At dawn, as the sun rose in the east, golden sunlight bathed the earth, casting a radiant glow over the entire Star Luo City.
In the center of Star Luo City, the competition venue was already packed to capacity with spectators.
The format of the round-robin matches was such that the academy teams who had advanced past the knockout stages were now divided into groups of eight. Each group would conduct round-robin matches internally, and the teams with the highest points at the end would advance.
"Everyone, watch closely. Study the tactics and combat styles of the teams on the field. Be well prepared when facing them later."
In the waiting area of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Elder Ma instructed the students while scribbling notes in his notebook.
"This year is the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy's best chance to win the championship. Everyone must give it their all."
Elder Ma's gaze swept across the group, pausing meaningfully on Jiang Jue.
After several days of investigation, he had already formed some theories about Shrek Academy. If his suspicions were correct, then this truly was the closest their academy had ever come to winning the championship.
As for the other advanced academies' teams, Elder Ma wasn't boasting — there really weren't many who could challenge the might of their Sun Moon Academy.
Take the other seven teams grouped with them, for instance. The Otto Team, their first opponent, was already the strongest among them — the rest were even weaker.
By mid-morning, it was time for the match.
His Majesty Xu Jiawei, Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, had already arrived on the city walls to spectate. Naturally, what he was most interested in was Shrek Academy's performance — and Jiang Jue, the soul master with the ultimate attribute.
He had heard the news of Xu Jiujiao's defeat last night but was unsurprised. In fact, he had already sent word to the Body Sect, planning to use their strength to weaken Mingde Hall — and play the role of a spectator from the sidelines.
As an emperor, he had many things to consider. He had to guard against the ever-ambitious Sun Moon Empire while also ensuring that the other two allied empires didn't grow too powerful.
But the Heaven Dou Empire was acting out of line, secretly cooperating with the Body Sect — which gave Xu Jiawei a growing sense of crisis.
Among the original Three Great Empires, the Star Luo Empire should remain the leader — he would never allow another to surpass them.
Thus, a plan that killed two birds with one stone was born.
Xu Jiawei was a textbook example of someone who feared his brothers' hardships — but feared even more that they might become truly powerful.
On the stage, the referee stepped to the center and used a soul amplifier to announce loudly:
"Both teams enter the waiting zone. Team captains, step up to draw lots."
Shrek Academy's team, clad in dark green uniforms, rose and entered the preparation area. Wang Yan nodded to Bei Bei, who exchanged glances with Xu Sanshi before striding onto the stage.
"Watch carefully! Analyze Shrek Academy's strategies. Figure out their trump cards!"
Elder Ma repeated his instructions. This match was Shrek Academy vs. Qianling Advanced Academy.
From Qianling Academy, a male student came up — about twenty years old, tall and lean, with a cold, sharp expression. He stood like a javelin. Facing Bei Bei, he remained completely expressionless.
Jiang Jue's gaze sharpened as he looked at the student — Shen Ce, the one he had encountered when returning from the Extreme North.
The drawing began.
Soon, the referee announced the result:
"Shrek Academy vs. Qianling Academy — Team Battle."
Team battles were the most intense, the most comprehensive tests — comparing overall team strength.
The referee declared in a firm voice: "Team members, take the stage."
From Shrek's side, He Caitou, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong stood up together. Under Wang Yan's encouraging gaze, they filed onto the stage.
After stepping up, Huo Yuhao crossed his arms and… closed his eyes, as if meditating.
The students from Qianling Academy, however, all locked their eyes onto him.
"Jiang Jue, this Huo Yuhao guy is so fake. If I get to face him later, I'll definitely show him my true strength!"
Xiao Hongchen sidled up to Jiang Jue, his fighting spirit thoroughly ignited.
Over the past few days, he had stabilized his mindset. Faced with someone more talented than himself, he was no longer envious — instead, he wanted to challenge him.
Seeing this, Jiang Jue said lightly:
"Alright. You'll take on Huo Yuhao, then."
"Huh? You serious?!"
Xiao Hongchen coughed awkwardly, waved his hand, and said nothing more.
At this point, Huo Yuhao's true strength hadn't yet been exposed — many still assumed he was a Soul Emperor. Xiao Hongchen, while motivated, wasn't stupid. Going up against someone you know you can't beat would only make you look like a fool — and that didn't match his heroic image.
On the stage, Shen Ce stood like a spear, his gaze fixed on Huo Yuhao. A sharp light flickered in his eyes. There was no fear — only intense fighting intent.
"We can't afford to lose again."
Shen Ce turned to his teammates and said solemnly.
After losing their first match, if they failed again, they'd have to start packing.
"Understood!"
The students behind him responded firmly.
Desperate troops fight hardest.
They had nothing left to lose. Though they knew they couldn't beat Shrek Academy, they wanted to leave a mark in this grand tournament — for their academy, and for themselves.
Qianling Academy quickly arranged their formation.
Four tall male students stood in front — like a wall.
Shen Ce stood behind them, and behind him were two girls — one with blue hair, and one with red. The blue-haired girl was none other than An Lengye, whom Jiang Jue had seen previously.
The formation could be summarized like this:
Four shields form an unbreakable wall; dual control of ice and fire pierces like a thousand strikes.
Shrek Academy's side, meanwhile, stood around lazily. Huo Yuhao was in the center, the others forming a protective circle around him.
They were still playing their "confuse the enemy" strategy.
"Begin!"
With the referee's shout, both sides simultaneously released their martial souls — all except for Huo Yuhao.
On the Qianling side, the four front-line students summoned dark yellow shields, raising them in unison. These were all defensive-type Lingxi Shields, and each of them had two yellow and two purple soul rings.
"Come at me!"
Shen Ce roared, and a streak of silver light shot from behind him — a long spear, sharp on both ends, materialized. It was the Thousand-Strike Spear, surrounded by two yellow and three purple soul rings.
As Shen Ce released his spear, two completely different energies lit up behind him — blue ice on the left, red flame on the right.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a dark-colored soul tool cannonball shot toward the Qianling team, radiating a terrifying aura.
"SHIELDS! SHIELDS! SHIELDS! SHIELDS!"
With a thud, the four Lingxi Shield soul masters simultaneously raised their shields, the overlapping keratin layers as thick and solid as armor plating.
"Huh? Shrek Academy is actually using soul tools now? Did their pig brains evolve or something?"
Ma Rulong exclaimed in shock from below the stage.
In past tournaments, Shrek Academy had always looked down on soul tools, refusing to use them. Yet now, they had deployed one on the battlefield.
(End of Chapter)