Preliminary Round Ends

Shrek Academy, with its unparalleled strength, achieved the first-ever 27-game winning streak in the Preliminary Round. With this, the Preliminary Round for Heaven Dou City have concluded.

According to the schedule, the awards ceremony will be held this afternoon to award the top five teams in the Preliminary Round with qualification certificates for the next Promotion Match.

The ceremony was not complicated. As announced by the host, the captains and vice-captains of the top five teams walked onto the stage.

Among them, the team ranked first in the Preliminary Round was naturally Shrek Academy, which won 27 consecutive victories and took first place with an undefeated record.

It was at this moment that others were surprised to discover that the one who stepped onto the Spirit Dueling Platform was not Dai Mubai, the level 55 Spirit King who had been the star of the competition, nor Tang San, who had mastered the essence of Control System Spirit Master.

Neither of them were the captain or vice-captain of the Shrek Academy. Instead, a man and a woman, both unfamiliar faces, came up on stage from the Shrek Academy.

As the champions of the Preliminary Round, Shrek Academy Team captain Oscar and vice-captain Dugu Yan walked side by side onto the podium.

Dugu Yan is now twenty years old, and her figure and looks have reached their peak. At this moment, Dugu Yan is wearing a bright green cheongsam with the slits reaching her thighs. As she walks, her straight and rounded thighs attract countless eyes. Her mature and elegant face is calm and composed, while her breasts, which are a full C cup, are surging and turbulent. She exudes the aura of a mature and elegant woman.

The reason Dugu Yan wore a cheongsam was not only because Oscar liked it, but also because she would have a dragon tail when she used her Martial Soul Possession, so for convenience, she always wore a cheongsam afterward.

Oscar was sixteen years old. His long silver hair was tied into a ponytail at the back of his head. His silver eyes were calm and undisturbed. With his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, his handsome face was in no way inferior to Dugu Yan's super high looks and figure. He was holding Dugu Yan's arm, and the two stood side by side, just like a pair of celestial lovers.

The moment the two stepped onto the stage, they attracted countless eyes. Such stunning beauty and handsome appearance—to have either one would be enough to die happy. I wonder which dead man will end up with them.

Of course, the "one" here refers to the opposite sex.

As the emcee announced the five teams that had advanced, the captains and vice-captains of the five teams went up to the stage.

The Preliminary Round: first place Shrek Academy, second place Godwind Academy, third place Thunderclap Academy, fourth place Skywater Academy, and fifth place Blazing Academy.

Just like in the original story, the other four of the Five Elements Academy, excluding Elephant Armored Academy, advanced, but the rankings changed.

However, it is worth mentioning that Canghui Academy's Seven-in-One Fusion Skill Seven-in-One Fusion Skill was originally their chance to advance to the next Promotion Match. However, because Huo Wu was injured, when Godwind Academy faced Canghui Academy, Feng Xiaotian immediately went berserk upon entering the arena, not giving them any chance to use the Fusion Skill. This resulted in the Canghui Academy members being seriously injured, affecting their subsequent performance.

Once the other academies realized Canghui Academy's weakness, they all launched swift and decisive attacks from the outset, winning the match.

Tang San and Dai Mubai, the two most prominent figures among the five elements, were sitting in the rest area, but they felt no displeasure whatsoever.

Oscar had considered having Dugu Yan and Oscar go on stage, and when they registered, they both applied as Dugu Yan and vice-captain.

The reason for choosing to go up was simply to attract more attention to Dai Mubai and Tang San. After all, Dai Mubai and Tang San are already so strong, what about the captain and vice-captain?

Meanwhile, the other four teams had the same thought as Oscar and his team. When they saw that it was actually these two who were going to take the stage, Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, Shui Bing'er, and Yu Tianxin all felt a jolt in their hearts.

Could it be that Shrek Academy hadn't used its full strength before? Otherwise, how could someone as strong as Dai Mubai not even be a vice-captain?

However, since they had no prior interaction with Oscar or Dugu Yan, the others did not rush to strike up a conversation.

After all, Oscar and Dugu Yan were both so stunning in terms of looks and temperament that they created an indescribable sense of distance between them.

They had considered the possibility that the two's rise to power was merely a scheme by the Shrek Academy, making them believe that Shrek Academy hadn't yet used its full strength.

But judging from the temperament and appearance of Oscar and Dugu Yan, this doesn't seem fake at all, right? If it really is fake, then the two of them acted too similarly, didn't they?

When Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin saw Oscar finally showing himself for the first time, they silently nodded to Oscar, and Oscar returned the gesture with a smile.

Once all the captains and vice-captains of the five teams had taken the stage, the emcee's voice continued, "Next, His Your Majesty, Sect Master Ning the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School, and Platinum Bishop Salas Platinum will personally present the qualification certificates and prize money to the five teams that have entered the Promotion Match."

The qualification certificate for advancement is actually just a handwritten note. There's no fear of forgery with such a document, since both the Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire know exactly which academy has advanced.

After all, there were so many spectators, and this was the grandest exchange among young Soul Master on the continent. Only someone with a screw loose would cheat.

The top five academies received the same prize money, since this was only the Preliminary Round. Each team received a reward of Ten Thousand Gold Soul Coins from the Heaven Dou Empire. This prize money was nothing to Oscar, but it was a considerable income for most Soul Master.

In the final Grand Finals, the prizes for the top three finishers will be provided by the Spirit Hall.

Of course, besides these, there was also the fiefdom and title reward that Xue Ye had promised Shrek Academy, which was undoubtedly the envy of other academies.

After the awards were presented, the emcee handed over the speaking authority to the most distinguished person present Xue Ye.

Xue Ye's gaze swept over the student representatives from the five academies in front of him, lingering on Oscar and Dugu Yan for a few extra seconds.

The reason is simple: these two, as the captain and vice-captain of the Shrek Academy Team, didn't even participate in the Preliminary Round. Teammate Dai Mubai was level 55, and Tang San, Control System, was level 44. Not to mention Zhu Zhuqing at level 45 and Xiao Wu at level 43. What about Oscar and Dugu Yan? Thinking of this, Xue Ye paid extra attention to the Shrek Academy team, which had achieved a 27-game winning streak in its first appearance.

If Shrek Academy hasn't used its full strength yet, then Shrek Academy true power is something to ponder.

Xue Ye turned his gaze away from Oscar and Dugu Yan and then smiled and said, "First of all, children, I want to congratulate you."

"You have successfully qualified for this year's All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. As the supreme ruler of the Heaven Dou Empire, I am proud of you. You are all the hope for the future of the empire."

"As the captains and vice-captains of your respective teams, your strength has played the most important role in the competition. Therefore, I have decided to confer upon you ten the title of viscount and the other participating students from your five academies the title of baron."

"After you graduate, the gates of the imperial family will be open to you at any time, and your fiefdoms will be allocated uniformly after you graduate."

Upon hearing this, the entire audience erupted in uproar. Another direct reward of titles and fiefdoms? Doesn't this mean they've instantly transformed from ordinary people into nobles? Perhaps some might not care, but they are a minority. After all, very few people have fathers who are the leaders of the Upper Three Sects, and very few have grandfathers who are Titled Douluo.

What does a title of nobility represent? A viscount already has his own territory and servants, and he will also receive a certain amount of subsidies from the state, which is enough to live on.

As the captains and vice-captains of their respective teams, these young people were all quite worldly, but the sheer number of rewards bestowed upon them by Xue Ye still left them somewhat bewildered.

Although many Soul Master possess titles, obtaining a title from a kingdom or duchy is relatively easy, but obtaining a title from an empire is not so simple, especially the title of Viscount, which is directly granted. A Viscount's territory can already be as large as a small city.

What's even more valuable is that Xue Ye has promised the ten people in front of him that he will grant them fiefdoms after this competition ends.

This shows that they were not just nobles with empty titles, but real nobles who owned territories.

Of course, Oscar's and Dugu Yan's rewards did not overlap, because Xue Ye had promised Dai Mubai and the other seven who would participate. Oscar and Dugu Yan had never participated in the Preliminary Round, but they had also received fiefdoms.

"Your Majesty, this is not appropriate." Salas suddenly interrupted from the side, daring to speak while the emperor of a nation was speaking, which shows just how powerful the Spirit Hall is now.

Xue Ye glanced at Salas indifferently. "Is there something wrong, Bishop Salas?"

Salas said, "There is no precedent for rewarding titles in previous competitions. It was one thing for the Shrek Academy to be rewarded with titles before, but now His Your Majesty wants to reward others? Moreover, isn't the title too high?"

Whether it's the Heaven Dou Empire or the Star Luo Empire, the ranks of nobility, from highest to lowest, are Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron.

The five team captains and vice-captains, along with the seven from the Shrek Academy, were all awarded seventeen viscount titles for just one Preliminary Round qualification. The generosity of Xue Ye was enough to astonish anyone around him.

Xue Ye silenced Salas with a single sentence. "Your Platinum Bishop, the conferment of titles is an internal matter of the Empire, and has nothing to do with the Spirit Hall or this competition. It is merely a reward I give to these children out of appreciation."

"They represent my Heaven Dou Empire in this Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. Here I would also like to make a promise to you: if any of your teams wins the final competition, the entire team's title will be promoted by one level, and the academy will be given the prefix 'Royal' and will receive financial support from the Empire."

Upon hearing Xue Ye's words, Salas's expression turned grim. He didn't say anything more, but a hint of gloom appeared in his eyes.

The captains and vice-captains of these five teams in the Preliminary Round were all elites among young Soul Master, each one more intelligent than the last. From Xue Ye's promise and Salas's obstruction, they could vaguely sense the tension between them.

Ning Fengzhi simply stood aside, smiling silently, as if none of this concerned him.

Oscar listened to these words and sighed inwardly. The Spirit Hall was actually quite good, but it was ruined by that stupid woman Bibi Dong. Otherwise, a good-for-nothing like Salas, who didn't know how to hide himself and only knew how to show off, could have become Platinum Bishop.

Of course, it is also true that Bibi Dong herself was determined to destroy the Spirit Hall, and doing so could indeed quickly destroy the Spirit Hall's foundation.

Damn it, don't give me a chance, or I'll teach this bitch a lesson.

If it weren't for this stinky woman's crazy antics, would I have needed to work myself to death every day cultivating myself? Would I have needed to live in constant fear?

On the podium, Xue Ye seemed oblivious to the grim expression on the face of Platinum Bishop Salas, and smiled as he said, "The upcoming Promotion Match will still be held in the Empire, but the venue will change from the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena to the Royal Hunting Ground."

"At that time, ten teams from the four kingdoms and their subordinate duchies will come to compete with you in the Preliminary Round Promotion Match. I hope that all five of your academies will rank highly in the Promotion Match, so that you can have an advantage when you participate in the Grand Finals."

"The Promotion Match is also the best stage to showcase your individual strength. At that time, the top three students who win the most Promotion Match will be provided with the Soul Beast needed for their next title upgrade by the Empire. You can choose the type of Soul Beast yourself. The Empire can guarantee all Soul Beast with a cultivation level of less than 30,000 years."

Upon hearing this, the members of the other Four Element Academy, apart from the Shrek Academy, were incredibly excited. Xue Ye's promise was even more enticing than the previous titles. Even Feng Xiaotian couldn't help but feel his heart racing.

It should be noted that the ten captains and vice-captains representing their respective academies are all around level 40. Their next title promotion will be at level 50.

While level 50 isn't as important as level 30, since it's the first Thousand Year Spirit Ring Soul Ring crucial for building a strong foundation for the body, it's still the first level at which one can obtain a ten-thousand -Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

The strength of their first ten- Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring has a great impact on their future. If they can choose Soul Beast according to their needs, it will undoubtedly be of great benefit. Not only will they not have to take risks and waste time, but they will also be able to maximize the potential of their Martial Soul.

Starting from level 50, Soul Master's cultivation speed will decrease significantly. Having a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring as a guarantee will undoubtedly allow them to maintain their strength between levels 50 and 60, and will also bring immeasurable benefits to their future development.

Seeing the growing fervor in the eyes of the elites before him, Xue Ye smiled slightly, "The Promotion Match will be held in a month. I hope you can make another breakthrough within this month."

"Alright, I won't say anything more. You kids are all very smart, and I think you will make a smart choice."

After saying this, Xue Ye shifted his gaze, sweeping it across the face of the Platinum Bishop Salas, before turning away, accompanied by a group of high-ranking imperial officials.

Salas's eyes flickered slightly, but his expression had completely calmed down, and it was difficult to discern anything from his face.

Just as Xue Ye said, although he did not say it explicitly, the captains and vice-captains of each academy team understood his meaning: choose between the Empire and the Spirit Hall.

Finally, the awards ceremony ended, and everyone left in an orderly fashion.

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