Chapter 54: Yet Another Round of Trash Talk
Meanwhile, on the other side, inside Shrek Academy's lodging—
"Whoa! This room is amazing! I've never stayed anywhere this luxurious before."
"No kidding. As expected of a property owned by the royal family. Even the bed looks extravagant—and look, a private bathroom too!"
"Wait… is a private bathroom really something to brag about?"
Though they weren't on the very top floor, the rooms Shrek was given were still in the highest section of the Star Emperor Grand Hotel.
Aside from Ning Tian and a few others who hailed from large sects, most—like Jiang Nannan—wore expressions of wonder, as if they had never seen the wider world.
To be fair, Shrek really did recover quickly. Not long ago, they had gone through a life-and-death trial, and now they were already back to acting like nothing happened.
"Hmph. Have they forgotten our current situation? They're acting like we're on some school field trip."
At that moment, Wang Dong finally woke from unconsciousness. Compared to before, she felt her condition had even improved.
Strangely enough, her resistance toward soul guidance devices had diminished as well. She wasn't sure why—ever since the encounter with the evil soul masters, something had changed inside her.
Bei Bei entered the room just then, his expression grave.
"Teacher Wang Yan is calling us to the conference room. After tomorrow's opening ceremony, the first round begins immediately. Reinforcements from the Academy definitely won't make it in time. Our senior sisters are still recovering, so it'll be up to us to fight first."
At those words, Ning Tian, Wang Dong, and the others all looked heavy-hearted. What had to come would come. There was no avoiding it.
In Shrek Academy's exclusive meeting room.
Wang Yan deliberately acted relaxed, wearing a calm, almost carefree smile.
"Alright, alright, don't look so grim. Remember, you're Shrek students—the Academy's elite."
"Tomorrow is just the first match after the opening ceremony. Relax, keep a light heart, understand?"
He even tried to console them. "You need to remember: the other academies have no idea about our current situation. At the start, your opponents will likely be much weaker than you imagine. It's they who should be nervous, not us."
"As long as we stay in normal form, it'll be more than enough to handle the first battle."
After that, he explained the tournament's format: the first stage was elimination—seven-on-seven team battles. Then the second stage, a round-robin, with additional formats including one-on-one eliminations, three-two-two coordinated fights, and of course, full team battles.
Though his words were light, the pressure weighing on the six reserve team members did not ease. Their faces were still serious, heavy with tension.
Once Wang Yan finished, he kept up the pretense of calm and left first. No matter what, they've made it this far. They have to try. Perhaps the tournament isn't as merciless as they imagine…
But once the students were gone, Wang Yan's composure cracked. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
Inside another room, Bei Bei and Ma Xiaotao remained with the others.
"Teacher Wang, will this really lift their spirits? I feel like the juniors might be even more stressed now," Bei Bei asked.
Wang Yan didn't answer directly. Instead, he countered with a question:
"How much longer until your injuries recover?"
Ma Xiaotao exchanged a glance with Ling Luochen before giving a time frame that left Wang Yan despairing.
"If Elder Xuan can arrive with the Academy's healing specialists, I might be able to recover by the fourth round of the elimination stage."
Ling Luochen, however, was mostly fine. "I can fight any time."
It's over. Wang Yan nearly collapsed.
'The fourth round… relying on these kids to win four straight matches? That's nearly impossible. Are we truly out of hope?'
No—unless they gambled, forcing Ling Luochen into the arena earlier in a key battle. That could keep them afloat.
But doing so would mean that even if the Academy's healers arrived later, Shrek would no longer have a chance at the championship.
Such a cruel dilemma. Why—why did it have to happen during his year as team leader? He could already imagine the storm awaiting him back at the Academy if they failed to even survive the elimination round.
Still… no matter what, they must recover as fast as possible. 'Even in this situation, we'll fight with everything we have.'
'At worst, I'll lose my title as a Shrek teacher. But as long as I'm still their leader, I must shoulder this responsibility.'
Outside, as Bei Bei and Ma Xiaotao stepped out, tension was palpable. Dai Huabin was waiting, clearly wanting to ask something but holding back.
They wanted fresh air, perhaps to clear their minds on the rooftop. But before they could enter, hotel staff stopped them.
"Apologies. The uppermost floors are reserved for the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. Please turn back."
What?!
The Sun Moon Empire's delegation was lodged higher than Shrek's? How had the Star Luo royal family arranged this?
Already in a foul mood, Ma Xiaotao flared instantly.
"Hmph! So what if it's the Sun Moon people? This hotel isn't theirs. Are you saying we're not even allowed to walk up?"
"Today, I'm going up. Let's see who dares stop me."
She was injured, but her temper was hotter than ever. To her, backing down here would be unbearable humiliation.
Foolish. Beyond foolish.
Instead of hiding her injuries like any sensible person, she was openly provoking trouble, practically begging her enemies to see through her weakness.
"Who's making such a ruckus out there?"
At that moment, Huo Yuhao had just finished discussing matters with his teacher. He had even bumped into Xiao Hongchen and the others, and now stumbled upon this chaotic scene.
"Hmph! So you're the Sun Moon Imperial Academy people? How arrogant—why can't we go upstairs?" Ma Xiaotao snapped.
…What?
Huo Yuhao almost doubted his ears. 'Did I hear that right?'
"You… you're from Shrek?"
Of course, he recognized Bei Bei and Ma Xiaotao instantly. But he wisely pretended otherwise.
Seriously? Shrek actually sent someone like Ma Xiaotao? Her evil fire is suppressed, but still—bringing such instability to a tournament?
Bei Bei's brows furrowed as he studied Huo Yuhao's face. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
"You? You're Huo Yuhao?"
Without caring about the stunned looks of Ma Xiaotao and the others, he stepped forward excitedly.
"You remember me, right? Back in Star Dou Great Forest—we met!"
Yuhao brushed off the hand on his shoulder, smiling faintly.
"I remember. But now's hardly the time for reminiscing."
Xiao Hongchen, who had been about to launch into mockery, paused. The situation seemed… off. For once, he held his tongue.
"Yuhao, you know them?" he asked.
"Strictly speaking, we've met once. Nothing more."
Ma Xiaotao and the others exchanged confused glances. After Bei Bei quickly explained, they finally realized—Huo Yuhao wasn't from the Sun Moon Empire. He was a Star Luo Empire native.
"Yuhao, then why are you with them now? Don't tell me…"
Yuhao shrugged casually.
"That's right. I'm currently a member of the Sun Moon Imperial Academy team."
The words made Dai Huabin, who had been waiting outside with them, instantly sneer.
"Hmph! A citizen of the Star Luo Empire, now serving the Sun Moon Empire? Pathetic!"
Oh?
So it's time for some good old-fashioned trash talk, is it?
Huo Yuhao's lips curved. If there was one area where he'd never been outdone, it was this. And Dai Huabin? He knew this man all too well. Even if he turned to ashes, Yuhao would recognize him.
"So, you must be a true-born Star Luo Empire noble, yes? An honor to meet you. Might I ask your esteemed name? And tell me—are you currently serving as a proud member of Star Luo's team?"
End of Chapter