The second round of the round-robin tournament concluded after a series of thrilling matches, and the Shrek team enjoyed nearly two full days of rest.
The night before the third round, Zhang Lexuan and Wang Yan called everyone together for a meeting.
The next opponent was the Zhengtian Academy from the Tianhun Empire, a formidable team. According to intelligence, they had three students at the Soul King level.
This led Zhang Lexuan and Wang Yan to decide to only send two reserve students into the competition lineup, keeping Huo Yuhao's position unchanged. Everyone had originally expected the choice to be Beibei, Xu Sanshi, or He Caitou, but surprisingly, Zhang Lexuan chose Jiang Nannan.
"Senior Sister, am I capable?" Jiang Nannan asked, a mix of surprise and excitement in her tone. As a student, stepping onto the competition stage was always thrilling.
"Why wouldn't you be?" Zhang Lexuan smiled. "All of you in the reserve team have the talent to enter the Inner Academy. I believe in you, and I believe everyone can perform perfectly on the battlefield. This time, your appearance is also to help you gain experience."
"Thank you." A faint smile appeared on Jiang Nannan's usually cool and composed face, mesmerizing Xu Sanshi, who stared without blinking.
"Stop staring, you're drooling," Beibei teased, bumping Xu Sanshi with her shoulder.
Xu Sanshi panicked, instinctively wiping his mouth. But there was no drool—he had fallen for it again.
Annoyed, he decided to give Beibei a friendly brotherly greeting.
"Haha."
Seeing his comical reaction, everyone laughed.
A subtle smile played at the corner of Jiang Nannan's lips but quickly vanished, as if it had never been there.
Huo Yuhao crossed his arms, speaking playfully: "I have a feeling that in our next match against Zhengtian Academy, it'll likely be the 2-2-3 formation."
This caught everyone's curiosity.
The 2-2-3 formation appeared least frequently in the Douhun Tournament, mostly reserved for individual or team battles.
Wang Yan rubbed his chin. "If it really is 2-2-3, we'll need to arrange our combinations in advance."
Zhang Lexuan said, "Although the chance is only one-third, preparation is good. Teacher Wang, you handle it."
"All right." Wang Yan nodded, scanning everyone before continuing, "Yao Haoxuan and Jiang Nannan form one group, Chen Zifeng and Xixi Daiyaoheng form another, Ling Luocheng and Huo Yuhao form the third."
"Understood." The students whose names were called nodded in acknowledgment.
Zhang Lexuan smiled. "Go rest, everyone. Conserve your energy. After this match against Zhengtian Academy, the next four matches won't have any strong opponents."
"Yes."
In unison, everyone cheerfully left the meeting room.
At the same time, at the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Mentor Academy,
after discussing Shrek Academy, the students departed individually.
As the team captain, Ma Rulong called over Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
"The Academy received news that Shrek Academy invited us for a student exchange. The Academy chose you two. Xiao Hongchen, you'll be the captain of the exchange team."
Upon hearing this, the siblings exchanged a glance, their curiosity about Shrek rising naturally. "Got it."
…
The next morning.
From the main gate of the Star Emperor Hotel, students from each academy began orderly heading toward Star Luo Plaza, guarded by soldiers, preventing any interference from civilians.
As usual, Shrek Academy led off the first match, drawing the gaze and excitement of countless spectators. The plaza was lively and bustling.
Of course, aside from discussing Shrek Academy, spectators also analyzed other academy teams. The widely accepted rankings were: champion—Shrek Academy; runner-up, third place, and fourth—considered to be Sun-Moon Royal Soul Mentor Academy, Xingluo Royal Soul Master Academy, and Dio Academy.
To encourage betting, the Star Luo Empire officials even opened a betting pool, letting people wager on each academy's final ranking.
In the imperial city, Xu Jiawei, the empress, and all civil and military officials were present.
Since arriving, Xu Jiawei had been watching Huo Yuhao, frowning, thinking,
"This child's second Martial Soul is the Ice Jade Scorpion. Coincidentally, there's an Ice Jade Scorpion left arm bone in the treasure vault. Should I use it to recruit this child? Become the disciple of Mingfeng Douluo, a fellow of our Star Luo Empire, who also happens to have a grudge with Dai Hao's second son… perfect candidate."
"What's wrong?" The empress noticed Xu Jiawei's frown and instinctively reached out to massage his hand.
"Just thinking," Xu Jiawei said, taking his beloved wife's hand with a gentle smile.
The host warmed up the crowd, rallying their enthusiasm.
Looking at the calm Huo Yuhao, Xiao Hongchen's gaze shifted. Soon he would go to Shrek Academy as an exchange student. He wanted to get to know Huo Yuhao better.
Finally, under everyone's gaze, Cheng Gang walked to the competition stage with a serious expression. The amplified sound from the Soul Guidance Device broadcast his voice far and wide:
"Third round of the round-robin, first match, Shrek Academy vs. Zhengtian Academy. Both teams enter the waiting area. Captains, go draw the match method."
Ma Xiaotao acted as the drawer, stepping onto the stage.
Huo Yuhao's gaze focused on the other side, where a handsome young man, with a build similar to Beibei, walked up.
Ye Wuqing, level fifty-eight Soul King, Martial Soul: Golden Leaf.
Coming later to help you quit smoking.
The two captains stepped onto the stage. Following the usual procedure, they tossed large balls together. When the balls flew in the air, a small ball dropped from the void. Cheng Gang quickly caught it and announced:
"Shrek Academy vs. Zhengtian Academy, 2-2-3 formation."
"Really 2-2-3?"
In Shrek's rest area, everyone turned their eyes to Huo Yuhao.
He couldn't help but smile; some things may have changed, but some things still followed the original pattern.
"Very well. In that case, the first match will be Huo Yuhao and Ling Luocheng."
Wang Yan's gaze landed on the two.
"No problem."
Ling Luocheng smiled slightly, enjoying collaborating with Huo Yuhao for the chance to gain a Perfect Ice experience card.
Under countless eyes, the pair stepped onto the stage. Yet in the next moment, Huo Yuhao's gaze shifted.
Zhengtian Academy's two representatives were Ye Wuqing and a beautiful young woman—Yumengdi, whose Martial Soul was the Two-Winged Angel.
Though Yumengdi's Martial Soul sounded similar to Qian Renxue's Six-Winged Angel, it was weaker in actuality—only the name was similar.
"Zhengtian Academy intends to fight for the first match's victory,"
Offstage, Wang Yan frowned. He hadn't expected the strongest two members of their team to be sent out.
"Trust Yuhao and Luocheng—they can do it," Ma Xiaotao remained calm.
"When paired together, Luocheng can transform into a Perfect Ice Soul King. Even high-level Soul Emperors or lower Soul Saints would be overpowered." Yao Haoxuan said with a smile, glancing at Ning Tian as if signaling something.
Ning Tian clenched her fists, her beautiful eyes showing a hint of complexity.
"Ye Wuqing."
"Yumengdi."
"Huo Yuhao."
"Ling Luocheng."
The four faced each other, introducing themselves.
"Both sides, step back until my command."
Cheng Gang nodded.
Huo Yuhao and Ling Luocheng turned and moved to the sides of the stage. Huo Yuhao felt a sharp aura locking onto him, reminiscent of Chen Zifeng's Soul-Chasing Sword, but he ignored it. Could anything exert more pressure than the Ice Emperor?
Zhengtian Academy didn't expect to win the third round. They aimed to secure at least one victory, sending their captain and vice-captain.
"Yuhao, you lead."
Ling Luocheng said casually.
"All right." Huo Yuhao nodded.
Soon, both sides reached their positions. Cheng Gang scanned them and shouted: "Begin the match."
"Swish."
In an instant, Yumengdi sprang like a spring, five soul rings glowing—two yellow, two purple, one black. A soft golden aura radiated from her face, and a pair of white angel wings appeared. Two angel swords materialized from her soul power.
Spreading her wings, Yumengdi closed the distance.
Ye Wuqing's eyes were sharp as blades. A leaf with intricate patterns hovered before him, held lightly in his hand. Five perfectly matched soul rings glowed.
The combination of two Soul Kings instantly fired up the audience, eliciting cheers.
Seeing Yumengdi rush forward, Huo Yuhao smiled slightly. His right hand rested on Ling Luocheng's back, injecting the Pure Perfect Ice essence.
Feeling the extreme power surge, Ling Luocheng nearly moaned; her whole body brimming with energy.
"Divine Twin Swords, Holy Cross Slash!"
Yumengdi closed in, her first two yellow soul rings glowing. The angel swords shone brilliantly, cutting a cross over three meters wide through the air, releasing divine fire as they descended.
"Fire?" Ling Luocheng sneered. Her eyes turned icy blue.
A terrifying sight appeared: five blood-red soul rings rose beneath her feet, the deep red light almost coloring the entire stage. The air was enveloped in an aura of extreme killing intent.
Ye Wuqing and Yumengdi's eyes widened in shock. Facing the soul rings' pressure, their breathing grew heavy, and their soul power more taxing.
In the audience, everyone was stunned.
Five hundred-thousand-year soul rings? No, impossible—this must be fake.
Ordinary spectators might be fooled, but soul masters quickly realized the truth.
Still, its intimidation was undeniable.
With the first soul ring glowing, Ling Luocheng raised a two-meter-long crystalline ice staff. A gust of frigid wind swept across Yumengdi's burning Holy Cross Slash, visibly freezing it.
"Shatter."
Ling Luocheng whispered. The cross slash shattered into ice fragments.
"Whoosh."
Amidst the ice shards, Huo Yuhao raised his right hand, his body taking on a crystalline form.
One of the Ice Emperor's soul ring skills—Ice Emperor's Guard! A streak of golden light struck his head, but Huo Yuhao's raised hand blocked it.
It was actually a golden leaf, repelled by the smooth ice layer, causing no harm.
"Sharp perception," Ye Wuqing muttered, surprised his ambush had been blocked.
Yet the golden leaf split into three, glowing gold and exploding into a metal storm.
Nearly Soul Emperor-level attack—no defense could fully endure. Ye Wuqing thought, but Ling Luocheng ended his speculation.
"Crack."
An ice wall rose beside Huo Yuhao, blocking the golden leaf explosion. When the dust settled, the wall bore numerous gaps, as if bullet-pocked.
With shared mental detection, Ling Luocheng already knew Ye Wuqing's move; Huo Yuhao simply chose to act.
In the sky, Yumengdi calmed down. The five hundred-thousand-year soul rings were clearly fake, though intimidating.
Swinging her twin swords, she activated the third soul skill, Angel's Blessing, doubling the power of her next attack.
Thirty meters away, Yumengdi prepared her fifth soul ring, a deep black light radiating, chilling the air.
"Angel, God-Sealing Slash!"
She shouted, her twin swords glowing and merging, slashing a ten-meter-long, three-meter-wide blade of justice with divine fire.
"Third soul skill, Ice Soul Shield."
Ling Luocheng remained calm, striking the staff to form five ice spikes in the air.
A dazzling blue shield formed, protecting them from the sword. The shattered crystal transformed into a massive snowflake, enduring the attack.
Gold and blue light merged; fire and extreme ice clashed, exploding into a shockwave, scattering into countless light points.
As Yumengdi stared in disbelief, Ling Luocheng struck again, locking her with a blue stream of light.
The third soul skill, Ice Prison, became Ice Soul Shield due to Huo Yuhao's Pure Perfect Ice enhancement.
"Careful!"
Ye Wuqing shouted.
Yumengdi was too slow; the blue light transformed into an icy prison, trapping her.
"Bang!" The cage hit the ground, cracking the floor.
With shared mental detection, Ling Luocheng controlled the rhythm perfectly.
Yumengdi froze, her body paralyzed, attempting to slash out. Huo Yuhao produced a rectangular Soul Guidance Device, firing a white beam.
Ye Wuqing shrank his pupils, intending to warn her, but it happened too fast.
The white light struck Yumengdi, softening her body. Huo Yuhao's eyes turned gold, unleashing an invisible mental attack.
She could still see, but the mental assault cut through her mind like knives. She screamed in agony, blood streaming from her mouth and nose.
Luckily, she was in Martial Soul mode; otherwise, she would have fainted.
"Damn it."
Ye Wuqing's anger surged, moving swiftly. His first, third, and fourth soul rings glowed.
His left hand was enveloped in golden light, forming a glove of golden leaf patterns. Pushing forward, dozens of golden leaves rained toward Huo Yuhao and Ling Luocheng—sharper than before, like blades.
Ling Luocheng held her staff, ignoring the flying leaves. Ye Wuqing's attempts to break their defense were thwarted by her ice walls.
"Huh."
Ling Luocheng raised an eyebrow, whispering in surprise.
This was why Ye Wuqing was the academy's top talent for a millennium.
The golden leaves curved around the ice walls. His final black soul ring quietly glowed.
"I got this."
Before Ling Luocheng acted, a cyan-green glow appeared on Huo Yuhao's back. An ice jade scorpion shadow emerged, drawing astonished gasps.
Huo Yuhao held two lit cigars—one enhancing mental power, one soul power. Exhaling, his back exploded with cyan-green light, extreme cold freezing the stage. Ye Wuqing's golden leaf network was completely neutralized.
"Bang bang bang."
Dozens of golden leaves froze and fell. Ye Wuqing felt numb.
His body froze, layers of frost covering him, preventing the release of his fifth soul skill.
Yumengdi, fully suppressed by Ling Luocheng, was entirely frozen.
Huo Yuhao's move ended, and Ling Luocheng cooperated perfectly, summoning five ice spikes toward Ye Wuqing.
Seeing the ice spikes, Ye Wuqing's pupils shrank. His frozen body could not resist.
"Swish."
At the critical moment, the referee intervened, grabbing Ye Wuqing and flying him aside.
The ice spikes hit the ground, leaving deep marks.
Even Cheng Gang, a Title Douluo, was shocked at the pervasive frost. This was the power of extreme attribute.
"Shrek's Dual Ice Controllers!"
"Shrek's Dual Ice Controllers!"
Seeing Ye Wuqing rescued, spectators cheered even before the result was announced.
"Not a bad nickname," Ling Luocheng said, glancing at Huo Yuhao. Losing the Pure Perfect Ice felt disappointing.
With Huo Yuhao's support, her combat ability far exceeded normal, controlling ice effortlessly.
"Our dual ice control will make many cautious and prepare in advance," Huo Yuhao whispered.
Ling Luocheng laughed, teasing: "Your Sister Qing hasn't gone on stage yet. When she does, the match is over. Why bother?"
Sister Qing… Huo Yuhao sweated.
........................
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