Four rings of different colors spread out in an instant, landing precisely on the six teammates.
In a flash, the six felt an immense power surge from within them.
All four attributes had been elevated by an entire level!
With Gongyang Mo's enhancement, the six members of the reserve team worked in perfect harmony, their attacks surging like a tidal wave.
In less than thirty seconds, all seven of Tianling Academy's regular team members had been defeated. They lay on the ground, unable to fight.
The referee was stunned for a moment before raising his hand high and announcing in a slightly trembling voice:
"This match goes to Shrek Academy!"
The entire arena fell silent. Not a sound could be heard.
A moment later, cheers and gasps like mountains collapsing and the earth splitting finally erupted across Star Luo Plaza.
The battle over, the seven members of Shrek's reserve team walked off the competition platform with relaxed expressions and returned to the waiting area.
Teacher Wang Yan beamed with satisfaction as he praised them lavishly:
"Well done! That first battle showed everyone the might of Shrek!"
Ji Jing glanced at the match schedule for the upcoming bouts and shook his head.
"The later matches won't tell us much. Let's head back to the hotel, get some rest, and prepare for the next round."
"Sounds good."
Wang Yan nodded.
So, under the gaze of the entire audience, the Shrek Academy delegation—which had just won a stunning victory—made no attempt to stay and watch the remaining matches. They all rose and left the arena.
Meanwhile, in a private lounge with an excellent view on the opposite side, the members of Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, all wearing matching uniforms, had watched the entire match.
Their team leader, Elder Ma, broke the silence in the room with a deep voice:
"Rulong, what did you make of that match?"
The person he had addressed, Ma Rulong, was the captain of the Sun Moon Team. He furrowed his brow slightly and replied after thinking it over:
"Grandpa, Shrek's reserve team worked together seamlessly. They barely had any openings. That pretty boy's support ability is no weaker than the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda's. We need to take him out first."
Elder Ma nodded, then turned his gaze to the others.
Just then, a voice rang out, lazy yet brimming with confidence.
Xiao Hongchen leaned back on the sofa with his hands behind his head, a playful smile curling his lips.
"I thought the leader walking at the front when they entered was really interesting."
Ma Rulong looked at him in confusion.
"That redhead? He didn't even make a move."
"That's exactly why he's interesting."
Xiao Hongchen explained,
"He gives me a very dangerous feeling. He wasn't at the last tournament, and he doesn't look very old. Clearly, he's part of the reserve team too."
Xiao Hongchen paused, then continued his analysis:
"In their first match, nearly the entire reserve team was in action, yet he sat back and watched. As a central figure on the team, there are only two possible explanations."
He got to his feet and walked over to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window. There, he happened to see Ji Jing leading the Shrek delegation away from the arena. A glint of excitement flashed in his eyes.
"First, he wants to hide his strength and save his trump card for the end. The second possibility is that he's so powerful that the opponents we just saw weren't even worth his time!"
Watching Ji Jing's back disappear at the end of the passage, Xiao Hongchen turned around. His eyes swept over his teammates, bright and intent, as his voice became firm and decisive:
"And this person was able to stand at the very center of the entire Shrek delegation during the entrance ceremony. That means he's definitely not someone who likes to keep a low profile. So there's only one truth!"
Xiao Hongchen pointed forward with his index finger.
"He's incredibly strong!"
A note of approval flashed in Elder Ma's eyes. He nodded in agreement.
"Xiao Hongchen is right. Shrek Academy has hidden someone like him, and we had no record of him in our intelligence. If he competes later on, pay close attention and gather as much information about him as possible."
Xiao Hongchen, however, sat back down and returned to his languid pose. He waved a hand and said:
"I don't think that's necessary. No matter how strong the people from Shrek are, they'll never be a match for us Soul Engineers! Our Soul Tools can't be countered by personal strength alone."
As soon as he finished speaking, his younger sister Meng Hongchen, who had been sitting beside him with her chin propped in her hand, lost in thought, suddenly spoke up. Stars sparkled in her big eyes.
"But... I think that red-haired captain is really handsome. That sunny, confident vibe of his is so charming."
As if remembering something, she added:
"Oh, right! The boy on their team with the water-blue hair is super handsome too! He looks like he stepped right out of a painting!"
The lounge fell into an eerie silence.
Xiao Hongchen's mouth twitched several times as he glared at his sister, annoyed.
"Meng! We're their enemies! Can't you do something about that lovestruck habit of yours?"
Meng Hongchen stuck out her pink tongue at her brother, made a silly face, and giggled.
"Hehe, why so serious? Lighten up. I know, I won't go easy on them in the arena!"
Back in the penthouse suite at Star Luo Grand Hotel, everyone was still swept up in the excitement of their opening victory.
"That was awesome! The faces of those people from Tianling Academy turned green when they saw us!"
Xu Sanshi gestured wildly as he spoke.
"Wow, I never thought I could be this strong with Senior Gongyang Mo supporting me!"
Xiao Xiao chimed in excitedly.
Ji Jing smiled and waved a hand.
"All right, don't get carried away. That was only the first match. Our opponents will get stronger from here on. Go rest and recharge."
With that, he headed straight for his room.
The matches had been rather boring to him. Whenever he was bored, Ji Jing still liked nothing more than to sleep.
Wang Dong, on the other hand, wanted to go for a stroll and see what interesting things Star Luo City had to offer.
In his room, Ji Jing took off his jacket and relaxed as he flopped onto the soft bed.
Just as he closed his eyes and was about to drift off, a warm, immense aura of life suddenly filled the entire room.
He knew that aura better than anything.
Ji Jing immediately opened his eyes, leapt out of bed, and stood respectfully.
A figure wreathed in gentle green light quietly took shape before him. It was the Goddess of Life.
Her eyes still brimmed with affection.
"Auntie Green!"
Ji Jing cried out in delight.
The Goddess of Life smiled and nodded. Her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze.
"Jing'er, the divine artifact I prepared for you is finished."
As soon as she spoke, she lifted her delicate hand, and soft green light gathered in her palm.
When the light faded, a pair of exquisite forging hammers hovered quietly in midair.
Ji Jing's gaze was instantly drawn to them.
The pair of hammers gleamed a brilliant greenish gold from top to bottom.
Their heads seemed to be made from the purest gold and jadeite fused together. Patterns brimming with vitality flowed across their surfaces. Just looking at them lifted the spirit, as if every cell in one's body were cheering.
Their deep-green handles were smooth and warm as jade, radiating an ancient, boundless aura. A few tender new shoots curled around them, brimming with life.
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