Half a month passed, and the round-robin matches had all concluded. Shrek Academy, as expected, advanced to the top sixteen with a perfect record of seven wins.
In fact, there were only a few teams participating in the Soul Duel Tournament that possessed a Spirit Emperor. For Shrek Academy, such effortless victories were the norm, and it was rare for them to have to fight desperately to win.
On the top floor of the Star Emperor Hotel, Wang Yan was introducing the new rules for the next stage of the competition in the conference room.
"Each subsequent elimination match will be held over two days, with a team battle and individual matches. The final winner will be the team that wins the team battle and defeats three of the opponent's members in the individual matches."
"However, if a team loses the team battle, they can still turn the tables if they manage to defeat all seven of the opponent's members with three or fewer of their own members. This competition format balances overall team strength and individual prowess. It also places certain demands on reserve Disciples, because if someone is injured or too exhausted from the team battle on the first day, a reserve Disciple will have to step in."
"Shrek Academy is still the first to compete tomorrow. Our opponent is Yaoyang Academy from the Sun Moon Empire. Although they are not as strong as the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Master Academy, they are still an opponent not to be underestimated."
Wang Nan's deepest impression of this team was their team battles.
In one-on-one combat, the advantage of a Soul Master might not be very obvious, but in a team battle, several Soul Masters simultaneously firing dozens of different long-range spirit tools created a spectacular sight.
Wang Yan continued, "I've watched their previous matches. Most of Yaoyang Academy's Disciples secure victory by utilizing long-range spirit tools. Only their captain uses a close-range spirit tool in combat. Tomorrow's team battle will likely be similar to before, so Yuhao will be on the field tomorrow."
Everyone nodded upon hearing this. They all knew Huo Yuhao's abilities. With Huo Yuhao's Spirit Detection Sharing, even amidst a barrage of spirit tool attacks, he could calculate the weakest points of attack.
"At this point, our opponents won't be too weak. Don't underestimate them in the matches, and be careful to protect yourselves. Any injury to a Disciple could affect the matches in the following days. Does everyone understand?"
"Understood."
"Good, then everyone, please have dinner now and get a good rest tonight."
Wang Nan walked out of the conference room and arrived at the first-floor lobby of the Star Emperor Hotel.
As the place where the Star Luo Empire hosted Disciples from various academies, the Star Emperor Hotel naturally provided dining services. However, Wang Yan had been busy arranging for the next day's competition and had specifically instructed the hotel staff not to approach and disturb them. Therefore, Wang Nan had to come down himself to find something to eat.
"He's the one I'm looking for."
As soon as he arrived in the lobby, Wang Nan heard a voice from outside. He looked over and saw a short, short-haired girl looking at him through the hotel entrance.
Although separated by the door, Wang Nan could still hear what she said, so he turned to look at a nearby hotel attendant. "What's going on?"
"I'm very sorry." The attendant first bowed. "This lady said she was looking for someone from Shrek Academy, but she couldn't provide any credentials, which is why she was stopped outside the hotel."
The attendant spoke while observing Wang Nan's expression. He was also afraid that the girl outside really knew someone from Shrek Academy. Seeing that Wang Nan's expression hadn't changed much, he continued.
"She's been coming here almost every day since the Soul Duel Tournament began, but each time she just watches from afar. We couldn't very well drive her away."
It sounded like she was a fan of Shrek Academy.
Wang Nan glanced outside again, only to see the girl suddenly display four spirit rings: yellow, yellow, purple, purple. With a flash of light, a green long rod appeared in her hand.
The people outside immediately tensed up. The security personnel also had spirit rings flashing on their bodies, and several shield-like spirit tools appeared in their hands as they slowly surrounded her.
However, what surprised Wang Nan was not the security measures but the young girl's Spirit.
A green long rod, with golden patterns coiling around it, subtly forming the shape of a giant dragon. It was indeed the Coiling Dragon Staff Spirit.
Could this child really be looking for me?
On the Douluo Continent, Spirits were related to bloodlines. Her Spirit was so similar to his; could she be a distant relative of his?
The girl's spirit power was released and then immediately retracted, apparently just to display her Spirit.
Seeing the surrounding security personnel getting closer, Wang Nan still opened the hotel door. "Please wait a moment. Can I speak a few words with her?"
Several security personnel looked at Wang Nan, recognized him as someone from Shrek Academy, and after a moment of hesitation, nodded.
Wang Nan did not get too close to her, stopping two meters in front of her.
"Are you looking for me for something?"
"Your Spirit is the Coiling Dragon Staff, right?" The girl was not tall, but her voice was full of vigor.
Wang Nan nodded in acknowledgment. He had taken action a few times during the half-month elimination rounds, so his Spirit was no secret.
"Your Spirit should contain a Dragon Soul, right?" Although it was a question, the girl said it with great certainty.
Wang Nan was truly a little surprised. He had thought this girl was here to claim kinship, but she brought up this matter as soon as she spoke.
In Wang Nan's memories of his previous life, only Wang Yan possessed the Coiling Dragon Staff Spirit, but he was of ordinary talent and showed no special abilities. Therefore, Wang Nan had always thought his Spirit was a very ordinary one.
Even his father, Wang Xing, didn't know about the Dragon Soul, only telling him a legend about a dragon. It wasn't until the Awakening of the Evil Breaking Dragon that he realized the special nature of the Coiling Dragon Staff Spirit. Yet, this girl spoke of the Dragon Soul as soon as she opened her mouth.
"You're from Shrek Academy, right? What's your name? My grandfather has been looking for you."
"Who is your grandfather, and why is he looking for me?"
The girl shook her head. "I can't say who my grandfather is, but he has been looking for a Coiling Dragon Staff Spirit Master who has Awakened a Dragon Soul."
All sorts of thoughts surged through Wang Nan's mind.
He understood that the Coiling Dragon Staff Spirit was not as simple as it appeared on the surface. If this girl's grandfather also had the Coiling Dragon Staff Spirit and had been searching for someone with a Dragon Soul, there were likely other reasons behind it.
He just didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing.
"If the person your grandfather is looking for is truly me, then just have him come to Shrek Academy to find me."
No matter what, Shrek Academy's strength was top-tier on the Douluo Continent. Regardless of her grandfather's intentions, he wouldn't be able to cause any trouble at Shrek Academy.
"Okay, my name is Pan Yang. Since you don't want to say your name, then just remember mine. Don't fail to show up to meet me when the time comes."
Wang Nan nodded, watching Pan Yang disappear into the crowd.