Upon seeing Xuan Ming's distinctive three heads, Oscar's face instantly turned deathly pale, and the previously aggressive Shrek Team immediately deflated.
"Did they put the wrong people on the field? This is the qualifiers!" Flender was completely bewildered.
Liu Erlong's expression was somewhat unnatural. " Boss Fu, I think they probably swapped places with the real Imperial Fighting Second Team, letting the Imperial Fighting Second Team be the seeded team."
"You can do that?" Flender was somewhat exasperated.
Fighting Xuan Ming right from the start?
This will absolutely shatter Shrek's morale!
" Boss Fu, don't be nervous, Xuan Ming shouldn't make a move," Liu Erlong said.
"However, to be on the safe side, I suggest we just forfeit this match."
The qualifiers will last for 28 days. If a player suffers a serious injury during the tournament and is unable to recover quickly, it will make each subsequent match increasingly difficult!
It's uncertain about others, and hard to say, but Dai Mubai will most likely be crippled by Xuan Ming!
VIP seating.
Seeing the audience's intense reaction, Xue Ye felt a complex mix of emotions.
If it weren't for the auction incident, he would probably be very happy that everyone is cheering for this team right now.
" Sect Master Ning, do you think this Shrek Team can still participate in the next match?" Salas suddenly revealed a malicious smile.
Xuan Ming had witnessed many Soul Fighting in the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena over the years, and his Soul Fighting were either killed or crippled!
Only a very few people can leave the ring unscathed!
Those who survived by sheer luck mostly surrendered while they could still speak.
As for those who survived through their own abilities, they are few and far between.
"Lord Salas, the Soul Master Tournament is mainly for friendly exchanges, not a life-or-death battle. I believe Xuan Ming will know his limits," Ning Fengzhi said.
"Sense of propriety?" Salas couldn't help but want to laugh.
" Sect Master Ning, don't you find your own words laughable?"
Xuan Ming's matches attract so many viewers because he's violent, ruthless, and his behavior is a stark contrast to his public image.
He usually has a Bingbing demeanor, but when he gets going, he's incredibly bloody and violent!
That sense of contrast, and the suffocating feeling of crushing and killing the opponent with absolute strength, brought a great impact to the audience!
Even just watching from the sidelines, there's still a suffocating feeling of escaping death!
And this feeling is addictive!
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly, but his expression remained calm. " Salas, Xuan Ming is not an unreasonable person. Although he acts decisively, he also knows the rules of the competition. If the Shrek Team is truly defeated, they should concede in time. He won't go too far."
Salas remained noncommittal. "Yes, admit defeat, but once a fight breaks out, will they even have a chance to admit defeat?"
At this moment, the atmosphere on the field became increasingly tense.
The members of the Shrek Team looked at each other, their hearts filled with fear and helplessness.
They hadn't expected to encounter such a formidable opponent in their very first match.
"Captain, what do we do?" Oscar asked, his voice trembling.
Dai Mubai took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "Everyone, don't panic. We can't give up easily. Even if we can't win, we must fight with all our might and show everyone the courage of Shrek."
Tang San nodded. "That's right, we can't be intimidated before the battle even begins. Although Xuan Ming is powerful, we also have our own advantages. If we unite as one, we may still have a fighting chance."
Meanwhile, at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Ning Rongrong and the others felt a pang of sympathy seeing the Shrek Team's tense expressions.
Although they left Shrek Academy, they were still classmates who had spent a lot of time together, and they only disliked Dai Mubai and Yu Xiaogang. Even if they didn't have a very good relationship with the others, they were at least friends.
"If you're too shy to do it yourself, I'll do it," Xuan Ming said calmly.
"You're here?" Ning Rongrong's eyes twitched slightly.
You wouldn't... cripple them, would you?
Although the competition prohibits injuring opponents and killing, a serious injury that renders one unable to move for ten days to half a month does not violate the rules.
"Not necessarily. How hard I hit them depends on them," Xuan Ming said.
Gu Yuena stood quietly to the side, without saying a word, but her eyes revealed a hint of indifference.
For her, the match was nothing more than an insignificant farce.
She was friendly to these team members simply because they were Xuan Ming's friends. As for the others, she viewed these weak humans the same way powerful human Soul Master viewed weak, low-level Soul Beast.
With the referee's whistle, the match officially began.
Similar to the Soul Fighting, there is a one-minute window before the battle officially begins, during which both sides can activate their Martial Soul.
The Shrek Team members instantly released their Martial Soul, various lights flashing, trying to regain some confidence by boosting their morale.
Xuan Ming took a step forward, and an Evil, icy pressure suddenly spread out, causing the Shrek Team members to feel a chill.
"I can't take it anymore, I'll die!" Oscar was the first to give in, and instinctively turned and fled towards the back of the ring.
" Oscar! Come back!" Dai Mubai's face was extremely ugly.
"No way! Boss Dai, you'll die!" Oscar couldn't stop, ignoring the ridicule from the audience, he jumped off the stage and chose to forfeit.
Before the competition had even officially started, a contestant voluntarily withdrew from the competition. This had never happened before in the Soul Master Tournament, immediately sparking a great deal of discussion among the audience.
"That kid's not bad," Salas sneered.
"Being humiliated is better than losing your life."
Ning Fengzhi's eyes revealed a hint of helplessness. He still remembered that this child named Oscar had previously wanted to join their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
For such an important competition as the opening ceremony, they should at least try their best to perform.
"Such imposing aura even before releasing his Martial Soul and Soul Ring..."
The three members of the teaching committee of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy exchanged glances, all somewhat shocked.
They hadn't been in contact with Xuan Ming for far too long, and their understanding of his strength was still based on the time when the Imperial Fighting Team set off from Heaven Dou City to train in the Soul Fighting Arena of various cities.
How could such a big change have occurred in less than two years?
Oscar's escape was like opening Pandora's box, instantly shattering the already fragile morale of the Shrek Team.
As Ma Hongjun watched Oscar's disheveled retreating figure, his legs began to tremble uncontrollably. Although he was usually carefree, the fear he had harbored back in the Soto Great Soul Arena surged forth again in the face of Xuan Ming's tangible pressure.
"I... I'm not fighting anymore!" Ma Hongjun shouted, turned around and ran towards the edge of the arena, his speed even faster than when he was practicing his Soul Skill.
The audience erupted in laughter; the Shrek Team had completely lost face.
Dai Mubai was trembling with rage; he never imagined his teammates would be so easily defeated.
"You... you've disappointed me so much!"
Dai Mubai roared, but there was a hint of helplessness in his voice.
He's the one who should have run away! He hasn't even run yet, and these two guys have already run off!
Tang San clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He looked at Xuan Ming, his eyes filled with resentment and anger.
" Xuan Ming, even if you are very strong, we will not admit defeat easily!"
Tang San shouted loudly, trying to rouse his teammates' fighting spirit.
However, his voice sounded so weak under Xuan Ming's powerful pressure.
Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and the others watched this scene with mixed feelings.
Although they had left Shrek, they didn't want to see their former teammates in such a sorry state.
"Five, four, three, two... one!"
"Referee!"
Just as the preparation time was about to end, Yu Xiaogang, the team leader of the Shrek Team, suddenly raised his hand to call a halt.
We... admit defeat!
Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Yu Xiaogang almost gritted his teeth as he uttered the words "admit defeat."
He never imagined that this highly anticipated first battle would end in such a humiliating manner.
But he had no choice but to do it, otherwise, the Shrek Team's season would be over!
Chapter 233 I couldn't bear it, so I didn't read it.
The Shrek Team members hung their heads, as if all their energy had been drained, and slunk away amidst the laughter and murmurs of the audience.
" Heaven Dou Royal Academy wins!"
As the referee announced the news, enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from the stands once again.
"No, we didn't even see his Martial Soul or Soul Ring, and it's already over?"
Many viewers couldn't help but complain, saying they hadn't expected the first match of the opening ceremony to be so boring.
However, those who had watched Xuan Ming's matches in the Great Soul Arena even found this scene perfectly normal.
"I thought we'd eliminate one team today. Looks like Shrek's team leader is a smart guy." Salas's face showed undisguised disappointment.
I was hoping for something exciting, but it turned out like this.
After the match, the Shrek Team members fled the arena like stray dogs, amidst the strange looks from the crowd.
Back in the rest area, a stifling atmosphere permeated every corner.
Dai Mubai slammed his fist on the wall and roared angrily, "What is this? We gave up before we even fought! How are we supposed to stand up in the Soul Master World after this?!"
His eyes were bloodshot, clearly indicating that his humiliation and anger had reached their peak.
"It's all your fault! You ran away before even fighting, making Shrek lose all face!" Dai Mubai angrily accused Oscar and Ma Hongjun, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun lowered their heads, not daring to look Dai Mubai in the eye.
They knew that their actions this time were indeed somewhat cowardly, but they truly could not control their fear when facing Xuan Ming.
Don't be so discouraged!
Flender and his companions walked in.
"Failure is not terrible; what's terrible is losing confidence and fighting spirit. We still have more than twenty days of qualifiers left, and many more opportunities to prove ourselves," Liu Erlong said.
"That's right, surrendering today may not be all bad," Yu Xiaogang said.
"Showing weakness to the enemy may be a bit embarrassing, but it will make other teams underestimate us in future matches because of our performance today. It also gives us the opportunity to surprise them and hide our true strength."
"At least we suffered no casualties and preserved our strength. If other teams were to fight them out of momentary pride, they would inevitably suffer losses."
"The competition is far from over, so don't worry too much about temporary wins or losses. Only those who laugh last are the true winners."
The crowd remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
On the other side, Xuan Ming and his group, having finished their match, quickly left the Great Soul Arena.
However, they hadn't gone far when a familiar figure appeared before them.
" Grandpa Bone?" Ning Rongrong was taken aback.
What are you doing here?
Gu Rong looked at Xuan Ming with some helplessness, "It's all because of this kid."
" Xuan Ming? What's wrong?" Ning Rongrong asked, puzzled.
" Fengzhi has something to tell you. Would it be convenient for you to come with me now?" Gu Rong asked.
"Or you could bring them along; the competition's over, and you can all take a rest."
Xuan Ming nodded, Gu Rong didn't delay. He immediately opened a spatial gate and led everyone away from the Great Soul Arena.
After a dizzying journey, everyone opened their eyes again and found themselves at the gate of the Seven Treasure Pavilion.
" Rongrong, take them to a private room to play. We have something to do," Gu Rong said.
"Oh." Ning Rongrong didn't ask any more questions and gestured for everyone to follow her.
However, Gu Yuena did not make the slightest move. She stood quietly to the side, her silver hair fluttering in the wind, her gaze fixed on Xuan Ming, as if the whole world consisted of only him in her eyes.