Other than Nan Fusheng and Gu Yue, the remaining three returned to the dorms with bitter expressions. Life had to go on.
As for what it would be like tomorrow—facing Wu Zhangkong at the four-ring Soul Ancestor level, without Xu Xiaoyan's Starwheel Ice Chains—they could only take it one step at a time.
The intense cycle of studying and cultivation resumed with the new semester.
Xu Xiaoyan quickly integrated into the team. She was bright, cheerful, and very cooperative. Her lively and cute personality contrasted sharply with Gu Yue's reserved silence, balancing out the team dynamics.
But during the day, her strength was noticeably weaker, so she worked even harder to improve herself.
What left Nan Fusheng a little helpless was that this little girl kept sticking to him. He hadn't even taken the Parasite potion yet, so why was Xu Xiaoyan already this enthusiastic? Was the charm of "hero saving the damsel" really that strong?
Fortunately, she didn't delay her studies or training. Her talent was outstanding—within just one month, she had advanced to rank 18 soul power.
Meanwhile, Tang Wulin, the team captain, was still stuck at rank 16, unable to break through to 17. No matter how strong the Xuan Tian Gong was, his Blue Silver Grass martial soul dragged down his cultivation speed.
"Tomorrow, we set out for Skysea City." Wu Zhangkong addressed the five students, then added, "Class dismissed. Tang Wulin, stay."
Skysea City? The largest city on the Eastern Sea coast?
The five exchanged glances. Xie Xie couldn't hold back and asked:
"Teacher Wu, are we going there to spectate the Skysea Alliance Tournament?"
Wu Zhangkong gave him a cold glance.
"To participate, not spectate."
Participate?
That single word made Xie Xie's eyes widen in disbelief. They were going to compete in the Skysea Alliance Tournament?
Nan Fusheng raised his hand. Wu Zhangkong looked at him and said, "Speak."
"Teacher Wu, what kind of event are we entering?"
Wu Zhangkong replied:
"The youth division, three-man team battle. The Skysea Alliance Tournament is massive, with many categories. The soul master events are the most prominent—individual battles and team battles.
Team battles are further split into three-man, five-man, and seven-man formats. Of these, the seven-man battle draws the most attention.
You will be entering the three-man division. Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan will be substitutes. The three of you,"—he nodded at Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Nan Fusheng—"will be the main lineup.
Tang Wulin, as captain, also has to participate in the forging competition. Therefore, as vice-captain, Nan Fusheng, you must think carefully about how to achieve good results in the team battle. Your goal is the championship."
After that, Wu Zhangkong waved his hand, dismissing Nan Fusheng, Xie Xie, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan, leaving only Tang Wulin behind.
Truthfully, he still felt some regret. If Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi were still here, combined with Xu Xiaoyan, Nan Fusheng, Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie, they could have formed a seven-man squad and entered the premier team event.
The seven-man battle was the crown jewel of soul master tournaments. It best showcased teamwork, trust, and the commanding ability of a main control soul master.
More importantly, the legendary Shrek Seven Monsters were a team of seven.
According to history, the first generation Shrek Seven Monsters, relying on talent and strength, had defeated the evil Spirit Hall's team twenty thousand years ago—ushering in Shrek Academy's rise to fame.
Ten thousand years later, the second generation faced the Sun Moon Empire's Sun Moon Battle Team. Despite a huge gap in age and cultivation, they triumphed, defending Shrek's honor and solidifying its position.
Because of this, the seven-man team event had always held a special significance on the Douluo Continent.
But sadly, these children were still too young—and too few. Wu Zhangkong's eyes dimmed slightly at the thought.
Meanwhile, Nan Fusheng and the others didn't immediately return to their rooms but waited for Tang Wulin outside the dormitory. Soon, Tang Wulin came back.
"Well? What did he say?"
Facing their curious looks, Tang Wulin explained:
"Teacher Wu just told me that while participating in the forging competition, I should also pay attention to my condition and not let it hold me back.
Oh, right—he also said that in this tournament, reaching the top 16 in the team event earns a substantial prize. In the individual battles, making it to the top 32 also gives prize money. I'll be competing in the individual event. What about you guys?"
"I'll do the individual battles too," Gu Yue said seriously.
"Me too!" Xie Xie declared proudly.
Xu Xiaoyan shook her head. "Not me. It's not at night. Even if it were, I wouldn't have much of a chance. I'll stick with the team battle and support you all."
Nan Fusheng nodded. "I'll enter as well."
Xie Xie chuckled. "Hey, do you think if we win the championship, Shrek Academy might send us an invitation to join?"
Nan Fusheng rolled his eyes. "Dream on. Even if we win, it's just the youth division three-man team champion, the least remarkable category.
If joining Shrek were that easy, their enrollment would double every year."
Xu Xiaoyan agreed:
"Yeah, Shrek Academy is beyond anything you can measure with common sense. They say the number of inner court students has never exceeded a hundred.
And every single inner court disciple is an absolute monster. That place, being called a 'dragon's pool and tiger's den', isn't an exaggeration.
I've even heard that the Federation President personally travels to Shrek City twice a year just to meet the Academy Dean.
If Shrek Academy didn't maintain strict neutrality in the conflicts among the three continents, do you think the Star Luo and Heaven Dou continents would still exist today?"
Tang Wulin was stunned. "Shrek Academy is really that powerful?"
Xu Xiaoyan nodded earnestly.
"Yes. My family told me—it's on a completely different level from our world.
Shrek Academy holds open enrollment once every three years. Each time, over a thousand youths qualify to apply, but the number admitted to the outer court rarely exceeds a hundred. Sometimes, it's just twenty or thirty.
And of those, fewer than one in ten ever make it into the inner court. That's how terrifyingly high their standards are."
Nan Fusheng looked at the shocked Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, shaking his head inwardly.
How could Shrek not be powerful? With the Golden Ancient Tree siphoning resources from the entire continent, it bled everyone dry. Every three years, it recruited geniuses—those with talent but no background were absorbed directly, while those with both talent and backing became powerful allies.
After ten thousand years of this cycle, how could Shrek not grow monstrously strong?
As for its so-called neutrality? A joke. If not for Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect acting as a deterrent, the Federation would have long since conquered the other two continents.