At dawn, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone on the hundred-meter-high city wall of Star Luo City.
The entire city was shrouded in a solemn atmosphere.
The streets surrounding the Star Emperor Hotel have been completely cordoned off, with thousands of heavily armored taxi drivers standing guard with spears and sharp eyes.
Only participating teams wearing the insignia of their respective colleges are allowed to pass through this exclusive passage leading to Star Luo Square.
Lin Ciyan stood in the hotel lobby, his moon-white robe spotless.
Beside him, Zhang Lexuan was dressed in a silver outfit, her long silver hair tied in a high ponytail, revealing her slender, fair neck.
The morning light streamed in from outside the door, outlining the curves of her tall and slender figure.
"Is everyone here?" Lin Ciyan turned around.
Behind him, the Shrek team had all arrived.
The main team has seven members, the reserve team has seven members, and with the addition of teachers Wang Yan and Zhang Lexuan, there are exactly sixteen people.
"All done." Ma Xiaotao nodded, her fiery red outfit making her figure appear even more alluring.
Ling Luochеn stood quietly to the side, her long, icy blue hair cascading over her shoulders, her cool face expressionless.
"Let's go then." Lin Ciyan took Zhang Lexuan's hand and stepped out of the hotel first.
On both sides of the street, soldiers snapped to attention, their spears striking the ground with a series of muffled thuds.
Along the way, we could already see teams from other colleges.
When they saw Shrek Academy's iconic dark green uniforms, their expressions immediately became complex... awe, curiosity, and a hint of barely perceptible hostility.
" Shrek..."
"That's the legendary number one academy on the continent?"
"Who's that young man leading the group? He's so young."
The murmurs were carried by the morning breeze.
Lin Ciyan ignored her completely, simply holding Zhang Lexuan's hand and gently stroking her delicate hand with his fingertips.
Zhang Lexuan turned her head to look at him and smiled gently, "It'll be a big event today."
"The bigger the better." Lin Ciyan's lips curled into a slight smile.
"This is a good opportunity to let everyone see what this year's Shrek captain looks like."
Ten minutes later, at Star Luo Square.
The sight before them moved even the most experienced Inner Court disciples.
A giant arena, spanning over a hundred meters in both length and width, stands before the main gate of the imperial city. The five-meter-high arena is constructed of special stone, its surface shimmering with the faint glow of Soul Tool.
Outside the platform, 108 metal pillars are arranged in a circle, each pillar is engraved with complex soul-guiding patterns.
This is a protective Soul Tool that will form an energy shield during the competition to prevent Soul Skill from leaking out.
What's even more impressive is the square itself.
Iron fences divided the entire square into neat sections, each guarded by soldiers.
At this moment, 200,000 spectators are entering the venue in an orderly manner from various entrances, forming a sea of people and a thunderous roar.
"This..." Wang Dong's eyes widened, his short, light blue hair fluttering in the morning breeze. "So many people!"
Huo Yuhao subconsciously wanted to activate his Spiritual Detection, but remembering Lin Ciyan's instructions, he forcibly restrained himself.
"Don't be nervous." Lin Ciyan without turning his head. "Remember, you are Shrek."
He took Zhang Lexuan's hand and led the team towards the contestants' area.
The contestants' area is a dedicated zone located on the west side of the competition stage.
There was a row of luxurious rest pavilions, but today, only the previous champion Shrek Academy and the runner-up Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy were qualified to use them.
When they reached the front of the contestants' area, the teams from other colleges behind them automatically made way for them.
The top academy on the mainland should stand in the first row.
No one objected.
Lin Ciyan released Zhang Lexuan's hand and turned to face the crowd.
The morning light shone on him, casting a soft glow on his moon-white robe.
"Listen up, everyone." His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"Today at the opening ceremony, we are just spectators. But everyone, stand up straight, chests out, heads held high—you represent Shrek."
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
Zhang Lexuan stood beside him, looking at the boy's sharply defined profile, her eyes filled with tenderness and pride.
Just then, a commotion arose behind us.
The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy team has arrived.
Fourteen trainees and two supervising teachers.
They wore red and white striped uniforms with Sun Moon emblems embroidered on their chests.
The leader was a tall, elderly man with short, white hair as white as steel needles and sharp, eagle-like eyes.
Their gazes paused noticeably when they swept over the Shrek team.
Especially when they saw Lin Ciyan standing at the very front, the students showed undisguised surprise.
"Is that the Shrek captain?" a red-haired student whispered. "He really does look only fifteen or sixteen years old..."
"Pretentious," someone nearby scoffed.
But a girl standing at the head of the reserve team had a sudden flash of inspiration when she saw Lin Ciyan.
His tall, sturdy figure, his short, blond hair, and his handsome face immediately caught her eye...
Meng Hongchen stared at the boy without blinking until Lin Ciyan's back turned towards her.
"Dream, what are you looking at?" Xiao Hongchen asked, her brows furrowing slightly as she looked at her younger sister's unmoving gaze.
Meng Hongchen blinked, snapping out of her daze. She looked away, her eyes shining, and a slight smile played on her lips. "Nothing, I just thought... it was quite interesting."
By 9:00 AM, all audience members had entered the venue.
The entire Star Luo Square was packed with people, and the noise was deafening.
The areas divided by the iron fence were all full, especially the spectator area closest to the competition platform.
The entrance fee was a whopping 100 Gold Soul Coin per person, and the venue was packed to capacity.
"Quiet!"
A loud voice suddenly resounded throughout the entire venue, drowning out all the noise.
The soldiers stood at attention in unison, their spears planted firmly on the ground. The square fell silent instantly.
"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!"
"Whoosh--!"
Two hundred thousand spectators knelt down like a tidal wave, their movements perfectly synchronized, creating a breathtaking scene.
The participating college teams then bowed collectively at a 90-degree angle.
This was a special privilege granted to show respect to the emperor, without requiring the person to kneel as a commoner would.
As Lin Ciyan bent down, he raised his gaze and looked towards the top of the imperial city.
There, a figure in bright yellow, surrounded by civil and military officials, slowly walked to the very front of the city wall.
Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiawei.
He wore an eight-treasure purple-gold crown and a bright yellow dragon robe, his face exuding both majesty and elegance.
Beside him, the Empress, dressed in magnificent palace attire, gently accompanied him.
Xu Jiawei's gaze swept across the square, finally settling on the contestants' area.
When his gaze swept over the Shrek team, it clearly lingered on Lin Ciyan for a moment.
Then, the corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.
Lin Ciyan straightened up, calmly met that gaze, and nodded slightly.
The action was very discreet; apart from the emperor himself, almost no one noticed.
Xu Jiawei's smile deepened.
"Rise, my lords." The emperor's voice, gentle yet full of authority, came through the Amplifying Soul Tool.
The crowd rose to their feet, and the college students stood tall.
"The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament is the most important event in the Soul Master World of the Douluo Continent," Xu Jiawei declared loudly, his voice echoing throughout every corner of the square.
"This year's event will be held in the Star Luo Empire, which pleases me greatly."
He paused, then his gaze swept across the contestants' area again.
"Here, on behalf of the Star Luo Empire, I welcome the representatives from all the academies who have traveled from afar. Especially—" he emphasized, "The academies led by the Shrek Academy. I hope you will display your true colors in the competition over the next month."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the 133 academies responded in unison.
Xu Jiawei smiled and nodded, his gaze lingering on Lin Ciyan for another second.
Then, he took a deep breath, and his voice suddenly rose in pitch:
"Now, I hereby declare the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament officially open!"
"Long live! Long live! Long live!"
The cheers of 200,000 people were like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami soaring into the sky.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!..."
The cannons on the city wall roared, a full 108 salvos, shaking the very air.
Star Luo Square was completely transformed into a sea of cheers.
Xu Jiawei took his seat on the city wall and nodded slightly to the prime minister beside him.
The Prime Minister understood and issued instructions to his subordinates.
The same loud voice rang out again. "According to the competition rules, the first round is an elimination tournament. A total of 133 colleges have registered for this competition. By drawing lots, each college will receive a bye in the first round. A total of 66 matches will be played."
"The first match is about to begin!"
The voice paused, then suddenly rose in pitch:
"The two teams competing are... the Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy team from the Dou Ling Empire!"
From the back of the contestants' area, seven pale-faced youths emerged shakily. Their steps were unsteady, and their calves were even trembling slightly.
"And..." the host's voice almost tore through the air, " the Shrek Academy team, the number one academy on the continent, having won all the major competitions in nearly a thousand years!"
" Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
The cheers in the entire square reached their peak instantly, the sound almost lifting the sky.
The seven reserve team members turned pale, while Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and others had sweaty palms.
"Stand firm, everyone." Lin Ciyan's voice suddenly rang out, calm yet powerful.
"These cheers are for Shrek, and they are for you all."
He turned around and looked at his teammates behind him.
The morning light shone on his face, and his eyes shone with absolute confidence.
"Remember, you represent ten thousand years of glory." Lin Ciyan, emphasizing each word, "Therefore..."
He raised his hand and pointed to the playing area.
"Go on stage, win."
Those three simple words, however, seemed to possess a magical power, instantly dispelling all tension.
The seven reserve team members exchanged glances, their eyes igniting with passion.
" Shrek, victory is certain!" Bei Bei roared.
"Victory is certain!" the crowd shouted in unison.
Lin Ciyan smiled.
He took Zhang Lexuan's hand again, his gaze sweeping over the bustling square and towards the top of the imperial city.
Xu Jiawei was also looking at him there.
The two looked at each other across the distance, and in the emperor's eyes was an undisguised expectation.
Lin Ciyan nodded gently.
Then, he turned to face the competition stage, his voice calm yet firm:
"Go! Let everyone see what this year's Shrek like..."
"What does it look like?"