In Star Luo Square, waves of cheers rolled in like a tsunami. Today marked the first match day of the third phase of the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament, and more importantly, it was a match featuring the number one academy on the continent—Shrek Academy.
During the second phase, Shrek Academy mostly deployed their Reserve Team. Among the three official team members, only Jiang Nannan and Ma Xiaotao had appeared once each, while Zhu Ziyang had yet to make an appearance. As a result, both the audience and the other academies were more familiar with Beibei and the others. But they all knew that the Reserve Team alone couldn't possibly stand against the Dou Spirit Royal Team. That was why everyone was eagerly anticipating what kind of formation Shrek would bring to this crucial match.
In the Sun Moon Academy's resting area, Elder Ma, Ma Rulong, Xiao Hongchen, and the others were discussing the matter.
Elder Ma asked, "What kind of formation do you think Shrek will send out?"
Ma Rulong pondered for a moment, then said, "Based on what we've observed during the second phase, the martial souls and strength of each member of the Shrek team are mostly clear. The ones worth noting are Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan from the main team, and Beibei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, and Wang Dong from the Reserve Team. Oh, and that Zhu Ziyang, who has never been on stage—he's suspected to be a main team member as well. I'd guess the lineup will consist of these people."
"Hmph, why bother making it so complicated?" Xiao Hongchen didn't agree. He scoffed, "I actually think they might just abandon the group battle and aim to win in the individual matches instead. After all, they've got Soul Emperor Ma Xiaotao—if she goes all out, defeating seven opponents by herself isn't impossible."
Elder Ma was first pleased hearing his grandson's confidence, but then his expression turned a bit strange. Xiao Hongchen's point actually made a lot of sense. Shrek had always emphasized individual strength. He muttered, "What Xiao Hongchen said isn't without merit. In the Dou Spirit Royal Team, the strongest member is their captain Gu Zhujian, a Rank 58 Soul King. If this turns into a duel of brute strength, Ma Xiaotao might very well change the tide singlehandedly."
On the stage, today's referee had already stepped up. With a loud voice, he announced, "First match of the Round of 16: Shrek Advanced Soul Master Academy versus Dou Spirit Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy. Both teams, enter the preparation zone."
As the order was given, Zhu Ziyang stood up and walked toward the preparation area.
Wang Yan held him back for a moment and reminded him, "Ziyang, just do your best. No need to force yourself."
"Relax, Teacher Wang." Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "You can rest easy."
He shook off Wang Yan's hand and confidently walked into the preparation area.
Every move made by Shrek Academy was being watched by all other teams. And when they saw that Shrek was only sending out one person, everyone instantly assumed Shrek really was giving up on the group battle.
"Why is Shrek only sending one person?" On the spectator stands, the vast majority of the audience were Shrek supporters, and they were all puzzled and worried. Only a man and a woman sitting in the furthest corner of the stands wore calm smiles.
"Heh," in the Sun Moon Team's rest area, Xiao Hongchen's face lit up smugly. "Just as I expected—Shrek's betting everything on the individual elimination matches tomorrow. They've actually sent just one person today! Good. This way we'll get to fully analyze Ma Xiaotao's strength."
Elder Ma frowned. He had a strange feeling. Even if Shrek planned to give up on the group match, it didn't make sense to send just one person. Were they really going to let this lone student face the Dou Spirit Team, who had five Soul Kings and two Soul Ancestors?
Something felt off.
"Participants, please enter the arena!" the referee called again, but then froze slightly at the unexpected scene.
From Shrek's side, only one strikingly handsome youth walked up onto the stage. No one else followed. The referee hadn't even voiced his confusion before Dou Spirit Team's captain expressed his displeasure.
"Your academy is being far too arrogant!" said Gu Zhujian, an eighteen or nineteen-year-old youth with a scowling expression. "Do you really think you can defeat us with just one person? Aren't you afraid of backfiring?"
"Confident people always believe in themselves absolutely." Zhu Ziyang smiled faintly.
Gu Zhujian narrowed his eyes and said, "I hope you're just bluffing. Once the match begins, we'll be merciful—for the sake of your reputation as a Shrek student."
"Oh?" Zhu Ziyang responded lightly. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you too."
Gu Zhujian didn't reply again. He pitied Zhu Ziyang and thought the boy was just putting up a front. He couldn't believe this lone Shrek student could fight all seven of them. If it really happened, Gu Zhujian might as well resign from being captain.
"Both sides, prepare!" the referee was an elder in his sixties. Having seen many battles in his life, he quickly suppressed his curiosity and called out calmly.
Zhu Ziyang turned, walked back to his starting position, then turned again to face the seven members of the Dou Spirit Team with a composed gaze. One versus seven. On the surface, he seemed vastly outmatched.
Dou Spirit Team deployed in formation. The Bear Claw Battle Soul King Qian Yuan and the defensive Soul King Chi Hengyu stood at the front. Behind them was agility-type Soul King Han Linger. Further back stood captain Gu Zhujian, a power-type Soul King. Flanking him were control-type Soul King Xiao Feng and control-type Soul Ancestor Qing Feng. At the rear stood support-type Soul Ancestor Tang Niuniu. A unique pentagram formation.
"Begin!" the referee bellowed. He made a hand signal to both sides and then, without waiting a beat, activated his soul skill and swiftly retreated from the center like he feared being caught in the crossfire.
With the command given, the seven from Dou Spirit Team immediately activated their martial souls. But no one paid them attention. Everyone's eyes were on Zhu Ziyang. They wanted to know: was this lone, hidden Shrek student truly a sacrifice? Or someone capable of standing alone against seven?
The truth would be revealed soon.
Zhu Ziyang smiled. He raised his right arm parallel to his shoulder and flicked his wrist. A golden battle scythe appeared in his hand.
A tool-type martial soul? One no one had seen before? It looked intimidating! That was the real-time commentary from the crowd.
As the Stillness Fate Ending Scythe appeared, soul rings began to rise from beneath Zhu Ziyang's feet. Yellow, purple, purple, black, black… when the fifth ring appeared, both the audience and the arena fell into stunned silence.
They had assumed he was a Soul King. But for someone this young with such strength—how could he be a discard?
Then came the sixth ring. Star Luo Square exploded into a frenzy. Just like the first time when Huo Yuhao revealed five hundred-thousand-year rings, the scene now repeated itself—but this time, the atmosphere was even more insane due to the larger audience.
A red ring! Was it real? The crowd buzzed with disbelief. But most already knew the answer—this hidden Shrek student was the real ace!
While the general audience didn't know Zhu Ziyang's exact age, the major academies had done their research. They knew he was only fifteen. A wave of despair and powerlessness swept through them.
"No way… this can't be!" In the Sun Moon Academy's rest area, Xiao Hongchen was fuming. His bloodshot eyes locked on Zhu Ziyang. He growled, "Impossible! I used so many heavenly treasures and only barely reached Soul King! How could he become a Soul Emperor? And even have a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?!"
"So this is Shrek Academy's new leader?" Atop the royal pavilion, Xu Jiawei narrowed his eyes at Zhu Ziyang and immediately gave the order. "Go. Bring me all available intel on Zhu Ziyang. Activate the Star Luo Chamber of Commerce in Shrek City—I want to know everything about him!"
"A hundred-thousand-year soul ring… this is Shrek Academy?" In the Star Luo Academy's resting area, a stunning young woman stared dreamily at the red ring behind Zhu Ziyang. She whispered, "Royal Brother, you were right. Shrek Academy really does hide its strength. With Zhu Ziyang on their side, is there anyone left who can challenge their position?"
"Big Brother, what should we do?" In the audience, two oddly dressed men whispered to each other. One asked, "This Shrek student is so monstrously talented. Should we act?"
"Idiot!" The other man smacked his head. "If he dares appear on stage, then Shrek has prepared for everything! Let's go. We must return to the sect and report to the Patriarch!"
Zhu Ziyang hadn't even made a move yet, but his hundred-thousand-year ring had already stirred the entire continent.
(End of Chapter)
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