The first round of the round-robin matches took place over these two days.
Compared to the brutal elimination matches at the beginning, where teams had to fight tooth and nail just to earn a spot, this first round of the round-robin was far more relaxed.
As each team adjusted their strategies, this initial round served as an opportunity to fine-tune their condition—seemingly uneventful on the surface, yet it was the calm before the storm.
The real intensity was about to begin.
Yet none of this could truly affect the Shrek Team.
Even during the one-day gap between the end of the first round and the start of the second, while other teams were feverishly preparing battle plans, the Shrek Team, under Wang Yan's leadership, left the Star Emperor Hotel.
As the capital of the Star Luo Empire—and with the Dueling Tournament underway—the streets of Star City, even at night, swarmed with an astonishingly massive crowd.
"Teacher Wang, where are you taking us?"
Unable to bear the constant jostling through the throngs any longer, Ma Xiaotao finally broke the silence. Had Wang Yan not already won her respect through his profound knowledge, she would have walked away long ago.
After all, she'd much rather stay in the hotel to recover her injuries and then unleash her frustration on the battlefield.
Seeing Ma Xiaotao take the lead, everyone else turned questioning glances toward Teacher Wang. After all, shopping in the middle of such a packed crowd was the worst possible idea imaginable.
Teacher Wang, however, didn't seem bothered by their skepticism.
He grinned cheerfully. "I'm taking you all to a great place to unwind—somewhere that'll truly benefit you in the long run."
"A great place?"
Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.
Instantly, wild guesses began flying.
Some, like Xu Sanshi, immediately assumed Teacher Wang was taking them for a foot soak to relieve fatigue.
Seeing their speculations grow increasingly absurd, Teacher Wang couldn't help but chuckle in exasperation. He stopped walking and explained, "Where are your minds even going? Foot soaks? I'd say if you really want that, I'll take you to a public bathhouse, give you a good scrubbing too."
To his surprise, Xu Sanshi nodded thoughtfully.
"That actually sounds pretty good."
"Good, you're the one who needs scrubbing!" Without waiting for Jiang Nannan to act, Bei Bei kicked him hard, then yanked him back just as he stumbled toward others. He turned to Teacher Wang. "Teacher Wang, ignore this idiot. Just keep talking."
"I'm taking you to an auction house."
Teacher Wang didn't drag it out—he laid it all out plainly.
"Auction house?" Everyone was stunned. They never expected "a great place" meant an auction house.
Was it a top-tier auction house? But that didn't make sense—if it were, they'd have heard about it already.
After some questioning, they learned Teacher Wang intended to take them to a high-end auction house—not merely to observe, but to see and possibly purchase soul guidance devices.
"What's so special about soul guidance devices?" Xu Sanshi asked, gesturing toward He Caitou and Ning Tian, who carried various soul guidance devices themselves. "Caitou and the others already have different kinds—why not just ask them to show us?"
"You're dense!" Bei Bei didn't hold back. "If Teacher Wang's taking us to an auction house, do you really think he just wants us to 'take a look'? He's definitely planning to spend money."
Teacher Wang nodded in agreement, his expression turning serious. Then he asked a seemingly unrelated question: "Over the past few days, have any of you noticed anything… different?"
"Different?"
Most of them looked around, confused.
Just as everyone was stumped, Chen Junting, holding hands with Ning Tian, spoke up: "Actually, the difference has already been subtly affecting several of our seniors—but because it's so gradual, it's easy to overlook." He pointed toward Xi Xi. "Look at her."
"Me?"
Xi Xi blinked, pointing at herself in bewilderment.
How could she have changed without noticing?
"I get it," Huo Yuhao was the first to understand. "Including Senior Xi Xi, many of today's soul masters aren't pure soul masters anymore. They're starting to use soul guidance devices."
"Exactly," Chen Junting applauded softly. "As Yuhao said, modern soul master may not know how to craft soul guidance devices, but they all know how to use them. And once you use them, you gain access to countless additional techniques, don't you?"
"Hmm…"
The group frowned, suddenly realizing how logical that was.
Seeing they were beginning to grasp it, Chen Junting added: "For those with beast martial souls, combining the soul master path with mastery of soul guidance devices is the strongest approach."
Ma Xiaotao frowned. "Why is that?"
But Chen Junting didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned to her and Dai Yueheng. "Senior Ma, Senior Dai—first, what advantages do beast martial souls have over tool martial souls? Second, if you could choose your soul techniques, which types would you prefer?"
"Naturally, physical strength," Ma Xiaotao replied without hesitation.
"Buffs and utility techniques," Dai Yueheng added.
Their answers left the others deep in thought.
Chen Junting pressed on: "Then why don't you two choose only buff and utility techniques for your soul skills?"
"That's because—" Ma Xiaotao blurted out instinctively—but halfway through, she froze. She suddenly understood the point of his questions.
Dai Yueheng, meanwhile, had already realized it.
Of course—they didn't choose only buff and utility techniques because they couldn't. Without defensive techniques, they lost their defense. Without offensive techniques, they lost their offense.
But now—with soul guidance devices—defense could come from devices like the Invincible Shield, while offense could be handled by close-range or long-range soul guidance devices.
Now, it all clicked.
Everyone else realized it too.
Even Xu Sanshi exclaimed: "It's like removable soul bones—except they don't enhance physical stats or soul power!"
Chen Junting raised an eyebrow, nodding firmly. "Precisely."
At that moment, even stubborn Ma Xiaotao felt her resolve waver.
Her previous aversion to soul guidance devices? It had simply been the belief that they were inferior to innate soul techniques. But now, seeing how powerful a soul master could become when wielding powerful soul guidance devices—that was the true secret to strength.
Still, one person remained resistant: Wang Dong.
But his expression suggested he was suppressing his true feelings—like he agreed inwardly, yet still felt a deep distaste.
That was unusual. In normal situations, he never reacted this way.
Chen Junting silently shook his head—he'd already learned from Elder Electrolux that this resistance stemmed from Tang San's influence.
As for why?
They simply couldn't relate to Tang San's mindset.
Meanwhile, Teacher Wang, seeing no further objections, smiled in relief. "Since everyone's on board, let's head to the auction house. And good news—your expenses this time will be covered by the academy."
Just as Teacher Wang turned to lead them away, Chen Junting stopped him. "Teacher Wang, maybe we shouldn't go to the auction house tonight. How about we go somewhere else—say, Nine Treasures Pavilion?"
Of course, when you want to buy something, you go to your own place first.
After all, why let the profits flow elsewhere? Wherever you buy, it's still a purchase.
And as for soul guidance devices? Nine Treasures Pavilion had far more variety than any high-end auction house—ranging from their own clan's creations, to items sold by others, and even smuggled goods from the Dayue Empire.
"You little rascal—you're here to boost sales, aren't you?" Teacher Wang laughed good-naturedly, but finally nodded. "Alright then, let's go see what soul guidance devices Nine Treasures Pavilion has that might suit all of you."
With that, the group set off for Nine Treasures Pavilion.
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