Xu Jiujiu's hand, which had been supporting Pan Long's arm, did not leave. Instead, she said, "Brother Pan Long, there's no need for such formality. Let's watch this grand opening ceremony together. I'm the one who hosted many of the events."
Xu Jiujiu, seeing that Pan Long no longer took a step back to keep his distance as before, she was overjoyed. Was this Pan Long beginning to accept her?
Pan Long didn't retreat, nor did he pull his hand back for Xu Jiujiu. For a moment, neither of them knew whether to advance further or withdraw.
Pan Long was quite brave at this moment. After receiving affirmation from his elder brother Qian Chen, he directly took Xu Jiujiu's hand, just like Qian Chen and his sister-in-law Zhang Lexuan.
"Ah!" Xu Jiujiu gasped in surprise, never expecting Pan Long's attitude towards her to change so drastically.
Pan Long, however, was completely oblivious to Xu Jiujiu's surprised expression. He had already begun watching the opening ceremony while sharing his feelings with Xu Jiujiu.
Soon after the grand opening ceremony of the Soul Master Tournament concluded, representatives from each team went on stage to draw lots. Qian Chen had already delegated all of this work to Wang Yan for the Shrek Academy Team.
Whether by fate or design, the Shrek Academy Team was drawn into the first day's matches. Although they weren't the first to perform.
Qian Chen didn't care at all, because in his heart, he didn't care about the Shrek Academy Team's wins or losses.
When the draw results were seen, the entire Soul Master Tournament venue instantly erupted in excitement. News of the Shrek Academy's failed attempt to eliminate the Evil Soul Master in the Ming Dou Mountain Range had already spread, and everyone knew that Shrek Academy had suffered heavy losses.
Meanwhile, in the audience seats of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Feng Luan, as the deputy team leader, was sitting steadily. To his left sat a robust old man, none other than Ma Cheng, the team leader of the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy team. Elder Ma was also the grandfather of Ma Rulong, a formal member of this year's Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
To Feng Luan's right sat a stunningly beautiful woman with red hair, none other than Meng Hongchen, the granddaughter of Jing Hongchen, the dean of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
Upon seeing the draw results for the Shrek Academy, she grabbed Feng Luan's arm and shook it, exclaiming, "Teacher Feng Luan, look! Shrek Academy actually drew today's match!"
Before Feng Luan could speak, Ma Cheng, the Elder Ma beside her, said, "Hmph, Shrek Academy better hold on! I heard they suffered heavy losses. They must hold on until they face us! Otherwise, if I just take the championship directly, it feels like something's missing."
A handsome red-haired youth sitting on the other side of Meng Hongchen said, " Shrek, I Xiao Hongchen, will one day trample them under my feet."
Feng Luan's Martial Soul, the Soul Master Tournament Azure Luan Divine Bird, greatly enhances his eyesight. He spotted Qian Chen across from him at a glance, Qian Chen looking completely unconcerned.
Feng Luan then said, "It seems you really do have a chance to defeat Shrek Academy this time. You must do your best!"
"Hmph, we'll see if Shrek Academy can hold out until they meet us," said Ma Rulong, captain of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy Team.
"That's right, that's right. I heard they only have two regular team members left. Haha, I really don't know what kind of useless person their team leader is, that he actually let the Evil Soul Master cripple five of his team members in one go," another team member laughed.
Then everyone at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy burst into laughter.
At this moment, Feng Luan coldly spoke up, " Mi Jia, you just called Shrek Academy's leader a piece of trash, that's the first time. Let me explain, Shrek Academy's leader has been replaced, and the current leader is not the one who led Shrek Academy to such heavy losses. Do you understand? If you didn't understand, I'll carve those words into your body with a carving knife!"
Upon hearing Feng Luan's words, Mi Jia felt a chill run down his spine, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He immediately said, "Yes, Teacher Feng Luan, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have said that. It not only underestimated our opponent but also made enemies unnecessarily."
"Hmm." Feng Luan only answered with one word, which made Mi Jia breathe a sigh of relief.
Feng Luan continued, "This time, I want you to defeat Shrek Academy fair and square. But I must warn you: although Shrek Academy Shrek Academy has suffered great losses, if you underestimate them and don't fight with all your might, you still won't be able to take them down."
"Yes!" All fourteen members of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, both regular and reserve members, immediately stood up and said with great momentum. Thanks to Feng Luan's reminder, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy no longer underestimated their opponents.
The other participating teams were not so lucky. The Shrek Academy Team has suffered a major blow, with only two main players remaining, and the rest being reserve players under the age of fifteen. Even though the Shrek Team members are talented, the age gap creates a huge chasm.
Therefore, many teams are hoping to be drawn against the Shrek Academy today. Because the current elimination rounds determine the winner in a single match, whoever defeats Shrek Academy Shrek Academy will be eliminated.
This glory brought the atmosphere in the entire Soul Master Tournament venue to a climax, with everyone hoping that their team could draw a match against the Shrek Academy and then eliminate Shrek Academy.
As the draw results were revealed one by one, the highly anticipated Shrek Academy elimination battle finally came to a conclusion, with the Changning Academy Team emerging victorious.
"Hahaha, Heaven has eyes! Heaven has eyes! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has actually come our way!" When the captain of the Changning Academy Changning Academy Team heard that they had been drawn to face the Shrek Academy Team, he cheered in front of tens of thousands of people. His teammates, upon receiving the news, also cheered.
Looking at the cheering Changning Academy Team in the arena, Qian Chen frowned and immediately said, " Yuhao, Luochеn, in this match, you two will take action. Use the most shocking method to eliminate this reckless Changning Academy."
Then Qian Chen explained in detail how the match would proceed to the seven people who were preparing to take the stage.
"Yes, Dean Qian Chen," the other team members, whether they were scheduled to play or not, replied in unison.
Wang Yan hurriedly said, "Dean Qian Chen! Isn't this too risky and too radical?"
He was about to continue when Qian Chen glared at him, stopping him. Qian Chen then said, "Teacher Wang Yan, if you look down on us so much, even if we win using conventional tactics, we won't be able to make up for the contempt you've shown us. Therefore, this round, we must win spectacularly. We must shut everyone up."
Wang Yan could only lower his head and reply, "Yes, Dean Qian Chen."
Wang Yan was, after all, the team's tactical instructor, so Qian Chen didn't want to put him down too much. He said, "Teacher Wang Yan, don't worry, the other five team members are in the back; they definitely won't lose."
Soon it was Shrek Academy Team and Changning Team's turn to compete. Changning Team, oblivious to their impending doom, was still swaggering around. They thought they had struck gold, achieving their first victory against the Shrek Academy in millennia.
"Brothers, let Shrek Academy and the entire Soul Master World know that our chance to go down in history has arrived! Activate your Martial Soul!" The captain of the Changning Academy was still shouting at this moment.
Soon, the Soul Ring Configuration of two Soul King and five Soul Ancestor appeared on the Soul Fighting Arena.
Qian Chen couldn't help but shake his head, sighing inwardly. This strength might have been decent ten thousand years ago, but it's not enough now.