Against Shrek
The tournament was in full swing.
Popular teams like Shrek Academy, Just Sky Academy, and Sun Moon Royal Advanced Soul Engineering Academy swept through their matches, seemingly unstoppable.
All of them won with ease.
Even with an incomplete roster, Shrek Academy had Soul Emperor Ma Xiaotao and several formidable Soul Ancestors and Soul Kings. It had met little resistance in the round-robin stage.
Just Sky Academy held back its strength, yet its solid foundation carried it from victory to victory.
Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xu Sanshi, whom everyone had been watching, did not appear in the next two matches.
That left those eager to see Just Sky Academy in action somewhat disappointed.
But they did not have long to wait. The third round of matches was about to begin.
And in that round, Shrek Academy would face Just Sky Academy.
The square was already packed shoulder to shoulder early that morning.
Seeded teams, including Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy and Star Luo Royal Academy, had arrived early to await the match.
On either side of the arena,
the Shrek Academy and Just Sky Academy teams were in position.
Mu Jin, the teacher leading Shrek Academy, glanced toward the horizon and sighed.
"It looks like Dean Yan and the others still won't make it."
Ma Xiaotao shrugged. "Doesn't matter. We can win."
"Don't worry, Teacher Mu Jin. Just Sky Academy isn't as terrifying as everyone thinks."
"Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong are only second-year students. There's no way they're really Soul Emperors."
"Besides, I might not know them, but I know Xu Sanshi."
"He was only in the forties a few months ago. He couldn't have improved that quickly."
Mu Jin hesitated, then nodded.
"Let's hope so. This round uses the two-two-three format. We can't let our guard down."
Ma Xiaotao gave an impatient snort.
"Tch. I told you, there's nothing to worry about."
"One-on-one, even Ye Wuqing is nowhere near my match."
Mu Jin smiled helplessly. "Their highest-level fighter is Ye Wuqing, a level fifty-eight Soul King."
"After him come Yu Mengdi and Tang Xiaolei, both Soul Kings."
"Song Que, Bei Bei, and Xu Sanshi may only be Soul Ancestors, but they displayed exceptional strength back at the academy. All three have Soul King-level combat power."
Ma Xiaotao said confidently, "I can secure one win. Best if I get matched against Ye Wuqing."
Mu Jin nodded. "Exactly."
"Ling Luochеn and Du Fei should have a good chance of winning too."
"It's the remaining match I'm worried about. If luck goes against us, we might lose it."
"But as long as we secure two wins, that's enough."
Meanwhile, in the Just Sky Academy team area,
Song Que swept his gaze over the team. "Ma Xiaotao will probably anchor their third match. It would be best if we could settle this round in the first two."
"Ye Wuqing, Yu Mengdi, you're up first."
The two nodded and prepared to enter the arena.
"Um... you two, if you face my Nannan, please go easy on her." Xu Sanshi's plaintive voice suddenly sounded behind them.
"Get lost. Does she even give you a second glance? 'My Nannan,' he says."
Song Que kicked him in exasperation, then hurried the two fighters off.
The referee raised a hand and announced loudly,
"First match, begin!"
"Just Sky Academy: Ye Wuqing and Yu Mengdi!"
"Shrek Academy: Jiang Nannan and He Caitou!"
The two pairs landed at opposite ends of the arena.
Jiang Nannan and He Caitou looked grim.
They both knew the gap in their levels. In this match, they would likely be little more than cannon fodder.
Ye Wuqing's Martial Soul flared to life. With Golden Leaf Martial Soul Possession, his two yellow and three purple Soul Rings shone together.
He swept out a hand, activating his first and third Soul Skills at once. Dozens of sharp golden leaves hung in the air, glinting as they cut off most of Jiang Nannan's escape routes.
Beside him, Yu Mengdi unfurled her Angel Martial Soul. Holy light flowed across her two yellow and three purple Soul Rings.
"First Soul Skill, Sacred Twin Swords!"
It was an unusual weapon-type Soul Skill. With it, any Soul Skill she used through the twin swords was released together with the power of her first Soul Skill.
"Sacred Radiance Cross Slash!"
The cross-shaped strike carried holy power. It hit hard, and its sacred flames continued to burn afterward.
A cross-shaped blade of light descended from above, bearing down with crushing holy pressure.
Jiang Nannan's expression changed. Her fourth Soul Skill flashed, activating Invincible Golden Body. Pale golden light enveloped her as she took the frontal impact. At the same time, she activated her third Soul Skill, teleporting sideways in a flash to avoid the center of the strike.
"Nannan, over here!"
He Caitou flipped both hands, activating two Soul Tools at once. A translucent Soul Power recoil shield rose before him, blocking the storm of golden leaves. The hand cannon in his other hand flashed with fire and launched several shrieking projectiles at Ye Wuqing to keep him occupied.
But the gap in Soul Power was too great.
Invincible Golden Body lasted only five seconds. The moment it expired, golden leaves sliced toward Jiang Nannan. Yu Mengdi followed with several more attacks of holy light.
The Soul Power recoil shield took hit after hit, the glowing patterns across its surface shattering.
Jiang Nannan tried to teleport forward again, but the flying leaves pinned her down and blocked her movement.
Bang! Bang!
Two muffled impacts rang out in succession.
The shield shattered completely. The violent force hurled both fighters out of the arena, and they crashed heavily to the ground below. Their blood churned, and neither could continue fighting.
The referee immediately declared, "First match! Just Sky Academy wins!"
The crowd erupted in discussion.
"Shrek Academy really isn't up to it this year. They've already started losing in their second round?"
"Things are looking bad for Shrek Academy."
"Serves them right! Shrek's people have always been so arrogant. Finally, we get to see them stumble."
Just Sky Academy had opened with an overwhelming, clean-cut victory.
Though the people in Shrek's rest area had expected it, their faces still darkened.
Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"They sent out Ye Wuqing in the very first match?"
After a moment's silence, Mu Jin said evenly, "It doesn't matter. Trading our weakest pair for their strongest fighter, Ye Wuqing, was worth it."
"As long as we take the next match, they won't have anyone left who can stop Ma Xiaotao."
Ma Xiaotao glanced at Ling Luochеn, who stood before the arena with a cold expression. Her lips moved, but in the end, she said nothing.
Seeing Song Que and Shangguan Can about to enter from the other side, Mu Jin relaxed a little.
"Good. It looks like they've given up on this match too."
"Ling Luochеn, Du Fei, win this one for me!"
Ling Luochеn continued forward without a flicker of expression. Du Fei followed close behind and said calmly, "Don't worry, Teacher Mu Jin. Leave that Shrek traitor to me."
"Second doubles match, begin!"
"Just Sky Academy: Song Que and Huo Yuhao!"
"Shrek Academy: Ling Luochеn and Du Fei!"
Ling Luochеn's icy eyes traveled over Song Que. Something shifted in her gaze, and she fell into thought.
Du Fei looked at Song Que with open arrogance.
"So you're Song Que. Plenty of people talked about you when you gave up on Shrek and ran off to Just Sky Academy."
Song Que chuckled. "What did they say?"
"That you couldn't handle a little setback. You didn't get the position you wanted, so you walked away and ruined your own future." Contempt edged Du Fei's voice. "Pretty stupid, really. Did you think changing academies would prove anything?"
"Whether I have real ability or not, you'll find out when we fight," Song Que said.
"Is that so? Then today I'll beat some sense into you. I'll show you that without Shrek, that little bit of talent of yours means nothing," Du Fei said grimly.
"Oh? Then sorry for the trouble, senior." Song Que smiled faintly and closed his right hand around empty air. A long blade appeared.
"Don't worry. This won't take much of your time."