Some Skill, But Not Much

Shrek Team's uniforms were far too bizarre. The moment they appeared, they drew scornful looks from everyone and had no choice but to hide in an inconspicuous corner.

Tang San swept his gaze around before it finally settled on Skywater Girls.

Xiao Wu asked,

"Brother, what are you looking at?"

With a lecherous grin, Ma Hongjun teased,

"What else could he be looking at? Of course, beautiful women. Third Brother is a man too—it's hard not to like that, right?"

Tang San remained focused, as though he had not heard Ma Hongjun's teasing at all.

Dai Mubai asked,

"Little San, what is it?"

"It's him. That mysterious young man who achieved a hundred consecutive victories at Suotuo Great Soul Fighting Arena has finally appeared."

Following Tang San's gaze, everyone immediately spotted Xiao Han, who stood out conspicuously among Skywater Girls.

Xiao Han was chatting merrily with Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, and the others.

Tang San said,

"The ones in cyan uniforms should be from Godwind Academy, while those in red are from Blazing Fire Academy. I heard Teacher mention that those three Element Academies are all long-established schools with considerable strength. In the previous three Soul Master Tournaments, they all entered the Finals as one of the top five teams from the Heaven Dou Division."

Ma Hongjun said dismissively,

"Who cares what Element Academies they are? Nothing can shake our determination to win the championship. Shrek will win!"

"That's right, Shrek will win!"

Oscar echoed.

Tang San frowned, not daring to let his guard down.

"Xiao Han's Second Soul Ring is already at the thousand-year level, and he has a teammate with the Top-Tier Beast Spirit, the Ice Phoenix. Their team has control, assault, agility-attack, and support Soul Masters. They won't be easy to deal with. We absolutely cannot underestimate them."

Dai Mubai nodded.

"Little San is right. We'll find out what kind of strength they truly possess once the tournament officially begins."

Lin Zhiruo came over to the team.

"I've already registered you. The opening ceremony is about to begin, so get ready to enter. Xiao Han, Bing'er, you two just lead everyone in."

"Alright."

"Xiao Han, in the previous three Soul Master Tournaments, Skywater Academy has never had a male team member. When you appear later, you'll definitely become the center of attention. Prepare yourself mentally in advance."

"Mom, I'm tough as nails. You don't need to worry about me."

"That's right, Dean Lin. Our little junior brother is so handsome that he doesn't fear any strange looks at all."

Dean Lin smiled and nodded before leaving.

Very soon, the tournament staff began organizing the teams from each academy to enter.

While walking through the entrance passageway, Xiao Han could already hear thunderous cheers.

A vast, open plaza came into view, surrounded on all sides by cheering spectators.

The arena was over one hundred and fifty meters in diameter.

Directly in front of the central arena stood a Main Stage with a golden backdrop.

Behind the Main Stage was the VIP Area, where the most distinguished and influential people of the Heaven Dou Empire were seated.

As each academy entered, a dedicated Master of Ceremonies on the Main Stage introduced them.

The academies that had entered earlier had already formed up in the center of the arena.

Following closely behind Godwind Academy and Blazing Fire Team, Skywater Team entered as well.

Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu walked at the very front of the team, while Xiao Han walked alone at the very back.

Skywater Team's appearance immediately drew everyone's attention, and an even greater stir arose from the stands.

The Master of Ceremonies introduced them:

"Entering next is Skywater Academy's competing team. Unlike the teams from the previous three tournaments, Skywater Academy's team this year includes a male member. This male team member must possess remarkable strength to have been exceptionally admitted by Skywater Academy. Let us look forward to their performance."

Xiao Han looked up toward the VIP Area and immediately spotted Qian Renxue, disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, seated in the second row.

At that moment, Qian Renxue was looking at Xiao Han as well.

Their eyes met. Xiao Han gave her a faint smile and lightly nodded.

Only three people sat in the first row in front of Xue Qinghe.

It was not difficult to identify them from their attire.

The one in the middle was Xue Ye, to his left was Spirit Hall's Platinum Archbishop Salas, and to his right was Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The least welcome Shrek Team made their entrance last.

The moment they appeared, the audience burst into laughter.

"This team is the most bizarre one in this Soul Master Tournament. They actually chose shit-green for their uniforms. Their dean must have gotten his head caught in a door."

"What a bunch of toads! And they dare enter the Soul Master Tournament looking like that?"

Tang San and the others endured the audience's mockery as they entered.

The Master of Ceremonies introduced them:

"The final team to enter is Shrek Academy's competing team. Dressed in bright and unusual outfits, they are brimming with confidence. Their registered slogan is: Champions without opponents. Quite the ambition. Then let us wish them the best of luck in going further in the tournament."

As soon as the Master of Ceremonies finished speaking, another wave of laughter came from the stands.

Afterward, Xue Ye delivered the opening declaration.

Immediately afterward, Ning Fengzhi gave a speech as well.

The Master of Ceremonies asked,

"Sect Master Ning, there are twenty-eight teams competing in the Heaven Dou City division's Preliminary Round. Which team do you favor the most?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly.

"Other than Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One, which will enter the Finals as a seeded team, there is another team I favor. I believe they will not only enter the Finals, but may even win this Soul Master Tournament's championship."

"Oh? Which team does Sect Master Ning think so highly of?"

"I'm afraid I cannot reveal that for the time being. I believe that the final champion of this tournament will certainly belong to the Heaven Dou Empire."

Ning Fengzhi's words sparked heated discussion among the spectators, and even the students on the field became restless.

Everyone was guessing which team he meant.

Only Xiao Han knew that he was referring to Shrek.

Xiao Han grinned and thought, Ning Fengzhi, you got it wrong.

Next, Salas conducted the draw for the first round of the Preliminary Round.

According to the Preliminary Round rules, each team would face the other twenty-seven teams. The top five teams with the best results would advance to the Advancement Round and the Finals.

Skywater Team's opponent in the first round was the relatively weak Cangnan Academy, and their match would take place tomorrow.

After today's opening ceremony, there would be only one exhibition match. Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team Two would face their first opponent, and they had drawn Shrek Academy.

The participating academies left the arena.

Xiao Han and the others came to the spectator area specially prepared for participants.

Shui Bing'er asked,

"Xiao Han, I wonder which team Sect Master Ning was talking about just now, but it definitely wasn't us. The team he favors must have some real strength."

Xiao Han smiled disdainfully.

"The team he mentioned should be taking the field soon."

"Really? Could it be Royal Academy Team Two? They don't seem to have that kind of strength."

"No! It's more likely Shrek Team."

Shui Bing'er was somewhat surprised.

"No way? The people from Shrek look pretty bizarre. They don't even look much like Soul Masters."

"They really do look like a bunch of clowns. Still, those few have some skill, but not much."