Sea God Island, Sea God Pavilion Hall, Shrek Academy. Except for Yan Shaozhe, who was in seclusion, and Xuan Zi, who was still injured, all the other elders had gathered here to discuss the sudden incident — and the sudden emergence of the Holy Spirit Cult.
"...That's how it all happened!" Elder Lin finished recounting everything in full detail. Upon hearing it, everyone fell into silence.
After a long moment, Cai Mei'er finally spoke. "An organization with two Ultimate Douluo and over a dozen Title Douluo? How is that even possible? Why have we never heard of this Holy Spirit Cult before?"
"Before the Body Sect stirred up that beast tide, how many in the world even knew about it?" Xian Lin'er replied grimly, though her main concern lay elsewhere. "Elder Lin, are Elder Xuan's injuries truly from a Class 8 soul tool projectile?"
"Yes," Elder Lin nodded solemnly.
"This..." The other elders couldn't help but show horror on their faces. A soul tool capable of injuring a Super Douluo was far too shocking. Every one of them had fought in countless battles and were all experienced Title Douluo. Yet none had ever imagined that the soul tools they once dismissed could possess such terrifying power.
"Heh, surprised, aren't you?" Elder Mu finally spoke. "We've shut ourselves off for too long. It's time for a change. Not long ago, I personally visited the Sun Moon Empire. What I saw there shocked me deeply. Their soul tool technology has advanced far beyond our imagination.
I even saw a type of colossal soul tool that required multiple operators. That device could threaten my life — even decide the outcome of a war. If we continue to indulge in our former glory and refuse to change, Shrek Academy will face destruction before long."
Everyone's expressions shifted from horror to fear. A soul tool that could threaten an Ultimate Douluo's life... If they were to encounter such a thing, wouldn't that mean certain death? The elders now understood Elder Mu's stance, and none had any intention of opposing it.
Humans are like this — only when their own interests are threatened do they truly yield.
Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo looked elated as they turned to Elder Mu with anticipation.
Elder Mu slowly spoke. "Xuan Zi's injuries were a wake-up call. I now declare that over the next five to ten years, we will fully support the development of the Soul Tool Department. Even if we cannot catch up to the Sun Moon Empire, we must at least close the gap!"
"Yes!" Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo responded excitedly, and the other elders all nodded in agreement. They had now recognized the necessity of advancing technology.
Once that first matter was settled, Cai Mei'er asked, "Teacher, what about the Holy Spirit Cult?"
Only then did the other elders recall the looming threat of the Holy Spirit Cult — an organization whose top combat strength rivaled, or even surpassed, Shrek Academy's. That sinister force of evil soul masters had cast a shadow over everyone's hearts.
The Body Sect's appearance had once caused some trouble for Shrek Academy, but the two had never held opposing core interests. This Holy Spirit Cult, however, was different. Even without direct confrontation, every elder could sense it — the Holy Spirit Cult had clearly emerged for the sole purpose of targeting Shrek Academy.
"No need to worry about the Holy Spirit Cult!" Elder Mu's expression changed slightly, but his voice remained calm. "First, I'm still alive. Second, Ziyang is about to rise. You must believe in him!"
At Elder Mu's words, the heavy atmosphere finally lightened, and the elders responded, "Understood!"
"Elder Mu, what about the Soul Master Tournament? Should we select another student from the inner courtyard to join Gongyang Mo and Ling Luocheng to assist Ziyang and Xiaotao?" asked Xian Lin'er.
"No need." Elder Mu answered decisively. "We must believe in Ziyang — and give him the opportunity to grow."
"Alright!" Xian Lin'er nodded and said no more.
"Elder Zhuang, I'll entrust the treatment of those three children to you," Elder Mu added.
"Leave it to me!" Elder Zhuang smiled and agreed at once.
The meeting concluded. The elders departed. Elder Mu lay back in his rocking chair, his eyes distant, a faint trace of nostalgia flashing across his face as he murmured, "Xishui... Is it really you…?"
——
Star Luo City.
Zhu Ziyang and his team finally arrived in Star Luo City a day before the tournament began.
They went straight to the designated hotel for participating teams — the luxurious Star Emperor Hotel, right beside the tournament arena at Star Luo Plaza.
As defending champions and representatives of the continent's number one soul master academy, Shrek Academy's team was given the top-floor suites. Each member had their own bedroom, and they were even provided with a private conference room.
Now, all ten team members and their lead teacher Wang Yan were seated in that very room, holding a pre-tournament strategy meeting. Having arrived just that morning, they hadn't even had time to rest before Wang Yan summoned them for this meeting.
Wang Yan sat at the head of the table. To his left was Ma Xiaotao, whose expression was grim. Due to their rush to get here, she hadn't rested properly, and her injuries had worsened. What would've taken just two or three days to recover now required five or more. Beside her sat Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan. Opposite the three of them were Beibei and the rest of the Reserve team.
"Teacher Wang, today is the last day for registration. What do we do? Will Senior Brother Dai Yueheng and Elder Lin make it in time?" Beibei's face was clouded with worry. Shrek Academy's honor was a heavy burden — far too much for their team, whose strongest members were only Soul Ancestors, to shoulder alone.
"Register as planned!" Wang Yan's face was calm. He waved his hand and said, "I've received news from the academy. Gongyang Mo and Ling Luocheng are recovering well and should join us by the second stage at the latest. As for Dai Yueheng… sigh, let's not mention him."
"But… don't participants have to be present in person for registration?" Tang Ya asked, clearly concerned.
"Xiao Ya, we're Shrek Academy — we have special privileges!" Jiang Nannan answered proudly. "As the reigning champions, we're allowed to add substitute members mid-tournament!"
"Substitutes during the tournament?!" The Reserve team looked shocked. That rule was clearly unfair to the other academies. Didn't anyone object?
"That's right!" Ma Xiaotao chimed in. "But it's a one-time privilege — we can only add three members, or it would be too unjust to the others."
"Alright, we'll complete registration this afternoon," Wang Yan said. "Now let me explain the rules. This year's tournament features 133 participating academies and is divided into three stages.
The first stage is the Reserve round — a seven-versus-seven team battle. Opponents are randomly drawn. Win and you advance. Lose and you're out. Only one match — and at least four of you must participate. Be mentally prepared.
The second stage is the formal tournament. It's based on points and will randomly include single eliminations, two-two-three team fights, and full team battles. We'll go over those rules later. The third stage is the finals — also to be explained later.
Tomorrow is the tournament's opening ceremony. As reigning champions, we have the honor of playing the first match. Get a good rest tonight. I want you in peak condition for tomorrow!"
"Rest well tonight? Ha!" Tang Ya let out a bitter laugh. "Teacher Wang, that's easy for you to say. With all this pressure, how could anyone sleep?"
Wang Yan's words had clearly weighed on the Reserve members. Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao still felt alright, since only four had to participate, and the chances of them being chosen were slim — perhaps just Wang Dong. The real pressure was on Beibei, Tang Ya, Jiang Nannan, and He Caitou. There was no escaping it for them.
"Xiao Ya, show some fighting spirit! With me and Brother here, what are you afraid of?" Jiang Nannan smiled, trying to cheer her up.
"Right! I forgot you two are fighting too!" Tang Ya perked up and said, "Perfect! The three of us can fight side by side again. Let's bring back the glory of our freshman tournament victory!"
"Sister Tang Ya, we three are the real freshman champion team!" Wang Dong quipped playfully.
"Shush, I meant our generation!" Tang Ya laughed, feigning anger.
Thanks to their banter, the heavy mood in the room lightened significantly.
At the same time, in a neighboring room on the same floor — also occupied by a champion contender — was the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, the infamous second-place finisher. They were also holding a pre-match meeting.
Unlike Shrek's small group, the Sun Moon team was fully assembled. Two leading teachers sat at the head, and fourteen students were neatly arranged on either side. The atmosphere was tense.
One of the lead teachers frowned deeply. "According to our observations, Shrek Academy only brought ten people this time. One of them looks around twenty, but the rest are clearly much younger.
Our agents embedded in the Star Luo Empire have confirmed the participant list. Only one is nineteen; the rest are all under fifteen.
That means Shrek didn't even send seven official team members this time. From last tournament's backup team, only one came. The other nine are all new faces.
Do you know what that means?"
Before the students could react, their other lead teacher — and the main person in charge — Elder Ma, slammed the table and roared, "It means insult — blatant insult to our Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy! They think they can crush us with just a backup team.
This is a slap in the face! You hear me? A direct slap! Registration ends today. This is the team they expect to beat us with! Ma Rulong!"
Ma Rulong, the captain of the Sun Moon official team and Elder Ma's grandson, immediately stood and shouted, "Here!"
"If you lose to this Shrek lineup, you'll be stripped of your title and kicked out of Mingde Hall!"
"Yes!" Ma Rulong replied crisply, filled with killing intent.
"Elder Ma, please don't get so worked up! I think it's not that simple." Across from Ma Rulong sat a beautiful youth under fifteen. His fingers were long and white like jade — even most girls couldn't compare. His name was Xiao Hongchen, the greatest prodigy in the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy's history.
Elder Ma frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"
Xiao Hongchen studied his own fingers like they were rare treasures and replied nonchalantly, "Shrek Academy isn't stupid. Surely they know that relying on one official team member won't work. I have full confidence in Brother Rulong. My guess is — something must have happened to their main team. Shrek always takes us seriously. They wouldn't be careless."
Elder Ma's face flushed slightly. He knew this was the most plausible explanation. His earlier speech had just been to boost morale.
"That would be best. Xiao Hongchen, focus your attention on those under-fifteen Shrek members. They're your true opponents for the next tournament."
Xiao Hongchen finally looked up, revealing a dazzling smile — breathtaking, really. "Elder Ma, my only opponent is myself."
Across the table, Ma Rulong's face darkened. "Xiao Hongchen, cut it out."
Xiao Hongchen grinned. "Brother Rulong, I'm being honest! Do your best, okay? Don't lose to this kind of Shrek team. Tsk tsk. What a pity — the Sun Moon Empire's first victory over Shrek might end up belonging to you. What a waste… such a waste."
"You—!" Killing intent surged in Ma Rulong's eyes.
Elder Ma glared at him and barked, "Sit down! Now then, let's discuss our first-round deployment."
Though only the backup captain, Xiao Hongchen's grandfather was the head of Mingde Hall, a figure of enormous authority in the Sun Moon Empire. Even Elder Ma, Ma Rulong, and the other lead teacher treated him with caution.
And while Xiao Hongchen always wore a smile on his face, the arrogant pride deep in his bones was impossible to hide.
(End of Chapter)
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