"What I'm really worried about is encountering the Sun Moon Royal Academy in the later elimination rounds. I hope we can meet them as late as possible," Ma Xiaotao said worriedly.
For Shrek Academy, there were only one or two academies that could truly threaten their championship status in the Soul Master Competition.
The Sun Moon Royal Academy was one of them, and the biggest threat.
However, if their Shrek Academy team was in normal condition, they could steadily suppress the Sun Moon Royal Academy.
But who would have thought such a big accident would happen this time, causing their strength to be greatly reduced.
Currently, the only ones who could compete were Shi Yu, Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong.
Among these five people, besides Shi Yu, who is trustworthy, the others feel less reliable.
If they were to encounter the Sun Moon Royal Academy with this lineup, they would undoubtedly lose.
"That depends on luck," Shi Yu said, not daring to say they would wait until the finals to meet the Sun Moon Royal Academy.
In the original story, they might have met in the finals, but there were variables.
Just like their encounter with the Body Sect attack this time, which was not in the original story.
This variable made him dare not guarantee anything about what would happen next, as changes were possible.
After chatting with Shi Yu for a while, Ma Xiaotao got up and left. They were all arranged in the same courtyard, not far from each other.
Shi Yu didn't think too much about the upcoming competition. When soldiers come, use generals to block them; when water comes, use earth to cover it. Thinking too much wouldn't make much sense.
Tomorrow was the time for the official opening of the competition. There was nothing to do today.
He wasn't in a good mood and had no intention of going out, so he just cultivated in his room to pass the Time.
At noon, Xuan Lao gathered Shi Yu, Ma Xiaotao, Zhang Lexuan, Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong together.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy and oppressive, and everyone felt weighed down.
"Bei Bei, Chen Zifeng, Xi Xi, Ling Luochen, Gongyang Mo, Yao Haoxuan, and Wang Yan have all been confirmed dead," Xuan Lao was the first to speak, breaking the silence.
This was something they all knew, but hearing it mentioned again made them somewhat unwilling to believe it was true.
Xiao Xiao, who was relatively fragile, cried, feeling very sad.
Jiang Nannan's eyes were also slightly red. They were all Senior brothers and sisters from the same Academy.
Shi Yu also felt a little sad and felt it was a pity for them.
At the same time, he deeply realized one thing: strength was still too important in this world.
Without strength, even staying alive might not be up to you. To live well, to live freely, you still need absolute strength.
"I am also partly responsible for their deaths. I failed to protect them," Xuan Lao said, blaming himself somewhat.
"Xuan Lao, you can't be blamed for this. If anyone is to blame, it's the people from the Body Sect who are too detestable," Zhang Lexuan consoled him.
"Yes, Xuan Lao, how can you be blamed for this?" Ma Xiaotao also offered comfort, her voice still weak and listless, completely different from her usual straightforward self.
"I must be responsible for their deaths, but that will have to wait until we return to Shrek Academy."
"The most urgent matter now is the upcoming Soul Master Competition."
"This competition is related to the Academy's honor. Even after such an incident, I don't want you to give up because of it," Xuan Lao looked at Shi Yu, Jiang Nannan, and the others.
"Xuan Lao, rest assured, we will definitely do our best to win and defend the Academy's honor," Huo Yuhao said firmly.
Wang Dong, Jiang Nannan, and Xiao Xiao also expressed their determination, showing a strong sense of honor.
Shi Yu, on the other hand, didn't express much, only saying he would do his best.
Hearing him say this, Xuan Lao felt a little relieved. Looking at Shi Yu, he said, "Originally, our plan was for you to compete with the six main team members and be one of the main forces."
"Now, you are needed to be the one leading the team." Regardless of whether the incident happened or not, they had planned for Shi Yu to appear more often.
Shi Yu's strength was not inferior to that of the main team members. They naturally wanted Shi Yu to get more experience.
They were not worried that Shi Yu exposing too much would lead to him being thoroughly researched for the competition five years later.
Shi Yu's Naruto's Instant Transmission ability, let alone Soul Masters at level fifty or sixty trying to research it, even if Soul Douluo or Title Douluo pondered it for a year and a half, they would find it difficult to effectively counter it.
This was a natural advantage of the ability that no amount of research could compensate for.
Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Jiang Nannan, and the others all looked at Shi Yu.
Looking at Shi Yu, Jiang Nannan felt a sense of security.
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong looked at Shi Yu with complicated expressions, especially Wang Dong, who originally disliked Shi Yu because he had been slapped by him.
However, if it weren't for Shi Yu this time, he and Huo Yuhao might have been poisoned. This made him feel more grateful to Shi Yu, and his dislike had lessened considerably.
"I can only say I will do my best," Shi Yu said, unable to resist asking, "Xuan Lao, aren't you planning to ask the Academy for reinforcements?"
"With our Academy's strength, it shouldn't be too difficult to assemble another championship lineup."
In the original story, Mu Lao wanted to use this to temper Huo Yuhao and the others, so he didn't send any more students to compete. As a result, Huo Yuhao and the others managed to turn the tide.
This time, the situation was much worse than in the original story. Xu Sanshi was gone long ago, and Bei Bei was also dead. Were they still planning not to send reinforcements?
"My current injuries are not light, and it is not suitable for me to return to the Academy. I have already asked the Star Luo Empire here to help contact the Academy."
"Whether more students will be sent to participate as substitutes is still unknown."
"Even if they are sent, there may not be enough Time."
"After all, the people from the Star Luo Empire here are definitely not fast enough. The round trip will take at least until tomorrow."
"However, tonight is the deadline for registering competing students."
"In terms of Time, it's a bit too late, unless the Star Luo Empire here is willing to give us special permission to extend the deadline."
"But this is easy to give others an excuse. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for other academies."
"Only by seizing such an opportunity can they possibly defeat our Shrek Academy. Do you think they won't strongly protest us enjoying such special treatment?" Xuan Lao said in a low voice.
"The academies from the Original Douluo Three Kingdoms might not have much objection, but the academies from the Sun Moon Empire will inevitably strongly oppose it."
"Especially the Sun Moon Royal Academy, they dream of defeating our Shrek Academy."
"Once the Sun Moon Royal Academy unites with other academies from the Sun Moon Empire to protest, this matter may eventually have to be dropped."
"Therefore, it is highly likely that we will not have any substitute players joining us this time," Zhang Lexuan sighed.
Xuan Lao nodded slightly. He had actually discussed this matter with the Star Luo Emperor, and he was willing to provide special treatment and open a back door for them.
However, some potential troubles that might arise later might be difficult to handle.