Exchange Tournament Begins, First Battle Against Star Luo

At the referee's command, thunderous cheers instantly erupted throughout the entire Shrek Inner Court arena.

Young Tang Wulin leaped forward, golden soul power surging across his body. Dragon patterns crawled up his arms as three soul rings hovered steadily around him—yellow, purple, purple. That clean, efficient ring configuration suppressed the entire arena the moment he appeared. Without hesitation, he charged straight at the Star Luo Team from the front, fully displaying the bearing of a captain.

"Xiaoyan, control the field!"

Tang Wulin shouted low.

Xu Xiaoyan lightly raised her wrist, and the Starwheel Ice Staff drew a gentle arc through the air. Icy-blue starlight spread like a tide, instantly covering more than half the arena. Wherever it passed, the air faintly froze, and the Star Luo Team's movements stalled as their actions were immediately slowed. Her positioning was steady and her control range precise; she sealed off the enemy's retreat while never interfering with her teammates' attacks. It was obvious at a glance how solid their training together had been during this time.

Gu Yue followed close behind, her elemental power arriving silently.

Wind blades tore through the air, targeting the opponents' vision. Earthen walls rose slightly to protect their flank. She and Tang Wulin needed no words; the slightest shift in their auras told them each other's intentions. Their tacit understanding had long since seeped into their bones.

Xie Xie's figure flashed, splitting into two afterimages as both his martial souls activated at once. He circled around from the right in a surprise assault, attempting to disrupt the enemy formation. Ye Xinglan drew her sword, its radiance cold and sharp, forming a pincer attack with Yuanen Yehui from either side. Le Zhengyu's holy aura spread out, granting everyone a stable boost. Xu Lizhi remained at the rear, quietly operating his food martial soul, ready at any moment to restore his companions' soul power.

The entire Shrek Seven Monsters team was like a precisely operating machine, each performing their role as every link fit perfectly together.

The Star Luo Academy Team clearly had not expected Shrek to open with such ferocity. The disdain on their faces instantly vanished. Their captain roared, soul rings lighting up around him as he forcibly broke through the starlight's restraints and charged straight at Tang Wulin.

The two powerful offensives collided with a deafening boom, and a shockwave of soul power swept outward.

Rather than retreating, Tang Wulin advanced. His Golden Dragon Claw slashed horizontally with fierce force, and in the head-on clash, he sent the opposing captain staggering several steps back.

"So strong!"

A wave of astonished cries rose from the stands.

Xu Xiaoyan seized the opening and activated her soul power again. The starlight suddenly brightened, winding around the Star Luo Team's rear-line soul masters like chains and completely cutting off their connection to the front. She raised her eyes toward Tang Wulin at the center of the battlefield. There was not the slightest distraction in her gaze, only the absolute trust shared between siblings.

Tang Wulin grew fiercer with every exchange, the aura of the Gold Dragon rising steadily. Every strike carried the force to split mountains and shatter stones. As he pressed the attack, he kept watch over the entire battlefield and continued issuing orders:

"Yehui, push up the left flank!"

"Xinglan, cut into the back line!"

"Xiaoyan, tighten the control field another ring!"

Every command was precise and timely.

Xu Xiaoyan immediately responded, contracting the control field inward and trapping the Star Luo Team tightly in the central area, leaving them no room whatsoever to maneuver.

Soul power churned across the arena as figures darted and crossed.

The Shrek Seven Monsters' coordination became increasingly fluid, their momentum completely suppressing their opponents. Though the Star Luo Team fought desperately to counterattack, their main force remained pinned down by Tang Wulin while Xu Xiaoyan sealed off their movements, forcing them step by step into a disadvantage.

Na'er sat in the very front of the audience, her small hands clenched into fists as she stared unblinking at Tang Wulin on the field. She kept murmuring softly, "Go, Brother... Go, Brother..."

The battle continued to intensify.

Tang Wulin caught an opening. His Golden Dragon Claw crashed down from the air in conjunction with Gu Yue's fire-element bombardment, directly sending the opposing captain flying out of the arena.

Immediately afterward, Xie Xie and Ye Xinglan launched a joint surprise attack, instantly taking down two Star Luo soul masters.

Xu Xiaoyan withdrew her starlight, and the final two Star Luo team members lost their ability to move and collapsed despondently.

The referee's voice rang out loudly:

"Star Luo Academy Team, all members have lost their fighting ability!"

"Winners of this match, the Shrek Seven Monsters!"

The entire arena erupted, applause and cheers nearly lifting the roof off the venue.

Tang Wulin slowly withdrew his soul power and turned toward his companions, a relaxed and brilliant smile appearing on his face.

Xu Xiaoyan hurried to his side, her eyes curving with delight as she said brightly, "Brother, we won."

"Yes, we won." Tang Wulin nodded, looking at her with an elder brother's gentle warmth. "Your control was very steady. You did well."

Sunlight fell over the young men and women, sweat reflecting their smiles as they radiated high spirits.

The Shrek Seven Monsters stood shoulder to shoulder at the center of the arena, accepting the cheers of the entire crowd. Their first exchange match ended in a complete victory.