Youth Tournament Opens, Dragon Emperor Holds the Field

Shrek Academy's Youth Tournament officially began.

The enormous Soul Dou Arena was packed to capacity. From freshmen to upperclassmen, from instructors to Seagod Pavilion elders, nearly the entire academy had their eyes on it. Light flowed across the central arena, and the air was thick with tense, boiling excitement.

The Seven Monsters stood in formation in the contestants' area, every one of them brimming with energy, their auras more refined than ever.

Beside them, the adult Tang Wulin remained steadfastly at their side, never straying even half a step.

He made no effort to hide himself. He simply stood quietly beside the Seven Monsters, his calm demeanor carrying an intimidating presence of its own. Wherever he went, the crowd automatically fell silent, and even the air seemed to grow heavier.

"They're here! The Shrek Seven Monsters are here with that mysterious powerhouse!"

"Who can possibly stop them today... With him there, who would dare hold back?"

"Forget fighting. I bet even the referees have to be polite around him."

Whispers rose and fell, yet no one dared speak loudly.

The young Tang Wulin gripped the simulated martial soul at his waist and took a deep breath.

The steady figure beside him was his greatest source of confidence.

Gu Yue glanced sideways, her gaze falling once more on the adult Tang Wulin.

After spending the past few days with him, the suspicion in her heart had only deepened.

His understanding of Tang Wulin, his familiarity with her Silver Dragon aura, his precise grasp of every weakness of the Seven Monsters... None of it resembled an outsider.

It was more like... he had known them his entire life.

The teacher hosting the tournament announced loudly:

"In this Youth Tournament, the first round will be randomly matched—

"The Shrek Seven Monsters versus the Thunderfire Team!"

The Thunderfire Team was a veteran powerhouse among the upperclassmen. All five members were Soul Venerables, skilled in fierce offense and explosive attacks. Their entrance immediately drew waves of cheers.

The captain stepped forward. His gaze first fell on the Seven Monsters, then he warily glanced at the adult Tang Wulin before forcing himself to say:

"We... will give it our all."

Clearly, he was also afraid that he might accidentally strike too hard and incur that mysterious powerhouse's thunderous wrath.

The young Tang Wulin stepped forward. "Please enlighten us."

"Match—begin!"

At the command, the Thunderfire Team instantly unleashed all their soul rings. Lightning and flames intertwined as they charged toward the Seven Monsters in a crushing assault.

Their momentum was ferocious. They were clearly an experienced team.

Xie Xie instantly entered battle mode. "They're coming!"

"Do it the way Senior taught us!" Tang Wulin shouted.

Yuanen Yehui met them head-on, erupting with the aura of the Titan Giant Ape;

Ye Xinglan drew her sword, its light cutting into their flank;

Le Zhengyu used the power of light to purify the flames;

Xu Xiaoyan spread starlight, sealing off their movements;

Xu Lizhi sent buns raining down, enhancing everyone;

Gu Yue's elements surged as wind and water suppressed the lightning and fire.

Their coordination flowed like water, an entire formation personally refined by the adult Tang Wulin the day before.

But the Thunderfire Team was still a formidable upperclassman team, and their offensive remained fierce.

A thick lightning soul skill went out of control and struck straight toward Xu Lizhi—

Another undeserved killing blow.

The entire arena gasped.

Yet before Tang Wulin could even turn around, the adult Tang Wulin's eyes merely turned cold.

"Hiss—"

That violent bolt of lightning vanished into thin air mid-flight, without leaving behind even the slightest aftershock.

Every member of the Thunderfire Team froze on the spot, not daring to release another soul skill.

The captain's face went pale. "I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."

The adult Tang Wulin spoke calmly, his voice carrying throughout the arena:

"A match is a match. Lives are not part of the match."

"Lose control one more time, and you'll be disqualified."

It was a simple sentence, yet no one dared object.

The instructors and elders seated on the elevated platform exchanged glances and secretly nodded.

This powerhouse might have been strong, but he did not abuse his power. He followed the rules, protected the younger generation, and clearly possessed a righteous heart.

Within the arena, the Seven Monsters seized the opportunity to counterattack.

Gu Yue's Elemental Storm suddenly erupted, with wind, water, earth, and fire pressing down in fourfold suppression;

Tang Wulin pushed his Golden Dragon Power to its limit and threw a punch, golden light exploding forth;

Xie Xie and Ye Xinglan cut in at the same time, instantly shattering the opposing formation.

Less than a minute later.

The Thunderfire Team had completely lost its ability to fight and surrendered one after another.

"Shrek Seven Monsters, victory!"

The entire arena erupted in earth-shaking cheers.

The young Seven Monsters panted as they exchanged smiles, their eyes filled with excitement.

Tang Wulin turned around and looked at the adult Tang Wulin, saying sincerely:

"Senior, it was all thanks to the coordination you taught us."

The adult Tang Wulin nodded slightly, a trace of approval in his golden eyes.

"You performed very well. Keep it up, and you can go even farther."

Standing to the side, Gu Yue suddenly spoke softly, so only the two of them could hear:

"Did you... already know we would win?"

The adult Tang Wulin looked at her. He neither denied nor admitted it, only quietly saying:

"I only know that you should not lose."

At that moment, Gu Yue's heart trembled sharply.

Those words were too gentle, yet too certain.

They were like a promise forged only after crossing countless failures and regrets.

Just then, the next matchup was announced.

A domineering upperclassman team saw that their opponents were the Seven Monsters, then looked at the adult Tang Wulin beside them and spoke on the spot:

"We... forfeit."

The entire arena was in an uproar.

Forfeiting before the match even began was exceedingly rare in the history of Shrek's tournament.

Yet no one found it laughable.

Anyone facing a team personally guarded by a Dragon Emperor-level powerhouse would not dare take the field lightly.

The young Seven Monsters froze for a moment, then did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Xie Xie scratched his head. "Th-this counts as a win too?"

Ye Xinglan gave a soft snort, though she did not refute it.

With this senior here, even their opponents truly did not dare provoke them.

The adult Tang Wulin stood to the side, watching the youths' conflicted expressions as the corner of his mouth lifted imperceptibly.

This was the first time he had shown an almost obvious smile before everyone.

Sunlight fell over the arena as eight figures stood at its center.

Seven youths stood proud and spirited, while one Dragon Emperor remained silently watchful.

This Shrek Youth Tournament had yet to truly reach its fiercest stage, but its outcome was already destined.

Because everyone understood—

As long as that mysterious powerhouse remained, the Shrek Seven Monsters would be the unshakable champions of this tournament.