Tang San wore a face full of question marks.
He conceded?What happened to being the Sun-Moon Empire's main force? If you're giving up now, then will the rest of the Sun-Moon Empire's teams even be able to handle one round of Blue Silver Bind from me?
But just as his mind wandered, Cain had already slashed through the vines, waved at Xue Bing and Ah de, then turned to leave the field, showing everyone only his graceful back.
"Something's wrong!" Tang San frowned and repeated again, "Very wrong!"
But before he could react, the Mingyu Sect disciples had already retreated like the tide.
Only the stunned members of the Haotian Sect and tens of thousands of spectators remained on the field.
It wasn't until the referee made the official announcement that the crowd slowly snapped out of it.
Shrek Academy's Rest Area
Xian Lin'er's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief."Just what kind of group is this Mingyu Sect? They were hiding this deep?"
"No idea," Xuanzi said, shaking his head, his eyes glowing with wisdom. "But they're definitely strong contenders for the championship. They're probably a secret weapon of the Sun-Moon Empire. I just don't know if conceding so easily will get them punished. After all, that Haotian Sect team leader probably reached Super Douluo level. That's not someone the Sun-Moon Empire can handle lightly."
"Beibei, what do you think?" he asked calmly.
"I…" Beibei hesitated briefly, then rested his chin on his hand and said, "To be honest, if I had the level-9 soul tool gifted by Dean Lin'er, I could probably fight Tang San to a draw. It'd be hard to say who'd win. But that's a Super Douluo-level fight. As for that Cain guy—he actually forced Tang San to draw the Sea God Trident. I'd probably have to go all out—at least 60 or 70 percent—to stand a chance."
"But luckily, it was the Haotian Sect that ran into him first, and he was forced to surrender for the sake of his teammates' lives. From here on out, the road should be smooth sailing for us."
"Very true!" Xuanzi grinned broadly.
But inwardly, he thought—
Tang San was just too weak.
Not even as good as his own disciple.
Tang San only managed that result because he had the divine artifact, the Sea God's weapon. What a pity… his only direct disciple had gone missing after the Battle of Mingdu. Otherwise, he would've been sent to Sea God Island for further training too.
"Hmph, just a bootleg Tang San, trying to copy even a fraction of the aura of that legendary figure from ten thousand years ago. But in the end, he's just a pathetic clown mimicking elegance—absolutely terrible…"
He took a swig from his wine gourd and sneered.
"Elder Xuan!" Xian Lin'er frowned.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop talking…"
Xuanzi shrugged, his expression casual.
After all, the Haotian Sect had a closer relationship with that figure, and Shrek fell a little short in comparison. The very fact that they handed the Sea God Trident to this knockoff Tang San, aside from that person valuing this tournament, also clearly showed a preference for Haotian Sect.
Of course, if everyone knew that this was actually the true Tang San's divine consciousness, no one would be saying such things.
"In just the preliminary round and we're already seeing Titled Douluo?" said reserve team member Cao Jin Xuan, wide-eyed.
"Don't make such a fuss," Zhou Sicheng said, resting his chin on his hand, "All the academies have probably gone nuts these past two years. They've been stuffing their students with elixirs and miracle pills, not caring about side effects. The Sun-Moon Empire has always been like this—most of their soul engineers are all puffed-up frauds. This year it's even worse; they've even produced a Titled Douluo! I think…"
"This guy named Cain might be one of the Sun-Moon Empire's latest experimental products, some kind of messed-up enhancement that forcibly overdraws strength. Wouldn't be surprised if they've been doing research on this for years."
"And… a Titled Douluo under twenty years old might seem great now, but later? He might never even gain another level in his life. Everyone knows the side effects of those Sun-Moon Empire drugs."
"How can that compare to our senior—he climbed up step-by-step through God Trials. In a few years, he'll probably advance to Super Douluo or even Extreme Douluo. Those others can only compete with us in this one tournament. Crooked paths can't compare…"
Before Zhou Sicheng could finish his analysis, Xuanzi smacked him on the back of the head.
"Well now! I didn't expect this kind of talent in our reserve team. Kid, what's your name?" Xuanzi asked, face full of joy.
"I—I'm Zhou Sicheng!" The boy was so excited he stuttered.
In today's Shrek Academy, strength meant everything. Those with weak talent were left to fend for themselves, and resources were squeezed dry for the strong.
Even in the inner court, the same rule applied.
Even if he'd barely made it into the inner court, the resources he got were still far less than before.
But if he could catch the eye of someone powerful—then everything would change!
His family elders would probably jump for joy if they heard.
"Good, good, Zhou Sicheng—I'll remember that… What you said was absolutely right. I almost forgot that point," Xuanzi smacked his lips and looked deeply at the arena.
"I didn't think a kid like you would realize it. That's right. Since the Sun-Moon Empire can invent artificial soul rings, then they've probably also been researching how to push the human body to its limits. Just like Zhou… Zhou Sicheng said, this kind of killing-the-goose-for-eggs method might create a Titled Douluo, but that's the end of the line!"
He swept his gaze across everyone, trying to mask the awkwardness of having forgotten the boy's name.
Then he pointed a big finger at Beibei.
"Only our Shrek Academy can cultivate such a peerless genius through divine trials! Our future core combat power—an Extreme Douluo! A true demigod!"
He declared with pride.
"Think about it—even if they have a hundred forcibly boosted Titled Douluo, can they compare to one demigod? All just paper tigers!"
"Elder Xuan is right!!" Zhou Sicheng clapped so hard his palms hurt, his face beaming with excitement.
The others looked thoughtful.
And they weren't pretending.
After all, they had personally experienced it.
Even the reserve team members had gone through it.
When the once-distant miracles from storybooks appeared before their eyes in brilliant, divine splendor—Even if they'd once been dissatisfied with Tang San, they now only felt awe.
The Sun-Moon Empire forcibly boosted strength to fight, while Shrek relied on solid training and quality.
There was simply no comparison.
Their loyalty to Shrek Academy only grew stronger.
Even the soul tech surrounding them—which once drew admiration—now seemed hollow and fragile.
"What a pity they took the crooked path," Long Aotian sighed softly.
Clearly, the Body Sect shared the same thoughts as Shrek.
They had divine support behind them. Real gods—that was the only way to achieve such rapid breakthroughs. But the Sun-Moon Empire?
A nation with no historical foundation, rising only on soul tools—how dare they dream of seizing the throne of the continent?
The original powers of the continent all had divine beings backing them.
Now those gods could stir up the world with a wave of their hands—and even tear open the Sun-Moon Empire's blockade.
"But still…" His expression shifted.
"I recall the Sun-Moon Empire also has a descendant of the Angel Martial Soul? A shame we won't get to meet her in this competition. She was already a Soul Emperor three years ago. She's probably at least peak Soul Sage now. She'd be a powerful opponent."
"Fake. Just another publicity stunt to polish the Sun-Moon Empire's image," Mu Xue said calmly.
"You've met her?" asked Vina, curious.
"Three years ago, in a border town of the Star Luo Empire…" Long Aotian's eyes shimmered.
She was truly beautiful. Proud, holy, elegant—all the most perfect words one could use to describe a woman could be applied to her.
Back then, she was eliminating a group of escaping evil soul masters.
With one casual slash bathed in holy light, all of them shrieked and howled, their bodies forcibly purified in divine brilliance.
Hiss…
Long Aotian's eyes narrowed as he looked at the delicate white hand pinching his waist, and the puffed-up Vina beside him. He gave a wry smile.
"Angels and humans are different. The one I like is obviously you. She's way too beautiful for someone like me anyway."
Mu Xue: "…"
She helplessly glanced at her fuming little sister, who was now kicking up a fuss.
And sighed.
This guy really has no filter.
Every word is a landmine.
Still… she knew her future brother-in-law well. He was arrogant, but also blunt and rarely lied.
Looks like that Angel Soul inheritor really was breathtaking.
"..."
"But speaking of which, I really would've liked to fight Xu Cheng." Long Aotian said with a hint of regret.
"In the last tournament, he was nominally ranked first. But unfortunately, it seems he isn't listed among this year's participants. I wonder if he was intimidated by the lineups of our three sects, or if he's simply occupied with other matters..."
"Naturally. He's an emperor now—why would he personally enter the arena?" Mu Xue's beautiful eyes grew distant.
Four years ago, she and Vina had caught a glimpse of him at an auction held by Shrek Academy.
Even back then, he had already shed the immaturity of youth, his demeanor calm and composed. His strategic mind was so refined that even her father had been astonished: "This isn't a youth—he's a cunning old fox."
That very night…
He had laid a trap with ambushing forces, killing several Titled Douluo from the Haotian Sect. Then, as if nothing had happened, he departed freely. Just a few months later, he launched a breathtaking continental operation under the guise of "investing in soul tools," sweeping away nearly half the accumulated assets of the original continent's major forces.
That battle… had drained her father's fighting spirit.
Without spilling a drop of blood, everyone close to her had praised him endlessly.
Even without dazzling combat achievements, his strategies alone had earned her father's appraisal: "so cunning it's practically demonic."
And now…
She didn't believe Xu Cheng was afraid.
After all, almost 99% of the current tournament's participants had heard of Xu Cheng's name.
Seniors who had taken part in the tournament five years ago passed down tales of his greatness, saying he stood like a mountain towering above all geniuses of the era. Now that those junior students had grown stronger, many were eager to challenge that "mountain."
Others, like Beibei and Xu Sanshi, had lost to Xu Cheng three years ago and came this time hoping for a rematch.
After all, Xu Cheng's reputation preceded him.
At fifteen, he had already made a name for himself across the entire Douluo Continent.
Among all the academies, he was a legendary figure.
He stood above all students—a mountain in their hearts. And if they wished to surpass him, there was only one way… defeat him!
"Back then, he was so full of youthful spirit," Mu Xue sighed with her beautiful eyes.
"What a shame I never got to see him in his prime," Long Aotian shook his head. His tone was laced with emotion—but also a trace of contempt.
A guy who doesn't even dare step into the arena doesn't deserve his attention.
He might've been radiant back in the day. His reputation had grown ridiculously exaggerated over the years. But that was the last tournament.
Even a Soul Emperor could decide the outcome of the finals back then. But this year…
This year is truly a battlefield of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
A team with a Soul Emperor might not even make it to the top four.
"Star Luo Sect, we concede!"
Facing the Snow Demon Sect, Xu Jiu stood alone on the platform, her gaze calm. She didn't waste a single word. In front of countless stunned eyes, she directly declared Star Luo Sect's withdrawal from the tournament.
"What... how is that possible?!! They didn't even put up a fight?"
"This is the elimination round. They're really just quitting like that?"
"Among the Sun-Moon Empire's subordinate forces, Mingyu Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Star Lo… ahem, Star Luo Sect, Earth Dragon Gate, and Sky Dragon Gate were barely presentable. But now… with two out of five already gone, only the Royal Academy of the Sun-Moon Empire remains to fight alone?"
"And it's so tragic that the Sun-Moon Empire brought this on themselves. They opened registration to all sects, provoking Haotian Sect and the Body Sect. Wonder if the guy sitting on that throne regrets it now."
"And this is happening on home turf! If the Snow Demon Sect can make Star Luo Sect concede like that, then they must be…"
The various academies were in heated discussion—but deep inside, they were shaken.
Now Shrek Academy, Haotian Sect, and Snow Demon Sect (Body Sect) had all arrived in this tournament with overwhelming force. Their identities made the situation clear.
Ten thousand years ago—the Top Three Sects shared close ties.
They once united against the Spirit Hall.
Under Tang San's leadership, they utterly destroyed Spirit Hall, wiping it from the continent and changing history for the next ten millennia.
Could it be that now…
"Listen up—if any of our teams run into one of those three sects, immediately concede! We've passed the elimination round anyway. Losing one match won't be the end." One academy team leader warned with a grim face.
"What about the Sun-Moon Empire?" a student hesitantly asked.
"The Sun-Moon Empire… we might be able to give it a shot," the teacher murmured thoughtfully.
"Taking my Sun-Moon Empire for soft fruit?" Xu Cheng raised an eyebrow and glanced at Xiao Hongchen.
The latter slapped his thigh, full of righteous fury:"I'm going in first!"
But Meng Hongchen pressed down on his shoulder, making him sit.
"What's the rush, bro? You're our grand finale."
"Cain already probed their depth. Let's wait until it's our turn…"
"I'll go first."
Wang Qiu'er, leaning against a pillar, her light blue hair fluttering in the wind, had a calm and distant look on her stunning face.
"..."
Wang Dong'er glanced toward the direction of Haotian Sect.
In her beautiful eyes, a hint of longing flashed.
(End of Chapter)