VS Zhengtian Academy (Part One)

"Shrek Academy versus Zhengtian Academy! First match, two against two! Begin!"

The referee's booming call rang out, and the roar across Star Luo Plaza surged to a new pitch.

Cao Jinxuan and Wu Meng stepped forward side by side. The boy stood tall and composed; the girl's stance was sharp and taut. Both were twelve years old. He was a level-thirty-eight Control System Battle Soul Elder, and she was a level-thirty-eight Power Attack System Soul Elder.

The two from Zhengtian Academy who took the stage opposite them had an entirely different presence.

On the left, Tang Xiaolei held a six-foot Violet Radiance longbow, its limbs rippling with ornate purple patterns. Five Soul Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black—pulsed in perfect order. He was unmistakably a level-fifty-two Power Attack System Battle Soul King.

On the right, holy light swirled around Yu Mengdi, bathing her golden hair in a soft glow.

A gap of more than fifteen levels. Two Soul Kings against two Soul Elders.

In the viewing stands, Huo Yuhao watched the arena with a deep, steady gaze. His brow tightened slightly as he saw through Long Aotian's entire plan.

"Tian Ji's horse race."

He murmured the words, grasping the heart of Long Aotian's strategy at once.

The two-two-three match format was ideal for a gamble like Tian Ji's horse race.

Long Aotian had never intended to overpower Shrek through brute force across every match. His thinking was frighteningly clear—

Use his middle horse to trample Shrek's weakest horse and seize the first round;

Deliberately concede the second round, trading away an equivalent share of fighting strength;

Then send out himself, the finest horse on the field, for the final match and force a one-on-one reckoning with Huo Yuhao.

From beginning to end, Long Aotian's goal had never been for his