"She's finally proven herself to be a qualified captain."
Watching Ma Xiaotao admit defeat on the stage, Wang Yan in Shrek Academy's waiting area gave a satisfied smile.
In terms of team battle strength, Shrek Academy at this stage was far weaker than the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. To cut their losses in time—that was the best choice.
"But… what was going on with Yuhao just now? With such a good opportunity, why didn't he boost Ling Luochen with the Ultimate Ice attribute?"
As Huo Yuhao was carried down by Dai Yueheng, Wang Yan's pleased expression immediately hardened into a frown.
In his eyes, just moments ago all Yuhao had to do was add his Ultimate Ice attribute to Ling Luochen. With Beibei locking down Jiang Jue, if that attack had landed, half their initial plan would already have succeeded. None of the disaster that followed would have happened.
Yet at the crucial moment, steady Huo Yuhao had faltered—and such a critical mistake at that.
"I didn't… I didn't…"
Dai Yueheng looked at the still dazed Yuhao, a heavy frustration rising in his chest. He couldn't help but demand:
"Yuhao, what happened to you just now? Do you realize, because of your mistake, everyone else—"
Wang Yan stepped forward, signaling Dai Yueheng not to press further.
He crouched slightly, meeting Yuhao's eyes, and spoke softly.
"Yuhao. Yuhao, look at me. Look at your teacher."
"Ugh…"
Seeing this, Dai Yueheng sighed heavily, handing Yuhao over. He slumped onto the sofa, fists clenched tight.
Just minutes earlier, his father had been standing atop the palace walls, watching him. And he had shown… nothing. Forced to surrender. How could he not feel furious?
This was his last year to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. He wasn't only carrying Shrek's honor—he wanted his father to see his efforts, his growth.
Meanwhile, under Wang Yan's patient voice, Yuhao's dazed eyes gradually cleared.
"Teacher… I couldn't tell… I couldn't tell what was real…"
Yuhao's eyes brimmed with painful memories, his hands clutching his head, face twisted with torment.
Just now, when he had prepared to empower Ling Luochen with Ultimate Ice, Jiang Jue's single shout—"Scram!"—had not only made his second martial soul cry in despair, but also smashed his spiritual sea with an indescribable wave of mental power.
With so many strong powers gathered in the arena, Tianmeng Iceworm had only been able to give him a small recovery at that time. Only now had he fully come to.
In that moment, Yuhao had relived the most unbearable part of his life—the memories he most wished to forget. Back then, he had stood helpless, like a dog at others' mercy…
"It's all right. It's all right. From here, just do your best. Don't let the pressure crush you. After all, the tournament five years from now—that one will be your true stage."
Wang Yan's voice soothed him, though inside he was sighing. Because of Jiang Jue, more than half their lineup was now injured. There were barely enough people left to fight in the following rounds.
"Ah… what a headache…"
Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy Waiting Area
Thunderous applause greeted their victorious team as they returned.
"I told you—while I'm here, nothing unexpected will happen."
"Sometimes, being too strong is its own kind of loneliness!"
Xiao Hongchen tipped his hat and raised his brows, pretending nonchalance.
The others laughed and clapped for their handsome teammate.
"Wow, Senior Xiao, you were amazing up there!"
A young girl from the reserve team looked at him with shining eyes, unable to stop herself from praising.
Hearing this, Xiao Hongchen flushed slightly, secretly savoring the thrill.
At that moment, a staggering figure moved forward, dropping to his knees before Jiang Jue.
Everyone froze in shock.
"Lin Xi, you…"
Chen An frowned, confused.
It was indeed Lin Xi, who had earlier been flung from the stage by Jiang Jue. He hadn't been badly hurt, only fainted from Ma Xiaotao's flames. After healing, he'd quickly revived.
"Jiang Jue, words can't express my gratitude. I've drifted half my life, and this time you saved me. If you don't mind… I am willing to bow to you as my foster father."
Lin Xi's tone was solemn, no hint of falsehood.
He dropped neatly to both knees—his gratitude genuine, for Jiang Jue's casual strike had spared his life.
Jiang Jue, sipping from a milk bottle to restore soul power, blinked in surprise at first. Then his lips curved faintly.
"No need for that. We're teammates."
He helped Lin Xi up with a shake of his head.
At the time, he had only wanted Xu Sanshi to think he'd exposed an opening, luring him in. Saving Lin Xi had been incidental. He hadn't expected this reaction afterward.
"Jiang Jue…"
Lin Xi started to speak further, but Jiang Jue just patted his shoulder and walked past, settling onto the sofa. He had more pressing matters now.
Lin Xi watched his back, eyes flickering, as if silently resolving something deep within.
Jiang Jue placed Luo Bai into the Soul Refining Banner, closed his eyes, and extended his spirit inside.
Back on stage, Luo Bai had pulled something strange from Xu Sanshi's Xuanming Tortoise Shield—a vivid, scarlet little serpent.
"Look this over for me. Tell me later what it is."
He handed Luo Bai to Wang Gengyin before withdrawing his spirit.
Because ever since that serpent had been devoured, Jiang Jue felt something uncanny. Luo Bai now seemed… to breathe.
And breathing meant life.
But Luo Bai was a soul tool—how could it breathe?
To Jiang Jue's knowledge, only Dou Armors forged ten-thousand years in the future possessed "living metal" that could breathe.
Yet Luo Bai's structure was nothing like Dou Armor at all.
Suddenly, he realized—he might have opened a Pandora's box through a one-of-a-kind, unrepeatable chance.
"Good thing I fused Wang Gengyin into the Soul Refining Banner. Otherwise, I'd have to figure this out myself."
He shook his head, discarding the thought, and resumed drawing soul power from his milk bottle. There was still more fighting to come.
Between each final match, the break was brief. And with the whole tournament finishing in a single day, time was pressing.
Seeing Jiang Jue restore himself, the others quickly followed, drinking from bottles to recover their strength. They had won the team battle, yes—but Shrek still had two Soul Emperors nearly untouched. They could not afford to relax.
Atop the Star Emperor Grand Hotel
"Haha! As expected of Young Master. Shrek Academy—beaten down into nothing but stray dogs. That really let out my anger."
Zhang Peng stood on the rooftop, looking toward the arena with a wide grin, secretly elated.
"Xiao Hu, what are you laughing at? So happy?"
An aged voice suddenly rang out behind him.
Zhang Peng's heart jolted—someone was standing at his back. And as a level 97 Super Douluo, he hadn't noticed them at all.
(End of Chapter)