Word Count: 2,764 Words
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"Genius is just my entry ticket."
This sentence struck every team member present like a resounding slap across the face. They were all geniuses, chosen from hundreds, the strongest among their peers, and destined to become the future backbone of major factions. Their daily lives revolved around being the center of attention, constantly receiving praise from teachers and admiration from classmates.
They had come to the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament with high hopes, but now they encountered an unparalleled prodigy whose brilliance eclipsed all others. He plainly told them that while they were indeed geniuses, being a genius meant nothing, as he could casually defeat seven of them with a single sword strike.
It was as if, after enduring countless hardships to ascend to the heavens, they found themselves merely one of the hundred thousand celestial soldiers besieging Sun Wukong. All of their confidence and pride had been trampled into the dust. One by one, they stared at Ling Bai with reddened eyes, yet could only sigh dejectedly.
Lies don't hurt people; it's the truth that cuts like a knife. Every word he spoke was the unvarnished truth. A 5-ringed Seraphim could be called invincible below the Spirit Saint rank. The geniuses wished to challenge him but lacked the ability. All they could do was silently curse Ling Bai for exposing such a cruel reality so plainly.
Just then, Ling Bai swept his gaze, whether deliberately or not, across the various academy teams. A large number of heads lowered instantly. Most had already lost the courage to fight against him. Only a few exceptionally confident geniuses dared to meet his gaze, such as Xiao Hongchen from the Sun Moon Imperial Academy. The young man, fresh out of the gate, feared neither heaven nor earth and even shot a provocative glance.
"Well, job's done. Let's wrap up and go rest."
Ling Bai seemed a bit bored as he lazily said this to the Reserve Team.
Without a word, the Reserve Team stood up and followed Ling Bai out of Star Luo Plaza, leaving behind an arrogant yet carefree silhouette and two sentences that lingered in the air:
"Bai-ge, since the competition is so easy, aren't we wasting a month's time?"
"No, not at all. The fruits of the Star Luo Empire are delicious."
They left without even bothering to watch the other matches, fully displaying the arrogance befitting the continent's number one academy. The audience, however, adored this arrogance, cheering as they watched Shrek Academy depart, the fervor in everyone's eyes undiminished.
This was Shrek Academy—the invincible, world-renowned academy, like gods descending upon the mortal realm!
Ten thousand years after the Battle of the Gods, the God-level Martial Spirit known as the Seraphim had reappeared on the Douluo Continent. Amid the gaze of countless spectators, the Blazing Emperor Slash cut down an entire team in one blow. This legendary feat ignited endless buzz and instantly made this year's Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament one for the history books.
Of course, the appearance of the Seraphim stirred restlessness among various factions. Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire summoned his prime minister and quietly issued an order:
"Find out the Seraphim possessor's name and age. Does he have any backing? Use our undercover agents planted within Shrek Academy to investigate his background. Spare no expense!"
The directives issued by other academies were much the same as Xu Jiawei's. Everyone's attention was focused solely on Ling Bai; they paid no heed to the other six main team members of Shrek Academy.
Although Shrek Academy left immediately after their match, passionate fans in the audience continued chanting 'Shrek' and 'Seraphim.' As a result, the tournament was interrupted for several minutes before resuming the intense and exciting elimination rounds.
…
Star Emperor Hotel
The moment Ling Bai pushed open the conference room door, three knife-wielding figures with sinister looks appeared in his view. It was none other than the Inner Courtyard trio recuperating at the hotel: Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luochen.
"We won, we won! Put those knives down first!"
Ling Bai said, exasperated. These three really meant what they said!
Ma Xiaotao smiled and, like a magic trick, turned the knife into a peeled fruit. Handing it to Ling Bai, she said, "We were just teasing you! We could hear countless people shouting 'Seraphim' from here at the hotel, so we already knew today would definitely be a big victory."
"You guys, really..."
Ling Bai took a bite of the fruit. Guess what? It was incredibly sweet!
"How was it? Fun showing off?" Dai Yueheng asked with a grin.
"Fun, but going out will be troublesome from now on."
Ling Bai sat down, propping his chin with his hand and showing a troubled expression. The Star Emperor Hotel had Star Luo soldiers guarding it, making it relatively safe. But once he went out shopping, he'd have to use the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance to disguise himself. Otherwise, he couldn't imagine the outrageous things that Shrek Academy's and his own fervent fans might do.
"Hahaha! Remember to lock your doors and windows at night. Be careful, or someone might sneak in!"
Dai Yueheng waggled his eyebrows knowingly. Those who knew, knew.
"... Do us all a favor and keep quiet."
After some cheerful chatting and teasing, everyone took their seats. Ning Tian was the first to sit on Ling Bai's right. Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen had an intense staring contest, then decided to play rock-paper-scissors to determine the winner. Ultimately, Ling Luochen emerged victorious and contentedly claimed the seat on his left.
Although the Reserve Team had only played a minor role, their excitement far surpassed Ling Bai's. The magnificent scene of hundreds of thousands shouting for Shrek left them incredibly shaken. They couldn't help but imagine that the one-versus-seven king today wasn't Ling Bai but themselves, and their faces gradually flushed.
Wang Yan needed to preside over the meeting as the nominal supervising teacher. He glanced around at the laughing main team members and the excited Reserve Team, then lightly tapped the table to focus everyone's attention on him. He began to speak:
"My teaching philosophy has always been that there are no perfect individuals, only perfect teams. But today, I must admit one thing. Ling Bai, you have upheld Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year glory."
After a pause, Wang Yan deeply bowed to Ling Bai. "I dare say that among all the victories Shrek Academy has achieved in the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament, this was the most exhilarating one. You showed all the teams Shrek Academy's strength and silenced all who harbored doubts. On behalf of the Academy, I thank you."
"Teacher Wang praises me too highly. Winning the match is what any main team member is supposed to do."
Mutual respect was important, and Ling Bai appreciated Wang Yan's sincerity. Moreover, Wang Yan's earlier plan to send out the Reserve Team wasn't entirely wrong; everyone understood it was a cautious approach.
Relieved, Wang Yan said, "The appearance of the Seraphim had a much better effect than we anticipated. I observed the reactions from all sides to our first match. They basically overlooked the fact that only one main team member had participated, thinking that you all trusted Ling Bai completely and were resting at the Star Emperor Hotel.
Ling Bai and Ning Tian's on-site coordination was also very clever. In the eyes of outsiders, Shrek Academy remains that powerful and mysterious number one academy on the continent. They have no idea what level our actual strength is."
The three main team members blinked, their inquisitive gazes falling on Ling Bai and Ning Tian, as if asking, 'What did you two do?'
Wang Yan continued, "A total of 133 teams are participating in this tournament. Those who lose in the first elimination round are directly eliminated. After the first round, there will be 66 winning teams and one team that gets a bye. The tournament committee will randomly divide them into groups, with an average of eight to nine teams per group for the round-robin stage.
The round-robin doesn't have a fixed format. There are three types of matches, determined by the two captains drawing lots on the spot.
The first is called the 'Individual Knockout System,' which is the most favorable for us. After all, the Seraphim is nearly invincible in individual battles. With Ling Bai as a safety net, the Reserve Team can also go up to showcase their skills and get a feel for the tournament atmosphere."
The Reserve Team members nodded repeatedly, each rubbing their hands eagerly, itching for a clash where fists met flesh right away.
"The second format is a standard seven-on-seven, same as the elimination round. That's also manageable. The Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament follows an unwritten rule that the four imperial academies and Shrek Academy, as seeded teams, won't appear in the same group during round-robin. So the average-level teams we'll face can't pose a threat to the Seraphim boosted by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
Wang Yan paused for a second before continuing with increased emphasis, "But the third format is the '2-2-3 Collaboration Battle'—seven members total, but no one can repeat in the separate matches. First, two rounds of two-on-two matches are conducted, followed by a three-on-three match. If both two-on-two matches are won, then the third match doesn't need to be fought."
"This seems a bit risky..."
Everyone present was quick-minded. They instantly realized the risks of the '2-2-3' format. No matter how strong Ling Bai was, he could only guarantee one victory. At that time, the other academies would surely employ a 'Tian Ji horse racing' strategy—guessing which match Ling Bai would participate in, deploying weaker teams against him while saving their strongest for matches without him.
If the opponents really guessed correctly, whether the Reserve Team could secure a victory would determine Shrek Academy's fate.
"You don't need to worry," Ma Xiaotao spoke up to steady everyone's nerves. "Dai Yueheng and I will be ready to return in the fifth round, while Ling Luochen will return by the third round in the group stage. You just need to weather the first two rounds, then leave the rest to us."
"Just two rounds..."
The Reserve Team pondered briefly. Just two rounds of matches—even if they were unlucky enough to encounter the '2-2-3' format, with Ling Bai securing one win, couldn't the Outer Courtyard's Twin Stars plus the Golden Road clinch another victory?
This was a guaranteed win!
Wang Yan looked sincerely at the four Spirit Ancestors—Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and He Caitou—as well as Ling Bai and Ning Tian, and said, "I want to arrange some tactics for the team in advance. I taught Yuhao and Wang Dong, so I'm very familiar with them, but I'm quite unfamiliar with the abilities of the rest of you. I hope you can introduce your spirit skills."
Spirit skills were a Spirit Master's most closely guarded secrets. Given the urgency of the situation, Wang Yan had no choice but to thicken his skin and earnestly implore everyone.
Fortunately, the Reserve Team understood Wang Yan's predicament. Bei Bei led by example, explaining the effects of his four spirit skills one by one. Additionally, during the Grand Melee Selection when he faced the siege of ten Spirit Elders enhanced by Ning Tian's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, he had used the awakening of his Light Holy Dragon bloodline. Therefore, he did not continue to conceal it and simply laid everything out to facilitate Wang Yan's tactical arrangements.
Xu Sanshi was known alongside Bei Bei as the Twin Stars of the Outer Courtyard. His four spirit skills were equally powerful, especially the fourth skill, Mystic Deep Replacement, which gave everyone an eye-opening experience. His trump card, Xuanwu's Descent, was even more formidable than Bei Bei's Light Holy Dragon awakening.
Jiang Nannan's spirit skills were similar to those of Xiao Wu from ten thousand years ago. Her Soft Skills, combined with Teleportation and Invincible Golden Body, made her extremely formidable in one-on-one battles.
As for He Caitou, he had everything from thick to large to long to thin. His four types of cigars respectively enhanced spiritual power, strength, defense, and spirit power, making Wang Yan lament that the Martial Spirit Department had missed out on a genius food-type Spirit Master. He promptly prepared a full set of cigars for the team members.
Ning Tian possessed the world's number one auxiliary-type Tool Martial Spirit—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—and was herself a Class 3 Spirit Guidance Master. Her secret technique, Ring Fusion, allowed her to fully unleash the powerful Medusa's Gaze. She had previously intercepted the Golden Road during the Grand Melee Selection. Anyone attempting to approach and eliminate her would receive a generous 'gift.'
Ling Bai's five spirit skills, including the spirit bone skill from his Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture right arm bone, were well-known throughout Shrek Academy's Inner Courtyard, so there was nothing to hide. He simply described the effects of his spirit skills.
"First spirit skill can attack and defend; second spirit skill is pure offense; third spirit skill provides enhancement and amplification; fourth spirit skill is a large-area group attack; fifth spirit skill is a single-target explosion. There's also a 10,000-year spirit bone from the Light Holy Dragon bloodline and the Angelic Domain... Unbeatable, simply unbeatable!"
Xu Sanshi's exaggerated expression made everyone burst into laughter. The Seraphim Martial Spirit was inherently powerful, and each of Ling Bai's spirit rings had been absorbed from top-level spirit beasts. With a good horse matched with a good saddle, in terms of individual combat strength, if Ling Bai claimed second in this year's Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament, no one would dare claim first.
Wang Yan swiftly recorded everyone's abilities and said, "Based on your cultivation levels and Martial Spirit characteristics, I've drawn up a preliminary plan.
For the Individual Knockout System, the four Spirit Ancestors—Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and He Caitou—will go up first to create the impression that we're using the matches for training. Ling Bai will come out last to secure the victory.
In team battles, we'll focus on Ning Tian amplifying Ling Bai as the core combat strategy, with Huo Yuhao using Spiritual Detection Sharing for command. Who else joins the battle will depend on our specific opponents.
For the '2-2-3' battles, we'll tentatively have Ling Bai and Ning Tian as one group, ensuring we steadily secure one point. Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and He Caitou—you four will be divided into two groups. At that time, we'll choose one between Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong to participate. If the Golden Road can play a targeted role, we'll have Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong fight together.
Does anyone have any opinions?"
Theoretical-type Spirit Masters excel at strategy and tactics. Wang Yan's plan seemed sound. Ling Bai and the others nodded slightly, unable to find any major flaws. Suddenly, a hand shot up high.
"Teacher Wang, I have something to add!"
"Oh?" Wang Yan was taken aback. "Xu Sanshi, please speak."
Xu Sanshi declared righteously, "Bei Bei is shameless, and Caitou is reckless. How can they take good care of Nannan? Only a considerate good man like me can team up with Nannan for the '2-2-3'!"
"Xu Sanshi, I'm going to kill you!!!"
The meeting room was once again filled with uproar. Wang Yan saw this and smiled, shaking his head, then said to everyone, "We have two quiet days before the round-robin begins. Everyone, rest early. You're free to move around during these two days. I won't be making any tactical arrangements."
"Alright!"
Everyone left the meeting room. Those who needed to heal continued healing, those who wanted to cultivate returned to cultivate, and the rest did whatever they liked, each minding their own business in a spirit of harmony.
Ling Bai headed back to his room, only to notice a handsome young man standing at the far end of the hallway, gazing steadily at him.
"It cost me 100,000 spirit gold coins to buy your name and room number from the registration office—Seraphim Ling Bai," the youth said slowly. "My name is Xiao Hongchen. Burn it into your memory, because I'm the one who'll defeat you."
In contrast to Xiao Hongchen's forced calm, Ling Bai remained unruffled, lightly chuckling in reply:
"I've heard words like that too many times to remember. Wait until you're standing on the finals stage and have the qualifications to face me directly. Then you can introduce yourself."