Several teachers left their seats and went straight to the organizing committee staff at ringside.
People from the Heaven Dou Empire protested too, their voices quickly swelling into a chorus. Those who had just been laughing at Kamikaze for fearing a fight now turned toward the Skywater Team.
In Shrek Academy's preparation area, Tang San frowned and read through the announced roster again.
Just as in his previous life, something had happened—yet this time, it was different.
Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and Skywater's original mainstays had all gathered on one team. The tactics they had prepared could no longer be used unchanged.
He handed the roster to a teammate beside him, his gaze still fixed on Skywater.
The argument at ringside grew louder. Some demanded that the decision be withdrawn; others pressed the staff to say which rule allowed an eliminated team's members to compete again. They crowded around the organizing committee staff and refused to leave.
Zhu Yan closed the application on the table. "This request to combine teams is approved."
Several team leaders immediately turned toward the raised platform, ready to argue. She raised a hand to stop them and continued:
"Only this once. Starting with the next tournament, this rule will be added: members of teams that have been eliminated or have voluntarily withdrawn may not transfer to other teams to continue competing, nor may they reenter under the guise of a temporary merger between academies."
Zhu Yan looked at the referee on the stage. "Announce the next match. The competition continues."
Bluestone tiles across the Arena shattered one after another, sending chips of stone and still-glowing sparks flying.
The Star Luo Royal Academy Second Team's last defender was smashed into the barrier. He spat blood and fell unconscious as soon as he hit