In the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, aside from the Star Luo Empire securing one championship, Spirit Hall teams had claimed the other two titles—highlighting Star Luo's impressive strength and development of young soul masters.
Tournament Structure:
The Playoffs rankings (top 15) are determined separately in both empires.
Those rankings are crucial in the finals, which use an elimination bracket with "byes":
Round 1: Three top-seeded teams skip; remaining 30 compete.
Round 2: Seeded teams join 15 winners (18 total); top two from rankings skip this round.
Round 3: Only 10 teams left; again, the top two skip.
Round 4: Final six teams enter random bracket, no more byes—quarter/semi/final matches proceed accordingly.
The final Top 3 are decided via both team battles and single-elimination duels, with each school sending seven participants in a ladder-style face-off.
This format showcases both team synergy and individual talent, allowing organizers—Spirit Hall and Imperial Royals—to identify and recruit standout young soul masters.
Opening Ceremony in Heaven Dou City
The Heaven Dou Empire's local tournament opening was a grand celebration, captivating both soul-masters and civilians in Heaven Dou City.
Held at the renovated Heaven Dou Grand Soul Arena, upgraded over a month into a vast venue combining main and subsidiary arenas—capable of seating tens of thousands.
Tickets sold out weeks ago at premium prices, reflecting massive anticipation.
For soul masters, the opening is both a stage to showcase skill and a learning platform to spar with peers. For citizens, it's a spectacular celebration—a festive event filled with thrilling performances and cheering the teams.
Over 80,000 spectators packed the arena, igniting the city's atmosphere. Every hotel in Heaven Dou City was fully booked. The influx surged the population by 50%, turning the city into a bustling hub.
The government deployed 5,000 city-defense troops to maintain order, and the event brought substantial economic benefits—especially to the royal family.
Wujie Academy's Perspective:
Inside the team area, Oscar commented, "The crowd is huge—this is going to be an amazing event!"
The opening ceremony commenced, and all the academy teams entered one by one.
Teams wore distinctive uniforms, detailed with academy logos and adornments.
They marched in with confidence—each team presenting themselves as heroes.
But when Shrek Academy's team emerged wearing bright green uniforms with advertisements on the back, the crowd erupted in laughter:
"Look at that—green uniforms!"
"Ugliest team wear I've ever seen."
"They're from Shrek Academy?"
"An entire ad slapped on their backs—what a joke!"
"Shrek Academy? Never heard of them—how are they even allowed in this tournament?"
"They must be the joke team!"
Yun Yibai, alert to every mismatch, heard the mockery as the crowd whispered.
Through the entrance tunnel, he spotted the green-uniformed Shrek Academy team, already the object of scorn before competition even began.
Yun Yibai calmly studied the packed stands. His own Wujie Academy uniforms were deliberately simple and dignified—designed for practical performance rather than showmanship.
He reminded himself: on the battlefield, standing out brings both attention—and danger.
As the saying goes, "The bird that sticks its head out gets shot."
And so the stage is set: Shrek Academy has unintentionally drawn attention, and the tournament has truly begun.