Soul Master Tournament, Gathering of Heroes

Time flies, and the two-year hiatus has passed in the blink of an eye. The grand event that the Soul Master World of the Douluo Continent has been eagerly anticipating— the All-Continent High-Level Soul Master Elite Tournament —has finally begun.

This competition brings together elite teams from 125 high-level Soul Master Academy and Soul Engineer academies across the mainland, making it a truly star-studded event.

The competition is divided into three stages: the first round of the preliminary round is a brutal elimination tournament, a seven-on-seven team battle mode, with opponents determined by drawing lots, and the loser is eliminated immediately, which is expected to last three days;

The second round is Round Robin. The approximately 64 teams that advanced will be divided into eight groups of eight to nine teams each. A randomized format will be used, with the specific mode (single elimination, 3v2 cooperative battle, or 7v7 team battle) determined by drawing lots before each match. The top two teams from each group will advance.

In the final round of 16, a pre-arranged single-elimination tournament will be held until a champion is determined. Tianxing Academy, Spirit Hall Academy, and the Federal Soul Master Academy, as the top three teams from the previous season, will have their main teams (teams one) directly qualify for the Round Robin, while their second teams will have to start from the preliminary rounds.

The tournament will be held in Spirit City. This magnificent city, located in the central region of the continent, is not only the headquarters of the Federal Martial Soul Hall, but also the spiritual symbol of the Soul Master civilization on the Douluo Continent.

It bears witness to the immortal epic of human Soul Master, from struggling to survive under the claws of Soul Beast in ancient times to building a glorious civilization today. Every brick and stone is imbued with profound historical heritage.

The enormous Soul Tool Train, spewing white steam, slowly pulled into the Martial Soul City East Station. Led by Flender and Zhao Wuji, the Shrek Team disembarked, following the bustling crowd.

When the majestic city was laid bare before them, apart from Flender and Zhao Wuji, who were already mentally prepared, all the young team members involuntarily held their breath, their eyes filled with awe.

Spirit City! The holy land of Soul Master in the Douluo Continent, and one of the political and cultural centers of the Federation. It is not built on a plain, but rather relies on the continuous mountain range, with magnificent buildings layered upon layered against the mountain.

The pristine white temples, towering towers, and most strikingly, the Martial Soul Holy Temple, situated at the city's highest point and seemingly reaching towards the heavens, together create a magnificent and imposing scene.

Above the city, a powerful energy fluctuation could be faintly felt, forming a giant Soul Tool Barrier that enveloped the entire city, silently demonstrating the majesty and security of this place.

"Wow... Is this Spirit City? It's so... so big!" Ma Hongjun's mouth dropped open as he looked up at the temple spire that seemed to have no top.

Oscar murmured, "It's far more magnificent Suotuo City... no, far more magnificent than Heaven Dou City!"

Xiao Wu instinctively gripped Tang San's arm. The solemn and dignified atmosphere emanating from the city made this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast feel a sense of instinctive restraint.

Tang San was also deeply moved. He had lived two lives. Although the Bashu Tang Sect in his previous life was also a famous clan in Sichuan, in terms of the grandeur of the city and the weight of history, it was like a firefly compared to the bright moon when compared to the Spirit City before him.

He couldn't help but recall the course taught by Dean Flender during their journey—a course that Governor Yu Yuanchen had specifically required all high-level Soul Master Academy to take, titled "A Brief History of the Development of Soul Master in the Douluo Plane," when he was integrating the Federation education system.

The course elucidates the origins, development, and growth of the Soul Master civilization: from the awakening of meager Soul Power by ancient ancestors under the threat of Soul Beast, to the initial establishment of order by the "Soul Master Guild," the Spirit Hall;

From the constant conflict between the two great empires to the relatively stable period dominated by the Spirit Hall and with the Seven Great Sects standing side by side;

Then came the emergence of Yu Yuanchen, who pioneered Martial Way, unified the continent, established Federation, and ultimately forged diplomatic relations with the Divine Realm, ushering in a new era...

This magnificent history made Tang San deeply realize the close connection between personal destiny and the torrent of the times, and also made him feel more awe for this sacred land beneath his feet, which embodies the hard work and glory of countless Soul Master.

"Hmph, a country bumpkin coming to the city." An untimely, Yin-Yang voice rang out from the side.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of people wearing moon-white Soul Master robes embroidered with silver crescent moon patterns walking over.

The middle-aged man leading the group was none other than the vice dean of Canghui Academy, Shi Nian, a level 79 Soul Saint in the Control Department, with the Martial Soul Remnant Dream.

He had a past conflict with Flender when they were young, and had been severely punished by Flender, which he held a grudge against ever since.

Behind him followed the contestants from the Canghui Academy, each with an arrogant gaze, looking down at the Shrek members with undisguised contempt.

"Hey, where did this country bumpkin come from? Isn't this Flender, the one who couldn't make it in the industry back then and had to run a small, run-down academy in some backwater? What, your Shrek Academy hasn't gone out of business yet? You actually dare to come to Spirit City and embarrass yourself?"

Flender narrowed his eyes, but a businessman's fake smile plastered on his face, "So it's you, 'Vice' Dean Shi Nian. Years have passed, and your mouth still stinks. What, is your Canghui Academy short of people? Do you need a ' Soul Sage ' Vice Dean like yourself to personally lead the team to make up the numbers?"

Shi Nian's face darkened. He hated it most when people mentioned his title Vice Dean and his strength as a mere Soul Sage. These were Shi Nian's two biggest sore spots. Now, Flender's words had touched these wounds twice, and his face immediately turned extremely ugly.

He had been stuck at the Soul Sage realm for many years, and seeing his former rival Flender become Soul Douluo and the dean of a high-level Soul Master Academy, his jealousy and hatred gnawed at him like a venomous snake.

Shi Nian sneered, "Flender, stop with the empty talk! What good students can a third-rate academy like Shrek produce? Don't let them get sent home in the first round; that would be truly shameful!"

"A third-rate academy?" Before Flender could speak, Zhao Wuji couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward, releasing a slight aura of power befitting Soul Douluo. "Old ghost Shi Nian, are you courting death?"

Shi Nian felt Zhao Wuji's oppressive aura, and his expression changed slightly. However, relying on the fact that no one in Spirit City dared to make a move, he braced himself and said, "Hmph, Zhao Wuji, you're still as reckless as ever. What, you want to make a move? Don't forget where you are!"

Flender grabbed Zhao Wuji, looked at Shi Nian, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, but his smile remained unchanged, "Shi Nian, since you look down on Shrek so much, how about we make a bet?"

"Oh? What are we betting on?" Shi Nian raised an eyebrow.

"Let's bet on which of our two academies will rank higher in this competition!" Shi Nian's eyes flashed with cunning. "The loser will pay the other with a Thousand-Year Soul Bone! How about it? If you don't dare to bet, then you'd better take your useless students back to Suotuo City as soon as possible!"

A Thousand-Year Soul Bone! Even for Soul Douluo, it's an extremely precious treasure. Upon hearing this, people from other academies all turned their heads, revealing expressions of interest.

Looking at Shi Nian's smug face, and then at the young but determined students behind him, Flender felt a surge of pride.

He knew that Canghui Academy was only of average strength, with its best result in previous competitions being only the top 32. Shrek Team, on the other hand, had undergone two years of hard training and was now much stronger than before. Although they had strong opponents, it was not impossible for them to achieve a better ranking.

"Let's gamble!" Flender declared loudly. "Shi Nian, prepare your Spirit Bone! Don't try to renege on your bet later!"

"Hmph! Whoever reneges on their debt is a coward!" Shi Nian was secretly delighted to see Flender fall for his trap. He uttered these harsh words and led the people from the Canghui Academy away.

"Dean, this..." Dai Mubai with some worry. Thousand-Year Soul Bone is no small matter.

"What are you afraid of?" Flender waved his hand dismissively. "Have some confidence in yourselves! It's just a Spirit Bone. If we win, it'll be a great addition to our team's arsenal! All of you, get your spirits up! If we lose, see how I deal with you!"

The team members exchanged glances, their fighting spirit intensifying. They were determined to obtain this Spirit Bone!

In the following days, after completing a series of procedures such as registration and drawing lots, the competition finally ushered in a grand opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony was held in the largest Angel Great Soul Arena in the center of Spirit City. The stands, which can accommodate hundreds of thousands of people, were packed to capacity, and the atmosphere was incredibly enthusiastic. Federation leaders, leaders of major sects, and celebrities from all walks of life gathered in the VIP section. As their Divine Sense swept across the area, powerful and unparalleled auras could be faintly seen, demonstrating the high level of this event.

As is customary, the opening match will be a demonstration match between one of the two teams from the three major academies (Tianxing, Martial Soul, and Federation Soul Engineer) and one of the teams from the other academies, thus kicking off the competition.

On the enormous crystal screen, light flowed and finally froze.

Opening Ceremony Exhibition Match: Tianxing Academy Second Team vs. Blazing Sun Academy!

A deafening cheer erupted from the entire arena! Tianxing Academy, the number one academy on the continent, even its second team was enough to attract all eyes!

Under the watchful eyes of countless people, the players from both sides took to the field.

Tianxing Team Two, with its seven members all dressed in sky-blue uniforms, exudes a focused aura and sharp eyes. Despite their young age, they already possess the demeanor of an elite team.

Captain, Yu Tianheng, seventeen years old, a level 56 Power Attack System Battle Soul King, Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon! His face is cold and stern, his eyes are disdainful, and there are faint crackling lightning around his body. His powerful Dragon Might is awe-inspiring. (Because he was in a critical period of breakthrough when he fought Shrek Academy in Suotuo City two years ago, he was not with the team. Therefore, Meng Yiran and others were the acting captains at that time.)

Vice Captain, Meng Yiran, seventeen years old, a level 52 Power Attack System Battle Soul King, Martial Soul Dragon Snake Scepter.

Ning Rongrong, fourteen years old, level 49 Support Type Vessel Soul Ancestor, her Martial Soul Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Song Qing, seventeen years old, level 49, Control Type Battle Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul: Heavenly Sky Blue Vine.

Lei Dong, seventeen years old, level 49 Agility Attack Type Battle Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul Lightning Leopard.

Zhu Zhuqing, fourteen years old, level 49 Agility Attack Type Battle Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat.

Wang Ming, a level 48 Defense Type Soul Ancestor, with the Martial Soul Earth Golem.

Their opponent, Blazing Sun Academy, is also a long-established and powerful school. Their best result in previous competitions was once in the top sixteen. This year, all members of their team are Soul Ancestor, with a reasonable combination of members, and their strength should not be underestimated.

However, once the match began, the game became one-sided.

Yu Tianheng, Meng Yiran, and Ning Rongrong did not even make a move; they simply stood quietly in the rear to provide support.

With Song Qing's Sky Blue Vine controlling the field, Lei Dong Lightning Leopard surprise attack, and Zhu Zhuqing's Hell Spirit Cat's Devious Kill, Wang Ming directly tanked the damage head-on.

Thus, the Tianxing Team Two, with overwhelming force, completely tore apart the Blazing Sun Academy's formation in just three minutes. All seven team members were cleanly and decisively defeated and swept off the stage!

The entire process was seamless, with perfect teamwork and overwhelming strength! The formidable strength displayed by Tianxing Team Two shocked the audience and put immense pressure on all participating teams.

In a corner of the VIP section, the Shrek Team members watched with solemn expressions.

"That's too fast... and this is still the strength of the Tianxing Team Two?" Oscar clicked his tongue in amazement.

"Yu Tianheng hasn't made a move yet, and there's also Zhu Zhuqing ..." Dai Mubai clenched his fist, feeling the subtle resonance and pressure between the two top-tier Beast Martial Soul.

Furthermore, when he saw Zhu Zhuqing again after two years, he was surprised that Zhu Zhuqing had chosen to join Tianxing Academy. You should know that Tianxing Academy does not accept just anyone. It not only looks at your talent, but also whether you are involved in family internal affairs.

For example, students from the White Tiger Dai Family whose succession is involved would be considered as interfering in their family affairs if the academy accepted them. Although such matters are unlikely to threaten the academy, the academy's neutral stance does not allow them to meddle in the internal affairs of large families, and therefore the academy will not accept such students.

Zhu Zhuqing's situation clearly shows that she has received support from the Zhu Family. Although the Dai Family is allied with the Zhu Family family and has been intermarried for generations, they are ultimately two separate families and do not need to be taken into account. As long as the Zhu Family family is willing, Zhu Zhuqing can enter Tianxing Academy.

Tang San remained silent, his gaze fixed on Yu Tianheng, whose aura was profound, and Meng Yiran, Ning Rongrong, and others who had fought him before and were now significantly stronger.

He could sense that although they had made great progress in the past two years, the foundation of the top universities on the mainland was unfathomable, and the gap between them probably had not narrowed in the past two years.

Xiao Wu leaned closer to Tang San and whispered, "Brother, they're so strong... we..."

Tang San took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and his eyes regained their firmness. "It's alright, just do your best. Our goal is to surpass ourselves. This year, we'll gain experience; the next year will be our stage."

Flender clapped his hands, drawing the players' attention back. "You all see that? This is the opponent we'll be facing! Now you know the gap? Everyone, give it your all! Our match is about to begin!"

In the following days, the first round of the preliminary elimination tournament was in full swing. Teams from various colleges took turns to compete, with strong teams easily crushing their opponents and weaker teams pulling off upsets. The matches were exciting, while undercurrents were swirling around the field.

Shrek Team was placed on the third day of the competition. The waiting process was somewhat agonizing, but it also gave them more time to observe potential opponents.

Finally, it was their turn to appear.

"Next match: Shrek Academy Team vs. Canghui Academy Team!"

The referee's voice was amplified and carried throughout the entire arena via the Amplifying Soul Tool.

Upon hearing this, the Shrek members were all taken aback, then a strange expression appeared on their faces. What a coincidence... it's a small world!

Flender chuckled, adjusted his glasses, glanced at Shi Nian, whose face was ashen, at the opposite contestant's Shi Nian, and raised his chin, the meaning clear: Spirit Bone, are you ready?

A cold glint flashed in Tang San's eyes. He exchanged glances with Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and the others, all seeing the fighting spirit ignited in each other.

Their first battle is against their arch-rival! They're determined to secure this opening victory!

"Let's go, let's show those brats from the Canghui Academy what a real monster is!" Dai Mubai roared, taking the lead on the steps leading to the arena.

The Shrek Seven Devils followed closely behind, embarking on their first journey in this tournament amidst the curious, scrutinizing, and disdainful gazes of the audience.

A great war is about to break out!