Chapter Sixty-Three: As the Competition Unfolds

Mu Yang nodded in response to Wang Yan’s question.

“It truly is a fine weapon, but don’t let anyone take it from you again. If it’s stolen, Shrek Academy will step in, but they won’t retrieve it for you. All they’ll do is issue a warning to the other party, advising them not to go too far. Reclaiming your weapon is something you’ll have to do yourself,” Wang Yan said.

“Understood,” Mu Yang replied.

Shrek Academy. Sea God’s Pavilion.

“Elder Mu, are you really not sending anyone over? Tomorrow, they’ll be facing opponents with three Soul Kings on their team,” said Cai Mei’er, deputy head of Shrek Academy’s Martial Soul Department, standing before Elder Mu.

Elder Mu smiled faintly. “Is this your own question, or did Shao Zhe send you?”

Cai Mei’er answered honestly, “It was Shao Zhe’s idea.”

Elder Mu chuckled. “I thought as much. He’s not willing to accept it! I’ve seen all the reports from the front. These children have done very well. Xuanzi has keen judgment; every one of his chosen is outstanding. Isn’t this the best outcome? Why must we insist on the championship? If we send people over, will these children still be pushed to unleash their full potential? Go back and tell Shao Zhe: these seven children, led by Huo Yuhao, will be the foundation of Shrek’s next thousand years of glory. He must learn to look further ahead. This tournament is their trial, one I’ve set for them. Since fate has brought things to this point, there’s no need for us to interfere. Let’s see what destiny holds. Who’s to say they can’t keep creating miracles? What we need to do now is to trust them. When you return, begin preparations for a celebration. No matter what place they achieve, when they return from the Star Luo Empire, you, Shao Zhe, Lin’er, and Duo Duo will personally honor them.”

“They fight for glory; we must build their confidence. Ten years to forge a sword—at the very least, we’ll spend ten years making these seven children the future of Shrek. Decades from now, it will be them who sit in the Sea God’s Pavilion.”

Cai Mei’er asked, “Elder Mu, weren’t there eight children who went to the tournament this time?”

“Mu Yang is destined never to remain at Shrek Academy. Though he’s obedient, he’s intensely curious about new things; he won’t stay in one place too long. He’s fated to be a wanderer,” Elder Mu explained with a smile.

“Then why do you treat Mu Yang as a core disciple?” Cai Mei’er pressed.

“It’s merely an investment. I hope that in the future, should Shrek face a crisis, Mu Yang will help us through it. Even without a crisis, perhaps he’ll favor Shrek in other matters. With our foundation, we can certainly afford one more core disciple. Now, go.”

...

Morning.

After breakfast, all seven members of Shrek Academy’s reserve team gathered in the conference room. With a good rest the previous day, each of them was in peak condition—vitality, spirit, and energy at their best. Yet their expressions were far from relaxed; in fact, each face was grave.

Today’s match would be the most difficult since arriving at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. They would face a powerful team led by three Soul Kings, while among them not a single one had reached that rank—not even a Soul Ancestor above level forty-five.

The referee took the stage, his voice broadcast far and wide by the amplification soul tool.

“Third round of the round-robin, first match: Shrek Academy versus Zhengtian Academy. Both teams, please enter the waiting area. Captains, please come forward to draw for the match format.”

Mu Yang and his teammates were up against the representative team from Zhengtian Advanced Soul Master Academy.

Zhengtian Academy’s captain was a young man of about twenty years, his handsome features rivaling even Wang Dong’s—though Wang Dong, still young, had not yet grown into his looks.

Wang Yan had spoken in detail about this captain, holding him in high regard. Since the tournament began, Zhengtian’s captain had yet to appear. Wang Yan had only managed, with great effort, to gather some information about him.

Ye Wuqing, nineteen years old. Top student at Zhengtian Academy, team captain. Martial soul: Golden Leaf, level fifty-eight assault system battle soul master. Exceptionally powerful. In the last tournament, he had already competed as a main team member; this time, he was the pillar of his academy.

The draw determined that the match would follow a 2-2-3 format: two rounds of two-on-two, followed by a three-on-three. Best two out of three. If one side won both of the first two rounds, the three-on-three would be canceled.

Beibei set aside his usual gentleness, replaced by a stern demeanor. “Sanshi, you’ll go up with Nannan. Nannan, I don’t know what grudge you hold against Sanshi, or why you look down on him, but none of that matters for what we’re facing now. I need you to put aside all personal grievances. You must go up together; only by working as a pair will you achieve the best results.”

“Mu Yang, be ready at any moment. Your soul skills are potent against anyone, but your weaknesses are being gradually analyzed, so from now on, avoid using your soul skills unless absolutely necessary—save them for a critical moment.”

...

As soon as the match began, Xu Sanshi, true to form, burst forth with power.

He slammed the Xuanming Turtle Shield in his hands heavily onto the ground. A powerful black aura instantly radiated from the shield, covering an area of more than ten meters, surging outward like a giant energy dome.

With the coordination between Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan, they claimed victory in the first match.

Beibei said to Jiang Nannan, “We’ve won the first round, but Sanshi won’t be able to fight in the next match. He’s hurt his core, and I have no idea how long it will take him to recover. He once told me that if he’s forced to break his seal under duress, he’ll get stronger temporarily but at a great cost to his body—it drains his potential. Nannan, if possible, could you take Sanshi back to rest? He can’t recover properly here.”

“I can actually help Senior Sanshi recover some of his energy, but I’m not sure how effective it’ll be,” Mu Yang offered.

Beibei said, “It’s still the tournament period, Mu Yang. Hold off on using your soul power for now. Help Sanshi recover once we’re back at the hotel.”

Jiang Nannan said nothing, simply draped Xu Sanshi’s arm over her shoulder and led him away.

However, she did not see that the “unconscious” Xu Sanshi gave a subtle thumbs up in Beibei’s direction, then flicked a middle finger toward Mu Yang. Only Beibei noticed this subtle gesture.

...