The Tournament Begins, First Glimpses of Greatness (Part 1)

The Tournament Begins, First Glimpses of Greatness (Part 1)

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

As the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament drew near, the atmosphere in Heaven Dou City became unprecedentedly feverish. People in every street and alley were discussing the coming grand event. Teams from major Soul Master Academies arrived one after another, making the already prosperous imperial capital even more bustling.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy team's assembly point was located within a magnificent Martial Performance Grand Hall deep inside the academy.

Ling Feng arrived on time. Dressed in a Moon White with Gold Trim academy uniform, he stood tall and composed. Though he merely stood quietly in a corner, he naturally drew countless gazes. Awe, curiosity, wariness, jealousy... all kinds of emotions intertwined. The battle three days ago, where he had utterly crushed Yu Tianheng, had long since spread throughout the academy.

Yu Tianheng was also present. His arm injury seemed to have healed, but his expression remained gloomy. His gaze toward Ling Feng was filled with mixed emotions—wariness, humiliation, and a deeply hidden unwillingness to yield. Beside him stood several core team members: the Black Tortoise Spirit Masters, the brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo; the Wind Chime Bird Spirit Master Yu Feng; the Ghost Leopard Spirit Master Osler; and the Nine Heart Begonia Spirit Master Ye Lingling. Dugu Yan had yet to return to the team. Their gazes toward Ling Feng likewise carried scrutiny and a hint of pressure.

As the team's leading teacher, Qin Ming stood at the front. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he announced loudly, "Everyone, the tournament officially begins tomorrow! The preliminaries will be held at the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena and will last for one month, using a round-robin points system. As the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's seeded team, we will advance directly to the final promotion rounds. But that does not mean we can relax! The preliminaries are the best opportunity to observe our opponents and build team coordination!"

His gaze swept over the group, pausing briefly on Ling Feng. "This tournament is surrounded by formidable enemies! The Five Element Academies cannot be underestimated, and the teams from the Star Luo Empire are watching us like tigers! There is also a newly risen team that deserves special attention—Shrek Academy! Though they are unknown, anyone who can pass the qualifiers must have something exceptional! Especially their captain, Tang San. His martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, and he is a Control System Spirit Master. Rumor has it that his abilities are strange and his tactics ever-changing!"

At the mention of Tang San's name, an almost imperceptible chill flashed through Ling Feng's eyes.

Qin Ming continued, "The team roster consists of seven main members and three substitutes. The current main members are: Captain Yu Tianheng, an Assault-type; Vice Captain Dugu Yan, a Control System Spirit Master who will soon return; Shi Mo and Shi Mo, Defense-type; Yu Feng and Osler, Agility Attack-type; and Ye Lingling, Healing-type. Junior Ling Feng," he looked toward Ling Feng, "your strength is obvious to all. You will provisionally be a main member. Your exact position will be adjusted according to our tactics after Yan Yan returns."

Yu Tianheng frowned slightly but did not voice any objection. Having witnessed Ling Feng's strength, he could not deny it.

"As for the substitute members..." Qin Ming looked toward several other students.

Just then, the doors of the Martial Performance Grand Hall were pushed open, and a slender figure in purple walked in. It was Dugu Yan!

She had changed into a brand-new purple academy uniform. Her dark green hair was tied up, and her bewitching vertical pupils shone with life. The gloom between her brows had vanished completely, replaced by confidence and vitality. The Soul Power around her was condensed and solid—she had astonishingly reached the Peak Level of Level 35!

"Teacher Qin, everyone, I'm not late, am I?" Dugu Yan smiled brilliantly, dazzling and charming. Her gaze swept across the room before lingering briefly on Ling Feng, gratitude and closeness flashing in her eyes.

"Yan Yan! You're back!" Joy appeared in Yu Tianheng's eyes as he hurried forward. Shi Mo and the others also greeted her. Ye Lingling looked at Dugu Yan with a trace of surprise. She could sense Dugu Yan's transformation, especially the pure vitality within her body.

"You returned at just the right time!" Qin Ming said with a smile. "Yan Yan, your position is the core Control System Spirit Master. Junior Ling Feng is powerful, and his provisional role is yet to be determined. The two of you need to coordinate as quickly as possible."

Dugu Yan nodded and walked directly to Ling Feng's side, her movements natural and her attitude intimate. "Ling Feng, long time no see." This affectionate attitude made Yu Tianheng's expression stiffen slightly.

Ling Feng nodded faintly. "Congratulations, Miss Yan. Your strength has improved greatly."

Qin Ming took in everyone's reactions and understood at once. He continued, "Good, everyone is here. I now announce that starting tomorrow, the team must go to the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena every day to watch the matches of the stronger preliminary teams and analyze our opponents! Especially Shrek Academy's first match—we must be there! Meeting adjourned!"

Everyone acknowledged the order. The corners of Ling Feng's lips lifted slightly. Shrek's first battle? Perfect. He could see what Tang San was capable of now.

The next day, the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena was packed to the brim, filled with thunderous voices.

At the center of the enormous circular venue stood an incomparably sturdy Soul Tool Alloy Arena Stage. The surrounding stands were already full of spectators and Soul Masters from all sides, and the atmosphere was exceptionally heated.

Led by Qin Ming, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team sat in the VIP viewing section with the best view. Ling Feng, Dugu Yan, Yu Tianheng, and the others were all present.

"First match: Shrek Academy versus the Elephant Armored Academy of the Balak Kingdom!" the host's voice resounded throughout the entire venue through a sound-amplifying Soul Tool.

"Elephant Armored Academy?" Yu Tianheng raised a brow. "They are known for their defense. Every member is a disciple of the Elephant Armored Sect, thick-skinned and tough, with astonishing strength. A small academy like Shrek probably cannot even break their defense."

"Not necessarily," Ling Feng said calmly, his gaze fixed on the two teams emerging from the competitors' passageway.

On the Elephant Armored Academy's side, seven unusually massive and muscular students stepped onto the stage. Like seven moving mountains of flesh, their bodies were covered in thick keratinous armor that gave off a heavy sense of oppression. Their captain, Hu Yanli, was a Level 38 Defense System Soul Elder, with the Diamond Mammoth as his martial soul!

On Shrek Academy's side, the seven wore hideous shit-green academy uniforms that made them look utterly out of place. At the front was a young man in fitted blue clothes. His appearance was ordinary, but his eyes were as calm as the sea. It was Tang San! Beside him stood Xiao Wu with her pink skirt and scorpion braid, Dai Mubai with golden hair and mismatched eyes, the fatty Ma Hongjun, the cold-faced Zhu Zhuqing, the support-type Ning Rongrong, and the food-system Oscar.

"Huh? That support-type..." Ye Lingling gave a soft cry, her gaze falling on Ning Rongrong. "The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? Is she from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"The Young Mistress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Why would she be at such a small academy?" Yu Feng asked in surprise.

Ling Feng did not answer. His eyes remained fixed on Tang San. He could sense that Tang San's Soul Power had also reached around Level 33! Moreover, his aura was steady and profound. His foundation was clearly solid.

The match began!

The seven Elephant Armored Academy members sprang into action at once. Like seven heavy war chariots, they rumbled toward the Shrek Seven Devils, crushing forward with unstoppable force! Their heavy footsteps made the stage tremble! Hu Yanli directly unleashed his third soul skill, Mammoth Charge, transforming into a gigantic diamond beast and charging at the front!

Faced with such a savage assault, Shrek's formation changed instantly!

"Blue Silver Grass, Bind!" Tang San shouted. Two yellow soul rings lit up beneath his feet! Countless thick Blue Silver Grass vines burst from the ground like spiritual serpents, instantly wrapping around Hu Yanli and the other Elephant Armored Sect disciples charging at the front!

"Hmph! Petty tricks!" Hu Yanli snorted disdainfully. Soul Power erupted from his body as he tried to shatter the Blue Silver Grass. However, the vines were unusually tough, covered with tiny spikes carrying a paralyzing toxin! Though they could not completely restrain Hu Yanli, they greatly slowed him down!

"White Tiger Vajra Transformation!" Dai Mubai roared. Purple light burst from his third soul ring as he transformed into a white-gold giant tiger. Carrying a savage aura, he charged directly at the Blue Silver Grass-delayed Hu Yanli!

"Phoenix Flame Shot!" Ma Hongjun spat out blazing purple-red flames, scorching the other Elephant Armored Sect disciples!

Zhu Zhuqing's figure flickered through the battlefield like a ghost, her sharp claws targeting the weak points around their joints!

Xiao Wu moved like a nimble butterfly. Activating her waist bow, she hurled the Elephant Armored Sect disciples—scorched by flames and harassed by claws—toward the edge of the arena one after another!

The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in Ning Rongrong's hand shimmered. "Seven Treasures Turn, Glazed Tile Radiance! First: Strength! Second: Speed!" Two rays of colored light landed precisely on Dai Mubai and Xiao Wu!

Meanwhile, Oscar rapidly produced Recovery Big Sausages and Detoxification Small Sausages...

The Shrek Seven Devils coordinated flawlessly, their tactics crystal clear! Tang San's Blue Silver Grass control formed the core, while Dai Mubai launched frontal assaults, Ma Hongjun harassed over a wide area, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu conducted agile attacks, Ning Rongrong provided powerful support, and Oscar handled logistical supplies! The defense and strength that Elephant Armored Academy took such pride in seemed incomparably clumsy before Shrek's flexible tactics and powerful support!

Tang San in particular! His control over the Blue Silver Grass was precise and tricky, always appearing at the most critical moments to slow the Elephant Armored Sect's charge and divide the battlefield. He himself moved around the edge of the battlefield, his gaze calm as he controlled the overall situation like a precise war machine!

"What exquisite coordination! What powerful control!" Shi Mo could not help praising.

"That Tang San... he isn't simple!" Yu Tianheng's expression turned solemn as he put away his earlier contempt.

A trace of surprise also flashed through Dugu Yan's bewitching vertical pupils. "His Blue Silver Grass seems to possess some extraordinary toughness."

Only Ling Feng's gaze remained calm, even carrying a trace of all-knowing understanding. Mysterious Heaven Skill internal energy, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Purple Demon Eye, Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon... Tang San had yet to truly reveal his hidden cards. Still, this level of coordination and control was already enough to crush Elephant Armored Academy.

Sure enough, the battle lasted less than the time it took to burn an incense stick. After Dai Mubai burst forth with strength and knocked Hu Yanli back, while Xiao Wu used her waist bow to throw the last Elephant Armored Sect disciple out of the arena, the referee loudly announced, "Shrek Academy wins!"

The entire venue erupted with applause and cries of surprise! Shrek Academy, this previously unknown team, had actually defeated the defense-renowned Elephant Armored Academy with the weak overcoming the strong, cleanly and decisively! Tang San's performance as the core Control System Spirit Master stunned the entire audience even more!

In the VIP section, Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue, sat upright. Watching Tang San accept the cheers below, a deep light flashed through her molten-gold eyes. "Blue Silver Grass... such control... Tang San, you truly haven't disappointed me. But..." Her gaze turned toward the VIP section where the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team sat and landed on Ling Feng. "Compared to that monster Ling Feng, how will you measure up? How very interesting."

Meeting Qian Renxue's gaze, Ling Feng's lips curved into a cold arc. He slowly rose to his feet and said to Qin Ming and the team members beside him, "We've seen enough. Let's go. The next match is the one involving the target of our 'observation.'"

He took the lead in leaving, his back straight and tall. Shrek's debut had been exciting? It was merely an appetizer. The real show was still to come. Tang San, your performance would be ended by him.