After the group draw ceremony fully concluded, the crowds gathered at Mingdu Plaza gradually dispersed.
From the hundreds of participating teams, only the top sixteen elites remained after the brutal first round of the single-elimination tournament.
Although the number of teams had drastically decreased, the murderous aura lingering over the venue grew even denser.
Because starting tomorrow, this Soul Master Tournament would finally enter its most critical stage.
…
Meanwhile, inside Shrek Academy, the high-level conference room was brightly lit.
Shrek Academy's emphasis on this year's All-Continent High-Rank Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament had reached an unprecedented level.
As the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, Yan Shaozhe was carefully examining the latest draw information sent back from the front lines, his expression grave.
Since Shrek Academy's defeat in the tournament five years ago, Yan Shaozhe could clearly sense that Shrek's authority throughout the Spirit Master world had been steadily declining.
Whether it was their appeal when recruiting new students or their influence when dealing with the royal families of the various empires, Shrek had suffered a severe blow.
Although Dragon God Douluo Mu En was broad-minded and indifferent to titles such as "Number One Academy on the Douluo Continent," believing that education itself mattered more than fame and prestige…
Yan Shaozhe and the faction of elders he represented could not let it go so easily.
In their view, Shrek Academy's glory was not merely about personal honor—it was the foundation for maintaining balance and authority within the Spirit Master world of the three great empires of the original Douluo Continent.
If Shrek failed to reclaim the championship, its influence would continue to erode.
Yan Shaozhe lightly tapped the table with his fingers, his gaze fixed on a single line of text:
Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy vs. Body Sect.
"The Sun Moon Royal Team is actually facing the Body Sect in the next round?"
He murmured softly, deep contemplation and caution flashing through his eyes.
Through various channels, he had already learned about the overwhelming dominance displayed by the Body Sect during the elimination rounds.
A team in which every member possessed an Original Body Martial Soul was something he could not afford to underestimate.
Yan Shaozhe was certain—tomorrow's battle would be the highest-level confrontation since the tournament began.
Without hesitation, he issued secret orders, instructing Shrek's scouts in Bright Capital to record every detail of this match in its entirety.
He hoped to use the Body Sect as a blade to force out the true depths of the Sun Moon Royal Team—especially Liu Yuan.
…
At the same time, within the palace of the Star Luo Empire.
The Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiawei, had already received news that the Star Luo National Academy Team led by Xu Jiujiu had been eliminated by the Body Sect.
Upon learning this result, Xu Jiawei did not erupt in anger during court.
Instead, he sat alone in the Imperial Study, letting out a long, regretful sigh.
He knew all too well that Jiujiu had already done everything she could. It wasn't that the Star Luo Team was weak—rather, the Body Sect, with an entire lineup of Original Body Martial Souls, was simply monstrous.
However, as an emperor, Xu Jiawei quickly suppressed his emotions.
He did not order Xu Jiujiu to return to Star Luo City. Instead, he used an extremely secret high-rank communication spirit tool to contact her directly in Bright Capital.
"Jiujiu, I already know the outcome of the elimination round," Xu Jiawei's voice came through the spirit tool, deep and steady.
"You and the others don't need to blame yourselves. That was a gap in strength."
"But you must not leave Bright Capital yet."
"Now that the competition is over, the pressure on you should be reduced. I have a more important secret mission for you next."
"This mission concerns the empire's future strategic layout in the field of soul tool technology. You must remain in Bright Capital and secretly wait for the right opportunity."
Though bitterness still lingered in Xu Jiujiu's heart, her expression quickly turned resolute upon receiving her brother's order.
"Yes! Brother, I will definitely complete the mission!"
…
Meanwhile, outside Mingdu City, a massive crisis lurked beneath the tranquil night sky.
In an abandoned valley several kilometers away from the city walls, several terrifying auras were being carefully restrained.
At their center stood a thin man radiating heart-palpitating pressure—the Body Sect's sect master, Poison Undying.
Behind him, several Body Sect elders and top experts had already arrived in secret.
They hadn't come to Bright Capital merely to accompany the Body Sect in the tournament.
Poison Undying gazed toward the brightly illuminated city, cold killing intent flashing in his eyes.
The Body Sect had always acted outside convention. They intended to use this Soul Master Tournament—where experts from countless factions had gathered—to give the Sun Moon Empire a "big surprise."
If their plan succeeded, it might even redraw the map of the entire continent.
…
At the same time, deep within the Sun Moon Empire's palace.
Inside a heavily guarded secret chamber, the aged Sun Moon Emperor sat in the main seat.
Before him, Crown Prince Xu Tianran knelt respectfully, reporting on recent preparations.
The Sun Moon Emperor looked down at this son—disabled in body yet ruthless and cold-blooded in nature—and asked in a heavy voice,
"Tianran, are all the matters I entrusted to you fully prepared?"
Xu Tianran raised his head, a manic and sinister gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Father, please rest assured. I've already secretly contacted the experts of the Holy Spirit Cult."
"They are now lurking throughout every corner of Bright Capital, ready to act at any time."
"At the same time, the high-rank interference and blockade soul tools developed under Elder Kong's supervision are all in place. Every deployment is flawless."
He paused, his voice turning even colder.
"Once the Soul Master Tournament officially ends, and those so-called genius students of the great empires begin to leave Bright Capital, we will launch a full-scale offensive."
"On every route they must pass through, we will annihilate them."
"As long as these seed talents are wiped out, the other empires will face a severe shortage of Spirit Master talent for decades to come."
"At that point, unifying the continent will no longer be a dream. The era belonging to our Sun Moon Empire will truly arrive."
The Sun Moon Emperor slowly closed his eyes in satisfaction.
In his mind, this was a perfect plan of extermination.
As for the violent undercurrents surging beneath the surface, almost no one outside those directly involved noticed them.
The spectators and the vast majority of participating students were still immersed in the excitement and tension of the tournament itself.
As the morning sun rose once more, the first rays of dawn spilled across the broad streets of Bright Capital.
The next day.
The round-robin stage officially began.
Despite the countless schemes capable of reshaping the future that had unfolded the night before, the Soul Master Tournament proceeded as scheduled.
Mingdu Plaza was once again packed with people, and all eyes were fixed on the day's opening match.
Sun Moon Royal Team versus Body Sect.
Liu Yuan, dressed in black martial attire, stood at the forefront of the Sun Moon Team as they advanced toward the rest area with steady steps.
He could clearly feel it—the atmosphere today was completely different. The air itself seemed thick with bloodshed and gunpowder.
Xuan Zi and the Shrek contingent in the stands, along with Xu Jiujiu who had remained in Bright Capital, all unconsciously held their breath.
Even the hidden Body Sect experts and the imperial scouts were staring intently at the arena.
When the referee stepped onto the stage, the entire venue fell into deathly silence.
This match—hailed as a "final ahead of schedule"—finally began amid the surge of countless hidden undercurrents.