Zhu Ziyang's firm declaration filled everyone with confidence. Even Wang Yan couldn't help but smile as he said, "Very well. Now, let me explain the rules of the third stage."
"There are four rounds in the third stage: Top 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final. The rules for the first three rounds are the same. Only the Final uses a different format."
"I'll start with the first three rounds. For the Final, we'll talk later."
"In this stage, there's no more random draw for formats. Every match follows the same two-part structure: team battle and individual battle. Each match spans two days. On the first day, a 7-vs-7 team battle is held. But this match doesn't determine advancement—its purpose is purely for spectacle."
"The real decider is the individual battle on the second day. The results from day one only affect the win condition. If your team loses the team match, you can still qualify by having up to three of your members defeat all seven from the opposing team. If your team wins the team match, then you only need to defeat three opponents in the individual battle to advance."
"So complicated…" muttered Wang Dong, visibly annoyed. "So the team match is just for show? What's the point—are we just monkeys dancing for the crowd?"
"Er…" Wang Yan hesitated, clearly caught off guard. "Well, I don't fully agree either… but that's the reality. The Soul Master Tournament is as much about entertainment as it is competition. It's about public approval and prestige."
"Teacher Wang," Bei Bei asked, "what's your plan for our match against Battle Spirit Academy?"
"I was thinking," Wang Yan began, glancing at Zhu Ziyang, "for the team battle, we'll send out Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao. Ziyang leads the offense, Yuhao handles control. For the individual battle, we'll focus on Ma Xiaotao as our lead, with Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, and Tang Ya as backups."
His arrangement seemed balanced, covering all key areas. But Zhu Ziyang frowned and said bluntly, "Teacher Wang, there's no need for all that. Just let me handle the team battle alone. I said I'd fight—and I meant it."
"…Huh?" Wang Yan blinked in shock. That didn't sound like the calm and thoughtful Ziyang he'd come to know.
"Whoa! Ziyang, are you really that bold?" the others gasped. Tang Ya exclaimed, "They've got five Soul Kings on their side! Don't push yourself too hard!"
"I think it's worth a try," Wang Yan muttered hesitantly.
But Ma Xiaotao spoke up with absolute certainty. "If it's Ziyang, five Soul Kings is nothing. Even five Soul Emperors would be no big deal. He's the top genius of Shrek's inner court. Trust him."
With Xiaotao's support, Wang Yan recalled Elder Lin's words and finally gave in. "Very well. The team battle will be yours alone, Ziyang. But don't overextend yourself. The individual match is what really matters."
"Don't worry," Ziyang replied calmly. "I know what I'm doing."
Just then, a knock echoed through the conference room.
Wang Yan frowned. "Didn't I tell the staff not to disturb us?"
A gentle woman's voice came from outside. "Apologies for the interruption. I'm not hotel staff—I'm from the Starlight Auction House."
Starlight Auction? The name sounded familiar. Bei Bei, who was closest to the door, looked to Wang Yan for confirmation. At Wang's nod, he opened it.
Standing there was a graceful and mature woman, around twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old. To their surprise, it was Qing Ya, the auctioneer they'd met at the soul tool auction the other day.
Her eyes locked onto Wang Yan immediately. She smiled and offered a polite bow. "Good evening, Teacher Wang. I apologize for disturbing you all."
Wang Yan didn't expect it to be her. Though slightly displeased by the intrusion, he remained courteous. "Do you need something, Miss Qing Ya? And how did you find us?"
Qing Ya smiled apologetically. "When you paid for the auction items, you used Shrek Academy's account. That made it easy to guess your identities. Shrek's reputation is… well, unforgettable. With just a bit of asking around, we were able to locate you."
"We're hosting a top-tier auction tonight. These kinds of events happen only once or twice a year and are by invitation only. Last time, we didn't know who you were and may have shown some negligence. As an apology, our boss asked me to deliver VIP invitations personally. If you're free this evening, we would be honored by your presence. I guarantee there will be plenty worth your attention."
She placed a stack of golden-edged invitation cards on the table, bowed again, and exited gracefully.
As the door closed behind her, Wang Yan squinted at the stack of eleven exquisite invitations.
"Impressive," he muttered. "Not one missing. And she even got through the Star Luo Empire's security around the hotel to deliver them. That's some serious influence."
"Heh, that's not surprising," Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "In Star Luo City, any place with 'star' in the name is likely connected to the royal family. If she could bypass security, it means this invitation didn't come from the auction house's owner, but rather… from the royal court itself."
"Ziyang's right," said a sudden voice.
An old woman appeared in the room—but no one was surprised.
It was Elder Lin.
The pre-selection team had already been informed of her arrival, so they greeted her respectfully.
Elder Lin continued, "The Starlight Auction House is backed by a prince from the royal family—a direct uncle of Emperor Xu Jiawei himself. He's firmly in the imperial faction. This invitation must have been sent on the emperor's orders."
"In that case… should we go, Elder Lin?" Wang Yan asked.
"Of course we're going!" Elder Lin replied without hesitation. "They've already delivered the invitations to our door. It would be rude not to attend."
"Yay!" The students immediately cheered. The youngest—Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao—even shouted, "Long live Elder Lin!"
Elder Lin smiled kindly. "It'll be a good opportunity for you all to broaden your horizons. Besides, you've worked hard lately. A little relaxation won't hurt."
The decision made, everyone returned to their rooms to change clothes. After dinner, they followed Wang Yan to the Starlight Auction House.
To their surprise, Qing Ya was already waiting at the entrance.
Wearing an elegant black gown, she looked even more graceful under the lamplight. A gentle smile lit up her face as she greeted them.
Wang Yan nodded, "Good evening, Miss Qing Ya. We meet again."
Qing Ya smiled brightly. "Welcome, honored guests."
"You seemed certain we'd come," Wang Yan noted.
Qing Ya shook her head. "I wasn't sure. But my assignment was to welcome you. Whether you came or not, I would've waited here until the auction began."
"Please, this way."
With a soft smile, she turned and led them forward, her every movement radiating elegance and charm.
Under Qing Ya's guidance, they walked past the previous auction hall, continuing deeper into the building. Two young women in golden gowns greeted them and directed them toward a hidden corridor.
This new hallway was different from the opulent gold of the outer chambers. Here, everything glowed with a soft white luster—walls, floor, and ceiling were made of smooth jade stone, exuding a quiet, refined elegance.
"This is our Hall One, reserved for only the most distinguished guests," Qing Ya explained softly. "I'm only here today because I was assigned to your group. Normally, someone of my rank wouldn't even be allowed in this hall."
Everyone nodded in understanding.
Finally, they were ushered into VIP Room Seven in Hall One, where the real auction was about to begin.
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