The heat of the Soul Dueling Tournament had already swept across the entire plaza, and the spirit tool amplification devices around the arena magnified the cheers and shouts of the audience infinitely.
Even separated by the thick soundproof barrier, in the exclusive resting area of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, one could still feel that frenzy that pierced through everything.
Not long after, a series of light footsteps approached from afar, and Xu Tianhao appeared at the entrance of the resting area with his little companions.
The arrival of their group did not cause much of a commotion; after all, as a veteran powerhouse in the Empire's Spirit Master's world, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy had been the runner-up of the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament for years.
Although the title of "perennial runner-up" carried a bit of ridicule, it also truly granted them some special rights.
After reporting in advance, The Four Little Ones could watch the match from the resting area even if they were not competing.
Although The Four Little Ones did not have the qualifications to compete, their faces were filled with excitement and curiosity. Their bright eyes swept across the entire resting area before eagerly turning toward the distant Soul Dueling Platform.
Xu Tianhao walked familiarly to the front row and sat down next to his older brother, Xu Tianran.
After sitting down, Xu Tianhao tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the boisterous spectator stands.
The stands were packed with people, and the badges of various academies shimmered in the sunlight. The shouts of the vast majority of the audience were directed in one direction.
That was the exclusive cheering area for Shrek Academy, where shit-green flags fluttered, and the chants of the three words "Shrek" were uniform, almost drowning out all other sounds.
He frowned and lightly nudged Xu Tianran beside him with his elbow, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction:
"Big Brother, look at this formation, and the situation for the first match. Why do I feel like the organizers are deliberately trying to cause trouble?"
"Putting the Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy and Shrek in the same group right from the start—isn't that clearly targeting our Sun Moon team?"
Upon hearing this, a faint smile curled at the corners of Xu Tianran's mouth. He raised his hand to pick up the drink in front of him and took a small sip.
The cool liquid, carrying a faint fragrance, slid down his throat, but his eyes remained calmly fixed on the Soul Dueling Platform ahead: "It doesn't matter. We will meet any challenge that comes our way."
"The Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy has made significant progress in recent years; perhaps they might bring us a surprise?"
"A surprise?" Xu Tianhao curled his lip.
"The Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy's configuration of a group of Spirit Kings is indeed very strong among the one hundred and thirty-four teams."
"But look at Shrek, they have a Spirit Saint, a Spirit Emperor, and five Spirit Kings. The gap in raw strength is right there. Isn't this just making things difficult for them?"
He paused, then added: "And although Shrek Academy is disgusting, their strength is truly undeniable."
"Even if the Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy has powerful spirit tools, facing a lineup of this level, I'm afraid it will be very difficult to gain any advantage."
Xu Tianran put down the cup in his hand, turned his head to look at his younger brother, and his smile remained gentle: "Tianhao, you are still too young."
"According to Shrek Academy's nature, even if they are facing an opponent like the Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy in the first match, Zhang Lexuan will definitely not take the field herself."
"That's true!" Xu Tianhao's eyes lit up, and he realized it instantly, nodding repeatedly: "How could I have forgotten that!"
Zhang Lexuan was the leader of this year's Shrek Academy team; as a Spirit Saint, she surely had her own pride.
There was indeed no need for her to personally take action against the Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy; she would likely just send a few Spirit Kings and that Spirit Emperor to gain some experience.
As he spoke, Xu Tianhao's gaze involuntarily crossed the front row seats and landed on the people in the Shrek Academy resting area.
As the perennial defending champion, Shrek Academy, and the perennial runner-up, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, had their resting areas arranged in the front and back rows.
The two academies were very close to each other, so as long as either side spoke a little louder, the other side could hear it clearly.
Xu Tianhao's gaze precisely locked onto the central position of the Shrek Academy resting area.
Sitting there was an elegant woman with hair like a waterfall, tied up with a simple jade ribbon, revealing a smooth, full forehead.
Her features were exquisite, her brows like distant mountains containing dark ink, her eyes like ripples in autumn water. Even just sitting quietly, she carried an air of cold, otherworldly grace.
This was Shrek Academy's eldest senior sister, Zhang Lexuan.
It had to be said that whether it was her appearance, figure, or that confidence and aura of a top-tier Spirit Master radiating from within, Zhang Lexuan could be called top-tier.
She almost satisfied all the fantasies that young men had about an ideal partner.
Xu Tianhao looked at her, and a hint of admiration couldn't help but well up in his heart.
If the two sides were not opposing competitors, he would really want to tease Bei Bei and take good care of this eldest senior sister for him.
The temptation of the eldest senior sister was enough to stir even him, who wasn't interested in romance.
Xu Tianhao sighed softly, his eyes carrying a hint of regret.
What a pity; she is a beautiful woman, but unfortunately, we are on different paths.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Xu Tianhao's face revealed a smile of anticipation, and he turned to say to Xu Tianran:
"Big Brother, honestly, what I am looking forward to most is the match between you and Shrek Academy."
"All these years, our Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy has always been suppressed by them. This time, with you here, we will surely make them look at us with new eyes!"
Feeling the trust and expectation in his younger brother's tone, the smile on Xu Tianran's face deepened.
He reached out and gently patted Xu Tianhao's shoulder, the palm of his hand conveying a warm and powerful touch, his tone firm and steady: "Tianhao, rest assured."
"Big Brother will definitely let you see with your own eyes how Shrek Academy falls from its pedestal."
"The champion of this tournament will definitely belong to our Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy!"
The conversation between the two brothers was not loud, but it carried an air of determination to win.
And just as they were whispering, the atmosphere in the spectator stands had already been pushed to its peak.
Countless spectators stood up from their seats, waving the flags and glow sticks in their hands, shouting the name of Shrek loudly. The waves of sound were higher than the last, almost threatening to overturn the arena.
Everyone was looking forward to Shrek Academy winning the first battle and giving the Sun Moon Empire's team a show of force in the first match, continuing their legend.
In this surging crowd, only a few spectators from the Sun Moon Empire huddled in the corner of the crowd, silently holding small Sun Moon flags, their eyes filled with anxiety and anticipation.
They knew the gap in strength between the Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy and Shrek Academy, but they still couldn't help but cheer and encourage their own team, hoping for a miracle to happen.
Sunlight shone through the transparent spirit tool dome at the top of the arena onto the massive Soul Dueling Platform.
The four huge spirit tool screens around the arena lit up simultaneously.
The high-definition screen clearly displayed the words "Shrek Academy VS Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy," carrying a strong competitive atmosphere.
Below the screen, brief introductions of both teams scrolled by, and every time a name appeared, it would cause quite a commotion in the spectator stands.
A fierce duel that everyone was watching was about to officially begin on this Soul Dueling Platform, which symbolized the highest honor for Spirit Masters on the continent.
The atmosphere inside the arena had brewed to the extreme, and the air seemed to become viscous and scorching.
Just then, the host's impassioned voice rang out through the spirit tool amplification devices spread throughout the arena, piercing through all the noise and clearly entering everyone's ears:
"Dear audience friends, welcome to the competition venue of the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament!"
"Now, the exciting moment is about to arrive. Please have the participating members of both sides enter the preparation area and prepare to begin today's first duel!"