Advancing to the Finals, Undercurrents Rise Again

The referee's announcement echoed over the arena for a long time as cheers surged through the stands like a tidal wave, nearly overturning the entire venue. Teachers and students waving Shrek Academy flags shouted at the top of their lungs. Even students from other academies who had come to watch could not help applauding and cheering for this thrilling clash between powerful teams. Such a spectacular comeback from adversity was truly rare.

The Gold Dragon soul power around Tang Wulin slowly settled, and the golden dragon patterns along his arms gradually faded. His chest rose and fell slightly after the fierce exertion, while sweat at his temples slid down his jaw and dripped onto his clothes, leaving faint damp marks. Yet his back remained perfectly straight. There was no arrogance in his eyes after such a resounding victory, only the steady brightness of someone who had endured a hard battle. The partners at his side were all breathing a little heavily, but none could hide the wild joy in their eyes. Their days of grueling training and tense pre-match preparations had all become the glory of advancing to the finals.

Xu Xiaoyan loosened her grip on the Starwheel Ice Staff slightly, her ice-blue soul power fully withdrawn. Her little face was flushed and beaded with a light post-battle sweat. She hurried to Tang Wulin's side, her voice brimming with irrepressible excitement. "Brother, we really won! The Heaven Soul Team was so strong, but we still beat them! We finally made it to the finals!" During the confrontation with the Illusive Vine, her nerves had been taut the entire time. She had not dared make the slightest mistake in controlling the field or coordinating with Gu Yue. Only when the referee declared their victory did the stone in her heart finally fall, her eyes filled with the joy of surviving a close call.

"We all won this together." Tang Wulin turned toward his companions, a gentle yet resolute smile on his lips as his gaze passed over every one of them. "Without Xiaoyan and Gu Yue joining forces to break the illusion, without Xie Xie, Xinglan, and Yehui pinning them down so precisely, without Zhengyu's boosts and Lizhi's supplies, we never could have won this hard-fought battle. Everyone worked hard." He never claimed all the credit for himself. In his heart, the Shrek Seven Monsters were one whole. They shared honor and disgrace, victory and defeat alike. That cohesion was the core of their winning streak.

Xie Xie slapped his chest carelessly, his face full of smug pride despite the exhaustion he could not conceal. "Of course! Our teamwork was flawless! No matter how powerful the Heaven Soul Team's Illusive Vine was, Xiaoyan and Gu Yue still had it completely under control. We'll definitely take down the finals easily too!" As he spoke, he sidled up to Xu Lizhi and grinned as he asked for the remaining soul power buns. "Lizhi, hurry and give me two more buns to replenish my strength. That surprise attack just now wore me out."

Xu Lizhi smiled good-naturedly and quickly opened the soul tool food container he carried with him. Several steaming soul power buns remained inside. He handed them out one by one, his voice soft and gentle. "Everyone, eat something and restore your soul power. We just finished a match, so we can't let ourselves go hungry. We still have to keep working hard for the finals."

Gu Yue walked to Tang Wulin's side and gently brushed the dust from his shoulder. A trace of warmth appeared in her usually cool eyes as she spoke calmly. "Our opponent in the finals should be the Sun Moon Empire Academy Team. They're the biggest dark horse of this exchange tournament. Every member is equipped with soul tools, and their fighting style is strange. They'll be even harder to deal with than the Heaven Soul Team." Back on the field, she had noticed the gaze of the Sun Moon Team's mentor from a corner of the stands. That gaze had been cold and sharp, filled with wariness and calculation. He was clearly no harmless opponent.

Ye Xinglan sheathed her sword. Her cool face still showed little expression, but her tone was grave. "The Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology is unmatched on the continent. Their team does not rely solely on martial soul strength, but combines martial souls with soul tools. Their tactics are tricky. We must devise new countermeasures and cannot let down our guard."

Yuanen Yehui and Le Zhengyu both nodded, their expressions turning serious. The battle against the Heaven Soul Team had already drained much of their energy, and their opponent in the finals was even more formidable than they had imagined. Their earlier joy gradually faded, replaced by vigilance toward this new powerful enemy.

Tang Wulin's expression immediately grew solemn as well. Naturally, he knew how formidable the Sun Moon Empire's soul tools were. Opponents like them were far harder to handle than teams that relied purely on martial souls. The long-range attacks and area damage of soul tools could easily disrupt a team's formation. One careless misstep could lead to total defeat. He looked up toward the highest section of the stands and, sure enough, saw several figures in Sun Moon Empire uniforms staring coldly at them. Their eyes were full of hostility. Clearly, they had long regarded Shrek Academy as a thorn in their side.

Na'er had long since broken free of the teacher watching over her and run down the stands. She threw herself into Tang Wulin's arms, her little face filled with pride as she raised her head and shouted, "Brother is the best! Brother is the champion!" Her soft, sweet voice instantly eased the heavy atmosphere in the arena.

Tang Wulin bent down and picked up his sister, gently rubbing his cheek against hers. The tension in his heart eased a little as he smiled. "Be good, Na'er. Brother will work hard to win the championship."

Just then, an official from the tournament committee hurried over with the finals notice in hand. He respectfully bowed to Tang Wulin. "Captain Tang Wulin, congratulations to Shrek Academy on advancing to the finals. The final will be held tomorrow morning, and your opponent will be the Sun Moon Empire Academy Team. Please make your preparations in advance."

Tang Wulin accepted the notice and nodded. "Thank you. We understand."

After the official left, the others gathered around, looking at the finals notice in Tang Wulin's hand with increasingly resolute expressions.

"Tomorrow's final will be against the Sun Moon Team. Everyone should return tonight and get a good rest. After dinner, we'll still gather at the training ground. We'll reanalyze the Sun Moon Team's fighting style and devise tactics specifically against their soul tools." Holding Na'er, Tang Wulin spoke in a steady, powerful voice without the slightest trace of panic. "The Sun Moon Team may be strong, but as long as we work together, hold our formation, and find their weaknesses, we will win."

"Alright!" everyone answered in unison without the slightest hesitation.

The sun gradually dipped westward, dyeing the arena a warm red. Carrying Na'er, the youths walked shoulder to shoulder toward the exit, with the cheers of the entire crowd behind them and the ultimate challenge of the finals ahead. The glory of their winning streak had not made them lose themselves. Instead, it made them even more clear-headed. They knew that the true final battle had only just begun.

What they did not notice was that, within the shadows at the corner of the arena, a concealed gaze had been following them all along. Its presence was cold and filled with deep calculation. A conspiracy targeting the Shrek Seven Monsters was quietly brewing in the darkness. Yet the youths felt no fear. Carrying their trust in one another and their desire for victory, they steadily marched toward the championship.