Chapter 83: Underestimating Me? Have You Ever Seen Me Look at You Straight On?
The format of the ranking tournament was less complicated than that of the preliminaries.
This was because the audience had already been replaced by the Royal Knights.
In this setting, formalities could be entirely eliminated.
After Shui Muwan returned from drawing lots and informed everyone of tomorrow's opponent, she gave a few instructions before leaving.
With Wang Li in charge of the match, she felt completely at ease.
After the opponent was determined, each participating team had to submit its lineup information in advance. During the match, participants also had to take the stage in order according to the submitted sequence.
If the opponents were evenly matched, then "strategy" would be put to the test.
"Zhuqing will be the anchor. As for the remaining spots, you can decide among yourselves."
"With Zhuqing holding the line, nothing unexpected should happen."
Wang Li spread his hands and said with a helpless shrug.
All the girls wanted to go on stage and stared straight at him. What else could he do?
Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was the next day.
Early in the morning, the matches began.
The higher-ups wasted no time with speeches or formalities. The referee directly announced the start of the competition.
To save time, three arenas were used simultaneously.
Soon, it was Sky Water Team's turn to appear.
The Shrek Team, who had just finished their match, looked toward the figures on stage and couldn't help frowning.
Coincidentally, Shrek's first opponent was once again Balak Academy.
Tang San was the first to go on stage and defeated all seven opponents in a single sweep, claiming victory.
"If I meet you again, I won't lose."
Tang San clenched his fists tightly, staring fixedly at the figure on stage.
The quality of his teammates was not particularly high. Even combined, they could probably help him eliminate only two or three opponents.
For Tang San, however, that was already enough.
"Tang Yin, confidence is a good thing, but you must not be careless."
Flender stood with his hands behind his back and spoke to Tang San.
Normally, those words should have been said by Yu Xiaogang.
But Yu Xiaogang had left Shrek Academy a few days earlier and was currently on his way to Spirit City.
"That kid Wang Li hasn't made a move yet. I suspect he might be a high-level Soul King, or even a Soul Emperor."
"Your opponents aren't just Shui Bing'er and Zhu Zhuqing… This Wang Li is the one you should pay the most attention to."
"If they use a wheel-battle tactic against you, it'll be difficult for you to face Wang Li in peak condition."
Tang San was indeed very powerful, especially at the Soul King stage.
Even Li Yusong, who was at the Soul Emperor level, was not his opponent.
But there were simply too many geniuses in this generation.
"Teacher, don't worry!"
Ma Hongjun turned his head toward Flender and waved his hand.
"Tang Yin definitely won't lose!"
If only he could truly feel reassured.
Flender shook his head. These brats had already been beaten badly once, yet they still hadn't learned their lesson.
Confidence was a good thing, but excessive confidence would eventually bring backlash.
"Forget it. Do as you see fit."
Flender waved his sleeve and left, no longer bothering to say more.
He had originally thought that with Tang San's return, this tournament would be theirs for the taking.
Who could have imagined that this year's geniuses would appear in endless numbers, like fish crossing a river…
Most importantly, Tang San's teammates were somewhat lacking.
If he had even one participant from any Elemental Academy as a teammate, he wouldn't be in such a powerless position now.
After all, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others were simply too young.
The competition proceeded in an orderly manner. About seven days later, Shrek Academy finally faced Sky Water Academy.
"Today's match will be interesting!"
"Both Shrek Academy and Sky Water Academy have Soul King-level experts. I heard Shrek lost badly in the preliminaries. I wonder if they'll show their true strength this time."
Hearing such remarks, the participating contestants from God Wind, Blazing, and Thunder Academies shook their heads, their expressions becoming strange.
Back in the preliminaries, Shrek Academy hadn't just lost badly.
They hadn't even had the strength to fight back.
"Shrek Academy has no chance!"
"During the preliminaries, the captain of Sky Water Team didn't even make a move before Shrek Team collapsed."
Sky Water Academy had brought in outside help without any sense of sportsmanship!
They wished they could have such powerful reinforcements too!
"Contestants from Sky Water Academy and Shrek Academy, please take the stage!"
With the referee's announcement, the match between Sky Water Academy and Shrek Academy officially began!
"Wait… H-he's going on first?"
"Is Sky Water Academy taking this match that seriously?"
"Wang Li never appeared during the preliminaries."
"The ranking tournament is already halfway over, and he still hasn't appeared once."
"Yet now, facing Shrek Academy again, he's actually the first to go on stage!"
Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, and the others' pupils shrank as they looked toward the figure on stage in disbelief.
On the VIP platform, Ning Fengzhi, Xue Qinghe, and Salas all straightened in their seats, staring intently at Wang Li on the stage.
"That brat is finally making a move. Is it because of Tang San?"
Ning Fengzhi stroked his chin thoughtfully.
'Little brother, what realm have you reached in this life?'
Qian Renxue curled her lips slightly, thinking to herself.
'The Young Lord's younger brother must be extremely powerful, right?'
Salas wore a solemn expression, but his eyes shone with hope.
On Shrek Academy's side, everyone was somewhat confused. They had expected Wang Li to appear, but not as the very first contestant!
"Damn it, did Sky Water Academy see through our strategy?"
Ma Hongjun roared unwillingly.
They had assumed Wang Li would appear last, so they had deliberately arranged their tactics.
The earlier members would try their best to eliminate Xue Wu and the others, then exhaust Shui Bing'er or defeat her.
If they could wear down Zhu Zhuqing as well, that would already count as a great victory!
When Tang San faced Zhu Zhuqing and Wang Li, the pressure on him would be much smaller.
There was even a chance Wang Li wouldn't appear at all, since he hadn't been listed earlier!
"He's targeting us — he's definitely targeting us!"
Dai Mubai clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth.
He was absolutely right.
Wang Li was targeting them.
And Wang Li had never tried to hide that fact.
---
On the arena stage—
Wang Li stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the trembling Tai Long.
"Little monkey, you can't even stand steady when facing me. Step down. Don't embarrass yourself."
Pre-match trash talk was a long-standing tradition. If words could provoke the opponent into losing their composure, victory would come much more easily.
Of course, this approach also risked triggering the opponent's sudden power-up. One mistake could easily turn the situation around.
"Wang Li, don't underestimate me!!"
Tai Long's face was filled with anger. His entire body trembled, yet he did not retreat.
The Strength Clan was known for being stubborn and unyielding.
"Underestimate you?"
Wang Li gave a disdainful smile, tilting his head slightly as he glanced sideways at Tai Long.
"Have you ever seen me look at you straight on?"
Everyone: "..."
This kid was just asking for a beating!
Qian Renxue supported her forehead with one hand, a faint smile appearing on her face.
This brat hadn't changed at all.
Still just as infuriating as ever…
—
End of Chapter