Chapter 14: The Continents Elite Soul Master Academy Grand Competition!They lack the rapport that you, the Shrek Seven Devils, shared among your original seven members. In the limited time we have, we must focus intensely on forging team synergy!With the competition upon us, even the slightest lack of coordination could become a fatal flaw.""Yes, Teacher, I understand."The simulated Tang San, seeing his teacher's expression soften, finally let out a sigh of relief. He responded respectfully, committing Yu Xiaogang's instructions to heart.He could sense that although a rift seemed to have formed between him and his teacher, when it came to the competition and the team's victory, Yu Xiaogang still maintained a rigorous and responsible attitude."Go on."Yu Xiaogang turned his back, no longer looking at him, his gaze falling on the tactical diagrams spread across the desk as if they held something far more worthy of attention.Seeing this, the simulated Tang San did not linger either. He bowed once more to Yu Xiaogang's retreating back, then silently withdrew from the room, gently closing the door behind him.The subsequent simulation then showed the Shrek Team engaged in intensive, high-stakes preparation training.Just as Yu Xiaogang had emphasized, the four new members—Tai Long, Jiang Zhu, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling—though each possessing Spirit Elder-level individual strength, indeed showed a clear lack of familiarity with the originally well-coordinated Shrek Seven Devils.As the team's de facto tactical core and Control System Soul Master, the simulated Tang San invested tremendous effort into coordinating and directing.On the training field, shouts, the sounds of spirit power colliding, and Yu Xiaogang's occasional pointers and corrections filled the air incessantly.As an observer, Tang San clearly "felt" his simulated self's mind operating at high speed, constantly issuing commands, adjusting positions, and experimenting with various Spirit Ability combinations.This high-intensity, highly complex command of team coordination left even the observing Tang San feeling mentally drained. Yet, simultaneously, a wondrous sense of controlling the overall situation and strategizing from the command tent arose within him.It felt somewhat similar to his past life as a Tang Sect elite executing precise missions, but on a larger scale and with far more variables.He also noticed that throughout the training, Yu Xiaogang mostly stood quietly at the sidelines observing, only occasionally speaking up to point out macro-level issues or offer suggestions. The specific tactical details and execution were completely left in the hands of the simulated "himself" to manage.This trust was clearly built upon strength and capability.Evidently, in this "future," the "Tang San" who had already become a Spirit Ancestor and possessed stronger Blue Silver Grass control abilities had earned this command authority through his actual performance."Is it because... Master Fu Shiyan's guidance caused a qualitative leap in my Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul and control abilities, allowing me to shoulder such a heavy responsibility at this age?"The observing Tang San speculated in his heart.Training continued amidst sweat and repeated break-in.Time flew by in the simulation, and in the blink of an eye, it was the eve of the competition's opening.At this moment, the entire Shrek Academy was permeated with a tense yet excited atmosphere.Simultaneously, Tang San had also decided on the roster for the preliminary matches, primarily rotating among four members of the Shrek Seven Devils.Among these four rotating members were Tang San himself, who had to appear, the strongest in spirit power, the Evil Eyes White Tiger Dai Mubai, the Food System Soul Master Oscar, and the Assault System Spirit Master Xiao Wu.Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong were being kept in reserve.With all preparations complete, the group set off for Heaven Dou City.Upon arriving at Heaven Dou City, even Tang San from his observer's perspective was astonished by the scene before him.Centered around the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena, nearly a third of Heaven Dou City presented a scene of deserted streets and packed crowds. Bustling throngs of people, a cacophony of roaring voices, and various fluttering banners everywhere showed just how much allure this Continent's Elite Spirit Master Academy Grand Competition held for the masses!His teammates beside him looked around in every direction, occasionally exclaiming and conversing, clearly also stunned by the grand spectacle.But then, they all subconsciously lowered their heads, their faces burning with embarrassment.Because their current attire was truly mortifying—the standard Shrek school uniform was an extremely eye-catching, grass-like emerald green!This was specially commissioned by Dean Flender. On this feces-green uniform, the chest bore an almost torso-covering cartoon image of the Shrek monster.Most bizarrely, on each person's back were six glaringly bright red characters:Open for Sponsorship Ads!As expected, when their group entered the crowd's line of sight, they immediately received special "attention."Countless astonished gazes fell upon them, followed by barely suppressed whispers and undisguised mocking laughter."Look at those guys... what are they wearing?""Hahaha, 'Open for Ads'? Are they here to compete or to be comedians?""Shrek Academy? Never heard of it. Their aesthetic sense is way too unique!"Even as an observer, Tang San could clearly feel the intense, cringe-inducing embarrassment of his simulated "self," who wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into!And even worse, Flender and the others leading the way at the front, at this moment, acted with uncanny unity: they looked up at the sky or glanced around, putting on an "I don't know those people behind me" expression, striding purposefully into the crowd, trying to put distance between themselves and the team.Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong following him were not slow either, quickly blending into the human flow.After a while, amidst overwhelming awkwardness and frustration, the group finally located the exclusive rest area for Shrek Academy.Just as everyone huddled together, whispering their strong dissatisfaction with Dean Flender's bizarre taste, an extremely discordant voice dripping with thick sarcasm came from the side:"What, a bunch of toads dreaming of winning the championship?"The speaker was a young man who looked to be in his early twenties, his expression haughty. He wore a similarly styled team uniform, but its color and pattern were completely different from Shrek Academy's.This person was unfamiliar to both the observing Tang San and the simulated "self."The hot-tempered Tai Long was the first to lose his patience. Already seething with anger from being laughed at all the way here, seeing someone actively provoke them now made his fury boil over. With a low roar, he wanted to charge forward and start a fight."Tai Long!" Fortunately, the simulated Tang San spoke up in time, his tone steady yet carrying unquestionable authority, stopping him.During the team training earlier, Tang San had discovered that his relationship with this Tai Long seemed to be one of master and servant.Tai Long often addressed him as "Young Lord," and his tone and behavior were extremely respectful. Based on the title "Young Lord," he guessed it was either related to his drunkard father or to his master, Fu Shiyan.At this critical juncture, a private brawl over a verbal dispute could very likely lead to disqualification from the competition—a loss outweighing any gain.Just as Tang San's group and the young man opposite, along with the students in moon-white uniforms gathering behind him, were engaged in a war of words, a verbal battle without smoke, an elderly man around sixty years old approached.Before he even arrived, a low, somewhat pressuring voice came first:"What are you doing here?"Everyone looked towards the source. The newcomer wore an exquisitely crafted moon-white Spirit Master robe, its embroidery a dazzling gold. It was similar to the attire of the students behind him but clearly more luxurious, signifying his different status.His face was thin and refined, his eyes sharp. His gaze swept over both sides, carrying the scrutiny of one long accustomed to a position of authority.Ma Hongjun still wanted to hurl some trash talk back at the other side, but the old man merely gave Ma Hongjun a faint, emotionless glance.Just that seemingly ordinary glance made Ma Hongjun feel as if he had been targeted by some dangerous Spirit Beast. The words at the tip of his tongue got stuck in his throat, and a cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.The old man paid no further attention to the Shrek group, as if they were merely a bunch of insignificant, noisy ants.He turned and said sternly to the young man who had provoked earlier and the students behind him:"What are you all gathered here for? Go back!"His tone was flat, yet it carried an undeniable command.The group of students in moon-white uniforms immediately fell silent. They answered respectfully and then, rather sheepishly, followed the old man back towards their own academy's rest area.Watching their retreating figures, Dai Mubai frowned and said in a low voice:"They're from Canghui Academy. That old guy is probably their team leader. He feels... not weak."(Me: Why isn't this book more popular?)(Fu Shiyan: Because my Blue Silver Grass is fire-immune!)(Me: ૮₍ɵ̷﹏ɵ̷̥̥᷅₎ა)(The plot progression will speed up now. A little spoiler: a minor climax is coming soon, Fu Shiyan is about to make an appearance ૮₍◜ෆ◝.₎ა)(Time to test the waters. Dear readers, please add this to your collections, please keep reading, please vote. I beg you, dear readers ૮₍ɵ̷﹏ɵ̷̥̥᷅₎ა)
