As the two lines of blood-red team names on the large screen settled, the already restless Star Luo Plaza completely erupted.
Deafening cheers and shouts converged into a visible wave of sound that shot straight into the clouds.
This was the Douluo Continent, after all, so for the vast majority of the public, they naturally supported the local teams more.
Thus, at this moment, the object of most of the audience's cheers and encouragement was naturally Crimson Flame Academy.
...
On the other side, inside the exclusive rest area of Shrek Academy.
Elder Xuan, the leading teacher, was currently leaning lazily against a large sofa chair. He still held that greasy chicken leg in his hand, occasionally pouring a mouthful of strong liquor into his mouth.
In his seemingly cloudy old eyes, the matchup list on the big screen was reflected, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"Has it finally begun?"
"Right now, our three teams are all undefeated..."
"If the Sun Moon Team loses to Chiyan, and we defeat Sun Moon later, then the Sun Moon Team will directly rank third in the group due to the disadvantage in head-to-head results."
"Third in the group means they won't even make it to the top sixteen and will be directly eliminated."
Speaking to this point, the smile on Elder Xuan's face became even more brilliant.
"If such a scene could really be created, it would truly be wonderful..."
"Little brats of Crimson Flame Academy, don't let this old man down!"
...
At the same time, in the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy rest area.
Compared to the clamor outside, the atmosphere here was exceptionally quiet.
The isolation barrier was activated, shutting out the overwhelming noise from the outside world.
At this time, it was the pre-match tactical deployment phase.
All the team members were sitting around the round table, their gazes focused on Liu Yuan.
Ma Rulong looked at the information in his hand, his brow furrowed:
"Captain, we have already analyzed the intelligence on Crimson Flame Academy."
"They all use fire-attribute explosive skills as their primary means of attack. Whether it's speed or explosive power, they are very formidable. Without using the 'Fire Resistance Bracelets,' we will run into some trouble facing them."
"Therefore, I propose that we directly use the 'Fire Resistance Bracelets.'"
Lin Xi frowned upon hearing this: "But if we do that, the trump card we originally intended to use against Shrek will be exposed."
Xiao Hongchen thought for a moment and said in a deep voice:
"How about letting Meng go up first? She can control the field first, using her Scarlet Clear Ice Toad Spirit to lower the temperature of the arena. This would be more beneficial for our subsequent matches."
Everyone's expressions were very solemn.
After all, the situation was indeed a bit troublesome.
If they didn't go all out, Crimson Flame Academy would be difficult to deal with;
But if they went all out and revealed all their trump cards, they would fall into a passive position when facing Shrek later.
Just as everyone was agonizing over how to arrange the appearance order to secure victory with the smallest cost.
Liu Yuan finally spoke: "No need for all that trouble."
Everyone was stunned and looked at him one after another.
They saw Liu Yuan slowly stand up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present as he said calmly:
"For this match, I will go up first."
"What?!"
Everyone couldn't help but cry out in surprise.
"Captain, you mean... you're going to lead the charge?"
Ma Rulong's eyes widened in disbelief, "But this is an individual elimination match! Usually, the slightly weaker members go up first to wear down the opposition, while the captain acts as the anchor in the rear..."
"That's a conventional tactic."
Liu Yuan interrupted him and continued:
"As you said, Crimson Flame Academy's strength is not weak. If we send others up, in order to win, we will inevitably have to use many of our trump cards."
"But those things are the funeral preparations for Shrek; it's not worth exposing them here."
"So, the best way is for me to take the stage."
"I can directly end this match without using too many trump cards."
These words were incredibly arrogant.
One person, to sweep through the Chiyan Team?
If anyone else had said this, everyone would surely think they were crazy.
But at this moment, the person saying this was Liu Yuan.
Recalling Liu Yuan's strength and his own 'fire resistance ability,' everyone suddenly felt that this actually seemed like a very good method.
So very quickly...
Xiao Hongchen was the first to stand up and express his agreement: "I agree."
"Me too!" Meng Hongchen followed closely behind.
Ma Rulong took a deep breath and nodded heavily:
"In that case, we'll leave it to the captain. All of us trust your judgment unconditionally!"
There was no questioning, no opposition.
At this moment, the Sun Moon Team displayed an unprecedented level of cohesion.
Liu Yuan looked at his teammates, smiled slightly, and turned to walk toward the exit of the preparation area.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it."
...
"Players from both sides, enter the arena!"
With a loud shout from the referee, the lights of the entire arena instantly focused on both sides of the stage.
On Crimson Flame Academy's side, the first to walk out was a burly young man with a head full of red hair.
He was the vanguard of Crimson Flame Academy, a level forty-five attack system Battle Soul Ancestor, clearly intending to lead the charge and test the waters.
Standing on the stage, he enjoyed the cheers of the audience and looked provocatively toward the Sun Moon Team's tunnel, seemingly waiting for that unlucky opponent to appear.
However.
The moment the figure from the Sun Moon Team's tunnel slowly stepped out of the shadows and into the light.
The originally boisterous arena suddenly fell into a moment of eerie silence.
Immediately following was a burst of exclamations even more intense and unbelievable than before!
"Holy crap?! Am I seeing things?"
"That's... Liu Yuan?!"
"The captain of the Sun Moon Team?"
Everyone's eyes widened, and even the referee was stunned for a moment.
In an individual elimination format, the captain usually appears last as the 'calming pillar.' This was common knowledge in the Spirit Master world and also served to prevent being worn down by targeted tactics.
But now, the Sun Moon Team had actually sent out their captain—Liu Yuan—directly in the first round?
What kind of tactic was this?
On the viewing stand, Emperor Xu Jiawei, who was originally preparing to watch the show, suddenly jerked his hand, and a few drops of tea splashed out from his cup.
"This..."
Xu Jiawei's brow furrowed, his eyes full of doubt:
"Is this Liu Yuan crazy? Going up first? Isn't he afraid of being worn to death by Crimson Flame Academy's rotation?"
In the Shrek rest area, Elder Xuan, who was gnawing on a chicken leg, froze mid-motion, forgetting to chew the meat in his mouth.
He narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the youth walking leisurely onto the stage, also unable to understand.
"What's going on? Going up first?"
"This kid really has no brains!"
"Oh well, since he's so foolish, it's actually a good thing for this old man. That foolish Jing Hongchen actually let him lead the team; then let the whole team be buried along with him."
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