Golden Dragon Displays Its Might

And on Shrek's side...

The leading youth burst out laughing, and the others behind him joined in. Some curled their lips, some sneered, and some laughed while shaking their heads.

Their smiles were filled with disdain and mockery, as though they had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

Who were they?

They were Shrek students!

Those who could stand out at Shrek Academy and represent the academy in competitions...

Which one of them had not been selected through countless trials, emerging as the best among innumerable geniuses?

At the academy, they received the finest education on the entire continent!

They competed against the most outstanding peers on the entire continent!

Thus, every one of them had absolute confidence that they could claim first place anywhere, in any competition!

What was more, Shrek Academy had endured for twenty thousand years without suffering a single defeat!

In every competition Shrek had entered, Shrek had always been the champion, always winning by an overwhelming margin.

Over the past twenty thousand years, one generation after another of Soul Master Academies had risen and fallen across the continent, yet Shrek had always stood at the very peak, never once shaken by anyone.

And now, this youth standing before them actually dared to overestimate himself so wildly, intending to shatter Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year glory and legend with his own strength.

To them, it was as laughable as an ant claiming it would trip an elephant with its antennae.

At last, the leading youth stopped laughing, though a trace of lingering mockery remained at the corner of his mouth.

He looked at Han Li, his tone carrying a hint of amusement and coldness.

"I hope your strength..."

"Is as great as your mouth!"

Yet his gaze was utterly icy.

There was no amusement in those eyes, only anger and calculation after being offended.

He had already decided to cripple Han Li and intimidate the Skysea Alliance!

After all, accidentally seriously injuring an opponent during a match was hardly anything unusual in the Soul Master world.

With Shrek's status, as long as they did not go too far, they would receive nothing more than a few words of criticism afterward.

The academy might even reward him later.

Because he had defended the academy's honor!

Meanwhile, Han Li continued to look at the youth calmly, without the slightest ripple in his eyes.

At that moment, the referee stepped to the edge of the platform. After confirming that both sides were ready, he announced loudly.

"Now, begin the match!"

The moment his words fell.

Shrek moved first.

Xu Lizhi was the first to act.

He was the roundest of the seven, and he did not look particularly remarkable, yet his movements were exceptionally nimble.

With a flick of his right hand, two yellow Soul Rings rose beneath his feet. His first Soul Ring flashed, and six Steamed Buns flew from his hand.

The other six each caught one and expertly stuffed it into their mouths, swallowing them in just a few bites.

After the Steamed Buns entered their stomachs, a faint glow appeared over all of them at once. Their Soul Power fluctuations clearly rose, and their complexions became much rosier.

That was Xu Lizhi's Martial Soul—the Steamed Bun.

His Soul Skills could create Steamed Buns with enhancement effects, providing his teammates with a continuous supply of energy and improved condition.

Immediately afterward, another teenage girl gave a clear shout. Three Soul Rings rose beneath her feet, two yellow and one purple—the optimal Soul Ring configuration.

Light appeared above her right hand, revealing a pagoda. It had seven levels, gleamed with flowing radiance, and emanated a sacred, imposing aura.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda.

It was one of the continent's most powerful support-type Martial Souls, capable of providing comprehensive attribute enhancements for teammates.

With the Soul Rings circling around it, the bottom three levels of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda lit up at the same time, transforming into three beams of light that landed upon the youth charging at the very front, as steady as an abyss and towering as a mountain.

A layer of golden light abruptly appeared over the youth's body. His strength, speed, and defense all greatly increased in an instant.

Then, he let out a Dragon Roar, and his body suddenly swelled.

Four Soul Rings rose beneath his feet.

Two yellow, one purple, and one black.

There was actually a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring among them!

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.

Once the continent's number one beast Martial Soul.

Though it had now declined.

It was still a first-rate assault-type Martial Soul.

Immediately afterward, an intense burst of blue light exploded in the center of the competition platform.

Then enormous bolts of lightning blanketed the entire platform. Blue-violet electric serpents darted and leaped through the air, producing crackling explosions.

The entire platform was covered by lightning. Every corner was filled with electricity, leaving not the slightest gap.

Feeling the immense power of that lightning...

Many Soul Masters in the stands shook their heads, their faces filled with regret and helplessness.

This Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Skill covered the entire platform. Unless Han Li could fly, there was nowhere for him to evade.

And against this kind of all-encompassing attack...

What could a ten-year-old child possibly do?

Even if he was a genius, there was nothing he could do before such absolute power.

At that moment, a Dragon Roar rang out.

The roar came from the heart of the lightning, low and resonant, carrying an aura from ancient primordial times.

And at the instant the Dragon Roar sounded...

The lightning filling the sky seemed to be intimidated by something, its power visibly weakening by several degrees.

Then golden light shot into the sky.

Like a sun rising from within the thunder.

Wherever the golden light passed...

The lightning vanished one after another.

In the end, the entire platform was dyed a brilliant gold.

The leading youth's expression changed instantly.

The moment the Dragon Roar sounded, he felt an indescribable pressure surge forth from the depths of his soul.

His Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul began to tremble violently at that moment. It was not fear.

It was something deeper than fear—submission originating from the source of its bloodline!

Like the instinctive reaction of a lower life-form facing a higher one.

That meant this youth's bloodline...

Was countless times nobler than his!

At this moment...

Han Li stepped forward through the golden light toward the seven of them.

The Golden Dragon Claw emerged on his right hand.

Toward the seven members of Shrek...

He threw a punch.

A visible golden shockwave spread from his fist.

The leading youth was the first to be struck. The golden shockwave slammed into his chest, and he flew backward as though he had been hit by a massive hammer. He spat out a mouthful of blood and fell off the platform.

The others did not escape either...

When the golden shockwave swept toward them, they tried to resist, but before that overwhelming force, every bit of resistance seemed insignificant.

They crashed onto the ground below the platform with heavy thuds and could not get back up for quite some time.

The entire venue fell silent.

The eighty-thousand-seat stadium...

At that moment, it was as silent as if no one were there.

At this moment, everyone's gaze was fixed upon that youth.

Then, after a brief silence, the entire stadium erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Han Li! Han Li! Han Li!"