"Xixi, Nannan, are you ready?" Zhang Lexuan stood at the center of the sparring arena, looking toward Jiang Nannan and Xixi on either side.
"All set, Sister Lexuan." Jiang Nannan responded with a calm smile, showing no sign of nervousness despite her opponent having higher soul power.
"No problem, Senior Sister." Xixi, a plain-looking and slender girl, replied expressionlessly.
"Good. Then let the duel begin!" Zhang Lexuan gave the announcement without hesitation.
At her command, Xixi moved first. She turned into a flash of lightning and charged at Jiang Nannan. Four soul rings glowed behind her as she moved so quickly that it made onlookers instinctively grit their teeth.
But Jiang Nannan showed no panic. While Xixi's speed was impressive, it was not enough to overwhelm her—because she was faster. With a light push from her legs, she transformed into a silver flash, directly meeting Xixi's lightning form head-on. At speeds too fast for most eyes to follow, the two girls exchanged rapid punches and palm strikes. Sparks flew in every direction as their blows collided.
Their clash ended in an instant. Both quickly pulled back—this was a basic principle for agility-type soul masters: don't linger in direct combat. As top students of the inner courtyard, both girls executed it flawlessly. After retreating several dozen meters, Jiang Nannan and Xixi faced each other with composed expressions before dashing forward again in bursts of silver and lightning, colliding several times in succession.
Xixi activated her first soul skill. Her body sparked with crackling electricity, her hands turned into bright yellow feline claws, and a long tail extended from her lower back. Her martial soul—Lightning Leopard—had fully manifested.
With the soul skill active, Xixi's speed and ferocity surged. Electric arcs danced across her sharp claws as she lunged toward Jiang Nannan.
Jiang Nannan was unfazed. Her first soul skill, Silver Moon Mystic Body, activated instantly. Her graceful figure glowed with a faint silver radiance, turning her silhouette into an elusive aurora. She charged straight into Xixi's assault.
Their figures collided once again, this time with even more intense ferocity. Dai Yueheng and the others watched with full concentration, while Zhu Ziyang had to rely on his powerful spiritual perception to track Jiang Nannan's movements. He could tell the two were still evenly matched. Neither had an edge.
If neither made a mistake, this fight would likely drag on.
Round after round, the silver light and lightning clashed. Then, without warning, the lightning let out a leopard's roar. A yellow-and-black shadow of a powerful leopard suddenly appeared, jaws wide and fangs bared, lunging at the silver stream.
Caught off guard, the silver stream was pinned down. Just when it seemed Jiang Nannan was going to lose the exchange, the silver light suddenly turned gold! The lightning leopard clashed with the golden radiance, revealing both girls' true forms.
Everyone was stunned—Jiang Nannan now wore a golden armor. Though simple in design, the armor was clearly made of condensed energy.
Xixi's claw, sharp as a blade and carrying the full force of her charge, failed to penetrate the golden armor. Instead, the clash left her open, giving Jiang Nannan a perfect opportunity to counter.
Jiang Nannan's second soul ring lit up. Her slender hand grabbed Xixi's waist. As Xixi struggled, Jiang Nannan leapt into the air, spun mid-flight, and slammed her down.
With a heavy crash, Xixi hit the ground hard. She felt her internal organs shift and her world spin. The dizziness overwhelmed her, and she couldn't even stand, let alone launch a counterattack.
But Jiang Nannan wasn't done. She accelerated again, grabbed Xixi a second time, and prepared to perform another airborne slam.
"Nannan, that's enough!" Zhang Lexuan called out in time. Her expression was odd as she declared, "You've won."
"Oh, okay!" Jiang Nannan immediately stopped and steadied the shaky Xixi, saying warmly, "Senior Sister Xixi, thank you for the match!"
"Ugh..." Xixi shook her head, trying to speak but unable to. After catching her breath, she finally managed a trembling response, "Completely convinced…"
Zhang Lexuan helped Xixi off the field to rest, while Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan were led over to the four other core team members by Elder Xian Lin'er.
Elder Xian Lin'er was extremely pleased with Jiang Nannan's performance. She glanced at Zhu Ziyang and the other four students, then said, "Starting today, you are officially the core team of Shrek Academy for the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament. For the next two years, you must train hard and build rapport."
"Yes!" they all responded in unison.
"I'm sure you all understand what it means to be a core team member of the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament," she continued with a smile.
"The Shrek Seven Devils!" Dai Yueheng's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"Correct! The Shrek Seven Devils—the legendary title that ushered in ten thousand years of Shrek Academy's glory!" Xian Lin'er said proudly. "The significance of this title to Shrek and to the Douluo Continent speaks for itself. But to earn it is no easy feat. Only by winning the championship can you be granted the title of Shrek Seven Devils!"
Everyone's eyes lit up. Even Zhu Ziyang couldn't help feeling excited. After all, a prestigious title was like wealth—no one ever thinks they have too much of it.
"From the moment the original Shrek Seven Devils made their debut ten thousand years ago, Shrek Academy has rarely missed a championship. In the past century alone, we've won more than twenty in a row. I hope all of you carry the honor of Shrek Academy and strive forward!" Xian Lin'er encouraged them.
"Yes!" came the thunderous reply.
"Alright, if you have any questions, ask now. If not, then we'll dismiss." Xian Lin'er smiled, satisfied with their attitude.
"Elder Xian, why are there only six of us?" Dai Yueheng asked, "Who's the seventh?"
"The seventh is a student from the Soul Tool Department. He hasn't yet been admitted into the inner courtyard, so he can't join us for now," she answered with a hint of helplessness. Despite the rule that each team must include a soul engineer since two tournaments ago, every soul engineer so far had been the team's weakest member. This time was even worse—they had to choose someone from the outer courtyard's Soul Tool Department. It was a clear sign of how weak the department was. As its dean, Xian Lin'er couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
The group fell into an awkward silence.
"Well, maybe that student won't end up joining after all," Xian Lin'er forced a smile. "Don't forget we still have Xiaotao. If her martial soul issue is resolved within two years, she will rejoin the team. You have nothing to worry about."
The mention of Ma Xiaotao's return even made Dai Yueheng relax. Though he didn't like that temperamental woman and knew her return meant he'd be demoted to vice-captain, he had to admit her strength was superior to his own.
Seeing all their reactions, Xian Lin'er sighed inwardly and said, "Any other questions? If not, dismissed."
"Yes!" everyone echoed.
After Xian Lin'er left, Zhu Ziyang and the others remained where they were.
"Ziyang, Nannan, welcome to the team!" Dai Yueheng, as acting captain, welcomed them, and the other three followed with smiles.
"Senior brothers and sisters, we'll be relying on your guidance from now on!" Zhu Ziyang said with a smile. Jiang Nannan nodded in agreement.
"Since we have two new teammates, why not go to Tianying Pavilion tonight for a team gathering?" Gongyang Mo suggested.
"I'm fine with that," Chen Zifeng agreed. Ling Luochen nodded silently.
Dai Yueheng looked at Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan. "What do you two think?"
"Sounds good!" both replied at once.
(End of Chapter)
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