When Beibei and the other seven heard that they might get a chance to play, they were both surprised and delighted. Initially, they had assumed they would merely be spectators, never expecting to have the opportunity to represent the academy.
Representing Shrek Academy! Glory and applause—who wouldn't want that?
However, seeing the reserve team members' smiles, Xuan Zi quickly doused their enthusiasm with a cold splash of reality.
Xuan Zi chuckled, "It's good to have the chance to play, but if you lose the match, hehe, you know the consequences."
Everyone's bodies tensed, and a sense of foreboding spread through them. The next second, that bad premonition came true.
"Anyone who plays carelessly and ends up losing will never be allowed into the inner courtyard as long as I'm still at Shrek Academy!" Xuan Zi declared sternly. "Moreover, each of you must adjust your mindset and follow orders. In this competition, you are only here to support the main team. Do you understand?"
"I understand," Beibei and the others responded in unison, their breathing quickening with the weight of his words.
Huo Yuhao, the exception, didn't count. Given their age and cultivation level, being able to support the main team and even get a chance to play was already a pleasant surprise. What a precious opportunity!
Then, Xuan Zi had another idea. He excluded Huo Yuhao and continued the friendly match between the two teams. "Yuhao, come down and watch the match with me," he said with a laugh.
Hearing this, Dai Yuheng and Chen Zifeng on the field breathed a sigh of relief, their expressions returning to normal.
Huo Yuhao was simply in a league of his own. When it came to sparring with the male students, he showed no mercy.
Chen Zifeng could at least appreciate Huo Yuhao's sword intent up close, experiencing a mix of pain and pleasure. But Dai Yuheng was different. It seemed like he had somehow offended Huo Yuhao, as every time they faced off, he ended up battered and bruised.
Though Dai Yuheng, with his thick skin and sturdy build, wasn't seriously injured, it was still humiliating.
This was especially true today, as it happened in front of his juniors. He had no choice but to endure it. Huo Yuhao had completely shattered his confidence, and Dai Yuheng didn't even think of resisting.
Huo Yuhao's "Judgment" ability was similar to King of the World.
Once a soul master was defeated by it, their confidence would crumble, and they would no longer have the will to compete with him. Of course, if the opponent's resolve was strong enough, it wasn't impossible to recover and rise again.
Gong Yangmo, on the other hand, felt relieved. "Yuhao didn't target me. Could it be...?" he wondered.
Huo Yuhao's response was blunt: "Auxiliary soul masters aren't worth targeting."
His actions were for the sake of the team. After all, they were about to face the strongest soul king, and Huo Yuhao was also training the inner courtyard students' ability to withstand attacks. It definitely wasn't because he was petty and wanted to beat up Dai Yuheng.
In any case, as long as Huo Yuhao, the balance-breaking monster, was present, the training match offered no real combat experience. It wasn't a fight—it was a one-sided beating!
With Huo Yuhao's departure, the friendly match proceeded much more smoothly.
Xuan Zi nodded in satisfaction and made a final summary: "Actual combat is the best way to test everything. Beibei, you are the captain of the reserve team. Tang Ya, you are the main controller of the reserve team."
In the previous battle, Xu Sanshi's performance had been particularly impressive.
Even though the inner courtyard students were strong, they couldn't overshadow the displacement soul skill known as Xuanwu Replacement (Mystic Deep Replacement), which had coordinated with the team to pull off several stunning reversals.
Of course, this was also due to Huo Yuhao's absence. Otherwise, with his space control ability—"teleportation is prohibited here"—Xu Sanshi would have been completely lost.
During the training sessions a few weeks prior, Xuan Zi had already noticed that Xu Sanshi was a rare talent, both in terms of his martial soul and strength.
However, his personality was just as outrageous as the rumors suggested. If it weren't for his excessive flattery and his obsession with Jiang Nannan, the captain position might not have gone to Beibei.
Overall, Xuan Zi was very satisfied with today's match. He had a clear understanding of the main team's strength, excluding Huo Yuhao.
Moreover, Yan Shaozhe hadn't exaggerated—Ma Xiaotao had fully demonstrated the oppressive power of a level 69 Soul Emperor. If it weren't for Huo Yuhao, she might have been the strongest monster of this generation!
Of course, without Huo Yuhao's Ultimate Ice, Ma Xiaotao's evil fire would never have been resolved, let alone allowed her to compete in the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament.
It was even questionable whether she could have continued cultivating. Truly, the two were a match made in heaven!
Compared to the main team, Xuan Zi's primary focus was on the seven members of the reserve team. Aside from Xu Sanshi's outstanding performance with his space soul skill, Beibei, Jiang Nannan, and Caitou had performed solidly.
The most surprising, however, were Tang Ya, Wang Dong'er, and Xiao Xiao. Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao had reached the three-ring soul master level and displayed excellent teamwork, which was remarkable for second-year students.
Tang Ya, on the other hand, was a true surprise.
Under the intense pressure from the inner courtyard students, her mutant Blue Silver Grass martial soul finally revealed its devouring power, showcasing a potent combination of control, weakening, and healing effects.
With her on the team, it was almost like having an extra healing soul master. Moreover, her mutant Blue Silver Grass exhibited incredible vitality, growing tenaciously even under Ling Luochen's ice attacks.
Though it was somewhat restrained by Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Flame, wildfires cannot be extinguished, and spring breezes bring new life.
Tang Ya's first spirit skill, Bind, was the same as that of the Tang Sect's ancestors. But in her hands, hundreds of Blue Silver Grass vines surged like black and blue waves, covering the sky and earth!
Combined with her newly acquired fourth spirit skill, Blue Silver Thorn Array, countless vines grew and spread rapidly, forming a sea of Blue Silver Grass.
With the coordination of multiple spirit skills, Tang Ya created a pseudo-Blue Silver Domain.
Within its range, all teammates enjoyed continuous spirit power supply and healing effects, while all opponents' spirit power was steadily drained by the Blue Silver Grass. Not to mention, there was also the binding effect of the vines.
Even compared to the Blue Silver Emperor martial soul of the Tang Sect's ancestors, Xuan Zi thought Tang Ya's version was only slightly inferior in color and power.
Xuan Zi couldn't help but think of Yao Haoxuan from the former main team, who was also a control-type auxiliary soul master.
In comparison, Yao Haoxuan was completely outclassed by Tang Ya's mutant Blue Silver Grass. Fortunately, Yao Haoxuan had been eliminated by Yan Shaozhe long ago. Otherwise, the reserve team's control system would have surpassed the main team's, turning the tables entirely.
'Good job, Xiaoyan!' Xuan Zi thought to himself.
"Alright, all of you go back. Pack your things and gather at the academy gate tomorrow morning. We're heading to Star Luo City to participate in the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament. Dismissed!"
…
By the Sea God Lake, two somewhat similar figures stood together.
Dai Huabin felt a pang of guilt when his elder brother, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, suddenly asked to speak with him.
'Could it be that my attempt to assassinate Zhou Yi had been discovered? No, the assassins I had sent had returned unharmed, and I had sworn them to secrecy.'
Seeing Dai Yuheng's bruised face, Dai Huabin suppressed a smile and asked, "Brother, what's the matter?"
Dai Yuheng glared at him angrily. "Did you offend someone in the outer courtyard?"
Dai Yuheng had thought about it and realized he had no personal grudge against Huo Yuhao. But then he remembered his younger brother, Dai Huabin, who was in the same class as Huo Yuhao.
Given Dai Huabin's usual arrogance, it was possible that some conflict had arisen between the two. Huo Yuhao had likely taken his frustration out on Dai Yuheng.
Dai Huabin's smile faded, and he began to sweat. "Me? Offend Huo Yuhao?!" he stammered. He couldn't recall doing anything significant—just a few ill-advised challenges. Did that count?
In Dai Yuheng's eyes, Dai Huabin's expression was a clear sign of guilt. "You idiot!" Dai Yuheng roared, slapping his brother across the face so hard that Dai Huabin staggered and nearly fell.
"I'm warning you," Dai Yuheng said sternly, "don't think I don't know about your little schemes in the outer courtyard. This is Shrek Academy. If you want to stay here, you'd better keep your tail between your legs!"
"With Huo Yuhao's strength and talent, our family hasn't even had the chance to win him over yet. And you're trying to deal with him? He's not Zhou Yi. The higher-ups in the academy hold him in high regard. Remember, mend your relationship with him, and don't forget the goals our mother set for us!"
Dai Huabin remained silent. He wanted to build a good relationship with Huo Yuhao, but the opportunity had never presented itself.
Dai Yuheng's expression softened slightly. "Alright, go back. Don't overthink it. Work hard, and you still have a chance to become one of the Seven Monsters."
"Yeah," Dai Huabin nodded, turning away. In his heart, however, he sneered, 'Dai Yuheng, you're only a few years older than me. I'll remember this day. One day, I'll make sure you can't act so high and mighty in front of me!'
…
Early the next morning, a group of more than ten people emerged from the main gate of Shrek Academy, shrouded in morning mist.
They were the fourteen members of the main and reserve teams, preparing to head to Star Luo City, accompanied by Xuan Zi and Wang Yan as their leaders.
They weren't wearing their Shrek Academy uniforms; some were dressed plainly, while others wore more elaborate outfits. Fancy clothes didn't necessarily mean beauty, and plain clothes didn't mean mediocrity.
For example, Xu Sanshi, dressed in flamboyant attire, exuded the air of a playboy, while Jiang Nannan, in simple clothing, radiated unparalleled beauty.
Today, Huo Yuhao wore a white, elegant outfit. He looked like a young master straight out of a painting—tall, slender, and with an extraordinary aura. Even amidst the crowd, he stood out like a celestial being who had descended to the mortal world.
It was at this moment that Wang Dong'er belatedly realized just how many competitors she had.
Within this team alone, there were Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, and Xiao Xiao.
'Gong Yangmo probably didn't count, right?'
The others also had excellent relationships with Huo Yuhao. It seemed he was popular with both men and women!
Even Wang Yan, walking at the front, occasionally glanced at Huo Yuhao with fiery eyes.
'I never expected you to be such a teacher!' Wang Dong'er thought.
Wang Yan, however, was simply delighted. Initially, he had wanted to analyze Huo Yuhao's soul skills firsthand, but he soon gave up. It was too difficult—nearly impossible!
In Huo Yuhao's hands, even ordinary attacks seemed like soul skills, let alone his four spirit skills.
If Huo Yuhao hadn't revealed them himself, it would have been nearly impossible to discern their true nature.
In this competition, Wang Yan finally had the chance to witness Huo Yuhao's true strength—the power of his innate second-awakening Spirit Eye martial soul.
As for Xuan Zi, he was his usual disheveled self, with messy hair, a wine gourd, and chicken legs.
Earlier that morning, in the inner courtyard canteen, Huo Yuhao and Ma Xiaotao had witnessed Xuan Zi's gluttony firsthand.
"The usual—one thousand chicken legs and wings, and fill up my wine gourd!" he had ordered. Calling him a glutton would be an understatement; he was a bottomless pit!
The wine gourd, of course, was a soul tool specially designed to store alcohol.
Under Xuan Zi's lead, the group moved at a leisurely pace, roughly the speed of ordinary people.
This relaxed pace allowed everyone to chat and enjoy themselves.
In front of Huo Yuhao was Ma Xiaotao; to his left was Ling Luochen, who had secretly approached him under the guise of learning about Ultimate Ice; and to his right were Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao, who were on high alert. Surrounded by beautiful women, Huo Yuhao was the envy of many.
Tang Ya and Beibei walked together, while Xu Sanshi shamelessly followed Jiang Nannan. The others chatted in small groups.
After walking for nearly half an hour, Xuan Zi paused and cleared his throat. "Ahem, alright, gather around."
He wiped his greasy mouth with his sleeve and spoke in a serious tone: "We're not far from the academy now, and I have something to say in advance. The seven of you in the reserve team, listen carefully."
Xuan Zi's mood was usually unpredictable, but this was the first time he had been so solemn. Beibei and the others felt a sense of awe and focused their attention on him.
"Every year, Shrek Academy recruits inner courtyard disciples, but even at its peak, the number never exceeds 100. Do you know why?"
The seven members of the reserve team exchanged glances, unsure of the answer. Tang Ya was the first to speak up. "Is it because the requirements for the inner courtyard are very high?"
She had personal experience with this. Before receiving Huo Yuhao's soul bone gift, her talent had been so lacking that graduating from the outer courtyard, let alone entering the inner courtyard, would have been a struggle.
"You're partially correct, but not entirely," Xuan Zi replied, shaking his head with a hint of sadness.
Xu Sanshi then spoke up cautiously. "Is it because those who cause trouble are mediocre... so some inner courtyard disciples were beaten to death?"
Xu Sanshi had a reputation for causing trouble himself. Early on, he had relied on his talent and strength to act recklessly in the outer courtyard.
Once, for the sake of a grilled fish and Jiang Nannan's smile, he had attacked Yuhao impulsively on the spot. If some inner courtyard disciples were like him, it wouldn't be surprising if they met a similar fate.
"Of course not!" Xuan Zi's face darkened, and an invisible pressure silenced Xu Sanshi.
Seeing Xuan Zi's expression grow more serious, Beibei stepped forward. "It's because of the responsibility of the inner courtyard!" he declared.
…
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