After the reserve team members introduced themselves, it was time for the official team. Unlike the reserve team, which introduced themselves by age, the main team presented themselves in order of power level.
First up, naturally, was the strongest:
"Inner Court. Ma Xiaotao, level 69 assault-type Battle Soul Emperor."
Her tone was calm and steady, but the announcement shocked all seven reserve members. They were well aware of the age limit for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament: participants had to be under 20 years old. That meant Ma Xiaotao was not yet 20—and already close to Soul Sage rank.
Terrifying. Truly Shrek Academy's elite.
Next came Dai Yueheng.
"Inner Court. Dai Yueheng, level 65 assault-type Battle Soul Emperor."
Compared to Ma Xiaotao, his level was less astonishing. Still, Zhu Ziyang noticed something subtle—Huo Yuhao trembled slightly. A tiny movement, but one that didn't escape Zhu Ziyang's notice. Clearly, Dai Yueheng's presence had triggered some emotional reaction in Yuhao.
Now it was Zhu Ziyang's turn. He stepped forward with a slight smile.
"Inner Court. Zhu Ziyang, level 63 assault-type Battle Soul Emperor."
Most of the reserve team, except Xiao Xiao and He Caitou, were close friends with Zhu Ziyang. Upon hearing his rank, they all had different reactions.
Tang Ya's eyes sparkled with admiration and envy.
She didn't find it strange that Zhu Ziyang was already a Soul Emperor at his age. In her eyes, this was expected. After all, wasn't he the guiding force for the revival of the Tang Sect?
Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi exchanged looks and sighed.
They both knew: catching up to Zhu Ziyang would take far more than three or five years.
As for Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, this was the first time they heard Zhu Ziyang's exact rank.
And they were stunned.
More stunned than when they'd learned of Ma Xiaotao's level.
After all, Zhu Ziyang was about their age—around fifteen.
A fifteen-year-old Soul Emperor.
Even someone as proud as Wang Dong couldn't help but feel humbled.
And Huo Yuhao? He looked at Zhu Ziyang with a new layer of awe.
Next came Gongyang Mo, who held his wrist with delicate flair and said:
"Inner Court. Gongyang Mo, level 61 support-type Battle Soul Emperor."
Yes, Gongyang Mo had broken through to Soul Emperor level. A last-minute breakthrough, in fact—he'd just returned from Star Dou Forest the day before. No one had even had time to ask him what his sixth soul skill was.
Following him were Chen Zifeng and Ling Luochen:
"Inner Court. Chen Zifeng, level 59 assault-type Battle Soul King."
"Inner Court. Ling Luochen, level 57 control-type Battle Soul King."
Lastly, Jiang Nannan stepped forward with a gentle smile:
"Inner Court. Jiang Nannan, level 56 agility-type Battle Soul King."
She had only recently achieved this breakthrough.
Once everyone finished introductions, Elder Xuan nodded.
"Good. Now that you're acquainted, it's time to deepen that bond—with a spar.
After all, combat is the best way to build teamwork.
And remember, in the tournament, we may have to mix main and reserve members depending on the situation. So now, we'll split into two mixed teams.
Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, each of you will lead a team.
Gongyang Mo will go with Ma Xiaotao.
Zhu Ziyang with Dai Yueheng.
Ma Xiaotao, you may pick two other main team members and three reserve team members.
To be fair, Dai Yueheng will pick first."
With their names called, Zhu Ziyang, Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Gongyang Mo took positions on opposing sides.
Dai Yueheng stepped forward.
"For main team member, I choose Chen Zifeng."
"Luochen. Nannan," said Ma Xiaotao immediately.
She was clearly excited—eager to spar with Zhu Ziyang. Elder Xuan's arrangement suited her perfectly.
"Now for the reserve members," Elder Xuan continued.
"My first pick," Dai Yueheng said with a surprising choice,
"Huo Yuhao."
Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow. Why pick Huo Yuhao?
Dai Yueheng's motive was simple: curiosity.
He wanted to know what kind of person had pushed his foolish younger brother—Dai Huabin—to the point of using their family's influence.
Huo Yuhao silently walked to Zhu Ziyang's side, eyes scanning Dai Yueheng with a trace of scrutiny and confusion. But when he saw Zhu Ziyang smiling at him, he immediately returned the smile.
"Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi," Ma Xiaotao called next—no hesitation at all.
She chose Shrek's twin stars of the Outer Court without a second thought.
When Dai Yueheng's turn came again, he didn't speak immediately. Instead, he turned to Zhu Ziyang:
"Ziyang, I'll let you pick the remaining three."
"Very well. We'll take Tang Ya, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao," said Zhu Ziyang directly.
The three joined his side.
Tang Ya grinned,
"Zhu Ziyang, you've got good taste!"
And so the two teams formed:
Team Dai Yueheng:
Zhu Ziyang, Dai Yueheng, Chen Zifeng, Tang Ya, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao.
Team Ma Xiaotao:
Ma Xiaotao, Jiang Nannan, Gongyang Mo, Ling Luochen, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou.
"Hehe."
Elder Xuan looked over the two teams and chuckled with satisfaction.
"Excellent. Now you have ten minutes to strategize. After that, the match begins.
The losing team will receive a penalty: each member must shout, 'I'm a pig!'"
That last part made everyone pause with strange expressions.
What they thought would be a friendly spar just got serious—no one wanted to shout that, especially not the proud Inner Court disciples.
The two sides moved apart and began their discussions.
On Zhu Ziyang's team, Dai Yueheng—as the official team leader—spoke first:
"Our side has four assault-types, two supports, and one auxiliary.
Huo Yuhao, Xiao Xiao—who will take the role of main controller?"
Huo Yuhao hesitated.
Xiao Xiao looked at him, clearly indicating he should do it.
Zhu Ziyang then offered his opinion:
"Let Huo Yuhao be the main controller.
Tang Ya and Xiao Xiao can assist him.
Wang Dong will protect Yuhao directly.
Chen Zifeng, you guard Tang Ya and Xiao Xiao."
Though surprised, Dai Yueheng didn't object.
He knew Zhu Ziyang had deeper insight into the reserve members than he did.
"Very well," Dai Yueheng nodded.
"We'll follow Ziyang's plan. Any additions?"
"None," Chen Zifeng replied curtly.
"We're good too," Tang Ya said cheerfully.
"Ziyang! We're fighting side-by-side again. Let's crush Bei Bei and Nannan—make them squeal 'I'm a pig!' Hehe!"
"With me around, that's a guarantee," Zhu Ziyang replied confidently.
Then he looked at Huo Yuhao.
"Yuhao, show Yueheng and Zifeng your first soul skill."
"Okay!"
Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up, activating his Spiritual Detection Sharing.
Immediately, Zhu Ziyang saw detailed visual feedback—it was the second time he'd experienced it, and still found it astonishing.
The practical value of that soul skill was simply too high.
Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng were stunned.
Dai Yueheng now understood how his brother had lost to a two-ring Soul Grandmaster like Huo Yuhao.
Even Chen Zifeng, normally stoic, showed a hint of surprise.
"Well?" Zhu Ziyang asked with a smile.
"Pretty useful, right?"
"Absolutely," both men agreed.
"Then during the battle, make sure to follow Yuhao's instructions," Zhu Ziyang added.
"Agreed," Dai Yueheng nodded.
"That soul skill alone gives him the right to command me."
"You hear that, Yuhao?"
Zhu Ziyang patted him on the shoulder.
"Yes, Brother Ziyang!"
Huo Yuhao's eyes were filled with gratitude.
"I'll give it everything I've got!"
Both teams had finished their preparations.
The match was about to begin.
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