Far North Ice Plains—The Spirit Beast Contract of the Ten-Thousand-Year Smoked Fox

The next morning, Jiang Huai successfully absorbed the ten-thousand-year spirit ring, and the Smoked Fox flew out from between his brows to stand before him.

Flender and Liu Erlong looked on in confusion, but Jiang Huai had already learned while absorbing the ring that it was the Sword God who had allowed the Smoked Fox to sign a contract and become his spirit beast.

Jiang Huai stroked the Smoked Fox's head, and it rubbed against his palm with deep attachment.

Jiang Huai smiled and said, "Let me give you a new name. Since you have become my spirit beast and no longer possess the traits of a Smoked Fox, from today on you shall be called Spirit Fox, my spirit pet."

At this, the Spirit Fox spun in a circle, and several runes appeared on its body; these were the unique markings gained after being named by its master.

Jiang Huai returned to the academy with Flender and Liu Erlong, and on the way back, he explained the utility of this little fox to them.

A spirit beast can assist its master in battle, capable of exerting half of its master's total strength.

When Flender and Liu Erlong heard that it could exert half of its master's strength, they were already shocked. Jiang Huai could fight Flender to a draw on his own, and now that this little fox could unleash half of Jiang Huai's power, it was easy to imagine that if the little fox were to fight the original Smoked Fox, this current body would definitely defeat the first.

Soon, the three returned to Shrek Academy, and the other eight Shrek monsters along with the four substitutes rushed over.

The Spirit Fox seemed to enjoy being the center of attention, standing on Jiang Huai's shoulder and chirping happily.

Gu Yue came forward to curiously ask what was going on with the fox, and Jiang Huai explained the matter of the spirit pet.

Once they heard this, everyone wanted to obtain their own spirit pet; the little fox was truly adorable, with orange fur and light orange pupils, looking cute from every angle.

Moreover, the Spirit Fox was very close to Jiang Huai, and when Gu Yue approached, it would also be affectionate toward her because she carried Jiang Huai's scent.

Yu Xiaogang walked over and told Jiang Huai and the others, "Alright, we only have two weeks of training time left. Xiao Huai, can you and this little Spirit Fox achieve seamless coordination? You are our trump card, after all."

Jiang Huai extended his palm, and the Spirit Fox ran over to stand on it. Jiang Huai smiled and said, "Don't worry, the Spirit Fox and I share a telepathic connection."

Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang felt relieved. He had been researching many tactics to be used during the tournament, one of which was the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill, and he had already begun researching this ability in advance.

Once Jiang Huai and the others successfully stood out in the preliminary rounds, Yu Xiaogang would reveal this complete tactical plan.

Just then, Flender began distributing the Shrek Academy uniforms, and Jiang Huai's expression turned ugly when he saw the poop-green attire.

Seeing this, Flender scratched his head awkwardly and said, "Xiao Huai, can you just make do and wear it?"

Hearing this, veins bulged on Jiang Huai's forehead as he tore the clothes into two pieces with force. He then turned around and led his teammates away, and Gu Yue and the others also threw their uniforms on the ground to follow Jiang Huai.

Jiang Huai brought out the outfits he had designed: black suits for the boys with ties representing their respective spirit colors, along with various jewelry options; the girls wore JK-style outfits, though they included leggings, which Gu Yue had added to Jiang Huai's original design.

Soon, everyone was dressed in black suits, black trousers, and black leather shoes. Jiang Huai finished changing and straightened his black-purple tie.

As soon as he walked out, he attracted the gazes of Gu Yue, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing. Gu Yue and Xiao Wu boldly stepped forward to touch the fabric, while Ning Rongrong stood to the side feeling shy, and Zhu Zhuqing peeked over from time to time.

Soon, this set of outfits made its official debut before Flender and the others. Gu Yue did not like the JK outfit, instead changing into a slightly more elegant silver-white palace-style long dress.

Gu Yue stepped into silver crystal shoes and wore a silver necklace around her neck, from which hung a gemstone containing the Love-Sickness Broken Heart Red she had sealed inside.

Gu Yue styled her hair into a ponytail and wore the Silver Dragon Hairpin Jiang Huai had bought for her. She also wore exquisite earrings, a silver-white Silver Dragon Bracelet on her wrist—a dual-purpose storage and defensive Soul Guidance Device Jiang Huai had made for her—and the Twin Rings, their token of love, which Jiang Huai had spent a great deal of effort to craft.

The ring on Gu Yue's ring finger bore the pattern of a Silver Dragon, while the ring on Jiang Huai's ring finger bore the pattern of an Ash Ruins Dragon.

Flender brought the academy's senior teachers over, and everyone congratulated Jiang Huai and Gu Yue on their long-lasting bond.

Although Flender felt pained over his box of uniforms, he dared not defy their wish to wear other clothes. To save face for Flender, Jiang Huai had a tailor embroider the words "Shrek Academy" and the school emblem—a pattern of a Shrek—on the back of everyone's clothes.

Time passed quickly, and the entire Heaven Dou City was decorated with lanterns and streamers; the blue flowers, the national flower of the Heaven Dou Empire, were completely sold out across the city.

The streets of Heaven Dou City were hung with items related to the Spirit Master Tournament, the entire Heaven Dou Imperial Palace was beautifully decorated, and a red carpet was laid out on the road leading to the Soto Grand Arena.

Flender spent a large amount of Diamond Coins to produce posters for Jiang Huai and the others, including individual, duo, and group posters. The posters did not feature the substitute members because their exposure rate was not high enough, and Flender feared wasting the money he had spent.

Soon, the day of the Spirit Master Tournament arrived in the Heaven Dou Empire. All teams participating in the tournament arrived in the capital, Heaven Dou City, with their destination being the Soto Grand Arena.

The four academy leaders—Flender, Liu Erlong, Yu Xiaogang, and Zhao Wuji—brought Jiang Huai and the others to the perimeter of the Soto Grand Arena to undergo inspection.

Jiang Huai did not wear a mask, which meant that the surrounding participating teams, such as the all-female Tianshui Academy team, were all stunned as they stared at Jiang Huai's face.

Gu Yue was on the verge of tipping over her "vinegar jar" nearby. All the participating teams were waiting for the three positions of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Third-in-Command to be filled.

Soon, the host of the Soto Grand Arena made a flashy entrance, followed by the high-ranking Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire, then Cardinal Salas of the Heaven Dou City Spirit Hall, and finally, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the sect's protector, Sword Douluo.

Emperor Xue Ye delivered a passionate opening speech on the stage, followed by a few useless remarks from Salas and Ning Fengzhi.

In short, the opening ceremony for the Heaven Dou Competition Zone came to an end, and everyone entered the Grand Arena to wait for their opponents to be assigned, while the others headed to the spectator stands to prepare to watch the matches.