"If you like it, Mubai, Lingling and I can dance for you tonight when we get back!"
Dugu Yan's soft voice whispered into Dai Mubai's ear, her tone playful and full of laughter.
Dai Mubai froze. If he admitted to liking it, the air around him would probably grow even colder. But if he denied it, it felt dishonest—after all, this was the Tianshui girls' dance troupe!
After a moment of contemplation, Dai Mubai wrapped an arm around Dugu Yan's waist and said smoothly,
"No matter how good others are, how could they compare to you two?"
"A gentleman admires beauty but does not indulge; he is moved by affection but restrained by propriety."
"I merely appreciate beauty, nothing more."
His face was calm, his heart unshaken.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Your standards are so low; how could it be true?"
Though Dugu Yan wanted to roll her eyes at his seemingly resolute expression, she kept her thoughts to herself.
She wasn't too bothered by it anyway.
"Alright then, let's focus on organizing who's going to fight."
Once the Tianshui girls finished their dance, it would be Shrek Academy's turn to enter the arena. There wasn't much time to waste on trivialities.
"Understood." Dai Mubai nodded and said,
"Tang San is the core of our Shrek Team. If the roster weren't already submitted, I believe Tang San should've been the captain."
"But since it can't be changed, I'll continue to act as captain."
"Tang San, this is your big debut. Any thoughts?"
Hearing this, Tang San instinctively nodded. Dai Mubai was right—with his current strength, he deserved to be captain.
Unfortunately, the roster had already been filed, so there was no way for him to take the role in this tournament.
Dai Mubai's emphasis on his input moved Tang San even further.
A "debut" usually referred to a first appearance. Although this wasn't his first fight, it was the first appearance of his second martial soul!
Last night, not only had Tang Hao given him a thrashing, but he had also revealed the name of his forging hammer: Clear Sky Hammer!
And he had spoken of the number-one sect in the world: the Clear Sky Sect.
Tang San didn't understand why such a legendary sect had declined to its current state, sealing itself away from the world. Nor did he know the details of Tang Hao's past.
But he now knew that he wasn't alone. Behind him stood the strongest sect on the Douluo Continent!
After some thought, Tang San spoke to Dai Mubai.
"Our opponents today may be a very strong team, but we're not weak either."
"To secure victory while keeping some of our strength hidden, let's have you, me, Fatty, Xiao Ao, Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Sister Yan on the field this time."
Tang San's voice carried confidence and clarity.
Initially, he had considered replacing Dai Mubai and Dugu Yan. Both were Soul Kings and could easily outshine him. But he knew he couldn't do that—Dai Mubai was the captain, and Dugu Yan's grandfather was a Titled Douluo. Offending either wasn't wise.
Even if they participate, so what?
With four purple soul rings on my second martial soul, I'll still be the center of attention!
"Alright, let's go with that. Yan Yan and I will protect Xiao Ao!" Dai Mubai turned and declared.
At this, Dai Mubai couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated. When people needed his help, he was "Boss Dai." Now that Tang San had grown stronger, he casually dropped the formalities and called him by his name.
As expected of you, Tang San!
If you're so eager to be the center of attention, I hope you can handle Shui Bing'er's martial soul fusion technique!
The Audience's Perspective
"Wait, why is Shrek Academy's formation so strange today?"
"Dai Mubai, a power-type Soul King, is standing in the back?"
"And their control-type Soul Elder is in the front?"
Murmurs of confusion rippled through the crowd, and even Shui Bing'er and the Tianshui girls exchanged puzzled looks.
Something about today's Shrek Academy feels off…
Shrek Academy Waiting Area
As the Tianshui girls finished their performance and the audience was still reveling in the dance, the announcer's enthusiastic voice rang out:
"Let's welcome Shrek Academy to the stage!"
The crowd erupted in cheers!
After all, Shrek Academy was the only team in the Heaven Dou division with two Soul Kings, making them unique in this year's tournament.
From no initial supporters, Shrek Academy had quickly garnered near-universal support.
In a fantastical world, strength reigned supreme. Even in the grimiest corners of fantasy, this rule held true.
Tianshui Team's Perspective
As Shrek Academy's lineup took the stage, the Tianshui girls wore solemn expressions.
They harbored little hope of defeating Shrek Academy. Their chances of victory were less than 20%, and that was assuming their opponents didn't send both Soul Kings into the match.
Though they'd considered surrendering, the thought left a bitter taste.
"Sisters, stay strong. We do have a chance to win!"
"Yes!"
On Stage
"Boss Dai, since when did you get so chummy with Shui Bing'er and her team?"
Oscar whispered in confusion, his voice low enough for only Dai Mubai and Dugu Yan to hear.
Dai Mubai: "…"
"Yan Yan, if they end up beating Oscar, let's not stop them."
"Oscar needs toughening up."
Dai Mubai spoke expressionlessly.
"Alright," Dugu Yan replied, equally serious.
Oscar: "…"
So love really does disappear, doesn't it?
Weren't you two supposed to protect me, the fragile support-type soul master? How could you change your minds so quickly?!
From across the stage, Shui Yue'er, one of the Tianshui girls, smiled sweetly and called out to Dai Mubai.
"Who would've thought the famous captain of Shrek Academy also pays attention to us 'weak little girls'?"
Despite the distance of several dozen meters, her voice carried clearly to Dai Mubai's ears.
Shui Yue'er was a self-proclaimed "face fanatic"—an absolute sucker for good looks. And Dai Mubai, with his striking appearance and the strength of a young Soul King, fit her criteria perfectly.
"Weak little girls? You're anything but…"
(End of Chapter)