Monster Academy and Shrek Academy's First Clash: A Duel Between Captains

Having just concluded their peak showdown with Royal Academy's first team, the Shrek Seven Monsters returned to their private lounge amid cheers that had yet to die down. Tang Wulin reined in the lingering might of his Golden Dragon Spear, while the elemental power at Gu Yue's fingertips quietly dissipated. Though everyone wore traces of fatigue, their eyes held the calm of victory—while they had not used their full strength in this match, they had genuinely crushed Dai Yun'er's momentum and shown the Star Luo Royal Family the true foundation of Shrek Academy.

The lounge's metal door was kicked open with a loud bang, interrupting Xu Lizhi as he handed out energy pastries. Seven young people dressed in fitted black uniforms filed inside. Embroidered on their chests was a ferocious black qilin—the core members of Monster Academy, a rising power in the Star Luo Empire in recent years. The leader was tall and arrogant-looking, with a scar running from his left brow to his jaw. He was Long Yue, Monster Academy's captain and a power-attack Soul Emperor.

"Tut, tut, so these are the so-called Shrek Seven Monsters? You beat Royal Academy's second team and now you dare put on airs in Star Luo City?" Long Yue crossed his arms and swept a disdainful gaze over Tang Wulin and the others, his mockery undisguised. "I thought you were something special. Turns out you're just frauds relying on empty fame to scare people."

A nimble-attack Soul Master behind him chimed in, "Captain's right! Shrek Academy has long since declined. Its former glory is nothing but a thing of the past. Today's Douluo Continent isn't a place where you get to call the shots anymore."

Yue Zhengyu raised a brow. The light of the Angel Sacred Sword flashed in his palm before vanishing as he said in a low voice, "Your words are rather insulting. Are you looking for trouble?"

"And what if I am?" Long Yue sneered and stepped forward. His soul power erupted without restraint, and the pressure of a Soul Emperor spread outward. "Monster Academy is the pride of the Star Luo Empire. Outsiders like you aren't worthy of standing on Star Luo's arena. I advise you to know your place and withdraw from the tournament while you still can. Otherwise, we'll beat you so badly later that you'll disgrace Shrek."

Ye Xinglan tightened her grip on the Star God Sword, her eyes sharp as blades. "If you've got the guts, settle it in the arena. What kind of hero only knows how to run his mouth here?"

"In the arena?" Long Yue looked as though he had heard the greatest joke in the world. "You people? I watched your match against Royal Academy's second team very clearly. That Tang Wulin fellow obviously has greater strength, yet he kept it hidden. Are you afraid of exposing your trump cards and drawing our attention, or do you simply have no real ability?"

His gaze fell on Tang Wulin, filled with blatant provocation. "I hear you're Shrek's core disciple. I'd like to see whether this so-called Golden Dragon King prince is truly as formidable as the rumors claim. Why don't we trade a few moves right now and let me see what you're really made of?"

Tang Wulin remained calm, untouched by Long Yue's provocation. He could sense a faint evil aura mixed into the other's soul power, somewhat similar to the Holy Spirit Cult members he had encountered in the abandoned workshop the previous night. His vigilance immediately rose. "A tournament has tournament rules. Private fighting is not the conduct of a gentleman," he said evenly. "If you wish to compete, we will naturally accompany you to the end when we meet in the arena."

"The conduct of a gentleman?" Long Yue laughed coldly. "Before absolute strength, rules and gentlemanly conduct are nothing but nonsense!" As he spoke, he suddenly attacked. His right hand formed a claw, wreathed in dense black soul power, and lunged straight for Tang Wulin's shoulder. The strike was incredibly fast and carried a tearing force. He clearly intended to teach Tang Wulin a lesson.

Gu Yue's eyes turned cold, and an ice wall instantly condensed before her. With a bang, Long Yue's claw struck the wall. Ice shards scattered everywhere, but the wall did not budge.

"Getting physical is rather uncouth." Gu Yue's voice was frosty as ice. Elemental power surged around her, and the invisible pressure made the Monster Academy members' expressions change slightly.

Long Yue had not expected Gu Yue to react so quickly, much less for her strength to so vastly exceed his expectations. He was inwardly startled, but relying on his Soul Emperor cultivation and the teammates at his side, he refused to show weakness. "What? Planning to gang up on me? We at Monster Academy aren't afraid of you!"

"Gang up on you?" Xie Xie flashed, appearing behind Long Yue in an instant. His twin swords rested against Long Yue's throat, moving so quickly that Long Yue had no chance to react. "You're not qualified for that."

The other Monster Academy members immediately moved to help, only to be blocked by Xu Xiaoyan's starlight chains. "I advise you not to make any rash moves, or bear the consequences yourselves." Xu Xiaoyan's eyes were icy, and the starlight chains gleamed with dangerous radiance.

Xu Lizhi stood to one side, his food-system soul tool already prepared to support his teammates at any moment. He might have been mild-tempered, but if anyone dared hurt his companions, he would never hold back.

With Xie Xie's twin swords at his throat, Long Yue felt the chill of their blades. His face turned pale, then green. He had never expected the Shrek Seven Monsters to be so powerful, especially Xie Xie's speed and Gu Yue's elemental control, both of which far surpassed his imagination.

"Y-you dare hurt me?" Long Yue roared, fierce on the outside but weak within. "I'm Monster Academy's captain! The Star Luo Royal Family values our academy highly. If you hurt me, the Star Luo Royal Family will never let you go!"

"The Star Luo Royal Family?" Tang Wulin slowly walked up to Long Yue, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's. "Shrek Academy acts honorably and has never feared any threat. On the other hand, Monster Academy seems to be hiding quite a few secrets." He paused deliberately, his eyes sweeping across Long Yue and the others. "What was that trace of evil aura in your soul power just now?"

Long Yue was startled. He had not expected Tang Wulin to detect the anomaly in his soul power. Forcing himself to remain calm, he said, "I don't know what you're talking about! What evil aura? Utter nonsense!

The Mountain Dragon King's aura erupted from Long Yue. "Tang Wulin, we'll settle this in the tournament. I look forward to our one-on-one match!" With that, he left in anger.

"I'll be waiting." Tang Wulin watched Long Yue's departing back with unwavering eyes and made up his mind.

On the final day of the Star Luo Empire's Advanced Soul Master Tournament knockout rounds, the cheers in Central Arena Square nearly lifted the sky. When the host announced the matchup, "Shrek Academy's Tang Wulin versus Monster Academy's Long Yue," the entire venue erupted in unprecedented excitement—one was Shrek's core disciple bearing the Golden Dragon bloodline, while the other was Star Luo's rising star awakened with the Mountain Dragon King martial soul. This "duel of two dragons" was regarded as the pinnacle battle of the tournament.

Tang Wulin slowly stepped onto the arena. His teal combat uniform glimmered faintly under the sunlight, and the Golden Dragon Spear lay slanted across his back. He looked calm, but a sharp edge hid beneath that calmness. His gaze landed on Long Yue across from him, and a hazy fragment of memory flashed through his mind—in his previous life, it was on this very arena that he had lost to the Mountain Dragon King's power. The suffocating sensation of being crushed by mountains remained branded deep into his soul. Yet now, there was no fear in his eyes, only the determination to break free.

Long Yue wore black battle armor and stood as tall and straight as a mountain peak. Dense earth-yellow soul power swirled around him, while behind his back loomed the faint shadow of a colossal dragon-like mountain—the top-tier beast martial soul, the Mountain Dragon King. A proud smile curled his lips as his soul power burst forth without reservation. The pressure of a Soul Emperor became like a tangible mountain, crushing down on Tang Wulin. "Tang Wulin, today I'll show you what true dragon might is! You lost miserably in your previous life. In this life, I'll make you lose even more completely!"

The Shrek Seven Monsters in the audience looked grave. Elemental power gathered at Gu Yue's fingertips as she prepared for any unexpected situation. Dai Yun'er sat in the VIP seats, watching the stage with complicated eyes. She hoped Long Yue would bring glory to Star Luo, yet for some inexplicable reason, she did not want to see Tang Wulin defeated. Star Luo's crown prince, Dai Yueyan, stared intently at the two of them, trying to discern Tang Wulin's true strength through this battle.

"The match begins!"

The moment the host finished speaking, Long Yue struck first. "First Soul Skill: Mountain Collision!" His first soul ring lit up beneath his feet, and his body transformed into an earth-yellow streak of light. Like a charging mountain, he rammed toward Tang Wulin with world-destroying momentum. Wherever he passed, fine cracks appeared across the black-patterned meteoric iron floor of the arena.

Rather than retreat, Tang Wulin advanced. Blue Silver Grass erupted beneath his feet, and countless stalks bearing golden patterns burst from the ground, interweaving into a resilient barrier. Bang! Mountain Collision crashed fiercely into the Blue Silver Grass barrier. The deafening impact instantly covered the barrier in cracks, but it ultimately blocked the strike.

"Second Soul Skill: Dragon Claw Rending Rock!" Long Yue did not pause. His second soul ring lit up, and his right hand transformed into an enormous dragon claw covered in heavy earth-yellow scales. Carrying the force to rend rock apart, it clawed toward Tang Wulin's head. The Mountain Dragon King's dragon claw contained ultimate strength, enough to easily tear apart a Soul Emperor's defenses.

Tang Wulin's eyes narrowed as the Golden Dragon Spear appeared in his hand, its shaft blazing with dazzling golden light. "Golden Dragon Tail Sweep!" He twisted his waist, sweeping his right leg sideways with the power of a golden dragon and colliding directly with Long Yue's dragon claw. With a metallic clang, both men staggered several steps back, and a shallow crater was blasted into the arena floor.

Long Yue was shocked. He had not expected Tang Wulin's strength to be so formidable, not the least bit inferior to his Mountain Dragon King. "Third Soul Skill: Mountain Collapse!" He dared not be careless. His third soul ring lit up, and the Mountain Dragon King phantom behind him let out a roar. Countless massive rocks fell from the phantom like a meteor shower, engulfing Tang Wulin and sealing off every route of escape.

"Blue Silver Grass, bind!" Tang Wulin's second soul ring lit up beneath his feet. Countless stalks of Blue Silver Grass grew wildly, wrapping around the falling boulders. At the same time, he flashed away like a phantom, avoiding the core of the rockfall. Yet several boulders still broke through the Blue Silver Grass's restraints and crashed toward him.

"Golden Dragon Claw!" Tang Wulin's left hand transformed into a golden dragon claw. Soul power flooded into it, and with a savage swipe, he shattered the oncoming rocks into fragments. Amid the flying debris, his eyes locked onto Long Yue. His figure abruptly accelerated, and the Golden Dragon Spear shot toward Long Yue's chest with a fierce spear glow. "My turn!"

"Fourth Soul Skill: Mountain Dragon King's Fury!" Long Yue's expression changed. His fourth soul ring lit up, and the Mountain Dragon King phantom behind him fully solidified. It opened its enormous jaws and fired an earth-yellow energy cannon containing the Mountain Dragon King's origin power straight at Tang Wulin. This attack contained sixty percent of Long Yue's total soul power, enough to severely wound an ordinary Soul Emperor.

Determination flashed in Tang Wulin's eyes. The Golden Dragon King bloodline within him boiled, and the golden radiance on the Golden Dragon Spear grew ever more brilliant. "Golden Dragon Spear: Armor Break!" He perfectly fused the Golden Dragon King's power with his spear technique. The spear glow pierced the air, forming a golden pillar of light that collided head-on with the energy cannon of Mountain Dragon King's Fury.

Boom—!

The collision of the two ultimate powers produced a terrifying energy shockwave. The arena's defensive soul guidance array activated instantly, and a pale golden barrier enveloped the entire venue, preventing the energy from reaching the stands. When the shockwave faded, both men were left with surging blood and energy, blood spilling from the corners of their mouths.

Long Yue wiped away the blood at his lips, his eyes growing even more frenzied. "I never thought you could withstand my Mountain Dragon King's Fury! But this isn't over! Fifth Soul Skill: Dragon King's Pressure!" His fifth soul ring lit up, and the Mountain Dragon King's pressure erupted in full. It was not mere soul power suppression, but dragon might originating from the martial soul's very source—enough to make ordinary soul beasts bow in submission and greatly affect even Soul Masters of the same rank.

Tang Wulin felt an overwhelming pressure bear down on him, making the circulation of soul power within his body sluggish. But what flowed through him was the Golden Dragon King's bloodline. As the strongest existence born after the Dragon God's division, how could the Golden Dragon King's dignity be violated? "Golden Dragon King's Pressure!" Tang Wulin roared, and the Golden Dragon King's aura erupted from his body. Golden dragon might collided and intertwined with the Mountain Dragon King's earth-yellow pressure in the center of the arena, forming a visible energy storm.

The clash of the two dragon mights left the entire audience breathless. Some weaker Soul Masters even collapsed directly in their seats, unable to endure the terrifying pressure.

Long Yue's expression changed drastically. He had not expected Tang Wulin to release dragon might as well, and its power was not inferior to his Mountain Dragon King's Pressure in the slightest. "Impossible! You've only inherited part of the Golden Dragon's power. How can you possess such pure dragon might?"

"Nothing is impossible!" Tang Wulin's gaze was blade-sharp. "Your Mountain Dragon King may be powerful, but it is ultimately only a lesser dragon martial soul. What flows within me is the true Golden Dragon King bloodline! Today, I will break fate and reclaim the glory that belongs to me!"

Before his words had faded, a massive Golden Dragon King phantom emerged behind Tang Wulin. Its golden scales glistened beneath the sunlight, and its dragon might shook the entire venue. "Sixth Soul Skill: Golden Dragon Frenzy!" His sixth soul ring lit up. The Golden Dragon Spear became a streak of golden light, producing countless spear shadows like innumerable golden dragons striking at once as they swept toward Long Yue.

Long Yue felt a deadly threat. He knew there was no longer any path of retreat. "Sixth Soul Skill: Mountain Collapse and Earth Split!" He poured all the soul power in his body into the attack. The Mountain Dragon King phantom behind him roared as it charged toward the Golden Dragon King phantom. At the same time, the arena floor shook violently, and countless enormous cracks spread outward, attempting to devour Tang Wulin's attack.

The golden spear shadows collided with the earth-yellow Mountain Dragon King phantom. Countless fragments of energy scattered through the air, and even the arena's defensive soul guidance array began flickering violently, on the verge of collapse. Tang Wulin and Long Yue both gritted their teeth and exhausted the last traces of their soul power.

At that moment, the Golden Dragon King's origin power within Tang Wulin completely erupted. The light on the Golden Dragon Spear surged, and its spear shadows broke through the Mountain Dragon King phantom's defenses, stabbing straight toward Long Yue's chest. Long Yue's pupils contracted. He wanted to dodge, but it was already too late. He could only watch helplessly as the golden spear glow closed in.

Pfft—!

The Golden Dragon Spear pierced Long Yue's shoulder, avoiding any vital points, but the powerful Golden Dragon King's force instantly flooded into his body and wreaked havoc on his soul power meridians. Long Yue groaned and was blasted backward, crashing heavily onto the arena. He could no longer rise.

The entire venue fell silent for a brief moment before erupting in thunderous cheers.

"He won! Tang Wulin won!"

"The Shrek Seven Monsters truly live up to their name!"

Tang Wulin put away the Golden Dragon Spear, breathing heavily as he looked at the fallen Long Yue. His expression was calm. "You lost."

Long Yue lay facedown on the ground, blood streaming continuously from his shoulder. His eyes were filled with unwillingness and disbelief. He had never imagined that he would lose to Tang Wulin, much less so utterly. The victory of his previous life had become like an illusion. In this life, he had still ultimately fallen to Tang Wulin.

The Shrek Seven Monsters rushed onto the stage and gathered around Tang Wulin, their faces full of joy. Gu Yue handed him a healing pill and said softly, "You did well."

Tang Wulin accepted the pill and swallowed it. Looking toward the audience, countless emotions churned in his heart. The regrets of his previous life had finally been made whole in this one. He had not only defeated Long Yue—he had defeated his past self.

In the VIP seats, Dai Yun'er wore a complicated smile, carrying both disappointment and an inexplicable trace of relief. Dai Yueyan's expression, however, was grave. He knew that Tang Wulin's rise had become a force the Star Luo Empire could no longer ignore.

In a corner of the audience, several black-clad figures quietly departed. They were members of the Holy Spirit Cult. As they watched Tang Wulin on the stage, wariness and killing intent flashed through their eyes. "I never expected Tang Wulin to be this powerful. It seems the plan must change."

Tang Wulin did not know that the Holy Spirit Cult's scheme was quietly shifting. At that moment, he only felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from his heart. His duel with Long Yue had not merely been a contest of strength, but a struggle against fate. He had won—not only the match, but also the future.

What awaited him next was the challenge of the finals and the Holy Spirit Cult's conspiracy. But he feared nothing, because he had the Shrek Seven Monsters by his side, the Golden Dragon King's power within him, and the resolve to shatter every chain of fate.