After learning about the soul skills of Bei Bei and the other three, Wang Yan began planning the strategy for the round-robin stage of the tournament.
"I've already mentioned that the second stage will use three types of match formats," Wang Yan began. "Each round, the battle format will be drawn randomly. No two rounds are guaranteed to be the same."
"There are 67 academies in total, divided into eight groups. Five groups have eight teams each; the remaining three have nine. Each group will have a single round-robin. A win earns 2 points, a draw 1, and a loss 0. The top two teams from each group will advance to the third stage: the finals."
"Based on our outstanding performance in the elimination round—and in keeping with past tournament tradition—Shrek Academy should be placed in Group 1, with eight teams total. That means we'll play seven matches in this stage."
"Also, as usual, we'll be opening the round-robin stage. Our opponent will be revealed once we arrive at the venue tomorrow. This phase should last about half a month, so I hope all of you are mentally prepared for a grueling schedule."
"Yes, Teacher Wang!" everyone responded in unison.
Wang Yan continued, "Now, about tomorrow's match—I believe it's best if Yuhao doesn't fight. His performance in the opening match was too eye-catching. Those five hundred-thousand-year soul rings will no doubt attract obsessive scrutiny from the other academies."
"Even if we can't hide the truth forever, it's best to delay the reveal and maintain the mystery as long as possible."
"I agree," Zhu Ziyang nodded. "If the drawn format is a solo battle, I suggest sending either Sister Xiaotao or myself. That way, we expose fewer of our team members."
"Exactly what I was thinking," Wang Yan said. "The solo format works like a gauntlet—one fighter keeps going until they're defeated. That kind of match favors higher-level soul masters. With Xiaotao or Ziyang's strength, we might be able to sweep all seven opponents."
"If it's a team battle, Yuhao can take the field. His cultivation may be low, but his Spiritual Detection Sharing makes him an excellent battlefield commander."
"These two formats are manageable. What we really need to prepare for is the 2v2 and 3v3 coordination match. That format includes three fights—two 2v2 matches and one 3v3. It's best two out of three. This mode will inevitably reveal parts of our true strength."
"So, here's the plan:
Ma Xiaotao and Bei Bei will pair up.
Zhu Ziyang and Xu Sanshi will form another team.
Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya will be the third pair.
Our goal is to win the two 2v2 matches and avoid having to play the 3v3 altogether."
"But teacher," Wang Dong raised a concern, "what if we lose one of the 2v2 matches?"
"Wang Dong," said a voice before Wang Yan could answer.
It was Ma Xiaotao. She turned her head toward Wang Dong with a smile, one that radiated confidence—but also carried a faint sense of threat.
"Which one of us do you think would lose?" she asked sweetly.
"Uhh… Sister Xiaotao, I was just speaking hypothetically!" Wang Dong laughed nervously.
"There's no 'if'!" Ma Xiaotao said decisively.
Still, Wang Yan remained cautious. "If it really comes down to a 3v3 match, we'll send whichever core team member hasn't appeared yet, paired with Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong."
"Ah?! I have to go on stage?" Xiao Xiao said in alarm. "What if I get too nervous?"
"Don't worry, Xiao Xiao," said Huo Yuhao, smiling encouragingly. "You need to have faith in Big Brother Ziyang and the others! And besides, the odds of you and Wang Dong being selected are only one in nine. No need to panic."
"O-okay!" she nodded, somewhat reassured.
"Alright, that concludes our battle planning for now. It's getting late—everyone go rest and adjust to your best condition!" Wang Yan ordered. "Meeting adjourned!"
Fourth day of the tournament. Early morning.
Star Luo Plaza was packed with excited spectators. On the imperial city tower, Emperor Xu Jiawei appeared once again. In the rest areas below, even academies that weren't scheduled to fight today had gathered to watch.
Today's first match once again featured Shrek Academy. Their stunning debut still lingered in everyone's minds—especially that mysterious boy with five hundred-thousand-year soul rings, and the striking girl who fought like a valkyrie.
The audience waited with bated breath, hoping to see another miracle. Most of all, they wanted to see that boy again—to behold the dazzling glow of those legendary red rings.
"Your Majesty," the empress asked gently, "do you think Shrek Academy will send that boy with the five ten-thousand-year soul rings today?"
"Hard to say," Xu Jiawei mused. "That boy—if I remember right, his name is Huo Yuhao—I suspect those soul rings were just for show. Probably some clever trick. Even so, the fact that he's leading Shrek's team means he's worth paying attention to."
"Besides… he's one of our own—a citizen of the Star Luo Empire."
"He's from our empire?!" the empress gasped, her eyes lighting up. "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
Xu Jiawei looked puzzled. "Why would you congratulate me?"
"Well," the empress explained, "if a young prodigy like Huo Yuhao is from your realm, surely he'll serve you, his emperor, one day!"
Xu Jiawei gave a weary sigh. "Ah, Zitong… you don't understand. If that were true, I'd be overjoyed. But Yuhao is representing Shrek Academy now. That means he's almost certain to join their inner court—and once he's in there, he won't be a citizen of the Star Luo Empire anymore."
"…What?!" The empress was shocked. "How could that be?"
Meanwhile, in the rest area, discussions about Shrek Academy were just as intense—especially at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy camp.
"Big Brother, do you think Huo Yuhao will fight again today?" asked a beautiful young girl with a curious expression.
It was Meng Hongchen, younger sister of Xiao Hongchen.
"Hard to say," Xiao Hongchen replied darkly. "But I hope he does. I want to know if he's the real deal or just a fraud. I won't allow anyone to be more brilliant than me!"
"Heh," sneered a nearby voice. It was Ma Rulong, captain of the Sun Moon team. "Forget Huo Yuhao. Even if he's faking, that Jiang Nannan is more than enough for you to worry about. She's only fifteen—and already a Soul King. A real Soul King, too. I'd like to see how you plan to beat her next time."
Xiao Hongchen's face darkened at Ma Rulong's taunt. He wanted to argue back, but Meng Hongchen tugged his sleeve and said quietly, "Brother, look. Shrek's here."
Everyone turned toward the entrance, where a group of students in dark green uniforms had just arrived. Leading them was none other than Huo Yuhao himself.
Despite Jiang Nannan's strength, Xiao Hongchen still regarded Yuhao as the greater threat. Somehow, deep in his heart, he felt that this boy might become his greatest inner demon.
As Shrek Academy took their seats in the deluxe rest area, the audience erupted into wild cheers, shouting their name over and over until the team was fully settled.
Sitting comfortably in the luxurious seating, Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
This is what it means to have the hearts of the people on your side… And where the people's hearts lie, so too does fate. Great things can be achieved!
On the central platform, the host began warming up the crowd.
First, he announced the list of teams that had passed the elimination round. Then he revealed the group divisions. Finally, he raised his voice and declared:
"Now, let us welcome the Number One Academy on the Continent—Shrek Academy, and their opponents, the Yunluo Advanced Soul Engineering Academy of the Star Luo Empire! Please proceed to the contestant waiting area!"
"Team captains, please come forward to determine the match format!"
Ma Xiaotao instinctively stood up—but was immediately stopped by Wang Yan. Instead, he sent the reserve team captain, Bei Bei, to the stage.
Yunluo Academy's captain was a tall, burly young man, about the same size as He Caitou. The two captains stood on either side of the draw device, which the referee brought forward.
After inspecting it, both captains grabbed the device and flung it skyward.
A small yellow sphere fell first—signifying a one-on-one elimination battle.
The referee caught the ball and confirmed the result with both teams and with the emperor. Then he announced loudly,
"Shrek Academy versus Yunluo Academy—individual knockout battle format! Both teams, send out your first fighter!"
The audience gasped with excitement.
Spectators were thrilled: We'll get to see Huo Yuhao again!
Competing teams were alert: This is our chance to study Shrek's real strength.
"I'll go!" Ma Xiaotao said the moment Bei Bei returned to the team.
"No," Wang Yan and Zhu Ziyang said simultaneously.
"Send Jiang Nannan," Wang Yan instructed calmly.
"Why?" Ma Xiaotao protested, frowning.
Wang Yan explained, "Among the four nations, only the Sun Moon Empire truly excels in soul tool development. The other three are about the same. Yunluo Academy is from Star Luo, so they likely don't have any Soul Kings, maybe not even many Soul Ancestors."
"Against soul engineers, an agility-type attacker like Nannan is more effective than a direct powerhouse."
"He's right, Sister Xiaotao," said Zhu Ziyang. "Sending you would be overkill. Let's save your strength. Let Nannan handle this one—it'll also help us keep one more trump card hidden."
"…Fine." Ma Xiaotao nodded reluctantly.
Zhu Ziyang turned to Jiang Nannan. "Ready to take out all seven?"
Jiang Nannan smiled confidently. "Leave it to me."
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