The tournament gathered elites from all over, with female soul masters serving as stunning highlights of the event.
Among them, the women of Tianshui Academy stood out as the most captivating.
"Wow, that blonde guy is so handsome!"
Shui Yue'er gushed, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Dai Mubai, utterly starstruck.
She was dressed in a water-blue dress, one long leg clad in a water-blue stocking while the other was bare, exposed to the air.
"Xiao Qi, don't let your fangirling cause you to hold back later!"
"No way! I'm just appreciating a handsome man, that's all," Shui Yue'er replied with a laugh, shaking her head.
While men gathered to talk about beautiful women, women inevitably discussed handsome men when together.
"That spot over there—that's where Shrek Academy is. He might be in the first match," someone remarked.
"Shrek Academy? What a weird name. It doesn't suit such a good-looking guy!"
"Wait! Did you see those two women?"
Qiu Ruoshui's expression suddenly changed, and she pointed toward a pair of figures.
Following her gaze, the other women's faces changed as well when they recognized the duo.
"Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling? Weren't they part of the Royal Fighting Team? Why are they with Shrek Academy?"
Tianshui Academy had previously faced off against the Royal Fighting Team, so they naturally recognized Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
Facing the Royal Fighting Team was a tremendous pressure for Tianshui Academy.
The team boasted the Beast Martial Spirit, the world's top-tier offensive spirit, along with formidable defense specialists like the Shi brothers, whose Black Tortoise Spirit offered unparalleled defense.
As for Ye Lingling, the Nine Hearts Begonia healer, her presence alone made the Royal Fighting Team nearly undefeatable.
"Looks like we need to pay closer attention to Shrek Academy," Qiu Ruoshui muttered.
The presence of Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling at Shrek Academy defied logic.
After all, Dugu Yan had been the Vice-Captain of the Royal Fighting Team!
Time flew by, and the half-hour preparation period quietly passed.
Today's tournament marked the opening ceremony of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
Only one match would be held today, with the official competition starting tomorrow.
Thus, both Royal Fighting Team II and Shrek Academy would rest tomorrow.
"Royal Fighting! Royal Fighting!"
"Royal Fighting, unstoppable!"
The deafening cheers echoed through the arena, making the members of Royal Fighting Team II feel the weight of the world on their shoulders.
"Can everyone stop shouting? If we lose, it'll just look worse!" one team member muttered bitterly.
"Sigh... Let's get on the stage," their captain said, shaking his head helplessly.
The team members nodded and trudged toward the platform, their spirits low. There would be no dramatic entrances or showy performances—keeping a low profile might make their impending loss less humiliating.
What if their opponents only had Dugu Yan as a powerhouse while the rest were weaklings?
This thought, though hopeful, was fleeting.
"That's strange. Why does Royal Fighting Team II look so dejected?"
"Yeah, with so many people cheering for them, why do they look like they've already lost?"
The moment the Royal Fighting Team II stepped onto the stage, murmurs broke out among the audience. Fortunately, the comments were quickly drowned out by the louder cheers.
On Shrek Academy's side, the participants were Dai Mubai, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Tang San, Ma Hongjun, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling.
"Sister Yan, Sister Lingling, hello!"
When the Royal Fighting Team II saw the lineup, their faces darkened. Their captain awkwardly greeted Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
The spectators froze at the unexpected familiarity.
What kind of academy was Shrek? Even the members of the Royal Fighting Team II seemed to know them?
After all, the Royal Fighting Team II members were all from noble families. Their strength wasn't to be underestimated, yet here they were, humbly greeting Shrek's team—and even sounding a bit sycophantic.
"Well, well. It's you lot. Are you going to surrender now, or should I personally send you off?"
Dugu Yan teased, covering her mouth with her left hand while holding onto Dai Mubai's arm with her right. Her tone was light and playful.
"Sister Yan, you're joking. We don't have a choice in the matter!" the Royal Fighting Team II captain replied, spreading his hands in helplessness.
He wanted to surrender but couldn't. The honor they represented wouldn't allow it.
"Sister Yan, could you at least let us stay on stage a few minutes longer?" the team's sole female member asked weakly.
There were levels of defeat: losing quickly, losing slowly, and being utterly crushed. A total wipeout would be too humiliating.
Dugu Yan had reached Rank 49 half a year ago. If she wasn't already a Soul King by now, the Royal Fighting Team II would gladly eat their badges.
A Soul King-level powerhouse could easily carry a weaker team to victory. Beating Royal Fighting Team II would be a piece of cake.
"I'm afraid that's not for me to decide. Right, Captain?"
Dugu Yan turned to Dai Mubai with a smile, shaking his arm playfully.
Thanks to her grandfather, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, the Royal Fighting Team II had always treated her with utmost respect.
"Fine. Let's treat this first match as a demonstration," Dai Mubai agreed, nodding.
There was no need to make enemies of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Showing a little respect wouldn't hurt.
"Hmph! Matches shouldn't be treated so casually! If something goes wrong and we lose, how will we explain it to Dean Flender?"
Tang San's disapproval was evident.
His remark left both Shrek Academy and Royal Fighting Team II stunned.
What's with this guy? Even if their captain agreed, who is he to object?
What's his strength to dare make such comments?
The members of Royal Fighting Team II silently took note of Tang San. Losing was one thing, but they would definitely give this unassuming oddball a lesson.
"This was supposed to be Royal Fighting's glory," lamented Meng Shenji.
Seated below Emperor Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Salas, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's three education committee members and Prince Xue Xing looked on with mixed emotions.
Meng Shenji's gaze rested on Dugu Yan as he sighed.
Poison Douluo had insisted on transferring Dugu Yan out, claiming the Heaven Dou Royal Academy couldn't protect her. What could they do?
Reason with Poison Douluo?
That was laughable—Poison Douluo never cared for reason.
Besides, it was indeed their failure to protect her that had led to her departure.
"Sigh…" Meng Shenji sighed again.
"Yan'er should have reached the Soul King level by now, right?" Meng Shenji speculated.
In the arena, Dou Dou's announcement rang out:
"The match begins!"
"Martial spirits, activate—!"
(End of Chapter)