It doesn't matter, I'll make my move

The battle between Shrek and Qianling Academy went much as expected: they opened with a simulation soul skill to rattle the enemy's morale, Jiang Nannan disrupted the shield formation, and they coordinated with Xu Sanshi to break through the defense.

Following that, Huo Yuhao channeled his Ultimate Ice to suppress the ice-and-fire control soul master, then used a mental shock to shatter the opponent's control system, ultimately securing an easy victory with a coordinated assault.

The atmosphere in the Shrek meeting room was somewhat stifling as everyone discussed the upcoming schedule in low voices.

"Creak."

A harsh sound of the door being pushed open suddenly rang out, interrupting the whispers in the room. Everyone's gaze instantly converged on the doorway, only to see Beibei striding in.

Beibei was usually a picture of gentleness and refinement, but his expression was incredibly grim at this moment.

Everyone was stunned, and a sense of foreboding began to spread in their hearts.

"Senior Brother? What's wrong?" Huo Yuhao was the first to react, stepping forward quickly to meet him.

Beibei sighed helplessly and said, "The list of opponents for tomorrow is out."

Since Wang Yan had kicked the bucket and Shrek hadn't sent a new team leader, Wang Yan's original duties had fallen onto Beibei's shoulders.

"With a face that grim, don't tell me we ran into the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy ahead of schedule?" Xu Sanshi asked uncertainly.

"No." Beibei shook his head.

"Phew."

Hearing this, the Shrek team couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"It's Zhengtian Academy."

The moment Beibei's words fell, it was as if a pause button had been pressed in the meeting room.

The next second.

"Clatter! Crash!"

The sound of chairs overturning rang out in succession. Everyone sprang from their seats in unison; some even stumbled, taking their chairs down with them, and the scene descended into utter chaos.

"What?!"

"Zhengtian Academy?!"

"How could we draw Zhengtian Academy!" Xu Sanshi's pupils shrank abruptly, and his voice trembled involuntarily.

Shock flooded Huo Yuhao's eyes, and his mind went blank.

"Beibei, are you sure it's that Zhengtian Academy with a Soul Douluo sitting in their ranks?" Ma Xiaotao calmed her agitated heart and sat back down in her chair.

"Yes." Beibei nodded with a grim expression.

"This isn't a draw, it's a death sentence!" Xu Sanshi shrieked.

"Sigh," Beibei said with a bitter smile, "It's all my fault. I've become a sinner of Shrek."

Jiang Nannan kicked Xu Sanshi hard and said, "What are you yelling about at a time like this! We haven't even fought yet and you're already losing your nerve. Do you want to make Beibei feel even worse?"

Xu Sanshi muttered under his breath, "It's just... that's Zhengtian Academy! They have a Soul Douluo, how are we supposed to fight that..."

"Shut up, all of you!" Ma Xiaotao snapped, then turned her gaze to Beibei and said, "Beibei, since we've drawn them, there's no use being afraid. So what if it's Zhengtian Academy? Who has Shrek ever feared?"

Huo Yuhao finally regained his composure. Seeing Beibei's self-reproach, he slowly stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Senior Brother, this isn't your fault. Drawing lots is a matter of chance. Since we've run into them, it's our trial. Zhengtian Academy may be strong, but we aren't pushovers."

"That's right!" He Caitou chimed in loudly, "The worst that happens is we go all out. My soul tools aren't just for show!"

Xiao Xiao also nodded and said, "Yuhao is right. We can't lose our spirit before we've even stepped onto the field."

Looking at his companions, the gloom in Beibei's eyes finally dissipated a little. He took a deep breath and said with a firm tone, "Alright!"

"Beibei, how much do we know about that Soul Douluo from Zhengtian Academy?" Ma Xiaotao asked.

Beibei took a file out of his storage soul tool and said, "This is all the information we have on that Soul Douluo from Zhengtian Academy."

After everyone saw the information on the file, their high spirits withered away like a deflated balloon.

Name: Xiao Jinchen Age: Twelve Martial Soul: Twin Martial Souls (Body Martial Soul, Elemental Martial Soul) Cultivation: Level 80 Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Red, Forest White

"This... is this even human? Twelve? He's only twelve?" Xu Sanshi was completely bewildered; he had assumed Xiao Jinchen was at least a twenty-year-old contestant.

Because Xiao Jinchen had only appeared in one match, and the Shrek team had already left by then, only Wang Yan, who had stayed behind to watch, had seen him.

"A twelve-year-old with twin martial souls and level 80 cultivation? How is that possible!" Wang Dong said in disbelief. "How can he only be twelve? Doesn't that mean he can still participate in the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament?"

Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng exchanged a look, then slowly stood up.

"Dai Yueheng and I will fight in tomorrow's match," Ma Xiaotao said.

"Sister Xiaotao, what about your injuries?" Huo Yuhao asked.

"For the glory of Shrek, we must do this," Ma Xiaotao said solemnly.

"Come." Ma Xiaotao beckoned to the group and said, "So what if that Xiao Jinchen is a Soul Douluo? Tomorrow, this lady is going to show him what we're made of!"

While Shrek Academy was deep in heated discussion, Xiao Jinchen remained immersed in his dreams, still holding the Ice Empress in his arms.

Star Emperor Grand Hotel.

The next morning, a sliver of dawn pierced through the window curtains, spilling softly into the room. A faint halo of light drifted across the bed, resting quietly upon the faces of Xiao Jinchen and the Ice Empress nestled in his embrace.

Xiao Jinchen's eyelashes fluttered as he woke.

He lowered his gaze to see the Ice Empress curled up in his arms, sleeping without a hint of defense, her long lashes rising and falling gently with her breath.

Seemingly sensing Xiao Jinchen's gaze, the Ice Empress's brows furrowed slightly. She did not open her eyes; instead, she instinctively burrowed deeper into that warm embrace, nuzzling into a more comfortable position before reluctantly lifting her eyelids.

The Ice Empress's orange-gold eyes were still veiled in a mist of sleep. Upon seeing the handsome face before her, the mist instantly vanished, replaced by a touch of shyness and her usual haughtiness.

"A-Chen, hold me a little longer... just a little longer." The Ice Empress called out sweetly before closing her eyes once more.

"We have to go to the match today." Xiao Jinchen stroked the Ice Empress's emerald-green hair and said softly. He had calculated that today was likely the match where Zhengtian Academy would face Shrek Academy.

Hearing this, the Ice Empress pouted unhappily and reluctantly pulled herself out of Xiao Jinchen's arms, looking quite adorable in the process.

The two dressed and headed straight for the Zhengtian Academy meeting room.

Xiao Jinchen and the Ice Empress soon arrived outside the meeting room door.

Xiao Jinchen stepped forward and knocked.

Before long, the door opened, and it was Losk who stood there.

"Jinchen?" Seeing Xiao Jinchen, Losk couldn't help but be a little surprised. After all, Xiao Jinchen had participated in one match and then ignored the rest, and given the other's status, he hadn't been in a position to say anything.

"Dean Losk." Xiao Jinchen nodded in acknowledgment.

Only then did Losk notice the Ice Empress beside Xiao Jinchen, and he hurriedly bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency."

Facing a Limit Douluo like the Ice Empress, Losk naturally dared not be negligent.

"No need for formalities." The Ice Empress waved her hand dismissively.

As they walked into the meeting room, everyone was slightly surprised to see Xiao Jinchen arrive.

"Jinchen, Your Excellency, please, take a seat anywhere," Losk said respectfully.

"Your Excellency?" The members of Zhengtian Academy were startled upon hearing Losk's form of address and hurriedly stood up to bow.

"Mm." The Ice Empress gave a slight nod, signaling everyone to sit.

The Ice Empress was then pulled by Xiao Jinchen to sit on a sofa to the side.

"Today's opponent is Shrek Academy, the ones who have swept the tournament championships for nearly ten thousand years..."

"That's enough."

Xiao Jinchen waved his hand, cutting off what Losk was about to say.

Losk froze for a moment, looking at the two of them, his belly full of tactical analysis stuck in his throat.

"Shrek? Are they really that impressive?" Xiao Jinchen smiled with disdain and said, "It doesn't matter. I will handle them myself."