When Xiao Hongchen noticed the Shrek Academy team, the Shrek students naturally noticed them as well—these long-time rivals.
Dai Huabin frowned as he looked at Huo Yuhao, who was smiling at him with innocent warmth. For some reason, this person gave him a strong sense of déjà vu, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember where they'd met.
After all, back when he was a child, he had considered Huo Yun'er and her son little more than vermin—two parasites clinging to the White Tiger Duke's household, not even worth remembering.
There was no way he could have guessed that the so-called "half-breed" he used to trample underfoot would one day become an honored citizen of the Sun Moon Empire—a beacon of their glory.
And Huo Yuhao really was smiling. Seeing that his dear brother had survived the evil soul master ambush without serious injuries filled him with sincere joy.
Even if they were just reserve members, Xiao Hongchen had decided it would be good to introduce himself. He led Huo Yuhao and Meng Hongchen straight toward them.
The three Shrek members, unwilling to lose face right off the bat, also walked toward them without hesitation.
Once they were face to face, Xiao Hongchen offered a polite smile and extended his hand.
"Greetings, students of Shrek Academy. I'm Xiao Hongchen, from the Sun Moon Empire's Royal Soul Engineering Academy. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Behind him, Meng Hongchen stuck out her tongue at her show-off of a brother. 'We're all reserve team members here, and you're a Soul King. Do you really need to flex on them like this?'
The Shrek trio exchanged glances. Seeing that Xiao Hongchen didn't seem much older than them, they assumed he was also a reserve member and lowered their guard slightly. Following their unspoken agreement, Dai Huabin—known for his strength—stepped forward.
"Dai Huabin."
He smiled confidently, reaching out to shake Xiao Hongchen's hand.
But the moment their hands met, an intense pain surged through Dai Huabin's palm. His expression shifted despite his best efforts to maintain composure—but everyone could sense something was off.
Huo Yuhao and Meng Hongchen both let out synchronized snorts of laughter, making no effort to hide their amusement.
Sensing that Dai Huabin had instinctively activated his White Tiger Martial Soul to resist the pressure, Xiao Hongchen withdrew his hand with a smile.
"Heh. Seems like we're all around the same age, and all reserve members. I guess that means we won't get to face each other in the tournament. Still, it's nice to meet you."
With that, he spun around dramatically and walked away without looking back.
Huo Yuhao and Meng Hongchen rolled their eyes in perfect sync again. Their overly dramatic senior sure loved putting on a show.
Not to be outdone, Huo Yuhao clasped his hands behind his back and turned to leave. One middle finger casually slipped out behind him.
Xu Sanshi's face turned from green to purple in frustration. He wanted to respond with the same "friendly" gesture, but those three had already vanished like the wind, giving them no chance.
Wang Dong, more concerned, walked over to Dai Huabin and saw him staring at his own hand in disbelief.
"No way... I actually lost in strength to someone my own age? And I have the White Tiger Martial Soul. That's impossible."
The fact that even a reserve member from the Sun Moon Empire could overpower him was a blow to his already fragile ego.
"The White Tiger is undoubtedly one of the strongest power-type martial souls. If you lost, it probably wasn't because of your soul, but because of your cultivation."
Wang Dong gazed seriously at the trio's retreating figures.
Dai Huabin lifted his head, confused. He was already a Soul Ancestor. How could someone his age have surpassed him in soul power?
Then, a terrifying thought crossed his mind.
"Wait... Is he a Soul King? At fifteen?"
"It's just a guess. Maybe he also has a particularly strong power-type martial soul."
They both fell silent. Deep down, they knew that possibility was slim. The most likely explanation was that Xiao Hongchen really was a Soul King.
With heavy hearts, they turned back to their rooms.
As Wang Dong recalled Huo Yuhao's face and watched his silhouette disappear into the distance, he felt a strange, painful sensation—like something once part of him had been ripped away.
'What's happening to me...'
---
That evening, after drawing lots for the preliminary rounds, Jing Hongchen returned to the Star Sovereign Grand Hotel beaming with delight. The entire Sun Moon team had gathered to hear the results.
"The opponent in our first round of the round-robin stage... Well, that's not important. What is important is that if you all don't win the championship this time, you'll really be disgracing the Sun Moon Empire. Hahaha!"
Everyone looked at each other, confused. Why was the Headmaster so relaxed about this?
"Headmaster, what do you mean...?"
Ma Rulong couldn't help but ask. After all, with Shrek Academy competing, winning had always been considered impossible.
"You want to know why?" Jing Hongchen chuckled. "What if I told you Shrek's main team suffered a major incident before the tournament began? Dead, injured, and only two Soul Emperors and one Soul King are even able to compete—none of whom can enter the early or mid-stage matches due to injury."
Everyone was stunned—except for Huo Yuhao.
'Three main team members… If nothing's changed from the original timeline, they must be Ling Luochen, Dai Yaoheng, and Ma Xiaotao.'
As they considered what this crippled Shrek team meant, a few of the students couldn't hold back their laughter.
Xiao Hongchen, however, looked disappointed.
"Can a team that pathetic even make it far enough to face us?"
"Seriously. It's hardly even worth playing against them," Meng Hongchen sneered.
Xiao Hongchen eventually accepted it with a sigh. At least he'd have another shot at the next tournament—another chance to face his long-time obsession: Shrek Academy.
The main team members, though, didn't share his fixation. They cared less about defeating Shrek in a "noble" way, and more about the very real chance they now had to win the entire tournament. That was what truly excited them.
"Guess we have to win now, huh, Headmaster?"
"Yeah, it's practically fate."
"Heh, suddenly this tournament feels too easy. Guess we'll just grab the crown real quick."
Jing Hongchen was just as fired up. Who would've thought that the first year he led the team, the Sun Moon squad would actually have a shot at winning it all?
'Maybe I am a lucky star,' he mused. 'First I recruit a genius like Huo Yuhao, and now a free ticket to the championship...'
Once the celebration settled, Jing Hongchen's tone turned serious.
"But don't celebrate too early. Hmph. I bet the Star Luo organizers have been doing everything they can to help Shrek. They probably gave them the easiest matchups and dumped all the tough ones on us."
"When we reach the later rounds, you'd better be ready. The opponent list is here—go review it and work on your strategies. Since this tournament's practically easy mode, don't expect me to coach you. You're on your own. Understood?"
The Sun Moon team's first match would soon begin. Their opponent: the Northern Advanced Soul Master Academy from the Heavenly Soul Empire.
---
The match format was a classic one-on-one elimination battle.
The opposing team had seven members: two Soul Kings, three Soul Ancestors, and two Soul Elders. A strange spread of power—far from weak, but not so strong the Sun Moon team could just breeze through them.
Of course, the tournament organizers didn't dare rig things too obviously by throwing top-tier teams at the Sun Moon squad from the get-go. Too blatant, and the wealthy spectators would notice.
Strong matchups were always saved for the quarterfinals onward. That was the unwritten rule.
As it was the Sun Moon team's debut, even Shrek Academy's Teacher Wang Yan showed up with Bei Bei to observe.
"Bei Bei, watch carefully. Their martial souls, soul skills—every detail. Opportunities to gather intel are rare. If we want to win, we'll need information."
"Understood, Teacher."
Bei Bei nodded and turned to watch as the Northern team sent their first competitor into the arena.
"Where's the Sun Moon team's first fighter?"
He squinted toward the other side, and when he saw who stepped onto the platform, his eyes widened.
"Wait… it's him!"
Huo Yuhao.
Wang Yan looked over.
"You know him?"
Bei Bei shook his head, still stunned, and quickly recounted the story of the boy he'd met at the edge of the Star Dou Forest.
"I had no idea he was with the Sun Moon Empire's Royal Soul Engineering Academy. Then why was he traveling alone to the forest? Wait… that day, he was carrying a full travel pack… Could it be—he used to be from the Star Luo Empire and defected? No way…"
He shook his head again. Recalling how ruthlessly the boy had rejected Tang Ya, he didn't want to dwell on it.
'Whatever the truth is, he's our enemy now.'
Wang Yan was also surprised but didn't think too deeply about it. He turned back to focus on the match.
'He's so young… probably a reserve member. Looks like the Sun Moon team is using him to scout the opponent's capabilities. A conservative and cautious move. They're not expecting a win in round one. Hm. Tricky tactics.'
He didn't hold out much hope that this kid could win—or that he'd reveal anything valuable.
Bei Bei, however, frowned as he looked at the angry, insulted Northern team fighter across from the expressionless Huo Yuhao.
He couldn't stop thinking about that day—when this same boy had walked out of the Star Dou Forest alone, transformed, and radiating a deadly aura.
'This match… might not be so simple after all,' Bei Bei thought.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, Go Check It Out.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.