Tang Wutong's Shattered Worldview

In the first match of the round-robin's first round, Shrek Academy naturally took the lead. Their opponent was Yun Luo Advanced Soul Engineering Academy from the Star Luo Empire.

Shrek Academy's team leader, Wang Yan, saw that the match format drawn for this round was a one-on-one individual elimination battle. Thus, he decided to send out Dai Yueheng, one of the main team members, to display Shrek Academy's glory to the audience.

Yun Luo Advanced Soul Engineering Academy had only three Soul Ancestors. The other five team members were naturally all Soul Elders.

After their captain, Situ Yu, was easily defeated by Dai Yueheng in the third individual elimination match, he voluntarily conceded and gave up the remaining four one-on-one battles.

Thus, Dai Yueheng used only his first four soul skills to secure victory in the first round of the round-robin for Shrek Academy, earning them a full day of rest.

The first round of eliminations had reduced the original 133 teams to 67. Therefore, the following round-robin was divided into eight groups. Three groups had nine teams each, while the other five had eight teams each.

The round-robin required every team in a group to face all the other opponents in that group. This meant there would be seven or eight rounds in total.

Each group held two matches per day. This meant that completing one round in each group took two days. Therefore, after winning this match, Shrek Academy received an entire day of rest.

"As expected of the continent's number one academy. They actually have two Soul Emperors and won so easily."

The crowd in the spectator stands buzzed with discussion, their eyes filled with fervor as they praised the astonishing talent of Shrek Academy's students.

In addition, the Shrek Academy team, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy team, and the Spirit Pagoda Academy team had all been assigned to groups with nine teams.

Tang Wulin, who was currently seated in the waiting area, listened to Huo Yuhao's detailed explanation of the competition format and could not help asking with a puzzled expression,

"This format isn't fair at all. We have to play one more round-robin match."

Huo Yuhao also wanted to complain about the original novel's setup. Helplessly, he said, "Just think of it as the capable having to do more."

There were sixteen matches every day during the round-robin, which would last around half a month. The match format was decided through a pre-match drawing. Half a month later, the final sixteen teams would be determined, with two teams advancing from each group.

The second match of the first round of the round-robin was between the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy team and the Heavenly Star Soul Engineering Academy team from the Dou Ling Empire. The drawn format was a seven-versus-seven team battle.

Needless to say, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy team easily crushed their opponents with their bombardment-heavy artillery tactic, claiming victory in the first round of the round-robin.

Immediately afterward came the third match of the first round. It was the Spirit Pagoda Academy team against the Lingyue Advanced Soul Academy team from the Heaven Dou Empire. The drawn format was the 2-2-3 Battle Method.

Huo Yuhao clearly sensed that every member of the opposing team was a Soul Ancestor. Thus, he simply arranged for Xiao Xiao and Jin Qiurui, the pair of close friends, to take the field in the first two-versus-two match. For the second match, he sent Jiang Nannan and Su Tong.

Under the 2-2-3 format, winning the first two two-versus-two matches was enough to claim final victory. Put simply, it was best two out of three.

As for the final three-versus-three match, Huo Yuhao had not even considered who to send out, because there was simply no need for it.

"First Soul Skill, Slowdown!"

Xiao Xiao seized the initiative and controlled the field, blowing her flute as sound waves slowed the two opponents and drastically reduced their speed.

Golden light gathered in Jin Qiurui's hand as she condensed the power of the Golden Dragon into her right fist. Supreme power surged, ready to erupt.

At the same time, Xiao Xiao immediately used the third soul skill of her Nine Phoenix Flute martial soul—Phoenix Seal—to grant Qiu'er a boost in speed.

The next moment, Jin Qiurui charged toward her opponents and used Golden Dragon Fist to instantly pierce through and shatter the defenses formed by both opponents in succession.

Before all the spectators' eyes, in merely a few breaths, Jin Qiurui easily knocked both opponents to the ground and effortlessly claimed victory.

Meng Hongchen, seated in the resting area, witnessed the battle with her own eyes. She could not help exclaiming, "What terrifying strength. Is she really a girl?"

Xiao Hongchen frowned deeply. "She actually possesses the Golden Dragon Bloodline. It is no weaker than a divine beast bloodline."

Ma Rulong, who possessed Soul Emperor-level soul power, also sucked in a breath. "That level of power is far too terrifying. I wouldn't even dare take her punch head-on."

Old Ma, the team leader of Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, took a deep breath. "Looks like you'll need to use a few more Invincible Shields."

The next pair to take the field was Su Tong and Jiang Nannan. Both were five-ring Soul Kings. Facing two four-ring Soul Ancestor opponents, they naturally won with ease.

Spirit Pagoda Academy therefore claimed victory in the first round of the round-robin as well, and would likewise compete in the second round the day after tomorrow.

The next day.

Today was the fifth day of the tournament.

Led by Wang Yan, the members of Shrek Academy arrived at an auction house hosted by the Star Luo Empire. Since Tang Wutong had an aversion to Soul Tools, she returned to the hotel alone to rest.

When she reached the entrance to the hotel lobby, she unexpectedly ran into Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin, who were about to head out for a walk together.

Tang Wutong keenly sensed an extremely familiar sense of closeness from Tang Wulin. With a puzzled expression, she asked him,

"Who exactly are you? Have we met before?"

Tang Wulin coughed lightly. "If I said I was your younger brother from the future, would you believe me?"

Tang Wutong's mind instantly crashed at those words. "From the future?"

Only after a long while did Tang Wutong manage to calm her tumultuous emotions.

"Wait a moment. Let me ask my father what is going on..."

Before Tang Wutong could finish speaking, golden light bloomed from between her brows. The mark of the Sea God's Trident quietly appeared on her forehead.

Tang San, the Sea God of this era, manifested an illusory projection through the mark between Tang Wutong's brows.

"Huo Yuhao, what exactly is your purpose in bringing my future son to your side?"

Huo Yuhao's mouth twitched at once. He could not help grumbling inwardly,

As expected of the original novel's Tang San. The moment he opens his mouth, he starts finding fault with me.

At this moment, Tang San, the God King of the Great God Circle, was still lamenting Huo Yuhao's rejection of his request. He suddenly sneezed and wondered to himself,

Who is cursing me?

Helplessly, Huo Yuhao said, "I helped Wulin change his fate, so he wants to help me change mine too. What purpose could I possibly have...?"

Tang San's first reaction, however, was shock that Huo Yuhao could actually travel through the river of time. He marveled at how terrifying this young man's strength was. At that moment, he was secretly pondering how to deal with Huo Yuhao.

Seeing Tang San resting his chin on his hand in thought, Huo Yuhao knew Tang San was once again thinking about how to deal with him. He shook his head helplessly.

"Even if I explained it to you, you wouldn't understand. What a waste of breath. Do whatever you want. You aren't my opponent anyway."

Although Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin had shattered her worldview, Tang Wutong still firmly refused to believe that Huo Yuhao could be a match for her father. She immediately sneered,

"Good thing I never fell for an arrogant brat like you. Otherwise, I'd really be in for a disaster."

Huo Yuhao was not angered. Instead, he looked at Tang Wulin beside him and affectionately stroked Tang Wulin's head.

"That's true. Things are quite good as they are now."

Tang Wulin smiled knowingly, completely ignoring Tang Wutong and Tang San as he silently interlocked his fingers tightly with Huo Yuhao's.

"Alright, I'm going out to have fun with Brother Yuhao now. Let's stop talking."

With that, Tang Wulin left with Huo Yuhao, heading toward the brightly lit, bustling, and prosperous streets.

Tang Wutong stomped her foot in anger. Her high heels let out helpless thuds as they ultimately carried her heavy steps back into the hotel room.