The Melee Continued

"That's a ghost!"

Xu Sanshi swore.

"We're both in fifth grade, and we're only at level 42 or 43. He's only in second grade, yet his Soul Power completely overwhelmed us. Is there any justice in this world?"

What truly devastated Xu Sanshi was the white-haired woman standing behind Dai Huabin.

Xue Qingyao.

Level 65 Soul Emperor, Ultimate Ice.

This news had already spread among the senior management of the Inner Academy and Outer Academy.

For a Soul Emperor to infiltrate this group of Soul Elder and Soul Ancestor to compete for a spot is no different from a max-level character going back to the newbie village to stomp on weaker opponents.

"We can't fight them, there's no way we can."

Xu Sanshi shook his head.

"If it's a group elimination round later, I'd rather just admit defeat than face that Soul Emperor. Have you heard the news from the Inner Academy? Even Sister Xiaotao was frozen back in one move by her."

Bei Bei patted him on the shoulder, signaling him to calm down.

Dai Huabin ignored the whispers of the two men. His gaze swept across the room, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

Tang Ya didn't come.

This is normal. Although Tang Ya is the leader of the Tang Sect, her Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass, is not particularly outstanding.

Neither his cultivation speed nor his combat ability meet the requirements for becoming a core disciple of the Shrek Academy.

However, judging by the timeline, Tang Ya's days at the Shrek Academy are probably numbered.

The plot point where, due to insufficient talent, she was eager for revenge and to revive the Tang Sect, ultimately went astray in Heaven Dou City and was taken away by the Holy Spirit Cult to become the Blue Silver Saintess is slowly approaching.

Should we get involved in this?

Dai Huabin weighed the options in his mind for two seconds.

To him, Tang Ya's life or death was actually irrelevant.

However, Tang Ya is bound to the Tang Sect, bound to Bei Bei, and even involved with the Holy Spirit Cult.

If handled properly, this could become a very useful piece.

But that's a story for another time.

Just then, a soft sound of footsteps approached.

Ning Tian walked over with Wu Feng.

Today, the young master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was dressed in a smart blue outfit. He didn't have his usual aloofness, but instead exuded a neat and efficient air.

She stopped beside Dai Huabin, her voice so low that only the two of them could hear her.

"Huabin, I have received the letter. My mother's reply was very clear."

Ning Tian paused briefly, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

"As long as the clues you have are genuine, and as long as you can obtain the tower, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is willing to pay any price."

"Any cost?" Dai Huabin raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Any price. Even if you need to mobilize all of our sect's liquid funds, or even get Titled Douluo to help, we can discuss it."

However, this was all within Dai Huabin's expectations. For the sake of the Aromatic Silk Beauty Tulip, which could evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would indeed be desperate.

I appreciate your sincerity.

Dai Huabin's tone remained calm.

"But this isn't the place to talk business. We can discuss it after today's Selection Tournament. There's no rush."

Ning Tian took a deep breath and suppressed his emotions.

"Okay, whatever you say."

Just then, a commotion arose at the entrance of the Soul Fighting Arena.

"Quiet down, all of you. What kind of behavior is this, chattering away like this?"

A slightly hoarse voice echoed in the empty Soul Fighting Arena, not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.

Everyone turned their heads.

Leading the way was Du Weilun, the Dean of Students. He was carrying a thick folder and looked very serious.

But everyone's attention was drawn to the disheveled old man next to him.

The old man's hair was a mess, like a bird's nest.

His clothes were greasy and their original color was no longer visible.

He was carrying a huge red gourd in his left hand and a half-eaten roast chicken leg in his right.

He even let out a burp as he walked.

This person was none other than Xuan Zi, Level 98 Super Douluo and a powerful figure in the Sea God Pavilion.

He is known as the "Grand Elder of the Holy Spirit Cult" and the "Chicken Leg Douluo".

Upon seeing Xuan Zi make his appearance, Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi exchanged a glance.

No need to guess anymore. Apart from selecting the Shrek Seven Devils Reserve Team, there is no assessment in the Outer Academy that warrants a Super Douluo personally presiding over it.

Du Weilun walked to the center of the field and cleared his throat.

"All core disciples, assemble immediately. Line up by grade."

Soon, more than thirty core disciples stood in a square formation in the center of the field.

Xuan Zi tossed the chicken bone in his hand aside, took a big gulp of wine, and wiped his mouth haphazardly with his greasy sleeve.

His somewhat cloudy eyes swept across the crowd, finally lingering for a moment on Dai Huabin and Xue Qingyao.

"I think some of the clever kids have already guessed why I called you here today."

Xuan Zi yawned and spoke slowly.

"That's right, our academy is about to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament. Today, we'll be selecting seven Reserve Team members from among you."

These words immediately caused a suppressed commotion among the crowd. That represented the highest honor of the Shrek Academy.

Xuan Zi patted his belly and continued:

"In previous years, the selection process involved group matches, knockout rounds, and point-based tournaments—it was all too troublesome."

He suddenly laughed.

"Today, let's do something different."

Xuan Zi took two steps back, extended his greasy finger, and drew a large circle in the air.

"The rules are simple. Everyone, stay on the field."

"This place is big enough. When I say 'start' in a bit, you can start doing whatever you want."

Whether it's a one-on-one fight, forming a gang, or even all of you teaming up against one person, I don't care.

"There are no rules in this arena. The only requirement is that if you are knocked out of the boundary line, voluntarily surrender, or am deemed incapacitated by me, you are eliminated."

At this point, the nonchalant look on Xuan Zi's face vanished, replaced by an oppressive aura that made it hard to breathe.

"The Selection Tournament ends when only seven people remain on the field. The last seven are the winners. Do you understand?"

After he finished speaking, the entire room fell into a deathly silence.

Super Smash Bros.?

A melee of over thirty people ended up with only seven survivors?

Xu Sanshi's face turned pale. He subconsciously turned his head and looked at Dai Huabin not far away.

Dai Huabin stood there, with his partner Zhu Lu, who possessed the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and Xue Qingyao, the level 65 Ultimate Ice Soul Emperor, standing beside him.

Behind them, Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, several formidable junior students, were subtly forming a group around them.

Xu Sanshi swallowed hard, feeling a chill run down his spine.

This isn't a chaotic free-for-all; it's practically a one-sided cleanup show by these few freaks!

Once Xue Qingyao makes a move, how can anyone else possibly compete?