The contrast between Shrek Academy and Elephant Armor Academy was like comparing bean sprouts to wild beasts.
The shortest Elephant Armor Academy contestant stood over two meters tall, while the tallest exceeded two and a half meters. Their sheer bulk would make even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Yu Yuanzhen feel inadequate—they were practically walking tanks.
As Hu Yanzhen's grandson, Hu Yanli naturally had the most impressive physique, weighing at least five hundred pounds with skin and fat included.
Rip—
With a forceful tug, he tore off his shirt, revealing quivering layers of fat.
"Elephant Armor Academy team, captain Hu Yanli, 43rd-ranked defense-type Battle Soul Ancestor."
Seeing their opponents introduce themselves, Tang Long—who was quite burly but couldn't compare to Hu Yanli—stepped forward.
"Shrek Academy vice-captain, Clear Sky Sect's Tang Long. My strength will become apparent soon enough."
"Bold words!" Hu Yanli's flabby cheeks trembled with anger. "Let's see what the world's number one sect is made of."
"Brothers, martial soul possession!"
As he spoke, Hu Yanli unleashed his spirit power.
When the Diamond Mammoth martial soul manifested, his fat seemed to evaporate, his body becoming angular and defined.
Though his frame remained mountainous, his appearance turned ferocious—green-faced with fanged teeth.
"Hmph, nothing special."
"Martial soul possession—Clear Sky Hammer!"
Tang Long and the two other Clear Sky Sect members stepped forward, activating their martial souls simultaneously.
Compared to the four original Shrek substitutes at 35th-ranked Soul Elder, the soul rings on Tang Long's trio's Clear Sky Hammers shone dazzlingly.
"A... A Soul King?!"
Not just Hu Yanli—even the tens of thousands of spectators were stunned by Tang Long's strength.
A Soul King under 25 years old.
The Clear Sky Sect truly lived up to its reputation as the world's number one sect!
One Soul King, two Soul Ancestors—and Tang Long was only the vice-captain. Did that mean Shrek Academy might have another Soul King?
"Ooooh, scary scary~ The Clear Sky Sect actually has a Soul King!"
In the VIP lounge, Ning Rongrong sat beside Dugu Yan, feigning surprise.
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes. "Rongrong, could you be any faker?"
"Ahem." Ning Rongrong cleared her throat and adopted a serious tone. "The Clear Sky Sect producing a 52nd-ranked Soul King indicates great ambition. This individual must not be allowed to survive."
Dugu Yan: "..."
"That's a bit harsh. His talent doesn't even match Zi Zhenzhu's," Dugu Yan remarked.
Years ago when they visited Vast Sea City, Zi Zhenzhu had been 27 years old and 59th-ranked.
After several years, she had to be a Soul Emperor by now.
"Perhaps. But it's quite amusing." Ning Rongrong didn't argue. "The Clear Sky Sect really knows how to put on a show."
A 52nd-ranked Soul King positioned at the rear, letting two 40-something-ranked sect members take the front.
The message was clear: dealing with Elephant Armor Academy didn't require the Clear Sky Sect's full strength.
Ohoho—
While this approach made for good spectacle, giving audiences much to speculate about while enhancing the sect's mystique...
"But..."
"Hu Yanzhen must be livid, no?"
Probably crying and throwing a tantrum, poor thing.
Bang!
In Elephant Armor Academy's lounge, a square table shattered into pieces.
Veins bulged on Hu Yanzhen's forehead. "For entertainment value, you're treating my grandson and Elephant Armor Academy as clowns?"
"Is being a 99th-ranked Limit Douluo so amazing?"
As defense-type soul masters, Elephant Armor Academy members were naturally slow due to their bulk.
But these bastards were kiting—landing one hammer strike, retreating slightly, then repeating the process.
After over ten minutes of this torment, Hu Yanzhen finally snapped, leaping through the window onto the arena.
Watching his academy being toyed with without any intention to end the match, bloodshot veins appeared in his eyes.
Shrek Academy, you've gone too far.
"We forfeit this match."
As a Title Douluo—even a "shameful" rank 91 one—he possessed flight capabilities. His booming voice instantly drew the attention of both competitors and spectators.
Once the referee declared Shrek Academy's victory, Hu Yanzhen descended onto the stage.
"Brat, don't you think you've crossed a line?"
Using Elephant Armor Academy as laughingstocks—did they think he had no temper?
"Grandfather, I—"
"Use your brain, A'Li." Hu Yanzhen scolded. "These brats were playing with you. Did you really think three-ringers could chase four-ringers around?"
"Double your training when we return!"
"Yes..."
Hu Yanli didn't dare argue with his grandfather.
Hu Yanzhen turned his glare to Shrek's team. "Clear Sky Sect's Tang Long, was it? Is this the Clear Sky Sect's magnanimity?"
"Lord Hu Yan, we operated within match rules. You didn't forfeit, so we could act as we pleased, no?"
Though Tang Long was Tang Xiao's adopted son, he still showed basic deference to a Title Douluo.
"You—"
"Hu Yanzhen, bullying juniors is rather undignified."
A figure landed beside Tang Long.
"Undignified?" Hu Yanzhen sneered. "Has the Clear Sky Sect done any less of that?"
"I recall your sect even had some saying—what was it again? 'Generation after generation, the Clear Sky Hammer smites angels.' How impressively arrogant!"
"You—" Tang Xiao's expression darkened.
Which idiot leaked that phrase? Did they think the Clear Sky Sect wasn't poor enough already?
Keep such talk private—don't go spreading it around!
"Enough! Clear Sky Sect's Tang Xiao, Elephant Armor Sect's Hu Yanzhen—return to your positions."
A terrifying pressure descended.
A pale-faced man hovered midair.
Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red soul ring materialized in sequence.
The oppressive aura made both Tang Xiao and Hu Yanzhen's expressions shift dramatically.
Tang Xiao stared incredulously at the tall, pallid man in the sky. "A 99th-ranked Limit Douluo?! How?!"
For a supreme Limit Douluo to serve as Xue Qinghe's bodyguard...
Previously, having a 96th-ranked guard like Zi Ji was one thing. But now even a 99th-ranked one?
Just what was Xue Qinghe? Some kind of divine progeny?!
The two formerly haughty men quickly complied and left the arena.
The pale man watched them depart before silently returning to Xue Qinghe's side, standing slightly behind without a word.
But his display had thoroughly shocked spectators and observing powerhouses alike.
After all, the Heaven Dou Empire had once groveled just to secure Dugu Bo's services.
Now they had a Limit Douluo?
And since this came from Tang Xiao—who also had a Limit Douluo—the authenticity was undeniable.
In the VIP lounge, Ning Rongrong spoke in a voice only she and Dugu Yan could hear:
"How fascinating."
"Seems Qian Renxue couldn't stomach that 'generations hammering angels' line—even trotting out her bodyguard to intimidate them."