As the first light of dawn touched Star Luo City, golden rays swept across the imperial capital like a divine brushstroke, painting its rooftops in gold and silver. The towering walls, steeped in centuries of history, stood tall beneath the breaking sky—radiating the solemn majesty of a city built on power and pride.
Today, the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was officially underway.
The streets surrounding Xingluo Square were locked down under heavy military guard. The Star Sovereign Hotel, along with all paths to the main square, had been placed under strict martial law. Only registered participants were allowed through.
Shrek Academy's team, led by Wang Yan, emerged last—just as tradition dictated. As defending champions, they bore the full weight of legacy and expectation. Dressed in their emerald-trimmed uniforms, they moved in silence. Their very presence caused heads to turn. All eyes locked onto them the moment they stepped into the northern section of the square.
They didn't need to announce who they were.
They were Shrek.
As they came to a stop, leaders from all 133 academies stepped forward to draw lots. The matchups would determine the first round of eliminations.
Then, as the sun rose higher, a booming voice echoed across the venue:
"His Majesty arrives!"
The Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiawei, appeared atop the imperial platform with the Empress and his gathered ministers. In an instant—
Whoom!
The crowd dropped to their knees, pressing palms together in reverence.
The soldiers sank onto one knee, fists over hearts.
The students—unlike the citizens—merely bowed deeply, in line with protocol.
"Everyone, rise," Emperor Xu's voice echoed, warm yet commanding.
The people stood, and so did the students.
Then the Emperor spoke again, tone rich with pride.
"This tournament is the most sacred tradition in our soul master world. It unites the continent, challenges the elite, and honors the legacy of strength. This year, it is our Star Luo Empire's privilege to host. To all participants—especially the warriors of Shrek Academy—I welcome you. May you all display the strength, discipline, and honor worthy of your sects."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the voices of over a hundred academies echoed in unison.
With a satisfied nod, Emperor Xu Jiawei declared:
"Let the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament… officially begin!"
The crowd roared.
Salutes fired.
Xingluo Square erupted.
Trumpets blared, flags unfurled. The tournament had begun.
Moments later, the announcer's voice rang out.
"Our first match—on the northern stage! Representing the Douling Empire, the Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy. And standing opposite them: the continent's undefeated champions—Shrek Academy!"
"SHREK! SHREK! SHREK!"
The crowd lost its mind.
The chant hit a fever pitch as both teams stepped onto the field.
The contrast was dramatic.
The students of Tianling Academy looked like they were walking to their own funerals—faces pale, knees shaking.
Shrek, on the other hand, exuded quiet confidence. Their steps were steady. Their eyes sharp.
But then—the crowd saw something odd.
Four of the seven Shrek students were clearly too young. Reserve members. First-time competitors.
Gasps rippled through the arena.
Shrek was sending freshmen into the first match?
Arrogant. Reckless. Or terrifyingly confident.
Whispers turned to shouts. Excitement surged.
On the opposite side of the square, the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy watched intently.
They noticed immediately—Shrek's formation wasn't standard. Their close-range assault types were standing in the rear, while an auxiliary-type soul master was placed at the front.
Ma Rulong, the team captain, narrowed his eyes.
"They're using reserves? And putting a support-type at the front? That's not normal."
"I recognize two of them," Xiao Hongchen said, arms folded. "Met them at the hotel. One of them—he's dangerous."
Ma Rulong turned sharply. "Did you let them gather intel?"
Xiao smirked. "You think I'm that careless? We figured each other out without saying a word. They knew who we were too. The hallway only had two academies—us and them."
"Did you learn anything useful?"
"Not really. But I'll tell you this—I don't know what that guy's martial soul is, but I can feel it. He's no ordinary soul king."
He paused.
"…Still, I can beat him."
Ma Rulong didn't argue. Xiao Hongchen had the strength to back it up.
Meanwhile, Meng Hongchen wasn't listening to any of it. Her ocean-blue eyes were fixed on the field—specifically on Chen Junting and Wang Dong.
"I can't pick… both of them are cute."
---
On the field, the referee finished reading the rules. One hundred and eight metal pillars around the perimeter lit up in unison. Streams of white energy arced through the air and formed a shimmering dome—the Soul Arena Shield.
Then came the signal.
"Match… begin!"
The Tianling team moved fast.
Their captain rallied his teammates. "Even if we lose, we go down with dignity!"
Their martial souls exploded to life.
Seven figures glowed—five Soul Ancestor, two Soul Elder, with a total of 26 soul rings blazing in the sunlight.
Across from them, Chen Junting didn't move.
He turned and calmly said, "Senior, no need to act this time."
Gong Yangmo nodded without hesitation and stepped back, leaving the field entirely. The crowd gasped.
Two versus seven?!
Shrek's reserves versus a full team?
The whispers turned into full-blown chaos.
But Chen Junting didn't flinch. His hand flicked through the air, retrieving something from his storage-type soul tool.
Six flags.
He stabbed them into the ground in a hexagonal formation.
"Ning Tian!"
The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda burst into existence in front of her, glowing like a star in daylight. Ning Tian's eyes sharpened as her four soul rings lit up—yellow, yellow, purple, black—and merged as one.
"Nine Treasures Become Glazed · Four Soul Sync!"
A beam of vibrant green light shot into Chen Junting's body.
The flags lit up.
A hexagram formation disk surged beneath his feet, channeling the power of heaven and earth directly into him.
Chen Junting exhaled slowly.
He stared at the advancing Tianling team and whispered inwardly:
"Time to show them what it means for the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect to rise again."
He raised his right hand.
A breeze passed.
Then came the sword intent.
It wasn't energy—it was pressure. The kind that made the air twist and warp. The kind that turned silence into static. The very space around him began to ripple like disturbed water.
Then, Chen Junting spoke—chanting in a clear voice that echoed like ancient poetry:
["Young laurel leaves shade a hundred miles of border,
The partridge cries through afternoon mist.
Sharp cliffs rise like blades at Yanping Ford—
And when the sword is gone, the river runs cold."]
At once, the ground beneath him changed.
The arena's stone platform shimmered—turning to liquid.
From its surface, a sword rose.
Not a weapon. A force.
The Seven Killing Sword.
Glorious and deathly calm, it cut through the air, reflecting ancient runes and sunlight in equal parts.
Then came the shadow.
Behind Chen Junting, a massive phantom silhouette formed.
A presence of overwhelming sharpness. Of legacy. Of pride.
The face of the shadow?
Chen Xin—the Sword Douluo himself.
The Sword Saint of Shrek. The eternal guardian of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect.
"Sword Dao · Chen Xin!"
With that cry, Chen Junting swung his sword—and reality itself bent to his will.
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(End of Chapter)
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