Not only the spectators, but even the nobles seated in the VIP area burst into laughter after seeing the Shrek Academy team. In their eyes, such clownish behavior couldn't possibly lead to any real accomplishments.
Of course, being in the center of attention, the members of Shrek Academy all hung their heads low, pulling their cloaks tightly in hopes of covering themselves more.
Initially, the Shrek team had wanted to wear masks to hide part of their faces, but that cunning businessman Flender would never allow that.
Still, there were always exceptions at the scene—such as Shrek's principal himself, Flender.
"All of you, chin up, shoulders back! I worked hard to get these advertisements, so smile! Remember—smile!" Flender called out to them.
Even the announcer on-site couldn't help but chuckle and mutter,
"The Shrek Academy team is… certainly unique."
He glanced at the team's submitted slogan and blinked in confusion.
"The motto says… 'If you're buying ad space, choose the championship team'?"
"'Shrek Academy ads—fresh, eye-catching, and widely spread'?"
"'For inquiries, contact Principal Flender of Shrek Academy'?"
He muttered under his breath, forgetting the microphone in front of him was still on.
Laughter erupted again.
"What the hell kind of nonsense is that?"
"This kind of academy wants to win the championship? I'm dying!"
"My stomach hurts—this is hilarious."
Meanwhile, the Heaven Dou Royal Team, as one of the seeded teams directly advancing to the finals, stood watching calmly.
Yu Tianheng shook his head and sighed,
"Unbelievable… It's only been half a year, and they've turned into this."
Oslo added, "Are they really the same people from Shrek?"
Yu Tianheng frowned, holding his forehead.
"When we leave, don't tell anyone we know them."
He still felt it was a pity that Shrek had left the Heaven Dou Imperial Advanced Soul Master Academy. While many students there had rejected Shrek because of their low status, that wasn't the primary reason for their departure.
The true reason was that Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang and Principal Flender left with Tang San and the others—because they had gained power and opportunities through "fortuitous encounters." With that strength, Yu Xiaogang no longer wanted Shrek to serve as a mere backdrop for Heaven Dou's elites.
At Heaven Dou Academy, Shrek wasn't even allowed to form their own team for the elite tournament.
Team One, led by Yu Tianheng, consisted mostly of level 40+ Soul Elders—already strong enough for a Top 3 placement.
As for Team Two, it was basically reserved for nobles and powerful family children—filled with "planted positions."
This wasn't written in any regulation—it was just the default system since the Academy's founding. Heaven Dou's imperial rule wasn't supported by the Xue Family alone, but by a coalition of noble houses. To keep these houses loyal, the royal family had to give them something in return.
Thus, Shrek left for Blue Tyrant Academy, which was willingly handed over by Liu Erlong—who was more interested in spending time with her love, Yu Xiaogang.
"Hey, how come the Blue Tyrant Academy hasn't entered yet?" Yu Tianheng looked around, confused. He hadn't seen Yun Yibai.
"Uh… boss, have you been training that hard? Haven't you heard what's been going on? Shrek is the Blue Tyrant Academy now," Oslo said, half laughing.
It wasn't really Yu Tianheng's fault. With Yun Yibai pushing hard in training, and Dugu Yan gone, he had poured all his focus into cultivation.
As the direct heir to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Tianheng couldn't let himself fall behind—not in identity, nor in pride as a man.
And outside of Yun Yibai, there was still Yu Tianxin of Thunderclap Academy. He couldn't lose to either of them.
"Wait, Shrek is Blue Tyrant?" Yu Tianheng blinked.
"Then where are Yun Yibai and the others?"
Before he could finish his thought, the announcer declared:
"Now, let us welcome the final participating team in today's procession—Wujie Academy!"
As the words fell, Yun Yibai led the Wujie team of ten into the arena.
Their uniforms weren't dazzling, but they were clean and refined. The gray-white outfits gave off a calm and composed energy.
"That guy… It's Yun Yibai!" Yu Tianheng's sharp eyes locked on immediately.
"Wait a second… that's Feng Xiaotian?! When did he end up with him?!"
Shock spread through the crowd.
Everyone who recognized Feng Xiaotian—former top talent of Godwind Academy—was stunned to see him among Wujie Academy's lineup.
"No wonder I didn't see Feng Xiaotian in Godwind Academy's team… he switched to this Wujie place?" Huo Wushuang frowned, deeply unsettled.
Huo Wu stared at Feng Xiaotian, her expression complicated and unreadable.
Meanwhile, Yu Tianxin narrowed his eyes—not at Feng Xiaotian, but at Yun Yibai.
He was extremely curious about how Yun Yibai had managed to recruit someone like Feng Xiaotian from Godwind Academy. He was known to be a natural talent with full innate soul power—one of their best seeds!
"Those two ended up on the same team?" In the Tianshui Academy team, Xue Wu grew serious. She still remembered the duel between Feng Xiaotian and Yun Yibai at their city's Grand Dou Spirit Arena years ago. Neither was ordinary.
"Hmph." In the Elephant Armored Academy, Hu Yanli snorted dismissively. Even though Feng Xiaotian was there, he still sneered at Wujie Academy.
He had received a powerful artifact from someone above. With that, he believed he had nothing to fear. That gift gave him the confidence to look down on anyone.