With the elimination rounds concluded, the second stage of the tournament—the round-robin stage—was about to begin.
While not as intense as the elimination matches, the round-robin stage brought its own unique advantages, particularly a diverse set of battle formats.
One-on-one duels, two-on-three challenges, and full team battles were all determined by random draw, ensuring that each match held its own thrilling surprises.
This phase of the tournament was the ultimate stage for individual brilliance—countless renowned soul masters had risen to fame from this very stage.
After the brutal elimination phase, the remaining academies were the elite of the elite. The matches were guaranteed to be exceptional.
As a result, the Star Luo Plaza, which could accommodate over 200,000 spectators, had become so packed that even a single ticket was hard to obtain. The area surrounding the plaza was choked with people every day, forming an impenetrable crowd.
The Star Luo Imperial Family, of course, was delighted with this outcome. They even dispatched 5,000 elite troops to the city to maintain order.
They also began selling official match reports, published daily and priced at only a few copper coins. But with so many buyers, the profits stacked up quickly. Every match came with a detailed report, becoming yet another source of revenue.
Still, the Star Luo Empire didn't skimp on hospitality for the participants.
Even for the eliminated academies, travel and lodging expenses were fully covered, along with monetary compensation. Injured participants received medical treatment, and the families of the deceased were awarded generous death benefits.
Thanks to the combination of these thoughtful arrangements, the tournament's explosive popularity, and the well-maintained order, the event earned overwhelming praise from almost every participating academy in just three days.
It was a rare achievement—gaining both profit and reputation.
—
Today marked the fourth day of the tournament.
From early morning, the chants and cheers of the crowd echoed throughout the Star Luo Plaza.
There was one reason for this: Shrek Academy was set to appear again—and in the very first match.
Even the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, who only occasionally came to watch from the city walls, had ascended to the top of the palace at dawn to wait in anticipation. It was a gesture of immense respect toward Shrek Academy.
The weather today was poor—gloomy and oppressive, as if heralding an approaching storm.
With the start of the round-robin phase, the rest area for competitors was also officially opened.
Today's schedule only featured the first round of the round-robin stage. Of the eight groups, only four would be competing.
Nonetheless, all sixty-seven teams that had advanced from the elimination rounds were seated within the rest area—without exception.
They were here to observe, knowing that any team making it to this stage was powerful. Studying future opponents was essential.
But more than that, everyone was here to see what kind of sparks would fly between Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
After three days of buildup, the rivalry between these two academies was no longer subtle. No one doubted Shrek's strength in soul masters, nor did they doubt Sun Moon Academy's prowess in soul engineers.
What everyone was eager to witness was a clash between Shrek's soul engineers and Sun Moon's soul masters.
Both academies wanted to challenge the other in their area of expertise, and under the Star Luo Empire's deliberate promotion, the entire continent was watching.
Still, Shrek was Shrek—the eternally glorious Shrek Academy.
Nearly every other academy saw them as the ultimate goal, but one that inspired deep awe and reverence.
So when Shrek's distinctive dark green uniforms appeared at the entrance to the arena, the entire Star Luo Plaza erupted.
The chants of "Shrek" began at the section closest to the entrance and quickly rippled throughout the entire arena.
Zhou Sicheng, wearing a warm smile, led the fourteen members of Shrek's main and reserve teams into the field.
Shrek Academy's designated rest area was located at the northernmost section, closest to the imperial city walls—and was by far the largest and most luxurious.
The area had no fewer than twenty plush sofas, with dedicated attendants on hand for service.
A long table beside them was filled with food, fruits, and beverages, a level of treatment no other academy could match.
Other academies had much smaller rest areas, with only seven seats—enough for main team members only. The reserve team and substitutes had to stand behind them.
Yet no one complained about the disparity.
Because this was Shrek—and this was the privilege only Shrek deserved.
If anyone wanted this level of treatment, they had only one option: defeat Shrek Academy.
But that was a task akin to climbing to the heavens.
At this moment, the host was warming up the crowd, first announcing the names of the academies that had advanced past the first round, followed by the breakdown of the groupings.
Shrek Academy's group included eight academy teams in total.
Naturally, Shrek Academy was the undisputed favorite. In their overwhelming radiance, all other academies appeared dim by comparison.
After working the crowd with a series of impassioned statements, the host finally shouted in a booming voice:
"Now, let us welcome the number one academy on the continent—Shrek Academy, and their opponents for the day: the Star Luo Empire's Yunluo Advanced Soul Engineering Academy! Both teams, please enter the staging zone. Team captains, please step onto the stage to determine the battle format!"
In addition to the rest areas, there were two large staging zones on either side of the main arena—reserved for the teams about to compete.
As soon as the referee's voice fell, Zhou Sicheng rose slowly and walked toward the central platform.
Meanwhile, Cao Jinxuan led the entire reserve team into the waiting area.
Zhou Sicheng and the captain of Yunluo Academy stepped onto the battle stage together to draw the match format.
The process was simple: the referee carried a round draw tube onto the platform. Inside it were small balls of three colors.
Red represented team battles.
Yellow represented one-on-one duels.
Blue represented the two-two-three format (two versus three format, a tactical variation).
As expected, the ball that rolled out was yellow—a one-on-one duel.
The referee caught the small yellow ball with one hand while retrieving the larger tube with the other.
After showing the drawn ball to both team captains and then signaling toward the imperial palace wall—where the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire watched—the referee used a personal soul tool amplifier to announce loudly:
"The match between Shrek Academy and Yunluo Academy will be a one-on-one elimination battle. Both teams, please send out your first participant."
One-on-one?!
Upon hearing the chosen format, the crowd's eyes lit up with excitement.
One-on-one battles best showcased the strength and talent of individual soul masters. Everyone was eager to witness Shrek Academy's performance.
Seeing the same seven reserve team members waiting in the staging area, the audience was buzzing with curiosity. Besides the already-impressive Cao Jinxuan and He Caitou, what abilities did the other reserve members of Shrek Academy possess?
Zhou Sicheng stepped calmly down from the battle platform and returned to the rest area. Taking a grape offered by Ye Guyi, he slowly savored it with an air of ease.
Beside him, Ma Xiaotao commented,
"We usually train so intensely. This brief moment of leisure is kind of refreshing. I even feel like the bottleneck in my soul power has loosened. This balance between work and rest really works."
Dai Yueheng and the others nodded in agreement. It wasn't just Ma Xiaotao—they all felt it too.
Zhou Sicheng smiled lightly.
"If Ah Xuan and the others perform well enough, we should have plenty of downtime ahead of us. Let's look forward to their performance."
—
On the other side, after seeing that the match would be one-on-one, Cao Jinxuan and his group began reviewing their notes on Yunluo Academy.
After a brief discussion, Cao Jinxuan turned toward the team, his gaze settling on Xu Sanshi.
"Most of Yunluo Academy's members are equipped with soul tools. For this first one-on-one, let's send in our 'Eternal Shield'."
Xu Sanshi fanned himself flamboyantly and stepped forward with a confident grin.
"Xu Sanshi, reporting in! Time to let them witness the true strength of Xu Sanshi!"
Bei Bei couldn't help but mock him:
"You clown, get serious. Don't screw this up. We don't know much about the opponent, and if we lose the momentum here, it could cost us later."
As Xu Sanshi made his way toward the platform, his aura steadily surged, and his tone grew calm and resolute.
"I understand. I won't let you down."
Hearing that, Bei Bei finally relaxed. A serious Xu Sanshi was indeed a reliable teammate.
Just then, Jiang Nannan's voice echoed from the distance:
"Showoff! If you lose, you'd better go die!"
Xu Sanshi staggered for a moment, almost losing his composure.
Cao Jinxuan and Long Xiangyue exchanged glances and shared a silent chuckle.
Wang Dong and He Caitou also cheered him on.
"Senior Xu Sanshi, you're the best! Show them the true power of our reserve team!"
—
As Xu Sanshi stepped onto the Soul Dueling Platform, his opponent was already waiting—a tall and chubby young man named Ma Yingjun, who, despite his size, looked oddly adorable.
The referee didn't waste any time and directly declared the start of the match.
Xu Sanshi immediately unleashed his Martial Soul, a confident smirk on his face as he puffed leisurely on a slender cigar held between his lips.
That cigar was none other than the product of He Caitou's fourth soul skill, known as the Soul Power Boosting Snow Cigar—designed to amplify soul power.
Across from him, Ma Yingjun activated a full array of soul tools, equipping himself like a walking arsenal—armed to the teeth.
From the moment the match began, Xu Sanshi started showboating—dodging, taunting, and mocking Ma Yingjun at every turn. Then, in a move that shocked everyone, he intentionally jumped off the platform.
Just when the crowd thought he had forfeited, his fourth soul ring lit up, and in an instant, he swapped places with Ma Yingjun.
Because of the heavy gear Ma Yingjun wore, he crashed to the ground with a loud bang, falling off the platform and landing with a look of total confusion and grievance.
According to the rules of the one-on-one elimination battle, a contestant is eliminated the moment they fall or are knocked off the platform. The winner can then choose to either continue fighting or step down and let a teammate take over.
Each team fields seven participants. The match continues until all members of one team are defeated.
With Ma Yingjun now lying at the base of the platform, the first round ended in a win for Xu Sanshi.
—
Yunluo Academy's second participant was a beautiful young woman named Shang Yue, a four-ring Soul Ancestor who specialized in using dual-blade soul tools.
But Xu Sanshi was relentless—not only did he perform flashy maneuvers to disorient and frustrate her, but he also flirted and teased throughout the match.
Despite the underhanded tactics, he once again won with embarrassing ease, though to the audience, it looked more shameless than skillful.
After two consecutive victories, Xu Sanshi had only used about 30% of his soul power.
The Snow Cigar in his mouth still puffed smoothly as the soul power amplification kept him refreshed and unfazed.
****
If you want to support me or read advanced chapters (21+), consider checking out my pat.
patr*on.com/Salsita2k