The Approaching Soul Master Tournament

After several days of secluded cultivation came to an end, the vast spiritual tide of the Icefire Yin Yang Well gradually subsided.

The entire secret realm still had all living things bowing in submission. Yin and yang energy flowed docilely, while countless spiritual herbs and plants stood silently, seeing off their newly born dragon lord.

When Tang Wulin rose, his entire bearing had completely changed.

The foundation of a Six-Ring Soul Emperor was as deep and still as the sea. The Dragon Core in his dantian firmly suppressed the soul power throughout his body, while warm yet boundless dragon might remained restrained within his flesh and meridians. It showed no sharp edge, yet carried an immense presence that seemed to overlook all living things. The seven-colored soul spirit formed by the Qiluo Tulip lay hidden deep within his soul, constantly emanating a gentle dao aura of vegetation, granting him enduring vitality and an incomparably stable aura.

He gave the entire secret realm a slight nod.

No words were needed. The great dao contract had already been established. From this day on, this Spirit Domain would be his secret sanctuary for cultivation, a place he could return to at any time.

As he stepped out of the spring, the secret realm barrier that had once blocked outsiders automatically opened a steady passage for him. Spiritual mist parted, and plants made way.

Once he left the Icefire Yin Yang Well, the spiritual energy of the outside world immediately became ordinary.

Having experienced the ultimate, origin-level spiritual power of the Yin Yang Well, the continent's ordinary spiritual energy now seemed thin and impure. However, Tang Wulin was not affected in the slightest. The Dragon Core revolved, and the soul power within him sustained itself. He had no need to rely on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to maintain his condition.

His figure flashed, and he stepped into the air.

The steady, profound soul power of a Soul Emperor spread around him, supporting his white-robed figure as he transformed into a swift streak of light and raced toward Shrek City.

Several days of secluded cultivation had passed, yet the outside world remained calm.

The Sunset Forest was still an endless sea of trees, with faint beast roars and wind whistling through the woods. Yet when Tang Wulin traveled through it now, every plant in the forest instinctively trembled slightly, voluntarily parting and drawing close to him, allowing him to pass without obstruction.

With the Dragon God Bloodline and Qiluo's vegetation dao, all grass submitted and all living things drew near.

He sped onward like wind and lightning, deliberately restraining all his pressure and suppressing the aura of a Six-Ring Soul Emperor until it was completely concealed. He appeared to possess no more than the cultivation of an ordinary Soul King, drawing no attention.

As he crossed out from the depths of the Sunset Forest, the outline of that majestic super academy standing upon the continent gradually came into view in the distance.

Its towering walls were imposing, its grounds solemn, and a sea of clouds covered its peak.

Shrek Academy was already in sight.

His brief secret realm cultivation had ended. The dragon emperor youth, reborn from the bone up, officially returned to the mortal world and to Shrek.

Outside the Sea God Pavilion of Shrek Academy, a gentle breeze drifted beneath towering ancient trees.

Tang Wulin had only just returned to the academy and was still settling the foundation of his Six-Ring cultivation and Dragon Core Origin gained from his seclusion in the Icefire Yin Yang Well. Yet the entire academy had quietly received news of a grand event that would shake the whole continent.

Ever since the continent's powers had taken shape, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament had been the highest-level youth competition in the soul master world. The right to host it had always alternated between the Star Luo Empire and the Dou Ling Empire. But this year, that authority shifted for the first time—the Sun Moon Empire officially took over as host. One month later, at the ultimate soul battle arena in Mingdu of the Sun Moon Empire, a new clash of the continent's young elites would begin.

At noon, two exclusive soul-engineering airships, entirely gilded and engraved with the royal emblem of the Sun Moon Empire, slowly hovered above Shrek Academy.

The airships were covered in standardized Level 9 defensive soul tool formations, and the gold-embossed insignias on their hulls gleamed brightly, symbolizing the supreme royal prestige of the Sun Moon Empire. Ordinary powers were not even qualified to approach them. Once the airships landed, two imperial envoys in royal robes of the Sun Moon Empire, high-level soul engineer medals upon their shoulders, stepped solemnly into the Shrek Inner Court with standardized invitations of gilded jade in hand.

No one stopped them.

Even Shrek, which had always stood aloof and proud, could not take lightly such a top-tier event personally hosted by the Sun Moon Empire and spanning the entire Douluo Continent.

Unlike previous tournaments, which had focused on comparing soul masters' combat strength, this Soul Master Tournament led by the Sun Moon Empire had completely reformed its format, upgraded its rewards, and expanded the scope of participation.

The tournament was open to every advanced soul master academy and top hidden sect on the continent. It included all direct academies of the Star Luo and Dou Ling Empires, the major soul engineer institutions of the Sun Moon Empire, and even ancient sects independent of imperial authority, all gathering in Mingdu to contend. The competition was divided into three categories: individual arena battles, two-person cooperation, and team points matches. There would be elimination rounds and point rankings at every level, with standards and intensity far exceeding those of previous tournaments.

What truly made the entire continent flock to it, however, were the lavish rewards offered by the Sun Moon Empire.

The greatest rewards in previous tournaments had been nothing more than top-grade soul bones and natural treasures. But this time, the Sun Moon Empire, backed by its cutting-edge soul engineering technology, had raised the rewards to an astonishing level.

The overall championship team could obtain a custom Level 9 offensive and defensive soul tool, enormous quantities of rare metal resources, and the highest honorary medal of the imperial royal family. The top three teams would all receive high-level soul bones, origin spirit stones, and soul tool core blueprints. Even teams eliminated in the quarterfinals would receive rare herbs and advanced cultivation resources.

Where rewards were great, brave men would gather.

The news spread alongside the invitations. In less than half a day, young powerhouses across the continent were stirred into action. Everyone understood that the Sun Moon Empire was not merely holding a tournament. It intended to use the competition to display its soul engineering hegemony, intimidate the nations of the continent, and select the world's foremost talents. Its ambitions were obvious.

Inside the Sea God Pavilion's council hall.

That heavy, luxurious tournament invitation lay quietly atop an ancient jade table.

Its cover was woven from deep-sea shark silk, with the twelve characters "Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament · Imperial Invitation" engraved in gold. Its corners were inlaid with fine pieces of starlight jade, while the pages within were as tough as jade. Every word had been written by the Sun Moon Empire's royal hand, clearly laying out the format, schedule, participation rules, reward details, and available slots.

Several senior elders of the Sea God Pavilion sat around the table, their expressions grave.

"The Sun Moon Empire has lain dormant for many years. By taking the initiative to host this tournament, it seeks to establish prestige and build momentum." A white-haired elder slowly spoke, his gaze deep. "In recent years, Sun Moon soul engineering technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. It has long surpassed the continent's traditional soul master system. By publicly holding this tournament, they wish to declare completely that in the new era of the continent, soul tools will rule."

Another elder nodded slightly. "That is not all. They have relaxed the restrictions on sect participation solely to gather geniuses from across the world and probe the foundations and hidden cards of every sect. Their ambitions are immense."

In previous tournaments, Shrek had always remained firmly at the top, suppressing every royal academy and top sect. It was the undisputed number one academy on the continent. But this year was different. Its opponents were no longer simply traditional soul master teams.

The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy and Mingdu Soul Engineering Academy, the two great top academies, were overflowing with talent, and high-level soul engineers emerged one after another. Soul tools countered soul masters, crushed them at range, and combined offense with defense. Among those of the same rank, traditional soul master teams found it extremely difficult to contend against them.

This was the most dangerous and unpredictable Soul Master Tournament Shrek had faced in years.

"The invitation has officially arrived, and the slots have been set." The pavilion master swept his gaze over the crowd and delivered his conclusion in a deep voice. "Shrek must participate."

Avoiding battle would mean showing weakness.

Shrek had stood upon the continent for ten thousand years and had never feared any contest. Even if its opponents came bearing technological hegemony, even if the road ahead was perilous and uncertain, Shrek's glory could never be handed over to others.

"Send word to the Inner Court. Select the competitors immediately, begin training in advance, and refine the team battle lineup."

The orders were passed down layer by layer and swiftly spread throughout the entire Shrek Inner Court.

The students who had been cultivating peacefully instantly erupted into excitement. A tense yet burning atmosphere of preparation immediately enveloped the entire academy.

Everyone understood that the battle in Mingdu one month from now would no longer be a simple exchange between geniuses. It would be the ultimate collision between the traditional path of soul masters and Sun Moon soul engineering technology, a destined confrontation among the younger generation of the entire continent.

Beneath the courtyard corridor, Tang Wulin stood quietly, taking in every piece of information.

A faint gleam shifted in his eyes, while his heart remained incomparably calm.

He had just broken through to become a Six-Ring Soul Emperor, condensed the Dragon Core, absorbed Qiluo, and established the foundation of his dragon dao. His entire foundation had been transformed. Now the Sun Moon tournament had arrived, just as the continent's geniuses were gathering.

To others, this was a dangerous and unpredictable hard battle.

But to him, it was the perfect stage to return to the peak, display dragon might, and rewrite the balance of the era.

Sun Moon hegemony, the sharp edge of soul tools, geniuses from across the world, heroes competing for supremacy.

Then he would fight—shake Mingdu, and let the dragon descend upon the continent.