Zhu Ziyang's confident statement was so reassuring that Wang Yan couldn't help but smile. Then he said, "Alright. What we need to focus on now is the format for the third stage of the competition."
"The third stage consists of four rounds: round of sixteen, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. The rules for the first three rounds are the same, while the final follows a different set of rules."
"I'll explain the rules for the first three rounds now. As for the final, we can discuss it later."
"The format for the first three rounds no longer involves drawing lots. Instead, each match will be split into two types of battles—team battle and individual battle. Every match spans two days. The first day features a seven-on-seven team battle. The result of the team battle doesn't determine advancement—its purpose is purely to enhance the competition's appeal to the audience."
"What truly decides the outcome is the individual battle on the second day. Based on the team battle result from the first day, if the team that lost the group battle can defeat all seven opponents using no more than three members in the individual battles, they can reverse the outcome and qualify for the next round."
"Meanwhile, the team that won the group battle only needs to use seven members to defeat three opponents to secure advancement."
"That sounds so complicated!" Wang Dong couldn't help but complain. "So what's the point of the team battle then? Is it just to let us be monkeys for the audience to watch?"
"Uh..." Wang Yan was momentarily speechless. Then he could only say, "Although I don't entirely agree, that's pretty much the reality. One of the main goals of the Soul Master Tournament is to entertain the public, gain their approval, and enhance one's reputation."
"Teacher Wang, how do you plan to arrange our match against Dou Spirit Academy?" Beibei asked.
"I was thinking," Wang Yan looked contemplative as he turned to Zhu Ziyang and said, "For the first day's team battle, I'll send Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao. Zhu Ziyang will be the main attacker, and Huo Yuhao will be the main controller. For the second day's individual battle, Ma Xiaotao will be the lead, with Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, and Tang Ya as reserves."
This arrangement was well-balanced and took every angle into account. However, Zhu Ziyang didn't agree. He directly said, "Teacher Wang, there's no need to make it so complicated. For the team battle, just let me go alone. I already said I would take action, so naturally, I don't mean it as an empty promise."
"This..." Wang Yan was stunned. He hadn't expected Zhu Ziyang to say something so bold—it didn't match the impression he'd built up of him over the past days.
"Wow! Ziyang, are you really that daring?" The reserve team members were all shocked. Tang Ya immediately said, "The opponents have five Soul Kings, you know! Don't push yourself too hard!"
"I think it's worth a try!" Wang Yan was clearly hesitant, but Ma Xiaotao spoke up confidently, "I believe in Ziyang. With his strength, forget five Soul Kings—even five Soul Emperors would be nothing! He's the number one genius of Shrek's inner court. You should all believe in him."
Seeing that even Ma Xiaotao supported it, Wang Yan thought back to what Elder Lin and the others had said previously and reluctantly put his worries aside.
"Alright then. Ziyang, you'll fight the team battle alone. But remember, don't force yourself. The individual battles on the second day are still the key to advancing!"
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Zhu Ziyang nodded calmly.
Just then, someone knocked on the door of the conference room.
Wang Yan frowned and said in a stern voice, "Didn't I tell the staff not to disturb us?"
A pleasant female voice responded from outside, "Sorry to interrupt. I'm not hotel staff. I'm from the Starlight Auction House."
Starlight Auction House? Wang Yan froze for a moment. The voice sounded familiar. Beibei, who was closest to the door, stood up and looked to Wang Yan for approval. Receiving a nod, he opened the door.
Standing there was a graceful and elegant woman, appearing to be around twenty-eight or twenty-nine, full of mature charm. It was none other than Qing Ya, the auctioneer they had met previously at the soul tool auction. Her eyes went straight to Wang Yan. With a soft smile, she bowed and said, "Hello, Teacher Wang. Apologies for disturbing everyone."
Wang Yan hadn't expected it to be her. Although a little displeased by the interruption, he still responded politely, "Is there something you need, Auctioneer Qing Ya? And how did you find us here?"
Qing Ya replied apologetically, "When you made the purchase last time, the payment was made using Shrek Academy's account. That allowed us to guess your identities. Shrek Academy is very famous. With just a little inquiry, we managed to track you down."
"The thing is, our Starlight Auction House is holding a top-tier auction tonight. Such high-level auctions are held only once or twice a year. We only invite the most distinguished guests. Last time, we didn't realize you were from Shrek and didn't treat you with proper respect."
"To make up for it, our boss asked me to personally deliver these invitations to you. If you're free tonight, we sincerely invite you to attend. I believe there will definitely be items that will interest you."
As she spoke, she placed a stack of gilded invitations on the table, smiled politely, bowed once more, and said, "I won't take up your time. Apologies again."
She then quietly backed out and gently closed the door behind her.
Looking at the stack of exquisitely crafted golden invitations, Wang Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Impressive, this Starlight Auction House. Eleven invitations, not one missing. And they even managed to get them past the Star Luo Empire's blockade on the hotel. That's some serious influence."
"Heh, it's not all that surprising," Zhu Ziyang smiled and said, "In Star Luo City, any place with the word 'Star' in it is basically imperial property. The fact they can freely access the Star Emperor Hotel means the invitation didn't come from the auction house owner but from the Star Luo imperial family themselves."
"Ziyang is right!" A sudden voice chimed in. An elderly man appeared in the meeting room, but no one seemed startled. It was Elder Lin. Everyone from the reserve team had already been informed of his presence, so they weren't surprised at all when she appeared.
Elder Lin said, "The Starlight Auction House is backed by a prince from the Star Luo royal family. That prince is the uncle of the current emperor, Xu Jiawei. He's a staunch imperial loyalist. His invitation was clearly issued with Xu Jiawei's approval."
"In that case, should we go or not, Elder Lin?" Wang Yan asked.
"Go. Why wouldn't we go?" Elder Lin said with a chuckle.
"They've already delivered the invitations right to our door. If we don't show up, wouldn't that be far too disrespectful?"
"Yay!" Hearing Elder Lin's decision, the students burst into cheers. The youngest trio, including Huo Yuhao, even shouted, "Long live Elder Lin!"
"Heh, it's good to get out and see the world anyway. Think of it as a little relaxation. You've all worked hard lately." Elder Lin's smile was full of warmth.
Having made their decision, everyone returned to their rooms to change. After dinner, under Wang Yan's lead, they headed to the Starlight Auction House.
To their surprise, Qing Ya the auctioneer was already waiting at the entrance, as if she had known they would come. Dressed in a flowing black gown, she looked even more refined and elegant under the evening lights. Her delicate features radiated a gentle charm.
Wang Yan met her gaze and gave a slight nod. "Hello again, Auctioneer Qing Ya. We meet once more."
Seeing the group from Shrek Academy, Qing Ya's face lit up with joy as she welcomed them warmly. "Welcome, honored guests."
Wang Yan asked, "How did you know we'd definitely come?"
Qing Ya shook her head and replied, "I didn't. My task was simply to greet you. Whether you came or not, I would have waited here until the auction officially began."
"Everyone, please follow me."
With a graceful smile, she turned and began walking ahead, her elegant figure swaying gently with each step.
Under Qing Ya's lead, they walked deeper into the building, passing the auction hall they had visited previously. At the end of the corridor, two young girls in golden gowns greeted them with slight bows. After a brief exchange with Qing Ya, the girls led the group into a new passage.
Unlike the lavish golden decor outside, this hallway radiated a soft glow. From the floor to the walls and ceiling, everything was made of milky white jade. The ambiance was luxurious yet tasteful.
Qing Ya explained in a low voice, "This is Hall One, our top-tier auction hall. Only the most distinguished guests are invited to participate in auctions here."
"I'm only here today because I'm accompanying such esteemed guests. Normally, my rank as an auctioneer wouldn't even qualify me to enter."
"I see!" The group understood immediately.
Finally, under Qing Ya's guidance, they entered VIP Room Seven of Auction Hall One.
(End of Chapter)
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