Advancement Tournament

The Royal Hunting Ground had been built against a mountainside, with a full five hundred Royal Knights stationed outside.

The fifteen qualifying teams stayed in separate parts of the camp. The matches were no longer open to commoners. The only spectators were members of the imperial family, academy leaders, and a few invited nobles. Even the noise had quieted considerably.

Shrek's team uniforms were as eye-catching as ever.

Flender had even taken on two more advertisers during the break. Dai Mubai now had a blacksmith's shop on his lower back, while "Wang's Roast Chicken" was embroidered across Ma Hongjun's chest. Every step they took looked like they were drumming up business for the owners.

Bai Jin hadn't been spared either.

Flender had made him a wooden coach's sign, painted bright yellow, with a small line beneath: Exclusive instruction, price negotiable.

Bai Jin stared at the sign for a long time.

"Can I beat up the dean?"

Grandmaster answered calmly, "After the tournament."

"You're the reasonable one."

On the first day of the Advancement Tournament, Emperor Xue Ye attended in person. Xue Qinghe stood behind the emperor and glanced toward Shrek. His gaze lingered on the coach's sign for a moment.

Bai Jin held the sign up to him.

Xue Qinghe lowered his head to straighten his cuff. His shoulders gave the slightest shake.

In the first round, Shrek faced Barak Academy.

The rules were simple. Each side sent out seven fighters in succession. The loser left the arena; the winner stayed on. The side that defeated all seven opponents won.

"This format suits me," Dai Mubai said, rising to his feet.

"How so?" Ma Hongjun asked.

"Saves me chasing them."

When he stepped into the arena, Barak Academy's first fighter was already waiting. He was a tall, power-type Soul Elder.