Back in his room, Dai Yueheng held the pale green liquid that radiated vitality, his thoughts in turmoil.
Without hesitation, he downed the Clear Heart Jade Marrow Brew in one gulp.
A warm yet surging energy instantly unfurled in his abdomen, flowing through his limbs and bones like spring rain nourishing the earth.
His whole body seemed to be soaking in a warm spring, filled with indescribable comfort.
Feeling its astonishing effects, Dai Yueheng couldn't help sighing:
"To be able to casually produce something of this caliber... Forget being his enemy—even if you wanted to be his friend, you'd have to fight tooth and nail for the chance."
He shook his head, casting aside every distracting thought.
With such a powerful aid, he couldn't afford to waste it.
He immediately sat cross-legged and guided the remaining medicinal energy through his body, entering a state of deep cultivation.
Meanwhile, in Ji Jing and Wang Dong's room.
Wang Dong had finished washing up and changed into comfortable silk pajamas, returning to her female appearance.
As she gently used Soul Power to dry her long, water-blue hair, she asked curiously:
"Did someone come by just now? I think I heard voices."
Ji Jing poured a cup of Clear Heart Jade Marrow Brew and pushed it over to her, then briefly recounted how Ma Xiaotao and the others had come to apologize.
After hearing him out, Wang Dong fell silent for a moment.
She picked up the cup and gazed at the clear liquid inside, sighing softly:
"Such a pity... Those who've already sacrificed their lives can never come back."
Yao Haoxuan's death had affected everyone deeply.
Everyone except Ji Jing.
Ji Jing went to her side, reached out, and gently stroked her head, comforting her softly:
"Don't dwell on it. The dead are gone. You've been tired these past few days, too. Get some rest early."
"Mm."
Wang Dong answered softly and leaned into Ji Jing's arms, burying her face against his chest and breathing in the reassuring scent of him.
A moment later, she lifted her head. They wished each other good night, then went to bed.
Over the next few days, under Teacher Wang Yan's guidance, the team got back into shape, adapted to Star Luo City, and made their final preparations for the upcoming tournament.
At last, the opening day of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament arrived.
The grand Star Luo Plaza was packed with people, and the atmosphere was electric.
When the announcer shouted, "The Shrek Academy team enters!" every eye in the stadium instantly turned toward the competitors' entrance.
Ji Jing led the team, his expression calm and his stride steady.
Behind him were Ma Xiaotao, restored to her former brilliance, along with Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochеn, Xixi, Gongyang Mo, and the members of the reserve team.
Thanks to Ji Jing's Clear Heart Jade Marrow Brew, the injuries of Ma Xiaotao and the others were no longer a serious concern, allowing them to take part in the entrance ceremony.
Only Chen Zifeng, whose injuries were the worst, remained behind to recuperate at the hotel.
As the previous tournament's champions, Shrek Academy's entrance naturally drew the intense attention and discussion of every participating academy and spectator.
After the lengthy, rousing entrance ceremony, the emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiawei, personally took the stage and declared the tournament officially open.
The first stage of the tournament was the brutal elimination round.
The draw results soon appeared on the enormous soul tool screen. The first match of the first round was the highly anticipated defending champions—
Shrek Academy versus Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy!
When the words "Shrek Academy versus Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy" appeared clearly on the enormous soul tool screen, Star Luo Plaza fell silent for an instant, then erupted in a deafening roar of discussion.
"Tianling Academy's luck is awful! They've drawn Shrek in the very first match!"
"Exactly. The defending champions' opening match—this is going to be good."
"I bet Shrek finishes the fight in under a minute!"
Amid the waves of chatter, gloom hung over the Tianling Academy resting area.
Their captain stared at his teammates, his face ashen.
Though he repeatedly tried to rally them, the crushing pressure of those three words—"Shrek Academy"—left his teammates utterly lacking in confidence. Some even found their legs trembling uncontrollably.
On the other side, the Shrek Academy preparation area was much calmer.
Teacher Wang Yan adjusted his glasses and turned to the steadiest member of the team, Ji Jing.
"Ji Jing, you're the captain for this match. You decide the lineup."
After the previous incident, Wang Yan had gained a whole new appreciation of Ji Jing's judgment and strength. He was eager to see how Ji Jing would arrange the team on the official stage.
At those words, Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and the other main team members all looked toward Ji Jing.
Ji Jing's gaze slowly swept over everyone before finally settling on Gongyang Mo and the reserve team members behind him.
He spoke calmly:
"For the early and middle rounds, Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and I will try to stay off the field."
"For this match, Gongyang Mo will lead the team. Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Beibei, Jiang Nannan, Xu Sanshi, and Huo Yuhao—you six will go out with him."
The decision left everyone stunned, including the reserve team members who had just been named.
"We're going out?"
Xiao Xiao could hardly believe it.
"You're only sending the reserve team?"
Dai Yueheng was surprised as well.
"Mm,"
Ji Jing nodded and looked at Gongyang Mo.
"Gongyang Mo's support is enough to make up for the gap in your Soul Power Levels. Besides, this match is your best chance to build your confidence. Go on. Show the whole continent what Shrek's reserve team can do."
Gongyang Mo took a deep breath. He understood that Ji Jing was placing both his trust and a heavy responsibility in him.
He nodded solemnly.
"Yes, Captain!"
Huo Yuhao and the others quickly came around, their eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
That was right—they were Shrek's students, too!
They had to prove themselves!
Soon, the players from both sides took their places on the enormous competition stage.
When the audience saw the lineup Shrek Academy had sent out, another uproar erupted.
"What's going on? That redhead and the eldest son of the White Tiger Duke Mansion aren't playing?"
"Everyone except that support-type soul master is a stranger! Is Shrek Academy so overconfident that they've only sent their reserve team?"
Seeing that their opponents weren't the famous main team members, the Tianling Academy players relaxed a little. But in its place came a surge of anger at being looked down upon.
Their captain gritted his teeth.
"Brothers, they don't think we're worth their time! This is our chance! Get fired up and fight them with everything you've got!"
"Begin!"
At the referee's command, the battle erupted at once.
The seven members of Tianling Academy immediately took formation, their Soul Rings flashing as they tried to seize the initiative.
But they were fast—Shrek was faster!
Gongyang Mo, standing in the center of the team, instantly lit up.
A clear dragon's cry rang out, and a dazzling Rainbow Dragon phantom appeared behind him.
Red, orange, yellow, green, and cyan light rose alongside his five Soul Rings—two yellow, two purple, and one black—brilliant and dazzling.
"First Soul Skill, Power of Red!"
"Second Soul Skill, Keenness of Orange!"
"Third Soul Skill, Toughness of Yellow!"
"Fourth Soul Skill, Vitality of Green!"
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