Sixteen into Eight

After defeating Mingdu Soul Master Academy, there were no longer any opponents worth noting in the round-robin tournament.

Most teams still relied on Soul Elders and a small number of Soul Ancestors as their main force.

In reality, let alone the main team.

Even without Xia Ming holding the line, the reserve team's lineup alone was enough to secure victory steadily.

Therefore, Mu En began to consciously adjust the roster, giving the others on the reserve team opportunities to gain experience.

Among them, the two Power Attack System Soul Ancestors, Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng, performed particularly eye-catchingly.

Within the academy, they were both outstanding among their peers, proud and arrogant.

But after joining the reserve team, they were suppressed and beaten by Xia Ming during daily training.

Since arriving here, their opportunities to appear had been few and far between, so naturally, they felt very stifled.

Finally, Mu En gave them a chance to vent.

Facing opponents with inferior strength, the two completely let themselves go, displaying overwhelming dominance.

They successively achieved records of a one-on-four and a one-on-three in the individual matches, respectively.

The others did not fall behind either, putting on brilliant performances.

In one team battle, Xia Ming and Zhang Lexuan, who was responsible for backup, watched from the sidelines the entire time; the reserve team of five easily resolved the battle through tacit cooperation alone.

Just like that, the round-robin tournament ended, and Shrek Academy naturally won all seven matches, advancing as the group leader.

As for Mingdu Soul Master Academy in the same group, after their crushing defeat to Shrek, they easily won their remaining matches.

With a record of six wins and one loss, they ranked second in the group and also advanced.

The top sixteen of this tournament were all decided, and the next stage was the knockout round.

Shrek Academy's opponent for the round of sixteen was Canglan Academy from the Heaven Dou Empire.

This academy was not mentioned in the original work, but it was a top-tier academy with a prestigious reputation within the Heaven Dou Empire.

Its strength was perhaps second only to the royal-backed Di'ao Academy, and it was even superior to Zhengtian Academy.

For this tournament, they had sent a lineup that could be called luxurious.

Four Soul Kings held the line, and their captain was even a level 58 high-level Soul King, just one step away from becoming a Soul Emperor.

Logically speaking, their chances of entering the top eight were extremely high, and they even had a chance to fight for the top four.

Unfortunately, they had run into Shrek Academy ahead of schedule.

When the draw results were announced, the entire Canglan Academy team, from teachers to members, could not hide a trace of gloom on their faces.

Facing Shrek, they knew in their own hearts that the chance of advancing was slim to none.

On the first day of the team battle, the result was no surprise.

Facing the complete main team led by Zhang Lexuan, Canglan Academy fought with all their might.

But in the face of an absolute chasm in strength, all efforts appeared futile.

Zhang Lexuan did not even exert her full power before the Shrek main team ended the battle with a crushing rhythm.

In just a few short minutes, the fight was over.

According to the tournament rules, the winner of the team battle only needed to defeat three more of the opponent's members in the subsequent individual matches to advance.

Two days later, the atmosphere for the individual matches was slightly subtle.

Everyone knew that Canglan Academy, with their backs against the wall, would inevitably send out their three strongest Soul Kings for a final struggle.

In the Shrek preparation area, Zhang Lexuan rose quietly.

With a calm expression, she prepared to take the stage to end the suspense cleanly and decisively with her absolute strength.

However, at this very moment, Mu En's gentle voice rang out, stopping Zhang Lexuan in her tracks:

"Lexuan, wait a moment."

Everyone's gaze focused on him.

They saw him slowly turn his head, his eyes landing on Xia Ming, who was sitting quietly to the side.

"Xia Ming, you go first."

He paused, and amidst the confused gazes of everyone, Mu En made a request that instantly silenced the entire room:

"I want you to defeat at least two Soul Kings, or eliminate their captain."

"What?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, an irrepressible exclamation erupted in the Shrek preparation area.

Everyone wore an expression of disbelief.

Although Xia Ming had miraculously defeated a Soul King from Mingdu Soul Master Academy, everyone knew the truth.

That was because the opponent had been arrogant and given him sufficient time to build up his momentum.

If it were a normal individual match, facing a genius Soul King who was fully prepared...

If the opponent did not provide an opening, it would be incredibly difficult for Xia Ming to secure a victory.

Moreover, he had to defeat two opponents in a row.

As for eliminating the opposing captain, that level 58 Spirit King?

The difficulty of that would likely be even higher than defeating two ordinary Spirit Kings!

Even Zhang Lexuan, who knew Xia Ming's true strength, was deeply shocked at this moment.

Could it be that Elder Mu had agreed to let Xia Ming reveal more of his power?

However.

Facing this seemingly impossible demand, Xia Ming, the focus of everyone's gaze, showed not a hint of hesitation on his face.

He met Mu En's gaze, slowly stood up, nodded gently toward him, and said confidently:

"Very well, leave it to me."

A trace of gratified a smile appeared on Mu En's face.

He nodded slightly, his tone as gentle as ever, yet carrying absolute trust: "Go."

When Xia Ming appeared on the competition stage, his opponent was stunned for a moment, but did not utter any mocking words.

During the previous one-on-one, Xia Ming had eliminated a level 50 Spirit Engineer, which was enough to prove he possessed the strength to contend with a Spirit King.

Of course, from the perspective of Canglan Academy, this was also a sign of contempt toward them.

Facing their side, which possessed four Spirit Kings, and in a favorable situation where they only needed to win three more matches to advance.

The safest choice was undoubtedly to have the Spirit Emperor Zhang Lexuan start, using absolute strength to quickly end the suspense.

Yet Shrek did not do so, choosing to send out Xia Ming instead.

What did this mean?

It meant they didn't take them seriously at all!

They were once again treating this match as a training ground for a genius!

Admittedly, Xia Ming's strength was not weak, but Shrek could have originally won without losing a single match!

The first person Canglan Academy sent out was their captain, Huyan Yu.

At this moment, he stood opposite Xia Ming with a grave expression.

Shrek, you will regret this! Huyan Yu thought to himself, At least I must win this match!

Ever since the team battle two days ago, where everyone had been on high alert only to be nearly wiped out by a single spirit skill from Zhang Lexuan.

He had long since stopped hoping to defeat Shrek.

But that did not mean he would give up. If Zhang Lexuan took the stage, there would naturally be no chance.

But since the opponent hadn't sent her out first.

Then, before Zhang Lexuan could step in to end the match, he would eliminate as many Shrek members as possible!

At the very least, he had to win this individual match to salvage a shred of dignity for his academy and for himself!

Soon, the two stood their ground.

Xia Ming could clearly perceive the aura of anger and determination radiating from his opponent!

As the referee's arm swept down: "The match begins!"

In an instant, brilliant light erupted from Huyan Yu's body.

Two yellow, two purple, and one black—five optimal spirit rings rose suddenly, and a powerful wave of spirit power swept across the arena like a tidal wave!