Two days had already passed since the start of the tournament, and all participating students had completed the first round of the preliminary competition.
The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition was originally a contest of academic exchange and learning, a competition of skill and knowledge. The most fundamental difference between it and the Soul Arena battles was that the academy competition placed students at the center of everything, focusing on their life and health.
This was also why, since the start of the tournament, the Spirit Hall had repeatedly emphasized that participants were forbidden from using lethal weapons during matches, forbidden from harming lives, and so on, in order to protect the students' safety.
Therefore, after the preliminary round ended, most academy students had not suffered much injury—except for Shrek Academy's opponent, the Tiandou Royal Academy Vice Team.
Even though the teachers had invited many healing-type soul masters to treat them, injuries to muscles and bones could not be healed in just a day or two.
Thus, the Tiandou Royal Academy could only withdraw from the subsequent matches. Fortunately, they still had a seeded team; otherwise, the Tiandou Empire's dignity would have been completely trampled under Shrek's feet.
Today's match would, as expected, likely be Shrek Academy versus Elephant Armor Academy. Although the final outcome was already known, Qian Renyue began watching today's match with great interest.
Moreover, in order to observe how auxiliary-type soul masters played their roles in battles among various academies, Ning Fengzhi brought Qian Renyue and Ning Rongrong to watch almost every match without missing a single one, occasionally asking questions and giving explanations.
Looking at the slogan printed on Shrek Academy's uniforms—"Unmatched Charm, Exotic Fragrant Floral Dew, Wash and Be Healthier"—Qian Renyue felt speechless.
Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, felt fortunate that she had seen through Shrek's embarrassment early on and left in time. She did not want to be associated with these people—it would be too humiliating.
"Boss Dai, Third Brother, look at that person on the VIP platform. Last match, didn't Doudou introduce him as the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sect Master Ning? Then wouldn't the two great beauties beside him be Rongrong and Yueyue?"
Oscar stared at the elegant and beautiful Ning Rongrong on the platform, almost mesmerized.
In the previous match, Oscar had already noticed Ning Fengzhi, but since he was not competing, he had not gone closer to take a good look. He never expected to see the goddess in his heart again today.
Tang San looked toward the VIP platform. With his Purple Demon Eyes, he could easily see Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong clearly, but Qian Renyue's appearance seemed to be separated by a layer of gauze. Even with his Purple Demon Eyes, he could not see her clearly.
"That's right. It's Rongrong," Tang San withdrew his gaze and said to Oscar.
Before Oscar could rejoice over finally seeing his goddess again, Dai Mubai slapped Oscar on the shoulder, shattering his dream.
"Xiao Ao, wake up. Back when you hadn't broken through to Soul Elder, Ning Rongrong, who was younger than you, was already a Soul Elder. Now she's probably already a Soul Ancestor. A Soul Ancestor-level Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda soul master will become the greatest enemy of our academy."
Tang San stepped forward to comfort Oscar:
"Xiao Ao, don't be discouraged. If we have the chance to win the championship, then as the youngest food-type Soul Ancestor, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will definitely pay attention to you."
"Yeah, Third Brother is right! Let's fight hard in the competition and win the championship!" Oscar excitedly waved his fists.
Tang San asked in confusion:
"Where are the Headmaster and the others? We still don't know who our opponent is today."
Oscar said smugly and confidently:
"Whoever the opponent is, aren't they just stepping stones on our path to success?"
At that moment, Flender and the others returned from drawing lots.
"Unfortunately, I have bad news for you. Your opponent today is Elephant Armor Academy."
"Elephant Armor Academy?" Everyone was puzzled.
"That's right, Elephant Armor Academy. Their strength is very strong. I don't recommend you take risks. If necessary, you can concede defeat. There will still be opportunities later," Yu Xiaogang said with a frown as he analyzed the situation.
"Elephant Armor Academy?" Shrek's members had never heard of this academy.
"Behind Elephant Armor Academy stands one of the Seven Great Sects—the Elephant Armor Sect. All the students they sent to this competition are direct disciples of the sect. Just as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is known as the number one auxiliary sect on the continent, the Elephant Armor Sect is known as the number one defensive sect on the continent. In short, your opponent today will be extremely troublesome," Liu Erlong explained to them.
Seeing Tang San's unwillingness to give up, Yu Xiaogang sighed and said:
"You decide for yourselves—whether to expose your strength or forfeit."
Dai Mubai handed the decision to Tang San:
"Xiao San, you are the soul of Shrek. Just decide."
Tang San clenched his fists:
"Fight!"
"Although Elephant Armor Academy is strong, its weaknesses are also obvious. If used properly, it's not impossible to win. Our ultimate opponent is the Spirit Hall Academy. If we give up when facing Elephant Armor Academy and the Four Element Academies, then what right do we have to challenge the Spirit Hall Academy?"
"Don't forget, when Qian Renyue left, she was already a Soul Ancestor. So much time has passed—she is at least at the Soul King level now."
After hearing Tang San's words, Shrek's members regained their confidence and rushed toward the arena with the determination to win.
The match was about to begin, and students from all academies entered the arena.
This time, two additional seats appeared in the VIP viewing area. One belonged to Sword Douluo Chen Xin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the other to Hu Yanzhen, the Sect Master of the Elephant Armor Sect.
Originally, Bone Douluo Gu Rong was supposed to accompany Ning Fengzhi today, but Sword Douluo had followed along under the pretext of instructing Qian Renyue. In the end, Bone Douluo could only stay behind alone to guard the sect.
"I didn't expect Shrek Academy's opponent today to be Elephant Armor Academy. Yue'er, what do you think? Do you think Shrek can win?"
Since the people from the Tiandou imperial family had not yet arrived on the VIP platform, Ning Fengzhi did not bother to avoid the topic and directly asked.
"If Hu Yanli can obediently follow orders, they still have a chance to win. If he becomes arrogant and conceited, Elephant Armor Academy may be eliminated in the preliminary round," Qian Renyue replied.
"Miss, aren't you underestimating our Elephant Armor Sect too much? Please mind your words," Hu Yanzhen said angrily after hearing Qian Renyue's words. However, due to the presence of Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, he did not act against Qian Renyue and only issued a verbal warning.
"Sect Master Hu Yan, the one who should mind his words is you!" Saras shouted sharply, stopping the furious Hu Yanzhen.
"Bishop Saras." Hu Yanzhen looked at Saras in shock, not understanding why.
"May I ask what insights Your Highness has?" Saras bowed respectfully to Qian Renyue under Hu Yanzhen's astonished gaze and asked politely.
"You will understand after this match ends." Qian Renyue did not look at them, her gaze fixed on the arena.
As Emperor Xue Ye and the others arrived, the venue gradually quieted down, waiting for the match to begin.
Seeing that Shrek still refused to use their full lineup even when facing Elephant Armor Sect, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin also became somewhat interested.
After both sides finished introducing themselves—
"Both teams, salute!" the referee shouted loudly."The first match of the second round of the preliminary competition officially begins!"
....
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