Six Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings

"One-on-one!" The host's words had barely fallen when the atmosphere at the venue suddenly grew tense. "Shrek Academy versus Yunluo Soul Master Academy, one-on-one. Both sides, prepare yourselves."

Wang Yan turned to look behind him, his tone firm and beyond question. "Qianyi, you're up." Lin Qianyi straightened her back, determination flashing through her eyes as she answered crisply, "Yes!" She knew full well that this battle concerned not only her personal honor, but also Shrek Academy's reputation.

Lin Qianyi slowly stepped onto the competition grounds. Seeing what appeared to be a delicate young girl, the audience below could not help showing a measure of disappointment. But on second thought, since she was a contestant sent by Shrek Academy, the number-one academy on the continent, she could not possibly be ordinary despite her young age.

A simple and honest-looking youth walked up from the other side. The referee's voice rang out across the arena. "The rules of the Individual Elimination Match are clear. The defeated side must leave immediately. Remember, do not harm your opponent's life. Understood?" Both of them solemnly nodded.

"My name is Ma Yingjun." The youth cupped his fists in salute. "Please go easy on me, miss." Lin Qianyi's gaze was resolute, her voice clear and powerful. "Shrek Academy, Lin Qianyi!"

Ma Xiaotao sighed, worry in her eyes. "What else can we do? Everyone's morale is low right now, so we truly shouldn't act rashly. Still, what Qianyi said just now did hit the mark—no matter how certain defeat may seem, as long as you step onto the stage, there are limitless possibilities. But... we can only choose to believe in them."

Wang Yan turned around, his tone calm but firm. "How long will the three of you need for your injuries to recover?"

Ling Luochen answered first. "I need ten days."

"I need sixteen days," Ma Xiaotao replied softly.

Dai Yueheng said, "I'll need nineteen days."

Wang Yan nodded thoughtfully. "Very good. Xiaotao, what are you thinking? Why have you been staring at me?"

Ma Xiaotao hesitated. "Teacher, why didn't you send Qianyi to participate in the elimination matches? If she went onstage, our chances of winning would be better."

Wang Yan gently shook his head. "That child Qianyi may seem calm and indifferent, but deep down, she has a stubborn, unyielding spirit. If that sort of personality is not tempered, it will instead become an obstacle for her in the future. As her senior, you should guide her more and help her understand this."

Ma Xiaotao nodded solemnly. "Understood, Teacher Wang Yan."

Two days later, the elimination rounds of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament officially began. The spectator stands were roaring with noise, while the lights above the Battle Soul Stage shone as brightly as daylight, illuminating the entire venue.

The stands on both sides were packed with eagerly waiting spectators. They shouted the name "Shrek Academy," their cries rising higher and higher in waves. Though those cheers were meant to bolster morale, they only made Huo Yuhao and the others even more nervous.

Seeing this, Ma Xiaotao softly reassured them, "Don't be nervous, everyone. We faced scenes like this back then too. Show your courage, because we are Shrek Academy." With that, everyone stacked their hands together and shouted in unison the words brimming with strength: "Shrek will win!" Then, with their heads held high, they strode onto the stage.

The host's enthusiastic voice echoed through the arena. "Welcome, everyone, to the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament! Now, please welcome Douling Royal Academy and Shrek Academy to the stage."

As his words fell, both teams summoned their Martial Souls. Then came the most staggering sight—six red soul rings slowly appeared beneath Huo Yuhao's feet. They were six Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings created by his Second Soul Skill, Simulation Soul Skill.

The sight was like a thunderclap exploding through the venue. Everyone present was utterly shocked, while their opponents' eyes widened as if they had witnessed an unbelievable miracle. The reaction from Sun Moon Royal Academy was especially intense.

Huo Yuhao calmly gave the command, "Attack!" Before the other side could recover from their shock, he seized that fleeting opportunity and worked in perfect coordination with Wang Dong, instantly unleashing their Martial Soul Fusion Skill and ending the match cleanly and decisively. The host excitedly announced, "Shrek Academy wins!" Cheers once again swept through the entire venue, bringing this brilliant clash to a perfect close.

The smoke of the elimination rounds had only just cleared, yet the exhausted figures of the participating students from each academy seemed to still linger on the battlefield. Aside from Shrek Academy, the students from the other academies had nearly all paid a terrible price—injured or crippled, a sight too painful to bear. At this point, they were granted a precious three-day rest period.

In the solemn meeting room, Wang Yan's steady voice broke the silence. "Everyone, although the elimination rounds have ended, the even fiercer round-robin matches will soon follow. Our group will face eight teams, joining the other sixty-seven teams in this round-robin battle. The teams will be divided into eight groups, with one round held every two days.

"By my estimation, around the seventh round, Ling Luochen and the other two will gradually recover their fighting strength. At the start of the matches, try not to let Yuhao make a move. After all, in the first match, he used his Simulation Soul Skill to create six Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings. Such a world-shaking display has already drawn enough attention. If he does not act, we may be able to retain some mystery. The round-robin matches have three formats: 1v1, 2-2-3, and Team Battle. If we draw a 1v1 match, Qianyi, you go first." Lin Qianyi's gaze was firm as she softly replied, "Mm, I understand."

Wang Yan's gaze swept across the eight members of the Reserve Team before he slowly spoke. "As for the 2-2-3 matches, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, the four of you together with Xiao Xiao and Lin Qianyi have already developed considerable coordination. If absolutely necessary, Lin Qianyi can temporarily take Xiao Xiao's place. Xu Sanshi and He Caitou will form a team, while Beibei will partner with Jiang Nannan. In addition, Qianyi, you and Nannan can also form a team."

Doubts gradually arose in Lin Qianyi's heart. She knew that her first Martial Soul, Phoenix Feather Azure Luan, was far from ordinary. Its wind and sound attacks were sharp and swift, and its speed was not to be underestimated. Jiang Nannan's Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul was likewise astonishing in speed and flexibility. Yet both of them lacked defensive strength, so why were they being paired together?

As if sensing Lin Qianyi's confusion, Wang Yan continued, "Though the two of you are somewhat lacking in defense, that is precisely why your cooperation can better complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. Qianyi, your Phoenix Feather Azure Luan excels in speed and can strike unexpectedly during an attack. Nannan's Soft Bone Rabbit is exceptionally agile, allowing her to deftly evade danger and seek chances to counterattack. The two of you will complement each other and surely produce unexpected results." With that, he waved his hand. "All right, go make your preparations."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, then left the room one after another to prepare for the coming battles.

By the following morning, the teachers leading the various academies had arrived with their students one after another. The smoke of the elimination rounds had only just dispersed when the round-robin matches followed close behind.