The atmosphere here was starkly different from the tragic resolve of Shrek, filled instead with a cold, murderous intent and a long-suppressed, boiling fighting spirit.
Xie Yue, captain of the Golden Generation, stood tall and slender, his handsome face bearing a trace of sinister charm. At the moment, he was quietly polishing his pair of peculiar, crescent-shaped blades—the Moon Blades. His movements were gentle and focused, as if tending to a most intimate lover, yet the sharp aura radiating from him seemed to slice through the very air.
Hu Liena, his sister and vice-captain of the Golden Generation, possessed a beauty and enchanting grace that could captivate nations. Yet now, she had withdrawn all her bewitching allure. Her fox-like eyes gleamed with a cold, intelligent light, as if calculating something.
And Yan, the third member of the Golden Generation, was the most burly and imposing of them all. His fiery red short hair blazed like flames as he relentlessly pummeled a specially crafted metal dummy capable of withstanding a Soul Emperor's attacks! His fists were sheathed in scorching magma, each blow causing the dummy to groan under the strain, leaving deep, charred marks.
"Enough, Yan," Xie Yue spoke without looking up, his voice carrying a metallic timbre. "Conserve your strength. Save your fury for tomorrow's opponents."
"Opponents? Hmph!" Yan retracted his fists, the magma around him slowly receding as he turned. A ferocious grin spread across his face, his eyes burning with intense hatred and brutality. "Marco! Finally, this day has come! It's a pity we're not facing him directly this time… but making his team pay first and collecting some interest isn't bad either!"
He could never forget, several years ago, when they were still somewhat immature, hailed as the future hope of Spirit Hall, and brimming with arrogance. They had once had a "sparring match" with Marco, who was also rising to fame at the time and had traveled to Spirit Hall. Back then, the three of them joined forces, yet they were utterly and completely defeated by that seemingly calm, black-haired youth, without any chance to fight back! It was the first—and only—crushing defeat in their proud lives, a poisonous thorn deeply embedded in their hearts.
Since then, the three of them had thrown themselves into what could only be described as hellish training, without a moment's slack. Their minds held only one thought—grow stronger, take revenge! On the stage of the Grand Finals, defeat Marco with their own hands and wash away the shame!
Hu Liena looked up at Yan, a flash of the same coldness passing through her fox-like eyes. "Yan, calm down. Anger clouds judgment. Although Heaven Dou First Team only has Marco, they've made it to the Top Four—we cannot underestimate them. Moreover, our goal isn't just to defeat them. Through this match, we must prove to everyone, especially to our teacher (Bibidong), the value of us, the Golden Generation. We must prove that we are worthy of great responsibility, capable of crushing all so-called 'geniuses'!"
Xie Yue finally finished wiping his Moon Blades, gently closing them with a crisp metallic ring. He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the drizzling rain outside, his voice calm and steady yet carrying an ironclad resolve: "Nana is right. Tomorrow's match, we must not only win, but win beautifully, win overwhelmingly! We must show everyone that the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation are the true pinnacle of this era! Marco Lee... let him first taste what it's like to lose his teammates and be left all alone. I hope he can wait for us in the Losers' Bracket."
The three exchanged glances, each seeing immense confidence and blazing fighting spirit in the others' eyes. Years of arduous cultivation and the infusion of countless resources had long since transformed them. This time, they would reclaim their lost glory, along with interest!
The independent courtyard of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy.
This was perhaps the "quietest" place in the entire Spirit City. No heated discussions, no tense training, only the rustling sound of rain pattering on the eaves.
Marco sat alone under the corridor, a cup of clear tea placed before him. Wisps of steam rose, only to be swiftly scattered by the cool, damp breeze. His golden eyes calmly watched the plants and trees in the courtyard swaying slightly under the rain's assault, as if the tense, impending-storm atmosphere outside had nothing to do with him.
Osler hurried over from outside holding an umbrella, his clothes damp, unable to conceal his excitement and nervousness: "Boss, the draw results are out! We're up against the Spirit Hall Team! Shrek versus Star Luo Royal, our second team gets a bye."
"Hmm." Marco picked up his teacup and took a small sip, his reaction indifferent.
Osler was long accustomed to his boss's composure, but couldn't help adding: "Boss, those three from Spirit Hall—Xie Yue, Hu Liena, Yan—they say they've been cultivating like crazy these years, their strength has skyrocketed, they're probably all high-level Soul Kings now! They're clearly targeting you. Even though we're not facing you directly this time, they'll definitely take it out on our Heaven Dou Academy. Tomorrow's match..."
"Are you afraid?" Marco looked up, glancing at Lu Zhou.
Osler was taken aback, then straightened his chest, fighting spirit blazing in his eyes: "Afraid? Of course not! It's just... I just don't want to let you down, boss, and I don't want the name of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy to be tarnished by our hands!" He clenched his fist. "The guys are all itching for a fight. Even if our opponents are the Golden Generation, we absolutely won't back down! We'll fight with everything we've got, show our mettle!"
Marco looked at the genuine fighting spirit in Osler's eyes and gave a slight nod: "Maintain that spirit. The Spirit Hall Team is strong, a good whetstone. For you, it's a challenge, but also an opportunity. Go fight freely, don't overthink victory or defeat. Remember, in the face of absolute strength, any tactics or willpower must be built upon a corresponding foundation. What you need to do is see the gap clearly and learn from the experience. Leave the rest to me."
His tone remained calm, but the natural confidence and sense of responsibility in his words instantly dispelled most of the unease in Lu Zhou's heart, replaced by an indescribable sense of steadiness and fervor.
"Yes, boss! We understand!" Osler nodded heavily, the light in his eyes growing even brighter. With their captain here, they seemed to have a backbone, the courage to draw their swords against any strong opponent!
Marco turned his gaze back into the depths of the rain curtain, his eyes profound. The Spirit Hall's Golden Generation... the defeated opponents of the past. I wonder if they are worthy of a fight now? I hope it won't be too dull.
The rain fell steadily, not stopping all night. It seemed to be cleansing the city about to face its most intense collision, as if gathering some kind of power. Countless lights within Spirit City flickered in the rainy night, illuminating the sleepless figures in each team's quarters—tense strategizing, boiling battle intent, and the complex emotions intertwined with glory, grudges, and life and death.
Before the storm arrives, there is always an unusual calm, an unusual oppression. And tomorrow, when the sun rises again, the arena before the Papal Hall will surely be stained with even fiercer light and even more brutal colors.
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