At that moment, the announcer's voice echoed, "Let's welcome the team from Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy to the stage." As the words fell, a team dressed in golden uniforms stepped onto the platform.
"Alright, the Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy team has entered. Now, let's welcome the number one academy on the continent, Shrek Academy!"
The host's enthusiastic voice soared to the sky, and the crowd in Xingluo Square erupted into cheers. Even the Xingluo Emperor, seated atop the city walls, couldn't help but stand, excitement evident on his face.
Then, the seven members of Shrek's reserve team took the stage. Once on the platform, Beibei turned to his teammates and said, "No matter what, we must win this match. The academy has informed us that Elder Xuan is on his way with five inner court disciples. We cannot lose!"
Hearing this, everyone nodded firmly. They understood the significance of this match. If Shrek Academy were to be eliminated in the first round of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament, it would be a laughingstock.
In the center of the arena, the referee raised his right hand, and the vast Xingluo Square fell silent. Over ten thousand people watched the expansive arena with bated breath.
As the referee raised his hand, both teams took their positions. The Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy team quickly formed a traditional formation: three soul masters in front, likely assault or defense types, with two agility attack types slightly behind on the flanks. At the back, a control-type battle soul master and a support-type tool soul master stood in tandem.
This formation, known as the three-two-one-one, was considered the optimal seven-man lineup, proven through countless battles.
In contrast, Shrek Academy's formation was more casual. As the referee announced the start of the match, a girl hidden within the Shrek team stepped forward. In her hand appeared a seven-layered, multicolored pagoda. Several beams of auxiliary light shot from its peak, enveloping the four-ring soul elders in front of her.
Her name was Ning Tian, the young master of the world's foremost auxiliary sect, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Originally, she wasn't part of the line-up for the Continental Soul Master Tournament. However, due to the loss of two inner court disciples and five others being severely injured, she was brought in to replace Zhu Lu.
Ning Tian, though an auxiliary soul master, had reached three rings and possessed the renowned Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, the top auxiliary martial soul.
With Ning Tian's support, He Caitou's four soul rings glowed simultaneously. Instantly, over ten metal tubes emerged on his body, clearly fixed-mounted soul tools.
Augmented by Ning Tian, He Caitou's body trembled slightly, and his soul tools unleashed a barrage of beams and shells toward the Tianling team, throwing them into disarray.
Simultaneously, the other three four-ring soul elders, empowered by Ning Tian, charged forward. With their powerful martial souls and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda's support, they unleashed astonishing combat power, effortlessly ending the match.
After Shrek Academy's reserve team secured an easy victory, the audience erupted in cheers once more. Soul masters and engineers from various academies praised Shrek Academy's formidable strength and deep foundation.
Winning the initial match was a significant relief for Shrek Academy, yet their joy was tempered by their precarious situation and observations of their main rival, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
In the Sun Moon Empire's match, they too claimed victory with overwhelming force.
Xiao Yan didn't participate in this round. Initially, he hadn't planned to join the tournament, but Jing Hongchen, knowing Xiao Yan was searching for rare treasures to restore his soul power, promised him valuable herbs to enhance his spiritual power if he competed.
---
Shrek Academy Conference Room.
Elder Xuan arrived with Ma Xiaotao and others. Leading the meeting was Wang Yan, the team's instructor, who appeared to be in his forties. Though his cultivation was inferior to Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, the respect he commanded attested to his teaching prowess.
After analyzing the previous match, Wang Yan's expression turned grim. "The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy's strength far exceeds my expectations. Today, they faced Luoyun Academy, ranked among the top three in the Heavenly Soul Empire, yet were utterly suppressed by the Sun Moon team's soul tools, losing in under three minutes without any chance for close combat."
"In our match, if not for Shrek Academy's reputation, we wouldn't have won so easily."
"Xiaotao, how are your injuries?" Wang Yan asked, focusing on Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng.
Ma Xiaotao replied, "With a month of rest and the academy's herbs, I should be able to compete in a few days. I could force myself to fight in the next match, but it might aggravate my injuries."
Dai Yueheng waved his soul-tool-crafted golden tiger paw, "My situation is similar."
"Ling Luocheng, Xi Xi, and Chen Zifeng need about ten more days to recover," Ling Luocheng added, glancing at Xi Xi and Chen Zifeng.
"That's good." Wang Yan nodded, standing up. "Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were my students, so I'm familiar with their abilities. However, I need to know more about you five to plan our strategies effectively. Please share your soul skills with me."
The team members began introducing their soul skills.
After listening, Wang Yan continued, "Now that we understand each other, let's discuss our strategy for the round-robin stage. I've mentioned there are three modes: individual elimination, three-two-two teamwork, and seven-on-seven team battles. Given our strong start, others might think we're guaranteed to advance. We should use this to our advantage and remain flexible."
"With sixty-seven teams, divided into eight groups—three groups of nine and five of eight—we'll play seven matches in the group stage. A win earns two points, a draw one, and a loss none. Four groups compete each day, completing a round every two days. With seven rounds plus tiebreakers for nine-team groups, the round-robin will last fifteen to sixteen days. Around the second or third round, Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng will return. By the fifth round, other inner court disciples should be back, strengthening us significantly."
"We'll know our group and opponents tomorrow morning. As usual, we'll likely be the first to compete."
"Teacher, what if we face the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy early? Our current strength might not be enough," Wang Dong voiced his concern.
Wang Yan hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Just then, Elder Xuan, who had been quietly drinking and eating, spoke. He set down his gourd and chicken leg, stood, and addressed the students, "Focus on winning the next match. If we do face the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy early, I'll ensure their main players are unable to compete, just like our inner court disciples."
---
A week passed quickly. During the round-robin, Shrek Academy didn't face the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy until the eighth day.
The draw for this round was an individual elimination match—a series of one-on-one duels. A strong player could potentially defeat the entire opposing team.
The next morning, Shrek Academy would face the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
In the evening, Jing Hongchen took Xiao Yan, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen to explore Xingluo City. He believed a victory celebration was in order after their team's flawless performance.
During the tournament, Xingluo City was bustling with activity. After sampling local delicacies, Jing Hongchen generously paid with a handful of gold soul coins.
As they left the restaurant, they spotted Wang Yan leading his seven reserve team members down the street.
"What are they up to? With most of their main team injured, why are they all together? Could it be..." Jing Hongchen pondered, deciding to follow them.
"Shrek Academy's situation is dire. If they can't field their main team soon, advancing to the third round will be tough. They're not just out for leisure," Jing Hongchen concluded, leading Xiao Yan and the others after them.
Throughout the journey, Wang Yan conversed with his team, eventually heading toward Xingluo City's largest auction house.
After a brief discussion, Wang Dong seemed unwilling to attend the auction and left, while the others entered.
"I don't need those soul tools," Wang Dong grumbled as he walked away, "They make my head hurt, like I'm cursed. What did that bastard do to me?"
Wang Yan had prepared everything in advance, obtaining auction number plates for his team. A girl in a red dress led them to a specific auction hall.
Meanwhile, Jing Hongchen discreetly followed, unaware of a tall figure trailing them. Wearing a half-mask and holding a brown gourd, the figure's eyes occasionally flashed red—a chilling sight.
"Hmph, Jing Hongchen, you can't guard them constantly. Xiao Yan might have a peerless Douluo protector, but what about your grandchildren?" Xuanzi smirked coldly.
Inside the auction house, Jing Hongchen arranged for masks to conceal their identities, just like Shrek Academy had done.
Their seats were close enough to observe Shrek Academy's group.
As the auction began, a dignified woman in a purple dress introduced the items—mostly soul tools. Jing Hongchen, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen exchanged disdainful glances. "Shrek Academy always looked down on soul tools. Now, they're buying them to bolster their strength. How ironic."
"But these soul tools won't bridge the gap between us," Jing Hongchen declared confidently.
The mysterious grand prize didn't interest them.
As the auction neared its end, the grand prize was finalLy revealed: a soul engineer's carving knife, black with intricate patterns, exuding a sharp, domineering aura.
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