"Tang San, I hope you won't ever again raise your Martial Soul against a fellow classmate!"
Flender's stern voice echoed as he reprimanded Tang San, whose face was full of grievance.
He truly felt miserable!
Dai Mubai had slapped him without a word, yet here he was, the one being scolded!
To be fair, Flender wasn't entirely wrong. Dai Mubai hadn't used his Martial Soul and hadn't actually harmed him seriously.
But Tang San's face hurt—and his heart hurt even more.
After learning about Dai Mubai and Xiao Wu's "relationship," his heart felt as though it had shattered into countless pieces of glass. Even if temporarily glued together, it was still irreparably broken.
"I understand, Dean," Tang San muttered weakly, bowing his head in dejection.
His pitiful state puzzled Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, and the others as they arrived.
What exactly had happened?
"Good," Flender said, letting the matter drop. He didn't want to push too hard, lest it seem excessive.
"Today marks the final match of the preliminaries for the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Your opponent is Thunderclap Academy!"
"Thunderclap Academy is the most well-connected of the Five Elemental Academies, backed by none other than the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
"As you know, Shrek Academy's predecessor, Blue Tyrant Academy, also has ties to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"That said, I hope you'll show some restraint and give Thunderclap Academy a bit of face."
Flender's words left everyone exchanging confused looks.
This was the first time he had ever said something like this!
"Show some face? Are we supposed to go easy on them?"
Flender sighed inwardly. In truth, he had no choice. Yu Luomian had personally approached him, claiming that Yu Tianxin, Thunderclap Academy's captain, was his grandson.
Thunderclap Academy could lose, but they couldn't afford to lose too miserably.
In the original story, Yu Luomian would never have approached anyone due to his pride and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's honor.
But Shrek Academy's strength had left him unsure. Knowing Thunderclap Academy couldn't win, he made this single request: Don't let them lose too badly.
Flender could only nod and agree.
"Understood, Dean. No problem!"
As Shrek Academy's team captain, Dai Mubai immediately agreed.
However, the lineup adjustments he had in mind were... unconventional.
Flender: "???"
Everyone else: "..."
Time passed, and soon the Shrek team arrived at Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena.
As the match began, the audience, still reeling from yesterday's abrupt forfeit by Godwind Academy, eagerly awaited today's showdown.
Yesterday's battle had ended prematurely, with Shrek Academy leaving the stage and Godwind Academy directly admitting defeat.
If Thunderclap Academy followed suit today, the crowd wouldn't hold back their anger.
They'd bought tickets to see a fight, not just a result!
Everyone knew Shrek Academy would likely win, but they were here for the process, not just the outcome.
In the Thunderclap Academy rest area, the pressure was palpable.
Thunderclap Academy's honor... the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's honor...
"Let's go. Win or lose, we have to face this," Yu Tianxin said in a final rally.
"At least we're better than Godwind and Elephant Armored—they didn't even dare to show up."
Though Yu Tianxin knew they were likely to lose, there was no turning back now.
Meanwhile, in the Shrek Academy rest area, Flender stared at Dai Mubai in confusion.
"Dai Mubai, didn't you promise to show Thunderclap Academy some face? What's with this lineup?"
Seeing the roster Dai Mubai had submitted, Flender nearly collapsed.
This wasn't showing them face—this was wiping the floor with them!
"Dean, respecting your opponent means using your full strength!" Dai Mubai said earnestly.
"Is it more dignified to lose to a team of Soul Elders, or to be defeated by Soul Masters and Kings?"
Dai Mubai spread his hands, as if the answer were obvious.
Hearing this, Flender subconsciously nodded.
Yes, Dai Mubai was right. Defeating the opponent with absolute strength was, in a way, the greatest form of respect.
Yu Luomian: "..."
Could you listen to yourselves for a moment?!
"Will the participants from Shrek Academy and Thunderclap Academy please enter the arena!"
The announcer's voice brought relief to the audience.
If Thunderclap Academy had also forfeited, the crowd would have erupted in anger.
Yu Tianxin, cousin of Yu Tianheng, the leader of the Emperor Team, entered the stage.
Though his spirit power was one level lower than Yu Tianheng's, he was a formidable captain for Thunderclap Academy.
But when the Shrek team took the stage, the crowd erupted in shock.
"Whoa! Shrek Academy is debuting two new members today, including Vice-Captain Zhu Zhuqing!"
Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, Dugu Yan, and Ning Rongrong formed Shrek's lineup. This team was strong enough to crush even the Spirit Hall Team.
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu had not appeared in the tournament until now. Their exact ranks were unknown, adding to the audience's curiosity.
Yu Tianxin's face turned grim. The Shrek team had left Tang San, a Level 49 Soul Master, off the roster.
Instead, they fielded Zhu Zhuqing, their vice-captain, who had never competed before. This alone demanded his utmost caution.
And Dugu Yan—a Level 52 Soul King—wasn't even the vice-captain. Just how strong was Zhu Zhuqing?
"Battle start!"
"Netherworld Spirit Cat!"
"Soft-Bone Rabbit!"
"Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
As their Martial Souls activated, Shrek's dazzling soul rings left the audience in awe.
"Another two Soul Kings?!"
"Gasp!"
"Gulp!"
The audience was stunned silent.
Four Soul Kings and one powerful Soul Elder from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan.
Zhu Zhuqing: Martial Soul Netherworld Spirit Cat, Level 55 Agility Attack Soul King.Xiao Wu: Martial Soul Soft-Bone Rabbit, Level 53 Power Attack Soul King.Dugu Yan: Martial Soul Green Phosphor Poison Dragon, Level 52 Power Attack Soul King.Ning Rongrong: Martial Soul Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, Level 48 Support Soul Elder.
In a show of respect, the Shrek girls announced their ranks to Thunderclap Academy.
Yu Tianxin and his team were speechless.
The audience, however, erupted into cheers.
"Shrek!"
"Shrek!"
No one had expected Shrek Academy to boast so many Soul Kings!
They were so young—barring unforeseen events, they were destined for Titled Douluo!
Cold sweat dripped down Yu Tianxin's forehead. His back felt icy as he finally understood why Godwind Academy had chosen to forfeit.
Shrek had fielded only five people, yet their aura crushed Thunderclap Academy's seven-man lineup.
"Nine Treasures, First: Strength!"
"Nine Treasures, Second: Speed!"
"Nine Treasures, Third..."
With Ning Rongrong's current rank, supporting Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Dugu Yan for over ten minutes was no problem.
This match was all about putting on a show, a carefully planned performance to leave the audience in awe.
After all, spectators were allowed at the preliminaries, but they wouldn't have access to the qualifiers.
This match served as perfect advertising for Shrek Academy.
(Chapter End)