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"Could this trajectory be...?"
Zhou Yi, recalling something, leapt into the air and looked down at the field from above.
Now she could see it clearly.
"It really is a musical staff! The paths traced by Xiao Xiao's Three Lives Soul-Sealing Cauldron each time it flickers—if drawn out—form a melody. It appears as though she is using the cauldron to defend, but in reality, it's an acoustic array," Zhou Yi explained. Her theoretical knowledge was impressive.
She was right—it was indeed an acoustic array.
One of the acoustic arrays recorded in the Primal Law Mantra, and also one of the most commonly used combat techniques of the Celestial Sound Sect.
The sect had three core cultivation methods, but their acoustic arrays had twenty-four variations.
These were divided into the Six Spring Melodies, Six Summer Melodies, Six Autumn Melodies, and Six Winter Melodies. Each season had six melodies. For example, the Spring Melodies included the Beginning of Spring Tune, Rain Water Tune, Awakening of Insects Tune, Spring Equinox Tune, Pure Brightness Tune, and Grain Rain Tune.
Only by mastering all six tunes could one achieve mastery over the Primal Law Mantra.
After that, one would proceed to the Summer Melodies: Start of Summer Tune, Lesser Fullness Tune, Grain in Ear Tune, Summer Solstice Tune, Lesser Heat Tune, and Greater Heat Tune.
Once fully mastered, one could advance to the next level of cultivation, transitioning to the Stringless Resonance technique.
Following this progression, the highest-level technique, Heavenly Resonance of Severed Strings, required mastery of all twenty-four melodies.
Currently, Xiao Xiao had already learned the Beginning of Spring Tune and Rain Water Tune and was studying the Awakening of Insects Tune. She had made modest progress in the Primal Law Mantra.
At this moment, the acoustic array she deployed with her Three Lives Soul-Sealing Cauldron was based on the Beginning of Spring Tune.
Xiao Xiao remembered Yuwen Tuo's teachings and silently recited the mantra.
"The Palace tone belongs to the throat sound, associated with the earth element, and is the leader of the five tones, representing defense;
The Shang tone belongs to the teeth sound, associated with the metal element, representing aggression;
The Jue tone belongs to the molars' sound, associated with the wood element, representing control.
The Zhi tone belongs to the tongue sound, associated with the fire element, representing strength;
The Yu tone belongs to the lip sound, associated with the water element, representing concealment."
When the Soul-Sealing Cauldron appeared at the "Palace" position of the musical staff, its defensive power was astonishing. All consecutive attacks from the three opponents were blocked by the cauldron.
At the "Jue" position, the cauldron emitted a series of rhythmic "thuds." The musical symbols acted like chains, entangling the limbs of the three opponents.
Finally, at the "Shang" position, the Three Lives Soul-Sealing Cauldron split into three parts.
A thunderous "boom" reverberated throughout the arena.
In an instant, the three opponents seemed to collapse mentally, their eyes rolling back as they were flung backward, landing outside the battlefield.
Xiao Xiao clapped her hands cheerfully. "Hehe, done!"
The teacher quickly checked on them and found that they had only fainted. Xiao Xiao had shown mercy, not harming their souls. He immediately announced, "The match is over! The team led by Yuwen Tuo wins!"
"Well done, Xiao Xiao!" Yuwen Tuo couldn't help but give her a thumbs-up. Her talent was truly remarkable.
She had mastered the Beginning of Spring Tune to such a degree in such a short time.
This match was essentially a free win for him, but he didn't mind—he'd take the easy victory.
In any case, their first match of the freshman tournament had been successfully cleared, securing their first blood!
"Yay, Tuo-tuo praised me! I'm so happy!" Xiao Xiao's heart was filled with joy, though she maintained her tsundere demeanor. "Hmph, this was nothing. I haven't even used the Rain Water Tune or Awakening of Insects Tune yet. The opponents were too weak—they couldn't even withstand my first acoustic array."
Yuwen Tuo ruffled Xiao Xiao's hair affectionately. "Alright, the competition has just begun. There'll be plenty of opportunities for you to shine. Today's victory calls for a celebration. I'll personally cook dinner for you tonight. Lian Yue, would you like to join us?"
As teammates, Yuwen Tuo naturally hadn't forgotten about Lian Yue.
Xiao Xiao tugged on Lian Yue's arm and smiled. "Lian Yue, come with us! Tuo-tuo's cooking is delicious—way better than Class President's grilled fish. Trust me, you won't be disappointed."
Lian Yue realized something. "So Yuwen Tuo can cook? No wonder Xiao Xiao has gained at least five or six pounds in the past three months!"
"What?! Really?" Xiao Xiao panicked and immediately checked her waist. It still looked slim, but she turned to Yuwen Tuo worriedly. "Tuo-tuo, have I really gained weight?"
Yuwen Tuo nodded honestly. "Just a little."
"What?! Then I'm going on a hunger strike to lose weight and prove my resolve!" Xiao Xiao declared firmly.
Yuwen Tuo glanced at the petite girl, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Today's menu includes my signature dishes: Mapo tofu that combines numbing, spicy, fragrant, crispy, tender, and savory flavors, along with braised pork belly that's tender, fatty but not greasy. If you don't want them, Lian Yue and I will enjoy them instead."
"Gulp!" Xiao Xiao unconsciously swallowed. Just hearing Yuwen Tuo describe the dishes made her imagine how delicious they would be.
"Tuo-tuo, you're so mean! Fine, for your sake, I'll eat today. But tomorrow, I'll start dieting!" Xiao Xiao immediately chased after the two.
As the trio walked off the stage, others instinctively made way for them.
Xiao Xiao's performance had been dazzling—she had effortlessly defeated three opponents. Everyone knew that the strongest member of the team was undoubtedly their captain, Yuwen Tuo, who hadn't even fought in this match.
It was clear that this team was not to be underestimated.
"Oh, so that's Xiao Xiao? The girl rumored to have some affection for Yuwen Tuo. She's quite cute, though she hasn't fully matured yet. Still, she's definitely a beauty in the making—she'll grow up to be stunning!" A beautiful woman seated in the audience spoke with a smile, arms crossed.
This was Ling Luochen.
She had come to watch the match out of concern for Yuwen Tuo and also wanted to meet Xiao Xiao.
True to the rumors, it was obvious at a glance that Xiao Xiao liked Yuwen Tuo.
But Ling Luochen wasn't angry or jealous. After all, she saw Yuwen Tuo as a younger brother.
What worried her was what might happen when Ma Xiaotao came out of seclusion and saw this. Knowing her temperament, she might go berserk again.
By then, Ling Luochen resolved to intervene if necessary. Though she knew she couldn't defeat Ma Xiaotao in a fight, she wasn't afraid of confronting her.
Compared to Ma Xiaotao, who was domineering, unreasonable, and had caused Yuwen Tuo six years of suffering, Ling Luochen believed Xiao Xiao was more likely to bring happiness to Yuwen Tuo.
He had already endured twelve difficult years. Hadn't Shrek Academy wronged him enough? Should they destroy his chance at happiness for the rest of his life as well?
Ling Luochen decided that she wouldn't let Ma Xiaotao have her way anymore.
---
The next day, the matches continued. This time, Xiao Xiao didn't fight—it was Yuwen Tuo's turn.
Their opponents were a team consisting of two Great Soul Masters and one Soul Master. However, the gap in strength between them and Yuwen Tuo was overwhelming.
"Slash!" Yuwen Tuo swung his blade, the flames surging forth like a tide ripping through the sky.
While swordsmen were often hailed as the strongest attackers in their tier, blade wielders were no less formidable—and far more domineering.
The three opponents couldn't withstand Yuwen Tuo's blade momentum and were instantly sent flying.
Two consecutive victories secured.
Next:
"Core Flame Finger Strike!"
Three consecutive wins.
"Watch this: Cauldron Shockwave!"
Four consecutive triumphs.
"Widespread Wildfire Technique."
Five consecutive perfections.
After five matches, Yuwen Tuo's team stood undefeated, far ahead of other teams. Moreover, in each match, only Yuwen Tuo or Xiao Xiao had fought, occasionally supported by Lian Yue's Wish Disk.
Such a dominant team had practically locked in first place in Zone 21. This meant they would qualify as a seeded team for the elimination rounds, avoiding early encounters with strong teams from other zones.
Yuwen Tuo knew that the real freshmen tournament would begin once the elimination rounds started.