Chapter 53: Xu Jiawei's Plan
Wang Yan did not want to make such a request to Xu Jiawei, but he had no choice. The Shrek Academy team had suffered severe losses, leading to an extreme decline in overall strength.
According to tradition, the first round of the tournament was an elimination match, and ever since Shrek Academy first participated in the Soul Master Tournament, they had never been eliminated in this round. If that were to happen, both he and Elder Xuan would be eternally disgraced.
Now, the five remaining reserve team members were all injured and unable to perform at full capacity.
The elimination match was a seven on seven team battle, but with the seriously injured Ma Xiaotao and others unable to fight, they had to fill spots just to make up the numbers.
Given this state, Shrek's combat ability was utterly pathetic.
So, he had no choice but to do as Elder Xuan instructed seek out the host of the tournament for a favor.
Xu Jiawei blinked in surprise, then sighed.
"Teacher Wang Yan, are you absolutely sure you want to do this?"
Wang Yan nodded.
"Your Majesty, Shrek Academy has trained countless outstanding soul masters for Star Luo Empire. Our two sides have always shared a close relationship.
If we lose this tournament, Shrek Academy's honor will take a devastating blow!
So, please lend us your assistance. This is also Elder Xuan's request."
Hearing Elder Xuan's name, Xu Jiawei hesitated for a moment, then responded
"If you're asking me to secure a championship for you, that's impossible."
Wang Yan clenched his fists.
"Your Majesty, our only request is to make it to the semifinals.
As long as we reach the top four, Shrek's reputation will be preserved.
Then, we can explain to the public that our loss was due to the heavy casualties suffered while eliminating evil soul masters.
I believe everyone will understand why Shrek failed to win.
Even if Shrek only makes it to the semifinals, we will still be the true champions in the eyes of the public!"
As a theory focused instructor, Wang Yan had already said all he could.
Despite his resentment toward Elder Xuan, he had no ill will toward Shrek Academy itself.
Moreover, as a Shrek Academy teacher paid by the academy, he was duty bound to protect its image.
Xu Jiawei sighed, then nodded.
"Fine. I'll secretly adjust the matchups so that Shrek faces weaker teams in the early rounds.
But once the tournament reaches a certain stage, only the strongest teams will remain."
Wang Yan let out a breath of relief.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! I will take my leave now."
With that, Wang Yan hurriedly left.
Xu Jiawei's Private Thoughts
Watching Wang Yan's retreating figure, Xu Jiawei fell deep into thought.
"If I manipulate the matchups, giving Shrek all the weak teams, that means I'll have to assign the strongest teams to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy."
"…Sun Moon will definitely notice this blatant favoritism."
But
"This could be an opportunity."
"If Shrek Academy is this weak, then Star Luo's team might actually have a shot at winning the championship!"
Xu Jiawei's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
If Star Luo won, it would be a cause for national celebration!
Standing up, he walked to the entrance of his palace and called out
"Summon the princess! I have urgent matters to discuss."
A royal guard immediately responded.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Princess Xu Jiujiu's Determination
Soon after, Xu Jiujiu entered the palace.
She dismissed the attendants and turned to Xu Jiawei.
"Brother, I was preparing for the tournament! What is so urgent?"
Xu Jiawei sat down and explained everything
Shrek Academy's unexpected catastrophe, their request for match manipulation, and the dire state of their team.
After hearing all this, Xu Jiujiu's fair face showed genuine shock.
"Shrek… is in such bad shape?"
"But… to preserve their reputation, they want you to rig the tournament?"
To her, Shrek Academy had always been invincible.
But now, even they were clinging to their false pride?
Xu Jiawei gave a wry smile.
"When I studied at Shrek, I already knew how obsessed the Elders were with preserving Shrek's so called 'millennia of glory'.
So, Elder Xuan ordering Wang Yan to come to me for help isn't surprising."
His expression darkened.
"This time, Elder Xuan messed up badly."
"He failed to protect Huabin."
"If Shrek Academy weren't so crucial to our empire, I would have demanded justice for him myself."
"But…"
"For the sake of Star Luo's alliance with Shrek, I cannot hold them accountable."
"If our relationship with Shrek Academy sours, and the academy's Headmaster rallies their alumni, do you know how many of Star Luo's soul masters would betray the empire?"
Xu Jiujiu's eyes widened in shock.
"Brother! Shrek Academy wouldn't betray Star Luo!"
Xu Jiawei sighed.
"I want to believe that."
"I was once a student there, and I respect them deeply."
"But from an emperor's perspective, it doesn't matter if they 'would' do it.
What matters is they have the power to do it."
"Countless Shrek alumni hold high positions in our government and military.
What if, one day, they conspire together?
What if they overthrow the royal family?"
"I never wanted to be emperor."
"If possible, I would have let Dai Hao rule instead, and I would have simply become the Starcrown Duke."
"But since I am emperor, I must think about the royal family's survival."
Star Luo's Opportunity
Xu Jiawei's gaze sharpened.
"This tournament is a heaven sent opportunity."
"Shrek's legend was built on producing seven gods and dominating this tournament."
"We, Star Luo, must take the same path."
"If we win this championship, we will attract more young geniuses to our empire!"
Xu Jiujiu's face hardened with resolve.
"I understand, Brother."
"I will give this everything I have."
"For Star Luo."
"For the royal family."
Xu Jiawei smiled.
"I always knew you wouldn't let me down."
Then, his expression turned serious again.
"Jiujiu, you are one of the few royal descendants who has inherited the Starcrown Martial Soul."
"Recently, I acquired a 100,000 year old soul beast embryo from a powerful figure in Sun Moon Empire."
"If you are willing "
"I will help you absorb it."
"This will become your second martial soul."
"Jiujiu, you will become a Twin Martial Soul user."
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