The moment the result was announced—that the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy had drawn the individual elimination format for Group Six—the entire venue was thrown into shock.
After a brief, stunned silence, Star Luo Square erupted into an even louder uproar than before.
Even ordinary spectators with little understanding of the soul master world quickly grasped the implications after hearing the discussions around them.
For a soul engineer academy, an individual elimination tournament was nothing short of disastrous.
"Ah… what rotten luck for the Sun Moon team this year."
In the front rows, a burly, bearded man slapped his thigh in regret.
"Everyone knows the greatest strength of soul engineers lies in positional warfare and firepower coverage. Once rows of soul guidance cannons are deployed, who would dare charge straight in? But one-on-one fights… tsk, tsk."
"That's right!"
A young soul master in academy robes nodded emphatically, clearly knowledgeable.
"Soul engineers rely heavily on external tools. In team battles, with teammates covering for them, they have time to aim, lock on, and unleash their soul tools."
"But in individual elimination, your opponent won't give you that luxury—especially agile or defense-type soul masters who excel in close combat. Once a soul engineer gets dragged into melee, they're basically lambs waiting for slaughter."
"What a pity. A real pity. I thought we'd see the Sun Moon team recreate last year's brilliance, but now… that's unlikely."
Similar conversations echoed across the square.
It wasn't just the audience. Even the academy teams that had already drawn their lots—or were still waiting—looked at the Sun Moon team with complex expressions.
Sympathy. Gloating. Relief.
After all, one fewer powerful contender was good news for everyone else.
…
At this very moment, the happiest person present was none other than Xuanzi of Shrek Academy.
Staring at the glaring words "Individual Elimination Tournament" on the massive screen, Xuanzi felt as though all thirty-six thousand pores in his body had opened at once. A wave of indescribable comfort washed over him.
"Good! Good! Good!"
He shouted "good" three times in his heart. If not for the sheer number of people present, he would have laughed out loud and taken several big gulps of wine in celebration.
From afar, he glanced at Liu Yuan, a cruel smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"So arrogant, huh? Brat, weren't you always fond of acting superior?"
Even the heavens couldn't stand it anymore. Serves you right! You got drawn into individual elimination—let's see how you perform now!
In Xuanzi's eyes, soul engineers were nothing more than opportunists.
Without team cover and fixed defensive positions, they were just toothless sick cats.
At this moment, Xuanzi had only one burning thought—one desire above all others.
Shrek Academy has to be drawn into Group Six as well!
If we can get into Group Six…
Xuanzi's beard trembled slightly as excitement surged through him.
"With Shrek Academy's individual strength, we can absolutely crush the Sun Moon team!"
And even…
His gaze turned dark and calculating.
If a few more strong teams also end up in Group Six… hmph.
The round-robin stage used a points system, with only the top two teams in each group advancing.
If the Sun Moon team lost to several strong academies in individual elimination matches and fell to the bottom of the standings, they wouldn't even make the top sixteen.
Crush last year's runner-up. Crush that damned Liu Yuan—right here in the group stage.
Turn them into the laughingstock of the entire continent.
Just imagining that scene made Xuanzi tremble with excitement.
While he was lost in his beautiful fantasy, the lottery ceremony continued.
"Next—Crimson Flame Academy!"
As the prime minister's voice rang out, a tall, broad-shouldered youth with fiery red hair strode onto the stage.
Crimson Flame Academy.
Xuanzi raised an eyebrow slightly.
He remembered them.
A powerhouse academy from the Heavenly Soul Empire. While not as dazzling as Shrek or the Sun Moon Royal Academy, their foundation was deep and solid.
In the previous tournament, they had placed seventh overall on the continent—no small feat.
More importantly, Crimson Flame Academy specialized in fire-attributed martial souls, known for their ferocious offensive style. Their strength lay in frontal assaults and explosive individual combat.
A perfect match for individual elimination rounds.
"I have to draw Group Six… I have to draw Group Six…"
Xuanzi stared intensely at the red-haired youth's hand, silently chanting in his heart, more nervous than if he were drawing lots himself.
Perhaps his "prayer" truly reached the heavens.
The red-haired youth withdrew a ball, glanced at it, and raised it high.
"Crimson Flame Academy—Group Six!"
The instant the result was announced, Xuanzi nearly jumped out of his seat.
"Perfect!"
He clenched his fist tightly, eyes blazing with excitement.
Crimson Flame Academy was in Group Six!
And the format was individual elimination!
This was simply heaven-sent.
Xuanzi knew Crimson Flame Academy well—those fire-attribute maniacs possessed terrifying burst damage.
Against soul engineers in one-on-one combat, their win rate would be at least sixty percent!
We've got this! Even if Shrek doesn't end up in Group Six, Crimson Flame Academy alone will give Liu Yuan hell!
But… it's still not enough.
Xuanzi's eyes flickered as an even more sinister plan took shape.
If Shrek Academy also entered Group Six, he could fully exploit the rules.
For example—when Shrek faced Crimson Flame Academy, they could "hold back" slightly, conserving strength and letting Crimson Flame rack up points.
Then, when Shrek faced the Sun Moon team, they would go all out—no mercy, no chances given.
In that case, as long as Crimson Flame Academy defeated the Sun Moon team as well…
The two qualifying spots from Group Six would almost certainly go to Shrek Academy and Crimson Flame Academy!
The Sun Moon team would be eliminated on the spot!
"Hehehe…"
Xuanzi let out several low, eerie chuckles, drawing startled glances from the students beside him.
But he didn't care in the slightest.
All he could think about was the thrill of trampling Liu Yuan beneath his feet.
Time ticked by, second by second.
The first few groups gradually filled up.
Group Six already included the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Crimson Flame Academy, and several other mid-tier teams.
Only a few slots remained.
Finally—
"Next—Shrek Academy!"
The moment the prime minister spoke those words, the focus of the entire venue shifted.
Ma Xiaotao stood up from her seat, flicked her short pink hair, and strode confidently toward the stage, long legs moving with effortless grace.
Her expression was calm—neither nervous nor expectant.
To her, it didn't matter which group she drew.
As a member of Shrek Academy, she could crush any opponent.
But Xuanzi was an entirely different story.
Seated in the audience, he gripped the armrests so hard that his knuckles turned white.
He was screaming wildly in his heart:
Group Six! Group Six! It has to be Group Six!
Once we're in Group Six, I'll crush Liu Yuan completely!
Xiaotao—pull harder!
Onstage, Ma Xiaotao had already reached into the massive lottery box.
The entire square fell silent.
A few seconds later—
She withdrew her hand.
Without even looking at the white sphere, she handed it directly to the prime minister.
The prime minister examined it.
His expression paused for a split second.
Then he took a deep breath and announced loudly:
"Shrek Academy—"
At that moment, Xuanzi's heart leapt into his throat.
"—Group Six!"
Boom!
As the words fell, Star Luo Square seemed to explode.
Exclamations shot skyward.
"Oh my god! Shrek is in Group Six too!"
"A group of death! This is a true group of death!"
"The champion and runner-up from last year are meeting in the group stage—and it's individual elimination!"
"This is going to be insane! A true clash of titans!"
On the preparation bench—
"Hahahahaha!"
Xuanzi finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
He burst into wild laughter, laughing so hard that tears nearly streamed down his face.