After Huo Yuhao finished his research within his spiritual sea, Wang Yan gathered the reserve team in the meeting room.
During these days, Huo Yuhao needed to model and deduce his martial soul and test his theories, so he had no time to watch the matches. As for Bei Bei, the reserve team captain, he had been following Wang Yan everywhere,between the match spectator rest area and Star Emperor Hotel,collecting intelligence on each team.
This was the consequence born from Shrek Academy's arrogance.
Because Shrek had never viewed other academies as real opponents, they naturally had not arranged any prior intelligence-gathering or infiltration. They were like a sieve, yet they knew almost nothing about the others. If not for Huo Yuhao's overwhelming luck in the original timeline, this tournament might very well have become a complete disaster for Shrek.
Now with the main team injured due to the attack from the Messenger of Death, Wang Yan could only shoulder the responsibility as the leading teacher and collect intelligence with Bei Bei to make the upcoming matches easier and buy more recovery time for the main team.
Also, since the main team members needed to recuperate, and the only one still combat-ready,Ma Xiaotao,was barely connected to the group… only Wang Yan and the seven reserve members attended this meeting.
"Bei Bei, you did very well in the first match. You showcased Shrek Academy's momentum. I am proud of you all."
Then he looked toward the others. "These two days, Bei Bei and I have been observing the other academy matches while gathering reactions from all factions to our first appearance."
"The effect is very good. Even though you are only the reserve team, under Bei Bei's lead, you have already caused the other factions to feel fear and pressure. That fear itself is a sign of our academy's glory."
Wang Yan continued, "Next, I will still be counting on you, Bei Bei. You will handle tactical arrangements and the analysis of the other teams."
Bei Bei nodded, stood up, and spoke with his usual gentle smile.
"After two days of rest, my strength has returned to peak condition."
"But the upcoming round is the round-robin stage. The schedule is already released. It is arranged based on the order in which teams qualified from the first elimination round."
"There are eight teams in our group. We will fight each team once. A victory gives two points, a draw one point, a loss zero."
"Since the round-robin is rotational, we will fight roughly every two days. But I cannot frequently expose my trump cards. Therefore, we must adjust our tactics depending on our opponents."
"Good news is, because this stage is long, the main team members should recover about seventy to eighty percent by halfway through the schedule."
"That means if we endure half the matches and keep our points high enough, they can take over and we only need the experience."
"With our seniors, victory is practically guaranteed."
Hearing this, the reserve team relaxed noticeably.
For them, the hardest part,the first elimination match,was already done. As long as they earn decent points early on, even without a perfect win record, they just need to survive until the main team returns. That was reassuring.
After a moment, Bei Bei continued:
"As for our group and order of opponents, we will only know tomorrow. But based on qualification order, our group will undoubtedly be the first group."
"And due to our academy's reputation, ordinary academies will never go all out against us. They will hold back to preserve strength."
"So what we must do is perform beautifully and convincingly,reinforcing our overwhelming position."
"You must have seen this in the first round. Heavenly Spirit Academy was not weak at all. But facing us, they barely displayed fifty to sixty percent of their strength."
Everyone nodded.
"Now about the match formats. There are three:
"Team battles,we already know how to handle those."
"Second is the individual elimination battle. A winner stays on, loser falls. A strong fighter could eliminate all seven opponents alone."
"At that time…" Bei Bei looked toward the strongest after himself: Jiang Nannan and Xu Sanshi.
"I will take the second position. Xu Sanshi will fight first."
Xu Sanshi grinned. "Relax, leave it to me. I'm very reliable."
Bei Bei ignored his jokes and continued, "His turtle shell is filthy but tough. Even if he loses, he will make the opponent miserable. Then I will finish the rest."
Xu Sanshi immediately fired back with complaints.
"My Tyrant Thunder Domain can even fight Soul Kings head-on, but only once. After that it will be up to Nannan. I can severely drain the enemy, but finishing them might not be possible."
"Even so, a Soul King is still a Soul King. We will definitely face a tough fight."
Jiang Nannan simply nodded.
"If all three of us fail…" Bei Bei sighed, "Xiao Xiao's soul power is low. Ning Tian is a support-type. And although Yuhao's control is formidable, he lacks direct killing power."
"In some situations I may send Wang Dong. Or I may choose to forfeit entirely to preserve strength for the team match. I hope you all understand: temporary retreat is for final victory."
"The third format is two-two-three battles."
"Two 2v2 rounds, and one 3v3. Two wins out of three."
"I will pair with Xu Sanshi. Jiang Nannan with Ning Tian."
"My attack plus his defense maximizes combat power. Nannan's agility plus Ning Tian's double amplification can finish opponents quickly."
"With the support of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Nannan's offense will rival strong-attack types."
"And Ning Tian can delay or restrain an opponent long enough for Nannan to strike."
"Lastly, in the 3v3 we will rely on Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao,Yuhao and Xiao Xiao for control, Wang Dong for offense."
"This is the basic tactical assignment. Any questions?"
Xu Sanshi seemed like he wanted to speak but quickly forgot as he began arguing with Bei Bei again. Jiang Nannan seemed satisfied,anything was fine as long as she didn't team with Xu Sanshi.
"Oh, one more thing," Bei Bei added sternly after shutting Sanshi up.
"Be extremely careful of soul tools. Most teams have equipped them. Their abilities can completely change a battle if ignored."
At that moment, Ning Tian quietly spoke for the first time.
"As for soul tools… I actually prepared a few before coming, but have not needed to use them yet."
"Oh?" Bei Bei blinked. "What kind of soul tools? Knowing their power might require adjusting our tactics."
Ning Tian reached into her storage device and took out dozens of soul tools,mostly Rank 3 and Rank 4.
Close combat tools, ranged ray-launchers, triggered defense shields, active barrier-type soul tools… and even three flight-type soul tools usable by Soul Elders.
Bei Bei was stunned.
But in truth, it made perfect sense.
As successor of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Tian had no shortage of money. Their sect valued external tools because of their inherent martial soul drawbacks. Rank 3 and Rank 4 tools were practically pocket change for her.
Huo Yuhao also noticed these were not Douluo Federation products. They were crafted with the fine craftsmanship of the Sun-Moon Empire,high-end models, not outdated ones.
Why didn't she use them earlier? Firstly, as a support-type she had not needed them yet. Secondly, to avoid offending the Shrek tradition of soul master superiority over soul engineers.
But since the topic was raised, she had no reason to hide them anymore. To her, these tools were just pocket expenses.
Bei Bei's eyes lit up immediately. He first thought of Huo Yuhao.
Yuhao's second soul skill control was monstrous, but he lacked offense. If he used a Rank 3 soul cannon, combined with his control power, he could fight like a Soul Ancestor.
A Soul Ancestor taking a cannon blast head-on wouldn't survive many shots.
The only limitation was firing speed,most Soul Ancestors could dodge or defend if alert.
Because of Ning Tian's generous sponsorship, Bei Bei slightly adjusted the battle roster. But that would be handled later.
After the meeting, everyone returned to rest.
Soon, the fourth day of competition arrived.
Compared to previous days, the crowd was even more excited. Cheers echoed early in the morning across Star Luo Plaza.
Shrek's representative team would open the round-robin stage.
The sky was gloomy, making the atmosphere heavy.
The reserve team walked through the cheers and reached the resting area. After announcements and hype, the first match of Shrek's round-robin stage was about to begin.
The announcer shouted:
"Now, please welcome the continent's number one academy,Shrek Academy's representative team,and their opponents, the Yunluo Advanced Soul Engineer Academy from Star Luo Empire!"
"The captains will draw lots to determine the match format!"
With a flashy drawing performance that looked like a lottery show, the mode was confirmed: individual elimination battle.
After leaving the stage, Bei Bei patted Xu Sanshi on the shoulder.
"Soul Engineer Academy,they're yours. Follow the plan. There should be no problem."
Xu Sanshi raised his chin with a smug pose. "A little Soul Engineer Academy? I'll show them what real toughness looks like!"
Huo Yuhao closed his eyes, uninterested. He kept only his Spiritual Detection active to record the battle, while his consciousness returned to his spiritual sea.
Rich Lady Ning Tian