Two Teams Set Out, Dragon and Qiu Battle for the Captaincy

Shrek Inner Court, Sea God Pavilion conference hall.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of ancient trees a thousand years old, spilling across the solemn white jade tiles in dappled patterns. The final decision regarding the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament was officially settled today.

The Sun Moon Empire's invitation had arrived earlier, and storm clouds were gathering over the continent. The clash between soul tool technology and traditional Soul Masters was imminent. As the continent's foremost academy, Shrek had to display its strength to deter all rivals while also preserving the foundation of its younger generation and tempering its rising talents. After overnight deliberations between several elder masters and the Pavilion Master, an unprecedented plan to send out two teams was finalized.

The announcement spread through every corner of the Inner Court, and all the geniuses preparing to compete gathered outside the hall to await the decision.

At the center of the hall, the Pavilion Master sat high above them. His gaze swept over the crowd below, and his steady, weighty voice resounded through the entire chamber. "This Continental Soul Master Tournament, hosted by the Sun Moon Empire, is unlike any before it. Heroes are rising everywhere, soul tool sects and imperial geniuses are gathering in Mingdu, and the dangers far exceed those of previous tournaments. The academy has decided that Shrek will send two teams to compete this time."

The entire hall erupted in uproar, every disciple wearing an expression of shock.

In past tournaments, Shrek had always sent only one representative team. There had never been a precedent for two teams setting out together. Today's decision was truly unprecedented.

The Pavilion Master silenced the murmurs and continued announcing the resolution in a clear voice:

"The first team will be the Tang Sect Representative Team. It will consist of Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong'er, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, and He Caitou. They will compete under the Tang Sect's name, free from the constraints of the academy's rankings. Their purpose will be to gain real combat experience, accumulate tournament experience, and demonstrate the strength of the Tang Sect's new generation. The academy fully authorizes this and recognizes the Tang Sect's independent eligibility to compete. Its resources and authority will be equal to those of the Shrek Main Team."

Outside the hall, the Second-Generation Shrek Seven Monsters shuddered, their eyes instantly lighting up.

After years of lying low and cultivating bitterly, the Tang Sect had already begun to take shape, yet it had always lacked a high-profile top-tier competition to prove itself. Today, the academy had granted them special permission to fight in the continental tournament under the Tang Sect's name. It was both recognition and an enormous opportunity.

Huo Yuhao's heart surged, his Spirit Eyes gleaming brightly. Beside him, Wang Dong'er was equally delighted. Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and the others exchanged glances, seeing the fighting spirit and solemn resolve in one another's eyes. This was the Tang Sect's first clash on the continental stage, the perfect opportunity for them to make a name for themselves and establish their footing on the continent.

Before they could calm their emotions, the Pavilion Master's voice rang out again, setting the most crucial rule:

"The second team will be the Shrek Academy Main Team. Its members will all be selected from the Inner Court's finest geniuses. They will set out in representation of Shrek's orthodox glory, bearing the academy's countless inheritances and the prestige of the continent's foremost academy as they compete for the tournament's highest honor."

The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.

Compared to the rising Tang Sect team, the Shrek Main Team bore the true burden of pressure and glory. It was Shrek's trump card against the Sun Moon Empire's greatest soul engineers and the continent's strongest opponents!

Everyone understood that the main team's captain would be Shrek's leader for this tournament, the core force who would command the entire team and contend against the world in the future. The position carried enormous weight.

The Pavilion Master's gaze was distant as it settled on the two most dazzling figures in the crowd: Tang Wulin, dressed in refined white robes with his dragon might restrained, and Wang Qiu'er, clad in fitted golden battle attire, her aura cold and sharp.

"The position of captain of the Shrek Main Team will not be decided by seniority or cultivation ranking. Strength alone will determine victory or defeat."

Those forceful words instantly seized everyone's attention.

"Three days from now, at the Inner Academy Duel Arena. Tang Wulin and Wang Qiu'er will fight one-on-one. The victor will assume authority as captain of the Shrek Main Team and lead the entire team to Mingdu! The loser will serve as vice-captain and assist the victor in fighting throughout the tournament!"

With those words, the matter was decided!

The entire hall fell completely silent before erupting into overwhelming commotion.

It was the fairest decision—and the one that set everyone's blood ablaze!

Tang Wulin had recently become a rank sixty-one Soul Emperor. He was the master of all spirits within the Icefire Yin Yang Well, possessed the top-tier Qiluo Tulip soul spirit, had condensed the Dragon God's Origin into a Dragon Core, and wore the newly advanced Two-Word Dragon Moon Battle Armor. His foundation was vast, he was invincible among those of his rank, and he was Shrek's most dazzling rising genius in recent times. No one could fathom the depths of his hidden cards.

Wang Qiu'er had long stood firmly at the peak of the Soul Emperor realm. Her soul power was condensed and tyrannical, her Golden Dragon Spear unmatched among her peers, her body incomparably powerful, and her bloodline strength supremely fierce and sharp. She had consistently ranked first among the Inner Court's geniuses for years, with overwhelming combat power. She was Shrek's publicly acknowledged number one of the new generation, an undefeated legend in countless people's hearts.

Two supreme geniuses, clashing at the same realm—dragon power against dragon power!

One was gentle and vast, commanding the dragon path of all spirits, with a deep and enduring foundation; the other was fierce and domineering, bearing the Golden Dragon bloodline, her combat prowess razor-sharp.

No one dared say who was stronger or weaker!

The news quickly spread throughout the entire Shrek Inner Court, and countless disciples were set ablaze with excitement. Everyone eagerly anticipated the ultimate showdown three days later. On one side stood Tang Wulin, the newly risen Dragon Emperor who had appeared out of nowhere, fought his way upward, and undergone a complete transformation. On the other stood Wang Qiu'er, the Golden Dragon Queen who had ruled at the pinnacle of her generation and had never suffered defeat.

This battle would completely determine the title of Shrek's strongest member of the new generation!

Under the corridor outside the hall, the Second-Generation Seven Monsters stared in shock, their gazes falling on the two figures facing one another.

Huo Yuhao was deeply shaken. He knew full well how terrifying Wang Qiu'er was. Her power was pure, absolute suppression in battle, and no one of her generation could stop her. But Tang Wulin, who had now broken through to Soul Emperor, forged a Dragon Core, and advanced to a Two-Word Battle Armor, was no longer the same. The depths of his strength could not be seen.

"This battle is truly hard to call," Bei Bei said in a low voice, his expression grave.

On one side was an established, invincible peak powerhouse; on the other was a newly risen genius whose foundation had reached completion.

Xu Sanshi nodded repeatedly. "Two monster-level geniuses going head-to-head—this will definitely be Shrek's most spectacular battle between peers in recent years!"

Wang Dong'er's bright eyes flickered with anticipation. "No matter who wins, it will be well deserved. But this match is far too nerve-racking."

At the center of the crowd, the two figures faced each other from afar.

Wang Qiu'er stood to the west, her long golden hair fluttering lightly in the wind. Her stunningly beautiful yet icy face held no unnecessary emotion, only blazing fighting intent within her golden vertical pupils. The Golden Dragon might faintly circulating around her was tyrannical and frigid, making even the surrounding air seem to congeal. She raised her eyes slightly toward the youth in white opposite her, her thin lips parting as she said coldly, "Three days from now, at the duel arena, I will not hold back."

She had guarded the pinnacle for many years and would never allow anyone to shake her position. She was determined to claim the captaincy.

Facing Wang Qiu'er's sharp, unconcealed fighting spirit, Tang Wulin remained gentle and composed. There was not a trace of fear in his eyes, only steady certainty. His Dragon Core rotated evenly within his dantian, while the hidden power of the Dragon Moon Battle Armor lay dormant in his body. The vitality of grass and trees merged with his dragon might, vast and enduring.

He nodded slightly, his voice calm and firm. "Giving it your all is the greatest respect for your opponent. Three days from now, the duel arena will decide it."

There was no arrogant declaration, no savage hostility of rivalry—only absolute confidence and composure.

Having broken through to Soul Emperor, condensed a Dragon Core, forged the Two-Word Dragon Moon Battle Armor, and gained command of the spirits of ice and fire, his foundation was already sufficient to stand at the pinnacle of his generation. He feared neither this battle nor retreat.

Victory and defeat remained undecided—dragon and Qiu would battle!

In three days, the ultimate battle would decide the commander of the Shrek Main Team and the number one of the new generation!

The two teams prepared to depart. The Tang Sect's rising talents would set out, while Shrek's trump cards would clash.

The Mingdu tournament one month away had yet to begin, but within Shrek, winds were already rising and battle intent soared to the heavens.