Since Shrek Academy always appeared first, as the Sun Moon team and Di Ao team entered the rest area, the Shrek team and Star Luo team entered the waiting area.
The Shrek team members for this match had also been selected: Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Gongyang Mo, Ling Luochen, Xixi, Chen Junting, and a special member—Xu Sanshi.
After Xu Jiawei returned to the imperial palace under the protection of three Titled Douluos and ascended to the city wall to watch, the referee, Heavenfiend Douluo Huang Jinxu, finally came to the fighting platform and announced: "Shrek Academy, Star Luo Royal Academy, team battle members take the field."
But after both sides took the field, the Shrek members noticed that Xu Jiujiu standing at the front was staring at them.
When their gazes met, all seven Shrek members couldn't help but be stunned. Because they discovered that in the elegant and noble Princess's eyes, there was a trace of provocation.
"Oh ho! Is she provoking us!?"
Hot-tempered Ma Xiaotao was the first to lose patience. "I thought only capable second-place finishers had the qualifications to covet our top position. Never expected someone who might not even rank third would have such boldness now."
The sarcasm in these words was quite thick.
Chen Junting also cast his gaze toward Xu Jiawei on the imperial palace wall, whispering: "It seems this Star Luo Emperor's intention is to use us as whetstones for the Star Luo Royal Academy."
"Whetstones?"
Chen Junting's whisper was particularly clear to Ma Xiaotao. Her eyes became even more disdainful, letting out a cold snort. "We're very hard, and we're not afraid their knife will break from grinding against us."
"Cough cough—restrain yourself a bit."
"Restrain my ass."
Ma Xiaotao coldly glanced at Dai Yueheng, completely dismissive of his words. "Later, we'll help them grind this knife properly. If it chips, don't blame us."
"Provocation? Fine. But the provocateur must have enough strength to bear the consequences—this isn't child's play anymore."
Hearing this, even Dai Yueheng, son of the White Tiger Duke, felt embarrassed to say anything more, only sighing inwardly.
Your Highness the Princess!
Why are you provoking this flame demon?
Seeing this, Chen Junting beside him couldn't help but shake his head. Looking at Xu Jiujiu who was still provoking, he thought to himself: Next, you won't suffer, but your teammates will have to suffer for you!
The same thought crossed the minds of the other Shrek members.
Anger?
None at all.
Although the semifinal hadn't started yet, under the mutual gaze of both teams, a strong gunpowder smell already permeated the air.
Especially Ma Xiaotao, who was angered by Xu Jiujiu's provoking gaze—her aura could no longer be called gunpowder smell, but rather an active volcano about to erupt. Just her phoenix eyes burning like two clusters of flames, the intense aura of phoenix flames brought immense pressure.
And Chen Junting's sword momentum that seemed ready to tear through the sky, and Dai Yueheng's tiger might that intimidated all beasts, were no less impressive.
Huang Jinxu's gaze swept over the Shrek group, couldn't help but show surprise at their talent, but quickly returned to normal, his expression cold and hard. "Both sides retreat. Before I announce the start, no one may release their martial souls or soul guide devices."
Both teams retreated simultaneously, formations quickly changing.
But their gazes remained fixed on each other.
Soon, the formations were set.
On Shrek's side, Dai Yueheng and Ma Xiaotao stood at the very front, Ling Luochen and Chen Junting on both sides, Xixi and Gongyang Mo in the very center of the team. As for Xu Sanshi...
He was arranged at the very back of the team.
At this moment, he was watching Xu Jiujiu with a smile on his face.
Under Xu Jiujiu's slightly puzzled and displeased gaze, he looked at her, then at himself. Then, the corners of his mouth occasionally revealed a mischievous smile that didn't seem quite right.
As for the Star Luo Royal Academy, six people formed a triangle with the arrowhead pointing toward Shrek, with only Xu Jiujiu standing at the very back.
Just as the Star Luo team members were puzzled about why a defense-type Soul Ancestor was substituted for that strong attack-type Soul King, and why he was standing at the back, Xu Jiujiu calmly spoke.
"Since Shrek let him take the field, it means his utility exceeds that strong attack-type Soul King. It might be his substitution method. Once someone from our team gets trapped in the enemy formation, we'll turn their plan against them. The trapped person immediately uses defensive soul guide devices while attacking their interior, destabilizing them. Then the others will eliminate this defense-type soul master."
"Yes!"
Just as both teams were sizing each other up, each with their own thoughts, Huang Jinxu suddenly shouted.
"Match begin!"
"Hum hum hum—"
Instantly, numerous soul rings shone together!
Everyone activated their martial souls at the first moment.
However, at this moment, Xu Sanshi took the lead in moving.
Just as the Star Luo team members thought he was about to use some Dark Tortoise substitution, planning to turn his plan against him, he instead put on a soul guide device that looked like binoculars or glasses at top speed, then performed a shocking action.
Xu Sanshi actually turned and ran!
Like a fool, he charged straight toward the edge of the fighting platform only a few steps away.
The Star Luo team members, who had originally prepared to follow Xu Jiujiu's plan and were ready to cover this guy with firepower, were confused by this incomprehensible scene.
Is this guy a clown sent by the Monkey King?
Only Xu Jiujiu had a guess in her heart.
At this moment, her expression changed drastically!
No matter what turning-plan-against-them tactics, just as she was about to use her third soul skill, Xu Sanshi had already leaped high, jumping toward the outside of the fighting platform.
Simultaneously, his fourth soul ring had already lit up, and a sly expression appeared on his face.
But this action still caused an uproar from the entire audience. Even Xu Jiawei, without paying special attention, showed shock on his face.
After all, according to competition rules, anyone who leaves the fighting platform and touches solid ground is eliminated!
What is Shrek trying to do?
Eliminate their own team member voluntarily?
And why use a soul skill at this moment?
But with purple light flashing, he gave the answer. Before the audience's exclamations could fall, a strange scene appeared on the platform.
Because the person who had leaped off the fighting platform and was about to collide with the protective barrier was no longer Xu Sanshi.
Wearing the Star Crown, with even her third soul ring already lit up, Xu Jiujiu suddenly felt the ground disappear beneath her feet, while a golden column of light shot upward.
But everything was too late.
After the feeling of ground disappearing vanished, she was already standing on solid ground. But this ground was no longer the surface of the fighting platform.
And Xu Sanshi had replaced Xu Jiujiu's position.
With the aid of the soul guide device, he directly used an instant soul skill to accomplish this feat. Even if Xu Jiujiu had reacted, it was already too late.
So without expending any effort, he eliminated the core of the Star Luo Royal Academy, rendering all their previous preparations completely wasted.
This scene stunned everyone directly.
The Star Luo team members looked at the Princess below the platform, then suddenly turned their gaze behind them at Xu Sanshi, who was waving at them.
The astonishment on their faces couldn't be concealed.
Even Xu Sanshi's smug smile couldn't provoke their anger for the moment.
Even Xu Jiawei was shocked watching this scene.
When he came to his senses, he looked at the Empress beside him with a bitter smile. "Shrek truly lives up to being Shrek. Now all of Jiujiu's previous preparations are wasted. She'll be furious."
And just as Xu Jiawei had expected, Xu Jiujiu, who had been standing dazedly on the ground outside the field after being swapped out, looked at the people on the platform and quickly reacted.
"Ah—"
This time, she was going to be completely furious!
She had prepared so hard for so long, planning to compete for the championship throne this time.
But now, all her preparations were wasted!
Especially since she didn't directly use her third soul skill at the beginning, planning to turn their plan against them.
But the real situation didn't follow her plan at all. Instead, it came with a bizarre maneuver that caught her completely off guard.
Recalling her previous provocation...
She had become a clown!
Even Huang Jinxu on the platform was shocked.
As a Titled Douluo, he naturally had extensive knowledge. Although substitution-type soul skills were rare, they weren't nonexistent. But what he never expected was that this substitution-type soul skill could be used like this.
So after shaking his head, he immediately acted.
After all, such a shameless guy, once fallen into the tiger's mouth, would surely be targeted by all six other members of the Star Luo team.
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