The next day, dark clouds loomed heavily over Star Luo City, pressing down like a thick curtain before the grandest of performances.
Thin strands of mist wove through the streets like veils of silk, and from time to time, a few fine raindrops drifted down, adding a faint chill to the air.
Yet, that hint of cold vanished instantly before the blazing enthusiasm of the people who had gathered from every corner of the continent.
The Finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament—the long-awaited moment—was finally about to begin.
Today, a peak confrontation that gathered the most powerful young soul masters of their generation would unfold before all eyes.
At this very moment, two teams—each carrying the hopes and expectations of countless spectators—were steadily making their way toward Star Luo Plaza.
Leading the Shrek Academy team was their captain, Zhou Sicheng. Fourteen members in total, including reserves, marched with unified steps and upright postures, their discipline and composure giving them the air of a well-trained elite force.
Five meters to their right, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy team advanced in perfect parallel formation under the lead of their captain, Ma Rulong.
Determination gleamed in their eyes, and an aura of confidence and sharpness radiated from their every movement.
These twenty-eight young soul masters were undoubtedly the most gifted prodigies of their generation. Every step they took seemed to measure the future of the Soul Master world for decades to come—they were the pillars upon which the next era would stand.
As the two teams walked side by side, Zhou Sicheng and Ma Rulong briefly locked eyes. In that fleeting instant, both of them smiled—calm, bright, and filled with mutual respect. That smile spoke volumes, as though this decisive final match were nothing more than a friendly spar between equals.
When Zhou Sicheng's gaze fell upon the Hongchen siblings, both Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen responded with warm smiles of their own. Meng Hongchen even playfully blinked her large, brilliant eyes, her youthful charm and liveliness on full display.
The young girl seemed to harbor budding feelings for Zhou Sicheng.
However, the timing of their encounter… was not yet right.
Along the path, rows of soldiers stood tall and unmoving like iron walls, holding long spears in hand as they struggled to contain the roaring crowds shouting the names of their favorite soul masters.
Many citizens, unable to enter Star Luo Plaza, had gathered on either side of the street—just to catch a glimpse of the two legendary teams. Their eyes shone with fervor and excitement, and the chants and cheers rose in waves.
On the city walls, alongside Emperor Xu Jiawei and Princess Xu Jiujium, stood another figure who drew every gaze.
It was a man appearing to be in his thirties, clad in resplendent golden armor that gleamed coldly even beneath the overcast sky.
He wore no helmet, revealing sharp, resolute features. His deep-set blue eyes gleamed with piercing intensity, and though his face was somewhat lean, there was a metallic hardness to his expression. The man exuded a sense of iron-blooded authority—handsome, upright, and commanding.
He was none other than the White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao, the greatest military commander of the Star Luo Empire and its most powerful noble, ruler of the Western Legion.
Among Shrek's main team members stood Dai Yueheng, now a Soul Emperor. The moment his eyes caught sight of his long-absent father atop the city wall, a surge of emotion overwhelmed him—admiration, longing, and a desperate desire for recognition.
Dai Hao merely gave a faint nod, a barely perceptible glint of encouragement in his eyes before turning away.
But that single glance was enough.
For Dai Yueheng—who had idolized his father all his life and yearned to prove himself before him—it was like a powerful stimulant. His battle spirit burned hotter than ever.
As the crowd's chatter swelled into an ocean of noise, Dai Hao's deep voice suddenly resounded like a thunderclap:
"Silence! The match is about to begin. His Majesty will now speak."
Though unaided by any amplification device, his commanding tone rolled across the entire plaza like a bronze bell. It carried the weight of a general's authority—sharp, resonant, impossible to ignore.
"WAR! WAR! WAR!"
All the soldiers present raised their weapons in unison and bellowed the word, their voices shaking the heavens.
A wave of killing intent spread across the plaza, enveloping the entire square in a palpable aura of iron and discipline.
In that moment, the soldiers' eyes burned with fanatic loyalty—they saw no emperor, no nobles—only the indomitable figure of their commander, the White Tiger Duke.
It had to be said: Dai Hao's influence and prestige within the army might well surpass even that of Emperor Xu Jiawei himself.
Yet, the Emperor's expression showed no sign of displeasure. He smiled faintly, calm and dignified, as though all of Dai Hao's power and glory stemmed from his own trust and support—an emperor's grace and confidence shining through.
The crowd gradually fell silent, the killing intent fading into solemn anticipation. Every gaze turned upward, waiting for the Emperor's words.
When the plaza had become utterly still, Emperor Xu Jiawei began his address, his voice steady and warm:
"The last time we witnessed the Finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament here in Star Luo City was twenty years ago. At that time, both I and my brother-in-arms, Duke Dai Hao, were but spirited young men."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the plaza with a faint hint of nostalgia.
"Now, twenty years later, I sit upon the throne, and Duke Dai Hao commands the Empire's mightiest army. Once again, we stand together to witness the clash of the continent's strongest youth. My heart swells with excitement. I hope both sides will give their all and present us with a match worthy of history—one that will dazzle every spectator here today."
Then, his eyes turned to his sister.
Princess Xu Jiujium stepped forward gracefully. Her voice was as clear and melodious as a songbird emerging from a valley:
"As per tradition, the victorious team of this final match shall be rewarded with three soul bones and one million gold soul coins. His Majesty has personally chosen ten soul bones from the royal treasury, from which the champions may select their prize."
She paused briefly, her gaze sweeping across the crowd.
"Originally, the White Tiger Duke was to preside over today's final. However, since a member of Shrek Academy's main team happens to be his eldest son, to avoid any perception of bias, the officiating referee will remain Heavenly Fiend Douluo Huang Jinxu."
Her voice rose with spirited enthusiasm:
"Now, everyone—prepare yourselves for a battle that will be remembered throughout the ages!"
As her final words echoed, a streak of light flashed from the city wall like lightning, and in the blink of an eye, Heavenly Fiend Douluo Huang Jinxu appeared at the center of the arena.
His expression was solemn as he declared, "I, Huang Jinxu, will serve as the referee for the Finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. Now, I shall announce the rules of the match."
(…Rules omitted—best two out of three rounds.)
His voice carried a strange authority, each word resonating in the hearts of the audience, heightening the tension across Star Luo Plaza.
By now, Dai Yueheng could barely contain himself. His fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly, his blood surging with excitement, feet shifting slightly as if eager to charge forward.
Sensing his agitation, Zhou Sicheng followed his gaze up toward the city wall—only to meet Dai Hao's hawk-like eyes, sharp and penetrating, locked squarely on him.
That look carried scrutiny… and something deeper, as if the Duke wished to see through his very soul.
But Zhou Sicheng did not flinch. Instead, the corners of his lips curved into a calm, confident smile—warm yet filled with unshakable strength.
He gently patted Dai Yueheng's shoulder and said with quiet encouragement, "Your father's watching. Don't waste this chance."
Those simple words lit a fire in Dai Yueheng's chest. His already-bright eyes now blazed like twin stars.
He looked back toward the city wall—only to find his father had turned away, leaving only a tall, unyielding silhouette.
For a brief moment, Dai Yueheng froze, then smiled faintly. There was no disappointment in that smile—only resolve.
"Captain," he said firmly, "this time, give me a chance to shine. My father rarely gets to see me fight."
Zhou Sicheng chuckled, his eyes filled with trust and expectation. "Don't worry. If you've got the strength, I'll even let you one-versus-seven."
Those words struck deep, igniting every ounce of passion in Dai Yueheng's heart.
He nodded solemnly, his tone like forged steel. "I'll give it everything I've got!"
Nearby, Gongyang Mo made a helpless face and muttered, "Yeah, sure. With Guyi and Xiaotao around, you'll barely get a chance."
His teasing tone broke the tense atmosphere like a pinprick to a balloon.
Ye Guyi and Ma Xiaotao exchanged knowing smiles, their voices gentle: "Yueheng wants to show his father what he can do. We can grant him that little wish."
Their warmth and understanding rippled through the team like spring wind.
Dai Yueheng shot Gongyang Mo an annoyed glare. "If you can't say anything useful, shut it—or don't expect anyone to save you later!"
Gongyang Mo hunched his shoulders, adopting a pitiful expression as he slipped behind Zhou Sicheng, his voice suddenly soft and syrupy: "That's fine. My captain will protect me."
Zhou Sicheng visibly shuddered, goosebumps rising on his arms. "You talk like that again," he said with mock disgust, "and I'll assign you to the girls' dormitory."
"Captain, you hate me too?" Gongyang Mo whimpered, face full of exaggerated sorrow.
"Get lost!" Zhou Sicheng groaned, shaking his head. He ignored him after that—the match was far too close for distractions.
Ye Guyi glanced around, then suddenly asked, "Where's Elder Xuan? It's the finals—shouldn't he at least show up?"
Zhou Sicheng replied calmly, "He's watching from somewhere, I'm sure. Since we're secretly cooperating with Star Luo now, it's fine for him to stay hidden. The less others understand Shrek's full strength, the better."
When the Heavenly Fiend Douluo's announcement concluded, his final syllable fell like a boulder into a still lake, sending ripples of tension through every heart.
The entire plaza seemed to hold its breath.
Tens of thousands of spectators were utterly silent, eyes wide, bodies frozen, as if struck by a binding spell.
Excitement, anxiety, and anticipation filled every gaze. Even before the match began, not a single soul dared to blink, afraid to miss even the smallest movement on the stage.
"The team battle participants—enter the arena!"
The Heavenly Fiend Douluo's voice rolled across the square like thunder, signaling the start of the long-awaited Finals.
From the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, seven figures stepped forward in perfect unison.
At their head was Ma Rulong, tall and commanding, exuding the air of a natural leader who seemed to control the battlefield itself.
Right behind him were the vice-captains of the reserve team—Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
Xiao Hongchen wore his usual confident smile, as though victory were already assured. Meng Hongchen, bright-eyed and lively, alternated her gaze between the arena and Shrek's lineup, her eyes glinting with excitement.
Following them were Mijia, Xiao Xiafeng, Chen Fei, and Lin Xi—four elite Rank 5 Soul Engineers.
Each of them bore solemn expressions, radiating powerful auras like warriors marching to war.
This was the Sun Moon Academy's strongest possible lineup, and their intent was clear—to claim the first round at any cost.
Their synchronized steps and unwavering gazes made it obvious: they would settle for nothing less than victory.
Across from them, seven Shrek Academy members advanced onto the stage under Zhou Sicheng's lead.
Their movements were steady and unified, their green uniforms fluttering lightly in the wind as their steps fell in rhythm with the beating hearts of the crowd.
Zhou Sicheng led at the front, standing straight and proud, his gaze unwavering as he fixed it on the battlefield ahead—as if nothing else in the world existed.
Behind him, his teammates mirrored that same calm focus, faces carved from stone—no anxiety, no fear, no distraction.
Their composure was not indifference—it was the serenity forged through countless battles, the calm of those who knew their own strength and trusted their comrades completely.
Every step they took radiated confidence, discipline, and unity.
Without words, their understanding flowed effortlessly—each glance, each movement conveying intention more clearly than speech.
And so, with the weight of Shrek's glory upon their shoulders, the seven of them stepped onto the stage of destiny—
each footfall echoing the pride of Shrek Academy.
The audience could feel it—this unshakable strength was not merely power, but spirit.
A calm, unbreakable will that could not be measured by soul power alone.
****
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