Pre-Tournament Training, Companions, and Crisis

News of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament spread like a flame, setting every corner of Shrek Academy ablaze. The already grueling training grew even harsher, and the air itself was thick with the burning strain of sweat and clashing Soul Power.

The weight they carried on their early-morning runs increased from fifty jin to eighty. With iron blocks bearing down on their shoulders, every step felt like dragging a thousand-jin boulder. Xiao Wu's face was flushed crimson, and her sweat-soaked ponytail clung to her cheek, but she gritted her teeth and kept up at the back of the group. Oscar chanted his soul incantation as he ran, sausages pouring ceaselessly from his hands for everyone to replenish their strength. Yet he himself often fell behind, earning "gentle" prods from Zhao Wuji's iron staff.

"Keep going! If you can't even carry this much, how do you expect to compete with the geniuses from those prestigious academies?" Zhao Wuji's roar echoed through the village. He darted around the group like a phantom, occasionally using Soul Power to create obstacles-suddenly rising mounds of earth and slippery mud pits-forcing everyone to stay alert at all times.

Lin Ye felt as though his shoulders were about to break under the weight. The warmth of the Three-Legged Golden Crow constantly repaired his aching muscles, but it could not keep up with the strain. He glanced at Tang San and saw Blue Silver Grass silently spreading from beneath his feet, winding around the stones on the ground to smooth the path for himself and Xiao Wu beside him. Their understanding needed no words; a single glance was enough.

"Little San, can your Blue Silver Grass bear this weight?" Lin Ye asked, panting.

Tang San shook his head. "Not yet, but it can spread out some of the pressure." His fingertips moved slightly, and more Blue Silver Grass emerged from the earth like countless little hands, gently supporting the ground beneath everyone's feet and making it a little easier to run.

Dai Mubai saw this and gave a cold snort, but he unconsciously slowed his pace and waited for Oscar for part of the way. Tai Long simply hoisted Oscar, who had fallen to the rear, onto his shoulders and strode forward. His Great Strength Gorilla Martial Soul gave him astonishing endurance.

Under the sunlight, the figures of the five youths wove a strange picture on the rugged path-there was competition and rivalry, but even more, an unspoken spirit of mutual support.

The morning's practical combat class became a mock battle. Flender had obtained several Soul Master Academy uniforms from who knew where and had Zhao Wuji put them on to imitate the fighting styles of different academies.

"Today we're simulating a Power Attack System Soul Master from Heaven Dou Royal Academy!" Flender stood at the edge of the training ground, holding a tin megaphone. "Remember, they excel at breaking through head-on, and their Soul Power is overbearing. Your job is to use the terrain and teamwork to limit what they can do!"

Zhao Wuji donned heavy armor and, after using Martial Soul Possession, transformed into a giant vajra. Three Soul Rings lit up around him-yellow, yellow, and purple-and his presence was even more ferocious than usual.

"Come on! Let me see how much you've improved lately!" Zhao Wuji slammed a fist into the ground, instantly splitting the hard earth with a web of cracks.

"Xiao Wu, tie him down! Oscar, provide support! Tai Long, hold him off from the front! Dai Mubai, harass him from the flank!" Tang San rapidly issued orders. Blue Silver Grass surged out like a tide, weaving a huge net across the ground that bound Zhao Wuji's lower body fast.

Lin Ye seized the opportunity. Golden Crow Fire condensed into several flaming spears and shot toward Zhao Wuji's joints with a whistling rush of wind-the weakest points in his armor.

"Interesting!" Zhao Wuji roared and activated his first Soul Skill, Immovable Bright King Body. A golden halo snapped the Blue Silver Grass apart as he swung a massive fist at Tai Long.

Tai Long did not back down. His Great Strength Gorilla Martial Soul erupted at full force, and he crossed his arms in front of him, taking the punch head-on. The tremendous impact drove him back step after step, his feet plowing two deep furrows into the ground. Blood ran from the corner of his mouth, but he held firm and did not fall.

"Now!" Tang San shouted. The severed Blue Silver Grass suddenly grew wildly once more. This time, instead of entangling Zhao Wuji, it turned into sharp spikes that stabbed at the gaps in his armor from every direction!

Dai Mubai appeared behind Zhao Wuji like a phantom, the claws of the Hell Spirit Cat flashing coldly as they raked toward the back of his neck. Xiao Wu used her small frame to dart between Zhao Wuji's limbs, repeatedly attacking his joints with Waist Bow.

Oscar's sausages fell into everyone's hands like raindrops, instantly covering the entire battlefield with all manner of enhancements to Soul Power, defense, speed...

Lin Ye's Golden Crow Fire erupted once more. This time he did not attack, instead condensing the flames into an enormous dome of light that enveloped the entire battlefield. The temperature inside soared, not only disrupting Zhao Wuji's vision but also making his movements sluggish-the Three-Legged Golden Crow's solar pressure had finally shown its effects in actual combat.

"Good! Your teamwork is really coming together!" Flender cheered from the sidelines, but his expression suddenly changed. "Watch out for his third Soul Skill!"

Before he had finished speaking, Zhao Wuji's purple Soul Ring blazed to life!

"Great Strength Vajra Palm!"

A gigantic golden palm ignored the dome of fire and struck straight at Tai Long! Tai Long was already exhausted and had no way to withstand it.

At the critical moment, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass and Lin Ye's Golden Crow Fire blocked the attack in front of Tai Long at the same time! The Blue Silver Grass wove itself into a thick shield, while the Golden Crow Fire formed a layer of flowing flame armor around it.

"Boom!"

After the deafening crash, the Blue Silver Grass shield shattered and the flame armor scattered. Tang San and Lin Ye were both sent flying, but Tai Long was unharmed.

"You..." Tai Long's eyes turned red as he looked at the two sprawled on the ground, and he clenched his fists.

"Don't just stand there!" Lin Ye struggled to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "He's just used his third Soul Skill. There's a gap in his Soul Power!"

Tang San had already called upon his Blue Silver Grass again. This time, golden patterns covered its blades, and they gave off a rich breath of life. They stopped attacking and instead wound and grew frantically, wrapping Zhao Wuji in a huge green cocoon.

"Is this... a mutated form of Blue Silver Cage?" Yu Xiaogang stood beside Flender and pushed up his glasses, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "It can actually absorb the surrounding life force to strengthen its hold. This boy's understanding of Blue Silver Grass has deepened once again."

Zhao Wuji struggled madly inside the cocoon, his golden halo constantly battering the Blue Silver Grass, only to find that the blades seemed endless. They broke and regrew, regrew and broke again, incredibly resilient.

"Time's up!" Flender blew his whistle. "You won this round!"

The Blue Silver Grass slowly withdrew. Zhao Wuji panted heavily as he looked at the five youths before him, genuine approval appearing on his face for the first time. "Good, much better than last time. But don't get cocky. Heaven Dou Royal Academy's true strength is ten times greater than what I just showed you!"

The five helped one another to their feet. Though covered in wounds, they all wore beaming smiles. This was the first time they had defeated Zhao Wuji in a mock battle, and the victory embodied everyone's sweat and trust.

In the afternoon theory class, Yu Xiaogang held a huge map marked with the various academies taking part in the tournament.

"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament includes not only the royal academies of the two great empires, Heaven Dou and Star Luo, but also academies directly under Spirit Hall." Yu Xiaogang traced a finger across the map. "The teams you need to watch most closely are those of Spirit Hall Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

He paused and looked at Lin Ye and Tang San. "Especially the students from Spirit Hall. Their captain is a youth named Xie Yue. His Martial Soul is the Moon Blade, and his Soul Power has already reached level forty-two. He is exceptionally talented and ruthless in his methods. And... I'm afraid Spirit Hall won't let the two of you off easily."

Lin Ye and Tang San exchanged a glance, each seeing the gravity in the other's eyes. They knew the tournament was not only a stage on which to display their strength, but also a battlefield where they would confront Spirit Hall head-on.

"Afraid?" Yu Xiaogang asked, looking at them.

"No." Tang San shook his head, his tone firm. "This is the perfect chance to show them that the path we chose was the right one."

Lin Ye nodded. "Besides, we're not alone." He looked at the companions beside him. Xiao Wu was making a face at him; Dai Mubai's expression was blank, but his eyes held support; and Oscar and Tai Long both nodded.

Yu Xiaogang smiled. "Good. Remember, no matter what opponent you face, you must trust your companions. The strength of a team is often more important than the strength of an individual."

In the days that followed, their training became more targeted. Based on the characteristics of the various academies, Yu Xiaogang devised detailed tactics for them: Tang San was responsible for control and perception, Lin Ye for attack and auxiliary healing, Dai Mubai and Tai Long for power attacks, Xiao Wu for harassment and restraint, and Oscar for the team's logistical support.

Their coordination grew ever more seamless. They could even carry out complex tactical maneuvers with a single glance and no words. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass could precisely guide Lin Ye's Golden Crow Fire to its target, while Lin Ye's flames could add a burning effect to the Blue Silver Grass; Dai Mubai's speed combined with Xiao Wu's Waist Bow could form a deadly combo; and Tai Long's defense, paired with Oscar's sausages, was enough to withstand powerful attacks.

One evening, after training ended, the five sat down to rest at the edge of the training ground. The fading light of sunset fell over them, coating them in a golden glow.

"We're leaving for Heaven Dou City tomorrow." Oscar took out his last sausage and shared it with everyone. "I'm actually a little nervous."

"What's there to be nervous about?" Dai Mubai patted him on the shoulder. "Just watch how I deal with those so-called geniuses when we get to the tournament."

"But the people from Spirit Hall..." Xiao Wu looked at Lin Ye and Tang San with some concern.

"When soldiers come, a general will stop them; when water comes, earth will dam it." Lin Ye smiled as Golden Crow Fire danced in his palm. "If they dare make a move, I'll give them a taste of what Golden Crow Fire can do."

Tang San nodded as well. "My Blue Silver Grass isn't to be trifled with either."

"And there's me," Tai Long said in a muffled voice. "I can withstand their attacks!"

Seeing the determination in their companions' eyes, Xiao Wu and Oscar were reassured as well.

That night, Lin Ye and Tang San sat on the roof, gazing at the star-filled sky.

"Who do you think Grandmaster really was before all this?" Lin Ye suddenly asked. He had always felt that Yu Xiaogang harbored many secrets. His theoretical knowledge was far too extensive, and his understanding of Spirit Hall far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Tang San shook his head. "I don't know, but I can tell he means us no harm." He paused. "And he seems to know a lot about what goes on inside Spirit Hall. When he mentioned Xie Yue today, there was a complicated look in his eyes."

Lin Ye nodded. "Whoever he is, he's a good teacher."

"Mm." Tang San looked up at the stars. "I wonder how Dad and Mom are doing. When the tournament's over, I want to go back to Holy Soul Village and see."

"I'll go with you," Lin Ye said with a smile. "It's about time we went back to see Grandpa Village Chief too."

The two exchanged a smile, and at that moment, the unease and tension in their hearts faded away. With each other at their side and their companions' support, no matter how much wind and rain lay ahead, they had the courage to face it.

Early the next morning, Flender and Zhao Wuji took the five youths aboard a carriage bound for Heaven Dou City. Yu Xiaogang had some academy matters to attend to and would leave a few days later.

The carriage slowly pulled away from Shrek Village. The five youths leaned against the windows, watching the dilapidated wooden buildings and the training ground recede into the distance, their hearts a mixture of emotions. The place was shabby and life there had been hard, but it held their most precious memories of growing up.

"Stop looking back!" Flender called from the driver's seat without turning around. "Heaven Dou City is your true stage! Show them what you can do. Let those people who look down on Shrek see what real geniuses are!"

"Right!" the five answered in unison, their voices full of fighting spirit.

The carriage sped along the main road toward Heaven Dou City. In the distant sky, the clouds shifted as though foretelling an approaching storm.

Lin Ye watched the scenery flash past the window as Golden Crow Fire quietly flickered to life in his palm. He knew that the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament would be a turning point in their destinies. There, they would encounter stronger opponents and face tougher challenges, and might even confront Spirit Hall head-on.

But he was not afraid. He was not fighting alone.

Beside him, Tang San was looking down, wiping a blade of Blue Silver Grass. It swayed gently at his fingertips, brimming with vitality. Xiao Wu leaned against Tang San's shoulder, already asleep, a sweet smile still on her lips. Dai Mubai rested with his eyes closed, but his fingers unconsciously tapped his knee, as though rehearsing tactics. Oscar murmured a new soul incantation under his breath, trying to develop a more powerful sausage.

These were his companions, his comrades-in-arms.

Lin Ye clenched his fist, the light of Golden Crow Fire flashing briefly in his eyes.

Heaven Dou City, here we come.

Spirit Hall, bring it on.

The legend of the Shrek Seven Monsters—though there were only five of them for now—was about to unfold before the eyes of the entire continent.