Chapter 144: Shrek Regains Its Confidence
In the VIP stands, Ning Fengzhi, Emperor Xue Ye, and Platinum Bishop Salas sat in the front row.
The first match of the day was set: Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus the Blue Tyrant Academy's Shrek team.
Ning Fengzhi had already heard that Heaven Dou Royal Academy had merged their first and second teams for this tournament, allowing both to compete from the preliminary stage onward.
"Your Majesty," Ning Fengzhi asked with a faint smile, "I hear Heaven Dou Royal Academy has united its two teams for this year's tournament?"
Emperor Xue Ye nodded, smiling. "That's correct, Sect Master Ning. And we have your sect's young disciple Luo Ling to thank for it. With a fifteen-year-old Soul King in our ranks, the academy's prestige has risen to new heights."
Ning Fengzhi's expression remained calm, his lips curling into a polite smile. Of course, he knew Luo Ling had joined Heaven Dou Academy—but he was under no illusions about the boy's true intentions.
After all, Luo Ling was no simple student; he was the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect identity was only a convenient disguise. Even Dugu Yan, the team's captain, technically belonged to the Spirit Hall through her grandfather, Dugu Bo, who had joined the organization years ago.
The two strongest members of Heaven Dou Academy… both loyal to the Spirit Hall—and Emperor Xue Ye remained blissfully unaware of it. He still believed that Dugu Bo and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect stood firmly beside the Heaven Dou Empire.
Ning Fengzhi silently shook his head. If only the emperor knew.
"Now, for the first match of the Continental Tournament Preliminaries—Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Blue Tyrant Academy's Shrek Team!"
The announcer's voice echoed across the packed arena. This wasn't just any match—it was the opening battle, meant to ignite the crowd's excitement.
It was also a carefully planned showcase for the Heaven Dou Academy's power.
Their opponent, Shrek, had been chosen for a reason. Their reputation was unimpressive, their secrets already exposed after the brutal defeat at the hands of the Evil Master.
This match was meant to be an easy victory, a performance to glorify Heaven Dou Royal Academy's name.
In the original history, Shrek had the support of immortal herbs and triumphed despite the arrangement. But this time, things were different.
…
Inside Shrek's rest chamber, the team listened as the announcement echoed through the walls. Every face was tense.
Heaven Dou Academy alone might not have worried them—but Luo Ling's presence was another story entirely.
They had seen his strength firsthand.
Back in Soto City, when Dai Mubai had nearly fought to kill Tang San, they had witnessed Luo Ling's terrifying might. He had fought evenly against a Soul King, despite being only a Soul Sect at the time.
And that was more than a year ago. By then, Luo Ling had already reached level 46.
Now? No one dared guess how much stronger he had become.
"Why do you all look so grim?" Tai Long asked, puzzled by the team's silence.
In his mind, Heaven Dou Academy wasn't such a threat. Even if they could only send out three main members, that still meant three Spirit Ancestors, against only two from Heaven Dou's main force.
And he firmly believed in Tang San's strength.
After all, Tang San had defeated his father. Even his grandfather's intervention had only barely subdued Tang San—and that was after Tang San had revealed his second martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer.
To Tai Long, Tang San was nothing short of a hero.
"Third Brother defeated my father! What's a mere Heaven Dou Academy compared to that?" he said proudly.
The tension eased a little. Ma Hongjun exhaled softly, his confidence returning. Luo Ling had once fought a Soul King and survived; Tang San had done the same. Clearly, the two were on equal footing.
And as for the rest of them? They certainly weren't afraid of Heaven Dou Academy.
"Xiao San," Yu Xiaogang finally said, his tone calm but firm, "this match is yours to command."
He was deeply pleased with his disciple's growth.
Unlike in the original timeline, he hadn't left this tournament to Flender and the others. He wanted to witness the moment Luo Ling—the boy who had refused to become his student—was defeated by his chosen protégé.
This time, he would see Tang San reclaim his dignity.
All eyes turned to Tang San. Feeling the weight of their trust, his confidence grew. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Alright," he said decisively. "Since everyone trusts me, I'll lead the match!"
"We'll follow the original plan. The participants will be myself, Yu Tianheng, Fatty, Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, Jiang Zhu, and Tai Long. We must win this fight and restore Shrek's reputation! Let everyone who mocked us see what Shrek truly is!"
His voice was commanding, his eyes blazing with determination—and his teammates responded in kind, their fighting spirit flaring to life.
Only Ning Rongrong seemed disinterested. She yawned and watched Tang San with thinly veiled disdain.
Even before the battle began, she already knew how this would end.
Because in her heart, Luo Ling was unbeatable.
Even if he only used his Phantom Scythe, none of them could stand against him.
…
Time passed quickly. Soon, the tournament staff signaled both teams to take the stage.
In the center of the arena, a massive circular platform stood, ten meters high and thirty meters across—gleaming under the morning sun.
The two teams faced each other across the arena, eyes locked.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy had fourteen members—seven from the former first team and seven from the second.
Shrek had eleven.
There were no taunts this time. Heaven Dou Academy's merged team, now under the command of Dugu Yan, carried itself with pride.
"Yu Tianheng," Dugu Yan said coldly, her eyes narrowing, "I didn't expect you to degrade yourself by joining a second-rate academy like that. Regretting it yet?"
The others on her team didn't speak. They all knew about Yu Tianheng's defection, but unlike her, they dared not insult a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon directly. His family carried weight they were unwilling to offend.
Yu Tianheng's expression darkened. He ignored her barb and instead turned his glare toward Luo Ling.
"Dugu Yan," he said sharply, "I'll prove my choice was right—and that I'm stronger than him."
Luo Ling raised an eyebrow, amused. It dawned on him that Yu Tianheng still considered him a rival in love.
Even after all this time, that childish obsession lingered on.
Luo Ling chuckled softly.
"Luo Ling," Tang San suddenly interjected. His eyes burned with conviction. "This time, I'll defeat you myself!"
Luo Ling merely shook his head, offering no reply. Instead, his gaze drifted toward the VIP stands.
And there, among the dignitaries, he spotted someone unexpected—Xue Qinghe.
Or rather, Qian Renxue.
In the original timeline, she hadn't attended this match.
Yet here she was.
Beside her sat Bishop Salas and Emperor Xue Ye—both watching him closely.
Salas's expression was impassive, but Luo Ling could feel the scrutiny behind those eyes. The bishop knew his identity.
As for Emperor Xue Ye, his gaze was one of pure curiosity and admiration.
The emperor had heard of Luo Ling's reputation—the youngest Soul King in history, the boy who had once defeated Dugu Yan's team alone.
And now, he was about to witness that legend for himself.
(END CHAPTER)
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