The subsequent drawing process proceeded in an orderly manner under the watchful eyes of representatives from all factions.
Because of the large number of participating teams, each academy was required to send a representative onto the stage to draw a metal sphere corresponding to their specific sub-bracket. The entire process lasted nearly an hour.
When the final representative stepped down from the arena, the first round of bracket drawing was officially concluded.
Although this draw determined the overall structure of the tournament, the resulting distribution was strikingly unbalanced.
Several teams widely regarded as championship favorites—including the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, Shrek Academy, and the Star Luo National Academy—had all been placed into the East Zone, creating a clear imbalance across the schedule.
In the eyes of both the audience and the participating academies, the matchups in the West, South, and North Zones lacked clashes between top-tier forces, making them appear comparatively dull.
With the first round of drawing complete, the discussions in the stands did not die down—instead, they intensified.
Attention shifted from the overall brackets to the finer details of the upcoming matchups.
Everyone was eager to know whether these powerhouse teams gathered in the East Zone would be forced to face one another directly in the very first Elimination Round.
After all, under this year's revised rules, the Elimination Round adopted an exceptionally brutal one-on-one arena format.
Each team could field up to seven members, but as long as a contestant remained capable after a victory, they could continue fighting the opponent's next member until they were defeated or exhausted.
Under such rules, individual strength was magnified to the extreme.
More importantly, there was absolutely no room for error.
A single loss in the Elimination Round meant immediate disqualification, with no chance to advance to the Round-robin Tournament.
This winner-takes-all system pushed the tension and excitement at the venue to an entirely new level.
Soon, under the referee's guidance, the next drawing ceremony officially began.
This draw would determine the specific matchups for today's Elimination Round.
Through a soul tool amplifier, the referee once again called the captains of the four core East Zone teams to the stage—the Sun Moon Royal Team, Shrek Team, Star Luo Team, and the Body Sect.
The audience's attention immediately returned to the drawing box at the center of the arena.
However, when the four captains each drew a metal sphere representing their opponent and handed it to the referee for public display, a noticeable sigh spread through the venue.
According to the results, the four powerhouse teams had not been matched against one another in the first round.
Their opponents were all high-rank academies or regional sects that were relatively unknown across the continent.
This meant that the long-anticipated spectacle of a major favorite being eliminated early would not occur today.
Liu Yuan soon returned to his team.
He noticed that Wang Qiuer was staring at the matchup list on the giant screen, her brows slightly furrowed, a trace of regret evident on her face.
In her view, rather than wasting time in the later Round-robin Tournament, it would have been better to face Shrek Academy directly in the Elimination Round and settle matters with Xuan Zi and the others as soon as possible.
Sensing her mood, Liu Yuan remained calm and spoke softly,
"There's no need to feel regret."
"Since we're all in the same zone, no matter how the early matches are arranged, as long as both sides keep winning, we'll meet sooner or later."
"For us, today's match is just a necessary formality."
Wang Qiuer thought about his words and nodded.
"That's true."
"Being in the same zone means we're bound to run into them eventually. Waiting a few more days doesn't change anything."
They continued waiting below.
As time passed, the remaining teams completed their draws one after another.
By then, all matchups for today's Elimination Round had been finalized and were scrolling across the massive soul tool display.
The Chief Referee stepped into the center of the arena. After confirming that all defensive barriers and officiating measures were in place, he announced loudly:
"Everyone, since the first round of drawing for this All-Continent High-Rank Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament has concluded—"
"The first round of the Elimination Stage officially begins!"
According to the schedule, the opening match featured the Star Luo Team.
As runners-up of the previous tournament, they displayed extremely solid combat fundamentals.
Although they did not deploy their strongest core lineup, they easily overwhelmed their opponents through sheer spirit power suppression and seamless coordination.
The opposing team's seven contestants had almost no chance to resist, and the Star Luo Team claimed victory with ease.
Immediately afterward came the Body Sect's match.
Long Aotian was the first to step onto the arena.
As the Body Sect's top successor, he demonstrated terrifying physical strength that made the entire audience feel suffocated.
Throughout the entire battle, he barely used any spirit abilities at all, defeating all seven opponents consecutively using nothing but raw physique and close-combat techniques.
The overwhelming gap in strength ended the match swiftly, earning the Body Sect a decisive and effortless victory.
With two powerhouse teams winning in rapid succession, the atmosphere in the venue reached a peak.
The audience's anticipation shifted to the next major academy.
The referee glanced at the list and announced once more,
"Next match—the third bout of the East Zone Elimination Round."
"Shrek Academy Representative Team versus Tiandu Team!"
"Contestants from both sides, please take the stage!"
As his voice echoed through the arena, every gaze instantly turned toward Shrek Academy's resting area.
This was Shrek's first public appearance since their defeat five years ago.
Bei Bei, Huo Yuhao, and the others immediately grew solemn.
Although the Tiandu Team was far less renowned than Shrek, in a single-elimination format like this, one mistake could mean complete elimination.
Xuan Zi stood up, sweeping his gaze across the students before settling on Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao at the front.
"Go," he said in a deep voice. "Let everyone see clearly—Shrek is still invincible."
Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao stepped forward first.
Wang Donger followed close behind.
As she walked out, she spotted Tang Ya seated among the spectators.
Tang Ya smiled and waved at her encouragingly.
But Wang Donger couldn't help recalling their previous conversation.
Battle intent surged in her eyes.
"Just wait and see, Sister Tang Ya."
"We've become very strong now."
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