Shrek Seven Monsters vs. Monster Academy, the Conclusion of the Advanced Soul Master Tournament

The final team battle of the Star Luo Empire Advanced Soul Master Tournament began under the gaze of countless spectators. The cheers in the central arena nearly overturned the heavens. The dueling platform, forged from black-patterned meteorite iron, shone as brightly as day beneath the soul-tool lights. Two teams stood at opposite sides—every member of the Shrek Seven Monsters wore half-body battle armor, the words "Shrek" gleaming upon their azure uniforms; on Monster Academy's side, Long Yue led his teammates in matching black battle armor, the Ink Qilin emblems on their chests radiating resolve. As a special supporting member, Dai Yun'er stood on the flank, her soul-tool longbow already drawn and ready.

This was the closing battle of the tournament, and even more so, a clash between justice and awakening. After Long Yue's reforms, Monster Academy had completely severed ties with the Holy Spirit Cult. They had come only to prove their worth. The Shrek Seven Monsters, meanwhile, would use this victory to demonstrate the glory of the sacred land of soul masters and bring their journey through Star Luo to a perfect close.

"The match begins!"

Before the host's voice had faded, the arena was instantly engulfed by violent soul power. At Long Yue's command, every member of Monster Academy deployed into formation. Two defense-system soul masters transformed into earthen-yellow barriers, shielding the support-system and agility-attack-system soul masters behind them. Three assault-system soul masters followed close behind Long Yue, forming a charging echelon. Dai Yun'er swiftly retreated to an elevated position on the flank, where violet-gold soul-tool arrows condensed in an instant, aimed directly at Xu Lizhi, the Shrek Seven Monsters' support core.

"Follow the plan!" Tang Wulin shouted in a low voice. With the Golden Dragon Spear in hand, the power of the Golden Dragon King erupted. The Shrek Seven Monsters scattered at once. Xie Xie became an afterimage and charged straight at Monster Academy's agility-attack-system soul master. Ye Xinglan drew her Star God Sword and collided head-on with the opposing assault-system soul masters. Xu Xiaoyan's Starlight Chains wove through the air, sealing off Dai Yun'er's firing paths. Yue Zhengyu's Angel Sacred Sword blossomed with holy light, holding back Long Yue's offensive. Xu Lizhi rapidly made energy pastries to continuously enhance his teammates. Gu Yue stood at the center, elemental power flowing around her as she prepared to support them at any moment.

"Wrath of the Mountain Dragon King!" Long Yue was the first to strike. An earthen-yellow energy blast surged toward Tang Wulin with world-destroying force. He no longer held anything back, pushing the Mountain Dragon King's power to its limit, yet he still adhered to the boundary of stopping short of real harm.

Rather than retreating, Tang Wulin advanced. The Golden Dragon Spear gathered the power of the Golden Dragon King, and "Golden Dragon Rampage" erupted. Golden spear shadows collided with the earthen-yellow energy blast. The thunderous explosion deafened everyone, and the shockwave shook the entire dueling platform violently. "Long Yue, you've improved quickly." A fierce desire for battle curled Tang Wulin's lips. "But it's still not enough!"

At the same time, Xie Xie entered an ultra-fast duel with the opposing agility-attack-system soul master. His twin swords danced in a blur, moving so quickly that only afterimages remained. The opponent's martial soul was the Netherworld Shadow Cat, skilled in concealment and surprise attacks, yet Xie Xie's extreme speed completely suppressed him. Every attempted ambush was easily neutralized.

Ye Xinglan's Star God Sword clashed with an opposing assault-system soul master's giant axe, sending sparks flying. The enemy assault-system soul master was a Soul Emperor, possessed immense strength, and every swing of his axe carried the force to split mountains and shatter stone. Yet Ye Xinglan's battle armor perfectly complemented her Star God Sword. Her sword intent was razor-sharp, using finesse to overcome brute force, and she did not fall behind in the slightest.

Dai Yun'er's soul-tool arrowstorm was as dense as a swarm of locusts, but Xu Xiaoyan's Starlight Chains blocked every arrow. Xu Xiaoyan's starlight could not only defend, but also reflect part of the attack. Several reflected light arrows forced Dai Yun'er to divert her attention to dodging, completely disrupting her firing rhythm.

Yue Zhengyu's angelic power restrained all evil auras. Although Monster Academy had cut ties with the Holy Spirit Cult, faint traces of evil power still remained within some of its members. Bathed in angelic light, their soul power circulation became sluggish, and their momentum plummeted. Yue Zhengyu seized the opportunity to unleash "Angelic Slash." His sword light streaked across the field, forcing the opposing defense-system soul masters back again and again.

Xu Lizhi's energy pastries were like pills of reassurance. The Shrek Seven Monsters' soul power remained at its peak, while Monster Academy's members, under such intense combat, steadily consumed more and more soul power. Their offensive gradually slowed.

This can't go on! Long Yue thought. He saw the battle tilting against them and immediately roared, "Martial Soul Fusion Skill—Qilin Shakes the Mountain!"

With his cry, the soul power of Monster Academy's seven members erupted at once. Behind them, the massive phantoms of an Ink Qilin and the Mountain Dragon King appeared and intertwined, forming a terrifying fusion entity that possessed both overwhelming power and defense. The Ink Qilin's ferocity layered atop the Mountain Dragon King's heaviness, and its pressure instantly blanketed the entire arena. Countless spiderweb cracks spread across the dueling platform.

"Not good! It's a group fusion skill!" Gu Yue's expression changed. "Everyone, defend with everything you have!"

Tang Wulin's eyes turned solemn as the Golden Dragon King's power erupted completely. "Golden Dragon Spear: Profound Meaning—Worldbreaker!" Golden spear radiance tore through the air and shot toward the fusion entity's core. At the same time, Gu Yue unleashed "Elemental Fusion: Five Spirits Annihilation." A five-colored sphere of energy merged with the Golden Dragon Spear's radiance, becoming a world-destroying attack that crashed into the Qilin Shakes the Mountain fusion entity.

"Boom—!"

The collision of the two terrifying powers caused the defensive soul-tool formation to blaze with light. Its pale-golden barrier was nearly pushed to its limit. The Shrek Seven Monsters were blasted backward repeatedly by the shockwave, blood spilling from the corners of Tang Wulin's and Gu Yue's mouths. Monster Academy fared no better. Their fusion entity was shattered, their blood and qi churned violently, and their soul power was greatly depleted. Several of them collapsed directly to the ground.

"Who can still stand?" Long Yue wiped the blood from his lips and swept his gaze over his teammates. Only three could barely remain upright. Dai Yun'er's breathing was ragged, and she could hardly hold her soul-tool longbow.

On the Shrek Seven Monsters' side, Xie Xie, Ye Xinglan, and Yue Zhengyu had also sustained serious injuries. Only Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Xu Xiaoyan, and Xu Lizhi could still maintain their combat strength, but every one of them was already at the brink of exhaustion.

"Tang Wulin, we haven't lost yet!" Long Yue roared. The remaining soul power in his body erupted once more, and the Mountain Dragon King phantom condensed again. "Even if I'm the only one left, I'll fight to the end!"

Dai Yun'er gritted her teeth and drew her soul-tool longbow again. A violet-gold light arrow formed once more. "I won't admit defeat either!"

The remaining three Monster Academy members also struggled back to their feet, their eyes shining with unyielding determination.

Tang Wulin looked at the opponents before him, and a surge of respect rose in his heart. He took a deep breath and looked toward his companions. "Their will deserves respect. We should use our final strength as well."

The Shrek Seven Monsters exchanged glances, determination flashing through all their eyes. "Shrek Seven Monsters, Fusion Skill—Holy Spirit's Protection!"

Seven figures leaped into the air at the same time, their soul powers intertwining. Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King power, Gu Yue's elemental power, Xie Xie's power of speed, Ye Xinglan's sword power, Yue Zhengyu's angelic power, Xu Xiaoyan's starlight power, and Xu Lizhi's food-enhancement power fused perfectly together. A gigantic holy spirit phantom appeared. It was not an evil holy spirit, but the embodiment of the Shrek Seven Monsters' will to protect justice and stand firm in their beliefs. Holy radiance covered the entire arena, standing in stark contrast to Monster Academy's fierce aura.

The holy spirit phantom extended a massive palm and gently pressed it toward Long Yue and the others with a force that was mild yet impossible to resist. There was not the slightest killing intent in that palm, yet it contained ultimate suppressive power. Long Yue's Mountain Dragon King power and Dai Yun'er's soul-tool light arrows became like bubbles before that force, vanishing in an instant.

Long Yue and the others felt their bodies go limp as the soul power within them was completely suppressed. They could no longer draw upon it. They slumped to the ground and looked up at the holy spirit phantom in the sky. There was no resentment in their eyes, only profound shock and admiration.

The holy spirit phantom slowly dissipated. The Shrek Seven Monsters supported one another as they landed. Every one of them was pale, their auras weak to the extreme, but their eyes remained resolute. Tang Wulin looked at Long Yue and the others and said softly, "You're very strong, especially your will."

Long Yue gave a bitter smile. "We lost. Not only are you powerful, but you also possess bonds and convictions that we lack." He rose to his feet and solemnly bowed to the Shrek Seven Monsters. "Shrek Academy truly lives up to its reputation. I, Long Yue, concede wholeheartedly."

Dai Yun'er also rose, a complicated light in her eyes. "I lost, but I'm glad. This match taught me what true strength really is."

The entire audience erupted in thunderous cheers. The name "Shrek" was shouted over and over, the waves of sound soaring into the sky. Star Luo's crown prince, Dai Yueyan, stood and began applauding. The members of the Star Luo royal family and representatives of major powers in the VIP stands also rose one after another, offering the Shrek Seven Monsters their highest respect.

The referee announced the end of the match. With absolute strength and unwavering conviction, the Shrek Seven Monsters had won the overall championship of this Star Luo Empire Advanced Soul Master Tournament!

Supporting one another, the Shrek Seven Monsters walked to the center of the dueling platform and accepted the cheers of the entire audience. Tang Wulin looked at his companions, his heart full of emotion. This victory was not merely a display of strength. It was the result of their bonds as a team and their commitment to justice.

Long Yue led Monster Academy's members over to them and handed Tang Wulin an ancient token. "This is an entry token for the Star Luo Royal Secret Realm, the champion's reward. You are more qualified than us to enter the secret realm and search for the lingering aura of the Dragon God."

Tang Wulin accepted the token and said solemnly, "Thank you. If you ever need us in the future, Shrek Academy is willing to fight alongside Monster Academy."

"It's a promise!" Excitement flashed through Long Yue's eyes.

Dai Yun'er looked at Tang Wulin and said softly, "Tang Wulin, the next time we meet, I'll definitely be stronger."

Tang Wulin smiled faintly. "I'll be waiting."

As the sun set, golden afterglow spilled across the dueling platform, stretching the shadows of the Shrek Seven Monsters long behind them. They had won the match, won honor, and won respect. During their journey through Star Luo, they had not only completed their investigation of the Holy Spirit Cult, but also gained precious friendship. More importantly, they had made Shrek's glory shine with dazzling brilliance across the Star Luo Empire.

In the shadows beside the dueling platform, members of the Holy Spirit Cult watched this scene, their eyes flashing with resentment and viciousness. Yet faced with the united force of the Shrek Seven Monsters and Monster Academy, they did not dare act rashly and could only retreat quietly.

Tang Wulin sensed that malicious gaze. He turned toward the shadows, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's. He knew that the struggle against the Holy Spirit Cult was far from over, and the road ahead remained filled with thorns. But he was fearless, because the Shrek Seven Monsters stood beside him, new allies supported him, and he possessed an unwavering belief in protecting the peace of the Douluo Continent.

The Star Luo Empire Advanced Soul Master Tournament had come to an end, but the legend of the Shrek Seven Monsters had only just begun. Carrying the glory and experience of this victory, they would continue onward, face even greater challenges, and write their own Legend of the Dragon King.