely offended her.
This kind of personal attack annoyed not just the Shrek members, but even Chen Xuan, who was only half-involved, felt irked.
"What a pity," the tall captain of the Second Heaven Dou Team suddenly sighed, wearing a regretful expression.
He flashed an evil smile, his eyes leering openly at Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, his gaze brazenly wandering over the two beauties.
"Such a shame these beauties are stuck in such a lousy team."
Xiao Wu huffed, putting her hands on her hips and pointing at the other side, "A dirty old man and a brothel girl—ugh, how did we end up with these opponents?"
"Who are you calling a brothel girl?" The petite girl's face turned vicious, her expression fierce and twisted as she glared at Xiao Wu.
The captain's face darkened as well, anger flashing in his eyes.
"Are you dense? Who else could it be?" Chen Xuan stepped forward, his tone dripping with disdain. "Just because you have a few screws loose doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. It's clear the Heaven Dou Royal family is scraping the bottom of the barrel, sending a bunch of brainless fools into the ring. How sad."
He added, "Keep it down; I've been afraid of dogs since I was little."
With that, the faces of the Second Heaven Dou Team members turned grim, their eyes cold, as if they wanted to tear Chen Xuan apart on the spot.
"Hahaha!" Dai Mubai laughed heartily, clapping Chen Xuan on the shoulder. "Well done, Old Chen! I didn't know you had such a sharp tongue. Why didn't I think of such a savage comeback?"
Tai Long rushed over and threw an arm around Chen Xuan's neck, laughing, "Xuanzi, since when did you get such a sharp tongue? You've been hiding it all this time!"
"Get off me, big guy." Chen Xuan quickly pushed him away, nearly choking from Tai Long's grip.
Dai Mubai laughed, "Old Chen, I used to think you were a pushover, but now I see I was wrong. You're just my type! We're definitely brothers from now on."
"What did you call me?" Chen Xuan's eyes widened, the words "Old Chen" particularly grating.
His face darkened. This white tiger must have been calling him that behind his back all along.
Chen Xuan's expression was grim. He was only sixteen; everyone else called him Little Chen, but here comes this guy with "Old Chen."
"Uh…" Dai Mubai's hand froze mid-air, his eyes twitching. He was at a loss for words, his usual bravado suddenly deflated.
Chen Xuan glared at him, waiting to see how he would try to wriggle out of this.
Dai Mubai started to sweat, his eyes darting around for help, but no one came to his rescue.
He was at a loss, opening and closing his mouth without a word.
Luckily, the host, Dou Dou, spoke up, breaking the awkward tension.
"It seems the atmosphere is heating up! The battle hasn't even started, and the tension is already palpable. I'm sure we're in for an intense match. Let's watch and see!"
The Shrek team didn't notice that their playful banter had provoked the Second Heaven Dou Team, who saw it as a blatant provocation.
Dou Dou, holding the microphone, announced loudly, "Without further ado, let's begin the third match of the first round of the preliminaries! Teams, please release your martial spirits."