Xu Jiawei stood upon the stage, smiling faintly, his demeanor like a spring breeze, as he spoke:
"To ensure the safety of both sides' competitors in the semifinals and finals, I have decided that, from this point onward, each match will be presided over and refereed by one of our Empire's Guardian Douluo."
"For today's drawing of lots and the first match, this will be overseen by Senior Huang Jinxu, whose Title is Heavenly Fiend."
Huang Jinxu's expression did not change. He merely nodded slightly to those around him, saying nothing.
From the day his martial soul awakened, everyone he loved—and everyone who loved him—had one by one left him, all because of his martial soul. "Left" here meant death. Thus, his heart had long since hardened to iron; few things in the world could move him anymore.
He was now a man devoid of emotion.
Because of the tragedies of his youth, his temperament had become strange. His sense of good and evil could flip in an instant; everything arose from the heart. He feared neither gods nor demons.
His martial soul was both blessing and curse. Though the Heavenly Fiend Lone Star brought calamity to those close to him, it also gave him extraordinary cultivation talent. Barely sixty years old, he had already reached rank ninety-two, a Titled Douluo.
And thanks to the unique nature of his martial soul, he could even contend with Super Douluo of rank ninety-five.
As Xu Jiawei's words fell, the captains of the four teams stepped onto the stage.
For Shrek Academy it was Ma Xiaotao. For the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Ma Rulong.
For the Di'ao Academy, a youth of medium build, broad-shouldered and steady, radiating the sense of an immovable boulder—this was Jiang Peng, their six-ring Soul Emperor.
"Soul Engineers, all just opportunistic trickery. You'd best hope you don't face me, or I'll show you the true might of a Soul Master."
Jiang Peng locked eyes with Ma Rulong as he ascended, speaking with mocking disdain.
"You won't be disappointed. Just a bunch of country bumpkins who can't keep up with the times."
Ma Rulong raised an eyebrow, answering calmly.
He actually hoped to face Di'ao Academy—it would let him conserve several trump cards.
"Me? A bumpkin?"
Jiang Peng froze.
He was a noble of the Heavenly Soul Empire, a shining star of Di'ao Academy, long hailed as a genius. Yet here he was, called a "country bumpkin"!
Rage blazed in his eyes.
"Hmph!"
A cold snort rang out, silencing the entire stage. It came from none other than the Heavenly Fiend Douluo, Huang Jinxu.
Suppressing his fury, Jiang Peng pointed at Ma Rulong and mouthed soundlessly:
"You'll pay for this."
Ma Rulong only shrugged, replying with equal politeness in silent words:
"Idiot."
"You—!"
Jiang Peng, despite his aristocratic education, suddenly found himself at a loss, unable to think of a retort.
"If you're not going to draw lots, then get off the stage."
Huang Jinxu's voice was cold as an icy wind.
"Yes, sir."
Jiang Peng shuddered, as though remembering something, and quickly moved forward.
He knew well how ruthless this Heavenly Fiend Douluo was. With no family ties, no burdens, and no scruples, he never cared about consequences. In his youth, he had offended several powerful sects and been hunted mercilessly—yet he still lived on today.
Soon after, Ma Rulong also stepped forward, standing before Xu Jiawei. The Xingluo Academy's representative was Xu Jiuling.
Xu Jiawei smiled warmly.
"It is my joy to meet such outstanding youths. The competition is about to begin. I hope you can uphold the spirit of friendship first, competition second, throughout this tournament. In a moment, I will throw out four balls marked with numbers. You will all reach for them at once. Are you ready?"
Ma Xiaotao's eyes narrowed slightly. She glanced once at Xu Jiuling, then answered:
"Ready."
Xu Jiuling smiled faintly, nodded to Xu Jiawei, her bright eyes flashing with a glint of light.
Xu Jiawei discreetly glanced back at her, tapping his fingers.
Ma Rulong and Jiang Peng also nodded.
But Jiang Peng's gaze toward Ma Rulong burned with venom.
No one could ever make Jiang Peng lose face!
"Attention."
The Xingluo Emperor's eyes narrowed slightly. Then, so fast no one could see his movements, four golden balls shot into the air.
Ma Xiaotao had been prepared from the start. The instant Xu Jiawei moved, she leapt.
She, Jiang Peng, and Ma Rulong all chose the same strategy: springing upward in a straight jump, seizing the golden spheres with speed.
In barely an instant, three of them had snatched their spheres and landed.
Only Xu Jiuling stayed calm and unhurried. She extended her jade-like hand at the perfect moment, and the final golden sphere dropped neatly into her palm.
She smiled, reporting her result first, as though she had already known the outcome in advance.
"I am Number One."
"I am Number Two."
Jiang Peng glanced at Ma Rulong, his look provocative.
But Ma Xiaotao's gaze went directly to him.
"Number Two," she declared.
"I am also Number One," Ma Rulong said evenly.
Though their opponents would not be the Di'ao Academy as he had hoped, but rather Xingluo Academy, he still had full confidence.
His true goal had always been Shrek Academy. That had never changed.
Xu Jiawei and Xu Jiuling exchanged a look. Nothing more needed to be said.
Then Xu Jiawei personally checked the numbers and announced the results to the public.
The people of the Xingluo Empire, hearing their team would face the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, erupted into cries of alarm.
For in plain sight, Xingluo Academy was no match at all for the Sun Moon Academy.
Xu Jiawei said nothing more, only smiled.
"I wish all four teams success in showing their full strength in the matches to come. The drawing is over—go prepare. Today's first team battle will be the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy versus Xingluo Academy."
Back in their waiting area, Ma Rulong composed himself, then addressed his team with fiery spirit:
"Defeat Xingluo Academy, and then it's Shrek's turn! We will bring the championship home—we will succeed! Won't we?"
"Yes!"
"Boss Ma, no need for more words. Just wait until you see my performance!"
Elder Lin thumped his chest, speaking with full confidence.
"Good! Get ready for the team battle ahead!"
Jiang Jue's eyes grew deep as he watched Xu Jiawei leave the stage.
Through all these rounds, the course of events had stayed steady. But suddenly, in the finals, an "accident" appeared.
They should have been facing Di'ao Academy. Instead, they were facing Xingluo Academy.
If it wasn't his own influence… then Xu Jiawei must have meddled.
"But none of that matters."
"In the face of absolute strength, all schemes and plots will crumble to dust in an instant…"
(End of Chapter)