That afternoon, at the Star Luo Grand Stadium.
The matches proceeded as usual.
Although the final match of the morning had been a humiliating defeat for the Star Luo Empire, it was not reason enough to halt the competition. As the highest-level tournament in the empire, it would never be suspended just because someone got injured—not even if that someone was a prince.
Jing Shaoyu and his six companions entered the competitors' area as they always did, only to be blocked the moment they stepped inside.
"Your Highness, what can we do for you?" Jing Shaoyu asked calmly, looking at Dai Yuner, whose eyes were red and swollen.
"Jing Shaoyu, aren't you going to say anything?" Dai Yuner glared at his indifferent expression, anger flashing across her delicate face. "My fourth brother's limbs and ribs were all broken! The imperial physicians say he'll need at least half a year to recover!"
"Oh."
"'Oh'? He was injured by her—don't you feel even the slightest bit of guilt?" Dai Yuner was furious at Jing Shaoyu's reaction, shouting as she pointed accusingly at Wu Siduo.
"Your Highness, while I regret the fourth prince's injuries, getting hurt in a match is an unavoidable risk. How can you blame us for that?" Jing Shaoyu frowned.
"Can't accept losing, so now you're throwing a tantrum? Pathetic!" Wu Siduo stepped forward, swatting Dai Yuner's hand away with a scoff.
"You—!" Dai Yuner's rage flared at the sight of Wu Siduo, but words failed her. This was the woman who had left her fourth brother in such a state—why hadn't her father sent someone to arrest her yet?
"Yuner, that's enough!" At that moment, Long Yue appeared, grabbing Dai Yuner's wrist and pulling her behind him.
"Brother Long, don't stop me! I'm going to teach this woman a lesson!" Perhaps emboldened by his presence, Dai Yuner's tone grew even fiercer.
"Dai Yueyan is severely injured. You should go see him." Long Yue ignored Dai Yuner, his gaze dark as he spoke solemnly to Jing Shaoyu.
Jing Shaoyu smiled faintly. "We'd be happy to—after the matches are over. You know how packed our schedule is."
"Fine." Long Yue nodded. "No problem. Tomorrow is a rest day—we'll expect you at the palace."
With that, he forcibly dragged Dai Yuner away, though she continued to shout and gesture wildly at them as she left.
As the group walked further inside, Na'er spoke up. "Big Brother, are we really going to see that Dai Yueyan?"
"Absolutely not!" Wu Siduo was the first to object. Honestly, she had already shown the utmost restraint by not slapping Dai Yueyan to death on the spot. Did they really expect her to visit him now? What if she decided to finish the job?
"We probably don't need to get involved," Ye Xinglan said. "This kind of thing is Teacher Wu and Elder Cai's responsibility."
Jing Shaoyu agreed with her. "Xinglan's right. Unless Elder Cai or Teacher Wu specifically ask us to go, we can just pretend we don't know."
"That's perfect," Xu Xiaoyan sighed in relief. After resting through the afternoon, she was feeling much better. "Tomorrow's our only day off—I just want to relax. I don't feel like going anywhere."
"Uh-huh, uh-huh!" Mo Hentian nodded vigorously like pounding garlic. "So many matches these past few days have really worn me out. I could use a good day's rest too!"
After the individual competition's group stage concluded, the sixty-four advancing contestants were granted a day of rest before immediately proceeding to the final stage. At most, they would need to go through five rounds: the top thirty-two, top sixteen, quarterfinals, semifinals, and ultimately the finals.
The group of seven arrived at their designated area, took their seats, and began waiting for the afternoon matches.
In truth, only Jing Shaoyu had a match scheduled for that afternoon. The matches for all six girls had already concluded, with each advancing smoothly without any surprises.
Jing Shaoyu's final match—the closing battle of the individual competition's group stage—would naturally pit him against Long Yue, the other undefeated contestant in their group.
When he glanced toward Monster Academy's section, he was surprised to find the seats completely empty. Even Dai Yuner and Long Yue, who had confronted them earlier, were nowhere to be seen. This puzzled Jing Shaoyu—what kind of scheme was Monster Academy up to? Were they forfeiting the afternoon matches?
As it turned out, Jing Shaoyu's suspicions were correct. In the afternoon matches involving Monster Academy, not a single student from the academy showed up—they had all forfeited simultaneously!
This left Jing Shaoyu and his six companions, the other contestants, and the audience in the stands utterly shocked and curious. Although the outcomes of these matches wouldn't affect the final advancement results, it was unprecedented for students from a prestigious academy like Monster Academy to forfeit en masse.
Many hot-tempered spectators had already begun hurling insults.
"Brother, what's Monster Academy up to?" Na'er asked in confusion.
"No idea," Jing Shaoyu shook his head. He genuinely didn't understand the reasoning behind Monster Academy's actions. His gaze shifted to the VIP seating area—Emperor Dai Tianling was absent, as were Monster Academy's senior officials. Even Tang Bingyao, the vice dean of their own Douluo Federation delegation, was missing.
Well, the afternoon matches were a complete waste of time.
"Heh, looks like we came here for nothing," Jing Shaoyu chuckled. "Let's go. Without opponents, there's no point in us performing a one-man show here."
He stood up and strode straight toward the exit. Gu Yue and Na'er followed closely behind, while Xu Xiaoyan, Wu Siduo, Ye Xinglan, and Mo Hentian didn't hesitate either, quickly catching up. The smiles on their faces were unmistakable—after all, who wouldn't be thrilled to unexpectedly gain half a day off?
Thus, an unprecedented scene unfolded in the history of the Star Luo Empire's Continental Advanced Youth Soul Master Elite Tournament—the closing match of the individual competition's group stage ended with both contestants forfeiting simultaneously!
This left the entire audience in an uproar, with jeers and curses filling the air. The judging panel was at a complete loss on how to determine the outcome of this match, even though the result wouldn't affect the overall competition.
By convention, if both contestants forfeited, both would be declared losers. However, given the special status of the two contestants involved, the judging panel carefully deliberated and ultimately ruled the match a draw—making it the only tied match in the history of the Star Luo Empire's tournament.
Yet, no one particularly cared about this outcome or arrangement.
Inside the Star Luo Grand Hotel, Jing Shaoyu merely smiled faintly upon hearing the news. Since Monster Academy didn't care about the group stage, they would undoubtedly exert their full strength in the upcoming finals. He had no doubt that the other side would resort to some underhanded tactics behind the scenes.
But it didn't matter. In the face of absolute strength, all such tricks were superfluous.
That night, within the Star Luo Imperial Palace.
Emperor Dai Tianling of Star Luo had just seen off Cai Yue'er, the dean of Shrek Academy, and teacher Wu Zhangkong, who had come to visit Dai Yueyan. Standing coldly on the palace steps, he gazed at the slender crescent moon in the sky, his eyes glinting with frost.
"Your Majesty," an elderly man appeared at Dai Tianling's side, bowing respectfully.
"Has the matter been handled?" Dai Tianling asked casually, still staring at the moon.
"Yes. In accordance with Your Majesty's wishes and the Imperial Preceptor's request, every effort will be made to ensure Long Yue avoids facing Jing Shaoyu and Wu Siduo until the finals," the old man replied. He was the chairman of this tournament's organizing committee and the Minister of Education of the Star Luo Empire.
"Who would have thought the Imperial Preceptor would have such confidence in Long Yue!" Dai Tianling sighed. "If he truly is that outstanding, the empire's future will be exceedingly bright."
The "Imperial Preceptor" Dai Tianling referred to and the "Imperial Preceptor" mentioned by the Minister of Education were one and the same—the dean of Monster Academy and also Long Yue's teacher. After the morning's match, Dai Tianling had specifically invited him to treat Dai Yueyan.
Seizing the opportunity, the Imperial Preceptor had made this request. His reasoning was simple: he wanted to use Jing Shaoyu or Wu Siduo as stepping stones for Long Yue—or, more accurately, to use Shrek Academy as stepping stones for Long Yue and Monster Academy.
Dai Tianling had not refused. As both a father and an emperor, it was impossible for him not to be angered by the treatment of his most valued son. However, given the other party's background and status, he dared not openly retaliate. Yet, he was more than happy to see them humbled.
Moreover, the championship of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Youth Tournament's individual competition absolutely could not be taken by outsiders. As the top favorite and the reigning champion, Long Yue was worth betting on.
But still...
"...Nether White Tiger," Dai Tianling murmured, narrowing his eyes. "Long Yue, I hope you won't disappoint me!"
Dai Tianling and his wife, the empress, also possessed the Martial Soul Fusion Skill Nether White Tiger, so he naturally understood its power. Thus, he had tacitly acknowledged Wu Siduo—who possessed an innate Martial Soul Fusion Skill—as the strongest among the seven Shrek Academy students and assumed she would advance to the finals.
In all honesty, he wanted Long Yue to win, yet he didn't wish to see Wu Siduo lose. Long Yue's victory would uphold the empire's dignity, but the Nether White Tiger symbolized the imperial family's authority!
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