"Lion, Bear, Tiger, Leopard, Wolf!"
Dugu Yan faced the members of the Second Team and called out their names.
This so-called roll call was actually a roll call of their Martial Souls. Since she had only just taken over the team, addressing them by their Martial Soul names was concise, efficient, and easy to distinguish.
"Present!"
The five called forward stepped up. They were five of the Second Team's original seven official members. Thanks to the potent effects of the Greater Restoration Pill, they were still only three-ring Soul Masters, but had already reached the level of Quasi-Soul Ancestors. All they needed was to obtain one more Soul Ring to officially enter the ranks of Soul Ancestors!
"You five will take the field with Lingling and me later!"
"Yes!"
The five answered in unison, their voices ringing with determination and their fighting spirit soaring. After taking the Greater Restoration Pill and becoming Quasi-Soul Ancestors, their strength had surged in a short time. They couldn't wait to show what they could do!
"Copper Ring, Qin!"
"Present!"
"Go to the stands and be our eyes. Gather information on the other teams... Don't worry, you'll get your chance to take the field later. I promise!"
"Yes!"
The gloom in their eyes vanished.
They had both originally been official members of the Second Team, but, as luck would have it, one was a control-type Soul Master and the other a support-type. Their roles overlapped heavily with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's. They had thought they would be stuck on the bench forever, but they hadn't expected Dugu Yan to be willing to give them a chance to play.
With Dugu Yan's promise, the two were instantly revived and rushed off to the stands.
Clap, clap—
Dugu Yan clapped her hands, signaling for the five she had just called forward to gather around.
"Now, I'll explain what we know about Shrek."
"Lingling and I have fought them before."
"Their lineup of official members should be: a control-type Blue Silver Grass user, an agility-type rabbit, a power attack-type White Tiger, an agility-type Hell Spirit Cat, a support-type Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, a food-type Sausage, and a power attack-type Fire Phoenix!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the Second Team members' expressions changed. Just what kind of school was Shrek Academy?
As nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire, they knew exactly what the White Tiger and Hell Spirit Cat represented. Those were Martial Souls passed down through the generations of the Star Luo Imperial Family and the Zhu Family. What was more, they could perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill: Hell White Tiger.
And... what was the deal with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda and Fire Phoenix?
As for the food-type Sausage... Soul Masters who could provide meat were already rarer than phoenix feathers among food-type Soul Masters!
How could an unknown school like Shrek have so many Soul Masters with top-tier Martial Souls?
They had thought it would be easy pickings, but it turned out to be a tough bone to crack...
"What, scared?"
Dugu Yan arched a delicate brow and looked at them with a hint of amusement. Yet her teasing gaze sent a chill through them.
"Fine, if anyone wants to withdraw, step forward now. Don't wait until the match starts to lose your nerve and drag the rest of us down!"
"Reporting, Captain!"
Lion stepped forward. "We just didn't expect an unknown academy to have so many top-tier Martial Souls... Thank you for warning us, Captain. Now we know Shrek's strength in advance. We won't underestimate them in the match. We're confident we can win with you and the vice-captain leading us... We won't withdraw!"
"Good!"
Dugu Yan's voice rose sharply with approval. "Now that's how Heaven Dou nobles should act, not like spoiled brats."
"Everyone, listen up!"
"What I just described was Shrek Academy's lineup of official members. But this is only the preliminary round, so they won't bring out their full lineup from the start. Remember the following points!"
"First, if their Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master is on the field, take them out first, at any cost."
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul was the greatest support-type Martial Soul in the world. The boosts from its Soul Skills were terrifying. Any team with a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master had to eliminate them first. That was common sense.
"Second, if the Hell Spirit Cat and White Tiger are both on the field, prioritize eliminating either one of them."
Last time, at the Great Soul Arena in Suotuo City, Heaven Dou Team One had been blindsided by the Hell White Tiger. The defeat still rankled. Little Scumbag's treachery and cruelty had been one reason they lost, but the Hell White Tiger's sudden appearance had also played a major part in forcing them into defeat!
Since their opponents had a Martial Soul Fusion Skill in their lineup, don't give them the chance to use it.
"Third, if three or more substitute players take the field, including exactly three, you five launch a preemptive attack. Remember, once you're on the Soul Fighting Platform, forget about fighting one-on-one. Outnumber them, pick them off one by one, and eliminate their fighting strength as quickly as possible. Don't be afraid of getting hurt. With Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, you couldn't die even if you wanted to!"
"Is that clear?"
"Crystal clear!"
The five answered in unison.
Dugu Yan nodded with satisfaction and continued, "All your families have a place in the empire's army. You must be familiar with the army's battle formations, so put that experience to use... Lion, if you need to launch a preemptive attack, your third Soul Skill can catch them off guard. Make good use of it!"
"Yes!"
"Last, and most importantly, watch out for the Blue Silver Grass and the rabbit. Those two are the hardest to deal with in Shrek's lineup!"
"The rabbit's first Soul Skill has a slight control effect. Once it catches you, it'll be very hard to dodge. Her second Soul Skill is a mind-control skill, and her third is teleportation. Unless I give the order, don't attack that rabbit rashly..."
"Once the Blue Silver Grass touches you, it leaves a seed on your body. With a seed in place, the Blue Silver Grass Soul Master can unleash control-type Soul Skills instantly. Just be on your guard. I'll deal with those two!"
"Also, listen for my orders and follow them immediately. All right, take a moment to digest what I've said. Rest if you need to, or make any adjustments. We must win this match!"
Before they knew it, the one-hour preparation period was nearly over. A staff member came to escort them into the arena.
At that moment, above the Soul Fighting Platform!
"Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament, preliminary round, first round, first match! Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team versus Shrek Academy Team!"
The young hostess's Martial Soul was a White Dove. She spread her snow-white wings, and her sweet voice rang throughout the entire Great Soul Arena through the Amplifying Soul Tool.
The indoor lights suddenly dimmed!
Then a golden beam spilled down from the raised platform on one side of the Great Soul Arena. Like starlight guiding the way, its radiance fell like moonlight, escorting the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team into the arena.
Led by Dugu Yan, the Second Team members entered at a steady pace. Their matching pale gold uniforms bore the words "Heaven Dou" on the chest and a pattern of seven silver stars on the back. Every one of them was dashing, like a little golden sun, drawing the audience's eyes and becoming the focus of the entire arena.
"Heaven Dou Imperial Soul! Ranging across the continent! Royal Academy! Reigning supreme above the clouds!"
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