Marco's earth-shaking victory had placed immense pressure on all competing teams, casting a particularly heavy atmosphere over the subsequent matches. The audience's discussions lingered for a long time on that unbelievable Overbearing Aura.
However, the tournament continued. Only when the host announced the next match was about to begin did people's attention return to the Soul Duel Stage.
"Preliminary round one, next match: Shrek Academy versus Blazing Glory Academy! Competitors, please enter the stage!"
As the host's voice faded, the arena first fell silent, then erupted into undisguised mocking laughter and pointing remarks.
From the entrance tunnel, Shrek Academy's members emerged one by one, wearing their signature bizarre "shit-green" team uniforms with exaggerated slogans printed on the back, their faces filled with embarrassment as they forced themselves forward.
"Hahahaha! Look! It's Shrek Academy! Those outfits... hahahaha!"
"Oh my heavens! This aesthetic sense... absolutely incredible! Are they here to compete or to perform comedy?"
"Look at that bearded guy! And that fat one! Their expressions look like they're heading to the execution ground! Hahaha!"
"That girl is quite pretty, what a shame about the uniform..."
"Where did this academy come from? Some rural backwater? They're too shabby!"
The mocking laughter from the stands surged like tidal waves, while the expressions of the dignitaries in the VIP seats were quite varied.
Emperor Xue Ye frowned slightly, clearly unable to appreciate the "taste" of these uniforms. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. Ning Fengzhi shook his head helplessly as he watched his daughter Ning Rongrong's embarrassed expression, wishing she could hide her face. Bishop Salas looked contemptuous. Li Zhaoyan remained calm and composed.
The Shrek members listened to the harsh mockery around them, their faces flushing red. Dai Mubai's veins bulged on his forehead, Tang San's mouth twitched, Xiao Wu stamped her feet in anger, Ma Hongjun wore a bitter expression, Zhu Zhuqing's face was cold as frost, while Ning Rongrong and Oscar looked like they were about to cry. Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang walked at the front, his expressionless face revealing nothing, but his pace noticeably quickened. Flender and Zhao Wuji followed behind, one pushing up his glasses pretending to admire the scenery, the other whistling while looking at the sky.
"Endure it! Use your strength to shut them up!" Grandmaster's low voice reached each team member's ears.
These words instantly cleared the Shrek members' minds. They straightened their backs, ignored the mockery, and strode firmly toward the Soul Duel Stage. This composure maintained amidst the ridicule actually made some perceptive spectators stop their laughter and show surprise.
In the VIP seats, Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly: "Rongrong and the others have matured quite a bit in temperament."
Both teams took their positions on the Soul Duel Stage. The seven members of Blazing Glory Academy shone with their Soul Rings, looking imposing and contemptuous.
The referee announced loudly: "Match—begin!"
"Brothers, release your Martial Souls!" Dai Mubai roared, taking the lead in unleashing his Martial Soul! White Tiger Avatar emerged as two yellow and two purple Soul Rings rose! Soul Ancestor!
Immediately after, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass spread out, with two yellow, one purple, and one black Soul Rings pulsating! Soul Ancestor! The fourth Soul Ring was ten-thousand year!
Xiao Wu swung her Scorpion Braid, Soft Bone Rabbit Avatar emerging with two yellow and two purple Soul Rings! Soul Ancestor!
Zhu Zhuqing activated her Nether Cat Avatar, revealing two yellow and two purple Soul Rings! A Soul Ancestor!
Tailong activated his Great Strength Ape Avatar, revealing two yellow and one purple Soul Rings! A Soul Honour!
Huang Yuan activated his Magic Wolf Avatar, revealing two yellow and one purple Soul Rings! A Soul Honour!
Jingling activated his Skeleton Martial Soul Avatar, revealing two yellow and one purple Soul Rings! A Soul Honour!
Shrek Academy fielded seven members—four Soul Ancestors and three Soul Honours! But what drew the most attention was Tang San, the control-type Soul Master, who actually possessed a profound black ten-thousand-year Soul Ring!
This display of strength, especially Tang San's striking ten-thousand-year fourth Soul Ring, instantly silenced all the mocking laughter in the arena! In its place fell a deathly stillness, followed by an explosive wave of astonished exclamations!
"Four Soul Ancestors! That control-type has a ten-thousand-year fourth ring!"
"My heavens! A ten-thousand-year fourth ring! How is that possible?!"
"Even the three substitutes are Soul Honours! This team... is no ordinary one!"
"Who was laughing at them earlier? This is a slap in the face, isn't it?!"
In the VIP seats, several prominent figures showed expressions of surprise! Emperor Xue Ye straightened his posture! Ning Fengzhi's eyes gleamed with intense light! Bishop Salas's face shifted slightly! Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's gaze turned profound! Li Zhaoyan was also visibly moved! A ten-thousand-year fourth ring! This was an extremely rare phenomenon in the Soul Master Realm! This control-type youth was exceptionally gifted!
The seven members of Blazing Glory Academy's expressions instantly changed! Their contempt turned into gravity and a trace of panic! Their opponents actually had four Soul Ancestors! And one of them even had a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring! This strength far exceeded their expectations!
"Finish this quickly!" Dai Mubai, as the team captain on the field, issued the command!
"Second Spirit Ability, White Tiger Light Wave!" He initiated the attack, a blazing white light shooting straight toward the opposing captain!
Tang San directed from the center, "First Spirit Ability, Entanglement!" Blue Silver Grass rapidly spread, precisely restricting the opponents' movements!
Xiao Wu flashed forward, "Second Spirit Ability, Bewitchment!" Pink light shimmered in her eyes, causing one opponent to instantly lose focus!
Zhu Zhuqing advanced like a phantom, "First Spirit Ability, Netherworld Thrust!" Her sharp claws gleamed with cold light!
Tailong roared, "Second Spirit Ability, Explosive Force!His fist smashed toward an opponent with frenzied power!
Huang Yuan and Jingling also unleashed their respective Spirit Abilities, coordinating the assault!
The seven from Shrek Academy unleashed their Spirit Abilities in unison, their coordination seamless! With superior strength and flawless teamwork, Blazing Glory Academy quickly found themselves at a disadvantage!
Dai Mubai's White Tiger Light Wave forced the opposing captain to retreat repeatedly, followed by "Third Spirit Ability, White Tiger Vajra Transformation!" His power surged, and with one punch, he sent his opponent flying!
Xiao Wu's Bewitchment combined with "First Spirit Ability, Waist Bow!" effortlessly took down one opponent!
Zhu Zhuqing's Netherworld Thrust followed by "Second Spirit Ability, Nether Hundred Claws!" instantly incapacitated another!
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass controlled the entire field, "Second Spirit Ability, Parasitism!" Seeds silently attached to the opponents, suddenly erupting into entangling vines!
The remaining opponents, under the fierce assault from Tailong and the others, quickly crumbled!
The entire process took no more than three minutes! All seven members of Blazing Glory Academy lay defeated on the ground, utterly crushed! Shrek Academy had secured an easy victory without even needing to use the ten-thousand-year Spirit Ability!
The arena erupted into an uproar once more! Applause and exclamations rose and fell like waves!
"They won! They won so quickly!"
"Though not as stunning as that performance from Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, this was still a complete domination!"
"That control-type Soul Master is incredible! He won without even using his ten-thousand-year Soul Ring!"
"Shrek Academy... it seems they're not here as a joke—they truly have strength!"
In the VIP seats, Emperor Xue Ye's eyes showed appreciation: "A fine team, especially that control-type youth with a ten-thousand-year fourth ring—exceptionally gifted." Ning Fengzhi smiled, feeling proud of his daughter and her companions. Bishop Salas's gaze flickered, lingering on Tang San a moment longer. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe seemed lost in thought.
The referee loudly announced: "The victor—Shrek Academy!"
The Shrek members withdrew their Martial Souls and exchanged smiles. The previous embarrassment and awkwardness vanished completely, replaced by the joy and confidence of victory. They had proven their strength with their abilities!
Dai Mubai shook his fist: "Let's see who dares to look down on us now!"
Xiao Wu bounced excitedly: "Exactly! We're really strong!"
Tang San smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping across the stands before pausing briefly on the Royal Fight Team's rest area nearby. Marco's calm eyes were also fixed on him, and the two exchanged a slight nod.
Even Zhu Zhuqing's typically cool expression held a faint trace of a smile. The three substitutes—Tailong, Huang Yuan, and Jingling—were thrilled.
Below the stage, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun cheered excitedly.
A satisfied curve appeared on Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's typically expressionless face. Flender and Zhao Wuji high-fived in celebration.
With a clean and decisive victory, Shrek Academy announced their arrival! Though not as shocking as Marco's display, Tang San's ten-thousand-year fourth ring and the entire team's Soul Ancestor strength were enough to make them a force to be reckoned with in this tournament!
And the tournament had only just begun. The real challenges still lay ahead.