The sparring session that left the entire Sun Moon Team practically "self-isolating" was, in truth, nothing more than a whim on Liu Yuan's part.
His original intention had simply been to give those overly proud geniuses a proper wake-up call—to temper their arrogance.
After all, rapid growth in strength could easily lead to overconfidence, and overconfidence could be fatal when facing real opponents.
So after that lesson—
Liu Yuan did not continue to beat them down so mercilessly.
Instead, everything returned to its usual rhythm.
Leading the team.
Training.
Refining coordination.
Yet after that unforgettable "baptism," Ma Rulong, Xiao Hongchen, and the others trained with unprecedented intensity.
Because no one wanted to be blasted off the stage again by their captain using just two skills.
That was humiliation.
And humiliation was the strongest motivation.
…
In the blink of an eye, another month passed.
The monotonous yet fulfilling special training finally came to an end.
At this moment, only half a month remained before the official opening of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
---
Bright Capital
Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy
The weather today was exceptionally clear—cloudless skies stretched endlessly overhead.
The academy's largest central plaza was already packed with people.
Banners fluttered.
Red flags waved.
This was a grand send-off ceremony.
A ceremony to see off the warriors who would soon travel far to the Star Luo Empire to participate in the tournament.
Nearly all of the academy's tens of thousands of students had gathered here spontaneously.
They wore neat uniforms, their faces filled with fervent admiration and anticipation.
Their gazes—
Were fixed tightly on the front of the plaza.
There stood the representatives of the academy.
They wore specially tailored dark-green team uniforms, their posture straight as spears thrust into the sky.
At the very front stood Liu Yuan.
His expression was calm, hands clasped behind his back. Amidst the sea of people, his presence was steady and immovable, like a towering mountain.
Behind him—
Ma Rulong stood to his left, Xiao Hongchen to his right.
Further back were Meng Hongchen, Mi Jia, Xiao Xiaofeng, and the rest of the main team members.
Every single one of them exuded a chilling, battle-hardened aura.
"Silence!"
Suddenly, a majestic voice amplified by a spirit-tool loudspeaker spread across the entire plaza.
The previously noisy crowd fell silent instantly.
You could hear a pin drop.
On the high platform, an old man with a short, stocky build—but an astonishingly powerful presence—walked slowly to the front.
It was Jing Hongchen, the Dean of Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
His eyes shone like lightning as he swept his gaze over the tens of thousands of students below, finally stopping on Liu Yuan and the others.
A hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
This was the strongest lineup he had ever seen since taking charge of the academy.
Without exception.
"Students," Jing Hongchen began, his voice loud and resonant.
"The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is about to begin."
"This is the highest stage for young soul masters across the entire continent!"
"And it is also the ultimate proving ground for the strength of our Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy!"
At this point, his voice rose sharply.
"Some people say that Soul Engineers are inferior to Spirit Masters."
"Some say we can never defeat that so-called 'Number One Academy on the Continent'—Shrek!"
"They have occupied the championship throne for far, far too long!"
"So long that they have forgotten reverence!"
"So long that the world believes their dominance is only natural!"
Jing Hongchen clenched his fist fiercely, the flesh on his face trembling with excitement.
"But!"
"I tell you now!"
"The times have changed!"
"This year, we possess an unprecedentedly powerful lineup!"
"We have the most advanced soul tool technology!"
"We have the most talented students!"
"And we even have a captain who creates miracles!"
He drew in a deep breath and roared:
"This time, we have only one goal!"
"That is—"
"The championship!"
"Bring that damned trophy back to the Sun Moon Empire!"
"Sun Moon Invincible!"
"Sun Moon Invincible!"
"Sun Moon Invincible!"
Below the stage, tens of thousands of students were ignited by his words, shouting in unison.
The sound waves surged skyward, piercing the clouds!
Ma Rulong and the others felt their blood boil, fists clenched, eyes blazing with battle intent.
"Set off!"
With Jing Hongchen's command, the send-off ceremony reached its climax.
This time, Jing Hongchen did not remain behind to manage academy affairs.
Instead—
He would personally lead the expedition.
He wanted to witness with his own eyes the moment the Sun Moon Empire stood at the pinnacle of the continent!
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—
Dozens of streaks of light shot into the sky.
These were high-grade flying soul tools prepared for the team.
Liu Yuan and the others transformed into beams of light, following Jing Hongchen as they cut through the air, racing southeast toward the Star Luo Empire.
---
High above the clouds, fierce winds roared.
Yet under the protection of their soul tool barriers, the flight was perfectly stable.
Watching the mountains and rivers rapidly recede beneath them, Liu Yuan's eyes grew deep and distant.
Unlike Xiao Hongchen and the others, who excitedly discussed tactics, or those who felt faint unease—
He remained silent.
Quietly gazing ahead.
His thoughts churned.
"So… it's finally time to set out."
He murmured to himself.
He had waited far too long for this day.
Ever since returning from the Extreme North, all his efforts, all his preparations—
Had been for this very moment.
To completely shatter Shrek Academy's glory on this world-renowned stage!
To trample that hypocritical "Number One on the Continent" beneath his feet!
And to obtain a Divine-Rank Spirit no inferior to Mega Rayquaza!
"For this Soul Master Tournament, I've prepared for a very long time."
"Now… I'm fully ready."
A cold curve slowly formed at the corner of his mouth.
His gaze seemed to pierce mountains and rivers, locking onto the distant east.
"And Shrek Academy…"
"Are you ready?"
---
Meanwhile—
Shrek City
Shrek Academy
Sea God Lake
A send-off ceremony was also being held here.
There was no grand spectacle of the entire school assembling, unlike Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
Yet the atmosphere here was heavier.
More solemn.
Shrek Academy did not need ostentatious displays.
Because in their hearts, Shrek itself was glory.
The championship was a given.
No mobilization was necessary.
Failure would be humiliation.
In front of Sea God Island, within the Inner Court—
A team of students wearing Shrek's dark-green uniforms stood in neat formation.
Their numbers were few.
But every single one of them was a monster among monsters.
The main team:
Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Chen Zifeng, Xixi, Bai Feng (replacing Ling Luochen), Yao Haoxuan, Gongyang Mo.
All seven were Spirit Emperors or quasi–Spirit Emperor-level powerhouses.
They were the golden generation of Shrek Academy!
Beside them stood the reserve team—still youthful, but no less talented:
Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan…
They were equally outstanding.
Xuan Zi stepped forward to speak.
His injuries had already fully recovered.
"Children," he said.
"The new tournament is about to begin."
"In previous years, Shrek Academy has always sat upon the championship throne."
"This time, I don't want to see any exceptions."
"So no matter who your opponents are, I want you to crush them!"
"Trample everything beneath your feet!"
"Defend the glory of Shrek Academy!"
"Can you do it?"
Xuan Zi suddenly crushed the chicken leg in his hand, bone fragments flying.
The students roared back in unison:
"Yes!"
Xuan Zi nodded in satisfaction, wasting no further words.
"Then let's go!"
"Let's take the championship—once again!"
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