Fight! Fight! Fight!
At first, it was just a few scattered voices, but in the blink of an eye, it turned into a tidal wave, sweeping across the stands like a tsunami. The entire stadium erupted as the audience began chanting with passion:
"Another match! Another match!"
Standing beneath the stage, Shen Yi's expression grew increasingly dark. As the teacher leading the Shrek Academy team to the Skysea Alliance tournament, she was no fool.
She could see through the ploy. That Skysea Alliance executive had deliberately fanned the flames. His intention was obvious—he wanted Shrek Academy to fight another round.
But why? Shen Yi frowned. From her knowledge, the team that had just fought should have been the strongest the Skysea Alliance could field. How could another team suddenly appear out of nowhere?
Could it be they wanted to bring in the champions from two years ago? But that would mean facing opponents more than ten years older than her students.
This smelled of a trap. Whatever the Skysea Alliance was planning, it was nothing good.
With that thought, Shen Yi stepped directly onto the stage, her voice cold:
"Respected host of the Skysea Alliance Tournament—this is not what we agreed upon. Weren't we supposed to fight only one match?"
The host smiled politely and clasped his hands. "You must be Teacher Shen Yi of Shrek Academy. Greetings. I am Zhang Sanfeng, one of the organizers of this tournament."
"Originally, yes, the exhibition match was meant to end here. But just moments ago, the captain of a certain team came to me personally, requesting the chance to test themselves against Shrek Academy. He wanted to see if Shrek is truly as strong as the legends say."
"I wanted to decline, of course. But the captain was so insistent, his determination so firm… I did not wish to trample upon a young man's heart. So I had no choice but to make this arrangement."
His words were calm, measured, and even tinged with reason. He turned Shen Yi's protest into a situation where refusing would seem unfair, even cruel.
"Of course," Zhang Sanfeng added smoothly, "if Teacher Shen Yi and the talented students of Shrek Academy are unwilling, you can always refuse."
Shen Yi's face darkened. Refuse? In front of this crowd? If she rejected the challenge now, wouldn't that make it seem as though Shrek Academy was afraid?
That would tarnish the Academy's thousand-year honor.
But accepting… what if this was a trap?
"Teacher Shen Yi, please rest assured," Zhang Sanfeng said again, "the team about to challenge you is of the same age group as your Shrek students."
"And I believe the audience will remember their name. They are none other than the champions of the last Skysea Alliance Tournament in the youth division, the Sea Dragon Team."
The crowd erupted immediately, chanting in waves:
"Another match! Another match!"
"Sea Dragon Team! Sea Dragon Team!"
"Shrek Academy is invincible!"
"…ahhh, I'm so excited!"
Mixed into the cheers were even some questionable shouts, but the momentum was undeniable.
Hearing this, Shen Yi hesitated less. Among peers, Shrek's students were nearly unrivaled. Just then, a steady hand rested on her shoulder.
It was Yuan Tingyue, the Shrek captain. The young man's voice was calm and confident:
"Teacher Shen, don't worry. Among those our age, there are very few who can compare with us. We are monsters—monsters of Shrek Academy."
"Exactly! Let's show them what Shrek is made of."
"Don't worry, Teacher. That so-called Sea Dragon Team? We'll crush them in minutes."
"Probably just some small fry anyway. Teacher, let us go. We barely even used our strength in the last match. With a fresh set of punching bags ready, why waste the chance?"
The Shrek students surrounded Shen Yi, each one brimming with confidence, even arrogance. They were, after all, disciples of the Monster Academy.
Shen Yi glared at them, though her lips twitched with the hint of a smile. "Don't underestimate your opponents. Remember—there's always someone stronger out there. Arrogance will only make you stumble."
Still, her heart eased. She looked at Zhang Sanfeng and the crowd, then declared:
"Very well. Since you all insist on another round, Shrek Academy will accompany you to the end. But—allow my students some time to adjust their state."
"Of course, of course," Zhang Sanfeng said warmly. "Teacher Shen, rest assured, this will be the final match. And afterward, all expenses incurred by Shrek Academy during this tournament will be covered by me."
"That won't be necessary." Shen Yi shook her head, though her expression had softened. At least the Skysea Alliance seemed to know where to draw the line.
The previous battle hadn't consumed much of Shrek's strength anyway. And with a Soul Emperor healer brought in to restore them, her students quickly recovered to peak condition.
Once the stage was clear, the referee returned to the center.
"Next, let us welcome the champions of the previous Skysea Alliance youth division, the seven-man team competition winners—Sea Dragon Team!"
Through the tunnel, Nan Fusheng walked at the head of his six teammates. Their steps were steady, their demeanor calm, not a hint of fear despite facing the legendary Monster Academy.
The two teams lined up on stage, bowing slightly in mutual respect. From their appearances, they were of similar ages, though Shrek still had the notably younger Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan among their seven.
"The match begins!"
The referee's announcement had barely left his lips when the Shrek students surged forward as one.
They wanted to show the world that the dignity of Shrek Academy could never be challenged.
Xu Lizhi's soul rings lit beneath his feet, one after another. Buns flew from his hands, caught and eaten by his teammates in a smooth, practiced rhythm.
Beside him, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda flared into existence, its three lowest tiers glowing in succession. Three beams of light fell upon Yuan Tingyue, the vanguard.
Yuan Tingyue roared, a dragon's cry bursting from his throat as his body swelled, arms thickening with explosive power.
And then—he charged straight toward Nan Fusheng's seven, aiming to replicate their previous crushing victory by overwhelming the enemy before they could react.