The next day dawned.
The finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament had begun.
Star Luo City was completely deserted. Everyone had crowded into the plaza to watch this clash of the titans.
The competitors' corridor was dim. Xu Yanli leaned in the shadows, idly playing with a Jade Fan in his hand, turning it slowly.
The deafening cheers outside could be heard clearly through the walls, loud enough to make everyone's ears ring.
"Your Highness." Elder Ma hurried over to him and reported in a hushed voice, "Will you be competing?"
Xu Yanli gave a slight nod but said nothing. This lineup was entirely within his expectations.
"Who are we sending out for the first match?" Elder Ma asked immediately afterward.
Xu Yanli slowly turned and looked at the people behind him.
Huo Yuhao stood with his eyes closed, leaning against the wall. His Spiritual Detection had already spread out quietly as he carefully sensed what was happening on Shrek's side.
Xiao Hongchen squatted in the corner, fiddling with several palm-sized Pocket Soul Guidance Cannons. He looked completely nonchalant, as if he didn't take the match seriously at all.
Meng Hongchen stood by the window. The morning sunlight fell across her face, and the distant arena was clearly reflected in the distinctive mismatched eyes of her Vermilion Clear Ice Toad.
"Huo Yuhao, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen. Send those three out for the first match." Xu Yanli shifted his gaze away and spoke calmly.
Elder Ma froze, then couldn't help asking, "Your Highness, aren't you going to compete yourself?"
"I'm in no hurry." Xu Yanli smiled. With a swish, he opened his Jade Fan and covered half his face, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Let's see what trump cards Shrek has up its sleeve first."
There