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The next day, detailed competition rules were finally distributed to every participating team.
The rulebook was exquisitely crafted, bearing the Sun Moon Empire's insignia prominently.
Huo Yuhao carefully flipped through it, his brow furrowing slightly.
The tournament was divided into preliminary and final stages, with each match consisting of individual and team battles.
The individual competition used a standard arena format: winners stayed on the platform until all seven members of one team were defeated.
A team achieving a "one vs. seven" sweep would earn seven points immediately—securing victory outright.
The team battle awarded a fixed five points. This scoring system undoubtedly emphasized the importance of individual matches, where exceptional personal strength could sway the entire competition.
A total of 168 teams were competing—academies and sects intermingled with no distinction.
After fierce preliminary rounds, only 32 teams would advance to the finals.
"The rules clearly favor soul device masters," Huo Yuhao closed the booklet, murmuring quietly to his teammates.
Restrictions on arena size and altitude limits were extremely lenient—even encouraging aerial combat—which heavily advantaged soul device masters with flight equipment.
Though the three empires and traditional martial sects had protested, the Sun Moon Empire had overruled them with authority.
Their official justification was lofty: "Soul device development embodies the struggle for air superiority. A true elite soul master who cannot counter or control the skies has no right to the title 'elite.'"
This argument silenced all objections.
Huo Yuhao could only accept it, though inwardly he mused: Let the Sun Moon Empire see how smug they'll be about these unlimited-altitude rules when they face the 'Natural Sect' team—with at least three Spirit Saints and likely formidable aerial capabilities.
To accommodate massive crowds and allow soul masters full freedom of movement, the tournament venue was set on a vast plain specially cleared outside Mingdu.
Under heavy military escort, 168 teams departed Mingdu in grand procession.
The unexpected appearance of "Natural Sect" made the total number of teams even, eliminating any potential first-round byes.
This foiled Sun Moon Empire's hidden agenda to let their Imperial Soul Device Academy face Shrek Academy in the opening match—after all, they couldn't have foreseen the extra team, and the risk of exposure far outweighed any benefit.
Upon arriving at the suburban venue, the scale of the gathering was staggering. Tens of thousands of soldiers formed tight security cordons to maintain order.
Above, 500 elite soul device masters from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Corps escorted Regent Prince Xu Tianran and his consort, Princess Ju Zi in a lavish aerial palanquin. They descended smoothly beside a specially constructed grandstand.
The couple ascended to the VIP platform via a holographic lift resembling a soul device elevator.
"Silence!"
A deep, authoritative voice reverberated across the entire venue, instantly quelling the commotion.
Gu La's eyes flickered—he recognized Long Xiaoyao's voice. Seeing Long Xiaoyao in Mingdu, serving as a guardian, Gu La understood: the Dragon Emperor Douluo had likely been swayed again by Ye Xishui to involve himself in mortal affairs.
Next, Princess Consort Ju Zi—resplendent in elegant robes—rose to deliver the Sun Moon Empire's welcome address, officially declaring the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament open.
By tradition, the reigning champions should open the tournament.
Originally, if Shrek had received a bye, the honor would have passed to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. But with no byes remaining, the Sun Moon Empire could only watch helplessly as Shrek Academy, the defending champions, became the first to step onto the arena.
Ju Zi smiled politely while scanning Shrek's team. Her gaze seemed casual but meticulously examined every member.
However, she didn't spot the familiar figure she sought—Huo Yuhao.
Perhaps he's absent due to circumstances, or hiding in the shadows, she speculated inwardly.
None of this showed on her face. Beside her, Xu Tianran remained expressionless.
A massive soul device screen flashed rapidly, drawing Shrek Academy's first opponent. The result appeared instantly, and the announcer declared loudly:
"First match: Shrek Academy versus Dragon Slaying Sect!"
On Shrek's side, Gu La's clone sat with his team in the prime viewing section.
He scanned his teammates—originally just reserves—and asked lightly, "Who wants to secure this opening victory?"
Cao Jinxuan, the Lan sisters, and others exchanged glances, eager yet hesitant.
As former reserves representing Shrek Academy's first appearance, the pressure of a potential loss was immense.
Seeing their indecision, Gu La's clone pointed decisively: "Wu Feng, you go. Conserve soul power. If needed, use milk bottles to replenish—don't hold back. This is your only chance to compete as a main roster member. Don't disgrace us."
"Yes, Captain!" Wu Feng, fiery by nature, rose immediately and strode confidently onto the arena.
Her opponent from Dragon Slaying Sect emerged simultaneously—a powerfully built youth whose released martial soul was a Bronze Ox.
Ordinary-sounding but top-tier among ox martial souls, it offered balanced offense and defense with terrifying strength. Its pair of sharp, metallic-gleaming horns radiated intense pressure.
The referee reiterated the rules: individual matches ended when one side lost combat ability or surrendered. Then, "Begin!"
The Dragon Slaying Sect youth roared. His first soul ring flared—First Soul Skill: Bull's Might!
His muscles swelled further; his skin took on a bronze sheen. Strength and defense surged while pain receptors muted—granting a brief "berserk" effect.
This soul ring had been meticulously chosen over a millennium by the Dragon Slaying Sect for Bronze Ox inheritors—a testament to how specialized sects surpassed academies in cultivating specific martial souls.
Wu Feng felt no fear. Her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's heritage ran deeper still.
At Level 55, she was a powerful assault battle soul king with two yellow, two purple, and one black soul ring—identical to her opponent.
She shouted sharply. Her fourth soul ring ignited—Dragon Soar! Her form transformed into a fiery crimson dragon silhouette, preparing to take flight.
But her body suddenly felt heavy; her movements slowed.
Her opponent had activated his third soul skill: Bull's Gaze!
This skill automatically locked onto moving targets with spiritual energy, suppressing their speed—a perfect match for the Bronze Ox's straightforward fighting style.
Undeterred, Wu Feng pressed on. Dragon Soar was fundamentally a speed-boosting skill, neutralizing the slowdown effect.
Still in dragon form, she swept low toward the ox soul master. Simultaneously, her first soul skill Dragon's Fire—imparting intense fire damage—and second soul skill Dragon's Rage—boosting her attack, defense, and amplifying other skills—activated together!
As a clan descendant of a Soul Douluo and future guardian of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Wu Feng's resources and martial soul mastery far outstripped this ordinary Dragon Slaying Sect disciple.
Moreover, her Red Dragon Martial Soul held absolute quality dominance over the Bronze Ox!
The fiery dragon silhouette surged with scorching heat, darting behind the opponent. A claw strike imbued with Dragon's Fire and Dragon's Rage slammed squarely into the ox soul master's back.
Boom!
Blazing flames engulfed him instantly.
His vaunted defense crumbled before the Red Dragon's might. With a miserable cry, he flew off the arena platform, crashing unconscious to the ground.
Wu Feng won effortlessly without using soul devices, unharmed except for depleted soul power.
Expressionless, she pulled out a milk bottle to replenish while her cold voice echoed across the arena: "Next."
Dragon Slaying Sect had been confident—assuming Shrek's "number one" status was merely legacy from eras without powerful sects. Their shock was palpable when Shrek's first fighter so easily crushed their disciple at equal levels.
Their captain's face turned grave. After deliberation, he sent out their second fighter—Feng Shen, a standard five-ring soul king with the Lightning Falcon martial soul.
A top-tier agile assault soul beast martial soul excelling in speed and offense.
Their strategy was clear: recognizing Wu Feng couldn't sustain prolonged high-altitude flight, they planned to wear her down through hit-and-run tactics. If she used her fourth soul skill to ascend, Feng Shen's innate flight would let him outlast her with less soul power expenditure.
Dragon's Rage still active on Wu Feng, she tested the waters by hurling several Dragon's Fire blasts at the swiftly circling Feng Shen. He dodged effortlessly with his superior speed.
After a few failed attempts, Wu Feng stood still, adopting a waiting stance.
Feng Shen circled cautiously, feinting attacks. Seeing Wu Feng repeatedly fail to catch him due to speed disparity, he grew confident.
He seized an opportunity, soaring upward as his soul rings flared sequentially. His speed skyrocketed.
Astonishingly, a three-meter-wide violet Lightning Falcon phantom materialized around him.
This manifested only when soul ring compatibility reached extraordinary heights and skills synergized—a fraction of True Body power usable prematurely.
Though perhaps just one percent, at the soul king level, this was a dimension-shattering advantage!
Feng Shen's speed became terrifying—ordinary soul kings couldn't even track his movements.
He transformed into a true violet lightning bolt, diving straight at Wu Feng.
Wu Feng appeared helpless but had anticipated this.
The moment Feng Shen entered her three-meter radius with crushing momentum, her third soul ring blazed—Dragon's Explosion!
Boom!
Air within a three-meter radius ignited violently. Explosive flames surged outward.
Feng Shen excelled in speed and offense but lacked defense—his weak point.
He walked straight into Wu Feng's trap: a soul skill designed specifically for close-range agile assault fighters. His protective soul power shattered instantly. With a scream, he spat blood; his speed plummeted.
Wu Feng seized the split-second opening, closing in to deliver a Dragon's Fire-enhanced punch that sent him flying out of bounds.
But the battle took its toll. Sun Moon's unlimited-altitude rule gave Feng Shen ample space to charge his fifth soul skill—a strike bordering on Soul Emperor power.
During the Dragon's Explosion collision, Wu Feng's sixth-grade defensive soul device automatically activated, forming a light barrier that absorbed most of the impact. Without it, she'd have suffered mutual destruction.
Even so, powering the device drained over seventy percent of her soul power in an instant, leaving her nearly combat-incapable.
She didn't hesitate, pulling out another milk bottle to frantically replenish, hoping to win one more match.
"That's... a defensive soul device?" Spectators with keen eyes murmured among the stands, sparking widespread discussion.
Team members in the audience grew more solemn.
Princess Xu Jiujiu of Xing Luo Empire's eyes flickered with surprise. She hadn't expected Shrek's fighters to wield such advanced soul devices.
Is this Shrek Academy's standard equipment, or special treatment from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for their disciples? She pondered, well aware of Ning Tian and Wu Feng's backgrounds.
Just as Wu Feng had calculated, she defeated Dragon Slaying Sect's third fighter—a soul king—through sheer will and her dragon martial soul's physical resilience. But utterly drained, she had to surrender in the fourth match against a fresh opponent.
Wu Feng descended the arena, face pale but eyes defiant.
Gu La's clone nodded slightly, his tone neutral: "Well done. Sweeping three at equal level effectively demonstrated our strength."
Zhang Lexuan interjected warmly beside him: "Junior brother, don't be so strict. I think junior sister Wu Feng performed exceptionally—eliminating three opponents without revealing her fifth soul skill while probing their tactics."
Ning Tian subtly gave Wu Feng a thumbs-up.
Only seeing Ning Tian's approval did a faint smile touch Wu Feng's lips.
Gu La's clone turned to another teammate: "Zhou Sichen. I don't want to drag this into the team battle. Take the remaining four opponents. Any objections?"
Zhou Sichen adjusted his glasses, confidence shining through his smile as he shook his head: "None. Guaranteed success!"
The individual arena format was perfect for Zhou Sichen's Treasure Bible Martial Soul.
His direct combat ability was average, but his book could summon soul beasts represented by his soul rings.
With five soul beasts fighting ahead, he could leisurely replenish soul power with milk bottles from the rear, supported by support and defensive soul devices—essentially a soul master born for arena combat.
As soon as the match bell rang after Zhou Sichen took the stage, his book flipped rapidly. Five soul rings blazed in succession!
Earth Bear, Flame Demon Tiger, Thorn Forest, Netherworld Python, Hundred-Thousand-Year Ghost-Faced Moth!
Five ferocious soul beasts and plants materialized simultaneously, occupying nearly half the arena.
Summoning five powerful entities at once drained over seventy percent of Zhou Sichen's soul power. Maintaining them consumed more steadily.
Unconcerned, he pulled out a high-grade milk bottle, calmly replenishing as consumption and recovery balanced perfectly.
Every spectator—and competing team—stared in stunned silence.
"This is a strategy?!"
Moreover, Shrek's second fighter also used soul devices. Did this signal that soul device integration was now unstoppable?
Dragon Slaying Sect's remaining four fighters were all soul kings.
Facing a combined force led by a hundred-thousand-year Ghost-Faced Moth—with the moth's spirit disruption, Thorn Forest's entanglement, and the beasts' fearless assaults—they crumbled repeatedly. One by one, they were eliminated.
In the end, Shrek Academy dominated the individual match 7-1, earning six points.
Winning the individual segment skipped the team battle, granting an additional five points.
Shrek Academy secured eleven points total in their opening match—a resounding victory!
Beyond showcasing overwhelming strength, Shrek's use of soul devices became the focal point. It seemed a harbinger, announcing to the continent a new combat paradigm where soul devices and traditional soul masters converged—sparking endless contemplation and debate.
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