Heat and the Youth Genius Ranking
"Yu Tianlong!"
A clear, cold voice rang out, not loud, but it instantly cut off the shouts from the arena.
Yu Tianlong turned around abruptly and met the calm eyes of the team leader, Shen Yi. She had already stepped onto the stage without him noticing.
"The match is over." Shen Yi's voice rang out clearly. "A loss is a loss, and Shrek isn't a sore loser."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the other four Shrek students, her tone becoming more forceful.
"Don't embarrass Shrek."
As soon as the words were spoken, the shoulders of the five Shrek members all trembled.
They silently gathered behind Shen Yi, their heads bowed, like eggplants suddenly wilted by autumn frost, and slowly moved off the stage.
On the way back, we inevitably had to pass by the location where the teachers and students of Class Zero were.
Their side was naturally filled with laughter and joy, basking in the happiness of victory.
The Shrek boys instinctively lowered their heads, their steps hesitant, almost as if they wanted to hug the wall to avoid the blinding cheers.
Shen Yi did not avoid her, but walked straight over and finally stopped in front of Wu Changkong.
Her expression was somewhat complicated. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke, "Martial Brother, it seems I really misjudged you before. Your students... are very capable!"
Wu Changkong's expression remained unchanged. He met Shen Yi's gaze and parted his thin lips slightly. "I know."
Even knowing his Martial Brother's temperament well, Shen Yi was still taken aback by this response, and a helpless, bitter smile appeared on his lips.
"It's me, and these children, I'm so proud." She shook her head. "This failure... might not be such a bad thing."
Wu Changkong looked at Shen Yi with his icy blue eyes and said meaningfully, "You're not the only ones who are too proud."
Just then, even more enthusiastic cheers erupted from afar. A large number of teachers and students from the Eastsea Academy could no longer contain their excitement and surged toward this side, cheering.
The students from Class Zero who defeated the Shrek students were also proud of it.
Shen Yi's gaze swept over the young faces around Wu Changkong again, and finally a smile appeared on his face.
"Enjoy your victory!"
After saying that, she didn't linger and turned away swiftly.
Behind her, the seven Shrek boys, who had once been so arrogant, silently followed in her footsteps, their figures gradually fading into the shadows of departure as the light in the corridor dimmed.
Although the Heaven Sea Alliance Tournament has ended, the excitement in Skysea City has not yet subsided.
Many participants who had traveled from afar were not in a hurry to leave; the tension they had felt during the competition was finally able to ease in the seaside city's breeze.
People made plans to try the local seafood or take a stroll through the renowned Starlight Bay.
However, when the morning light streamed through the hotel window the next day, all the sightseeing plans made the night before had to be put on hold.
Because almost everyone is talking about last night's Exhibition Match.
Shrek Academy actually lost yesterday's Exhibition Match!
They were defeated by the little-known Class Zero of the Eastsea Academy!
This match was already highly anticipated due to Shrek's appearance, and the Heaven Sea Alliance Tournament's popularity this year has soared to its highest level ever.
Countless eyes witnessed firsthand, through the broadcast, how Shrek Academy's undefeated legend crumbled before a group of unfamiliar teenagers.
Shrek's defeat was shocking, but if it ended there, it might only become a topic of conversation in the Soul Master World for a while.
But who could have predicted that overnight, the outcome of this competition between teenagers would spread like wildfire, soaring to the top of the Federation trending search list and remaining a hot topic for Jiujiu.
Over the years, Shrek Academy's reputation has grown so great that its actions have become increasingly... eye-catching.
From Long Yeyue's astonishing act of slapping the master of the Spirit Pagoda to Yun Ming's domineering behavior of single-handedly storming the War God Temple to "snatch back" the Holy Spirit Douluo Ya Li.
Each and every incident has long exceeded the bounds and limits that a typical college should have.
Following the example set by those above, some teachers and students both inside and outside the college inevitably developed an arrogant and unruly attitude.
While the Federation's top brass and giants like the Spirit Pagoda maintained a facade of restraint due to Shrek's unfathomable strength, deep down, how could they not harbor resentment?
They just didn't have a suitable opportunity and were unwilling to easily break off relations.
Shrek's defeat may not be enough to shake Shrek foundation, but it is enough to tell the world that even the seemingly invincible giant can fall.
So now that this opportunity has arisen, the Federation and the Spirit Pagoda, these forces, naturally wouldn't mind adding fuel to the fire and kicking someone when they're down!
After all, the mainland has suffered under the Shrek Academy for far too long!
The outcome of a battle between young Soul Master was thus thrust into the spotlight.
In a room at the Heaven Sea Hotel, the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the azure sea and clear sky, but the students in Class Zero had no time to appreciate it.
The group sat together, watching online discussions about their match against Shrek Academy the previous day.
The text scrolled across the screen like a waterfall, with over 90% of the topics Entanglement around the same name: Shrek.
What exactly happened to the Shrek Academy? How could the younger generation be defeated by a local academy?
"The Legend Ends? Analyzing the Fatal Flaws in Shrek Academy's Tactical System..."
"Underestimating the enemy, or a gap in strength? An in-depth analysis of Shrek's defeat."
Astonishment, skepticism, schadenfreude, and even opportunistic comments... a variety of opinions emerged.
As for Class Zero of the Eastsea Academy itself, it seems more like a blurred background on the edge of this storm.
Occasionally someone would ask about it, but it was quickly drowned out by the heated debates surrounding Shrek.
"Tsk, it's like we're just there for show."
Xie Xie pursed his lips, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest of the sofa.
"That's normal," Gu Yue said calmly, his gaze sweeping over the clamoring comments. "Dragon slayers are remembered often because the dragons themselves are astonishing."
Just then...
"Ah!"
Xu Xiaoyan's short, loud exclamation interrupted the whispers of the others in the room.
Her delicate cheeks flushed slightly with excitement, and her fingers trembled as she pointed at the Soul Guidance Screen in front of her.
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to him.
Xu Xiaoyan looked up to meet everyone's gaze, then looked at the screen in front of her and exclaimed excitedly, "Yuhao, Wulin... you, you've made it onto the Youth Genius Ranking!"
The Youth Genius Ranking is hailed as a backup list for the Continental Wind and Cloud Ranking, and it includes thirty young geniuses under the age of eighteen from across the mainland.
Its evaluation is extremely rigorous, covering talent, combat experience, secondary profession achievements, and even potential assessment. Being able to enter it is almost equivalent to having one foot in the hall of the future continent's top powerhouses.
"Let me see!"
Xie Xie was the first to jump up and rush over. The list on the screen was clearly displayed, and Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin's names were prominently listed.
Gu Yue's gaze swept lightly over the two of them, a faint smile playing on her lips, "Congratulations on making it onto the Youth Genius Ranking, Yuhao and Wulin."
Tang Wulin scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed at his thirtieth place on the list.
Hearing Gu Yue's words, he quickly waved his hand. "I... I just happened to get there. If we're talking about strength, Gu Yue, you're much stronger than me."