Perhaps due to the recent few days being too passionate, the weather on the first day of the Round-Robin Tournament was unusually gloomy. Thick clouds covered the sky, sunlight could not break through, and the air carried a bit of humidity. It seemed it might rain at any moment.
Yet even so, this could not dampen the excitement of the spectators.
At this time, in order to ensure that spectators calmly purchased tickets for the arena, the Xingluo Empire Tournament Committee made the "extremely difficult" decision to increase ticket prices.
All seats in the spectator area had their ticket prices increased by fifty percent. Even so, buyers continued to line up without end.
Some even slept overnight at the ticket counters. In this tight-ticket situation, it also gave rise to some professional queueing services to purchase tickets for others.
Beyond ticket profits, the Xingluo Empire also published the daily match results in newspapers for sale. A single newspaper may be worthless, but millions of copies sold meant significant revenue.
It made sense—after all, the majority of people on Douluo Continent were ordinary. Ordinary people could not witness the excitement of Spirit Masters fighting every day. Being able to watch such battles at an affordable price—why not?
The Xingluo Empire profited immensely, the spectators were thrilled, and everyone had a good day.
Speaking of which, now that the referee had been replaced by the Giant Strength Douluo Cheng Gang, the original incidents of dozens of students dying during matches no longer occurred.
However, severe injuries were still common.
In the imperial city, Xu Jiawei and the Empress had arrived, chatting happily and appearing very relaxed. As for Dai Hao, he did not come this time.
As for Xuanzi, nobody knew where he had gone.
In the Rest Area
The sixty-seven teams that had advanced gradually arrived. Strictly speaking, not all academies had matches today, yet none of them were absent. The main reason was to watch Shrek Academy's matches.
In the first elimination round, Huo Yuhao, at Spirit Master (Soul Master) rank, had forcibly unleashed Emperor-level power. Such an unusual event naturally drew attention.
They also wanted to see if the other Shrek students were equally strong.
The spectators had similar thoughts. The spectator area was a noisy sea of voices, but the most discussed topic remained Shrek Academy.
"Wow."
Suddenly, just as everyone awaited the start, a group of students in dark green uniforms walked into the rest area.
Shrek Academy had entered, immediately triggering a roar of cheers and drawing attention from every other academy, prompting admiration.
Once inside, the Shrek students quickly split into two teams: one to take seats, the other to proceed to the waiting area for the host's announcement.
On the way to the waiting area, Huo Yuhao happened to pass the rest area of the Sun and Moon Royal Spirit Master Academy. In an instant, his gaze met Xiao Hongchen's.
The next moment, just as everyone from Sun and Moon thought sparks might fly between Huo Yuhao and Xiao Hongchen, the two simply smiled at each other warmly, like old friends.
The people of Sun and Moon: "???"
"Xiao, what's wrong with you?" Meng Hongchen looked at Huo Yuhao leaving, then turned to Xiao Hongchen in disbelief, shaking his shoulder. Concern filled her beautiful eyes.
Her brother, previously a rival to Shrek, was now so friendly with its students?
Had he taken the wrong medicine?
"What do you mean?" Xiao Hongchen asked, confused.
Meng Hongchen hurriedly said, "Yesterday you were still provoking Huo Yuhao, how come today you've changed?"
Hearing this, other Sun and Moon students perked up to listen.
Xiao Hongchen replied lightly:"Huo Yuhao is a man of very good taste and vision. I have a lot of confidence in him."
Meng Hongchen and her companions were stunned.
Xiao Hongchen glanced at his teammates; instantly, everyone sat up straight, focusing intently on the match stage, as if no eavesdropping had occurred.
Xiao Hongchen then leaned close to Meng Hongchen and whispered,"This Huo Yuhao is a fan of our grandfather."
"Shua."
Meng Hongchen's delicate face froze. She stared at Xiao Hongchen for a moment, then quietly nodded:"You're right, Xiao. This Huo Yuhao indeed has very good taste and vision."
"Cough, cough."
Ma Mingzhu, as a Douluo, had excellent hearing. He coughed reflexively, reminding the siblings that praising the enemy was not appropriate.
But a Shrek student is the sect leader's fan?
Ma Mingzhu's face twisted strangely.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the second round of the Douluo Tournament." The host floated above the stage using a flying Spirit, visible to everyone.
Soon, the noise gradually subsided.
The host smiled as he read out the list of first-round Round-Robin participants. Upon hearing Shrek Academy's name, cheers erupted again. First round—Shrek. A ticket well spent.
The only ones unhappy were the Yunluo Advanced Spirit Master Academy members, whose first-round opponent was Shrek Academy. Hard luck.
After some motivational talk, the host moved to the main point:"Next, let us welcome the top academy, Shrek Academy, and their opponents, Xingluo Empire Yunluo Advanced Spirit Master Academy, to the waiting area. The two team captains, please come to the stage to determine the match method."
From the waiting area, each side sent one person. Ma Xiaotao calmly took the stage, instantly drawing countless eyes. In both beauty and figure, she was top-tier.
Yunluo Academy's captain, a youth comparable in size to He Caitou, looked at Ma Xiaotao with apprehension.
The Shrek captain must be at Emperor rank.
"Draw lots."
Giant Strength Douluo Cheng Gang handed over a lot-drawing tube, signaling the two captains.
Ma Xiaotao and Yunluo's captain each grabbed a side of the tube and tossed it upward.
Under the eyes of hundreds of thousands, a yellow ball dropped from the tube.
Red = team battle, Yellow = individual battle, Blue = 2v3 battle.
Seeing the yellow ball, the host's eyes lit up:"Shrek Academy vs. Yunluo Academy! Match type: Individual battle!"
One-on-one?
At the referee's words, spectators and other academy members perked up. One-on-one matches reveal a student's true ability. Team battles allow cooperation to compensate for weaknesses, but individual battles do not.
Ma Xiaotao returned to the waiting area and patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder:"Leave it to you. Don't embarrass yourself."
Huo Yuhao and the others exchanged smiles and waited for Wang Yan's arrangements.
At the same time, seeing Ma Xiaotao return, Yunluo Academy and others were surprised. The Shrek captain isn't going?
"First participant from each side, enter the stage."
Just then, the host announced.
"Wang Dong, you go first." Wang Yan looked at the ready Wang Dong, "Yunluo focuses on Spirit Conduits; their Spirit Masters are comparatively weak. Can you handle it?"
Wang Dong smiled: "Of course. My training at home isn't fake."
"Good luck."
Xixi, enamored by the handsome young junior, cheered silently.
Wang Dong stepped onto the stage.
Huo Yuhao suddenly said:"If you lose, I'll laugh at you forever."
Wang Dong nearly stumbled, glancing fiercely at Huo Yuhao, then his gaze sharpened.Lose? Impossible.
Under everyone's watch, Wang Dong and Yunluo's participant took their positions.
Yunluo's student, short and chubby, seemed suited for Spirit Conduits. Broad shoulders.
Seeing Wang Dong's youthful face, he relaxed; the opponent was a backup team member.
"Ah."
Sighs echoed. Wang Dong noticed the spectators' disappointed gazes.
"Fine, fine, underestimate me, huh? I'll show you."
"The individual battle rules are simple: one-on-one, the winner stays, loser is eliminated. Each new member replaces the defeated. First to eliminate seven wins. Spirit Conduits are forbidden."
Cheng Gang said, expression calm.
"Understood."
"Mm."
Both nodded.
"Register, then move to the side of the stage until my command."
"Shrek, Wang Dong.""Yunluo, Ma Yingjun."
Wang Dong glanced at Ma Yingjun, twitching slightly.Setting looks aside, he was indeed handsome.
"Junior, go easy." Ma Yingjun backed up, smiling.
"I will." Wang Dong smiled gently.
Ma Yingjun's eyes flickered. Wang Dong looked very young, maybe 12-13, max Spirit Master rank. Ma Yingjun was level 41 Spirit Grandmaster. If he lost, it would be Shrek's first defeat in this tournament. His breath quickened.
Even without fighting spirit, he forced it up.
They hadn't expected to win the first three Round-Robin matches. But this time…
Yet he didn't notice Wang Dong was channeling a heavy flow of spiritual power.
"Start!"
Both stood ready. The referee shouted and stepped aside.
Immediately, hundreds of thousands of spectators and academy members focused on the stage.
Ma Yingjun, a Spirit Tutor, knew the importance of initiative. His short, chubby body glowed with black and gold, with cannon barrels on shoulders, three thumb-thick soul light rays on each arm, similar on legs, and a small flying Spirit Conduit on his back.
For speed, leg-mounted Soul Propulsion Devices were installed. A chest-mounted defensive Soul Conduit also added protection.
Most spectators had never seen military-type Spirit Conduits, and their eyes showed surprise.
Wang Dong walked calmly toward Ma Yingjun. Black flowing light appeared in his right palm—deep and heavy.
"Good opportunity."
Ma Yingjun struck first. Flames from his propulsion devices surged as he charged, Soul Light rays infused with power, shining white.
"Shoo, shoo, shoo."
Twelve Soul Light rays shot out, leaving dazzling afterimages.
Wang Dong remained calm, swinging his hand. Light condensed into a giant hammer.
The rushing wind shattered all incoming rays. His clothes fluttered; his light blue hair swayed, adding to his charm.
"Close combat Spirit Tutor?"
Ma Yingjun's face changed. Wang Dong's gaze pierced him. Suddenly, two blue-purple Light Goddess Butterfly Spirit manifestations bloomed behind Wang Dong. He lunged, closing distance.
Ma Yingjun panicked, controlling propulsion to retreat. Flying Spirit from Wang Dong nullified his aerial advantage.
"Bang, bang."
Cannons on shoulders fired two fist-sized rounds.
One was a shock bomb, creating a destructive energy ripple that could harm organs.The other was an incendiary bomb, exploding like fireworks.
Wang Yan and Beibei became serious.
Huo Yuhao remained calm, trusting Wang Dong.
"Shock."
Before Ma Yingjun could stabilize, a deep shout rang out. Within the explosion radius, a dark black light surged. Wang Dong's hammer struck the air, producing a visible crack. In the next instant, a terrifying force spread, dispersing flames and energy ripples.
"Impossible."
Ma Yingjun's pupils shrank. His most powerful weapons had been easily neutralized. What was this hammer?
"Strikes the elements in the air, coils around the hammer, then explodes. Amazing."
Wang Yan whispered excitedly, drawing Huo Yuhao's curiosity.
Wang Dong had added a soul ring to the Hao Tian Hammer, something he hadn't in the original timeline.
Shouts erupted. Wang Dong, after neutralizing two projectiles, launched the Hao Tian Hammer.
As Ma Yingjun dodged, a deep purple soul ring appeared under Wang Dong's feet.
"Dual Spirit?"
Suddenly everyone realized: the butterfly-like and hammer forms were both Spirit Weapons.
The soul ring activated, halting the hammer beside Ma Yingjun, releasing dark gold light, enveloping a three-meter radius.
Ma Yingjun initially relieved, but soon sensed danger.
"My body…"
Panic rose. The dark gold light constricted, pressing him with tremendous force, bones cracking.
"I surrender…" Ma Yingjun felt fear.
"Shua." Cheng Gang leapt forward to rescue him, but contact with the dark gold light revealed its immense power. A few seconds delay, Ma Yingjun would be crippled.
Cheng Gang ripped the light apart; it became scattered spirit energy. Ma Yingjun collapsed weakly.
Cheng Gang announced:"Shrek Academy wins this match."
Yunluo Academy quickly sent Ma Yingjun for treatment.
"Shrek is awesome!""Shrek number one!""My husband is the best!"
The crowd erupted. They didn't understand Soul Skills but knew Wang Dong had defeated his opponent quickly. His calm expression added charm.
Experienced Spirit Masters recognized the dark gold light as a top-tier restrictive Soul Skill.
Most impressive: the hammer was the Hao Tian Sect's legendary Hao Tian Hammer, long hidden.
Wang Dong grabbed it as it turned to black light, absorbing it into his body.
"Beautiful."
In the waiting area, Xixi cheered first, soon joined by Wang Yan, Beibei, and Caitou.
Wang Dong looked at Huo Yuhao, raising an eyebrow: "Impressed?"
Huo Yuhao smiled and nodded.
He hadn't expected Wang Dong to add a soul ring to the Hao Tian Hammer.
On the Sun and Moon side, Pan Tianxing was absent. Ma Mingzhu led, observing seriously:"This skill is excellent for breaking formations. In five years, this student will be your rival in the Mingdu tournament."
Other Sun and Moon backup students were serious.
"Perhaps." Xiao Hongchen remained unconcerned.
None noticed Meng Hongchen's eyes fixed entirely on Wang Dong.
(Note: In the original, Dual Spirit could sometimes be used early, sometimes with restrictions. Here, it's set to early usage.)
.................
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(End of Chapter)