Meanwhile, inside the Sun Moon Royal Team's resting area.
Unlike Liu Yuan, who remained calm and indifferent as ever, the other members of the Sun Moon Team were far less composed.
Wang Donger's earlier one-vs-seven sweep had been visually shocking. In particular, her Six-Ring Soul Emperor cultivation and the ruthless efficiency with which she crushed her opponents placed heavy pressure on these young geniuses, who were themselves considered elites.
Xiao Hongchen frowned slightly and leaned toward Meng Hongchen, whispering, "It seems Shrek really is still Shrek."
"Even after five years, the newcomers they've trained are still frighteningly strong."
"That Wang Donger's spirit attribute is extremely pure, and her burst power is terrifying. She'll be a troublesome opponent."
Meng Hongchen nodded, her expression growing more serious. "That's right. If Shrek's main lineup is all at that level, we really can't afford to be careless."
However, sitting nearby, Wang Qiuer's expression darkened the instant she heard their words.
She had long harbored deep prejudice toward Shrek Academy—especially because of Xuan Zi's domineering behavior in the Star Dou Great Forest, as well as the unsettling sense of scrutiny she felt from Huo Yuhao. Both had left hatred etched deep into her bones.
Now, hearing those around her praise Shrek's performance and even speak with caution, the chill in Wang Qiuer's eyes almost overflowed.
In her eyes, Shrek's so-called glory was nothing but hypocrisy.
She wished she could personally crush Shrek into pieces right here and now.
Just then, the referee's voice echoed across the arena through a soul tool amplifier:
"Next match—the fourth bout of the Eastern District Elimination Round! Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy Representative Team versus the Tiancheng Team!"
As soon as the announcement was made, deafening cheers erupted from the stands belonging to the Sun Moon Empire.
As both the hosts and the reigning champions, the Sun Moon Team's popularity in Bright Capital was at its absolute peak.
Liu Yuan stood up and led Wang Qiuer, Xiao Hongchen, and the others toward the arena.
This time, however, Wang Qiuer was the first to act.
Before Liu Yuan could decide the order of appearance, she stepped directly toward the entrance to the stage.
Turning around, her heterochromatic eyes locked onto Liu Yuan as she spoke in a cold, rigid tone,
"Liu Yuan. I want to be the first one up for this match."
Liu Yuan looked at her aggressive expression and shook his head helplessly.
"You're really getting competitive."
"Is Wang Donger's performance just now really making it that hard for you to hold back?"
Still, he didn't refuse her request. With Wang Qiuer's strength, there was no danger in a match of this level.
Stepping aside, Liu Yuan said calmly, "If you want to go, then go."
Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen exchanged glances, then looked at Wang Qiuer's back—now overflowing with killing intent—and asked in confusion,
"Captain, what's wrong with Qiuer?"
"Even if Shrek performed well, she seems to hate them far more than the rest of us combined. That look… it's like she wants to tear them apart alive."
Liu Yuan watched Wang Qiuer ascend the stage and laughed softly.
"It's probably hatred far deeper than you imagine."
"A loathing carved into her bones—something that can't be explained in just a few words."
The confusion on the twins' faces only deepened.
And ahead—
Wang Qiuer had already reached the center of the arena, standing within the massive circular combat zone.
On the opposite side, the Tiancheng Team was fully prepared.
The Tiancheng Team was fairly well-known in the region. Their overall strength surpassed that of ordinary academies, with most members at the Five-Ring Spirit King level—and they even had two Six-Ring Soul Emperors among them.
Seeing that the Sun Moon Team had sent out an unfamiliar young girl, the Tiancheng Team's first contestant was just about to step onto the stage.
At that moment, Wang Qiuer suddenly raised her hand and pointed toward the Tiancheng Team's resting area, her voice cold and sharp:
"Coming one at a time is a waste of time."
"I have no interest in playing games with you."
"All seven of you—come at me together."
The moment those words fell, the air around the arena seemed to freeze.
The Tiancheng Team members were stunned for an instant before rage exploded across their faces.
As elite Soul Masters, such blatant contempt was nothing less than a trampling of their dignity.
The spectators below the stage were equally dumbfounded.
They had seen arrogance before—but never someone demanding a one-vs-seven fight in a formal arena like the All-Continent High-Rank Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament.
In everyone's eyes, such behavior was nothing short of madness.
Over in the Shrek Team's resting area, confusion was written across everyone's faces as well.
"Who is that girl?" Bei Bei frowned. "A new member of the Sun Moon Team?"
He could clearly feel that the aura radiating from her was extremely wild—so much so that even his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul felt a faint sense of bloodline suppression.
Huo Yuhao activated his Spiritual Detection, attempting to probe Wang Qiuer's background. However, the moment his mental force approached her, it was repelled by an invisible barrier.
"…Why does this feel strange?" he murmured.
The referee himself was momentarily stunned by Wang Qiuer's sudden demand.
After a brief pause, he looked toward the main viewing platform. Receiving a nod from the officials above, he turned back to the Tiancheng Team's leader.
"Tiancheng Team," the referee announced, "Sun Moon Team contestant Wang Qiuer has requested a one-vs-seven battle."
"According to the tournament's supplementary rules, in a single-elimination format, if both sides agree and the principles of fairness are not violated, a change in match format is permitted."
"Do you agree?"
The Tiancheng Team leader's face turned ashen.
He had originally been worried about suffering a crushing defeat against the Sun Moon Team—but now, seeing the opponent send out a single girl to provoke them, he sneered inwardly.
"No problem!" he said loudly. "Since the Sun Moon Team insists on handing us a victory, there's no reason for us to refuse."
He waved his arm sharply and roared toward his teammates,
"All of you, get out there! Let's show this ignorant brat what real strength is!"
In the next instant, all seven core members of the Tiancheng Team leaped onto the arena.
They surrounded Wang Qiuer in a semicircle, spirits fully activated, violent fluctuations of spirit power surging across the stage.
Standing alone at the center of the encirclement, Wang Qiuer's expression remained completely calm.
She hadn't even activated her Martial Soul yet.
All around the arena, countless spectators held their breath, eyes locked on the stage, anticipation burning in their gazes.
And under those expectant stares—
The referee's voice rang out once more:
"Match… begin!"
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