socalfunplaces Chapter 122 Opening Ceremony
Chapter 122 Opening Ceremony
For the next few days, the entire Shrek team stayed on the top floor of the Star Emperor Hotel, immersing themselves in intense tactical drills and exchanges of soul skills.
Xuanzi was the only exception. He was nowhere to be seen every day, but when he returned, he always carried large bags of local delicacies and happily shared them with everyone, which added a touch of warmth to the tense atmosphere.
The day everyone has been waiting for has finally arrived.
The opening ceremony of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament was held at the Star Luo Grand Soul Arena, the largest soul master holy land in the Star Luo Empire.
The stadium was vast and boundless, with every seat in the circular stands filled with a cacophony of voices, like a boiling ocean.
Representatives from various colleges entered the venue in turn and lined up in the center of the field.
The teachers leading the group stood at the front, with flags bearing the names of their respective colleges fluttering in the wind, their colors vibrant and their presence impressive.
When the Shrek Academy team entered the arena led by Xuanzi, the stands erupted in a thunderous roar of cheers.
The roar of "Shrek! Shrek!" almost lifted the dome of the sky, and countless fervent gazes were focused on this team that carried countless legends.
Huo Yutong, standing in the queue, felt a slight ripple in her heart as she experienced the almost tangible fervor of the crowd.
One day, this thunderous cheer will resound for the name "Spirit Pagoda," she thought to herself.
Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire ascended the stage. Without using any amplifying soul tools, he relied solely on his powerful soul force to clearly project his majestic and authoritative voice into the ears of everyone present:
"The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament is the supreme event in the Soul Master world of Douluo Continent!"
Today, the world's best talents have gathered here. I look forward to seeing you all display your brilliance and splendor in the coming month!
The Star Luo Empire welcomes all academies and Soul Masters who have traveled from afar!
He paused slightly, his gaze sharp as he swept over the dark green team in the arena. His voice suddenly rose, filled with passionate and infectious energy: "Especially the Shrek Academy team, who are present here right now, possessing countless honors and hailed as the best on the continent!"
Like all the audience members present, I eagerly anticipate your spectacular performance!
"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
The thunderous cheers rang out again, lasting for a long time, pushing the atmosphere of the opening ceremony to its peak.
The first match after the opening ceremony was between Shrek Academy and Thousand Spirits Advanced Soul Master Academy. The schedule had been announced in advance.
"The first match, Shrek Academy versus Thousand Spirits Advanced Soul Master Academy," the host's booming voice announced the start of the battle.
Before the battle, Wang Yan quickly made arrangements: "The opponent's lineup consists of six Soul Masters and one Soul Venerable."
My plan is to start with six reserve players and one regular player in the starting lineup, both to give them experience and as a precaution.
"Teacher Wang, I request not to participate," Ning Tian said, raising his hand. "I hope to save my Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda for a more crucial moment."
Wang Yan nodded in agreement and turned his gaze to the starting players.
"Then I'll hold the line," Xixi volunteered, as the reserve team was indeed lacking in agility-type Soul Masters.
Zi Ji added, "Xi Xi, you don't need to rush to make a move."
Let the six of them handle it first, as a form of practice and training. You can intervene when they need you to.
"Understood, Teacher Ziyan," Xixi replied.
"Both teams, come onto the field!"
"The match begins!"
The host's command was like the fuse that lit a powder keg.
The six members of the Shrek Academy reserve team acted instantly, their martial souls glowing brightly one after another.
Huo Yutong's eyes flashed, and mental detection and mental sharing were silently activated, connecting the overall situation and subtle changes on the field to the minds of every teammate.
Like tigers released from their cages, Beibei and Wufeng charged forward fiercely from the left and right.
Tang Ya's Blue Silver Grass shot out from the ground like a snake emerging from its hole, coiling around the seven opponents in an attempt to disrupt their formation.
Xiao Xiao's Soul-Shocking Cauldron crashed down from the side with a muffled whistle.
He Caitou's tall figure stood firmly in front of Huo Yutong, and the soul-guided cannon on his shoulder began to hum and heat up, ready to fire.
Xi Xi's figure quietly disappeared at the edge of the arena. After her martial spirit was attached to her, her aura was faint. She remembered the instructions and, like a hunter in the shadows, quietly observed, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any time.
The Thousand Spirits Academy was no pushover either, and their formation quickly unfolded.
Offensive-type Soul Masters led the charge, while agile-type Soul Masters harassed from the flanks, and defensive-type Soul Masters firmly protected the support and control-type Soul Masters in the rear. The battle instantly intensified.
However, under Huo Yutong's shared mental detection, the members of Qianling Academy felt extremely suffocated.
Every agility-based sneak attack was always evaded or blocked by the opponent in the blink of an eye; every release of a control skill seemed to land in empty space.
The six members of the Shrek reserve team moved in an orderly manner, combining offense and defense. Bei Bei's thunder and Wu Feng's flames worked together seamlessly, Tang Ya's control was precise and coordinated, Xiao Xiao's cauldron roar occasionally disrupted the opponent's soul power, and He Cai Tou's soul-guided artillery always managed to strike the opponent's weak points at the critical moment when their old power was exhausted and their new power had not yet been generated.
They could even take turns smoking the cigars made on the spot by He Caitou in perfect unison to maintain their condition.
Watching the fluid teamwork from the sidelines, Xixi nodded slightly, indicating that she no longer needed to intervene.
"Match over! Shrek Academy wins!"
When the host announced the results loudly, the entire audience erupted in cheers once again.
A resounding victory in the first match, especially with the reserve team achieving a near-overwhelming and perfect win, is undoubtedly a dream start.
As the six members of Beibei stepped off the field, they were immediately surrounded by Dai Yueheng, Ma Xiaotao, and other regular team members, who showered them with praise.
The successful start greatly boosted morale.
Amidst the celebrations, the task had only just begun. Teachers Wang Yan, Bi Ji, and Zi Ji had already taken out their notebooks and pens, their expressions serious.
In the upcoming matches, their task is to record information about all potential opponents as thoroughly as possible.
"Besides martial spirit and soul skills, soul tools are also crucial," Zi Ji reminded them. The defensive soul tool that Qianling Academy used in the competition did indeed cause some trouble for the reserve team.
"I only recognize some basic soul tools..." Wang Yan pondered.
"Teacher, leave this part to me!" He Caitou volunteered, his dark face full of excitement. "I'll record all the types and effects of the soul tools that appear in the competition!"
Wang Yan nodded approvingly and handed him a new notebook.
Although Shrek is powerful, they never underestimate any opponent, and intelligence work is a crucial cornerstone of victory.
The games that followed came one after another.
The appearance of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy was particularly eye-catching. Their fighting style was simple, brutal, and efficient—a barrage of attacks like a soul-guided artillery emplacement, with intense light and deafening roars instantly covering the entire field, filling the air with smoke, and opponents were often defeated in just a few breaths.
"That's... the latest XXX Soul Guidance Cannon! It's already in combat deployment!"
He Caitou took notes rapidly while exclaiming excitedly, his eyes gleaming with fervent light.
Wang Yan pondered deeply about tactics to deal with this dense bombardment of soul tools, while Bi Ji and Zi Ji exchanged a glance, secretly marveling at the speed at which humanity had developed soul tool technology, which was indeed beyond imagination.