In the Meeting Room
"The matchups for the upcoming elimination rounds have been decided," Wang Yan said softly. He had just returned from the drawing of lots at the Star Luo Imperial Palace and immediately called everyone together for a meeting.
Seeing that all members had arrived, he continued, "Our opponent in the round of 16 is an old rival—the Dou Ling Imperial Soul Academy."
At this, Dai Yuheng, Ling Luochen, and the others grew solemn.
After all, the four royal academies had always been strong contenders for the runner-up position in past tournaments. Underestimating them would be unwise.
Huo Yuhao teased, "Teacher Wang, your luck with the draw isn't great. You pulled one of last tournament's top four teams."
Wang Yan chuckled. "It's fine. At least we didn't draw the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy directly. Besides, as the top seed in our group, we'll only face second-place teams in the round of 16. We won't meet them in the first round."
At this point, Wang Dong'er noticed something. "Teacher Wang, does that mean the Dou Ling Imperial Soul Academy only qualified as second in their group, so we were matched against them?"
Wang Yan nodded. "Exactly."
"So… this year's Dou Ling Imperial Soul Academy isn't that strong?" Xiao Xiao wondered.
Wang Yan shook his head. "Based on their strength, they should have taken first in their group. However, a dark horse emerged in their bracket. To conserve their strength, Dou Ling Imperial Soul Academy forfeited their final match against that academy, settling for second place."
Ma Xiaotao scoffed indifferently. "Whether it's those Sun Moon guys or anyone else, we'll face them sooner or later. No matter what tricks they're hiding, we'll just crush them on the battlefield."
Her fists clenched eagerly.
Wang Yan was momentarily speechless.
Well… she wasn't wrong. Perhaps he was being overly cautious.
After breaking through to Soul Saint, Ma Xiaotao's power was undeniable.
In fact, Wang Yan felt that with Huo Yuhao and Ma Xiaotao leading the charge, victory in this Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament was all but assured.
Huo Yuhao nudged Ma Xiaotao's arm with his elbow. "Sister Xiaotao, confidence is good, but don't underestimate the continent's geniuses. Let's hear Teacher Wang's strategy first."
Ma Xiaotao calmed down at his words and waited for Wang Yan to continue.
Ever since the evil fire's backlash was resolved, she had become the captain of the Shrek Seven Monsters, broken through to Soul Saint, and absorbed a soul bone. During this time, her pride had swelled—almost to the point of looking down on everyone else.
The only one she would listen to was Huo Yuhao.
Wang Yan smiled. "Confidence is good. With you and Yuhao leading the team, I'm reassured. But Shrek's only goal is the championship, so we must remain vigilant—especially against soul tools."
He continued, "This year, Dou Ling Imperial Soul Academy's main roster includes five Soul Kings and two Soul Ancestors. They're formidable. Moreover, they aren't a pure soul master academy—they frequently employ soul tools. At least two of those five Soul Kings are true soul engineers. You must be wary of this."
Everyone nodded in understanding.
Though their strength was overwhelming, caution never hurt.
"Now, let's go over the tournament rules. From the round of 16 onward, each elimination match will consist of a team battle and an individual competition, held over two days. Losing the team battle doesn't mean elimination. If three or fewer members defeat all seven opponents in the individual rounds, they can turn the tide."
The tactical discussion didn't take long. This rule, which encouraged individual heroism, heavily favored Shrek.
Of course, Wang Yan had more to consider. He needed to secure victory while conserving their strength.
Thus, his lineup for tomorrow's team battle was: Huo Yuhao, Dai Yuheng, Ling Luochen, Xixi, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Tang Ya.
Ma Xiaotao frowned. "Teacher Wang, you're not letting me fight?"
Wang Yan shook his head. "It's just Dou Ling Imperial Soul Academy. Revealing that you've broken through to Soul Saint isn't worth it."
Seeing her displeasure, he quickly added, "Don't worry. When the time comes, I'll give you unlimited freedom to fight."
Ma Xiaotao huffed. "That's more like it!"
If she didn't return home in glory, it'd be like wearing fine robes in the dark.
Hadn't she trained so hard to reach Soul Saint just to showcase Shrek's might in this tournament?
After all that effort, shouldn't she enjoy it?
Conserving strength?
Nonsense!
She had no intention of holding back.
Besides, after her breakthrough, she was brimming with restless energy—eager to find a suitable punching bag to vent on.
Huo Yuhao reassured her, "Sister Xiaotao, I'll take care of your share and win this team battle cleanly!"
No problem. His Spiritual Engraving would handle it.
Finally, Wang Yan gave Bei Bei and the reserve team a motivational speech:
"In the upcoming matches, reserve members must take this seriously. Those who get to play, cherish this opportunity. Those observing, study the battles closely. Five years from now, it'll be your stage! This tournament is invaluable experience. Understood?"
"Understood!" the seven replied in unison.
Knock, knock, knock!
Suddenly, the meeting room door was knocked.
Wang Yan frowned. "I told the staff not to disturb us."
A pleasant female voice came from outside. "Apologies for the interruption. I'm not staff—I'm from the Starlight Auction House."
Bei Bei, closest to the door, stood up. After receiving Wang Yan's nod, he opened it.
A woman in an elegant black dress stood outside. She appeared to be in her late twenties, exuding mature charm while retaining a youthful aura.
With a warm smile, she said, "Greetings, esteemed guests of Shrek Academy. I am Qing Ya, a Black-Level Auctioneer from Starlight Auction House. Is Teacher Wang Yan present?"
Wang Yan stepped forward. "I'm Wang Yan. How may I help you?"
Qing Ya smiled. "Teacher Wang, my apologies for the intrusion. The Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament is a grand festival held once every twenty years in the Star Luo Empire. To celebrate, our auction house is hosting a top-tier auction tonight."
She continued, "Only the most distinguished guests receive our invitations. If you're free, we'd be honored by your attendance. Tonight's offerings will surely interest you."
As she spoke, she presented a stack of gilded invitations with both hands.
"I won't take more of your time." With another graceful bow, Qing Ya retreated, closing the door behind her.
Wang Yan examined the thirteen exquisitely crafted invitations and mused, "Thirteen invitations—generous. And to deliver them despite the Star Luo Empire's lockdown of the hotel… What a gesture."
"Because the Starlight Auction House is backed by the Star Luo royal family," Huo Yuhao remarked casually.
"What?" Everyone was surprised.
Huo Yuhao explained, "Without the royal family's permission, who'd dare to send invitations privately?"
"I see," Wang Yan said, nodding.
Dai Yueheng, examining the invitation, remarked, "The auctioneer wasn't exaggerating. This truly is a top-tier auction."
"Could you elaborate?" Xixi asked curiously.
The others turned to him. As the only Star Luo native among them—and given his status—Dai Yueheng was the most familiar with such events.
He explained, "Auctions of this caliber are held only once or twice a year. Previously, even I wasn't qualified to attend. Only my father, royalty, major merchants, and top-tier soul masters receive invitations."
He added, "The items auctioned are exceedingly rare. Once, a 90,000-year soul bone was sold. The Starlight Auction House likely extended this invitation as a goodwill gesture toward our academy. Teacher Wang, what do you think?"
Wang Yan glanced around. The eager spark in everyone's eyes was unmistakable.
They were the finest young soul masters of their generation, but they were also curious youths. Missing such an opportunity would be regrettable.
"Very well. We'll all attend tonight—consider it a pre-battle respite. However, observe more, speak less, avoid trouble, and return immediately afterward. Understood?"
"Yeah!" Xiao Xiao was the first to jump in excitement, and the others brightened visibly.
Huo Yuhao was also intrigued. Though the two most useful auction items for him were long gone, the Star Luo royal family's backing surely meant some extraordinary offerings.
…
After dinner, Huo Yuhao's group arrived at the Starlight Auction House with their invitations in hand.
Dressed in a violet gown, Qing Ya waited at the entrance. Under the evening lights, her elegance was striking, her gentle demeanor drawing glances from passersby.
Yet, the true focus of attention was Shrek's group—especially Huo Yuhao. Some girls even stopped them on the spot, begging for his autograph.
Huo Yuhao politely declined requests to sign skin, opting instead for paper signatures.
Spotting their arrival, Qing Ya approached with a radiant smile. "Welcome, honored guests!"
"My duty tonight is to escort Shrek Academy's distinguished attendees. Please, follow me." With another sweet glance at Wang Yan, she led the way.
Xu Sanshi's eyes nearly bulged. Leaning toward Huo Yuhao, he whispered, "Eh, Yuhao, doesn't she have that mature charm? A few more smiles, and Teacher Wang might lose his soul."
Huo Yuhao shook his head, not responding.
He recalled the original timeline's relationship between Han Ruoruo and Wang Yan. But with his interference, Wang Yan wouldn't be an old cow eating young grass this time.
Bei Bei, passing by, shot Xu Sanshi a look. "Idiot, mind your image. Jiang Nannan is right here."
'You have Tang Ya. Easy for you to talk!'
Xu Sanshi grumbled internally but dropped the subject.
Qing Ya guided them deep into the auction house. At the end of the hall, two golden-gowned attendants greeted them. After a brief exchange, one pressed her palm against the wall.
Ripples of light spread, and the wall parted, revealing a pristine white passage.
"This is Auction Room No. 1, reserved for our most prestigious guests. I'm only permitted entry tonight due to your esteemed presence." She led them inside, where two more young attendants awaited.
After traversing the white jade path, they reached Door No. 7—a lavishly decorated suite spanning 200 square meters, surpassing even the Treasure Appreciation Hall of Shrek's inner court.
As everyone settled onto the plush sofas, Qing Ya and the attendants explained the auction rules.
Fifteen minutes later, the room bathed in a soft golden glow.
Qing Ya announced, "Honored guests, our auction is about to begin."
All eyes turned to the soul tool screen opposite them, where a red-gowned girl stood at the auction podium.
She appeared seventeen or eighteen, stunningly beautiful, her fair skin accentuated by the crimson dress.
"Good evening, distinguished guests. I am Jiu Jiu, tonight's auctioneer. Welcome to Starlight Auction House's top-tier event."
She performed an elegant curtsy. "Tonight, we present nine rare treasures, ascending in value. Without further ado, let's begin with our first item."
The screen shifted, displaying: Class 8 Close-Combat Soul Tool – Tyrannical Tiger Soul Blade!
"An class 8 item right away?!" He Caitou's eyes widened. Though his mentor, Fan Yu, was an class 8 soul engineer, he'd never seen such a tool in person.
Even the inner court disciples were stunned.
Class 8 soul tools were rarities even in their experience.
And this was merely the first offering.
The Starlight Auction House had clearly spared no expense tonight.
…
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