Inside the meeting room.
"The bracket for the subsequent Elimination Round has been released."
The Wang Yan gently. He had just returned from drawing lots at the Star Luo Empire's palace and immediately convened a meeting with everyone.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, he slowly began to speak, "Our Academy in the round of 16 is an old rival, the Dou Ling Royal Academy."
Upon hearing this, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochеn, and the others looked somewhat solemn.
After all, the four Heaven Dou Imperial Academy have always been strong contenders for the runner-up position and should not be underestimated.
Huo Yuhao teased, "Teacher Wang, your luck in the draw isn't very good. You just drew one of last year's top four."
Wang Yan chuckled, "It's alright, at least we didn't get directly drawn into the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Master Academy. But as the first in our group, we'll only draw the second-place teams from other groups in the round of 16, so we won't meet them in the first round."
At this moment, Wang Dong'er noticed a blind spot and asked:
"Teacher Wang, are you saying that the Dou Ling Royal Academy qualified as the second-place team in their group, which is why we were drawn against them?"
Wang Yan nodded. "That's right."
"So, this year's Dou Ling Royal Academy isn't very strong?" Xiao Xiao asked thoughtfully.
Wang Yan shook his head. "Judging by their strength, Dou Ling Royal Academy should have qualified first in their group. However, a dark horse emerged in their group, and Dou Ling Royal Academy gave up their last match against that dark horse Academy in order to conserve their strength. That's why they qualified as the second-place team."
Ma Xiaotao curled her lip indifferently. "Whether it's those guys from Sun Moon or anyone else, we'll meet them sooner or later anyway. No matter what strength they're hiding, we'll just crush them on the field."
As she spoke, Ma Xiaotao became eager to try it out.
Wang Yan was speechless for a moment.
That's true, it makes him seem a bit overly cautious.
After breaking through to the Soul Saint, Ma Xiaotao's strength became evident to all.
Wang Yan even felt that Huo Yuhao and Ma Xiaotao alone were absolutely capable of dominating this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament.
Huo Yuhao nudged Ma Xiaotao's arm with his left elbow, reminding her, " Sister Xiaotao, it's good to have confidence, but we can't underestimate the mainland genius. Let's hear what Teacher Wang has to say about the rest."
Upon hearing this, Ma Xiaotao also quieted down and waited for Wang Yan to continue speaking.
With the threat of Evil Fire eliminated, Ma Xiaotao becoming the captain of the Shrek Seven Devils, breaking through to the Soul Saint, and absorbing Spirit Bone, she was riding high during this period, practically looking down on everyone else.
She only listens to what Huo Yuhao says.
Wang Yan smiled and said, "It's good to have confidence. Xiaotao you and Yuhao in the team, I feel very reassured. But our Shrek's only goal is the championship, so we must be careful in everything we do, especially regarding the Soul Tool."
The current Starting Member of the Dou Ling Royal Academy has five Soul King and two Soul Ancestor, making them very strong. Furthermore, Dou Ling Royal Academy isn't purely Soul Master Academy; they use Soul Tool very frequently. At least two of these five Soul King are true Soul Engineer, something you need to be wary of."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded.
Even though our side is strong enough, it's always good to be cautious.
"Alright, now I'll give you the rules for the rest of the competition. Starting from the round of 16, each qualifying match will consist of Team Battle and an individual match, held over two days. Losing Team Battle does not mean elimination. As long as three or fewer of your team members defeat seven of the opposing team members in the individual match, you can turn defeat into victory."
Planning the game tactics didn't take too long, and it's fair to say that this rule that encourages individual heroism is quite advantageous for Shrek.
Of course, Wang Yan had many more things to consider; he had to ensure that everyone could win while preserving their strength.
Therefore, his team composition for tomorrow's Team Battle is: Huo Yuhao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochеn, Xixi, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Tang Ya.
Ma Xiaotao frowned. "Teacher Wang, aren't you going to let me go on stage?"
Wang Yan shook his head. "It's just a fight against the Dou Ling Royal Academy. It's not worth us revealing the extremely important news that Xiaotao has already broken through to the Soul Saint."
Seeing that Ma Xiaotao was very unhappy, Wang Yan quickly comforted her, "Don't worry, when you play later, I will give you unlimited firing rights."
"Hmph, that's for the best!" Ma Xiaotao finally lowered her fist.
Returning home in wealth and honor is like wearing brocade at night.
She worked so hard to cultivate to the Soul Saint, wasn't it all just to show off Shrek's prowess in this Soul Master Tournament?
After working so hard for so long, can't I enjoy myself?
What do you mean by preserving strength?
It doesn't exist!
She had no intention of slacking off.
Moreover, after advancing to the Soul Saint level, she was filled with pent-up anger and was looking for a suitable punching bag to vent her frustrations on.
Huo Yuhao also comforted her, saying, " Sister Xiaotao, I will carry your share and win this Team Battle decisively!"
It doesn't matter, the Spiritual Replication will make a move.
Finally, Wang Yan also gave Beibei and the other six a dose of chicken soup for the soul:
"In the upcoming matches, you Reserve Team members must take them seriously. Those who get to play should cherish this precious opportunity, and those on the sidelines should carefully observe the game. Five years from now, it will be your home ground! This tournament will be an invaluable experience for you. Do you all understand?"
"Clear!"
The seven of Beibei spoke in unison.
"Knock knock knock!"
Suddenly, there was a knock on the conference room door.
Wang Yan frowned. "Didn't I tell the staff not to bother us right now?"
A melodious female voice came from outside the door, "Excuse me for disturbing you, I am not a staff member, I am from Starlight Auction House."
Beibei, who was closest to the door, stood up and, after receiving a nod of approval from Wang Yan, went over and opened the door.
A woman in a long black dress stood outside the door. She looked to be nearly thirty years old, an age when a woman possesses mature charm yet retains a youthful spirit.
With a smile on her face, she said softly, "Greetings, distinguished guests of the Shrek Academy. I am Qingya, Black Grade Auctioneer from Starlight Auction House. Is Teacher Wang Yan here?"
Wang Yan walked over and asked, "I am Wang Yan. May I ask what brings you here?"
Qingya smiled and said, "Hello, Teacher Wang, I apologize for disturbing you. This year's Soul Master Tournament is a grand festival that the Star Luo Empire holds once every twenty years, so our Starlight Auction House will be holding a top-level auction tonight."
Only our most distinguished guests are invited. If you are available tonight, you are welcome to attend this auction. We are sure there will be something of interest to your esteemed institution.
As she spoke, she took out a stack of auction invitations and handed them to Wang Yan with both hands.
"I won't bother you any longer."
Qingya bowed again with a smile, then slowly retreated, closing the door behind her as she left.
Holding the stack of exquisitely crafted gold-embossed invitations, Wang Yan narrowed his eyes and said, "Thirteen invitations, not one missing, and they even managed to send them over despite the Star Luo Empire's official blockade of the hotel. That's quite a feat!"
"Because the Starlight Auction House is backed by the Star Luo Imperial Family," Huo Yuhao said with a smile.
"What?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was surprised.
"Without the permission of the Star Luo Imperial Family, who would dare to come and deliver an invitation privately?" Huo Yuhao explained casually.
"No wonder," Wang Yan knowingly.
Looking at the exquisitely designed invitation, Dai Yueheng looked somewhat surprised. "The auctioneer was right. This is indeed a top-notch auction."
"Tell me more about it?" Xixi asked curiously.
Everyone looked over.
After all, among the people present, only Dai Yueheng was from the Star Luo Empire, and with his status, he had the opportunity to be involved in an auction of this level.
Dai Yueheng explained, "There are only one or two auctions of this level a year, and I wasn't qualified to participate before. Only my father, members of the royal family, big merchants, and top-level Soul Master or Soul Engineer can participate in auctions of this level."
The items inside are extremely valuable; there are definitely many good things. They even auctioned a Spirit Bone that was 90,000 years old before. This Starlight Auction House is probably just trying to curry favor with our Academy; there's nothing else to it. Professor Wang, what do you think?
Wang Yan looked around at the students and saw a glimmer of hope in almost everyone's eyes.
They are indeed the most outstanding Soul Master among their peers, but they are also a group of young people who are very curious about new things.
Moreover, such top-tier auctions are not easily accessible; missing them would certainly leave one with regrets.
"Let's all go together that night, just to let you relax before the competition. However, watch more and talk less, avoid any trouble as much as possible, and return to the hotel to rest immediately after the auction."
"Yay!"
Xiao Xiao was the first to jump up, and the others also looked excited.
Huo Yuhao was also somewhat curious, even though the two things that were most useful to him at this auction had long since disappeared.
But with the Star Luo Imperial Family as its background, it must have some foundation, right?
Night fell.
After finishing their meal, Huo Yuhao and his group arrived at the Starlight Auction House Starlight Auction House with their invitations.
Wearing a long Purple Grade dress, Qingya was waiting at the door. Under the night lights, she looked even more noble and elegant. Her pretty face was full of gentleness. Her charming posture even attracted many passers-by to turn around and look.
But without a doubt.
At this moment, Huo Yuhao and his group, who were slowly arriving under the cover of night, were the focus of countless passersby.
Especially Huo Yuhao, some pretty girls even stopped the Shrek Academy students on the spot just to get Huo Yuhao's autograph.
In response, Huo Yuhao righteously refused those who tried to sign on his skin, and instead distributed paper signatures.
Upon seeing Huo Yuhao and his group arrive, Qingya quickly stepped forward to greet them, her face beaming with joy, and said, "Welcome, distinguished guests!"
"My task today is to properly receive the distinguished guests from the Shrek Academy. Everyone, please follow Qingya."
As she spoke, she smiled at Wang Yan again, then gracefully led the way.
Xu Sanshi stared wide-eyed, then lowered his voice and chuckled at Huo Yuhao, "How about it, Yuhao? Doesn't she have a mature charm? If she smiles at our Teacher Wang a few more times, Teacher Wang's soul might be stolen away."
Huo Yuhao shook his head and did not respond.
He recalled the relationship between Han Ruoruo and Wang Yan in the Original Work.
However, with his involvement this time, it seems unlikely that Wang Yan will be able to achieve his goal of "an old cow eating young grass".
Beibei, who was passing by, glanced at Xu Sanshi and said in Sound Transmission, "You idiot, can't you pay attention to your image? Besides, Jiang Nannan is still here."
You have Tang Ya, you're so aloof!
Xu Sanshi muttered a complaint to himself, losing all interest in continuing the teasing.
Qingya, who was walking at the front, led everyone to the depths of the Starlight Auction House.
As they walked to the end, two girls in long gold dresses came up to them. They bowed slightly to everyone, exchanged a few words with Qingya, and then one of the girls raised her right hand and pressed it lightly against the wall.
Suddenly, water-ripple-like light patterns appeared on the wall, and a horizontal light pattern swept down across the girl's palm.
With a hum, the walls slowly opened to both sides, revealing a pure white passage.
"This is our Auction Hall No. 1, where we hold our most prestigious auctions. Only the most distinguished guests are invited here to participate in the bidding. I am here today thanks to the presence of all of you distinguished guests."
As Qingya spoke, she slowly led the way.
Two more girls, dressed in long gold dresses and looking only eighteen or nineteen years old, came forward to greet them.
After passing through a road paved with white jade, small doors appeared on both sides. Qingya eventually led them through Door No. 7.
This is a room of about two hundred square meters.
The interior was decorated in an extremely luxurious style, even more extravagant than the Shrek Inner Court's Treasure Appraisal Meeting at the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.
Everyone sat on the huge sofa in the room to rest.
Qingya, on the other hand, was leading two girls in gold dresses to explain the rules.
Fifteen minutes later.
The entire room was enveloped in a layer of gold that was not too bright.
Qingya said, "Distinguished guests, our auction is about to begin."
Everyone subconsciously turned their gaze to the Soul Tool Screen opposite the sofa.
At this moment, in the center of the auction stage on the Soul Tool Screen, stood a girl wearing a long red dress.
The girl looked to be no more than seventeen or eighteen years old, with beautiful features and a very well-developed figure. A red gauze dress accentuated her fair and delicate skin, making her look perfectly elegant.
The girl in the red dress said, "Good evening, distinguished guests. I am Jiujiu, the auctioneer for today. Welcome to the Starlight Auction House's top-level auction."
Today, we will be presenting nine precious items for your enjoyment. The items will be displayed in ascending order of value, and we hope you will appreciate them. Now, please begin by appraising our first item.
As she spoke, she smiled sweetly and performed a complex yet very elegant courtly gesture.
The scene shifts, and an item is now displayed on the Soul Tool Screen covering the entire wall.
Level 8 Melee Soul Tool, Tyrant Tiger Soul Refining Blade!
"Level eight right off the bat?"
He Caitou's eyes widened.
Although his teacher Fan Yu was Level 8 Soul Engineer, He Caitou had never seen a real Level 8 Soul Tool.
Even the well-informed members of the Inner Court showed expressions of surprise.
Level 8 Soul Tool have appeared in the auctions they have attended before, but they are extremely rare!
And this was merely the first item in this top-tier auction.
It's easy to imagine that Starlight Auction House has gone all out today!