Meanwhile, in the exclusive meeting room of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
At the head of the long table, Xu Tianhao sat upright yet relaxed, his expression indifferent, devoid of any unnecessary emotion.
He didn't give any long-winded speeches, only coolly stating one core requirement:
"Regardless of whether our next opponent is the Clear Sky Sect, the Mingluo Sect, Shrek Academy, or any other team, our goal is only one: to win."
In Xu Tianhao's view, strength was the only absolute truth.
As long as one's own strength was powerful enough, any tactics or opponents were nothing more than paper tigers, easily crushed.
Sitting below him, Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen exchanged a glance, seeing mutual agreement in each other's eyes.
They didn't feel at all that Xu Tianhao's words were youthful arrogance or exaggeration.
Over this period of time, they had already gained a clear and profound understanding of the strength of Xu Tianhao and the team he led.
It could only be described with four words: ridiculously powerful.
Especially Xu Tianhao himself; his strength completely transcended the bounds of common sense.
Even these well-traveled old men found it inconceivable.
Even if one were using cheats, they wouldn't dare to be this blatant.
Precisely because they had absolute trust in Xu Tianhao's strength, even though this Continental Spirit Master Tournament was a den of crouching tigers and hidden dragons, with various Heaven-Defying geniuses emerging and powerful enemies surrounding them.
Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen felt no panic or worry whatsoever.
The two of them were very clear about their own roles.
In this team, they didn't need to be responsible for tactical command or worry about the outcome of the matches.
They only needed to handle logistics and take full responsibility for the safety of Xu Tianhao and the others.
Ensuring they wouldn't encounter unnecessary plots or dangers during the competition.
With Xu Tianhao leading the team, the outcome of the matches was no longer something they needed to worry about much.
As the elimination rounds fully concluded, the tournament officially entered a brand new phase.
The Round Robin Stage.
A total of ninety teams advanced to the Round Robin Stage this time.
The officials divided these ninety teams equally into ten groups, with nine teams per group.
During the Round Robin Stage, teams within each group would face off in turns, with every team playing against the other eight teams in their group sequentially.
Ultimately, based on the ranking of match points, the top three teams from each group would advance to the next round of the competition.
As for the match formats, they continued to follow the tournament's consistent rules, with three types in total.
Namely, Team Melee, the Two-Two-Three Mode, and the One-on-One Duel Mode.
Compared to previous years, these rules had not changed at all; for all participating teams, they were fair and familiar.
Next, it would depend on how each team used their own strength to break through the Round Robin Stage and charge toward the final championship.
...
The group lists for the Round Robin Stage were released soon. Looking at the list, Xu Tianhao gave a speechless laugh.
For no other reason than the Mingluo Sect happened to be in their group.
Xu Tianhao certainly didn't believe there was no behind-the-scenes manipulation involved.
But even so, Xu Tianhao didn't care in the slightest.
Just Evil Soul Masters; he was looking to fight Evil Soul Masters anyway.
Regarding this grouping, although others from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy were somewhat dissatisfied, since Xu Tianhao said nothing, they naturally wouldn't speak out of turn.
Long Aotian leaned in toward Xu Tianhao, his fists cracking: "Tianhao, since they're targeting us like this, then we don't need to hold back anymore, right?"
Xu Tianhao looked at the Battle Intent-filled Long Aotian and smiled: "Of course not. As long as it's a team originally from the Three Great Empires of the Douluo Continent, just cripple them."
As soon as these words were spoken, Ma Rulong and the others became as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood.
Ma Rulong smiled: "Sixth Highness, with those words from you, we can truly go all out."
Ye Guyi also smiled: "I want the radiance of the Angel to bloom upon the Douluo Continent."
"Just a few Evil Soul Masters from the Mingluo Sect—I'm enough on my own. I'll let them see exactly how an Angel suppresses evil."
Nana also looked confident: "My Nether Spirit Master isn't afraid of Evil Soul Masters. Encountering me, a mere evil Spirit won't be able to stir up any waves."
Seeing the two of them so confident, everyone else laughed along.
Because Ye Guyi indeed had the right to be confident.
The Angel's suppression of evil had been common knowledge ten thousand years ago.
Now, it was time for the Angel's radiance to shine upon the Douluo Continent once more.
Xu Tianzhen also spread her small hands: "It's not just Angels, you know. The Sun is also an Incarnation of justice. Mere Evil Soul Masters are just a drop in the bucket."
Hearing this, Ma Rulong immediately delivered a piece of flattery: "Fourth Highness is mighty! The Sun of our Sun Moon Empire is also sacred and inviolable!"
Xu Tianzhen giggled at the words: "Brother Ma, you sure know how to talk. When we get back, I'll have Big Brother reward you well."
Ma Rulong chuckled: "What are you saying, Fourth Highness? I'm just stating facts, telling the truth."
Xiao Xiafeng and several others chimed in: "Exactly, the captain is just telling the truth. The Sun of our Sun Moon Empire is sacred and inviolable."
Listening to everyone's chatter, Xu Tianhao's smile widened.
Xu Tianhao looked at Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen: "Don't worry. With Teacher and Hall Master Hongchen overseeing things, it won't be a problem even if we flip the heavens upside down."
Saying this, Xu Tianhao looked in the direction of the Sun Moon Empire: "Not long ago, Big Brother already mobilized the Terrorclaw Soul Engineer Legion, the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion, and the Evil Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion—three major Soul Engineer Legions. Along with a million-strong army, they have gathered at the border of the Star Luo Empire."
"The Star Luo Empire should have received the news by now. Even if we tear a hole in the sky, we have a million-strong army backing us up."
Once this was said, the confidence of Ma Rulong and the others exploded even further.
Those three Soul Engineer Legions were among the trump cards of the Sun Moon Empire; the commander of each legion was a Ninth-Rank Soul Engineer.
It could be said that once those three Soul Engineer Legions were deployed, they were enough to deal a devastating blow to the Star Luo Empire.
Combined with a million-strong army, the deterrent power was self-evident.
They had been on exchange at Shrek Academy for three years and hadn't been back for three years; being away from home and hearing they had a million-strong army backing them felt even better than an increase in their own spirit power.
Xu Tianzhen also giggled: "Big Brother said that if anyone dares to trip us up, the million border troops will seek justice for us."
Ma Rulong was incredibly excited: "Long live the Crown Prince!"
Xiao Hongchen also gave a thumbs up: "As expected of the Crown Prince; these methods are truly impressive."
Meng Hongchen rolled her eyes at her brother: "You think everyone is like you, not using their brain?"
Xiao Xiafeng and the others also joined in, cheering 'Long live the Crown Prince,' each one beyond excited.
If it weren't for the fact that Xu Tianran hadn't ascended the throne yet, Ma Rulong and the others would probably be cheering 'Long live the Emperor' right now.
At this moment, although Xu Tianran wasn't here, he had become their idol.
Not just Ma Rulong and his peers; when the time came, all the Sun Moon Empire's participating teams who learned this news would likely be won over by Xu Tianran's domineering methods.
They had come to compete carrying the expectations of their elders back home, originally thinking they were fighting a lonely battle.
Now, looking back, with a million border troops backing them, what was there to fear?
Wouldn't every single one of them be fighting like they were on steroids?
If they lost this, they wouldn't have the face to go back and see anyone.