"What a pity... we didn't get to face you."
Dai Huabin clenched his fists as he looked at the Shrek Academy members.
Although back then he could only watch helplessly as his brother went to his death, he didn't blame Shrek Academy. The academy had its reasons for not acting. Now that he had piggybacked on the divine assessment, his strength had improved by leaps and bounds, and he finally had the power to avenge his father and brother.
In short: Shrek, loyalty!
"Where are we eating?"
"All you think about is food. Glutton!"
"Sword fanatic, where are you going?"
"..."
The members of the Sun-Moon Empire were relaxed, even casually discussing dinner…
"Damn it!"
Beibei stopped the furious Dai Huabin and calmly reminded him, "If you want revenge, do it on the arena. If you get killed by the Sun-Moon Empire's guards here, no one will say a thing."
Several main team members stared at the departing Royal Academy squad from the Sun-Moon Empire, a contemplative glint in their eyes.
"Her legs got even longer…"
Xu Sanshi stared at Jiang Nannan among the other team, nearly drooling.
Long legs were one thing—how did she also get even more beautiful?
She wore a light yellow long dress, revealing her fair and slender calves. Her tiny waist was tied with a silk ribbon. No longer cold and indifferent like she used to be toward him, now she even occasionally joined in laughter with the rest of the Sun-Moon group. Her stunning beauty was mesmerizing.
"What are you staring at?!"
Among the substitute team, a petite girl with a cold and sharp expression—shorter than the rest and with some loli features—grabbed Xu Sanshi's ear and shouted angrily.
"Ow ow ow, I was wrong…"
Xu Sanshi wailed as the girl dragged him away.
Everyone looked at him with strange expressions.
"Isn't he already a Soul Douluo? Is he... henpecked?" Xie Huanyue muttered blankly.
"Probably…" Lan Susu whispered.
As a core disciple of the academy, being selected to take the divine test meant his status in Shrek was extremely high.
Yet he was completely controlled by an ordinary girl.
More importantly…
"Don't you think she really resembles Jiang Nannan? Just a bit shorter." Lan Susu whispered.
"..."
Everyone turned to look, shocked.
"Damn, you're right!"
"So that's it!"
"No wonder Senior Sanshi is so outstanding and so many girls in the academy like him, yet he took the initiative to pursue her—Tiantian…"
"Alright, enough gossip. Focus on preparing for tomorrow's match." Beibei interrupted them gently. "Huabin, Zhulu, you'll lead five substitute members into the elimination round."
"Yes, Senior Beibei!" Dai Huabin responded promptly.
His respect for Beibei wasn't just because he was captain, but also because of his terrifying strength… a Title Douluo, even comparable to a Super Douluo. During team practice before departure, Beibei had casually released a bit of his aura, and it left everyone trembling.
"Also—unless absolutely necessary, don't reveal your true power." Beibei patted his shoulder and said calmly.
"Understood! Dealing with a mere Rhinoceros Armor Sect should only require 30–40% of our power." Dai Huabin thumped his chest confidently.
Looking at the beauty beside him, his heart swelled with emotion.
If not for Shrek Academy's invitation, and the fact that he was the only surviving core bloodline of the Dai family, the Zhu family would never have let Zhu Zhu accompany him. Shrek—loyalty!
His gaze swept around, filled with arrogance and confidence.
This was his chance—the chance for the White Tiger Dai family to wash away their shame!
Zhu Zhu leaned against him, her beautiful eyes tender.
The two looked like a perfectly matched pair—a harmonious duo.
Beibei watched the young couple and sighed deeply.
Looking at Xu Sanshi being dragged away and scolded by Tiantian, he naturally knew what his brother was thinking. Tiantian probably knew too—after all, many seniors at the academy, upon seeing her, would blurt out: "She looks just like Jiang Nannan."
Everyone understood.
Xu Sanshi treated Tiantian as a replacement for Jiang Nannan.
And Tiantian likely saw potential in him—his talent and future. She understood but chose not to expose it.
After all, no one here was a fool…
"Xiao Ya…"
Staring at the departing figures of the Sun-Moon Empire team,
Beibei took a deep breath.
As his strength returned, he became increasingly composed. Over the years, he had come to understand a truth: strength is everything.
Strength allowed him to stay calm, gave him a broader mind, and helped him face challenges with grace—he was rarely rattled anymore.
These three years on Sea God Island weren't just about cultivation. They also refined his spirit. He believed he had changed a lot.
And yet only that tall, lively silhouette could stir the dormant depths of his heart.
Dawn broke.
The Sun-Moon Empire Plaza was already packed with people.
At the center stood several floating island-like platforms. Their bases were shaped like inverted pyramids, metallic and futuristic.
The surrounding massive seating areas could accommodate nearly a million spectators, with real-time broadcasts reaching tens of millions across all provinces of the Sun-Moon Empire. The Starlink railway connected the entire nation, and now, so did the information network—people could communicate more easily than ever.
The venue was a sea of people.
In the academy rest area...
"Aotian, over here!" Vina called out excitedly, jumping and waving to the crowd.
Long Aotian and the Snow Demon Sect disciples made their way to their spot. Though it was a temporary rest tent, the entire space was actually an eighth-level soul tool, complete with drinks and other amenities.
Facing over a hundred academy teams, the Sun-Moon Empire's wealth and power were on full display—over a hundred of these tents were provided. In past tournaments, weaker academies or those who lost early had to stand packed together—the difference was massive.
"Ooh… these drinks are really good."
"Wow, it even has a screen that broadcasts the arena? High-definition zoom too? This is so advanced—no wonder they call it the City of Soul Tools!"
"And look at this…"
"Silence!"
Long Aotian frowned.
"Don't act like you've never seen the world!"
"..."
The others quieted down, whispering among themselves.
Long Aotian: "..."
"Aotian, I didn't know soul tools could be used in daily life too!" Vina blinked her big eyes, curiously touching everything.
"Actually, they've always been around. But now, Mingdu (the capital) has taken soul tool integration to the next level." Long Aotian nodded slightly.
"The Sun-Moon Empire hasn't stagnated these past three years—they've advanced rapidly. In fact, there's likely a lot of research they've kept hidden. They haven't shown their full hand. So this tournament... won't be easy." Mu Xue said softly.
"There can't be any Title Douluo, right?" Long Aotian accepted her point but couldn't help pushing back.
His name reflected his personality—prideful. With divine help on their side, if they still couldn't beat the Sun-Moon Empire...
(End of Chapter)