Chapter 143: The Continental Spirit Master Tournament Begins
Heaven Dou City, Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena.
Before dawn's light could fully spill over the horizon, the arena was already packed to the brim—an ocean of people stretching as far as the eye could see.
The opening ceremony of the once-every-four-years Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament was about to begin.
For countless ordinary spirit masters, this was a rare opportunity to witness the might of the continent's top prodigies in person.
Standing among the members of the Emperor Battle Team, Luo Ling looked out over the endless crowd, faintly impressed at the scale.
The stands were overflowing, even the aisles were crowded, and lines of Heaven Dou Imperial Guards patrolled the perimeter to maintain order.
Compared to the grand concerts of pop legends from his previous life, this was no less magnificent.
"Let's go. It's too crowded. We should head to the rest area," Luo Ling said, frowning slightly at the lively commotion.
The Emperor Team members quickly agreed. Despite Luo Ling's youthful appearance, his strength had earned their awe—they all remembered his solo victory over the entire first team.
Especially the former second team members, who would now be the main participants in the preliminaries. Even though the rules allowed only two members from the first team to play at a time, they knew that with Luo Ling among them, victory was almost certain.
As the group began pushing toward the rest area, a sudden stir rippled through the crowd.
Luo Ling turned to look—and there, emerging amidst the noise, was Yu Xiaogang leading the Shrek team into the arena.
Dressed in their now-infamous uniform—a garish mix of yellow and green—Shrek's appearance was… unique.
Their school emblem, a grinning monster, sat awkwardly on their chests, while large embroidered silken letters across their backs boldly displayed: "Sponsorship Available."
It was, in every sense, a spectacle.
Luo Ling smirked. Even the usually composed Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing had bowed their heads in embarrassment, their faces flushed crimson.
Standing nearby, Dugu Yan couldn't help but burst out laughing, joined by Ye Lingling.
"What kind of lunatic academy dresses like that? Are they broke or insane?" Dugu Yan said between laughs.
"They look like the Shrek students we met before," Ye Lingling added thoughtfully.
"Oh, it's them?" Dugu Yan blinked and then let out a sigh of relief. "Good thing we never accepted them into Heaven Dou Academy. What a disgrace that would have been!"
While the Emperor Team marveled at Shrek's ridiculous attire, Ning Rongrong happened to spot Luo Ling in the distance.
His faintly amused expression instantly made her blood boil.
She had joined Shrek solely because of him—because of that man, who was now her opponent, and who was clearly enjoying her humiliation far too much!
Her anger rose like fire, but Luo Ling only chuckled and turned away, walking with a calm, lazy stride.
Ning Rongrong stomped her foot furiously but didn't chase after him. After all, she was now a member of Shrek.
Still, she clenched her fists, vowing silently that Luo Ling would pay for this embarrassment.
…
Meanwhile, Luo Ling and the Emperor Team reached their exclusive rest area, where their instructor, Sun Buyu, was already waiting.
Just like in the original history, Heaven Dou Academy's first opponent would be Shrek.
Upon seeing Luo Ling, Sun Buyu immediately handed him a file.
"Luo Ling, the Emperor hopes the first match will showcase the pride of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. He specifically requested that you participate," Sun Buyu said straightforwardly.
The other members of the second team couldn't hide their excitement. Though most of them had never personally witnessed Luo Ling's true power, his legendary one-on-six victory over Dugu Yan's full squad was more than enough to earn their confidence.
With Luo Ling fighting beside them, how could they possibly lose?
Luo Ling nodded slightly. He understood—that was Emperor Xue Ye's intention.
The emperor had long been aware of Luo Ling's presence at the academy, even attempting to recruit him once. But after learning he was supported by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Xue Ye had refrained from making any direct offers, maintaining only polite goodwill.
"No problem. I'll handle the first match," Luo Ling said casually, glancing down at the dossier in his hand.
It contained detailed information about Shrek's team composition.
He skimmed through it quickly. Their lineup was as follows:
Captain: Yu Tianheng — Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon — Level 46, Power Attack-type Battle Spirit Master, Age 20
Vice Captain: Tang San — Blue Silver Grass — Level 43, Control-type Battle Spirit Master, Age 14
Member: Xiao Wu — Soft Bone Rabbit — Level 42, Power Attack-type Battle Spirit Master, Age 14
Member: Ma Hongjun — Evil Fire Phoenix — Level 41, Power Attack-type Battle Spirit Master, Age 14
Member: Oscar — Sausage Martial Soul — Level 41, Food-type Tool Spirit Master, Age 16
Member: Ning Rongrong — Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda — Level 43, Support-type Tool Spirit Master, Age 14
Member: Zhu Zhuqing — Netherworld Cat — Level 41, Agility Attack-type Battle Spirit Master, Age 14
Member: Tai Long — Strength Gorilla — Level 37, Power Attack-type Battle Spirit Master, Age 24
Member: Huang Yuan — Lone Wolf — Level 35, Power Attack-type Battle Spirit Master, Age 23
Member: Jing Ling — Skeleton Spirit — Level 35, Power Attack-type Battle Spirit Master, Age 22
Member: Jiang Zhu — Healing Staff — Level 35, Healing-type Support Spirit Master, Age 19
A total of eleven members—stronger overall than their counterparts in the original timeline.
Even without immortal herbs, Tang San's mastery of the Blood Demon Ritual had pushed them beyond what would've been possible naturally.
…
In Shrek's rest chamber, the air was tense. The moment they saw Heaven Dou Royal Academy written on the matchup board, everyone's face turned grim.
Tang San looked toward Yu Xiaogang. "Teacher, our first match is against Heaven Dou Academy—and that means Luo Ling. Are we really limited to three main fighters?"
Yu Xiaogang crossed his arms. "This year's tournament rules are different. From what I've heard, only two members of their first team can fight per match—the rest must come from the second team."
He smiled thinly. "You, however, can field three primary fighters. Don't tell me you're not confident, Xiao San. You're a Spirit Ancestor now, and your martial soul has evolved beyond what it once was."
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened into one of fierce conviction. After half a year of Blood Demon Rituals, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass now brimmed with sinister energy—it had grown powerful and terrifying.
"Luo Ling was at level 46 last time. In just half a year, it's unlikely he's advanced to Spirit King," Yu Xiaogang continued analytically. "Their second team members are mostly Spirit Elders at best. Even with one or two substitutes from the main squad, they'll have at most two Spirit Ancestors."
Tang San nodded slowly. The words made sense.
Even with the ritual, reaching higher levels had become harder. Each ascension demanded far more power than before.
He clenched his fists, steadying himself.
This was it—the tournament had begun.
And his path would soon cross with Luo Ling's once again.
(END CHAPTER)
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