The morning sun bathed the colossal Heaven Dou Arena in a golden hue. The crowd had already begun to roar with anticipation as the first round of the preliminary tournament officially commenced. Flags bearing academy crests fluttered from the surrounding towers, and on the main stage, a magic screen displayed the names of the two competing teams:
Match 1: Shrek Academy vs Heaven Dou Imperial Academy – Team Two
"They're actually up first?" Zhu Zhuqing raised a brow from the Azure Dragon Academy's section.
Jiang Yun leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing as he watched a familiar group step onto the stage.' Looks like fate doesn't change easily.'
The Shrek Academy team filed out, drawing jeers and laughter the moment they entered the ring. Clad in that infamously bright green uniform, the color alone made them look like walking vegetables. But it wasn't just the color—across their uniform were blatant spaces for various sponsors.
Jiang Yun thought that 'It was handicraft of Flenders as always a money grubber.'
The shrek seven who were on the stage where very embarrassed and it was showing on their faces how much they want to tear this uniform.
"What the hell are they wearing?" one of the Heaven Dou deputy team members shouted, clutching his sides in laughter.
"Do they think this is a performance troupe or a spirit master team?"
"Who let the clowns in?"
Even the announcer's voice hesitated before continuing with forced neutrality, "Ahem… Representing Shrek Academy: Tang San, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Jiang Zhu, Tai Long, Yu Xuan, and Ma Hongjun!"
Their opponents—Heaven Dou's Team Two—stood tall and composed. Although they lacked the prestige of the royal team, their matching silver-blue uniforms and noble origins made them appear dignified and professional by contrast. Their cultivations weren't high, each member hovering below level 40, but their confidence came from training under one of the empire's top-tier academies.
"They don't even have a soul ancestor," muttered Ma Hongjun. "Should be easy."
Tang San didn't answer, his expression calm. His presence had grown more focused and sharp, now a Spirit Ancestor at level 41, despite never having taken immortal herbs.
Jiang Yun thought that even a pseudo full innate level soul power talent is still a genius.
The Mysterious Heaven Technique Tang San cultivated combined with his full innate soul power made his rise steady but formidable.
Beside him stood Dai Mubai, who had finally reached level 42. But to Jiang Yun, watching from the stands, the contrast was clear.
"Dai Mubai wasted too much time," he muttered. "Zhu Zhuqing's appearance should have driven him, but he barely progressed. He's weaker than Tang San now."
Xiao Wu stood quietly, her soft demeanor belying her level 39 cultivation, Jiang Yun didn't understand why this 100,000 year rabbit is jumped around,'Is she not afraid of being discovered by some Soul Douluo Or Titled Douluo, or somehow she found a way to conceal her Soul beast fluctuations.'
Alongside her were Jiang Zhu, Tai Long, Yu Xuan, and Ma Hongjun, all between levels 35 to 38, forming a solid and versatile lineup.
As the referee raised his hand, both teams bowed respectfully—though the sneers from Heaven Dou's team betrayed their disdain.
"Match, begin!"
The moment the flag dropped, Tang San's figure vanished, his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track propelling him across the stage in a blur. Heaven Dou's control-type spirit master was stunned—before he could react, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass erupted, binding both the control and agility types instantly.
"Fast!"
On the sidelines, even students from the Five Elemental Academies were surprised.
Dai Mubai roared as his White Tiger martial spirit flared, light enveloping his body as he crashed headfirst into the enemy's defense-type spirit master with White Tiger Light Wave. A booming explosion echoed through the arena, sending the shield-bearer stumbling back.
Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Fire Wire ignited, unleashing a swirling blast of flame that scattered several members of Heaven Dou's backline.
Tai Long, though less refined, charged like a beast, fists glowing as he engaged the secondary attackers. Jiang Zhu stayed behind, providing defensive healing with her Healing staff , while Yu Xuan summoned a air barrier, blocking a retaliatory strike meant for Xiao Wu.
Then, like a bullet from a crossbow, Xiao Wu leapt into the air, twirling mid-spin and landing a vicious Waist Bow on the stunned control-type spirit master, launching him off the platform.
"Two down already!" someone cried.
Heaven Dou Academy's second team never stood a chance. They had laughed when Shrek stepped onstage, but within minute, the tide of battle overwhelmed them.
Just when the deputy captain tried to launch a counterattack with his beast-type spirit, Tang San's fourth spirit ring lit up—a deep purple thousand-year ring, not the legendary black, but powerful nonetheless.
Blue Silver Grass – Blue silver cage
His vines spread across the field like a living web, ensnaring all five remaining opponents. They couldn't move.
Taking advantage of the situation Dai Mubai used his 4th Soul ring ability– White Tiger Meteor Shower. Projectiles made up of energy bombarded them. The stage was filled with smoke but when it dispersed , the heavy dou depyutee team lay wasted and were struggling to even stand.
Seeing this the team leader of deputy team became anxious and began shouting, " They are not participating, they are killing , they must be disqualified."
Upon hearing this Tang San looked toward referee, " Our team healer has already began to heal them when they were injured, if we want to kill we did not need to heal them , if you don't want healing then.... " he turned to Jiang zhu and told her to stop the healing.
The team leader of heaven dou deputy team was has a livid expression.
And the referee had to announce.
"Shrek wins!"
The referee's voice rang out.
The crowd was stunned into silence.
Not because Shrek had won—many expected that—but because they had been mocked, ridiculed, and still won cleanly, without injury or a single substitution.
Even the Five Elemental Academy students nodded grudgingly.
"Ugly uniforms or not… their strength is real."
In the viewing stands, Jiang Yun said nothing. He simply closed his eyes.
'They haven't changed much,' he thought. 'But fate may not favor them this time.'