"Everyone, stop standing there dazed! Quickly take Yuheng and the others to our rooms."
A refined-looking man in white spoke as he headed toward the front desk to register his academy and students.
He was Wang Yan, the lead teacher for the Shrek Academy team this time.
The moment he turned around, a flicker of worry crossed his eyes — the pressure on his shoulders was immense.
Shrek Academy's top fighters had been reduced to just Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yuheng, and Ling Luocheng, and all three were injured and couldn't participate in the early rounds. So now, the only hope lay with the reserve players like Beibei.
"I just hope we don't draw a strong team early on."
Wang Yan sighed in his heart but quickly suppressed the worry on his face, returning to his usual calm demeanor.
He needed to give these kids hope — not burden them with negativity.
Two and a half hours later.
Jiang Jue had finished washing up and was sitting cross-legged on his bed, circulating his soul power in cultivation. His body radiated a mix of icy blue and bright silver light.
For this tournament, he needed to use his original (true) martial soul to deliver a shock to those two Soul Douluo from the Original Sect, so he was warming up in advance.
Knock knock knock!
Three crisp knocks sounded on the door.
Jiang Jue opened his eyes; a flash of bright silver and dazzling gold glinted within.
"Jiang Jue, Old Ma wants to hold a meeting to arrange tomorrow's strategy. I came to notify you."
Xiao Hongchen's voice came from outside the door.
"Okay, I'm coming."
Jiang Jue replied, got off the bed, tidied up, and headed to the meeting room.
Inside the meeting room, Old Ma sat at the head of the table. Fourteen students were seated along two sides; the ones on the left were clearly older, and those on the right younger.
The left side was led by Ma Rulong — all the official team members for this tournament. The right side was led by Xiao Hongchen — the reserve team and the seed team for five years from now.
When Jiang Jue arrived, he sat next to Xiao Hongchen on the right side.
Old Ma cleared his throat after confirming everyone was present, then knocked on the table to draw attention.
"According to our observations, Shrek Academy only sent ten people this time, and only three of them appear to be under twenty years old. The rest are older."
"We have people embedded within the Xingluo Empire who have obtained accurate information. At registration, only those three were nineteen years old; the other seven were all under fifteen."
"In other words, Shrek Academy did not send seven official team members this time. Of the seven reserve members from the last tournament, only two came. The nineteen-year-old female student is appearing for the first time. Do you all understand what this means?"
Before anyone could respond, Old Ma suddenly slammed the table, shouting angrily:
"It means contempt — contempt for us! They utterly despise us and think sending only a reserve team will crush us. This is a slap in the face!"
"Do you realize this is the most direct slap in the face? According to the tournament rules, registration closed today, and they intend to face us with this lineup."
Jiang Jue looked at Old Ma's angry face and shook his head slightly.
Shrek Academy wasn't despising them — they were really short on players. Between Xuanzi and the 'Ten Thousand Year Strongest Soul King' working together, more than half the official team was gone. How could they not send reserve players?
"Old Ma, don't worry! This time we will definitely defeat Shrek Academy and let them know if they want to slap our faces, they should first see if their own hands are strong enough!"
"If we lose this time, I, Ma Rulong, will voluntarily leave Mingde Hall!"
Ma Rulong stood up proudly, supporting his grandfather's words with passionate vigor.
"Old Ma..."
Xiao Hongchen was about to speak but was pulled back by Jiang Jue, who looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Can't you see everyone's fighting spirit has been ignited? No more words."
Jiang Jue whispered, wrapping his voice with soul power, sending it directly into Xiao Hongchen's ear.
He knew Xiao Hongchen was talented but not very socially adept, always giving off a "Dragon Aotian" (arrogant genius) vibe. Now if he spoke up, it wouldn't be helpful.
Xiao Hongchen frowned slightly but held back.
"Hmph! Jiang Jue, I, Xiao Hongchen, am only giving you this one favor."
Xiao Hongchen arrogantly flicked his hair and turned away.
Old Ma looked at the slightly heated crowd and nodded. This was exactly the effect he wanted — after years as a team coach, his pre-battle motivational tactics were spot on.
"Alright! Next, let's arrange your match order."
"The draw results are out. Tomorrow's elimination round will pit us against an ordinary advanced soul master academy, their strongest being only a Soul Zong rank. So we'll send out our official team first, deal with them quickly and decisively, and not expose too much of our strength."
Old Ma weighed his words carefully.
Before battles, he always gathered intel on the opposing teams and arranged reasonable lineups.
They were scouting each other, so it was important to keep some cards close.
Jiang Jue and the others could play, but that might reveal their soul techniques and other secrets. Their true main stage was five years from now, so Old Ma didn't want to expose too much now to avoid being targeted later.
"If there are no questions, you may all go rest. Prepare well for tomorrow's first battle, and show me your momentum!"
After speaking, Old Ma left first.
"Jiang Jue, do you think we can win the championship this time?"
Xiao Hongchen linked an arm with Jiang Jue and softly asked, her uniquely youthful fragrance surrounding him.
"That depends on how hard General Dream exerts herself."
Jiang Jue reached out a slender finger and lightly brushed Xiao Hongchen's perky nose.
"Then let me protect you!"
Xiao Hongchen smiled and snuggled into Jiang Jue's arms, whispering softly.
Jiang Jue's eyes glittered.
He was certain to win this continental advanced soul master academy tournament. After all, this was the first step in breaking Shrek Academy's faith and honor.
At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight pierced into Xingluo City, the imperial capital of the Xingluo Empire exuded a solemn atmosphere.
All streets surrounding Xingluo Square were blocked by armored soldiers, and near the Star Emperor Hotel, more than a thousand soldiers were stationed.
The streets leading to Xingluo Square were completely under martial law; only academy contestants exiting the Star Emperor Hotel could pass.
"Ahem, ahem, everyone, don't lose your dignity! Stay sharp!"
Jiang Jue and the others walked out of the hotel onto the street. Outside the barricades on both sides, crowds shouted loudly.
Ma Rulong held his head high and chest out.
When he first joined the continental advanced soul master academy tournament, he had been shocked by this powerful cheering.
But times had changed — the once immature Ma Rulong was gone; now he bore the heavy burden of honor!
(End of Chapter)