Hearing Yu Xiaogang's discontent, the manager of the Grand Soul Arena remained calm, presenting a practiced smile.
"Grandmaster, please don't misunderstand. In addition to settling rewards, there is indeed another matter." He yawned lightly, his tone still respectful, but the contents of his words changed the mood in the box. "Just a few days ago, a Soul Master team from the direction of the Balak Kingdom arrived at our Suotuo Soul Arena. This team... is extremely strong."
"On behalf of the Suotuo Soul Arena, I would like to invite the Shrek Six Monsters to participate in a group soul battle against this team—with the highest level invitation."
Flender and Qin Ming exchanged surprised glances. The Shrek Six Monsters had just defeated the Emperor Battle Team, champions of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy; their strength, teamwork, and Tang San's tactical command had proven them top among their peers and overwhelmingly dominant in their rank. What kind of team could make the well-informed arena manager this solemn?
Yu Xiaogang looked shocked as well, leaning forward slightly to stare at the manager. "Oh? You're even coming to Shrek for help, right after they defeated the Emperor Battle Team. How does this team compare to the ones trained at Heaven Dou Royal Academy—or are they even stronger?"
The manager didn't answer directly, glancing apologetically at Qin Ming. After all, it was a bit awkward to talk about an even stronger team in front of the leader of the defeated side.
Qin Ming, ever tactful, understood immediately and waved it off with a smile. "It's fine, just be frank. The strong should be respected in the spirit master world, and if there's a stronger team, it'll be a great motivation for my students."
At this moment, several core members of the Shrek Six Monsters and the Emperor Battle Team, noticing the important conversation, gathered behind their respective leaders, eagerly awaiting the next words.
Seeing everyone assembled, the manager no longer hesitated. After a moment's thought, he said, "In terms of same-age spirit masters across the continent, this team is extremely powerful—so powerful that any one of them could become the core of any high-level soul master academy and enjoy top resources. You could even say they are among the strongest contenders for the championship of the next Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament."
"In fact... in many people's eyes, they are the top favorite!"
As soon as he finished, low murmurs and gasps rippled through the room. Except for a few like Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, who maintained their calm, the others were filled with shock and disbelief.
To be a contender for the championship of the Soul Master Tournament meant this team had absolute strength and talent, able to stand at the very top. Such an evaluation was truly high!
Ma Hongjun was the first to burst out, his fat face full of indignation as he shouted, "What's this about being proud of the heavens, being a championship contender? They're not even worth mentioning in front of our Third Brother!"
He raised his chin high, as if speaking about himself, showing blind faith in Tang San.
Tang San, standing among the crowd, was slightly moved by the words "championship contender" and "pride of the heavens," but quickly regained his composure, even showing a trace of indifference.
Chosen ones? Tang San sneered inwardly. Not even thirteen years old, he was already at the peak of the 39th rank, a Tang Sect member with unique knowledge, twin spirits, and had repeatedly broken through bottlenecks in actual combat. Looking across the entire Douluo Continent, how many in his generation could match him? Of all the so-called prodigies, how many could counter Tang Sect techniques in the same realm?
He had absolute confidence in his own strength and potential.
Ignoring Ma Hongjun's clamor, the manager took out a document from his soul guidance storage and handed it to Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang frowned, a sense of foreboding rising in his chest. He reached out, opened the booklet to the first page—and instantly, his pupils shrank as his hand trembled imperceptibly.
Standing beside him, Zhao Wuji craned his neck in curiosity and blurted out, "Grand Martial Team?!"
Those words exploded like thunder in the slightly noisy box.
Grand Martial Academy! This name carried unparalleled weight and pressure on the current Douluo Continent.
Known as the "First Academy of the Mainland," its background was even more unfathomable. More importantly, the "number one genius of the mainland," Chen Yi, hailed from this academy! At his age, Chen Yi was fully qualified to participate in the upcoming Soul Master Tournament.
More than two years ago, this monster was already a high-level Soul King. Now, he must have reached an unknown terrifying level... If he participated, would there even be any suspense about the championship?
With that thought, the Shrek Six Monsters—especially Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun—who had been full of confidence, now grew pale, an invisible pressure enveloping them.
The manager keenly noticed the change in their expressions and quickly added, "Don't worry too much. According to our confirmed information, Young Sect Master Chen Yi... will not participate in this tournament."
"The members of this 'Grand Martial Team' who have come to Suotuo are mainly substitute members from the previous championship team, as well as newcomers."
"Substitutes?" Yu Xiaogang's tense face suddenly relaxed, regaining the composure of a "Grandmaster." He closed the booklet and spoke steadily, "They're just substitutes. Even if they're from Grand Martial Academy, without core competition experience, their strength must be limited."
"With Xiao San's talent and the team, perhaps it won't be a walkover."
However, in stark contrast to Yu Xiaogang's relief, Tang San—standing among the crowd—grew pale the moment he heard "Grand Martial." His hands clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms, and he could not suppress the chilling surge of hatred and killing intent in his heart!
Chen Yi!
His father Tang Hao had died tragically at the hands of the Grand Elder, and Xiao Wu had been captured by Chen Yi, her fate unknown... This deep blood feud gnawed at him day and night, driving his desire for strength and revenge.
Now, he had finally encountered the enemy's academy team!
He desperately suppressed the violent emotions threatening to erupt, but the ice-cold hatred in his eyes was only more distinct, causing those beside him—Dai Mubai, Oscar, and others—to feel their hearts race.
Yu Xiaogang, unaware of Tang San's abnormality, opened the booklet again, showing everyone the information recorded inside. As the vast data unfolded, wave after wave of stifling facts were revealed.
Captain: Shui Bing'er
Martial Spirit: Ice Phoenix
Rank 49 Control, Power Attack System Battle Spirit Master
Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black
Vice-Captain: Dugu Yan
Martial Spirit: Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor
Rank 49 Control System, Battle Spirit Master
Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Black
Ye Lingling
Martial Spirit: Nine Heart Begonia
Rank 48 Healing Tool Spirit Master
Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple
Jiang Hongfei
Martial Spirit: Eye
Rank 49 Control System, Battle Spirit Master
Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black
Huang Bin
Martial Spirit: Blood
Rank 47 Power Attack System, Battle Spirit Master
Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Black
Yang Bojun
Martial Spirit: Soul Breaking Spear
Rank 47 Power Attack System, Battle Spirit Master
Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Black
Xue Wu
Martial Spirit: Snowflake
Rank 41 Power Attack System, Battle Spirit Master
Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple
Shui Yue'er
Martial Spirit: Dolphin
Rank 42 Power Attack System, Battle Spirit Master
Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple
"..."
Silence.
A dead silence.
Each word of the information hammered the hearts of the Shrek and Emperor Battle Team members like a heavy blow.
"No... Impossible." Ma Hongjun's mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg, all pride and indignation gone, leaving only fear. "They're all battle spirit masters?! Even the second ring is a millennium ring, and the fourth is a ten-thousand-year ring?! Can... can we really win?"
His voice trembled. This lineup would be the backbone of any championship team in the Soul Master Tournament.
Tang San's gaze was fixed on the name "Dugu Yan" and the "Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor" martial spirit, frowning as countless thoughts flickered through his mind. The Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor... highly poisonous... perhaps...
"I accept."
Everyone stared in shock—Tang San had spoken.
At some point, he had unclenched his fist, his face regaining its usual composure, now even more solemn. Only the frozen hatred deep within his eyes became even more pronounced.
"Third Brother..." Dai Mubai began, but stopped. The others exchanged glances, unable to understand why Tang San was being so "reckless." The other party was the continent's number one academy team, all battle spirit masters, an overwhelmingly powerful lineup. On paper, the odds of victory seemed almost nonexistent.
Tang San took a deep breath, slowly sweeping his gaze over the worried teachers and variously anxious partners. His voice was calm, brimming with undeniable confidence.
"I accept."
Just those words, with little explanation, but the previously unsettled air seemed to calm a little.
Even Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Qin Ming looked at Tang San. In their impression, this youth calling himself Tang Yin was calm, almost cold, meticulous and cautious, never one for empty boasts.
The manager finally revealed his most sincere smile of the night, clapping his hands in praise. "Excellent! Worthy of a peerless genius ranked third on the Hidden Dragon List."
"With this courage to face strong foes, you are by no means inferior to Chen Yi or Qian Renxue!"
Hearing the manager compare him to Chen Yi and Qian Renxue, Tang San's eyes turned cold, glancing at the man but not retorting. Deep in his heart, he felt those so-called "geniuses" had no advantage over him except age and resources. If not for being ambushed and injured earlier, delaying his golden cultivation period, would he be just a Spirit Elder now?
The members of the Emperor Battle Team, who had been watching Tang San, were full of shock. They hadn't realized that the "Thousand-Hand Asura" who defeated them was in fact the mysterious genius "Tang Yin," recently ranked third on the Hidden Dragon List!
Yu Xiaogang had observed everyone's reactions, especially Tang San's unwavering, confident gaze, which dispelled any lingering doubts in his heart. He coughed, picked up the booklet marked "Grandmaster," and nodded slowly to the manager, making the final decision.
"In that case, Shrek Academy will accept this match."
"Dean!" Zhao Wuji was still a bit worried, and Flender hesitated to speak, but seeing Yu Xiaogang and Tang San's resolve, he swallowed his words.
"Excellent!" The manager was overjoyed, bowed again, and said, "Then I will not disturb your celebration further. I will send someone to the academy later with the battle details."
"Looking forward to the Shrek Six Monsters' excellent performance!"
With his objectives achieved, the manager didn't linger, quickly leaving the box with a satisfied smile. Everyone in the room wore different expressions.
..
Bonus chapter at 100 PS