Chapter 363: Cai Mei'er – The Advantage Is Ours
The Holy Spirit Cult had long been integrating evil soul master techniques into their soul tools. Being based in the Sun Moon Empire, they were deeply influenced by soul tool culture, and the number of soul engineers within the cult was quite significant there were even multiple Rank 9 soul engineers.
In terms of soul tool advancements, the three great empires and Shrek Academy combined couldn't compare to the Holy Spirit Cult.
However, these hybrid soul tools varied in quality. For example, Ye Xishui's Death God Tower was the absolute pinnacle of the Holy Spirit Cult's craftsmanship. Ye Xishui herself was the number one soul engineer within the Cult. Any soul tool crafted by her would undoubtedly provide tremendous support to the Holy Spirit Sect battle team.
The so called Holy Spirit Sect was nothing more than a front a cover created by the Holy Spirit Cult to compete in the tournament.
Strictly speaking, the Holy Spirit Cult wasn't an academy or even a sect, but rather a religious organization that worshiped the Holy Emperor.
If it weren't for the need to adhere to the tournament's surface rules and maintain appearances for Xu Tianran, the Holy Spirit Cult wouldn't have even bothered with this facade.
Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy Waiting Area
Huo Yuhao sat in a chair, gazing at the distant competition stage, waiting for the match to begin.
Surrounding him were the team members of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, their expressions relaxed and carefree.
Today marked the start of the quarterfinals, and according to the lottery draw, their opponent was none other than Shrek Academy their previously defeated adversary.
During the round robin stage, the 32 teams had been divided into four groups, with two teams from each advancing.
Although Shrek Academy was no match for Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, it easily dominated the other teams in its group.
If we can't beat the Sun Moon team, we'll just crush everyone else.
Thus, after steamrolling the weaker academies, both Shrek Academy and Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy advanced to the quarterfinals together.
But in Huo Yuhao's eyes, this was where Shrek Academy's journey would end.
With their current strength, Shrek Academy had no chance of winning.
The Sun Moon team members shared his sentiment none of them felt the slightest bit nervous.
Perhaps the Shrek Academy of the past had been a worthy opponent, but the Shrek team of today wasn't even worth their attention.
With Huo Yuhao here, there was no way Shrek Academy could win.
Shrek Academy Waiting Area
Inside the soundproof soul barrier, Cai Mei'er gazed at her uneasy students and spoke slowly.
"Right now, we are at the most dangerous moment in Shrek Academy's history.
"In the round robin stage, conceding to Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy was understandable we still had a way forward.
"But if we lose here in the quarterfinals, then our Shrek team will have no way forward."
Xu Sanshi sighed helplessly. "Dean Cai, I think there's still a path forward.
"After all, Tang Sect's battle team is entirely composed of Shrek Academy students.
"As long as they win the championship, Shrek Academy's glory will still be preserved we'd just be sharing some of the prestige with Tang Sect."
In Xu Sanshi's opinion, Shrek Academy's team had no chance of winning in the individual elimination round against Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
As far as he was concerned, Sun Moon Academy only needed to send out Huo Yuhao, and he would single handedly crush every Shrek student, securing an easy victory.
"Exactly, Dean Cai. Huo Yuhao is too strong there's no way we can defeat him."
"If Huo Yuhao didn't compete, I'd have confidence in Shrek Academy winning. But we all know he won't sit this out."
The other team members shared Xu Sanshi's views.
After all, based on their previous match against Sun Moon Academy, it was clear that they couldn't defeat Huo Yuhao in the individual elimination stage.
That meant they wouldn't even make it to the team battle.
Cai Mei'er's expression turned serious as she glanced at her students.
"I don't understand why everyone here is so fixated on Huo Yuhao's strength acting as if Shrek Academy is already doomed.
"Many years ago, I left Shrek City and began my journey as a Shrek student.
"Time has passed, and Shrek Academy's thousand year glory remains unshaken.
"In my memories, whenever Shrek's battle team took the field, victory was inevitable.
"That unstoppable, invincible spirit remains clear in my mind.
"And yet, just five years later, all of you have become so pessimistic as if Huo Yuhao has become your nightmare!
"No matter what happens, as long as we reach the team battle, the advantage is ours!"
Xu Sanshi sighed in frustration. "Dean Cai, we all know that Shrek excels in team battles.
"But we won't even get the chance.
"We need to win at least three matches in the individual elimination stage to force a team battle.
"But the problem is if Huo Yuhao steps onto the stage, we won't even win once."
Cai Mei'er's expression suddenly turned confident.
"I can solve that problem by negotiating with Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
"After all, everything is negotiable.
"If necessary, we can offer soul bones as compensation and convince them to skip the individual matches and go straight to the team battle.
"The Sun Moon Empire lacks soul beasts, and by extension, high quality soul bones.
"Meanwhile, Shrek Academy is rich in soul bones, having accumulated thousands of years of wealth."
Xu Sanshi was stunned.
After a moment of thought, he realized this could work.
"Dean Cai, that's brilliant!"
Negotiations with Huo Yuhao
Cai Mei'er arrived at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy's waiting area and found Huo Yuhao.
She got straight to the point.
"Huo Yuhao, I want to propose a deal.
"I hope you and Shrek Academy can skip the individual elimination stage and go directly into the team battle.
"We'll determine the winner through the team match."
"As compensation, I'm willing to offer soul bones.
"The number and quality of the soul bones can be negotiated."
Huo Yuhao blinked, glancing at Cai Mei'er with mild amusement.
Does she actually think that just by entering a team battle, Shrek Academy will have a chance to win?
To be honest, he didn't really need Shrek Academy's soul bones.
After all, at best, they could only offer ten thousand year soul bones, which weren't particularly valuable to him.
However, these soul bones could still be useful.
He could reward members of Spirit Pagoda for their contributions, or gift them to those close to him.
"You want to negotiate?" Huo Yuhao chuckled and laid out his terms.
"Dean Cai, I require ten ten thousand year soul bones and one hundred thousand year soul bone.
"After all, by agreeing to this, I'm turning a guaranteed victory into an uncertain battle that puts a lot of pressure on me, don't you think?"
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