By the time the sun had risen high in the sky, all participating academies and spectators had arrived and taken their places.
"Silence!"
A thunderous voice echoed across the entire square.
Immediately, every soldier straightened to attention and raised their spears in unison. A chilling aura of military discipline swept through Star Luo Plaza, instantly quieting the previously noisy crowd.
All eyes turned toward the imperial city gate tower.
"His Majesty arrives!"
With this announcement, all Star Luo Empire citizens dropped to their knees in unison. Students from other nations' academies bowed slightly, paying respectful homage—not to the emperor as a man, but to the authority of a sovereign.
"Rise, my people," declared Xu Jiawei, his voice magically amplified to reach every corner of the square.
The crowd stood, their collective gaze falling on the emperor atop the city tower. For nearly half the citizens of the empire, this was their first glimpse of their monarch. Their eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions—curiosity, admiration, pride.
Wearing a faint smile, Xu Jiawei began:
"The All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament is the most prestigious event in the Douluo Continent's soul master world. I am honored that so soon after my ascension, this grand tournament is being held in our Star Luo Empire. On behalf of the empire, I welcome the many academies gathered here today—led by the legendary Shrek Academy. I hope you all show your finest strength over the next month of competition."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" came the response as the academies bowed once more.
Xu Jiawei nodded and smiled, then raised his voice:
"I hereby declare the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament officially open!"
The moment the announcement rang out, the entire crowd exploded in cheers:
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empire!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ceremonial cannon fire thundered, echoing 108 times to mark the start of the tournament. Cheers resounded even to the distant city walls, where guards could clearly hear the waves of celebration from the plaza.
With his opening duties complete, Xu Jiawei stepped back and took his seat alongside the empress. He then gestured toward his chief minister, who quickly issued the command to begin the matches.
The booming voice echoed once again:
"According to the rules of the tournament, the first stage shall consist of elimination rounds.
"A total of 133 advanced soul master and soul engineer academies have registered. One academy has drawn a bye, meaning 66 matches will be held in this round. This stage is single-elimination—the losing side will be eliminated from the competition immediately.
"And now, the opening match is about to begin!
"Let us welcome the two competing teams: representing the Heavenly Spirit Advanced Soul Master Academy of the Douling Empire, and the unparalleled champions of the continent, holders of nearly every tournament title in the past millennium—Shrek Academy!"
As soon as the announcement ended, the crowd roared in unison:
"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
The atmosphere in the square was electrifying. Yet amidst the overwhelming enthusiasm, Zhu Ziyang was focused elsewhere—cheering on a teammate who was trembling from nerves.
That teammate was Huo Yuhao.
Yes—he would be taking the stage for this very first battle, and his role was crucial. Whether Shrek could establish its aura and dominance would depend on him.
"Brother Ziyang… Can I really do this?" Huo Yuhao asked, his voice uncertain.
Zhu Ziyang clapped his shoulder firmly. "Just follow the plan. Leave the rest to Nan Nan and Teacher Tang Ya."
"Nan Nan, Xiao Ya, you're the keys to this working. Good luck!" said Wang Yan, the team's instructor, his face grim. He had originally opposed Zhu Ziyang's strategy, but given that they only had three main team members, keeping the strength of the reserve squad hidden was a valid tactic.
Besides, if this plan worked, it could sow fear and doubt in other academies' minds—creating a psychological advantage later.
"Let's go!" Zhu Ziyang called out. He raised his hand, and the team responded, placing their palms together in a show of unity and strength.
Formation:
Frontline: Huo Yuhao
Midline: Jiang Nannan, Tang Ya
Rear Guard: Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, Wang Dong
The seven took the stage, facing the opposing team from Tianling Academy. Their expressions were unreadable—calm and composed.
Their lineup seemed strange and confusing. Not just their opponents, but even other academies and the emperor himself looked puzzled. What was Shrek Academy doing?
The referee signaled for both teams to approach the center of the platform.
Up close, the Tianling Academy students and the referee clearly felt the youth of Shrek's lineup. The referee was stunned. Tianling Academy was furious. Yet Shrek's team remained stone-faced.
The referee composed himself and announced:
"Elimination round. Full-team battle. Soul tools may be used, but no fixed-installation types or high-destruction devices. If one team surrenders, the other must stop attacking immediately. Understood?"
"Understood," replied Bei Bei coldly.
"Understood!" echoed Tianling's captain, a tall young man. But his gaze lingered on Shrek's group, his heart filled with unease. They look young—but this is Shrek. Aren't they known for producing monsters?
Yes—that's the power of reputation. Sometimes, your opponent imagines threats for you.
The referee nodded.
"Both teams, return to your starting positions. Wait for my signal. Anyone who releases their martial spirit before the start will be disqualified."
Shrek's team moved back. Their formation was clear:
1 (front), 2 (middle), 4 (rear).
Huo Yuhao stood in the vanguard, Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya behind him, then Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, and Wang Dong.
Tens of thousands of eyes focused on the small figure of Huo Yuhao.
He looked no more than thirteen or fourteen—and yet he stood at the head of Shrek's team. Why? What made him worthy?
Huo Yuhao could feel their stares, and his nerves surged. But when he remembered Zhu Ziyang's encouragement and Wang Yan's trust, his heart calmed.
"Yuhao, it's all you now," Tang Ya whispered from behind him.
"I understand," he replied, eyes gleaming with determination.
The protective dome activated, separating the stage from the outside world. The Tianling team assumed a traditional 3-2-1-1 formation, watching Shrek warily. Meanwhile, Shrek maintained their odd 1-2-4 setup—if Huo Yuhao were someone like Ma Xiaotao or Zhu Ziyang, this would be a textbook aggressive assault formation.
But he wasn't. Only the Shrek team knew the truth.
The referee glanced at both sides.
"Begin!"
The moment the word left his lips, all eyes locked on the stage.
The Tianling team reacted instantly—activating their martial spirits and soul rings: four Soul Ancestors, three Soul Elders. Respectable, but nothing outstanding.
Shrek's team, however, did nothing.
Instead, they all turned toward Huo Yuhao.
The audience was confused. Why weren't they releasing soul rings?
On the sidelines, Ma Xiaotao asked, "Do you think this plan will work?"
"I believe in Nan Nan," Zhu Ziyang replied with a calm smile.
Onstage, Huo Yuhao exhaled slowly, recalling Zhu Ziyang's guidance. Then—he moved.
A terrifying, indescribable aura exploded from him. Crimson light erupted, lighting up the platform like a divine beacon.
Suddenly, five red soul rings rose from his body.
Ten-thousand-year soul rings!
The overwhelming pressure pierced through the energy shield and slammed into the front rows of spectators—leaving many pale and breathless.
On the stage, the Tianling team stood frozen. Their spirits crumbled. Their minds broke under the unimaginable pressure. They couldn't move.
Now it was Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya's turn.
Tang Ya activated her third soul skill, Wrath of Life, from her millennium spirit grass soul ring. Its effect: a 50% boost to the power of one ally's soul skill.
It landed on Jiang Nannan—specifically, on her fifth soul skill.
Jiang Nannan didn't hold back. She activated all her buffs—first and third soul skills, and her Moonshadow Rabbit's soul bone technique. Her power surged.
She dashed forward, fourth soul ring gleaming. In a flash, she was upon the Tianling team.
Her fifth ring lit up.
She leapt into the air, a silver full moon appearing behind her, bathing her in ethereal light. She raised her left leg as a silvery flame wrapped around it—condensed moonlight glowing with violet radiance.
Then, the moonlight fused with her body—her figure transformed into a radiant spear, falling like a meteor toward the enemy team.
Boom—!
The explosion shook the entire arena.
The Tianling students snapped out of their stupor—but it was far too late.
All seven had been struck. All seven were injured. All seven were eliminated.
The match was over—in less than a minute.
The entire crowd erupted in disbelief. They hadn't even registered the soul ring reveal before the fight was done!
Only the other academy teams had managed to follow the action—and all were shaken. Whether it was Huo Yuhao's five red soul rings or Jiang Nannan's overwhelming kick, the message was clear:
Shrek Academy was terrifying.
"Referee," Huo Yuhao said coldly, "you can announce the result now."
"R-right!" the referee stammered. "Victory goes to Shrek Academy!"
Amid the chaos, Shrek's team didn't even pause to bask in the cheers. They left the stage coldly, met up with Zhu Ziyang, Wang Yan, and Ma Xiaotao, and exited the arena without watching another match.
Their aloof departure left the audience whispering in awe.
"This is Shrek Academy!"
Back at the hotel, the cold act was dropped.
"Hahaha! Yuhao, you looked so serious back there—I almost thought you were a hidden cold CEO type!" Tang Ya laughed.
"Please, Teacher Tang… I was dying inside!" Huo Yuhao said, exasperated.
"You did great," Zhu Ziyang said warmly, patting his shoulder. "You sold the illusion perfectly. We fooled everyone."
This was the plan he and Wang Yan had devised: use Shrek's terrifying reputation combined with Huo Yuhao's simulation ability to shake opponents mentally. Then let Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya finish the fight quickly—while keeping the rest of the team hidden.
The five red soul rings were simulated using Huo Yuhao's second soul skill—but the model was real. They belonged to Zhu Ziyang's Heavenly Frost Sacred White Dragon, and Yuhao had copied them.
As for Jiang Nannan's final blow—her Silver Moon Charge Kick, a devastating AoE attack, once defeated a 12,000-year-old soul beast in a single strike. With Tang Ya's 50% boost, it was more than enough.
After today, Huo Yuhao and Jiang Nannan would become subjects of intense scrutiny by rival schools.
And that was exactly what Zhu Ziyang and Wang Yan wanted.
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40 early chapters available on Patreon: [email protected]/facficmax10