The roar of the stadium had not faded since the ceremony ended.
If anything, it had grown louder.
The moment the last of the registration results disappeared from the projection screens above the arena, a new wave of excitement swept through the massive stands.
Spectators leaned forward.
Academy instructors exchanged quiet observations.
Competitors across the arena floor shifted their stance slightly, their attention turning toward the center platform.
Because now—
The tournament itself was about to begin.
Above the battlefield, one of the floating broadcast platforms slowly descended once again. The projection arrays surrounding it lit up in a soft cascade of light, illuminating the announcer standing at its center.
His voice echoed across the entire stadium.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
The crowd responded immediately.
The energy inside the arena had already reached a fever pitch.
"Now that all participating competitors have been verified…"
"Allow me to explain the rules of this year's Continental Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament."
Several massive projection screens materialized above the arena floor.
Diagrams appeared across them.
The announcer gestured toward the displays.
"As in previous tournaments, the competition will proceed through elimination rounds."
"A single defeat means elimination from the tournament."
The crowd murmured in excitement.
Simple.
Brutal.
Effective.
But the announcer raised one finger.
"However…"
"This year's tournament will feature three possible combat formats."
The projection screens shifted again.
Three symbols appeared.
TEAM BATTLE
A diagram of seven figures appeared on each side of the screen.
"Seven versus seven."
"Both teams enter the arena simultaneously."
"The battle ends when one team is unable to continue."
A cheer rose from one section of the stadium.
Team battles had always been popular.
Large.
Chaotic.
Spectacular.
The diagram changed again.
INDIVIDUAL ELIMINATION
Two figures appeared on opposite sides of the screen.
"In this format, competitors fight one-on-one."
"When one fighter loses, the next member of their team enters the arena."
"Victory is achieved by eliminating the entire opposing team."
More murmurs spread through the crowd.
This format favored endurance.
And strong individual fighters.
Finally—
The third diagram appeared.
COORDINATION BATTLE
Four smaller match symbols appeared beneath the title.
1v1
2v2
3v3
7v7
Or
7v7
3v3
2v2
1v1
"In this format, teams must demonstrate coordination and tactical flexibility."
"The order of battles will be determined randomly."
"Victory requires winning at least two of the three matches."
This time the reaction from the audience was even louder.
Because this format often produced the most unpredictable results.
A single miscalculation could cost an entire match.
The announcer lowered his hand.
"Before each confrontation, the combat format will be determined randomly."
"The competing teams must adapt accordingly."
Across the arena floor, several competitors exchanged thoughtful looks.
This meant no team could rely on a single strategy.
Versatility would be critical.
Inside the Sun Moon Academy formation area, Wu Feng cracked her knuckles.
"So basically…"
She grinned.
"…fight and don't lose."
Xu Tianzhen rolled her eyes.
"That's every tournament."
Xiao Hongchen glanced up from his projection device.
"Coordination battles will appear frequently in the early rounds."
Meng Hongchen tilted her head.
"Why?"
"To accelerate eliminations."
He tapped the device once.
"With only one fighter participating per match in most teams, the tournament would take too long otherwise."
Ning Tian nodded slightly.
"That makes sense."
Nearby, Ye Guyi listened quietly.
Her gaze moved briefly toward Lin Huang.
He hadn't spoken since the rules began.
The mask hid his expression, but his posture remained relaxed.
Almost indifferent.
As if the format of the tournament made little difference to him.
Across the arena, members of the Shrek delegation watched the rule explanation as well.
Wu Ming stretched her arms.
"Coordination battles again."
Ling Luochen nodded calmly.
"They want faster matches."
Chen Zifeng folded his arms.
"With so many academies participating, they have no choice."
Yao Haoxuan leaned forward slightly.
"Which format do you think we'll get first?"
Han Ruoruo remained silent.
Her gaze had drifted toward the Sun Moon Academy formation.
Specifically—
Toward the masked figure standing calmly at its center.
"…It doesn't matter."
Wu Ming looked at her.
"What doesn't?"
Han Ruoruo answered quietly.
"That team."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"They're not worried about the format."
Ling Luochen followed her gaze.
"…No."
"They're not."
Back above the arena floor, the announcer raised his hand once more.
"And now—"
"The tournament begins!"
The projection screens changed again.
A large spinning emblem appeared above the battlefield.
The random selection array.
The crowd leaned forward collectively.
Because the very first confrontation of the tournament—
Was about to be decided.
The emblem slowed.
Then stopped.
Two academy names appeared across the massive screens.
The stadium erupted in cheers.
The first battle—
Was about to begin.
The projection arrays above the arena shifted.
The spinning emblem dissolved into two glowing names suspended in the air for the entire stadium to see.
THOUSAND SPIRITS ACADEMY
versus
IRON PEAK SOUL MASTER ACADEMY
A ripple of anticipation moved through the audience.
Several spectators immediately began discussing the matchup.
"Iron Peak has strong defensive techniques."
"But Thousand Spirits is famous for battlefield formations."
"Let's see how they perform."
Above the arena floor, the announcer lifted his hand again.
"For the first confrontation of the tournament…"
The formation array spun once more.
The three combat formats appeared briefly.
Then the system locked into place.
COORDINATION BATTLE
A louder reaction followed.
Coordination battles were always interesting to watch.
The announcer continued.
"The order of matches will now be determined."
The display flickered again.
Four symbols appeared across the projection screen.
1 vs 1
2 vs 2
3 vs 3
7 vs 7
The first battle had been decided.
Two fighters from each academy.
On the Thousand Spirits side of the arena, the team captain stepped forward.
Shen Ce.
At sixteen years old, he was slightly older than many of the competitors present in the tournament, but his calm posture gave him an air of quiet authority.
He rested the long spear across his shoulder as he looked toward his team.
"You and me."
He pointed briefly toward one of the other members.
A tall boy with short hair stepped forward immediately.
No hesitation.
No questions.
The discipline of their academy showed clearly in that simple movement.
On the opposite side of the arena, Iron Peak Academy sent forward two fighters as well.
Both were heavily built.
Their uniforms carried the emblem of a stone mountain.
One of them slammed his fists together confidently.
"Looks like we're starting the tournament."
His partner grinned.
"Good."
"Let's give the crowd something to watch."
The four competitors stepped onto the central battlefield.
The arena formation pulsed once as the boundary barrier activated around the combat zone.
A transparent dome of energy rose slowly from the ground, sealing the arena space.
Above them, the projection screens shifted again.
The announcer's voice echoed through the stadium.
"Match One of the first confrontation!"
"Thousand Spirits Academy versus Iron Peak Academy!"
"Begin!"
The Iron Peak fighters moved first.
Both activated their martial souls simultaneously.
Stone armor formed across their bodies as thick layers of rock condensed around their arms and shoulders.
The ground beneath their feet cracked slightly as their weight increased.
Heavy.
Defensive.
Exactly what their academy was known for.
The first fighter roared as he charged forward.
"Come on!"
"Let's see what Thousand Spirits can do!"
But Shen Ce didn't move immediately.
His spear lowered slightly.
Calm.
Measured.
The moment the opponent entered his range—
He stepped forward.
The spear moved.
Not wildly.
Not violently.
Just one clean thrust.
The tip of the weapon struck the incoming fighter's stone armor with perfect precision.
CLANG.
The sound rang across the arena.
The Iron Peak fighter stumbled slightly as the force redirected his momentum sideways.
Before he could recover—
Shen Ce's partner moved.
A short blade flashed forward.
The second Iron Peak fighter was forced to intercept.
Steel struck stone.
The battlefield shifted instantly.
The crowd reacted with growing excitement.
"That spear control is precise!"
"He's controlling the distance!"
Indeed—
Shen Ce's movements were not flashy.
But every step placed him exactly where he needed to be.
His spear moved again.
This time in a sweeping arc that forced both Iron Peak fighters to step back simultaneously.
Their heavy armor slowed them.
Just enough.
That small delay was all Shen Ce needed.
The spear shot forward again.
The strike hit the weak point of the stone armor near the shoulder joint.
Cracks spread across the rocky surface.
The Iron Peak fighter staggered.
Before he could stabilize—
Shen Ce rotated the spear and struck again.
The impact knocked him completely off balance.
His partner attempted to intervene—
But Shen Ce's teammate intercepted with a quick flurry of blade strikes.
The formation of the battlefield had already been decided.
Distance.
Angles.
Movement.
Within seconds—
The Iron Peak team found themselves pushed back toward the edge of the arena barrier.
Shen Ce stepped forward once more.
His spear extended in a final precise strike.
The tip stopped just short of the opponent's throat.
The referee raised his hand immediately.
"Match concluded!"
"Victory—Thousand Spirits Academy!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
It hadn't been the most explosive battle.
But the precision had been impressive.
Inside the Shrek observation section, Ling Luochen nodded slightly.
"Clean technique."
Wu Ming leaned forward.
"That guy knows how to fight."
Han Ruoruo watched the arena floor carefully.
"He's trained for battlefield coordination."
Across the arena, Yu Tianlong folded his arms.
"…Efficient."
Back inside the Sun Moon Academy formation area, Ji Juechen's gaze remained fixed on the arena.
"Good spear control."
Lin Huang didn't comment.
But behind his mask—
His eyes followed Shen Ce as the Thousand Spirits captain calmly left the battlefield.
The tournament had begun.
And that—
Had only been the first match.
The cheers from Shen Ce's victory had barely begun to fade when the formation arrays above the arena activated again.
Four symbols appeared across the massive projection screens suspended above the battlefield.
1 vs 1
2 vs 2
3 vs 3
7 vs 7
The selection array began to spin.
Unlike the ceremony earlier, this time the crowd reacted even more loudly.
Because now—
Every spin meant a new battle.
The glowing symbols rotated rapidly before slowing.
Then—
They stopped.
INDIVIDUAL BATTLE — 1 vs 1
A ripple of anticipation moved through the stadium.
One-on-one combat was the purest form of competition.
No teamwork.
No coordination.
Just strength.
The projection screens shifted again.
Two new academy names appeared.
JUST SKY ADVANCED SOUL MASTER ACADEMY
versus
SOUTHERN MARSH SOUL MASTER ACADEMY
The crowd responded immediately.
Many had been waiting for this one.
Rumors about the Blue Lightning lineage descendant had already spread through the capital.
And now—
They would finally see him fight.
On the Just Sky side of the arena, Yu Tianlong stepped forward.
At sixteen years old, his presence already carried the sharp pressure of a seasoned combatant.
He rolled his shoulders once before stepping onto the battlefield.
Across from him, the representative from Southern Marsh Academy approached cautiously.
A young man with lean build and sharp eyes.
His martial soul activated almost immediately.
Green scales spread across his arms.
A serpent spirit.
The announcer's voice echoed through the stadium.
"Match Two!"
"Just Sky Academy versus Southern Marsh Academy!"
"Begin!"
The Southern Marsh fighter moved first.
His body shot forward across the arena floor with surprising speed.
Serpent-type martial souls specialized in mobility and sudden strikes.
His arm twisted as a curved blade of spirit energy formed around his hand.
But Yu Tianlong didn't move.
He simply watched.
The moment the opponent entered striking distance—
His martial soul awakened.
A low rumble spread through the arena.
Blue lightning exploded outward around his body.
The phantom outline of a dragon formed behind him.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
The crowd erupted instantly.
"That's the Blue Lightning Clan!"
"Look at that pressure!"
Yu Tianlong stepped forward.
Lightning surged along his arm as he threw a single punch.
The serpent fighter attempted to dodge—
But the lightning strike expanded the moment it was released.
The bolt exploded outward.
The shockwave of electrical energy tore across the battlefield.
The Southern Marsh fighter was thrown backward.
His body skidded across the arena floor before stopping several meters away.
The referee raised his hand immediately.
"Victory—Just Sky Academy!"
The entire exchange had lasted less than ten seconds.
The crowd reacted with a mixture of shock and excitement.
"That was fast!"
"He didn't even need a second attack!"
Yu Tianlong didn't react to the noise.
The lightning surrounding his body faded as he turned calmly and walked back toward his team.
The battle had barely begun—
And already ended.
Inside the Shrek observation section, Wu Ming leaned forward with interest.
"Well."
"That one's strong."
Ling Luochen nodded slightly.
"Direct and efficient."
Chen Zifeng crossed his arms.
"That lightning output was impressive."
Yao Haoxuan grinned.
"Now that's a proper opening strike."
Han Ruoruo watched Yu Tianlong return to his team with thoughtful eyes.
"His control is excellent."
But after a moment, her gaze shifted across the arena floor.
Toward the formation area of the Sun Moon Academy.
More specifically—
Toward the masked figure standing calmly at its center.
Lin Huang had not moved.
Not even slightly.
Back inside the Sun Moon formation area, Wu Feng stretched her arms lazily.
"Okay."
"That was pretty good."
Xiao Hongchen glanced at the arena.
"Efficient."
Meng Hongchen tilted her head slightly.
"He ended it too quickly."
Ji Juechen's gaze remained on the battlefield.
"…Acceptable."
Lin Huang said nothing.
But beneath the sleeves of his uniform—
The suppression bracelets remained locked in place.
The hidden weights still rested against his limbs.
The arena continued preparing the next battle.
Above the stadium floor, the selection array began spinning again.
And the next confrontation—
Was about to be decided.
The arena did not quiet after Yu Tianlong's victory.
If anything, the excitement only intensified.
Every battle revealed another piece of the continent's future generation. Every victory or defeat reshaped the invisible hierarchy forming in the minds of the spectators.
Above the arena floor, the selection array activated again.
Four symbols spun across the massive projection screens.
1 vs 1
2 vs 2
3 vs 3
7 vs 7
The glowing icons rotated rapidly before slowing.
Then—
They stopped.
COORDINATION BATTLE — 3 vs 3
The crowd responded immediately.
Three-on-three matches were among the most entertaining formats. They allowed teamwork and strategy, but still kept the battle fast and dynamic.
The projection shifted again.
Two new academy names appeared.
A small murmur spread through the stands.
Then the announcer's voice rose across the stadium.
"Next confrontation!"
"Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy!"
The reaction from the crowd was immediate.
Even before the opposing team's name appeared, the stadium erupted in cheers.
The host academy always drew attention.
But after the shocking cultivation ranks revealed earlier—
The interest surrounding this team had only grown.
The second name appeared.
FROST VALLEY ADVANCED ACADEMY
A respectable academy.
Not among the strongest in the tournament.
But certainly not weak either.
The announcer continued.
"First match of the confrontation!"
"Three versus three!"
"Both teams, please prepare!"
Inside the Sun Moon formation area, several members of the team glanced toward one another.
Wu Feng stretched her arms.
"Well."
"Looks like we're up."
Xu Tianzhen leaned against the railing.
"Three-on-three."
She looked toward Lin Huang.
"So… who's going?"
Lin Huang didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he glanced toward the rest of the team.
"Decide among yourselves."
The answer came so casually that Wu Feng blinked.
"That's it?"
"Yes."
Ma Xiaotao laughed.
"Fair enough."
Ji Juechen stepped forward slightly.
Xiao Hongchen looked up from his projection device.
Jiang Nannan adjusted the position of the daggers hidden beneath her cloak.
The three of them exchanged a brief glance.
Then—
Wu Feng smirked.
"Oh, this should be good."
Ji Juechen raised his hand.
"Ready?"
Xiao Hongchen nodded.
Jiang Nannan gave a small shrug.
They extended their hands.
Rock.
Paper.
Scissors.
For a brief moment, the three hands hovered in place.
Wu Feng leaned forward eagerly.
Meng Hongchen covered her mouth to hide a small laugh.
The result appeared instantly.
Ji Juechen's hand remained extended.
Scissors.
Xiao Hongchen lowered his hand with a quiet sigh.
"…Figures."
Jiang Nannan simply gave a faint smile.
"Good luck."
Ji Juechen nodded once.
Then he turned and began walking toward the arena entrance.
The stadium announcer spoke again.
"Sun Moon Imperial Academy representatives entering the arena!"
The gates opened.
The Frost Valley team stepped forward first.
Three fighters.
Each wearing pale blue uniforms marked with frost patterns.
Their martial souls activated immediately.
Cold air spread faintly across the arena floor.
Ice-type cultivators.
The crowd watched eagerly.
Then—
The second gate opened.
Only one figure stepped out.
Ji Juechen.
For several seconds, the stadium didn't react.
The Frost Valley team slowed their advance.
One of them frowned.
"…Where are the others?"
Ji Juechen walked calmly toward the center of the battlefield.
His sword rested across his shoulder.
He stopped roughly ten meters from the opposing team.
The Frost Valley captain frowned.
"This is a three-versus-three match."
Ji Juechen's expression remained calm.
"I know."
The frost cultivator glanced behind him briefly.
"…Your teammates?"
Ji Juechen answered simply.
"Not necessary."
The reaction from the crowd came immediately.
"He's fighting alone?!"
"Against three people?!"
Inside the Shrek observation area, Wu Ming burst out laughing.
"…Of course he is."
Ling Luochen didn't look surprised.
"That team…"
She shook her head slightly.
"They're not normal."
Han Ruoruo watched Ji Juechen carefully.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"That swordsman…"
"He's dangerous."
Down on the battlefield, the Frost Valley fighters exchanged uneasy glances.
The referee raised his hand.
"Match start!"
The arena barrier activated.
Three fighters moved forward.
And one swordsman waited for them
The arena barrier sealed with a low pulse of light.
Three fighters stood on one side of the battlefield.
One swordsman stood on the other.
For a brief moment, the stadium held its breath.
The Frost Valley captain frowned.
"You're serious?"
Ji Juechen did not answer.
His sword remained resting against his shoulder.
The referee's voice echoed across the arena.
"Match begin!"
The Frost Valley team reacted immediately.
All three activated their martial souls at once.
Cold air spread outward across the battlefield as frost formed across the stone floor. A thin layer of ice rapidly expanded from beneath their feet.
Their strategy was obvious.
Control the terrain.
Limit the swordsman's movement.
One of them thrust his hand forward.
"Ice Domain!"
A wave of freezing air swept across the arena.
Crystalline spikes erupted from the ground as the entire battlefield began turning into a frozen landscape.
The crowd reacted instantly.
"They're freezing the arena!"
"Good strategy!"
"Three against one—control the field!"
But Ji Juechen still hadn't moved.
His eyes followed the expanding frost across the battlefield.
Then—
He stepped forward.
Just once.
The instant his foot touched the frozen ground—
His sword moved.
A single slash.
The motion was so clean that for a moment it almost looked casual.
Then the ice shattered.
A straight line carved through the frozen terrain, splitting the frost-covered battlefield apart.
The nearest Frost Valley fighter barely managed to jump backward as the invisible sword force tore across the arena floor.
CRACK.
The ice formation collapsed.
The battlefield control vanished instantly.
The crowd gasped.
"What was that?!"
"Did he even use a soul skill?"
The Frost Valley captain reacted quickly.
"Spread out!"
The three fighters separated immediately.
Two attacked from the sides while the third launched a barrage of ice shards from the front.
This time—
Ji Juechen moved.
His body shifted forward with a single step.
The first attacker swung an ice-forged blade.
Ji Juechen's sword met it.
The collision lasted less than a second.
The ice weapon shattered.
The Frost Valley fighter froze in shock.
Ji Juechen's blade stopped just before touching his throat.
The referee raised his hand instantly.
"Out!"
The barrier opened briefly and the defeated fighter was removed from the battlefield.
The match continued.
Two versus one.
The remaining Frost Valley fighters attacked together.
Ice spikes erupted from the ground while freezing wind whipped across the arena.
One of them rushed forward with another blade of condensed frost.
The other launched a spiral of ice shards aimed at Ji Juechen's blind spot.
For the first time since the battle began—
Ji Juechen adjusted his grip on the sword.
His movements changed.
Faster.
Sharper.
The blade moved.
One strike.
The incoming ice shards shattered in midair.
A second strike.
The rushing fighter stumbled as the sword pressure knocked him sideways.
The third movement came almost immediately after.
A precise thrust.
The final Frost Valley fighter froze as the tip of the blade stopped inches from his chest.
The arena went silent.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then the referee raised his hand.
"Match concluded!"
"Victory—Sun Moon Imperial Academy!"
The stadium erupted.
"He defeated all three!"
"That wasn't even a full minute!"
"Did he use a single soul skill?!"
Inside the Shrek observation section, Wu Ming whistled.
"…Okay."
"That guy is ridiculous."
Ling Luochen nodded slightly.
"Pure sword technique."
Chen Zifeng crossed his arms.
"That level of control…"
Yao Haoxuan laughed.
"Three people and they couldn't even touch him."
Han Ruoruo watched the arena carefully.
"That wasn't his full strength."
Wu Ming blinked.
"…What?"
Han Ruoruo pointed toward the arena floor.
"Look at his breathing."
"He barely exerted himself."
Down below, Ji Juechen slowly lowered his sword.
The frost covering the battlefield melted as the arena formations reset the terrain.
He turned and walked calmly toward the Sun Moon formation area.
No celebration.
No dramatic gestures.
Just quiet certainty.
Wu Feng grinned as he returned.
"Finished already?"
Ji Juechen nodded once.
"Yes."
Meng Hongchen laughed softly.
"That was fast."
Jiang Nannan tilted her head slightly.
"You didn't even need help."
Ji Juechen didn't respond.
His attention had already shifted back toward the arena.
Because the tournament continued.
Above the battlefield, the selection array activated once more.
Four glowing symbols spun across the projection screens.
1 vs 1
2 vs 2
3 vs 3
7 vs 7
The crowd leaned forward again.
Another battle was about to begin.
And this time—
More eyes had turned toward the Sun Moon Academy team.