Shrek Academy's clean and decisive victory, particularly Tang San's eye-catching ten-thousand year fourth Soul Ring, caused quite a stir among the various competing teams. After the day's matches concluded, the members of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy team gathered in their exclusive lounge, the atmosphere somewhat heavy.
Marco looked around at everyone and spoke calmly, "Everyone saw today's match. Shrek Academy is truly remarkable."
Yu Tianheng nodded, his voice grave, "Four Soul Ancestors, and that control-type Tang San actually has a ten-thousand year fourth ring. This team's strength far exceeds our previous estimates."
Dugu Yan frowned slightly, "Their Soul Power advancement speed is too fast. Just over a year ago when we fought them in Suotuo City, most of them were only Great Spirit Masters. Now they're all Soul Ancestors? This cultivation speed is simply unbelievable."
Osler scratched his head, looking puzzled, "Yeah, even with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's resource support, this advancement speed is too exaggerated. Could they have encountered some special opportunity? Like consuming Immortal Herbs or something?"Shimo and Shimo exchanged a simple, honest look between brothers, with Shimo speaking up, 'Their coordination is very harmonious.'"
Ye Lingling said softly, "That Tang San's control is very precise."
Li Qiuyao blinked her big eyes, listening to the discussion with partial understanding.
Lu Zhou held his long sword "Night," his cold, stern face expressionless, but his sharp gaze showed he was clearly deep in thought.
As Marco listened to everyone's discussion, he thought to himself: "With the Marrow Cleansing Pearl plus the assistance of that half pool of Ten-Thousand Year Stone Stalactite, it would be difficult not to improve quickly. But still, although their Soul Power has increased, it ultimately doesn't have the transformative effect like in the original work." He understood that the reason the Shrek Seven Devils could advance so rapidly was largely due to the world "compensating" them with opportunities after he took the Immortal Herbs from the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire. Although the effect might not be as heaven-defying as the original Immortal Herbs, it was enough to rapidly increase their Soul Power.
However, he didn't plan to reveal this point, merely saying indifferently, "Every team has their own opportunities and cultivation methods. There's no need to investigate too deeply. What's important is that we clearly recognize our opponents' strength."
He paused before continuing, "According to the tournament rules, as the host and last tournament's top four team, our Heavenly Dou Royal Academy has the privilege of directly advancing to the finals, without needing to participate in the preliminary and advancement rounds."
Everyone showed surprised expressions upon hearing this. Osler said excitedly, "Boss, you mean we can just waltz into the finals?"
Marco shook his head, "Not waltz into the finals, but we have more sufficient time to prepare. The preliminary and advancement rounds will last over a month. During this period, we don't need to expend our energy on these matches."
His gaze swept over everyone, his tone serious, "Therefore, I've decided that starting tomorrow, you don't need to come to watch the matches anymore."
"Ah? We're not watching the matches?" Ye Lingling asked in surprise.
"Then what will we do?" Li Qiuyao also looked at Marco curiously.
Marco explained, "You need to use this time for special training. I'll create specialized training plans for each of you, targeting your weaknesses for improvement. At the same time, we need to enhance our team coordination and tacit understanding."
"Special training?" A fighting glint flashed in Yu Tianheng's eyes.
"Strengthening our weaknesses?" Dugu Yan seemed thoughtful.
Marco nodded. "Yes. Although we've directly advanced to the finals, our opponents there will be much stronger. The Golden Generation from Spirit Hall, the powerful teams from the Star Luo Empire, and dark horses like Shrek Academy - none of them will be easy to deal with."
He emphasized particularly: "Especially Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. They're said to all possess Soul King level strength, making them our strongest opponents in the finals."
At this moment, Osler seemed to remember something. "By the way, boss, I just saw the match schedule. Your next opponent has been confirmed - it's the Elephant Armor Academy."
Upon hearing this, Yu Tianheng curled his lips disdainfully. "The Elephant Armor Sect? Just Spirit Hall's lackeys."
His words immediately created an awkward atmosphere in the lounge. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had been suppressed by Spirit Hall in recent years, and as a direct descendant of the clan, Yu Tianheng naturally held no fondness for sects like the Elephant Armor Sect that attached themselves to Spirit Hall.
Dugu Yan gently nudged Yu Tianheng's arm, signaling him to watch his words. The Shímò and Shímó brothers remained silent. Osler coughed awkwardly. Ye Lingling and Li Qiuyao exchanged glances.
Marco glanced calmly at Yu Tianheng but didn't comment on his statement. Instead, he objectively analyzed: "The Elephant Armor Academy's Diamond Mammoth Spirit is indeed renowned for its strength and defense. Their team members average over three hundred pounds in weight with extremely strong defenses. However..."
He said lightly: "They're not worthy to be my opponents."
Marco smiled. "The quality of young participants in this year's tournament is quite high across all teams. The Elephant Armor Academy might not even qualify."
He looked at everyone seriously. "Our true formidable enemies remain Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. They are the opponents we need to give our all against in the finals."
Osler couldn't help but ask again: "Boss, do you think those three from Shrek Academy who didn't compete might also be Soul Ancestors?"
Ye Lingling speculated: "That food system Oscar and Ning Rongrong from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School might not be, but that Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Hongjun is likely already a Soul Ancestor."
Li Qiuyao tilted her head. "Why do you say that?"
Ye Lingling explained: "Because the Evil Fire Phoenix is a top-tier Beast Spirit with inherently fast cultivation speed. Moreover, Ma Hongjun's Martial Soul has defects. If the evil fire problem is resolved, his cultivation speed would be even faster."
Marco thought to himself: "Not just Soul Ancestor - according to the 'plot,' Ma Hongjun should already be a Soul Ancestor too. But without the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, his evil fire problem probably isn't completely resolved, and his Martial Soul quality might not match the original." But he didn't voice this, only saying calmly: "Whatever level they are, we need to be prepared to face them."
He stood up and concluded: "Starting tomorrow, I'll create special training plans for each of you. We'll train at the academy during the day and can watch video analysis of important matches at night. We need to use this month-plus to take our strength to the next level."
Everyone nodded, their eyes shining with fighting spirit.
Yu Tianheng took a deep breath. "Brother Marco is right. We can't slack off just because we directly qualified. Our opponents in the finals will only get stronger one after another."
Dugu Yan also nodded: "Especially the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation - I hear they all possess Soul King level strength."
Osler rubbed his hands eagerly: "Special training it is! I want to double my speed!"
The Shi Mo and Shi Mo brothers smiled honestly, clenching their fists to show they would work hard too.
Ye Lingling and Li Qiuyao nodded seriously, indicating they would give their all.
Lu Zhou said coldly: "My blade needs stronger opponents to sharpen it."
Marco looked at the highly motivated group and nodded with satisfaction: "Good, it's settled then. Everyone rest well today. Starting tomorrow, we enter special training mode."
He paused before adding: "Although we're not participating in the preliminary matches, I'll closely monitor all teams' performances, especially Shrek Academy and Spirit Hall's teams. I'll analyze their tactical characteristics and weaknesses in detail to prepare for the finals."
When everyone left the rest area, their moods were both relaxed and heavy. They felt relaxed because they didn't need to participate in the long and exhausting preliminary and advancement matches, but heavy because their opponents in the finals were truly powerful, and they had to use this time to improve themselves with all their might.
Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan walked side by side, quietly discussing how to deal with the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
Osler pestered Lu Zhou, asking him how to improve attack penetration.
Ye Lingling and Li Qiuyao walked hand in hand, discussing the tactical positioning of support-type Soul Masters within the team.
The Shi Mo brothers walked in silence, but their eyes were firm, clearly also contemplating how to enhance their defensive capabilities.
Marco walked at the rear, watching his teammates' backs with complex thoughts. Direct advancement to the finals was both an advantage and a challenge. The advantage lay in having more preparation time, while the challenge was the lack of practical combat experience. He had to design effective training programs to ensure the team reached peak condition for the finals.
At the same time, he needed to closely monitor Shrek Academy's movements. Tang San's growth speed seemed even faster than anticipated. A ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring - this already exceeded the limits of normal Soul Masters. This world's "compensation" for the "Child of Destiny" - Tang San had actually succeeded even without the assistance of the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire.
"Still, this makes it more interesting." A faint curve appeared at the corner of Marco's mouth.
He looked toward the direction of Shrek Academy's rest area in the distance, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes. He was curious - just how far could this Tang San, who had lost the opportunity with the Immortal Herbs, grow in this "corrected" world?
And what kind of spectacle would their eventual confrontation become?
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