The semi-finals were a grueling challenge for Shrek Academy.
In the seven-versus-seven team battle against the Star Luo Imperial Academy, most of the pressure fell on Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, and Dai Yueheng—three Soul Emperors or Soul Kings.
Toward the latter part of the match, Ma Xiaotao went all out. Her Evil Fire nearly went completely out of control and almost incinerated several of the Star Luo team members into ashes.
Just thinking about it made the referee, Tiansha Douluo, break into a cold sweat. Princess Xu Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire had also been participating in that match. Thankfully, he had kept a close eye on the dangerous Ma Xiaotao and reacted swiftly.
Having done everything they could to win, the Shrek team was overjoyed to have advanced to the finals. But—
"We really gave it our all."
Wang Yan, looking a bit lost, followed behind the energized Shrek team. Alone, he made that judgment.
The hope of winning the finals... truthfully, was slim.
Which meant that Wang Yan himself would likely face dismissal by those damned, outdated, and foolish elders of the Sea God Pavilion.
Because of his poor talent as a soul master, Wang Yan had long endured condescension at Shrek Academy. But his passion for soul master knowledge ran deep. He couldn't bear to leave this sanctuary of soul master wisdom, revered across the entire Douluo Continent.
His dream was to one day study in the Sea God Pavilion's library and absorb the vast collection of soul master texts amassed over ten thousand years.
That thought rekindled a spark in Wang Yan's eyes.
'No... I must get in, no matter what.'
His meager talent had earned him no respect. His only source of pride came from his deep love and knowledge of martial souls.
In truth, that knowledge was his everything.
'The finals... there's still a chance.'
With that hope burning inside him, Wang Yan hastened to catch up with the rest of the Shrek team.
The next day, since neither team had injured members in need of recovery, the finals began as scheduled.
At the highest point of the stands, the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire and his entourage—who normally would have waited until both teams entered—had already arrived early.
What the audience couldn't see was the worry etched across Xu Jiawei's face as he sat on the throne.
"Even the Star Luo Academy lost… but can they really win against the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy?"
His murmuring was only heard by the person next to him—Duke White Tiger, Dai Hao.
Looking in Shrek Academy's direction, Dai Hao replied quietly,
"I believe in Shrek, with both of my sons on that team, Your Majesty."
There was no concern in Duke White Tiger's eyes—only anticipation and excitement.
Both his sons had been selected to represent Shrek Academy. Now, they had a chance to bring glory not just to the academy but to the Dai family itself by winning the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament! How could Dai Hao not be excited?
But Xu Jiawei almost coughed up blood from those words.
'The hell it should be three sons! And that third one might be the most talented of them all!'
Although cursing Dai Hao silently, Xu Jiawei kept his face calm, with only a trace of concern.
Soon, both teams arrived at the preparation area. When Shrek Academy appeared before the crowd, cheers erupted like waves.
At this moment, the betting tables also opened. Despite the Shrek team being weaker this year and having higher odds than the Sun Moon team, their legacy as the continent's reigning champions and the admiration of countless citizens still drew in bets from wealthy merchants, nobles, and commoners alike.
When the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy appeared, they were met with nothing but boos and jeers.
"Our reputation is really that bad?" Xiao Hongchen asked, confused.
"Well, we're basically the villains in the eyes of these people. Shrek Academy are like their holy idols," Huo Yuhao replied. "We're like a bunch of evil cultists to them."
Hearing this, the entire Sun Moon team laughed. By now, they were used to the audience's scorn and had developed immunity.
The finals consisted of three parts: a seven-on-seven team battle, a one-on-one elimination round, and a two-two-three match format.
Just like in the original timeline, the Star Luo organizers were clearly doing everything they could to give Shrek Academy a chance at winning.
Soon, the first team battle was about to begin.
Both teams' members lined up and took their places beside the referee, Tiansha Douluo.
"I've already gone over the rules. No need to repeat them. Begin preparations. The match ends when one side can no longer continue."
In the first team battle, Huo Yuhao didn't need to participate. From the preparation area, he squinted toward the Shrek team on the field.
"Ma Xiaotao and Dai family beast number one at the front. Ling Luochen behind them. Xu Sanshi, Bei Bei, He Caitou, and Wang Dong. Got it."
The Sun Moon side fielded six regulars plus Xiao Hongchen. Huo Yuhao figured the team battle would unfold much like the original.
He was secretly relieved that Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu didn't appear in the first match. That meant they might still face each other in the later rounds. The thought made Huo Yuhao break into a cute smile, confusing Meng Hongchen, who sat beside him with a visible question mark over her head.
The team battle began.
Just like in the original, it was a chaotic, all-out fight. The Shrek team initially fell into a brief disadvantage under the combined meteor-skill assault from two of the opposing Soul Emperors.
But the Sun Moon team quickly recovered. Thanks to Huo Yuhao's "unintentional" strategic advice, based on everything he knew about Shrek's lineup from the original timeline, they launched a strong offensive-defense combo that caught Shrek off guard.
Before long, lacking Huo Yuhao's mental detection from the sidelines like in the original, Xu Sanshi's attempt to use the Mysterious Nether Swap to trick the Sun Moon team failed. Bombarded by a dense wave of Grade Six soul tools, he suffered serious injuries and was forced to exit.
This triggered Bei Bei and He Caitou, who were close to him, into an emotional frenzy. They began attacking recklessly.
Realizing things were spiraling out of control, Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth. She hadn't planned to go all-out so soon, but now she had no choice. She fully activated her soul power to recover Shrek's momentum.
Flames erupted across the stage. The dazzling firelight had the audience roaring in excitement. This was the kind of display they came to see from Shrek Academy—power that thrilled and inspired ordinary people.
In the midst of the chaos, a crimson figure made her move. Ma Xiaotao charged straight toward Lin Xi, who was serving as the controller in the back row. Her terrifying Phoenix Howl from the Heavens struck like a comet—
Ma Rulong, currently tangled in battle with Dai Yueheng, glanced toward her in concern, but he had no time to intervene.
The Invincible Barrier held against Ma Xiaotao's strike. But the terrifying heat trapped between the dual layers of shields—just like in the original—built up ominously. When the shields faded, the searing heat exploded outward, engulfing Lin Xi in firelight.
The entire Sun Moon team held their breath.
When the flames dissipated, Lin Xi stood unscathed, though clearly shaken, as she hastily retreated.
(End of Chapter)
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