Ma Xiaotao was supremely confident in her own strength—she believed none of the contestants had a cultivation level superior to hers. And in fact, she was right.
Not only was no one stronger, but outside of the major academies, most teams didn't even have a Soul Emperor.
During the later stages of the solo round robin, both Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy had no scheduled matches—Ma Xiaotao and her team used that precious downtime to recuperate and recover their strength.
On the final day, the tournament organizers began drawing lots for the team matches, followed by the duo and trio contests.
In the quarterfinals (8-to-4) team bracket, Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Academy drew different opponents.
Shrek would face a small academy from the far northwest fringes of Douling Empire—there was only one Soul King on their roster, the rest were merely Level 4 Soul Lords.
Sun Moon Academy, by contrast, drew Star Luo Royal Soul Master Academy—the strongest team of the Star Luo Empire, led by Princess Xu Jiujiu, boasting an all-Soul King lineup.
This draw looked very much like deliberate matchmaking on the part of the organizers.
"But what's the fear?! Just a bunch of Soul Kings. We'll let our official team handle this—let's show them how we blow people up!" Ma Rulong sneered dismissively at Xu Jiujiu's Soul King lineup.
"The pool is shrinking fast. Win this match and we move into the semifinals—then it's down to the final to decide the champion. The Star Luo Empire chose to rely on their Royal Academy against us. They must be confident. Everyone, keep alert. If you lose, let's see how Principal Xu disciplines you!"
The team coach stood before the official team members, delivering a stern reminder.
Faced with an all Soul King lineup, the coach intentionally excluded Jiang Shengyu and his peers from the roster. Instead, Ma Rulong—the team's sole Soul Emperor—would lead the official squad to "blow the arrogant Xingluo imperial team to pieces."
"Yes, coach!"
Ma Rulong and the rest of the official team responded with thunderous resolve.
These official team members had served as the reserve squad in the previous tournament—and never got to compete. In this year's early matches, it was Jiang Shengyu's reserve team that swept opponents aside. They'd been fuming without a chance to fight!
If they weren't allowed to participate... they'd end up having been to the tournament twice, but with no record of actual participation as either official or reserve team—an indignity indeed!
Seeing the determination in the official team, Xiao Hongchen quietly withdrew his outstretched hand. Fine. Let them have their moment—they've earned it.
In the quarterfinal matchup—whether Shrek or Douling Empire appeared on screen first—Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luocheng replaced He Caitou, Dai Huabin, and Xiao Xiao. They swept through their opponent with relentless force.
The official team's debut, along with two Soul Emperors anchoring the stage, reignited the audience's faith in Shrek Academy. Spectators promptly forgot the earlier insults—chanting Shrek's name loudly once more.
"As expected from the immortal Shrek! Two Soul Emperors take the stage at once!" Xu Jiawei exclaimed. "Outstanding—this time the championship is surely Shrek Academy's!" He conceded—if the Sun Moon Empire doesn't win in Star Luo City, he could live with it.
Dai Hao also watched with pride as Dai Yueheng performed.
Meanwhile, the Sun Moon team remained composed. If two Soul Emperors couldn't deliver results, they'd just have to let Shrek walk away with the win.
The Sun Moon vs. Star Luo Royal Academy match was scheduled as the last of four group-stage battles. The first three had seen Shrek Academy, Douling Royal Academy, and Tiandou Southern Academy advance.
Many hoped Star Luo Royal Academy would eliminate Sun Moon in the fourth match—preserving the honor of the original Three Kingdoms of the Douluo Continent regardless of who won the final.
But fate was not on their side.
With Ma Rulong present, unleashing the Judgment Sword—a potent Level 8 soul tool—Sun Moon's official team attacked from the start with overwhelming aggression.
Led by Princess Xu Jiujiu, Xingluo's team attempted to maintain a defensive posture while seeking opportunities—but Ma Rulong, as a Level‑6 Soul Engineer, controlled soul tools with expert precision, stronger than any other contestant.
He positioned multiple soul tools at critical strategic points, suppressing the Star Luo team from all angles.
"Countrified fools, enjoy your bombs!" Ma Rulong and his teammates wore manic grins as they unleashed beam attacks and soul‑guide artillery shells.
Their goal: to show these self-proclaimed elite imperial soul masters exactly what firepower dominance feels like.
Princess Xu's martial soul was the Star Crown, a hereditary martial soul of the Star Luo royal line—widely regarded as in the same tier as the Nine‑Treasure Glazed Tower in auxiliary power.
The Star Crown offered immense defensive prowess. Xu Jiujiu raised its barriers as Ma Rulong's assault intensified—but even so, Star Luo's defenders were helpless.
As Xu Jiujiu's soul energy drained, her barrier began to shrink.
In the original timeline, she and Huo Yuhao had once fought fiercely and nearly stood toe‑to‑toe. That had been because their opponents had weaker cultivation. Now, under the onslaught of Ma Rulong's soul tools, Xu Jiujiu couldn't find a moment's relief.
"Damn the Sun Moon Empire—always resorting to dirty tactics!" she swore through clenched teeth.
From the defensive line, a Soul Guardian shouted, "Captain! Let me break through—it's our only chance!"
Xu Jiujiu immediately responded, "No—we'll die!"
He countered, "If we don't act, we already lose! I don't want to lose to Sun Moon... Captain, give me the order!"
Under the Star Crown's barrier, team members' whispered pleas reached her ear. The thunder of soul tool bombardment drowned out much of it—but even if they were heard, Ma Rulong and crew would ignore them.
Some losses you just have to accept. Stand straight and take it.
With firepower this strong—and equal cultivation—they were facing an unwinnable fight. If they lost? They might as well quit the academy altogether!
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