Facing Shrek

The tournament was in full swing.

Popular teams like Shrek Academy, Just Sky Academy, and Sun Moon Royal Advanced Soul Engineering Academy surged ahead, seemingly unstoppable.

All of them won with ease.

Even Shrek Academy, despite its incomplete roster, faced little resistance in the round-robin stage. With the Soul Emperor Ma Xiaotao and several formidable Soul Ancestors and Soul Kings, it had more than enough strength.

Just Sky Academy held back its full strength, yet its existing talent and depth carried it smoothly from victory to victory.

But Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xu Sanshi, the three competitors everyone was watching, did not appear in the next two matches.

Those eager to see Just Sky Academy in action could not help feeling a little disappointed.

They did not have to wait long, though. The third round of the round-robin stage had begun.

This time, Shrek Academy would face Just Sky Academy.

Early that morning, the square was already packed shoulder to shoulder.

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 competitors from Shrek Academy and Just Sky Academy were already in position.

Mu Jin, the teacher leading Shrek Academy, glanced at the sky and sighed.

"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 people think."

"Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong are only second-year students. There's no way they're really Soul Emperors."

"Besides, I may not know them, but I know Xu Sanshi."

"A few months ago, that brat was only in the forties. He couldn't have improved that quickly."

Mu Jin hesitated, then finally nodded.

"I hope you're right. This round uses the two-two-three format. We can't afford to be careless."

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 Soul Power Level belongs to Ye Wuqing. He's a level fifty-eight Soul King."

"Next are Yu Mengdi and Tang Xiaolei, both Soul Kings."

"Song Que, Bei Bei, and Xu Sanshi may only be Soul Ancestors, but they showed top-tier ability back at the academy. All three have strength on par with Soul Kings."

Ma Xiaotao said confidently, "I can secure one win. It'd be best if I face Ye Wuqing."

Mu Jin nodded in agreement. "Exactly."

"Ling Luochеn and Du Fei should also have a good chance of winning."

"I'm only worried about the remaining match. If luck isn't on our side, we might lose it."

"But as long as we can guarantee two victories, that's enough."

Meanwhile, at Just Sky Academy's side, Song Que looked over the team.

"Ma Xiaotao will probably anchor their third match," he said evenly. "It would be best if we could settle this 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 run into my Nannan, please go easy on her," Xu Sanshi said mournfully.

"Get lost. Does she even give you the time of day? 'My Nannan,' indeed."

Song Que kicked him, then hurried the two competitors on their way.

The referee raised a hand and announced loudly.

"Let the first match begin!"

"Just Sky Academy: Ye Wuqing and Yu Mengdi!"

"Shrek Academy: Jiang Nannan and He Caitou!"

Two figures landed at either end of the arena.

Jiang Nannan and He Caitou both looked grim.

They knew the gap in their levels was plain to see. In this match, they would probably be little more than cannon fodder.

Ye Wuqing's Martial Soul lit up in an instant. Golden Leaf Martial Soul Possession took hold, and his two yellow and three purple Soul Rings shone together.

With a sweep of his hand, he activated his first and third soul skills at once. Dozens of sharp golden leaves hovered in midair, glinting as they sealed off most of Jiang Nannan's escape routes.

Beside him, Yu Mengdi unfurled her Angel Martial Soul. Holy light flowed around her two yellow and three purple Soul Rings.

"First soul skill, Sacred Twin Swords!"

It was an unusual weapon-type soul skill. With it active, any soul skill she used through the twin swords was released together with the effect of her first soul skill.

"Sacred Radiance Cross Slash!"

The crossed strike carried a holy attack effect. Not only was it powerful, but its sacred flames also continued to burn after impact.

A cross-shaped blade of light descended from above, bearing a crushing holy pressure as it fell.

Jiang Nannan's expression changed. Her fourth soul skill flashed, activating Invincible Golden Body. Pale golden light covered her as she endured the frontal impact. At the same time, she used her third soul skill, teleporting sideways in a flash to avoid the center of the falling blade.

"Nannan, over here!"

He Caitou flipped both hands, activating two Soul Tools at once. A translucent Soul Power recoil shield rose before him to block the golden leaves flying in from all sides. The cannon-type Soul Tool in his other hand flashed with fire, launching several piercing shells at Ye Wuqing to keep him occupied.

But the gap in Soul Power was simply too great.

Invincible Golden Body lasted only five seconds. The moment it expired, the golden leaves came slicing in. Yu Mengdi followed with several more blasts of holy light.

The Soul Power recoil shield took hit after hit, the glowing patterns across its surface shattering one by one.

Jiang Nannan tried to teleport forward again, but the storm of flying leaves pinned her down.

Bang! Bang!

Two dull impacts sounded in quick succession.

The shield shattered completely. The violent force hurled both of them out of the arena, and they crashed heavily to the ground. Their blood and energy churned; neither could continue fighting.

The referee immediately declared, "First match! Just Sky Academy wins!"

The crowd erupted into heated discussion.

"Shrek Academy really isn't up to it this year. They've already started losing in the second match?"

"Things look bad for Shrek Academy."

"Serves them right! Shrek's people have always been so arrogant. About time we saw them fall on their faces."

Just Sky Academy had opened with an overwhelming victory, taking the first match cleanly.

The Shrek Academy team had expected this outcome, but their expressions still darkened.

Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"They sent Ye Wuqing out in the first match?"

After a moment of silence, Mu Jin said calmly, "It's fine. Trading our weakest pair for their strongest fighter 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 the impassive Ling Luochеn near the front of the team. Her lips moved, but in the end, she said nothing.

Mu Jin relaxed a little when she saw Song Que and Shangguan Can preparing to enter from the other side.

"Good. 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. "Don't worry, Teacher Mu Jin. Leave that Shrek traitor to me."

"The second doubles match begins!"

"Just Sky Academy: Song Que and Huo Yuhao!"

"Shrek Academy: Ling Luochеn and Du Fei!"

Ling Luochеn's cold gaze traveled over Song Que. Something stirred in her eyes, and she seemed lost in thought.

Du Fei, meanwhile, looked at Song Que with open arrogance.

"So you're Song Que. When you gave up on Shrek and ran off to Just Sky Academy, a lot of people talked about you."

Song Que smiled faintly. "What did they say?"

"That you couldn't handle the slightest setback. You didn't get the place you wanted, so you left and threw away your own future." Contempt colored Du Fei's voice. "Pretty foolish, really. Did you think switching 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 away from Shrek, that little bit of talent of yours means nothing," Du Fei said darkly.

"Oh? Then sorry for the trouble, senior." Song Que smiled faintly, closed his right hand around empty air, and a long blade appeared.

"Don't worry. This won't take much of your time."