The host looked grim.
He hadn't expected Shrek to lose, let alone by such a crushing margin.
Heavenly Spirit Academy had relied on Soul Tools to drag things out until the very end, when their final team member was the only one left standing on the stage.
The host had waited, hoping to see whether Shrek could get back up.
But he was disappointed. Shrek couldn't rise. Every one of them lay helpless on the stage.
He looked toward the Star Luo Emperor, who gave a nod. The host understood, picked up the microphone, and prepared to announce the result.
Lin Xiao watched, waiting to see if anything unexpected would happen. Da Ming and Er Ming, the two beastly fellows, looked terribly anxious. They wanted nothing more than to rush up, scoop Wang Dong into their arms, and treat her properly.
The audience below was utterly silent. Everyone was waiting, hoping Shrek would get back up.
Ma Xiaotao slammed one hand hard against her armrest. Dai Yueheng gripped his so tightly that he wished he could take the field himself.
Wang Yan's face turned pale, then purple. His body trembled. If Shrek lost, he would be Shrek's sinner—the one who had let Shrek's glory slip away...
As everyone held their breath, the host's voice rang out: "The winner is the Heavenly Spirit High-Level Soul Master Academy!!"
That announcement sealed Shrek's fate.
"Ha ha ha ha!!" A shrill, mocking laugh rang across the arena alongside the host's announcement.
The laughter was full of delight, ridicule, and excitement.
Everyone followed the sound. The owner of the laughter sat sprawled in his seat, looking bored, a grin on his face. He wasn't afraid of Shrek in the least.
The one laughing was none other than Xiao Hongchen of the Sun Moon Empire!
"Clap,