The news that a five-ring Soul King and one-word Battle Armor Master had been eliminated spread quickly through the arena. Yet, to everyone's frustration, the youth who had created such a miracle had long since vanished. Only a few knew that the contestant's number was 520.
"That kid… I feel like I've seen him somewhere before…"
Aside from Gu You, the rest of Shrek's participants faced very weak opponents in the first round. Except for Xu Lizhi, who didn't compete in the one-on-one matches, all of them advanced easily.
The first round of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament's individual competition lasted three full days — some were joyful, some sorrowful. The Star Luo Empire displayed remarkable organizational ability. Though Star Luo City was overflowing with people, everything was orderly, and no chaos occurred because of the tournament.
After the individual round ended, the duo battles, team battles, and mecha battles began in sequence. Compared to the solo category, the number of contestants and teams in the remaining events was much smaller. According to the organizers' plan, each day would feature the first round of one category. As contestants were eliminated later on, multiple events would be held in a single day.
Gu You did not register for the duo battles.
Three days later in the morning, Gu You and the other seven Shrek students left their hotel together for the competition grounds. Their instructor Wu Zhangkong had gone ahead of them to the official Shrek viewing platform, which the organizers had specially prepared.
Since the solo matches were spread across three days, Wu Zhangkong had only watched Gu You's match; he hadn't paid much attention to the others.
Today's duo matches would see three Shrek pairs competing. As the teacher, Wu Zhangkong naturally wanted to assess their performance. Still, he couldn't help feeling it was a pity that Gu You and Gu Yue, the two students he valued most, weren't participating.
Though Gu You wasn't competing, he could still observe.
Sitting in Shrek's exclusive spectator area and looking down at the vast competition field, he felt genuinely impressed.
There was also a designated waiting area for contestants. When Gu You looked that way, he couldn't help but chuckle — the Star Luo officials really didn't think this through.
Indeed, because there weren't enough seats, the waiting zone looked extremely crowded. Many soul masters had to stand shoulder-to-shoulder.
Most of the contestants seemed at least eighteen years old. It was somewhat unfair to the younger ones, but the official rule was clear: only those under twenty could participate.
Among the waiting contestants, some were brimming with excitement, some clenched their fists nervously, and others sat quietly with their eyes closed, calm and composed.
One could more or less tell their strength just from their demeanor.
The duo battle arenas were much larger than those used in the solo events — the enormous Star Luo Stadium could hold fifteen matches at once.
Thus, the contestants were called up fifteen pairs per group, while the rest could check their matchups on the massive soul guide screens overhead.
The first thing every team did upon arrival was to find their position and opponent on those displays.
"During the match, intentional killing of opponents is forbidden. Mechas are prohibited. Once one side concedes, the other must immediately stop attacking. When I determine that the outcome is decided, I will end the match."
The referee's announcement was brief. Clearly, the Star Luo Empire's rules were much looser than those in Douluo Continent's domestic tournaments. It allowed contestants to fully unleash their combat power — but also greatly increased the danger.
Gu You quietly listened to the regulations while waiting. Watching the ongoing matches… he found them painfully slow.
Then, a crisp, slightly sharp female voice called out —
"Gu You!"
His brows furrowed. He opened his eyes from his meditative posture and turned his head — wasn't that the princess of the Star Luo Empire herself?
But how had she come into Shrek's exclusive spectator area? Shrek's teachers were all here — even if she had permission to enter, wouldn't this damage the royal family's image?
Then Gu You noticed the tall, handsome young man standing beside her.
The young man's eyes lit up the moment he saw Gu You sitting a few rows away, clearly younger than him.
Yes, he thought. This feeling… is just right.
He shot his sister a curious glance.
No wonder she's been so fixated on this boy.
He really does have something about him — flawless looks, calm aura, from Shrek Academy of all places… No surprise my little sister took an interest.
"Your Highness the Princess, what do you need from me? And also — shouting like that in public, as royalty, isn't very appropriate, is it?"
Gu You's smile was faint, teasing.
"What's inappropriate about it? I'm just an ordinary person now, not some royal princess. I didn't show up here under my royal title," she huffed.
"Then, may I ask what business this ordinary young lady has with me?"
"Gu You, do you dare make a bet with me? I looked into your records — your martial soul is dragon-type, right?"
"Get lost,"
Gu You said flatly, rolling his eyes.
"You—!"
Dai Yun'er felt like she'd just punched a pile of cotton — all that fury went nowhere. Her pretty face flushed pale with frustration.
Standing beside her, Dai Yueyan's eyes flickered with amusement.
Interesting. No wonder Yun'er keeps losing to him. This boy really is entertaining.
"Gu You, stop right there!"
She quickly stepped forward and reached out to grab his arm.
Gu You tilted slightly to the side, evading effortlessly.
"Men and women shouldn't have physical contact so casually," he said with mock seriousness. "You're putting me in a difficult position here."
"Gu You, I swear I could just kill you!" Dai Yun'er ground her teeth.
"Heh, you don't have the strength for that."
She was trembling with rage now. Turning toward her brother, she snapped,
"Fourth Brother! Look how insufferable he is — aren't you going to help me?"
Dai Yueyan sighed helplessly and walked over. His expression was calm, but an invisible pressure radiated from him.
"Hello, I'm Dai Yueyan," he said simply, without mentioning his title.
"Ah, so the Princess went home to complain,"
Gu You said with a polite smile.
"So, what advice does Your Highness have for me? I don't recall ever offending the Princess."
Dai Yueyan's eyes sharpened slightly. Under his aura, the youth before him didn't so much as flinch — that alone spoke volumes about his strength.
And he'd heard of this boy — this federation prodigy who had once made quite a name for himself.
"You misunderstand,"
Dai Yueyan replied evenly."My sister means no harm. She's simply very… admiring of Shrek Academy."
(End of Chapter)