"I'll go up first, then Zhu Zhuqing."
Yang Yunhai spoke.
After a month of consideration, he still felt it was most stable for him to be the first one up. That way, even if Tang San went up first, there wouldn't be any unexpected tricks that could catch them off guard.
Hearing this, Yu Feng couldn't help but shake his head. "Ai, captain, if you're going first, I feel like I won't even get a chance to fight."
Yang Yunhai smiled. "The reason I'm going first is mainly to prevent Tang San from going up first. You've all seen his fourth soul skill before. If you face him, you don't have any advantage. Once I deal with him, I'll choose to concede and step down. At that point, it'll be your turn."
"The advancement round isn't an elimination round. This is a good opportunity for training. I'll make sure everyone has a chance to fight."
Yu Feng immediately thumped his chest. "Captain, don't worry, I won't let you down!"
"I'll go submit the roster and order of battle now," Meng Shenshou stood up and said.
According to the rules, before each advancement match, the participating team must submit the battle lineup and order in advance, which cannot be changed midway.
"Alright, I'll trouble you then, Uncle Meng." Yang Yunhai nodded and watched Meng Shenshou leave.
Soon after, the Shrek Academy team entered the arena under Yu Xiaogang's lead, all of them looking grim.
Only Tang San's gaze swept across the arena, finally locking onto Yang Yunhai. His eyes carried fighting intent and a trace of coldness.
Yang Yunhai seemed to sense it. He turned his head, met Tang San's stare, and smiled faintly.
The fact that they drew Shrek Academy for the first match wasn't a coincidence. He had deliberately asked Elder Chrysanthemum to arrange it. Better to cripple Tang San early and let him lie in bed than give him a chance to run around absorbing things with his Eight Spider Lances during the tournament.
Tang San, noticing Yang Yunhai's smile, kept his expression calm and shifted his gaze elsewhere.
Soon, all the academies entered the field, handed in their lineups, and the referee confirmed.
The master of ceremonies entered the stage and made the opening speech. Then Xue Ye stood from the VIP seats, his voice amplified through a soul tool and echoing across the entire arena.
"…For the next 15 days, I hope each of you can display your full strength and show the glory you carry as soul masters. Now, I declare the Advancement Matches officially begin!"
As soon as the words fell, the Royal Knights surrounding the field raised their lances in unison and shouted loudly:
"Long live, long live, long live!"
The deafening sound was like a mountain collapsing, startling many of the gathered soul masters.
On the VIP stand, Salas frowned slightly, but he said nothing.
"Thank you, His Majesty Xue Ye, for your rousing words," the announcer continued. "Now then—"
"The first round of the Advancement Matches, first match: Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Shrek Academy. Will the chosen fighters from both sides please enter the arena!"
At that, Yang Yunhai rose from his seat and strode onto the field.
"So that's Yang Yunhai?" Many of the duchy teams began whispering.
"He's handsome!" a girl murmured.
"And powerful too! Isn't he the one with the 10,000-year fourth soul ring who took down the entire Thunderclap Academy team by himself?"
"…"
"It's actually Yang Yunhai who's fighting first," Yu Xiaogang muttered from Shrek's side, frowning.
"My turn!" Xiao Wu's eyes brightened. She was delighted, leaping down from her seat.
"Xiao Wu, be careful," Tang San said with unease.
The rules were simple: once the fighters walked to within 20 meters of each other, the match would officially begin. Xiao Wu had her teleportation soul skill, which allowed her to close distance quickly and attack or retreat at will. After a month of harsh training, her soul power had reached rank 39. Most importantly, her spiritual power had risen sharply since coming to Heaven Dou City.
In tests, none of the Shrek members could resist her Charm skill. For this reason, when she volunteered, Yu Xiaogang arranged for her to go first.
If Yang Yunhai came up first, she could teleport in, use Charm, and either succeed immediately or retreat if it failed. If she faced another Heaven Dou Royal member, her teleportation and Charm gave her natural advantages that could help secure an early lead.
Tang San had been placed last. If Xiao Wu failed, his other teammates could at least help exhaust Yang Yunhai before his turn. In Yu Xiaogang's view, as long as Tang San defeated Yang Yunhai, Heaven Dou Royal would collapse easily afterward.
Though Tang San wanted to fight first, for the sake of the team, he had to accept the arrangement.
"Yeah yeah, I know," Xiao Wu said casually, waving her hand before striding out.
Her joints cracked crisply as she flexed her fingers, glaring at Yang Yunhai with mock anger. When she closed to about 20 meters, she wrinkled her nose, lifted her chin, and shouted loudly:
"Hmph! Xiao Hai, this time I'll beat you into a pig's head!"
With that, she immediately released her Martial Soul, completed possession, and charged straight at him.
"…" The Heaven Dou Royal team members were taken aback, sizing Xiao Wu up.
Girl, where do you get that confidence?!
Yang Yunhai smiled faintly, waiting for her to come.
"Hmph, you dare underestimate me!?" Xiao Wu shouted angrily, stomping her foot to accelerate and narrowing the distance to within 10 meters. Knowing Yang Yunhai was cunning, she didn't dare slack off.
"Third Soul Skill, Teleport!" Her figure turned into pink light, instantly reappearing a short distance from Yang Yunhai.
"Second Soul Skill, Charm!" Her pupils glowed pink as she locked eyes with his calm gaze.
"Ugh—" Her mind shuddered violently, as if struck by lightning. Pain flared, and she blacked out on the spot.
Already prepared, Yang Yunhai swung his leg in a smooth, fluid motion. His kick connected solidly with her stomach.
Bang!
The sound echoed clearly.
The movement was so swift and decisive that the Shrek team on the sidelines didn't even have time to shout for surrender.
"Pfft!" Heaven Dou Royal's members couldn't hold it in anymore and burst into laughter.
Really, what were you trying to prove?
"That's it?!" Other academies' students stared dumbfounded.
"Xiao Wu!" Tang San's cry split the air. His figure flickered as he dashed forward with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
But before he even reached her, Xiao Wu's body had already landed, rolling across the ground with her face scraping the dirt, leaving blood behind.
Tang San caught her and turned her over, his heart twisting at the sight.
Her face was swollen red, streaked with cuts from the gravel, blood running from her seven orifices.
"Xiao Wu…" His eyes turned red, whispering painfully as he glared at Yang Yunhai, killing intent blazing.
"This contestant, take note: entering without permission will be treated as interference in the match," the referee's cold voice rang out.
Gritting his teeth, Tang San lifted Xiao Wu into his arms. "We concede. I'm just taking her back."
He left the arena, returning to Shrek's seating area.
By now the audience also saw her clearly and gasped.
"So miserable! Blood from the seven orifices. Was it her own soul skill's backlash?"
"That reflex kick from Yang Yunhai was terrifyingly fast!"
"A Soul Elder using a mental skill against a Soul Ancestor—what was Shrek's instructor thinking?"
"Overconfidence, if you ask me."
The discussions buzzed loudly around the field.
(End of Chapter)
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