Su Mu conceded, and Mo Hentian won the match.
Whether it was the audience in the stands or the contestants in the waiting area, everyone felt this outcome was unreasonable—yet it made perfect sense. After all, discerning eyes could tell that although both sides still seemed to have strength in reserve, Su Mu was clearly running out of steam. This was a common issue when control-type Soul Masters faced off against power-attack types.
Mo Hentian and Su Mu stepped down from the stage together, each returning to their respective teams.
"Xiao Mo, you were amazing!" Xu Xiaoyan immediately hugged Mo Hentian, cheering excitedly.
"Just luck," Mo Hentian replied with a smile. Though his words were modest, the grin on his face was impossible to suppress.
"Xiao Mo, how was the Battle Armor's performance?" Ye Xinglan also walked over, a trace of nervousness in her expression. She had been responsible for crafting Mo Hentian's Battle Armor, so she was naturally concerned about its real-world effectiveness.
"I think if I could wear a headpiece, the effect might be even more pronounced," Mo Hentian said with a faint smile.
"No problem!" Ye Xinglan immediately relaxed, then thumped her chest excitedly. "Once we have some free time, I'll make your headpiece."
"Thank you, Xinglan," Mo Hentian said gratefully upon hearing her assurance.
"By the way, Xiao Mo, how did you suddenly grow so big at the end?" Xu Xiaoyan asked curiously, gesturing with her hands to mimic the size.
"Because I—" Mo Hentian was about to answer without hesitation when Jing Shaoyu interrupted.
"Let's head back to the hotel first," Jing Shaoyu said with a smile, followed by Gu Yue, Na'er, and Wu Siduo. Since Mo Hentian was the only one from their group with a match that morning, there was no need to stay any longer.
Hearing Jing Shaoyu's suggestion, Xu Xiaoyan, Ye Xinglan, and Mo Hentian didn't object, and the group left the Star Luo Grand Stadium directly.
As the Shrek team departed, Su Mu also returned to the Monster Academy team. Unlike Jing Shaoyu's group of seven, all members of Monster Academy had matches that morning. So aside from Dai Yuner, who was currently competing, everyone else was present.
"Su Mu, are you alright?" Dai Yueyan immediately stepped forward, concern in his voice.
Su Mu shook his head, offering an apologetic smile. "Nothing serious. I just feel a bit ashamed—I lost."
Dai Yueyan quickly reassured him, "It's just one group-stage match. It doesn't matter. We'll make up for it later. But… why didn't you use your Battle Armor?"
Su Mu sighed. "She's five years younger than me. Even if I won using Battle Armor, it wouldn't mean much. Hah."
At that moment, Long Yue walked over and patted his shoulder. "Don't push yourself. Go rest."
Su Mu stiffened slightly, then nodded silently and headed inside. But after taking a few steps, Long Yue's voice rang out behind him.
"If anyone underestimates their opponent and loses carelessly in future matches, don't blame me for being ruthless! The Heavenly Kings of Monster Academy have no room for arrogance!"
Long Yue's voice was deep and filled with authority. Su Mu's body stiffened, his expression froze, and then he lowered his head dejectedly. He admitted that he had underestimated Mo Hentian at the beginning of the match, but he couldn't accept that this was the reason for his loss.
However, Su Mu didn't argue with Long Yue—he had no right to.
Back at the hotel, everyone gathered in Jing Shaoyu's room. His room had effectively become their meeting place and common area, especially since he hadn't slept there since the day they checked into the Star Luo Grand Hotel.
"Alright, now you can tell us, right, Xiao Mo? Hurry up and explain—was that clone and giant transformation ability a Soul Bone Skill?" Xu Xiaoyan, who had been holding back the question the entire way, immediately asked the moment they entered. "It was so cool!"
"Yes," Mo Hentian replied. "That clone is called Heavenly Fox Illusory Transformation, a Soul Skill attached to a ninety-thousand-year Heavenly Fox King skull. My previous disguises were all thanks to it. As for the giant transformation, that's a Soul Skill from the Titan Snow Demon right arm bone."
"So you have two Soul Bones now? So jealous!" Ye Xinglan and Wu Siduo exclaimed in unison, their eyes gleaming with envy.
"Alright, let's leave the Soul Bone discussion for now," Jing Shaoyu interjected, noticing the deepening chill in Gu Yue's gaze. If they continued, he was afraid she might lose her temper right then. "Let's talk about the matches this afternoon. Aside from Xiao Mo, we all have matches, right?"
"Mhm!" Na'er nodded. "I'm in the first match of the afternoon, and Brother is in the fifth. What about the rest of you?"
"I'm in the second," Xu Xiaoyan said.
"Seventh," Gu Yue added.
"Eleventh," Ye Xinglan chimed in.
"Fourth for me," Wu Siduo said.
Jing Shaoyu nodded. "In that case, let's grab lunch first, rest for a bit, and then head to the arena."
Their first opponents in the matches were all unknowns, so they secured their victories with ease. The matches weren't complete stomps, but they could at least be described as smooth victories.
Late at night, in Gu Yue's room.
"My Sovereign!" A middle-aged man dressed in black silently appeared, kneeling respectfully before her.
Gu Yue's expression remained indifferent as she ordered, "Investigate the origin of the Mountain Dragon King bloodline within that Long Yue. I suspect it's connected to the Land of Inheritance."
"As you command," the black-clad man replied, bowing his head.
"Go. Do not alert them," Gu Yue said, her gaze fixed on the night outside the window, her tone as cold as ever.
"Your subordinate takes his leave." The man's figure dissipated into the air, vanishing like a wisp of black mist.
The second day of the individual tournament's group stage.
Jing Shaoyu and the others arrived early at the Star Luo Grand Coliseum. The most important match of the day was the third one in the morning—Wu Siduo versus Dai Yuner.
Wu Siduo had been looking forward to this match for a long time. From the moment she woke up, she was unusually excited, her eyes sparkling with energy. It was clear at a glance that she was in peak condition. Xu Xiaoyan and Na'er joked that she wasn't here to compete but to pick a fight with the Star Luo royal family.
Wu Siduo didn't deny it—that was exactly her intention.
On the other side, the members of Monster Academy had also arrived. Dai Yuner walked beside Long Yue, exuding an air of confidence and certainty of victory.
"Yuner, remember, this battle concerns the dignity of the royal family. You must not be careless!" Dai Yueyan reminded her once again.
"Ugh! Fourth Brother, you've been saying that all morning—my ears are about to grow calluses!" Dai Yuner replied impatiently. "Wu Siduo is a Soul Grandmaster, and so am I. Plus, I have Twin Martial Souls. How could she possibly defeat me?"
"Listen to yourself—that's exactly the problem!" Dai Yueyan sighed, rubbing his forehead. "You should know about the suppression the White Tiger Spirit has over the Nether Cat Spirit. That alone is reason enough for you to be extra cautious!"
"Pfft!" Dai Yuner stuck her tongue out at him defiantly.
"Yuner, your Fourth Brother is right," Long Yue chimed in. "Don't underestimate your opponent. Otherwise, what I said yesterday applies to you as well!"
At his words, Dai Yuner's expression turned serious, and she nodded immediately. "I understand, Big Brother Long!"
She had no intention of being expelled from the ranks of the Eight Great Heavenly Kings—that would be far too humiliating.
"Good." Both Long Yue and Dai Yueyan nodded in satisfaction.
To say that this match between Wu Siduo and Dai Yuner concerned the dignity of the royal family might be an exaggeration, but it certainly had implications for the royal family's reputation. After so many days of competition, it was now common knowledge that Wu Siduo's Martial Soul was the White Tiger Spirit.
Under the influence of certain hidden factions, Wu Siduo's identity as the princess of the White Tiger Clan from the Douluo Continent had also been exposed to the public. Although the White Tiger Clan on Douluo Continent was merely an ordinary Soul Master family, that didn't stop people from referring to her as a princess.
"A princess of the Douluo White Tiger Clan versus a princess of the Star Luo royal family"—now that sounded like an enticing matchup.
The Star Luo officials' attention to this match far exceeded public expectations. Even the Star Luo Emperor, who had attended the opening day, made a second appearance—an unprecedented occurrence in previous tournaments. This alone spoke volumes about the significance of this match.
On the VIP platform, Dai Tianling watched the ongoing match below with a faint smile, though his thoughts were far from the competition.
"Wu Siduo, granddaughter of Wu Baining, the city lord of Star Luo City in the Douluo Federation. The most outstanding young member of the Wu family and a first-year student at Shrek Academy." This was all the information Star Luo officials could gather from the Douluo delegation—not because the delegation didn't know more, but because they couldn't disclose it.
Long before Jing Shaoyu and the other six had decided to participate, Tang Bingyao, the de facto leader of the Douluo delegation and Vice Speaker of the Federation, had issued a strict order to all delegation members in Star Luo City: leaking any specific information about Shrek Academy students would be treated as treason!
In Tang Bingyao's eyes, this tournament was no longer just a simple competition—it had become a contest of national strength. Though he belonged to the dovish faction, he was not averse to the use of force. In fact, he believed that a measured display of power could better safeguard peace.
And talent reserves were the best showcase of that power!
(End of Chapter)