What the Hell Is a Surprise

Under the gaze of eighty thousand spectators, a total of fourteen people from Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team and the Shrek Team stepped onto the arena.

The Shrek Team sent out Tang San, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and four substitutes.

Tang San and the others had suffered humiliation at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. To them, this was a perfect chance for revenge.

With the referee's announcement, the first match of the Soul Master Tournament's Preliminary Round officially began.

On the Shrek Team's side, Tang San was the first to launch an attack.

After Tang San trapped the members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team with the Blue Silver Cage, Dai Mubai and the others unleashed a fierce assault on them.

All seven of them were three-ringed Battle Soul Elders, utterly incapable of resisting the Shrek Team's storm-like onslaught.

A chorus of screams rang out across the arena. Some had their bones broken, while others were covered in blood.

Since the Soul Master Tournament began, the arena had never seen such a horrific scene.

To the surprise of every spectator, the Shrek Team ended the battle in just one minute.

Their brutal methods and their act of severely injuring their opponents stunned everyone present.

Only then did the spectators who had mocked the Shrek Team realize that they were not nearly as pathetic as they had imagined.

Having witnessed that gruesome scene firsthand, Shui Bing'er became even more convinced of Xiao Han's speculation.

"Xiao Han, no wonder you said Sect Master Ning favored the Shrek Team. They do have some ability, especially that Blue Silver Grass Soul Master who controls the field. But this is only the Preliminary Round. Their methods are far too cruel."

Xiao Han snorted coldly.

"That's Little Bum's usual style—vicious and ruthless. If they run into us, we'll beat the shit out of them."

Xiao Han knew that they would inevitably face Shrek Academy sooner or later.

However, given Yu Xiaogang's style, after learning of their overwhelming strength, he might choose to avoid them and forfeit the match.

After all, as long as they maintained a top-five record, they would be able to enter the Finals.

But that bunch of bums had inexplicable confidence, so a clash was not impossible.

No matter what, they would definitely meet on the battlefield.

After dinner, Lin Zhiruo gathered the team members.

"Tomorrow, your opponents will be Cangnan Academy. As far as I know, they aren't strong. They could even be described as weak. Even if Xiao Han and Bing'er do not compete, you can still win the match easily."

Xue Wu asked, "Dean Lin, do you mean the captain and Xiao Han won't be competing tomorrow?"

Before Lin Zhiruo could answer, Xiao Han spoke up.

"Mom, I don't think we need to deliberately hide our strength. Once some weaker teams learn how strong we are, they'll take the initiative to forfeit whenever they face us. If we can win without fighting, we'll have more time to rest."

Shui Bing'er nodded.

"Dean Lin, I agree with Xiao Han."

Lin Zhiruo pondered for a moment.

"Looks like Skywater Academy can't keep a low profile even if we want to. Fine, then. Xiao Han and Xue Wu will sit out tomorrow, and Bing'er will lead the team."

"Okay."

The main members of the Skywater Team had all reached at least the Soul Ancestor level. Even without Xiao Han and Xue Wu, the two Soul Kings, they could still shock the entire venue.

The next day.

Xiao Han and the others arrived at the competition grounds.

Five arenas had already been set up in the center of the venue: one central arena and four side arenas.

Five matches would be held simultaneously, with three rounds each day.

The teams competing on the central arena were naturally the ones receiving more attention.

Thanks to the two hot topics of the Skywater Beauties and the academy's only male student since its founding, the Skywater Team was, without surprise, assigned to the central arena.

They would compete in the first round.

The Shrek Team had taken part in yesterday's exhibition match, so they had no match today.

However, Tang San and the others still came to the viewing area for the participating academy teams.

Tang San wanted to know just how strong Xiao Han and the members of the Skywater Team really were.

As he looked around, Tang San spotted Xiao Han on the other side and frowned.

"He isn't competing today? Is it because their opponent is too weak?"

Just as Tang San was wondering about it, the host's voice spread throughout the venue through the amplifiers.

"Today's matches are about to begin. Please have the competing teams take the stage."

The moment the host finished speaking, a roar like a landslide and tsunami erupted from the stands.

Yesterday's exhibition match had only been an appetizer. It ended in one minute, leaving everyone wanting more.

But starting today, five matches would take place simultaneously.

That meant hundreds of Soul Rings would bloom at once. Such a spectacular sight only appeared once every five years.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the Skywater Beauties slowly stepped onto the central arena.

A wave of screams erupted from the stands.

"Skywater Academy truly is a breeding ground for beauties. They're all so pretty!"

"Yeah, and they're not just pretty—they're strong too."

"Huh? Why isn't that male team member from yesterday competing?"

"He stood at the very back of the team when he came out. He's probably a substitute who isn't very strong."

"Who cares? As long as there are beauties to look at."

"Skywater beauties, go!!"

Shui Yue'er enthusiastically waved at the spectators who were cheering for them in thanks.

The audience's cheers grew even louder.

Looking at the group of girls, Ma Hongjun's eyes gleamed as drool poured from his mouth.

Oscar could not help teasing him.

"Fatty, have you never seen girls before? Look at how pathetic you are."

"What the hell do you know? You have Rongrong, Boss Dai has Wildcat, Third Brother has Xiao Wu, and I'm the only single dog here. What's wrong with taking a few more looks?"

"Sigh, you're beyond saving."

Tang San stared straight at the center of the arena, afraid of missing anything.

The host announced, "All competing members, please release your respective spirits and Soul Rings. The matches will officially begin in one minute!"

With the host's announcement, all seventy Soul Masters across the five arenas released their spirits and Soul Rings almost at the same time.

Multicolored lights intertwined, illuminating the sky as brightly as day.

Yet throughout the entire venue, Shui Bing'er of Skywater Academy was undoubtedly the most dazzling presence.

She stood at the very front of her team, tall and straight, cold yet noble.

A massive Ice Phoenix rose behind her. The surrounding temperature plummeted at once, and even the spectators in the stands could not help shivering.

Even more astonishing were the Soul Rings circling Shui Bing'er.

Five Soul Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—appeared in sequence.

The Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring shining with black light proclaimed Shui Bing'er's status as a Soul King.

Since the Soul Master Tournament began, the Heaven Dou Division had never seen a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

Everyone present was deeply shocked by this sight. Even those veteran Soul Master spectators had never seen such a young Soul King.

Shui Bing'er's existence seemed to be the perfect embodiment of the word "genius." Possessing both strength and beauty, she instantly became the focus of everyone's attention.

"Look! That's the Ice Phoenix, the legendary Top-Tier Beast Spirit!"

"My god, she's already a Soul King? How is that possible?!"

"Cangnan Academy is in for it now. Against an opponent like this, they have no chance at all."

The spectators' discussions rose and fell, filled with astonishment and awe.

Meanwhile, after witnessing Shui Bing'er's spirit and Soul Rings, the members of Cangnan Academy could not help revealing despair on their faces.

They knew that the outcome of this match had been decided the moment Shui Bing'er released her spirit.

Shui Bing'er's entrance was so shocking that everyone overlooked the existence of her teammates.

When they came to their senses, they were even more stunned.

Aside from Shui Bing'er, five of the other six members of the Skywater Team had actually reached the four-ringed Soul Ancestor level. Only one was a three-ringed Battle Soul Elder.

Moreover, all seven of them possessed the optimal Soul Ring configuration.

Seeing this, Xue Ye was both shocked and delighted. He looked at Ning Fengzhi beside him and smiled.

"Sect Master Ning, this is the team you favor most, isn't it?"