The following matches were all against ordinary academies. With just Beibei and the rest of the reserve team, they secured effortless victories and once again advanced with a perfect win streak into the third stage of the tournament.
Because there was a tiebreaker round among three of the nine-member teams in other groups, Shrek Academy, as the first to enter the third stage, was granted a three-day break. Three days later, the first round of the third stage would begin: sixteen teams reduced to eight!
That evening, Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, and Ma Xiaotao—the three main team members—were called out by Wang Yan. He led them to a hotel near the Star Imperial Grand Hotel. Just as they were feeling puzzled, the appearance of a certain person made all three instantly understand. Their faces lit up with joy.
"Senior Gongyang!" Zhu Ziyang called out excitedly.
"Mhm!" Gongyang Mo was also clearly pleased to see them. But remembering his task, he smiled and said, "Come on, Elder Lin is waiting for you."
Gongyang Mo took the three to the top floor of the hotel. On the way, Zhu Ziyang asked, "Senior Gongyang, when did you all arrive? Why didn't you come straight to see us?"
"Yeah! How are Ling Luocheng and Chen Zifeng doing?" Ma Xiaotao added with a happy tone.
"Ling Luocheng came, Chen Zifeng didn't," Gongyang Mo said with a smile. "Actually, we set off from the academy more than ten days ago, but we had to deal with Dai Yueheng's situation midway, so we only arrived in Star Luo City yesterday."
"Dai Yueheng?!" The three all looked confused, their expressions turning to bafflement as they turned toward Gongyang Mo.
Gongyang Mo was surprised, not expecting them to react this way. He blurted, "You guys don't know?"
"Know what?" Ma Xiaotao frowned slightly, visibly displeased about being kept in the dark.
"I was afraid it would affect your state of mind, so I didn't tell you. That's my fault," Wang Yan said with a helpless smile.
"What exactly happened with Senior Dai?" Jiang Nannan asked curiously.
"Sigh!" Wang Yan let out a sigh. "After leaving the team and returning to the military camp, he had a heated argument with Xu Yi… and in a fit of rage, he killed him."
"What?!" All three of them froze. None of them expected Dai Yueheng to go so far as to kill a marquis.
"And what was the outcome?" Ma Xiaotao asked.
"The outcome is that Dai Hao, in the name of justice, arrested Dai Yueheng and submitted a memorial asking the Star Luo Emperor to pass judgment on him!" This time it wasn't Gongyang Mo who spoke, but an old woman who had stepped out to address them.
"Elder Song (Teacher)!" The old woman's appearance shocked all three of them—Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, and Ma Xiaotao cried out in surprise.
Indeed, it was none other than Heavenly River Douluo, Elder Song, Jiang Nannan's teacher.
"Hehe, I'm not the only one who came," Elder Song said kindly, patting Jiang Nannan's hair as she clung to her arm. "Let's head inside first."
Inside the room, they found not just Elder Lin, but also two other people none of them expected to see.
"Senior Sister! Junior Sister! You two came too?" Zhu Ziyang was surprised.
"Hehe, of course! We're here to support you!" Cai Meier said cheerfully.
"Teacher told us to let you know not to carry any burdens—just go out there and show your full brilliance," Xian Lin'er added warmly.
"Alright, let's save the catching up for later," said Elder Lin from the seat of honor, smiling. "Wang Yan, you've worked hard these days. You've done very well."
"I dare not claim credit. I just did what I had to do," Wang Yan replied humbly. The tension in his brows finally eased. With Elder Lin present, he no longer had to live in constant worry.
"Haha, no need to be modest. The academy will remember your contribution. Once we return, you will be rewarded," Elder Lin said. He turned to Zhu Ziyang, Ma Xiaotao, and Jiang Nannan. "Ziyang, Xiaotao, Nannan—well done. You've worked hard."
"It wasn't too hard for me! Most of the work was done by Sister Xiaotao, Nannan, and the reserve team!" Zhu Ziyang chuckled and scratched his head.
"The reserve team's effort has certainly been valuable. But from now on, Ziyang, it's your time to shine," Elder Lin said, eyes glinting with a flash of seriousness. "From this point forward, don't hold back anymore. Show your strength as boldly as you like! It seems time has dulled people's memory of Shrek Academy's power and pride."
"I understand, Elder Lin," Zhu Ziyang nodded. His face showed a thoughtful expression. The academy had dispatched Four Super Douluo at once—there was no need to spell it out. Clearly, the teachers were truly enraged this time. He asked, "What exactly happened with Dai Yueheng?"
"That kid was too reckless!" All four elders wore frustrated expressions. Elder Lin explained, "To kill a marquis of the empire—one who was part of the imperial family—without any thought... it was sheer foolishness!"
"But you don't have to worry," Xian Lin'er said. "We've already brought him out. No one has the right to judge a disciple of Shrek Academy. However, to show respect to imperial authority, Dai Yueheng can't participate in this year's tournament. Only Gongyang Mo and Ling Luocheng will return to the team."
"Hmph!" Elder Song snorted coldly. "If you ask me, Dai Hao's nothing but a gutless coward! When we went to retrieve his son, he said stuff like 'loyalty to the emperor' and 'royal decree is law'—what utter nonsense! If the ancestors of the Dai Clan heard him, they'd rise from their graves just to beat him half to death for being such a disgrace!"
Zhu Ziyang and the others couldn't help but laugh at Elder Song's rant. But now they basically understood the whole story behind Dai Yueheng's situation.
"So… Xu Yi was likely just a pawn, pushed forward as a sacrificial scapegoat?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Most likely," Elder Lin nodded. "The Star Luo Empire is full of internal tension. The current emperor, Xu Jiawei, is arguably the most talented ruler they've had in centuries, and his attitude toward us is fairly friendly. But ultimately, our interests conflict."
"Where is Dai Yueheng now?" Ma Xiaotao asked.
"He's returned to the academy," Cai Meier replied. "After this incident, he's completely severed ties with the White Tiger Duke and lost all favor for the empire. According to him, he plans to stay in the academy for good."
"In a way, that might actually be a good thing—for both him and the academy," Zhu Ziyang said.
"Exactly," Elder Lin smiled. "Alright then, that's the whole story. You all go rest. Gongyang Mo and Ling Luocheng will stay here with us for now."
"Yes!" The group responded and bid their farewells, returning to the Star Imperial Grand Hotel.
"Ahh, I feel so much better now!" On the way back, Jiang Nannan stretched and said with joy, "Now that Elder Lin and Teacher are here, I feel ten times more confident!"
"Same," Zhu Ziyang nodded. "Now I can finally enter the matches."
"Exactly!" Wang Yan smiled. "This makes our tactical planning so much easier. In the next rounds, we're going to remind everyone what it really means to face Shrek Academy!"
Three days passed quickly. On the eve of the third stage, Wang Yan gathered the team for a tactical meeting.
"The elimination match brackets are out," Wang Yan said seriously. Even with Zhu Ziyang, Gongyang Mo, and Ling Luocheng joining, he remained focused as ever. "Our opponent in the top sixteen round is a familiar rival—the number one academy of the Dou Spirit Empire, Dou Spirit Royal Academy."
"Dou Spirit Academy!" Ma Xiaotao's face changed slightly upon hearing the name, but the expression quickly shifted into eager anticipation. "Didn't expect to face such a strong opponent this early—perfect!"
"Sister Xiaotao, are they that strong?" Huo Yuhao asked curiously.
"One of the top four teams last tournament. You tell me," she replied.
"Indeed!" Wang Yan nodded. "This year, their main team includes five Soul Kings and two Soul Ancestors. Very powerful. More importantly, while they are a high-level soul master academy, they're also the best soul tool academy in the Dou Spirit Empire.
"From what I've observed, almost every team member has soul tools and uses them skillfully. At least two of them are actual soul engineers. Combine Soul King-level strength with soul tools, and this opponent will not be easy.
"That said, you don't need to be too pressured. After all, we've got Ziyang—our secret weapon."
At those words, all the reserve members turned to look at Zhu Ziyang. He smiled calmly and said, "Doesn't matter. I will step in!"
(End of Chapter)
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