Star Luo Empire capital, Star Luo City.
As the highest-profile Soul Master event on the continent, Star Luo City had long since become packed with people.
Colorful flags fluttered, and the clamor soared into the sky.
Soul Master Academy teams from every major empire had gathered together, and the air itself seemed thick with tense, fervent anticipation.
Yet in Shrek Academy's exclusive rest area, the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.
"The situation isn't looking too good." Team leader Wang Yan adjusted his glasses and frowned deeply at the schedule he had just received. Behind him, the main team members sat pale-faced on the sofa, receiving urgent treatment from healing Soul Masters.
Although no one had died during the operation in the Mingdou Mountains thanks to Huo Yuhao's warning and the reserve team's perfect crowd control, the Death Messenger's corpse-explosion toxins were exceptionally insidious. Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and the others had still suffered considerable internal injuries and toxin corrosion while protecting the team.
"Yao Haoxuan has a fractured leg and needs at least three days to recover. The toxins in Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng haven't been cleared; forcing them to compete will leave lasting complications." Wang Yan took a deep breath and looked at the seven reserve team members standing nearby.
They still wore their distinctly styled tactical hunter outfits, each with a faintly glowing tactical earpiece hanging from an ear. Compared to the dispirited main team members, they were all brimming with energy, their eyes shining with the unmistakable urge to cause trouble.
"Children." Wang Yan's voice was somewhat heavy. "For the first round of eliminations, Shrek, as the defending champions, will be playing the opening match. Our opponent is Sky Spirit Advanced Soul Master Academy. For the honor of the academy, we must win—and win beautifully."
"But the