The seven participants submitted by Shrek Academy for the individual elimination matches were: Xu Sanshi, Beibei, Jiang Nannan, Yu Tianhuang, Chen Zifeng, Dai Yueheng, and Ma Xiaotao.
This was also the order of appearance for the individual elimination matches.
For the sake of fairness, both teams were required to submit their order of appearance to the referee overseeing the match before the individual elimination phase began.
Otherwise, if one team's participant took the stage first, the opposing team could send out a combatant with abilities that countered them, undermining fairness.
As such, the individual elimination matches tested the strategic planning and lineup arrangement skills of the team leaders.
The grand final followed a best-of-three format, and Shrek Academy had already secured victory in the team battle, giving them the upper hand.
If they could eliminate all seven of the Sun Moon team's participants in the individual elimination matches, Shrek Academy would claim the championship of this All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament.
The order of appearance arranged by Wang Yan was the most prudent.
On the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy's side, including their main team captain Ma Rulong, five key members had sustained severe injuries.
Among those with cultivation above five rings, only the siblings Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, along with two other main team members who had not participated in the team battle due to the roster, remained. The other five reserve team members were somewhat lacking in ability.
The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy was at a disadvantage. If they still wished to compete with Shrek Academy for the championship, they had no choice but to go all out in the individual elimination matches.
From the start, they would likely send out their strongest members to eliminate as many Shrek Academy participants as possible.
Thus, it was not hard to discern the deeper intent behind Wang Yan's chosen order.
Among Shrek Academy's seven participants, the first three—Xu Sanshi, Beibei, and Jiang Nannan—could ideally defeat the Sun Moon team's members. Even if they couldn't win, they could significantly deplete their opponents' soul power, allowing the more individually outstanding Yu Tianhuang, Chen Zifeng, Dai Yueheng, and Ma Xiaotao to finish the job.
This was a form of strategic exchange, and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy had no choice but to accept it.
Ma Xiaotao, who had reflected on her earlier actions, and the typically easygoing Chen Zifeng had no objections to Wang Yan's arrangement. However, Dai Yueheng, eager to perform in front of Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire and his father, the White Tiger Duke Dai Hao, furrowed his brow, his eyes flickering.
"Teacher Wang, several of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy's main members have been severely injured. We should seize the momentum and defeat them in the elimination matches. Chen Zifeng and Xiaotao are enough to finish things off. Why not let me go first?"
"Yueheng, I understand your thoughts. But we must not underestimate our opponents. Winning this elimination match may not be as easy as you imagine," Wang Yan said, looking at Dai Yueheng. Normally mild-mannered, his expression grew stern. When it came to matters concerning Shrek Academy's honor, he never took things lightly.
"Did you notice the soul tool Xiao Hongchen used at the end?"
Dai Yueheng was momentarily stunned. His eagerness to perform in front of the emperor and his father had caused him to lose his usual composure.
Ma Xiaotao, sitting on a nearby sofa, suddenly spoke up. "That soul tool easily blocked our attacks. It's at least a level-eight defensive soul tool, right?"
"No, that should be a level-nine soul tool. And among level-nine soul tools, it's of exceptionally high quality," Elder Xuan, seated behind the group, casually added.
Everyone turned to Elder Xuan in shock.
"A level-nine soul tool?!"
The original Douluo Continent had developed soul tool technology for thousands of years without producing a single level-nine soul engineer.
Level-nine soul tools could only be crafted by level-nine soul engineers from the Sun Moon Empire.
Whenever a level-nine soul tool appeared at an auction, it sparked frenzied bidding, second only in popularity to top-tier soul bones like Xu Zihuang's Thunderous Hellvine Right Leg Bone.
However, the Sun Moon Empire tightly controlled level-nine soul tools, which were considered strategic weapons, and they rarely appeared at auctions.
"The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy has quite the resources," Wang Yan sighed softly, murmuring to himself.
"I wonder how Xiao Hongchen managed to activate that level-nine soul tool."
"It's likely that the soul tool has a core array for storing soul power, pre-charged and directly used to activate it," He Caitou said with a simple smile.
"This is also the direction my teacher has been researching."
Hearing He Caitou's words, a shadow fell over everyone's hearts.
The soul tool technology of the three original Douluo Continent empires was indeed not on the same level as the Sun Moon Empire's. If this technology matured and was applied to warfare, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Xu Zihuang and He Caitou exchanged a glance. Among everyone present, they were likely the only ones not surprised by this.
The Sun Moon Empire had begun researching this technology hundreds of years ago. Progress after so many years was only natural.
Moreover, Xu Zihuang, through his memories from his past life, knew that in a dozen years, the Sun Moon Empire would even develop technology to power soul tools using sunlight.
At this point, Dai Yueheng had calmed down and apologized to Wang Yan.
"Teacher Wang, let's follow your arrangement. I was too rash."
Wang Yan, of course, did not dwell on it. He nodded slightly to Heavenly Fiend Douluo, confirming that the lineup would not be changed, then turned to the group.
"Alright, everyone, hurry and recover your soul power. Aim to be in peak condition before the individual elimination matches."
Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan had not participated in the team battle, so only Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Chen Zifeng, Xu Zihuang, and Beibei needed to recover their soul power.
Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Chen Zifeng, as inner courtyard disciples, immediately entered a meditative state. Xu Zihuang and Beibei used soul power storage devices to quickly replenish their soul power.
Xu Zihuang had a level-five soul power storage device given to him by Wang Yan, while Beibei used a level-four one from He Caitou.
Using a soul power storage device didn't require holding it in the mouth; one simply needed to guide the stored soul power into their body with their own soul power.
Both Xu Zihuang and Beibei's devices were necklace-shaped, with rings of silvery-white light rippling from them.
The difference was that Beibei had to fully immerse his mind to guide the highly refined soul power, while Xu Zihuang, as a mental attribute soul master, could simultaneously guide the soul power into his meridians while observing Xiao Hongchen and the others in the opposing preparation area.
In the semifinal against the Dou Ling Royal Academy, Xu Zihuang had used the level-five soul power storage device in front of everyone, so no one found it surprising.
At the edge of the preparation area, Ning Tian, who wasn't participating, kept her gaze fixed on Xu Zihuang. Meanwhile, Wang Dong, who had not fought at all throughout the tournament, remained as silent as ever.
In this All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament, Shrek Academy had been overwhelmingly dominant. With Wang Dong's Soul Ancestor-level strength and inability to compete, he couldn't truly integrate with the team without shared combat experiences.
Looking up at Xu Zihuang, who had become the core of the team, Wang Dong bit his lip.
Both twin martial soul users, both twelve years old, yet the gap between them was vast.
This sense of frustration was not new to him.
Ning Tian keenly noticed Wang Dong's change in demeanor, her heart tightening.
In the Shrek Academy team, aside from Ma Xiaotao, Wang Dong was the other person who made her wary.
As the sole heir to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, her knowledge was vast.
The possessor of the Radiant Goddess Butterfly martial soul could only be female. Yet she had never shown that she knew the truth.
Though Yu Tianhuang and Wang Dong weren't close now, who could say what the future held?
During the outer courtyard core disciple selection, she had recognized at a glance that the hammer-shaped second martial soul Wang Dong used was the Clear Sky Hammer.
Wang Dong hailed from the Clear Sky Sect, possessed twin martial souls, and was part of the next generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters alongside them.
In terms of innate and acquired conditions, she held no advantage.
In the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy's preparation area:
"Soul power overexertion and severe strain, with over ten meridians ruptured. You won't be able to use your martial soul or soul power for the short term," Elder Ma said grimly.
"Rulong, give up."
After treatment from the Star Luo Empire's healing soul masters, Ma Rulong no longer looked as bloodied and battered as before, but sharp, piercing pain coursed through his meridians, making it nearly impossible to channel soul power.
How could he compete in such a state?
During the team battle, he had dodged all of Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Meteors. His invincible shield had blocked Dai Yueheng's fourth soul skill, White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, and Chen Zifeng's fifth soul skill, Soul Chasing Sword Array.
This was why he hadn't conceded immediately—he believed the Phoenix Meteor Shower couldn't cover the entire stage, and by enduring the other attacks in the gaps, there was still a chance.
But the temperature unleashed by the Phoenix Meteor Shower's full eruption was far more terrifying than when it was airborne. Only when the meteors landed near him did he truly feel it.
By then, it was too late. He had to expend all his soul power to activate a level-six invincible shield to withstand the horrific heat.
Additionally, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen could participate in the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament, while this was his only chance.
These two factors combined led to his misjudgment.
He was unwilling but helpless.
Unable to use his martial soul or soul power, what difference was there between him and a cripple?
Mika and the others, rescued by Heavenly Fiend Douluo, were in similar condition, temporarily unable to fight.
"Leave it to me, Captain."
Xiao Hongchen, sitting on a sofa with a solemn expression, crossed his arms and looked at Ma Rulong, his eyes devoid of their usual arrogance, filled only with blazing fighting spirit.
"Elder Ma, let Meng go first, and I'll go second. That way, we might still have a chance to turn the tide."
Xiao Hongchen had always been proud, at least in the eyes of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy. This was the first time he had shown such an expression.
He had always been regarded as the greatest genius in the history of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy. His exceptional talent made him not only a soul engineer but also an outstanding and powerful soul master.
Moreover, due to his unique martial soul, the two roles could be nearly perfectly combined.
In terms of overall strength, he was not much inferior to Ma Rulong. If his cultivation caught up to Ma Rulong's in the future, he would surpass him in every way.
He and Meng Hongchen had been held back as trump cards against Shrek Academy, but who could have predicted Shrek Academy's overwhelming strength?
"Xiao Hongchen, stay calm," Elder Ma said, his expression shifting slightly as he spoke gravely. "Don't forget what you mean to our academy. If anything happens to you, how will I explain it to the Hall Master?"
Xiao Hongchen's status at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy was highly sensitive. The sight of his grandson Ma Rulong's condition was right before him.
Even if the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy lost this time, he didn't want—nor could he afford—any harm to come to Xiao Hongchen or Meng Hongchen.
"Elder Ma, I'm very calm," Xiao Hongchen said, meeting Elder Ma's gaze steadily.
"Fearing the fight before it begins isn't my style. Even knowing how strong this Shrek Academy team is, I won't back down. Elder Ma, you must have noticed—Shrek Academy's earlier explosive assault was due to Yu Tianhuang's first soul skill. In the individual elimination matches, that soul skill absolutely won't have the same effect as before."
Elder Ma fell silent. Xiao Hongchen's demeanor was completely unlike his usual style.
"Brother, I'm with you," Meng Hongchen said, her expression softening, her ice-blue eyes also brimming with fighting spirit.
From a young age, her talent had been nearly on par with her brother's, and like Xiao Hongchen, she was deeply proud at heart.
"Xiao, you've finally matured," Ma Rulong said, his weakened aura giving way to a genuine smile, a stark contrast to his usual stern demeanor when reprimanding Xiao Hongchen.
"Grandfather, let Xiao and Meng compete. We fight for honor, and sometimes being too rational isn't ideal. Why has the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy been suppressed by Shrek Academy for thousands of years? Often, it's because we lack this fearless, all-or-nothing spirit. Even if we can't defeat Shrek Academy in this tournament, it's valuable experience. Xiao and Meng have the talent and foundation to make a comeback."
"Xiao, it's up to you. My martial soul and talent have their limits, but you're different. I believe you and Meng will be the ones to lead the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy to victory over Shrek Academy in the future," Ma Rulong said, enduring his pain as he extended his right fist toward Xiao Hongchen.
Xiao Hongchen was momentarily stunned, then clenched his fist and bumped it against Ma Rulong's, smiling slightly.
"Brother Ma, you're wrong. We might not be without a chance to defeat Shrek Academy now."
Ma Rulong chuckled softly, saying no more.
This defeat might not be entirely a bad thing.
As a once-in-a-millennium genius of the Sun Moon Empire, Xiao Hongchen's growth was a blessing for the empire.
In comparison, his personal honor and losses were insignificant. He desperately wanted to defeat Shrek Academy himself, but he was even more eager to see the Sun Moon Empire have a limitless future.
Elder Ma's brows furrowed, but he ultimately relented. Not only was he persuaded by his grandson's words, but he also couldn't afford to cross these two young prodigies.
"Fine, but if things don't go well, don't force it."
Thus, the Sun Moon team's participants and order for the individual elimination matches were finalized.
Atop the imperial city wall, Emperor Xu Jiawei, who had observed both sides' actions, smiled and said, "Brother, what do you think of the Hongchen siblings?"
"Geniuses, but they still fall short compared to that boy named Yu Tianhuang," the White Tiger Duke Dai Hao said thoughtfully.
"Your Majesty, if I'm not mistaken, Yueheng and the others had their martial soul attributes greatly enhanced because of Yu Tianhuang's first soul skill."
"Your feeling is correct, Brother. That girl named Ma Xiaotao even stepped into the realm of ultimate fire," Xu Jiawei replied.
"Ultimate fire?" Even Princess Jiujiu widened her blue eyes in surprise.
"Ma Xiaotao is a direct descendant of Ma Hongjun, the Phoenix Douluo from the original Shrek Seven Monsters ten thousand years ago. Her Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul is already close to ultimate fire. Yu Tianhuang's soul skill likely has the ability to elevate martial soul attributes," Xu Jiawei said with a soft sigh.
"We underestimated his talent before. With just this first soul skill, he's worth the empire's every effort to recruit. Jiujiu, after this tournament ends, extend an invitation to Shrek Academy on my behalf to attend a banquet at the imperial palace."
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