Three days after the Sea God's Fate Matchmaking Assembly, everything returned to normal.
With about half a year left until the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament, and considering that the Shrek Preliminaries' Bei Bei team would represent Tang Sect in the competition, Zhu Ziyang needed to form a new team for Shrek's participation.
First, the core team members were already decided: Jiang Nannan, Qian Lingyi, Wu Huan'er, and himself. Although he didn't plan to compete, under Xuanzizi's suggestion, he still occupied a spot on the team. So, they still needed to select three core team members from the inner academy disciples.
Secondly, the preliminary team members had to be selected. Although the current Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament was likely to be the only one in the next ten or even twenty years, it was better to prepare for the future. The preliminary team members would naturally be selected from the outer academy, with an ideal age of fifteen or younger.
Finally, there wasn't much left to decide. For now, there were only these two tasks: selecting the core team members, which Zhu Ziyang needed to handle, and the preliminary team members, who would be selected by Xuanzizi.
At the inner academy's training grounds, the disciples who met the participation requirements had been notified and had already been waiting there. There were six of them: Zhou Tianhe, Chu Hua, Dai Huabin, Ning Tian, Xie Huanyue, and Wu Feng. Zhou Tianhe and Chu Hua were from Zhu Ziyang's cohort, while Dai Huabin, Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and Xie Huanyue were from Huo Yuhao's cohort.
Soon, Zhu Ziyang arrived with Jiang Nannan and the other three girls. He immediately got to the point and said, "I'm sure you've already been informed why the academy called you here. I only need three spots, or rather, to be exact, I only need one spot."
Zhu Ziyang's words caused some stir among the six, as they had been told by Xian Lin'er that the team representing Shrek Academy in the Soul Master Tournament would require three members. Yet, Zhu Ziyang was saying he only needed one, which was clearly different from what they expected.
However, no one dared question Zhu Ziyang. After all, after his demonstration of power during the Sea God's Fate Matchmaking Assembly, his strength was undeniable.
"A complete team requires a variety of Soul Masters. We already have assault-type and agility-type Soul Masters, so what we need now is a support-type Soul Master and a control-type Soul Master," Zhu Ziyang said calmly, ignoring the murmurs among the group. "Fortunately, among you six, there is exactly one support-type Soul Master and one control-type Soul Master."
Upon hearing this, Ning Tian and Chu Hua both showed a hint of joy on their faces. Ning Tian, being the owner of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tower martial soul, was the natural choice for the support-type Soul Master. Chu Hua, on the other hand, was the only control-type Soul Master among them, and as a Soul Emperor, she certainly needed to claim one spot, which was why Zhu Ziyang said he actually only needed one spot.
"Ning Tian, Chu Hua, from today onward, you two will be part of Shrek Academy's core team. Stand behind me!" Zhu Ziyang commanded.
"Yes!" Ning Tian immediately nodded and stepped behind Zhu Ziyang, standing beside Wu Huan'er.
Chu Hua, after briefly glancing at Zhou Tianhe, who gave her a confident smile, also walked to stand behind Zhu Ziyang, settling beside Jiang Nannan.
She and Jiang Nannan could be considered friends, as before Jiang Nannan joined the inner academy, she had served as the class monitor. After Jiang Nannan joined the inner academy, the class monitor position had gone to Bei Bei.
"The final spot is not mandatory, but only one of you four can stay," Zhu Ziyang looked at the remaining four and said. "We'll settle this with a battle. It will be one-on-one, the winner stays, and the loser is out. Fair, just, and open!"
Zhu Ziyang then took four numbered slips of paper and threw them into the air. The four disciples immediately rushed to grab them, with the defensive-type Soul Master, Xie Huanyue, choosing not to compete, as she knew everyone would get a slip, so there was no need to fight for it.
Soon, the matchups were determined: Zhou Tianhe vs. Dai Huabin, Wu Feng vs. Xie Huanyue.
"Nannan, who do you think will take the last spot?" Qian Lingyi leaned close to Jiang Nannan, whispering.
"I think Zhou Tianhe has the higher chance. After all, he's a Soul Emperor, and his soul power is almost at level 64," Jiang Nannan replied. Her gaze shifted to Chu Hua, "By the way, Chu Hua, when did you two get together?"
"After entering the inner academy," Chu Hua smiled, replying openly. "Class monitor, you know this. Our cohort only had a few of us join the inner academy—except for you and Zhu Ziyang, the rest of us, like Tang Ya, Bei Bei, and Xu Sanshi, all entered after our fourth year. The only ones from our cohort who joined the inner academy right after our graduation were me, Ah He, and Xue Weiwei."
"So, you two got together, huh?" Jiang Nannan smiled knowingly.
"Yeah." Chu Hua nodded, adding, "Honestly, I liked him long ago, but this guy is so thick-headed. He made me take the initiative. It was really frustrating!"
"Haha, I knew it!" Jiang Nannan laughed, not at all surprised by Chu Hua's confession.
After all, Zhou Tianhe was quite outstanding. In past years, he would have been the best of any class. Both his talent and looks were exceptional. However, he was rather slow when it came to relationships. If he weren't so oblivious, Chu Hua wouldn't have had to take the initiative. Back in the outer academy, Zhou Tianhe had two girls following him around—Su Li and Yang Yumeng. Unfortunately, neither of them chose to stay at the academy. Had they stayed, their talents would have easily allowed them to enter the inner academy.
As the girls chatted, the battles began.
First up was the fight between Dai Huabin and Zhou Tianhe, a battle between assault-type Soul Masters. Dai Huabin, a Soul King of level 57, wielded the White Tiger martial soul, while Zhou Tianhe, a level 63 Soul Emperor, wielded the Wild Giant Ape martial soul. Both were power-based Soul Masters, so the battle quickly escalated into a fierce clash of raw strength.
Dai Huabin immediately activated his three powerful enhancement soul skills, his body swelling as his muscles bulged and veins popped. Zhou Tianhe, similarly, activated all his enhancement skills, with his first soul skill, Wild Soul, his third soul skill, Giant Ape Fury, and his sixth soul skill, Ape God Transformation, causing his body to expand to five meters tall, with his arms resembling massive tree trunks.
The two collided in a brutal clash, with Zhou Tianhe clearly gaining the upper hand due to his superior soul power and experience. Dai Huabin, despite his best efforts, couldn't overcome the difference in power, and Zhou Tianhe ultimately won with his second soul skill, Giant Ape Slam.
Next, Wu Feng faced off against Xie Huanyue, both of whom were Soul Kings. Wu Feng, with her fiery dragon martial soul, easily defeated Xie Huanyue, who was more of a defensive-type Soul Master.
With that, the final showdown came between Zhou Tianhe and Wu Feng.
Zhu Ziyang wasted no time. The two combatants stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a tense gaze.
Zhou Tianhe silently thought, For Chu Hua.
Wu Feng also whispered to herself, For Ning Tian!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are 40 early chapters available on Patreo
[email protected]/facficmax10