However, after everyone learned about these two teams, it immediately became clear.
One of them was the Imperial Team, led by Yu Tianheng—none other than a direct descendant Soul Master from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family. The other members were all geniuses from the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy. Moreover, there was Dugu Yan, granddaughter of the Jade Phosphorous Douluo. How could such a team possibly lose? It seemed Yu Luomian was aiming to showcase the family's prestige!
In that case, betting on the Imperial Team would be a sure win, wouldn't it?
But when everyone learned about the other team, they were shocked once again.
This team was naturally the Shrek Academy Team. Among its members were Ning Rongrong, the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Dai Mubai, the prince of the Star Luo Empire, and Zhu Zhuqing from the Zhu Family. For a moment, the various families exchanged glances.
What a peculiar team—its members were diverse, but their strength was equally formidable.
The Soul Power Levels of both teams had already been delivered to each family's desk by the Great Soul Arena's management.
The Imperial Team held a clear advantage. Captain Yu Tianheng and vice-captain Dugu Yan were both level 39, just a step away from level 40. The remaining members included Shi Mo at level 38, Shi Mo at level 37, Yu Feng and Oslo at level 36, and Ye Lingling at level 35.
As for the Shrek Academy Team, captain Dai Mubai was level 38, vice-captain Tang San was level 32, and among the other members, Zhu Zhuqing was level 33, Ning Rongrong and Oscar were level 31, and Ma Hongjun was level 28. Overall, there was a tier of difference between the two teams.
But the Shrek Academy Team had Ning Rongrong.
At the Soul Expert level, Ning Rongrong's first three Spirit Rings provided boosts to strength, agility, and Soul Power, with an amplification effect of up to 40%. Such an increase could compensate for some of the level disparity. The only drawback was Ning Rongrong's limited Soul Power—she definitely couldn't sustain the boosts for the entire battle and would have to apply them selectively. This would depend on how proficient the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was with her Soul Skills.
Overall, the Imperial Team held the advantage.
Dugu Feng found the situation rather strange. He hadn't expected there to be such a backstory behind the Soul Duel between the Shrek Academy Team and the Imperial Team. Dugu Feng had also brought some changes to both teams' strengths.
Dugu Yan had gained a level, likely due to Dugu Bo acquiring a Soul Bone for her. Zhu Zhuqing had improved by a full five levels—a result of the Core Pearl's effects. Ning Rongrong had risen by three levels, having trained diligently with Dugu Feng since their days at the Heavenly Dou Royal Primary Academy, significantly speeding up her progress.
It was hard to say for certain who would win this battle.
But then Dugu Feng realized—Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing all had his Core Pearls within them. In other words, he could decide who won. The room for manipulation was enormous.
Dugu Shuo left the betting decisions entirely to Dugu Feng for this wager match. He had complete trust in his son.
Dugu Feng wasn't in a hurry. He sent out the Emerald Dragon Snake to secretly observe the betting patterns of the various families. With the Emerald Dragon Snake's strength as a Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast, very few Soul Masters could detect it.
He waited until the day before the Soul Duel.
He discovered that the Ge Family, Zhu Family, Dai Family, and the Sacred Dragon Sect had all placed their bets on the Imperial Team's victory. It seemed that after weighing the options, they still favored the stronger Imperial Team.
Of course, placing bets this way was also more secure.
As for Yu Luomian's bet, Dugu Feng didn't deliberately investigate. After all, Yu Luomian's strength as a Soul Douluo had already reached level 86. Dugu Feng was worried that the Emerald Dragon Snake might be discovered during reconnaissance.
At this point, he no longer hesitated and directly placed his bet on the Shrek Academy Team's victory.
Since most forces were betting on the Imperial Douluo Team to win, only by having the Shrek side emerge victorious could greater profits be obtained. Dugu Feng clearly understood how to maximize benefits.
If Yu Luomian also bet on the Imperial Douluo Team, then after the battle, the Dugu Family would be the sole winner—equivalent to the Dugu Family gaining an additional 50% of the Great Soul Arena's profits for the next six years, plus their original share. This would mean nearly 70% of the Great Soul Arena's profits would fall into their hands. It was impossible not to be tempted!
Something had to be done about this battle!
No matter what Yu Luomian's plans were, he was bound to miscalculate. This Soul Duel involved important figures from several major factions in both teams—perhaps they could be made to bear grudges against each other.
Dugu Feng's eyes gleamed as he made up his mind.
On the day of the Soul Duel.
The central main Soul Duel Stage of the Suotuo City Great Soul Arena was already preparing for the upcoming battle. Surrounding the main stage were enclosed private boxes, occupied by nobles with deep backgrounds and high-stakes gamblers.
In the largest box on the top level, every seat was filled. These were the six major forces behind the Great Soul Arena, all of whom had placed heavy bets. Their seats directly faced the Soul Duel Stage.
Above the stage, golden lights converged like a massive spotlight, illuminating the entire platform within a radius of several dozen meters, allowing those in the boxes to clearly see every detail on the stage.
After preparations were complete, Dugu Feng and the others didn't have to wait long.
The doors on both sides of the stage opened simultaneously, and members of the Imperial Douluo Team and the Shrek Academy Team stepped onto the center of the stage.
The seven members of the Shrek Academy Team wore neat black combat attire and green masks, exuding a formidable presence. The Imperial Douluo Team, led by Yu Tianheng, formed a formation best suited for team battles, also appearing as a cohesive unit.
Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan stood at the center of the team, one in front of the other. They were no longer lovers, merely teammates, but this very fact added solemnity and caution to their coordination in battle. The team's atmosphere lacked cheerfulness, replaced by a sense of deadly seriousness.
The two teams locked eyes, with Yu Tianheng and Dai Mubai's gazes clashing fiercely in the air. The entire stage resonated with the roars of dragons and tigers. Both possessed powerful Beast Martial Souls, and their Soul Power Levels were only one rank apart, making it a true clash of titans.
Dugu Yan and Tang San also exchanged a glance before immediately shifting their attention to the other Soul Masters on the opposing team. As the control-type Soul Masters of their respective teams, they were responsible for controlling enemies, coordinating their own side, and strategizing the entire battle—key factors in determining victory. Both were extremely cautious.
The battle was about to begin.
Almost simultaneously, all fourteen combatants released their Soul Power, and fourteen intense surges of fighting spirit soared into the sky. Each of these individuals carried the arrogance of geniuses, refusing to yield to anyone, their eyes set solely on victory.
From Dugu Feng's vantage point as a spectator, the formations of both teams were similar. Assault, agility, control, healing, and support roles were all positioned appropriately.
Then, as the referee gave the order to begin the battle...
The Soul Masters from both sides surged toward the center of the Soul Duel Stage like tidal waves.
The Shrek Academy Team would likely still employ their tactic of luring the enemy in deep to decapitate their leadership.
There was a gap in Soul Power between them and the Imperial Battle Team.
Rather than wounding ten fingers, it was better to sever one—only by pooling the entire team's strength to defeat one opponent could they narrow the disparity.
(End of Chapter)