"Bye round: Gu You's team."
With seventeen teams in total, a bye was inevitable.
Even though it was just a class competition, sparks quickly began to fly. Every match was intense and brilliant, each one showcasing different highlights.
Once the matches truly began, some students realized that the woman seated at the edge of the stage—the Holy Spirit Douluo—was actually the judge for today's match.
Whenever a match had a clear winner or someone was in danger of serious injury, she would intervene—remotely.
Soft rays of light would descend at just the right time to heal the injured.
Yali's healing abilities were astonishing. As long as her light touched a person, their injuries would be fully restored.
The first round had eight matches and took over an hour to complete. Luo Guixing, Wu Siduo, and their five-person team easily advanced. Or rather, their opponents forfeited without a fight. It wasn't technically a bye, but it was no different in practice.
Second round draw: this time, Luo Guixing's team got the bye.
No one dared face Gu You's team. They hadn't forgotten the trauma of their crushing defeat in the virtual world last time. And so, their opponents forfeited as well.
The second round lasted only half as long as the first. From nine teams, five advanced to the third round.
"We forfeit."
"So do we."
"Forfeit!"
Before the third round even began, the other three teams who had made it to the top five declared their surrender one after another.
There was no suspense in this match.
One team had a monster named Gu You, and five members ranked on the Junior Genius List. There was no chance of winning.
Even Yali, seated calmly, raised her head with a curious glint in her eyes as she looked at the two remaining teams. How could she not sense the shift in atmosphere?
"Very well. Since that's the case, let the final selection match begin." Wu Zhangkong announced with a calm voice.
"For the sake of fairness, Gu You's cultivation will be sealed at three soul rings." Shen Yi glanced at Gu You.
Gu You had no objections. Only by winning like this would these people understand who the true prodigy was!
A seven-versus-seven format.
Fourteen students stepped onto the platform one after the other.
Gu You stood at the front of his team. Opposite him was the towering figure of Yang Nianxia. When Yang Nianxia looked up and met Gu You's gaze, he suddenly shivered.
The moment he looked into Gu You's eyes, he felt an overwhelming pressure slam into his soul.
That was the gaze of absolute confidence. Even though Gu You's cultivation had been suppressed to three rings—on par with them—he still dared to stand proud before five ranked geniuses. Where did that kind of confidence come from?
Not just Yang Nianxia. The other four Junior Genius List members were also stunned.
They didn't understand how someone at the same level as them could carry such unquestionable dominance.
They had done a great deal of research on their opponents. Aside from Gu You—who was practically a mystery—the others they had at least some information on.
"Both sides prepare. Five-second countdown." Wu Zhangkong's cold voice rang out, snapping the seven opposing students back into focus.
'So what if he's confident?' They thought. 'In the face of absolute strength, confidence is meaningless.'
'With your cultivation sealed, what chance do you have against us?'
Not to mention Wu Siduo. At just thirteen, she had already entered the top ten of the Junior Genius List—an almost unheard-of feat. Four soul rings, twin martial souls. Even within Shrek Academy, she was a shining star destined for the Inner Court.
"Five, four, three, two, one!"
The countdown finished. Everyone moved at once. Purple-gold soul rings rose beneath Gu You's feet—three of them.
'That color?' Gasps echoed across the arena. It was the first time anyone had seen such a soul ring hue.
Behind Gu You, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Xu Lizhi, Xu Xiaoyan, Tang Wulin, and Ye Xinglan all released their martial souls, soul rings gleaming brilliantly.
Spectators noticed that Xu Xiaoyan even had a ten-thousand-year soul ring.
The crowd buzzed with shock and debate.
Across the field, the opposing team also released their soul rings. Strangely, they didn't seem surprised by Gu You's.
But when Wu Siduo and Xu Yucheng revealed their four rings, even Yali raised an eyebrow slightly. Four rings at their age might not seem much to her—but at thirteen, it was absolutely remarkable.
"Begin!" Wu Zhangkong shouted, officially kicking off the match to determine Class One's strongest team.
Yang Nianxia abandoned his usual sly tactics and roared up at the sky. His Darkgold Bear martial soul burst to life as his body swelled to over two meters tall, covered in dark-gold fur. He stomped forward, charging directly at Gu You.
Luo Guixing flickered behind Yang Nianxia, concealed by his bulk. Wu Siduo, however, darted from the side like a lightning bolt, bypassing Gu You to aim directly at Xu Xiaoyan in the rear. Her speed was terrifying.
'Strength match, is it?'
Dragon scales shimmered over Gu You's body as his left dragon claw suddenly grew in size.
The Rending trait activated.
Bang!
Darkgold Bear's fist clashed with Gu You's left dragon claw, sending shockwaves across the arena. Many spectators involuntarily trembled.
"Ahh!" Yang Nianxia was the first to scream. It felt like countless rats were gnawing at his hands—agonizing beyond belief. He collapsed, rolling in pain.
Luo Guixing, caught off guard, was crushed under Yang Nianxia's massive body, squashed flat and groaning.
"You! Get off me!" Luo Guixing barked furiously, activating his second soul ring.
In an instant, he vanished from beneath Yang Nianxia.
'Useless teammate!!'
Luo Guixing cursed him in his heart.
Meanwhile, Zheng Yiran's body glowed with a pale green light. Her speed wasn't high, but wherever she passed, layers of green mist rose from the ground—thick and cloying, spreading forward.
Xu Yucheng moved nearly as fast as Wu Siduo, circling from another angle to form a two-pronged assault.
Wu Siduo was a power/agility dual-type Battle Soul Master. Xu Yucheng was a pure agility-type. He was only slightly slower than her.
Yuetian's body gleamed with golden scales, and soul rings hovered steadily at his side...
(End of Chapter)
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