Soul Saint Ma Xiaotao

At the Star Luo Empire's tournament grounds.

As expected, Dou Ling Imperial Soul Master Academy did not last long against the Shrek Academy Team at full strength before admitting defeat. There was not the slightest twist.

Thus, Shrek Academy became the first to advance into the quarterfinals.

Close behind them was the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.

In their round-of-sixteen match, just like Shrek Academy, their captain Ma Rulong did not take the field. The other six main team members, along with one reserve, were enough to defeat their opponents.

The strongest favorites for the championship were now Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.

Many people had already started placing private bets on who would claim the final championship. Naturally, the majority bet on Shrek Academy. After all, Shrek Academy had always been the champion in previous tournaments and had never lost to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.

In the following quarterfinals, Shrek Academy, just as in the original story, drew the weakest team among the final eight, the Righteous Heaven Academy Team. Once they took the field, they swiftly defeated them and became the first to enter the semifinals.

The other three teams entering the semifinals were the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy Team, the Star Luo Imperial Academy Team, and the Di'ao Academy Team.

The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament officially entered the semifinal stage.

Shrek's conference room at the hotel.

Everyone from Shrek Academy arrived in the conference room and took their seats, quietly awaiting the start of the meeting.

Yan Jingzhe pushed open the door and entered. Sitting at the head of the table, he took a sip from his wineglass before saying calmly, "Wang Yan, let Xiaotao take the field in the upcoming semifinals. It is time for them to learn Shrek's true strength."

"Yes, Dean Yan," Wang Yan, seated on his right, replied respectfully.

"I can finally take the field. These past few days have been suffocating." Ma Xiaotao, seated to his left, abruptly stood up and said bluntly, "Don't worry, Martial Uncle. Just watch me give them a proper beating."

"Mm, it is good that you are confident." Yan Jingzhe nodded.

"Dean Yan, who will our semifinal opponent be?" Bei Bei asked curiously.

Yan Jingzhe said, "We do not know yet. To ensure fairness, the draw will be held publicly at the venue tomorrow. Whichever academy we draw, we will immediately begin the match against them. And Shrek Academy will certainly be the first to compete."

"Besides, there is no need for you to worry too much. Xiaotao's Soul Saint cultivation is far ahead of everyone else in this tournament. On top of that, her Martial Soul has evolved into an ultimate attribute. No matter which academy she faces, she can easily win."

Upon hearing that, everyone relaxed and began joking among themselves.

"Alright, that concludes the meeting. Go back and rest," Yan Jingzhe said with a wave of his hand. Then he rose and headed out the door.

While Shrek Academy was utterly relaxed, the other three semifinalists spent the entire night discussing tactics. This was the highest honor an academy could attain, as well as the most important battle in the lives of these competing students. They dreamed of pulling Shrek Academy down from its pedestal and taking its place.

After all, any team member who earned a ranking in the tournament would receive exceptional treatment no matter what faction they joined. If they entered a national force, they could even receive a noble title. This honor would accompany them for life, and when they grew old, they could boast that they had once won the Continental Soul Master Tournament.

Shrek Academy's status was simply too extraordinary. Otherwise, noble factions and clans from every side would have long since come to recruit these students.

Morning!

When the Shrek Academy Team, dressed in dark green uniforms bearing the character "Shi," entered the rest area, they immediately drew thunderous cheers. That was Shrek Academy's prestige.

The other three teams soon entered the rest area as well. Since only four teams remained, the rest areas were separated by considerable distances.

Yet whenever their gazes met, sparks seemed to fly between the four teams, their fighting spirit surging.

In Shrek's rest area, captain Ma Xiaotao stood at the very front with her head held high, looking disdainfully at the members of the other academies as though she were saying, Everyone here is trash.

The teams from the other three semifinalists all glared back furiously, thinking, This woman is far too arrogant. I want nothing more than to punch that exquisite face of hers.

In the spectator stands, Yan Jingzhe smiled and shook his head. That child Xiaotao...

On the raised platform, after Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Imperial Family delivered a speech, the captains went up to draw lots. As expected, Shrek Academy drew the Star Luo Imperial Academy Team.

"Shrek Academy and Star Luo Imperial Academy, team battle contestants, take the field." The referee overseeing today's team battle was a Titled Douluo, known as Heavenly Fiend.

In Shrek's rest area, Ma Xiaotao took the lead and brought the other six starting members onto the competition stage.

On the other side, Xu Jiujiu led the Star Luo team onto the stage as well. When she saw Ma Xiaotao opposite her, her gaze turned wary. This Shrek captain, who had never displayed her strength, would likely be the greatest variable in today's battle.

A blazing aura radiated from Ma Xiaotao's body, bringing immense pressure upon her opponents.

Even Heavenly Fiend Douluo on the competition stage looked immensely startled, because he actually sensed a trace of danger from Ma Xiaotao. It was simply unbelievable. He was a Titled Douluo, yet he had sensed danger from a student not even twenty years old. Terrifying. However, he quickly regained his composure and said coldly, "Both sides, retreat. Before I announce the start of the match, no one may release their Martial Soul."

The members of both teams retreated at the same time, their eyes never leaving their opponents. As they withdrew, their formations rapidly shifted.

Both formations were ready.

"Begin!" Heavenly Fiend Douluo shouted. A streak of black light flashed through the center of the competition stage, and the powerful Titled Douluo vanished from sight.

"Everyone, release your Martial Souls." Ma Xiaotao charged forward. In an instant, the Fire Phoenix Martial Soul possessed her body, and seven Soul Rings—two yellow, two purple, and three black—rose from beneath her feet, shocking the entire venue.

"A seven-ringed Soul Saint?" At the center of the opposing team, Xu Jiujiu's face went pale as she blurted out, "And her Martial Soul is the Fire Phoenix—Ultimate Fire?"

"Shrek! Shrek!" Wave after wave of cheers erupted from the stands. A spectator beside Yan Jingzhe cried excitedly, "She is actually a Soul Saint! Shrek Academy's captain is a Soul Saint! She is too powerful."

Yan Jingzhe smiled faintly upon hearing this.

On the raised platform, the prime minister's expression was grim as he respectfully said, "Your Majesty, Shrek's captain Ma Xiaotao is a Soul Saint before the age of twenty, and she possesses an ultimate Martial Soul. She may become a grave threat to us. Should we send someone to..."

He did not finish his sentence, but he made a throat-slitting gesture.

On the throne, Xu Jiawei's expression changed as he rebuked him, "Prime Minister, Shrek possessing such a genius disciple is a source of pride for the three great empires of the Douluo Continent. With the Sun Moon Empire as our great enemy, do not speak such words that undermine unity again. Do you understand?"

After speaking, he covertly glanced toward Yan Jingzhe in the spectator stands. The meaning was obvious. Can't you see? There is a great figure sitting right there!

"Y-yes... I misspoke," the prime minister hurriedly admitted. Seeing Xu Jiawei's subtle look, he knew he had nearly met the King of Hell.

"Hmph."

In the spectator stands, Yan Jingzhe naturally heard what the prime minister had said with his Spirit Domain-level spiritual power. If Emperor Xu Jiawei had not changed his tune quickly enough, Yan Jingzhe might have had to visit the Star Luo Imperial Family today for a little chat about Shrek Academy's greatness.