The opening ceremony of the Star Luo Empire Advanced Soul Master Tournament was held with great fanfare at Central Arena Square. The hundred thousand spectator seats were packed to capacity, colorful banners fluttered in the air, and wave after wave of cheers rose from the crowd. The main arena platform at the center of the square was forged from Star Luo's signature black-pattern meteorite iron and could withstand Soul Power impacts at the Titled Douluo level. The defensive Soul Tool formation engraved upon it glimmered with a faint golden light.
The Shrek Seven Monsters wore matching fitted azure uniforms, with the small words "Shrek" embroidered across their chests. They kept a low profile, yet could not conceal their sharp edge. Tang Wulin stood at the front of the team, his gaze sweeping over the competing squads from all major powers—Star Luo Empire Royal Academy's Golden Battle Team, the Soul Tool elite team backed by the Mingde Hall, foreign Soul Master groups from the Dou Ling Empire, and even several teams with strange auras that appeared to be connected to the Holy Spirit Cult.
"Welcome, contestants, to the Star Luo Empire Advanced Soul Master Tournament!" the host's voice rang throughout the venue through a Soul Tool amplifier. "This tournament consists of three stages: group matches, elimination rounds, and the finals. The victors will receive generous rewards provided by the Star Luo Royal Family, including a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, top-grade Soul Tools, and the qualification to cultivate within the Star Luo Royal Secret Realm!"
The moment he finished speaking, the entire venue erupted in cheers once more. Dai Yun'er, dressed in a bright yellow princess gown, sat at the center of the VIP section, her gaze fixed directly on Tang Wulin. A provocative smile curled at her lips. Beside her, Star Luo's crown prince, Dai Yueyan, swept a sharp gaze over the Shrek Seven Monsters, his eyes full of scrutiny.
The group match assignments were announced soon afterward. The Shrek Seven Monsters had been placed in Group B, and their first opponent was the second team of the Star Luo Empire Royal Academy. Every member of this team was at the Soul King level and skilled at coordination. Their captain was even a power-attack Battle Soul King with thousand-year Soul Rings.
"Running into a tough opponent in the first match. Looks like the Star Luo Royal Family wants to put us in our place," Yue Zhengyu said quietly, the outline of the Angel Sacred Sword already appearing in his hand.
Xu Lizhi patted his stomach and laughed. "Don't worry. With me here, I'll make sure everyone stays full of energy!" As he spoke, he took out a pile of Soul Tool ingredients and began rapidly preparing food that enhanced Soul Power.
Tang Wulin nodded slightly. "Just perform normally. Remember, conceal our strength and stop at the right point." He looked toward Gu Yue, and their eyes met in perfect understanding.
The whistle signaling the start of the match sounded. Tang Wulin led the others swiftly onto the arena platform. The captain of Royal Academy's second team stepped forward and said arrogantly, "Shrek Academy? I've heard of your reputation for a long time. But on Star Luo Empire territory, you're destined to be nothing more than supporting players!"
Gu Yue spoke calmly. "Enough nonsense. Make your move."
Anger flashed through the opposing captain's eyes. He shouted, "Soul Skill, Mad Lion's Roar!" The phantom of a massive golden lion appeared, and its deafening roar swept toward the Shrek Seven Monsters, attempting to disrupt their minds.
"Blue Silver Grass, Entanglement!" Tang Wulin flipped his wrist, and countless stalks of Blue Silver Grass burst from the ground, instantly binding the opposing captain's limbs. At the same time, the soothing aura emitted by the Blue Silver Grass neutralized the mental impact of Mad Lion's Roar.
"Soul Skill, Star Wheel Slash!" Ye Xinglan flashed forward. The Stargod Sword in her hand shone with silvery-white light and transformed into a fierce sword beam that slashed straight at the opposing agility-attack Soul Master. Although her battle armor only covered half her body, its enhancement had already raised her attack power to the Soul Emperor level.
The opposing agility-attack Soul Master's expression changed. He hurriedly used his movement technique to evade, but the sword light still grazed his shoulder, and blood immediately seeped out.
"Support Soul Master, give us buffs!" the control-type Soul Master of Royal Academy's second team shouted urgently. Two beams of light enhancing Soul Power and speed fell upon his teammates.
"You want buffs? Did you ask me first?" Xu Xiaoyan's figure flickered, and she was already behind the opposing support-type Soul Master. Faint starlight glimmered at her fingertips. "Soul Skill, Star Chain Binding!" Several Starlight Chains flew out, firmly binding the opposing support-type Soul Master and preventing her from using any Soul Skills.
At the same time, Xie Xie transformed into an afterimage. The twin swords in his hands danced as he became locked in battle with the opposing agility-attack Soul Master. He was incredibly fast, darting about like a ghost and leaving his opponent scrambling desperately.
At the right moment, Xu Lizhi tossed out several golden Soul Tool candies. Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and the others caught and swallowed them, and their Soul Power was instantly replenished as their auras grew steadier.
"Soul Skill, Elemental Fusion!" Gu Yue formed seals with both hands. The powers of water, fire, earth, wind, and lightning gathered in her palms, forming a dazzling multicolored energy sphere that slammed viciously toward the opposing defense-type Soul Master.
The defense-type Soul Master hurriedly used a Soul Skill and summoned a thick earthy-yellow shield. But the multicolored energy sphere was far more powerful than he had imagined. Cracks instantly covered the shield, and he was blasted backward again and again, coughing up blood.
"It's over," Tang Wulin said softly. A Golden Dragon Claw appeared beneath his feet, and his body flashed as he appeared behind the opposing captain. Golden Soul Power condensed in his palm, and he lightly tapped forward. The opposing captain only felt his Soul Power stagnate completely. Unable to mobilize any strength, he collapsed onto the platform.
The entire process had taken barely three minutes. The Shrek Seven Monsters defeated Royal Academy's second team with absolute superiority, without revealing a single trump card. They had not even used a fusion skill.
The audience was stunned at first, then erupted into thunderous applause. Surprise flashed through Dai Yun'er's eyes in the VIP section before it was replaced by defiance. Dai Yueyan, meanwhile, frowned and told the guard beside him, "Investigate them. Find out everything about the Shrek Seven Monsters."
After the match ended, the Shrek Seven Monsters quietly left and returned to their arranged accommodations.
"During that match, I sensed a familiar evil aura in some corner of the spectator stands," Gu Yue said gravely. "It should have been someone from the Holy Spirit Cult."
Tang Wulin nodded. "I sensed it too. It seems the Holy Spirit Cult really is watching this tournament. Their target may be the tournament rewards, or perhaps they want to take the opportunity to cause trouble during the competition."
"We need to be even more careful in the matches ahead," Yue Zhengyu said. "We have to conceal our strength while also dealing with any unexpected situations that might arise."
Xu Xiaoyan took out a map of Star Luo City marked with several red dots. "These are the results of my earlier investigation. The Soul Tool energy fluctuations in these locations are abnormal. They're most likely secret Holy Spirit Cult hideouts. We can investigate them during breaks between matches."
Tang Wulin looked at the map, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes. "All right. Tonight, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and I will check one of the hideouts. Yue Zhengyu, Xu Xiaoyan, Ye Xinglan, and Xu Lizhi will stay behind. Be careful."
Everyone nodded and began making their own preparations.
Night fell, and Star Luo City was shrouded in silence. Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie changed into dark nightwear and vanished quietly into the darkness like three shadows. Their target was an abandoned Soul Tool workshop in the city's northwest corner. According to Xu Xiaoyan's investigation, unidentified people had been active there recently.
The abandoned workshop was pitch-black, with only a few faint Soul Tool lamps flickering within. Tang Wulin and the other two held their breath and carefully infiltrated the place. Before long, they heard voices drifting from inside.
"...We must obtain the tournament's Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. It's vital to the bishop's cultivation."
"Don't worry. The people we arranged have already reached the elimination rounds. As long as nothing unexpected happens, the championship will definitely be ours."
"And the Star Luo Royal Secret Realm. They say it contains lingering traces of the Dragon God's aura. If we can obtain it, our Holy Spirit Cult will be able to control all of Douluo Continent!"
At those words, killing intent flashed through all three of their eyes. The Holy Spirit Cult's ambitions were even greater than they had imagined.
"Move!" Tang Wulin shouted softly, taking the lead as he charged out. The Golden Dragon Spear instantly appeared in his hand, its golden spear light tearing through the darkness as it stabbed directly toward the two speakers.
Gu Yue waved both hands, unleashing elemental power that trapped the other Holy Spirit Cult members inside the workshop. Xie Xie transformed into an afterimage and swiftly dealt with the guards on the perimeter.
The Holy Spirit Cult members had not expected a sudden attack and immediately descended into chaos. However, their strength could not be underestimated. One of them was actually a Soul Emperor-level expert, whose Martial Soul was the Netherworld Shadow Cat commonly used by evil Soul Masters.
"Courting death!" the Soul Emperor roared. The phantom of a Netherworld Shadow Cat appeared, its claws carrying a dense dark aura as they clawed toward Tang Wulin.
Tang Wulin showed no fear. He flicked the Golden Dragon Spear, creating layers of spear shadows that collided with the Netherworld Shadow Cat's claws. With a deafening clang, sparks flew everywhere. Tang Wulin felt his arm go numb; the opponent's strength far surpassed that of an ordinary Soul Emperor.
"Elemental Shield!" Gu Yue acted in time. A multicolored elemental shield appeared before Tang Wulin and blocked the opponent's follow-up attack. At the same time, she chanted under her breath, and countless elemental arrows shot toward the Soul Emperor.
Xie Xie seized the opportunity to circle behind the opponent, his twin swords stabbing toward the man's vital points.
Caught between attacks from both sides, the Soul Emperor was immediately thrown into a sorry state. Tang Wulin seized the chance, erupting with his full Soul Power. The Golden Dragon Spear, infused with the power of the Golden Dragon Claw, viciously pierced through the opponent's chest.
After the Soul Emperor was dealt with, the remaining Holy Spirit Cult members were no longer worth mentioning. The three quickly cleared them out.
"Search the place and see if there's any useful intelligence," Tang Wulin said.
Gu Yue found an encrypted document in a secret chamber within the workshop. After decrypting it, she discovered that the Holy Spirit Cult not only intended to seize the tournament rewards and the secrets of the Royal Secret Realm, but had also colluded with certain members of the Star Luo Royal Family. They planned to launch a coup on the day of the tournament finals.
"The situation is more serious than we imagined." Gu Yue's expression was grave. "We have to stop them as soon as possible."
Tang Wulin nodded. "After tomorrow's match, we'll immediately contact the Tang Sect's Star Luo branch and find a way to warn the Star Luo Royal Family. But for now, we have to finish the tournament first. We can't alert them."
The three cleaned up all traces at the scene, quietly left the workshop, and returned to their accommodations.
The next day, the group matches continued. The Shrek Seven Monsters maintained their low-key style, winning every match by only a narrow margin. They neither attracted too much attention nor failed to advance smoothly into the elimination rounds.
Meanwhile, Royal Academy's first team, led by Dai Yun'er, displayed overwhelming strength. They crushed their opponents in every match and stood opposite the Shrek Seven Monsters as the two most closely watched teams in the tournament.
The elimination-round draw was announced. The Shrek Seven Monsters' next opponent was none other than Royal Academy's first team, led by Dai Yun'er.
The news sent the entire venue into an uproar. Everyone eagerly anticipated this peak showdown—one side was a Soul Master holy land with a thousand-year legacy, while the other was the Star Luo Empire's royal elite. The match was destined to be spectacular.
In the VIP section, Dai Yun'er looked at Tang Wulin, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "Tang Wulin, this time, I'm definitely going to beat you!"
Tang Wulin smiled faintly without responding. He knew this match was not merely a contest of strength, but a crucial battle that would determine the success or failure of their mission. The Holy Spirit Cult was surely watching from the shadows, and the Star Luo Royal Family's attitude would become clearer after this match.
A great battle was on the verge of breaking out, and every member of the Shrek Seven Monsters was ready. Their goal was not only to win the tournament championship, but also to thwart the Holy Spirit Cult's scheme in this match and protect the peace of Douluo Continent.
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