"Oh ho!" Ning Rongrong let out a slightly surprised exclamation after the staff member left. "Well well well, looks like we hit the jackpot. Didn't expect our first match to be this one."
In the original story, the opening match of the preliminary rounds pitted Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team against Shrek Academy, with Shrek Academy ending the fight in just one minute.
Tang San had even revealed his soul ring configuration—two yellow, one purple, and one black—shocking Emperor Xue Ye so much that he exclaimed "Impossible!"
Now?
Emperor Xue Ye's tombstone remained stable—he couldn't exclaim anything.
The new emperor currently delivering eloquent speeches from the VIP platform was Qian Renxue, wearing her "Xue Qinghe" disguise.
Whether intentional or coincidental, their first match really was against Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team.
"Captain, since this is our first match, what should we do?"
Shen Liuyu, with her short blue bob, sounded nervous and uncertain.
"Dugu Yan and I won't participate unless absolutely necessary."
Ning Rongrong's gaze swept across the group.
"There are seven slots for the match, but you have eight people. Whoever feels tired can sit this one out."
"If things get really tough, Dugu Yan and I can step in to support you."
"The purpose of these matches is to help you build teamwork and combat experience. Just do your best—winning isn't the priority."
"Oh, and harem protagonist Ning Tian, don't show off too much, or the male audience might drag you out and beat you up."
"Rongrong, I'm not some harem protagonist!" Ning Tian's face darkened.
Just because I'm the only male on the team, you give me this ridiculous nickname? Making me sound like some tasteless Heaven Dou noble.
I'm not like Father Ning Fengzhi, with his weird hobby of collecting cat girls and fox girls.
"Sure, let's pretend you're not." Ning Rongrong shrugged.
"What do you mean 'pretend'?!" Ning Tian was utterly speechless. He hadn't interacted much with Ning Rongrong before since she was always training. Now he realized her personality was absurdly unpredictable.
"Back to the topic." Ignoring Ning Tian's glare, Ning Rongrong continued, "Just be careful with the academies I mentioned earlier. Handle the rest as you see fit."
"Oh, and try to keep your Martial Soul Fusion Skills as trump cards."
"As for Sister Lingling and Second Brother, you two have achieved Martial Soul Resonance, but you're still far from a Martial Soul Fusion Skill."
Ning Rongrong pondered. "This tournament lasts longer than usual. You might reach the threshold for a fusion skill by the end."
"Hey, don't just decide things unilaterally," Ning Tian weakly protested. "Martial Soul Fusion Skills aren't that easy to achieve."
"That's exactly why they're not easy—because you can't do it yet." Ning Rongrong said calmly. "Didn't Father and the two elders complete their fusion skill?"
"Otherwise, how do you think the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan stands equal to the Clear Sky Sect and the Spirit Hall?"
"Look at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan now. They can barely speak above a whisper."
Ning Tian: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
After much noisy discussion, the final lineup was decided:
Ye Lingling, Ning Tian, Shui Yue'er, Yu Hairou, Shen Liuyu, Gu Qingbo, Qiu Ruoshui.
...
The tournament arena, capable of seating nearly 100,000 spectators, was bustling with excitement.
In the VIP section, Xue Qinghe sat upright, his crimson-gold robes adding to his dignified and noble bearing.
"Teacher, the first match is between Glazed Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"Which team do you think has the upper hand?" Xue Qinghe asked with playful sarcasm.
"Your Majesty, do you lack confidence in Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
Ning Fengzhi replied evenly,
"My daughter is part of Glazed Academy, so I naturally support them. Otherwise, Rongrong would throw a tantrum when she returns."
"Ahaha, fair enough." Xue Qinghe laughed insincerely. "Then as emperor, I'll support Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Privately, I'll cheer for Glazed Academy."
"It wouldn't do to appear disrespectful to my teacher."
"Your Majesty flatters me." Ning Fengzhi waved it off, then glanced at the person to Xue Qinghe's left. "Might I ask who this is...?"
"Ah, my dear friend was concerned for my safety, so she invited an elder from her family to accompany me."
"Having devoted himself to cultivation, he's unfamiliar with the outside world and isn't much of a conversationalist. Please forgive his silence."
"Might I inquire as to the elder's title...?"
"This one's title is Ten Thousand Demons." A pale, tall man spoke slowly.
"So it's Lord Ten Thousand Demons. An honor." Ning Fengzhi smiled.
Since the man clearly didn't wish to talk, he didn't press further.
"Your Majesty, where has Lady Zi Ji been? I haven't seen her lately."
"Her?" Qian Renxue sighed. "After the incident in Heaven Dou, she felt her strength was lacking and returned to train."
"I see." Ning Fengzhi smiled awkwardly.
Went back to train? More like went back to call for reinforcements!
Ten Thousand Demons... Ten Thousand Demons?!
Could this be Star Dou Great Forest's Demonic Eye Magic Tree—the one Rongrong called the forest's final line of defense, with over 500,000 years of cultivation?
Damn, Qian Renxue, you're as sneaky as Rongrong!
She refuses to go out without a rank 99 escort, while you're pulling in rank 99 reinforcements as bodyguards.
But Ning Fengzhi wasn't entirely sure. If this really was the Demonic Eye Magic Tree, then the cooperation between Star Dou Great Forest and the Spirit Hall was far deeper than superficial.
It might even trigger an unprecedented, terrifying confrontation.
Because the number of beings the Spirit Hall could mobilize at near-rank 99 strength was... concerning.
"Teacher, what are you thinking about?" Xue Qinghe asked curiously.
"Nothing important. I was just considering the Clear Sky Sect's involvement." Ning Fengzhi said. "They seem to be supporting Shrek Academy and the Balak Kingdom."
"Let's discuss that after the tournament." At the mention of the Clear Sky Sect, Xue Qinghe sighed quietly.
While Ning Fengzhi and Qian Renxue conversed, Ning Rongrong's team had already entered the arena.
With only one match scheduled, the audience's excitement grew.
In a rest area far from the VIP platform...
The Shrek Academy team sat in their own exclusive lounge.
Flender had never felt so wealthy—he'd actually managed to purchase a competitor's VIP lounge.
These lounges were priced and furnished like standard VIP boxes but reserved exclusively for tournament participants at a "friendship discount." Even so, the cost had been unimaginable for Flender.
Land in Heaven Dou was prohibitively expensive, and he'd originally wanted to use the opportunity to advertise Shrek Academy.
But Tang Xiao had berated him:
"The Clear Sky Sect would rather go bankrupt—smelt our cauldrons, sell scrap metal, work as blacksmiths—than stoop to shameless advertising or dressing like clowns for public amusement!"
So Tang Xiao dipped into his personal savings to secure a VIP lounge for Shrek's team.
Before the tournament, he'd even commissioned a set of dignified uniforms.
As the world's number one sect making its grand return to the continental stage, they couldn't skimp on presentation.
They might not match the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's extravagance, but they had to maintain their prestige!
If they couldn't even surpass the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Tang Xiao might as well kneel on durians before their ancestor Tang Chen.
Taking a deep breath, Tang Xiao thought back to Flender's earlier antics.
Veins bulged on his forehead as he struggled to suppress his lingering frustration.
Only the sight of the Clear Sky Sect's future pillars—his shining juniors—could soothe his wounded pride.
"Tang San, Tang Long, what are your thoughts on this opening match?"