Pre-Match Preparations

After Xuan Zi left, with the aid of Flying Soul Tools, the Shrek Academy group finally arrived at Star Luo City, the venue for this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament, by evening.

Following the crowd and passing through the city wall, a hundred meters high and equally thick, imposing and majestic in appearance but nothing more than decoration to true high-level Soul Masters—offering no real defensive value and serving only to display the nation's power and historical heritage—they entered Star Luo City.

With the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament approaching, the flow of people in Star Luo City had exceeded ten million during this period.

For Star Luo City, which was only a single city despite being the capital of a nation, such a population was still somewhat overcrowded.

Moreover, due to the sudden surge in traffic, Star Luo City's original security forces had already reached their limit. Even with troops transferred in from other regions, they could only barely maintain superficial order.

Meanwhile, in the city's shadows, outsiders from other nations and factions with their own agendas had naturally gathered and taken root during this greatest event on the continent.

However, because Death God's Emissary had achieved limited results this time, although they had still lost a powerful Soul Emperor combatant like Dai Yueheng, and several Main Team members had suffered injuries of varying severity—

It did not greatly affect the mood of Shrek Academy's group, because in their eyes—

Aside from Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and the main teams from the other three nations originally belonging to Douluo Continent, Shrek Academy's current lineup had no need to worry too much about other academy teams.

Furthermore, for the sake of the tournament's entertainment value, although it was never stated openly, it was an unspoken convention in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament—

The ace academies originally belonging to Douluo Continent would not be matched directly against Shrek Academy or Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy during the early stages of the tournament.

Under Wang Yan's guidance, Huo Yuhao's group first arrived near Star Luo Plaza. This enormous plaza could accommodate every contestant in the tournament, as well as a vast number of spectators.

Because of the importance placed on this tournament, one-third of the city's defensive forces had been deployed here. For the past few days, they had patrolled the area day and night without rest, preventing anyone from deliberately sabotaging the tournament.

Quite a few Titled Douluo were also concealed nearby. It could be said that this was currently the safest place in all of Star Luo City, without question. Even the imperial palace where the Star Luo Emperor himself resided did not receive this level of attention.

However, since the tournament had yet to begin, and for the sake of fairness, Shrek's group and contestants from the other academies could only observe the future competition grounds from afar outside the plaza. They could not enter for an on-site inspection.

Although Ma Xiaotao and the other Main Team members had participated in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament once five years ago, the venue rotated each session, and the previous tournament had not been held in Star Luo City.

Thus, they too were rather unfamiliar with this arena. That was why they had come here under Wang Yan's lead to scout the location first, while also observing the other competitors in this tournament.

Besides Shrek's group, there were many teams from other academies and nations around the plaza, all having come for the same purpose as them.

Among those other academy teams, the uneven strength of their members made Beibei and Xu Sanshi, who had originally felt considerable pressure as part of Shrek Academy's Reserve Team, breathe a sigh of relief.

Xu Sanshi grinned and said, "Hey, I thought this would be much harder. From what I can see, most teams' main contestants have Soul Power about the same as mine. Some are even weaker."

"Maybe the seniors won't even need to step in this time. Beibei and I can sweep through the early rounds with just a few punches and kicks."

Beibei looked at him in disgust. "Get lost. Don't drag me into this. We haven't even fought yet, and you're already celebrating in advance. Be careful not to capsize when the time comes. You'll be completely humiliated."

"Hehe, I'm not afraid. Even if we really do capsize, won't you be there with me? If we're going to lose face, we'll lose it together." Xu Sanshi slung an arm over Beibei's shoulder and said smugly, "After all, we're a team."

Because Dai Yueheng had died unexpectedly, and Ma Xiaotao's personality made her unsuitable for leading the team at the moment, Wang Yan had handed the position of Main Team captain to Gongyang Mo, the remaining Support Type Soul Master with the highest Soul Power.

Gongyang Mo's somewhat effeminate voice rang out as he smiled faintly. "All right, junior brothers. Stop fooling around."

After stopping Beibei and Xu Sanshi, who were still bickering, that round of banter had at least dispelled some of the gloom hanging over Shrek Academy's group because of their failed mission.

"All right, there is nothing special about this tournament venue. There aren't any unusual simulated arenas, so let's return to the hotel first. Everyone should rest and recover properly."

"After dinner, we'll hold a pre-battle meeting," Wang Yan told the somewhat more relaxed group.

After conducting this on-site inspection, the heavy stone hanging in Wang Yan's heart finally lowered a little.

Although they had not encountered the main teams from the Four Great Empires this time, at least among these more ordinary teams, he had not seen any dark horses.

Most academy members had only three Soul Rings. Some outstanding ones possessed four, but those with five were few and far between, let alone six-ringed Soul Emperors.

Although the results of this observation were not absolute, they still eased Wang Yan's nerves, which had been taut ever since he had been assigned to lead the team in this tournament. After all, Shrek's Main Team still possessed a luxurious lineup of one Soul Emperor and four Soul Kings.

Together with Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan, all Soul Ancestors, even the substitute members were actually strong enough.

Before long, everyone returned to the hotel where they would be staying for the tournament.

The hotel specially designated to receive contestants from advanced Soul Master academies across the various nations belonged to the Star Luo Empire's royal family. It was called the Star Emperor Hotel, had seven floors, and each floor was luxuriously furnished.

Its facilities were also fully equipped, and both its meals and accommodations were of an exceptionally high standard. As defending champions and the continent's number one Soul Master Academy, Shrek's rooms were located on the top floor, in the Star Luo Empire's most luxurious suites.

Aside from Shrek Academy, only the top academies of the four great empires received such treatment.

After enjoying the hotel's lavish dinner, everyone was in less than ideal condition due to the journey using Flying Soul Tools and their earlier exhaustion. Therefore, after dinner, they all spent some time meditating to adjust their condition.

Afterward, Wang Yan led them to gather in the meeting room assigned by the Star Luo Empire to Shrek Academy, where they discussed tactics and preparations for the coming tournament.

Standing up, Wang Yan looked at everyone present and smiled faintly. "I have great confidence in this tournament. I believe that with the abilities of everyone here, we can continue the glory of Shrek Academy."

"Although we have indeed suffered losses, that does not mean our enemies have grown stronger. Based on today's observations, contestants who have reached the Soul King level are exceedingly rare, let alone Soul Emperor powerhouses."

"At least before the elimination rounds, I believe our academy will not encounter those strongest teams. In that case, in order to conceal the Main Team members' strength and also give the injured members of the Main Team time to recover—"

Wang Yan then looked toward Beibei. After pausing, he said, "Beibei, as the captain of the Reserve Team, I hope that your Reserve Team will take the field during the early stages of the elimination rounds and secure as many victories as possible."

"As for the Reserve Team's lineup, personnel arrangements, and tactical planning, I will treat them as a test for this tournament and place them entirely under your personal responsibility."

Beibei was startled at first, then immediately nodded. "All right, Teacher Wang. But if the opposing side has experts above the Soul King level—"

Wang Yan waved a hand. "I have confidence in your strength. You are all students of Shrek Academy. You must know that not every academy has the ability to provide its students with optimal Soul Ring configurations."

"Is hunting Thousand-Year Soul Beasts easy? In most advanced Soul Master academies, even their teachers may not possess Soul King cultivation. In that case, their Soul Ring configurations naturally cannot be particularly strong, and they cannot possibly compare to yours."

"Besides, sending you into battle does not mean you must defeat every opponent. If an opponent truly exceeds your limits, I will certainly arrange for Main Team members to take the field and deal with them."

"So your task in this tournament is to accumulate as much experience as possible and temper yourselves in preparation for the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament."

Hearing that, Beibei relaxed somewhat. He nodded and replied with a smile, "Yes. I guarantee we'll complete the mission."

At that moment, Gongyang Mo frowned slightly and asked in a soft voice, "Teacher Wang, has the academy sent any other news?"

"The registration process ends tomorrow. With only five members left on our Main Team, didn't the academy have Elder Xuan bring any reinforcements?"

The smile on Wang Yan's face stiffened, but he still shook his head and continued, "The academy has already contacted me. According to their decision, when the Main Team needs to participate in a Team Battle, Beibei and Xu Sanshi will fill the vacant positions."

"With their strength and Soul Ring configurations, although they have not coordinated with you many times, their combat experience is certainly enough to support a Team Battle. They are fully capable of completing a team's structure."

Xu Sanshi and Beibei were both stunned. Xu Sanshi even pointed at himself. "Huh? Me?"

Wang Yan nodded. Seeing the two men's worries, he reassured them, "Relax. With your strength, you are already on the level of main contestants from other teams. You only need to control the timing during battle and assist the other Main Team members."

"I believe that, as fifth-year students, this should not be difficult for you."

Gongyang Mo also nodded, acknowledging their strength as the acting captain.

Only then did Xu Sanshi and Beibei let out long breaths and calm themselves.

Wang Yan then continued, "That is all I have to say. Beibei, I'll leave the remaining arrangements to you. The Main Team members may return to rest first. Recovering from your injuries as quickly as possible will be the greatest help for the upcoming matches."

Upon hearing this, everyone on the Main Team except Ma Xiaotao rose and left. Ma Xiaotao, however, did not follow Wang Yan's arrangement. She remained seated, silently watching the others.

Given her current personality and status, it was perfectly normal for her to ignore orders from Wang Yan, whose strength and position were both below hers.

Seeing this, Wang Yan said nothing more. He had no way to command Ma Xiaotao at the moment, and she was also Shrek Academy's last remaining ace. He had no choice but to treat her carefully and let her do as she pleased.

Beibei cleared his throat. Seeing that Wang Yan had taken his seat and apparently had no intention of offering any further opinions, he stood and began assigning tasks to the Reserve Team.

"Since our Reserve Team will take the lead in this tournament, then we must display the bearing of Shrek Academy."

"Moreover, because our combat objective is only to ensure that the Main Team members have to fight as few times as possible, preventing other teams from gathering more intelligence on them, our Reserve Team can fight at full strength without needing to conceal anything strategically."

"When the time comes, everyone can give it their all. Let the others see that Shrek Academy's Reserve Team is far stronger than their main teams!"

"The first match will be an elimination match. As the champions of the previous tournament, we will be the first to take the field, and it will definitely be a Team Battle. Although it is nominally an elimination match, this competition is more for show."

"They want to use Shrek Academy's reputation to ignite the atmosphere of the entire tournament. Therefore, aside from combat power, entertainment value is even more important. Star Dou Empire cannot possibly arrange an excessively powerful opponent for us."

"And that is our opportunity."

"Sanshi, no matter who our opponent is in this match, their strongest captain will be yours. You must use Darkwater Displacement to switch positions with him at the first opportunity."

"You will be responsible for holding back the other members of their team. I remember that your Darkwater Displacement cannot be used repeatedly within a short time. Once you can use it again, switch positions with me immediately."

"And then—"

While Shrek Academy discussed its tactics, the other participating academies were also conducting their own mobilization. But that was a story for later.