The group stage passed in a flash.
They'd reached the end.
Since Su Wen's stunning debut against Clou Luo, he rarely appeared again. The presence of a strong team is important, so most opposing teams in their group, upon encountering Shrek, would sigh and surrender after a brief test.
Even teams that chose to fight to the end were swept aside by Mu Qiu'er and Gu Yuena, the power-and-element duo.
A golden dragon spear and a silver dragon spear—invincible on the field.
They drew much attention.
Other strong teams rarely sent out their main teams, only reserves paired with one or two main members, easily dominating most teams, creating an aura of mystery and strength.
Even Clear Sky Academy, after their debut, kept a low profile. The one who used the suspected "Blue Silver Emperor" never appeared again. They swept forward, and their odds in underground betting soared—they became the dark horse of the year.
…
Shrek Rest Area.
"Group stage is over..." Su Wen muttered, reading the newspaper.
Shrek, in Group Eight, advanced in first place with 14 points. Second was Thousand Spirits Academy, the one whose members trembled at the sight of Su Wen. In the original, they fought hard against Shrek and lost, which affected them in the next round-robin. This time, they surrendered early and won the rest, securing second place.
In the whole round-robin, only Longpeace, Zhengtian, and Thousand Spirits Academies stood out, each led by a Soul King. The rest didn't even have one and were easily defeated.
"From now on, the matches get serious," Su Wen said softly.
…
Top 16 begins.
It meant a return to knockout mode. The process was still "three out of one" and playoffs, but there was no room to back down—win and advance, lose and you're out.
"Just country bumpkins," Ma Xiaotao scoffed.
"Dou Ling Academy!"
Wang Yan strode into the rest area, looking grim.
"The results are out, our opponent for the round of sixteen is the Dou Ling Royal Team."
"Wang teacher, are they strong?" Jiang Nannan asked.
"Last tournament's top four. It'll likely take both Xiao Wen and Xiaotao to win safely," Wang Yan said solemnly.
Strong teams like this were aiming for the championship, so they usually swept their way to victory. The main team rarely appeared, so even Wang Yan, who was familiar with all the matches, couldn't see any flaws.
From what little they knew, Dou Ling's main team had five Soul Kings, two Soul Ancestors, and considerable research in soul tools—a tough opponent. Even if they win, they'll have to show some cards.
"Alright."
Su Wen sipped his coffee and nodded.
But his mind was already elsewhere. He was thinking—after the tournament, why not bring back some local coffee beans from Star Lou, grind them, and blend with his milk tea to create something new? Maybe even open a milk tea shop in Star Lou Empire...
Milk tea shops are always in demand, and with official backing, success is just a matter of time.
Wang Yan saw Su Wen's serious expression and was moved.
As expected, a lion uses all its strength even when hunting a rabbit.
Su Wen's caution was worth learning from.
But the next second, Su Wen downed his coffee, stared at the empty cup for a while, then looked at Wang Yan: "Ah, by the way, Wang teacher, who's our opponent again for the round of sixteen?"
Wang Yan: "..."
...
Top 16 to Top 8 is different from the regular round-robin.
Each team has two chances: a team battle on the first day and an individual elimination on the second. Even if they lose the team battle, as long as three or fewer members eliminate the entire opposing team in the individual round, they can reverse the outcome.
But the day before the match.
Su Wen, as usual, received a top-tier auction notice, personally delivered by Xu Jiujui.
This time, the auction was not in the lowest white hall, but a private room at the end of the corridor. Since the bids were high, masks were no longer enough for anonymity, so more secure venues were used.
"..."
Xu Jiujui whispered a few words to Su Wen, then smiled and left.
The girl wore light makeup and a red gauze dress—she was the auctioneer for this event.
Many maids glanced over, especially Qing Ya.
Xu Jiujui was a top auctioneer and a princess, yet so close to this young man—very strange...
But since he was from Shrek, another top force, an alliance with Star Lou Empire was normal. Not daring to provoke Su Wen, Qing Ya set her sights on Wang Yan, sitting close to him and flirting.
Su Wen noticed this and smiled quietly.
A few minutes later.
The auction began as scheduled.
The first item, an eighth-level soul tool—Overlord Tiger Soul Refining Blade—sold for 650,000 gold soul coins, setting the mood. Without Dai Yueheng, there was little interest, so the focus shifted to later lots.
Xu Jiujui: "Twelve fixed soul artillery cannons of various attributes!"
Su Wen: "Buy!"
Xu Jiujui: "Eighth-level long-range soul tool... Heaven-Cleaving Cannon!"
Su Wen: "Buy!"
"Soul bone!"
"Pass..."
Shrek had no shortage of soul bones.
As the auction neared its end, the atmosphere grew tense.
The second-to-last item: Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Bone appeared as scheduled!
Xu Jiujui explained enthusiastically: "Two flaws. First, the soul master who absorbs it must be of the ice element—less than 1% of all soul masters. Second, the soul skill is fixed..."
"Age: 50,000 to 70,000 years. One minute for viewing~"
"..."
Su Wen tapped the sofa, thought for a moment, then said quietly to Qing Ya, who was chatting with Wang Yan: "Please notify your princess—there's something important."
"…Yes!"
Qing Ya was stunned, then hurried off.
A few minutes later, Xu Jiujui entered, looking at Su Wen in surprise. She knew Su Wen's steady character—he wouldn't do anything rash. If it were someone else, she'd refuse.
"The Ice Jade Scorpion is of ultimate ice. Normal ice element users would be destroyed by it."
Su Wen's brief explanation shocked Xu Jiujui.
"This..."
The girl's eyes grew determined. "Are you sure?"
"Ice Emperor."
Su Wen replied softly.
A jade-green scorpion appeared in the small room, its aura making the maids pale. Xu Jiujui's pupils shrank—this guy really had a hidden card!
She realized it was likely Su Wen's martial soul was beast-taming!
But throughout history, beast-taming martial souls weren't rare, but Su Wen's strength was almost unheard of.
"Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, one of my soul beasts," Su Wen said quietly.
"Ice Jade Scorpion... no, Emperor Scorpion!!!" Xu Jiujui was even more shocked.
If this was sold and caused deaths, it would greatly damage the reputation of the Star Lou Empire Royal Auction.
"..."
"I see, thank you."
Xu Jiujui bowed deeply and ran out.
As in the original, Star Lou bought the item at a sky-high price. During the final lot, Emperor Xu Jiawei entered with Princess Xu Jiujui.
"Since little brother Su Wen's beast-taming includes the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion and you've pointed out the soul bone's flaw, out of gratitude, I'll give it to you..." Xu Jiawei smiled, handing over the soul bone.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Su Wen replied, accepting it.
But just as they were about to leave, Su Wen stopped them.
"May I ask, is the final lot a 100,000-year soul beast embryo?"
"..."
The room fell silent.
Xu Jiawei's smile froze, Xu Jiujui's pupils shrank.
The Shrek team was stunned, and the maids trembled, afraid they'd die for knowing such a secret.
"Looks like it is," Su Wen sighed.
Didn't expect the Snow Maiden to go down this path—fate.
"Phew..." Xu Jiawei's face darkened, but he forced a smile. "How did you know? Our security should be airtight."
"If I'm not mistaken, it's from the Extreme North, right?" Su Wen countered calmly.
"Yes!" Xu Jiawei replied solemnly.
Star Lou had gone to great lengths, and if Shrek found out easily, it would be a slap to his face.
"Coincidence. I know the Snow Empress. Not long ago, a 100,000-year soul beast in the Extreme North disappeared at the time of transformation. She asked me to look for clues in the human world, and I didn't expect..." Su Wen said.
"Hiss..."
If it were anyone else, they'd call Su Wen a fool. The Snow Empress—ranked third among the ten great beasts, ruler of the Extreme North, rival of Limit Douluos.
She asked you to look for clues? What a joke—even top Douluos wouldn't boast like that.
But Xu Jiawei and Xu Jiujui looked at each other, both seeing shock in the other's eyes.
So it was all true! The worship hall master was right! This boy really knows the Snow Maiden! The mystery is solved... Wait, an even bigger mystery—how does he know such a beast?!
And they have a close relationship!
Thinking of Su Wen chatting with the Snow Empress, Xu Jiawei's face twitched. Even as Emperor, he would be nervous facing such a beast, but this boy dared to order the Titan Snow Demon King to hunt Snow Spirit Pigs?!
No wonder he's so calm.
That composure wasn't an act...
"If you return it, the ruler of the Extreme North will reward you handsomely. If you don't believe me, I can pay 100 million gold soul coins to reserve it in advance, and you can switch the final lot," Su Wen offered.
"100 million gold soul coins!"
Xu Jiawei's expression improved—Su Wen wasn't trying to take it for free. He had expected the item to go for over 100 million, but not much more.
"Very well!"
Xu Jiawei nodded.
"But I won't take Shrek's 100 million. Let's consider it a gift from Star Lou to the Extreme North—please pass this to the Snow Empress."
Su Wen's face was odd.
Who'd have thought the 100,000-year soul beast they discussed was the Snow Empress herself?
What a coincidence.
Only 100,000-year soul beasts can take human form—everyone knows this. After hundred thousand years, their energy is almost too much for a flesh body. The Snow Maiden only managed it thanks to a hundred-thousand-year snow lotus.
Otherwise, if Xu Jiawei knew the soul beast in the box was the Snow Empress, he'd never let it go...