The morning sunlight spilled across Shrek Academy's grand training field, bathing the entire grounds in bright, welcoming warmth. The spectator stands surrounding the field were already packed, buzzing with voices and excitement.
At the center of the field stood a massive arena platform, its reinforcing formation glimmering faintly beneath the sunlight. With a diameter exceeding one hundred meters, it was large enough for dozens of teams to engage in a chaotic melee at once.
Eight fist-sized crystal spheres floated along the edge of the platform, monitoring the match and protecting the contestants. If a contestant suffered a fatal attack or voluntarily conceded, the crystal spheres would teleport them off the platform.
A total of forty-eight teams had registered for this year's Shrek Seven Monsters Selection Tournament.
According to the rules, the first stage was an elimination melee. All teams would take the platform at the same time and engage in an unrestricted free-for-all, with the last eight teams remaining on the platform advancing.
There were no restrictions, no prohibition against alliances. There was only one goal: remain standing until the end.
The referee was an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in Shrek Academy's black robes with a golden badge pinned to his chest.
Standing at the center of the platform, his aged yet resonant voice spread throughout the venue with the support of Soul Power. "The first-stage elimination round of the forty-seventh Shrek Seven Monsters Selection Tournament begins now! All participating teams, take the stage!"
The moment his words fell, all forty-eight teams surged onto the platform from every direction. For a time, the lights of Soul Rings of every color flashed and intertwined, illuminating the entire platform as brightly as day.
Wang Dong's group of seven entered from the north side of the platform.
With Tang