The two of them walked onto the Soul Dueling Platform together.
In the center of the platform, a silver pedestal half the height of a person was placed; it was glistening white all over and emitted a faint silver glow.
Two palm prints of moderate size were clearly imprinted on it; this was the tool for this draw—the Drawing Platform.
"Please place your hands on the Drawing Platform, the two of you." The host's voice rang out once more.
Zhang Lexuan and Xu Tianran exchanged a glance. Without any unnecessary interaction, they simultaneously placed their right hands onto the palm prints on the Drawing Platform.
Immediately after, both of them simultaneously mobilized the spirit power within their bodies and channeled it into the Drawing Platform.
In an instant, the silver-white Drawing Platform flared with light, and a dazzling silver radiance spread from the palm prints, quickly enveloping the entire platform.
At the same time, the four giant spirit tool screens distributed around the Tianling Grand Plaza lit up simultaneously.
On the screens, the three options of "One-on-One," "Two-Two-Three Mode," and "Team Battle" were scrolling continuously.
The speed became faster and faster, turning into blurred streaks of light, rendering the tense atmosphere at the scene to the extreme.
Countless spectators held their breath, their eyes fixed tightly on the giant spirit tool screens, cold sweat unconsciously breaking out on their palms as they silently prayed that the team they supported would draw a favorable order.
The short few seconds spent waiting for the draw results felt as long as a century.
Just then, Zhang Lexuan broke the silence first. She transmitted her voice: "Xu Tianran, you are strong, and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy indeed has the capital to be proud."
Her voice was calm but carried unquestionable confidence: "But the champion of this tournament still belongs to Shrek Academy."
Upon hearing this, the smile at the corners of Xu Tianran's mouth became more pronounced, and he replied via voice transmission: "Captain Zhang is indeed confident."
"However, the match has not yet begun, and the outcome is not yet decided. How about we make a bet?"
Zhang Lexuan was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Xu Tianran to propose a bet at this moment.
She raised an eyebrow and asked via voice transmission: "Oh? What do you want to bet on?"
"It's very simple." A hint of cunning flashed in Xu Tianran's eyes: "Let's bet on the glory of your Shrek."
"If you lose, then Shrek Academy must publicly admit in front of the hundreds of thousands of people present that you are inferior to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy."
As his voice fell, he paused and added: "Of course, if you feel this bet is too big and are unwilling, we can change it."
"If you lose, you come with me to the Sun Moon Empire and stay for three years, how about that?"
Hearing this bet, a trace of surprise flashed in Zhang Lexuan's eyes, which then transformed into a confident smile.
She replied via voice transmission: "Your bet is quite interesting. However, you seem to have forgotten one thing."
"What if it is your Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy that loses?"
The smile at the corners of Xu Tianran's mouth remained unchanged, and he replied via voice transmission in a relaxed tone: "Conversely, the same applies."
"If we lose, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy will also publicly admit to being inferior to Shrek, and I can also go to Shrek Academy and stay for three years."
"How about it? Do you dare to accept this bet?"
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Zhang Lexuan's voice remained firm: "However, I advise you to win the match first."
Just as the two finished this short and tense conversation through spirit power voice transmission, the light of the Drawing Platform suddenly receded.
At the same time, the text scrolling on the four giant spirit tool screens stopped instantly.
"The draw results are out!" The host's voice instantly rose, filled with irrepressible excitement: "Let us witness it together! The first duel of this grand final—Team Battle! The second duel—Two-Two-Three Mode Team Battle! The third duel—One-on-One Individual Battle!"
"Wow!" As soon as the host finished speaking, a huge exclamation erupted from the plaza.
Everyone had not expected that this grand final would actually start with the Team Battle, which was the most spectacular and most decisive for the overall situation!
This meant that the match would enter a white-hot peak duel right from the start.
Both teams would display their full strength without reservation; such an arrangement undoubtedly made everyone's blood boil.
"Too exciting! It's actually starting with a Team Battle!"
"My god, we're in for a good show now! Shrek's team battles are famous for their coordination!"
"Hard to say, the Sun Moon's spirit tool team battle strength is not to be underestimated either; they might catch Shrek off guard!"
"Regardless, this match definitely won't disappoint!"
Discussions and cheers rang out across the Tianling Grand Plaza once again, pushing the atmosphere at the scene to a new climax.
The host raised a hand to signal everyone to be quiet and continued: "Thank you to both captains for your cooperation!"
"The draw results have been determined. Next, both teams will have half an hour of preparation time."
"Please, both captains, return to your respective teams and lead your members to the exclusive preparation areas for final preparations!"
Zhang Lexuan and Xu Tianran simultaneously withdrew their hands from the Drawing Platform. The two exchanged another glance; without any further words, they simply turned around and walked in the direction of their respective teams.
Just as they were about to walk off the Soul Dueling Platform and part ways, Zhang Lexuan's voice transmission drifted into Xu Tianran's ears again, carrying a hint of provocation: "Xu Tianran, remember what you said. However, you should win this first Team Battle before talking."
Xu Tianran turned his head slightly, looking at Zhang Lexuan's back, and a meaningful smile curled at the corners of his mouth.
My cute little one is still so smart; Shrek really does fall for provocation.
As long as she agreed, that's fine. I'll take this opportunity to make a good profit.
Xu Tianran did not respond, only with a smile on his lips, he returned to the rest area of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Seeing Zhang Lexuan return, the members of Shrek Academy immediately surrounded her, their eyes filled with expectation and inquiry.
Zhang Lexuan looked at everyone and said: "Everyone, cheer up. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is very strong. For this Team Battle, we must go all out and secure the first victory!"
"Yes! Captain!" The members of Shrek responded in unison, their eyes instantly igniting with blazing fighting spirit.
They knew the importance of the Team Battle well; five points were enough to largely determine the direction of the match.
On the other side, in the rest area of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, all the members also revealed eager expressions.
"Team Battle opening? Great!" Vice Captain Qin Jie said excitedly: "I've long wanted to have a good match with Shrek!"
"Everyone, don't let your guard down." Xu Tianran raised his hand to signal the members to be quiet.
"Shrek's team battle coordination is perfect, and everyone's strength is very strong, but we must win this Team Battle!"
"Understood!" The members of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy responded in unison, their eyes also filled with firm conviction.
On the Tianling Grand Plaza, the enthusiasm of the spectators remained high; everyone was discussing the highlights of the Team Battle and guessing the tactical deployments of the two teams.
The sunlight became brighter, spilling onto everyone's faces, reflecting the expectation and excitement in their eyes.
The half-hour preparation time passed quietly under the gaze of everyone.
When the spirit tool loudspeaker rang out again with the host's passionate voice, everyone knew that the great battle that gripped the hearts of the entire continent was about to begin!
"Ladies and gentlemen! Preparation time is over! The first match of the All-Continent High-Level Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament grand final—Team Battle—is about to officially begin!"
"Let us use the warmest applause and cheers to welcome both teams onto the Soul Dueling Platform!"