"Shrek Academy wins."
As Cheng Gang's announcement echoed across the arena, the crowd erupted into another wave of deafening cheers. Only after offering words of encouragement to the Qianling team did Chen Junting and his six teammates descend from the dueling platform one by one.
For a moment, Shen Ce and his six comrades stood in silence, exchanging uncertain glances.
Was that it? Just encouragement—no actual advice?
Had their treatment been so inferior compared to that of Yun Luo Academy?
Sighing inwardly, they could only compose themselves and move on.
Fortunately, in the round-robin stage, a single loss didn't eliminate a team. But what Qianling hadn't expected was that their next opponent was one even Shrek Academy would treat with utmost caution—one that would force them to field three Inner Academy students.
Back in the rest area, Xu Sanshi was the first to voice his frustration. "I had zero sense of participation in that match!"
"Even Bei Bei got to act as a battery in that fight. But me? I summoned my martial soul and just stood there like a statue the whole time. Sure, they said I was 'protecting Senior Ning Tian'—but with Junting standing right in front of her, did I really need to be there?"
His words carried a clear, pointed implication.
Xi Xi narrowed her eyes slightly, smiling in a way that was sweet—but deadly. "So, Xiao Xu… are you saying my appearance stole your spotlight?"
Sensing the killing intent, Xu Sanshi instantly broke into an awkward grin. "Of course not! I'm just mad at whoever made the lineup!"
Seeing how utterly spineless he was, Chen Junting couldn't help but roll his eyes in exasperation. "Senior Xi Xi finally gets to fight after waiting so long—don't tell me you begrudge her this chance to enjoy herself?"
But that only deepened Xu Sanshi's despair.
"The problem is, I've been on the roster so many times and haven't thrown a single punch! Doesn't that make me the real victim here?"
"Uh…"
Now it was Chen Junting's turn to fall silent.
Because… well, that was actually true.
He sighed, and reluctantly gave Xu Sanshi a promise: "Fine. No matter what, I'll make sure you get a chance to fight in the next match."
—
The next day, the second round of the round-robin concluded amid intense battles between academies.
Meanwhile, the Shrek team enjoyed a comfortable two-day rest. On the evening before the third round began, Wang Yan gathered them in the meeting room as usual—to analyze their next opponent and finalize their strategy.
And that opponent?
Zhengtian Senior Soul Master Academy—the very team that had reached the quarterfinals last year, only to be defeated by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy in the semifinal race. Their strength was unquestionably formidable.
Zhengtian Senior Soul Master Academy?
At the mention of the name, Chen Junting suddenly remembered something.
Yu Mengdi—she was competing for Zhengtian this year. Back in their days at Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the three of them—Chen Junting, Ning Tian, and Yu Mengdi—had gotten along well enough. But after her Angel martial soul failed to purify the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife years ago, they'd lost contact.
She'd even declined the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's invitation afterward—reportedly because of complications tied to her Angel martial soul.
As if reading his thoughts, Wang Yan immediately brought it up.
"Angel martial soul?"
Several members of the Shrek team exchanged glances, puzzled.
In their understanding, the Angel martial soul should have vanished entirely ten thousand years ago along with the fall of the Spirit Emperor Empire.
But Wang Yan quickly clarified: "What disappeared back then was specifically the Six-Winged Angel, also known as the Seraphim martial soul. The general Angel martial soul traces its roots to the Angel Legions of the Spirit Emperor Empire. While exceedingly rare today, descendants of those legions still exist—and they carry Angel martial souls."
"One of them is Yu Mengdi of Zhengtian Academy," he said gravely, his tone urging caution. "Though her current form is a Two-Winged Angel, her power rivals that of a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Master of the same age. And as her cultivation advances—two wings become four upon reaching Soul Sage, and six upon achieving Title Douluo. Each additional pair signifies an evolution of the martial soul itself. Ten thousand years ago, the Six-Winged Angel was a Divine Bestowed martial soul."
The team's expressions turned serious at once.
But only Chen Junting knew the deeper truth: this modern Six-Winged Angel was not the same as the ancient one. With the Angel God's divine throne shattered, the lineage had lost its divinity—now ranking merely as the highest tier of Super martial souls, not true divine-class.
Still, Zhengtian Academy was undeniably formidable.
Especially their captain—the genius said to appear only once in a thousand years, even stronger than Yu Mengdi herself.
Because of this, Wang Yan had decided: besides Xi Xi, all three of the Inner Academy trio—Chen Zifeng, Gongyang Mo, and Ling Luocheng—would take the field. Among the Outer Academy students, Chen Junting was a guaranteed pick due to his strength, while the remaining slots went to Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and Huo Yuhao—the latter, despite being only a Soul Grandmaster.
"Huh? Me?"
Huo Yuhao pointed at himself in shock. "But the other side is full of Soul Kings and Soul Ancestors! Shouldn't it be Senior He or Senior Bei Bei instead?"
"Precisely you," Wang Yan smiled, explaining patiently.
"In team battles or the 2-2-3 format, you'll partner with Ling Luocheng. Together, your combined control and ice-element synergy will mimic a peak-tier ice-attribute Control-type Soul King. And if it's a one-on-one duel? I believe it will be an excellent chance for your growth."
"Yes, sir!"
Huo Yuhao snapped to attention, striking a comically earnest pose.
His over-seriousness drew laughter from the group.
Ling Luocheng walked over and, with a rare smile on her usually icy face, said gently, "Junior brother, I'll be counting on you."
Wang Dong, watching from the side, scowled.
He nudged Huo Yuhao with his shoulder—then, as Huo Yuhao turned to him in confusion, quickly looked away.
After that, Wang Yan detailed the rest of Zhengtian's lineup—especially highlighting Tang Xiaolei, another Soul King, and his martial soul: the Purpleflower Bow.
When Wang Yan mentioned that Tang Xiaolei's arrows were formed from his soul rings—only five in total, yet devastatingly powerful—Chen Junting's mind immediately flashed to the divine weapon Heavenly Judgment… and a certain memory.
Arms crossed, he couldn't help but tease, "If it's the 2-2-3 format, I'd love to see whether the Purpleflower Bow can pierce through Senior Xu and Senior Jiang's defenses."
"No way!" Xu Sanshi thumped his chest, puffing out with theatrical confidence. "Whether it's 2-2-3 or team battle—I'll catch all five of his arrows myself! I'll render that fancy bow completely useless!"
His exaggerated bravado sent the group into laughter.
With that, the strategy meeting against Zhengtian Academy concluded.
All that remained now was to rest, recover, and prepare.
—
The next morning, the third round of the round-robin was about to begin.
When the other academies learned that Shrek would face Zhengtian, anticipation surged through the stands.
They knew Zhengtian's strength well.
Now, they hoped this last year's quarterfinalist—with three Soul Kings on its roster—would force Shrek to reveal even more of its Inner Academy talents… giving them valuable intelligence.
Meanwhile, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy watched the dueling platform with grim focus.
In the previous round, Shrek's Inner Academy students had begun using soul guidance devices—a deeply unsettling sign.
Now, they were desperate to learn more.
Was this just an isolated case?
Or had Shrek Academy's entire philosophy truly shifted?
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