As the tournant progressed, Shrek Academy was soon set to face their third opponent in the round-robin: Zheng Tian Academy.
Inside the eting room, all seven of Shrek’s reserve team mbers wore serious expressions. Zheng Tian Academy was known for its formidable strength.
Even just judging by the surface-level information, they far outclassed the combined power of Shrek’s reserve squad.
Zheng Tian Academy boasted three Soul Kings and four Soul Ancestors, with their captain, Ye Wuqing, possessing a soul power of level 58—just shy of breaking into the Soul Emperor realm.
By comparison, the strongest among Shrek’s reserve team had only reached level 43. The disparity in raw power was undeniable.
Yet even in this situation, the reserve team hadn’t asked for help from the main team.
Cao Jinxuan looked around at his teammates’ solemn expressions and couldn’t help but sigh. "We still have a chance in this match. No matter the battle format, as long as our tactics are sound, we can at least avoid defeat."
Beibei and Xu Sanshi exchanged glances. If the two of them unleashed their full power, they could temporarily rival a Soul King in combat.
Cao Jinxuan and Long Xuan Yue, when fighting in tandem, were unmatched among their peers, and their coordination allowed for dazzling and unpredictable techniques.
Jiang Nannan’s martial soul wasn’t of the highest quality, but each of her four soul skills was practically a cheat code.
He Caitou was nicknad the "Source of Destruction"—if he went all-out, he could temporarily release destructive power on par with a Soul King.
Wang Dong, despite having only three soul rings, could montarily match a four-ring Soul Ancestor thanks to the quality of his martial soul and the power of his over-leveled soul rings.
These were true geniuses. Their opponents might be gifted as well, but they still had complete faith in themselves.
So even when facing a team with three Soul Kings, they didn’t feel fear.
Of course, the weight of facing a powerful opponent was still there—Zheng Tian Academy had always been strong in previous tournants.
Even without watching their matches, their lineup alone told them that this opponent was not to be underestimated.
Beibei nodded. "Captain, with our current condition, I’d say we have at least a 60% chance of beating Zheng Tian Academy."
Cao Jinxuan chuckled. "Besides, I heard Zheng Tian Academy is even more old-fashioned than us. No one in their academy uses soul tools—they’re strictly focused on cultivating soul masters and their martial souls."
Long Xuan Yue’s eyes lit up. "So, if we’re lucky enough to draw a team battle... we’ve basically got this match in the bag."
Xu Sanshi nodded. "Based on the reports, none of Zheng Tian’s martial souls can counter your Ti Freeze. If they don’t have soul tools for protection, then in a team battle, we’ve got a serious edge."
Wang Dong, rubbing his chin, nodded vigorously. "That’s why I said it—this is only the third round of the round-robin. There’s no need for the main team to take the stage. We’ve got enough strength to handle this."
Jiang Nannan arched an elegant eyebrow at Wang Dong’s comnt. This junior really did have talent, but his mouth might be even sharper than his actual abilities.
He Caitou’s eyes glead with determination. "With the soul tools Brother Zhou designed specifically for us, I have full confidence we can defeat Zheng Tian Academy!"
Cao Jinxuan smiled faintly. "Since everyone’s this confident, then we’ll go into the match against Zheng Tian with the reserve team as planned."
Everyone responded in unison, "Got it! Let’s claim victory!"
The third round of the round-robin began, and Star Luo Plaza was buzzing with its usual excitent. Shrek Academy was about to appear again.
The mont all fourteen figures in green uniforms stepped onto the field, the crowd erupted into a thunderous cheer.
In their first three matches, Shrek’s performances had dazzled the audience each ti.
Cao Jinxuan’s broken Ti Control ability, Xu Sanshi’s powerful defenses and flashy fighting style, He Caitou’s overwhelming destruction-based tactics, and Wang Dong’s thousand-year second soul ring—all of it had left a deep impression on the spectators.
Even more intriguing, Beibei, Long Xuan Yue, and Jiang Nannan had yet to fully reveal their special abilities.
Though they were just the reserve team, in the eyes of the other academies, they were already a strong and mysterious force.
Today, however, the audience was particularly curious—would Shrek field the reserve team again, even when facing Zheng Tian Academy and its three Soul Kings?
These fans hadn’t missed a single match. They were well aware of the reserve team’s brilliance, but also very clear on just how powerful Zheng Tian Academy was.
If Shrek sent out their main team, it would be no contest.
But if the reserve team took the stage again, then this match would be one to watch.
In the waiting area, the Shrek team lounged on luxurious sofas. The main team mbers were behaving as usual—eating, drinking, and chatting casually, seemingly unconcerned about the match at all.
Seated behind Shrek’s rest area, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy team mbers weren’t looking smug today. Each of them kept casting glances toward the two Soul Sages and Zhou Sicheng.
It was as if they were trying to determine—with their own eyes—whether the shocking data they’d seen was real.
But Zhou Sicheng and the others remained calm as ever, quietly waiting for the match to begin.
Since Cao Jinxuan and the others had decided to fight this match themselves, Zhou Sicheng wouldn’t interfere.
Besides, compared to the original tiline, this reserve lineup was even stronger now. Their chances of winning were higher.
And even in the worst-case scenario—if they lost this round, the main team could still step in for the remaining matches.
Losing a single round in the round-robin wouldn’t affect their qualification chances.
In Zhou Sicheng’s mind, the glory of Shrek Academy wasn’t the most important thing. Sotis, losing a match was the best way to inspire these prideful geniuses to grow.
And this was sothing Elder Mu agreed with as well.
Ti ticked on, and the sun had already risen high in the eastern sky.
His Majesty, the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, arrived at the top of the city wall, surrounded by his ministers. Rather than sitting, he walked directly to the edge to observe the match from the viewing area.
When he saw that Shrek Academy was once again sending out their reserve team, he was montarily surprised and muttered in astonishnt:
"As expected of Shrek Academy... Are they really planning to crush all the other academies using only their reserve mbers? Today’s match will determine whether these youngsters are the real deal. Let’s see if they can withstand the trial by fire."
But his gaze soon shifted—not to Shrek’s team on the field—but to a few main team mbers sitting in the rest area.
This ti, however, he wasn’t looking at Dai Hao’s eldest son, but rather at Zhou Sicheng and the two stunningly beautiful girls beside him.
The Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiawei, murmured,
"Two Soul Sages... and the descendant of the legendary Dragon God Douluo who once shook the continent. Shrek always brings miracles."
Just then, a strange figure suddenly appeared beside him—a white-haired old man holding a wine gourd in one hand and gnawing on a chicken leg in the other.
This elderly man appeared so abruptly it would have startled anyone. But Xu Jiawei remained perfectly calm. Instead, he bowed slightly toward him.
He was the Emperor, the ruler of a nation—yet he bowed to this old man?
"Elder Xuan, everything you requested has been arranged. Within the borders of the Star Luo Empire, the geniuses of Shrek Academy will not face any danger," Xu Jiawei said respectfully.
Yes, this old man was none other than the long-absent Elder Xuan.
Elder Xuan also bowed back courteously.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. If you ever find the ti, you’re always welco to visit Shrek."
Xu Jiawei smiled.
"Gladly. The match is about to begin. Let’s see if Shrek’s little monsters from the reserve team can continue to uphold their glory."
Elder Xuan tossed back the chicken leg in one bite and laughed heartily.
"I believe in the little monsters."
With that, he sat down beside Xu Jiawei.
Behind the emperor, the Titled Douluo responsible for his protection stared at Elder Xuan like a starstruck fan.
With such a terrifying powerhouse sitting next to His Majesty, what need was there for him to protect the emperor anymore?
Soon, the referee took the stage. His voice was amplified across the plaza by a soul tool.
"Third round of the round-robin tournant, first match: Shrek Academy vs. Zheng Tian Academy! Both teams, proceed to the waiting area. Captains, co forward to draw the match format."
At the referee’s call, Cao Jinxuan led the reserve mbers to the staging area. anwhile, Zhou Sicheng stood up leisurely and made his way to the stage to draw lots.
The mont Ye Wuqing, captain of Zheng Tian Academy, saw Zhou Sicheng up close, he couldn’t help but be stunned.
In terms of build and appearance, Ye Wuqing was already considered a model handso man. But compared to Zhou Sicheng, even he felt inferior.
The two captains t face-to-face.
Ye Wuqing couldn’t help but greet him.
"Hello. I’m Ye Wuqing, captain of Zheng Tian Academy."
Zhou Sicheng gave a polite nod.
"Zhou Sicheng, captain of Shrek Academy."
As they prepared to draw, Ye Wuqing added,
"Your reserve team is pretty good, but if they’re the ones facing us again today, your undefeated streak might co to an end."
He wasn’t being arrogant—he was being sincere.
He wasn’t warning that Shrek might lose; he was advising Zhou Sicheng to let the main team take the field.
Ye Wuqing, at level 58, was already close to reaching Soul Emperor. If he had participated in the tournant at age twenty, he might have been Zheng Tian Academy’s first-ever Soul Emperor at that age.
Sadly, he wouldn’t make it to that milestone.
But even so, he hoped to face Shrek’s main team, not their reserves.
Winning would feel hollow. Losing would be humiliating.
Though Ye Wuqing didn’t believe the reserve team could defeat them, what he truly desired was to test himself against Shrek’s best.
Zhou Sicheng gave a faint smile.
"You’ll get your chance."
At that mont, the drawing ended, and the referee announced loudly:
"Shrek Academy vs. Zheng Tian Academy—match format: 2v2 format, best of three. Two wins out of three determines the victor."
With that, Zhou Sicheng turned and left the platform.
Ye Wuqing clenched his fists.
Even though Zhou Sicheng had responded with a smile, he hadn’t taken his words to heart—and clearly didn’t see Zheng Tian Academy as a real threat.
Ye Wuqing silently swore,
"Very well. Let your first defeat in this tournant shatter your arrogance."
Whether it was the main team or reserves—they were still Shrek Academy.
In the waiting area, when they saw that the match format was 2v2 best-of-three, Cao Jinxuan smirked and looked at his teammates.
"It’s not the format that favors us the most like team battles, but it’s also not the worst like 1v1. Brothers, if we win this match, it’ll finally prove the strength of our reserve team."
Beibei’s eyes glead with resolve.
"We must win. Defeat is not an option."
The others nodded as well, eyes burning with determination and fighting spirit.
Long Xuan Yue was practically bouncing with excitent.
"Finally... finally my ti to shine!"
Cao Jinxuan began laying out the strategy.
"If we must win, then we’ll gamble on their lineup. In a best-of-three 2v2, if we can secure the first two rounds, we’ll clinch the match imdiately."
"Since they have three Soul Kings, they’ll most likely assign one to each round. That would be the most stable strategy."
Xu Sanshi’s eyes lit up.
"Captain... you’re thinking..."
Cao Jinxuan nodded.
"Exactly. The Outer Court’s strongest offense and defense—Beibei and Xu Sanshi. Are you confident in taking the first match?"
Beibei and Xu Sanshi exchanged a look and saw nothing but absolute confidence in each other’s eyes.
They had already locked in victory with that one glance.
Xu Sanshi grinned.
"Even though I’m not pairing with Nannan this ti, when Beibei and I team up, we can handle even two Soul Kings."
Jiang Nannan didn’t refute him this ti—because he was right.
In past training sessions, when these two unleashed their trump cards in tandem, their explosive power was astounding.
Though activating their bloodline abilities required long recovery periods, today’s match was do-or-die. There was no room for holding back.
The enemy would play it safe—so they would go all in.
"Once Beibei and Xu Sanshi win the first round," continued Cao Jinxuan, "the second round will be and Long Xuan Yue. Our direct combat strength may not match yours, but within the confined space of the battle platform, we have a hundred ways to eliminate the enemy."
Everyone shivered slightly at the reminder of Long Xuan Yue’s bizarre soul skill combinations and Cao Jinxuan’s terrifying ti-based abilities.
In terms of pure firepower, they couldn’t compare to Beibei and Xu Sanshi.
But in terms of frustration-inducing tactics? They were in a league of their own.
He Caitou added,
"If sothing unexpected happens midway, , Nannan, and Wang Dong are still on standby. We’re not without options."
Jiang Nannan nodded.
"Of course, that’s the worst-case scenario."
Wang Dong nodded seriously too.
She really wanted to get on stage and show off, but more than that, she wanted Cao Jinxuan’s plan to succeed.
Soon, the planning session ended. At the referee’s signal, the first pair from each team stepped onto the field.
Beibei and Xu Sanshi walked side by side—the power of bromance radiating between them, ready to explode on the battlefield.
Their opponents were Ye Wuqing and a lee Soul Ancestor nad Blood Wolf, whose martial soul was Soul Wolf.
When they saw who their opponents were, Beibei and Xu Sanshi exchanged a solemn glance. The excited spark in their eyes faded into serious focus.
Blood Wolf was only level 42—nothing either of them feared in a one-on-one.
But Ye Wuqing was level 58, and his martial soul, the Golden Leaf, was extrely rare. They hadn’t seen his previous battles, so they had no choice but to speculate about his capabilities.
Their bold declarations from earlier had fired them up—but now that they saw their opponents, they knew:
If they wanted to win today, they’d need to give it their all.
Back in Shrek’s rest area, Zhou Sicheng raised an eyebrow upon seeing Ye Wuqing and Blood Wolf take the stage.
The match order had deviated from the original story.
But Zhou Sicheng wasn’t worried. He believed in Beibei and Xu Sanshi’s synergy—they just might pull off a win against Ye Wuqing.
At worst, it would cost them a little more energy. But that was nothing so recovery milk bottles, a good al, and a few of He Caitou’s cigars couldn’t fix...
Once both teams had taken their positions, the referee raised his hand.
"First round of the best-of-three 2v2 match: Shrek Academy vs. Zheng Tian Academy... Battle, begin!"
****
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