Regardless of the situation at Shrek Academy, the competition must go on.
Their plans cannot be disrupted just because of Shrek Academy.
Immediately, Elder Ma began arranging the team and tactics for the next day's match.
There wasn't much to say. Except for encounters with Shrek Academy or the other royal academies, Ma Rulong would lead the reserve team in battle.
No matter what, Ma Rulong and the others could not be allowed to face Shrek Academy, because whether they won or lost, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy would be at a disadvantage.
At dawn, when the first rays of sunlight shone into Star Luo City, the capital of the Star Luo Empire exuded a solemn atmosphere.
To ensure the smooth running of the Soul Dueling Competition, the shops and streets around Star Luo Plaza were sealed off in advance.
Outside Star Luo Plaza, throughout Star Luo City, soul tool screens were hung on tall buildings, broadcasting live footage from Star Luo Plaza.
Not only in Star Luo City, but across the entire Star Luo Empire, and even the entire Douluo Continent, any place equipped with long-distance communication soul tool devices could see the scenes from Star Luo Plaza.
Heaven Soul Empire, Dragon City, Earth Dragon Gate.
"Hurry, hurry! Today is the start of the competition. I wonder if we'll get to see Liuxing and Liuying?"
Nan Qiushui, followed by a group of underlings, rushed into a square within the Earth Dragon Gate.
A large projection screen was already set up in the square, displaying the current scene from Star Luo Plaza.
"Is this the ultra-long-range communication soul tool device from the Sun Moon Empire? It's incredible that we can see what's happening in Star Luo City from here!"
"Has the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology advanced to this level? Should we...?"
The elders of the Earth Dragon Gate were also discussing their views on soul tool devices, which they once looked down upon, beginning to shift.
Shrek City.
The soul tool Department of Shrek Academy had also installed soul tool equipment in Shrek Plaza and various parts of the academy. Projection screens lit up one after another.
Shrek Academy, Outer Court, the square outside the teaching building.
Dai Huabin stared at the familiar scene of Star Luo Plaza on the projection screen, his fists clenched tightly, his eyes filled with intense resentment and frustration.
Originally, he should have been the one qualified to represent the academy in the competition.
Why did that damned Huo Yuhao get the chance?
"Huabin!"
Beside Dai Huabin, a girl dressed in a black tight-fitting outfit that accentuated her curvaceous figure looked at him with concern.
Not far away, a golden-haired girl disguised as a boy, Ning Tian, also shook her head, showing a look of regret.
Beside Ning Tian, a red-haired girl with a fiery figure, Wu Feng, said indignantly, "Why does Huo Yuhao get to represent the academy? Ning Tian, you're more qualified than him. He's just lucky."
Ning Tian shook her head and said, "Don't say that, Feng. Losing is losing. We, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, know how to accept defeat."
Hearing this, although Wu Feng still looked resentful and unconvinced, she didn't say anything more.
Shrek Academy, Inner Court, Sea God's Island.
"Le Xuan, did the academy really not send any reinforcements? Xiao Tao and the others are in danger this time!"
Looking at the soul tool screen on the square of the Inner Court, a woman with chestnut hair and a slightly slender figure turned to a stunningly beautiful, cold-looking black-haired woman beside her, her face full of concern.
"Ruoruo, the academy has its reasons for not sending reinforcements. Let's believe in Xiao Tao and the others."
Zhang Lexuan, dressed in white and exuding a cold beauty, shook her head, though her eyes also showed a trace of worry.
She had some idea of the academy's intentions, but was the academy really planning to let Ma Xiaotao and the others lead a team of reserves into the competition?
Moreover, among those heading to the competition, besides Ma Xiaotao, there was someone else she was even more concerned about.
"Damn it, why did this happen? Yao Haoxuan died, Xi Xi was severely injured, Chen Zifeng and Gong Yangmo are crippled. What was Elder Xuan doing?"
Wu Ming, whose fiery temper matched her voluptuous figure and who, along with Ma Xiaotao, was known as one of the two active volcanoes of the Inner Court, spoke with anger in her eyes.
"Ming, watch your words!"
Han Ruoruo's expression changed, and she immediately scolded.
"Sister Ruoruo."
Wu Ming wanted to say more, but after being glared at by Han Ruoruo, she reluctantly turned her head away.
Zhang Lexuan closed her eyes, and the tragic scene from that time once again surfaced in her mind.
That time, Elder Xuan had also led the team. Out of twelve Inner Court disciples, eight had died.
She would never forget the sight of her juniors dying before her eyes.
This time, it was the same. When she learned of Yao Haoxuan's death and the severe injuries of Xi Xi and the others, she had been filled with rage.
"Elder Xuan, why are you always like this?"
To be honest, last time, Zhang Lexuan didn't entirely blame Elder Xuan for what happened.
After all, encountering a 100,000-year soul beast was something no one could have anticipated.
But this time, Zhang Lexuan was also a bit puzzled.
Knowing about the flaws in Elder Xuan's martial soul, why did Elder Mu still insist on letting him lead the team?
As for why no reinforcements were sent, the clever Zhang Lexuan had some guesses.
First, the academy wanted to train the reserve team.
Due to certain reasons, she had paid special attention to this year's reserve team, and she had to admit that this group had immense potential, arguably the strongest in history.
Second, as long as Shrek Academy didn't send reinforcements, the outcome of this competition, whether they won or lost, wouldn't significantly affect them.
Winning would be great, but losing wouldn't be a problem either, because there would be people to speak up for them.
It would also serve as a wake-up call to those within Shrek Academy who were too complacent, resting on past glories.
Thus, whether they won or lost, Shrek Academy would remain in an invincible position.
Their honor wouldn't be tarnished by a loss, because they were fielding an incomplete team, one that had suffered losses while eliminating a great scourge of the continent, the evil soul masters.
This way, they could both train the reserve team and promote Shrek Academy's heroic deeds, killing two birds with one stone.
As for whether the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy would be put in an awkward position because of this, that wasn't something Shrek Academy needed to concern themselves with.
On another part of the Douluo Continent, in the Pope's Hall of the Spirit Hall, Pope Bibi Dong sat lazily on her throne, gazing at the projected images in the grand hall.
"Teacher, is this the soul tool technology from another world? It's amazing."
A girl who appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, with golden hair, a perfect figure, and an enchanting aura, looked curiously at the soul tool screen.
"Yes, the soul tool technology of that other world is highly advanced. But the reason I brought you here today is to let you witness the young talents of that world."
Bibi Dong also sighed in admiration. The soul tool technology of that other world was indeed extraordinary.
She couldn't help but wonder what changes would occur when the two worlds officially merged.
Thinking of the goodwill shown by certain forces from the other world, a faint smile flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes.
It seemed that the other world wasn't entirely peaceful either!
Originally, Bibi Dong had been somewhat worried about the astonishing capabilities of the soul tool devices from the other world.
But as some hidden information came to light, her concerns had largely dissipated.
"Young geniuses from another world? I'd like to see how they compare to our Spirit Hall's Golden Generation."
The golden-haired girl, Hu Liena, raised her head proudly and looked at the soul tool screen.
Beside her, Xie Yue and Yan also nodded. As the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall, they naturally had their own pride.
Even if it was another world, they didn't believe there were many who could compare to them.
After all, at just sixteen years old, they were already Soul Ancestors.
Among them, Hu Liena and Xie Yue were on the verge of breaking through to Soul King.
In three years, at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Competition, they would compete as Soul Kings.
It was worth noting that in previous Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Competitions, Soul Ancestors were already the main force for most academies, while the majority of the main force from other academies were only Soul Elders.
Having three Soul Kings was practically a game-changer.
This is still their Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament, which only restricts participants to those under the age of twenty-five.
If it were the Soul Duel Tournament from the opposite world, which restricts participants to those under twenty, the number of strong competitors would be even fewer.
In such an environment, the three of them stood out like cranes among chickens.
Even Pope Bibi Dong couldn't resist taking Hu Liena as her disciple.
You must know, the Pope's disciple has a high chance of succeeding to the position of Pope.
Heaven Dou Empire Imperial Palace.
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, along with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sect Master Ning Fengzhi, and the two protector Douluos, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, were also in a room, watching the projected images.
"This... isn't this Star Luo City's Star Luo Plaza? Is this really footage from another world?"
Bone Douluo widened his eyes, looking at the familiar Star Luo Plaza in the footage.
Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect belongs to the Heaven Dou Empire, they had traveled the continent in their youth and had been to Star Luo City.
"That's right, Uncle Bone. The other world has many similarities to ours, but for now, we've only gathered some basic intelligence. More will only become clear as the two worlds merge further."
Ning Fengzhi nodded, shaking the folding fan in his hand.
"The merging of two worlds! Fengzhi, as the worlds merge, I feel my bottleneck loosening. In a few years, I'm confident I can break through to level 97."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin, with his full head of white hair, had a hint of a smile in his eyes as he shared this good news.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin had always valued his strength, hoping one day to defeat the Martial Soul Hall's Judgment Elder Qian Daoliu to avenge his father.
Now, with the merging of the two worlds offering him a chance to advance further, how could he not be happy?
He couldn't help but share this with Ning Fengzhi and the others.
"Really? Uncle Sword, that's fantastic!"
Ning Fengzhi showed his delight.
After reaching level 95 as a Title Douluo, each level up not only involves an evolution of the martial soul but also a significant difference in strength.
The stronger Sword Douluo becomes, the more benefits the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can reap in the upcoming upheavals.
"Congratulations, Elder Sword Douluo, on your further advancement in cultivation. At such a critical time, this is indeed a boon for our Heaven Dou Empire."
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe also showed joy, congratulating Sword Douluo.
Whether this joy was genuine, only he himself knew.
Not only were the Martial Soul Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire paying attention to this intercontinental advanced soul master academy soul duel tournament from another world, but any faction that had uncovered the truth about the worlds and sent scouts to the other world was more or less keeping an eye on this tournament.
At the same time, in the Kingdom of Barak, within Suotuo City, Tang San and others who had just joined Shrek Academy not long ago were also watching this match.
The dean of Shrek Academy, Flender, a level 78 Soul Sage, certainly knew the truth about the world.
However, being of modest means, he didn't have the capability to send scouts to bring back soul tools.
As for where the soul tools came from, they were brought by the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Rongrong.
"The soul master tournament from another world should have many young geniuses, right? I wonder how they compare to the little monsters in our academy?"
Flender, who looked to be in his fifties but was robust with a peculiar face and wore black-framed crystal glasses, stroked his chin with a sly smile.
"I believe, Xiao San and the others, will not lose to anyone."
Yu Xiaogang, with a stiff expression, a thin and weak build, looking to be in his forties, ordinary in appearance, with a lazy and listless look in his eyes, spoke calmly, full of confidence in his prized disciple.
One of the only two Twin Spirit possessors on the entire continent, he believed that even in another world, his disciple would be among the top geniuses.
"Brother San, what do you think?"
A girl in pink clothes, with a scorpion-tail braid, looked towards a boy next to her who, despite having an ordinary appearance, gave off a sense of closeness, with a smile hanging at the corner of his mouth.
Tang San shook his head, "There's always someone better, and skies beyond skies. No one knows how many geniuses are out there in the world."
Although he said this, Tang San didn't believe there were many with greater talent than his.
His teacher said he was one of the only two Twin Spirit possessors on this continent, making his talent top-tier.
Moreover, he had the Tang Sect's secret techniques. Even the geniuses from another world, he didn't believe they could surpass him and his companions.
His teacher said they were all little monsters.
The only thing he was curious about now was the other world. After all, he too was from another world.
He wondered if this world had any connection to his previous life's world.
However, upon hearing that the other world was also hosting a soul duel tournament, he gave up hope. His previous world had no martial souls; this couldn't possibly be his previous world.
'Tang Sect, I will definitely rebuild the Tang Sect in this world, and make the Tang Sect glorious again.'
Tang San secretly resolved in his heart.
Dai Mubai, handsome with double pupils and golden hair, looked complexly at the soul tool screen showing Star Luo Plaza, then sneakily glanced at the not-far-away, voluptuous, youthful-looking, big-breasted girl in black.
Star Luo Plaza, he was all too familiar with it.
Although there were some differences, overall, it wasn't much different from the Star Luo Plaza he used to frequent.
"Hehe, beauties from another world, let me have a good look."
A chubby little fatty, Ma Hongjun, laughed lecherously, his eyes glued to the soul tool screen.