At this moment, the audience in the stands sat in stunned silence.
It hadn't even been a full minute, yet Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team had already been utterly crushed. The brutality of the match made it hard for many to watch.
There was no suspense—this had been a completely one-sided massacre.
Lin Jie's gaze swept across the spectator stands. Shock, disbelief, and stunned expressions filled every corner. Eventually, his eyes landed on the VIP platform.
Meanwhile, the teacher leading Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team stared furiously at the scene of broken limbs and bloodied students before turning his wrath on the Shrek team.
"Referee! I demand a penalty! They were trying to kill! This was a blatant violation of the rules—I demand they be disqualified!" the teacher shouted, eyes bloodshot.
The referee, having finally snapped out of his daze, looked at the defeated second team lying in pools of their own blood, hesitation flickering in his eyes.
Lin Jie turned to the referee and said calmly, with a faint smile, "Respected referee, I only have one question: Did anyone die?"
Startled by the question, the referee quickly turned back to check. Sure enough, although the Heaven Dou students were seriously injured and on the verge of collapse, none of them were actually dead.
Lin Jie turned back toward Jiangzhu. "Senior Jiangzhu, it looks like they no longer need our healing. Please withdraw your Martial Soul."
Jiangzhu smiled faintly. "Alright, Junior Lin Jie."
She withdrew her Healing Scepter and ended the treatment.
Lin Jie knew the rules well: as long as no one died, then broken bones and mangled limbs were just part of the risk. After all, Spirit Abilities didn't distinguish friend from foe.
A moment later, two assistant referees approached, whispering something to the main referee. Then the referee looked toward Shrek Academy's team and announced loudly, "First round of the preliminary match: Shrek Academy, victory!"
"Whoa!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and discussion. Many still couldn't believe what had just happened—it had ended so fast.
Up in the VIP box, Emperor Xue Ye's face darkened. He rose from his seat, shot a cold glare toward Prince Xue Xing, and left with a heavy sweep of his sleeves.
Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly as he watched the departing emperor, then stood up as well, casting a pleased look toward the victorious Shrek students before taking his leave.
Salas, the Platinum Bishop from Spirit Hall, watched both men depart. His eyes narrowed as they followed Lin Jie exiting the arena. His expression was unreadable, as if calculating something deeply.
At the same time, hidden in a less noticeable corner of the stands, a young man in his late twenties quietly rose and left. He wore a simple cyan robe and had long golden hair tied neatly behind him. Though plainly dressed, he exuded a unique and refined presence. His golden eyes lingered briefly on Lin Jie before he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Back in the arena, Flender and Liu Erlong watched with proud smiles from the audience stands. Although they had been confident of victory, none of them had expected the battle to end so swiftly—and so decisively. Thanks to this match, Shrek Academy's reputation was rising rapidly. It was no longer the nameless little school it once was.
As the Shrek team exited the arena, Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing approached Lin Jie.
Seeing him, Ning Rongrong's face lit up. She happily rushed over and called out, "Lin Jie, you were amazing!"
But just as she was about to throw herself into his arms, Lin Jie raised a hand and gently blocked her. Come on—this wasn't the place. If she jumped into his arms in public, how was he supposed to handle the aftermath?
Seeing Lin Jie stop her, Ning Rongrong puffed up her cheeks in frustration, pouting adorably.
Sure enough, Zhu Zhuqing walked up beside them and glanced sideways at Ning Rongrong chatting so intimately with Lin Jie. Her eyes shimmered with a trace of jealousy.
Lin Jie spoke, "The reason we were able to defeat Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team so quickly is because of everyone's effort."
At his words, Dai Mubai, Tai Long, and the others nodded with smiles. It was true—this victory belonged to the whole team.
But as more and more eyes turned toward them, Dai Mubai frowned and said, "Let's go. We should head back to the academy. I don't want to get swarmed by curious onlookers."
Oscar and the others glanced around. Sure enough, people were already starting to gather. They quickly nodded in agreement.
The Shrek team laughed and chatted as they made their way toward the exit.
"Rongrong!"
Just as they left the competition grounds, a familiar voice rang out behind them.
Ning Rongrong turned around excitedly. "Dad!"
She rushed to Ning Fengzhi, who gently took her hand and walked toward the group of students. His face wore its usual warm and elegant smile.
"Hello, young friends of Shrek Academy."
Hearing his greeting, Lin Jie felt a little speechless. Last time it was "little brother," and now it was "young friends." Did this man not realize that twelve was already adulthood in the Douluo Continent? Well, maybe he actually didn't.
Ning Fengzhi had changed out of his formal robe and into plain clothes, but Tai Long and the others still recognized him immediately.
"Ning Clan Leader, greetings!" Huang Yuan and Jing Ling stepped forward to bow respectfully.
"There's no need to be so formal. You're all Rongrong's classmates—just think of me as an elder," Ning Fengzhi replied warmly.
His approachable demeanor left a good impression on several of them.
Of course, Lin Jie was not so easily swayed. Knowing Ning Fengzhi's personality, he figured the man had seen how well these students performed and was probably here to scout some talent for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Then Ning Fengzhi looked directly at Lin Jie. "Little Jie, congratulations. I didn't expect your fourth ring to be a ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring."
"You're too kind, Uncle Ning. Rongrong also has her fourth ring now, and it's not a low-quality one either. She just didn't go on stage today," Lin Jie replied calmly.
After a few more pleasantries, Ning Fengzhi turned to his daughter. "Rongrong, aren't you going to introduce your teammates to your father?"
The students exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of polite reserve and anticipation. Huang Yuan and Jing Ling in particular looked visibly excited. After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was one of the Three Upper Clans, and Ning Fengzhi was its Clan Leader. If he took a liking to them, their futures would be set.
Ning Rongrong cast a glance at Lin Jie, then looked toward Jiangzhu.
"Dad, this is Senior Jiangzhu. She's our senior sister at Shrek Academy and a thirty-sixth rank Auxiliary-type Healing Spirit Elder. She also fought in the match today."
Jiangzhu stepped forward humbly. "In front of Clan Leader Ning, how could I dare call myself an auxiliary Spirit Master? It's an honor to meet you."
"I saw your healing ability from the VIP stand earlier," Ning Fengzhi said. "Your Martial Soul is quite unique. If you focus solely on healing, your future potential is boundless."
"Thank you for your kind words, Clan Leader Ning." Jiangzhu blushed slightly and returned to stand beside Lin Jie.
Then Ning Rongrong continued, "This is Brother Tai Long, a direct descendant of the Strength Clan. He's a thirty-eighth rank Power-type Battle Spirit Master. You've met him before. This is Senior Jing Ling, a thirty-fifth rank Agility-type Battle Spirit Master—his Martial Soul is a Skull. And this is Senior Huang Yuan, Martial Soul Lone Wolf, also a thirty-fifth rank Power-type Spirit Elder."