"Bang bang bang—"
"Dean Flender, open the door! We've got visitors at the academy!"
Banging on the door of what was called the Dean's Office but was in fact just a small two-story wooden cabin, Chu Chengzhou raised his voice and shouted.
They say teachers are hardworking—but that definitely doesn't apply to the teachers at Shrek Academy.
Not even talking about the others—take Dean Flender for example. On days he doesn't have class, he always sleeps in, often skipping breakfast entirely.
And today just so happens to be one of those no-class days. Chances are Flender hasn't even gotten out of bed yet!
But then again, when the academy has so few students, Flender as the dean basically lives like a salted fish. With so much free time every day, and no entertainment around, sleeping in really is the only thing left to do.
Three seconds later, a grumpy voice came from upstairs. "Yell, yell, yell—what the hell are you yelling for, brat?!"
Heaven Dou Imperial Battle Team: "…"
"Dean Flender, we've got guests today. Please mind the academy's image a bit."
Chu Chengzhou shot a glance at the seven members of the Imperial Battle Team, whose expressions were looking a little odd, and couldn't help reminding him.
Although Shrek Academy probably doesn't have much of an "image" to begin with, if they could manage to keep up appearances a little, that'd still be best.
"Guests?"
Flender, just woken up, was momentarily confused before quickly getting out of bed and opening the window to look.
"Dean Flender! Long time no see!"
Qin Ming waved from below, smiling at the familiar shovel-shaped face that peeked out from the second-floor window.
"Qin Ming? Wait there!"
Qin Ming had been one of Shrek Academy's most outstanding graduates. Flender recognized him instantly and rushed to get dressed and head downstairs.
Inside the office, Flender greeted Qin Ming and invited him to sit.
As for the seven members of the Imperial Battle Team and Chu Chengzhou's group? They had to stand.
This wasn't a matter of rudeness—Shrek was just too poor. Flender's office didn't have enough chairs for everyone.
"Qin Ming, it's been years since you've been back. What brings you here today?"
Glancing at the Imperial Battle Team beside him, Flender adjusted his glasses and asked with mild curiosity.
"Dean Flender, I'm currently employed at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Thanks to the trust of the academy's three elder advisors, I'm now the team leader of the Imperial Battle Team.
We're preparing to participate in the Soul Master Tournament. I've been taking them around to different Great Soul Arenas for combat practice. Since we happened to come to Soto City, I figured I'd stop by and visit the teachers."
Qin Ming smiled, gesturing to the seven standing team members.
Truthfully, it wasn't a coincidence they came to Soto City. Since they needed practical training anyway, and Soto was a fairly large city with a suitable Great Soul Arena, Qin Ming purposely brought the team here—partly to train, partly to revisit his alma mater.
"Soul Master Tournament?"
At those words, a flash of envy appeared in Flender's eyes. He glanced toward Chu Chengzhou and his three companions.
He believed that with just Xiao Wu and Chu Chengzhou's strength, even if the rest of the team were dead weight, they could still achieve excellent results in the tournament.
And if they could perform well, that would instantly boost Shrek Academy's reputation—which would, in turn, solve their funding issues.
Unfortunately, Shrek Academy wasn't a certified senior Soul Master academy and had no right to register for the tournament.
Sure, their students had strength—but no opportunity to show it.
The envy in his eyes faded quickly. Flender composed himself and started chatting casually with Qin Ming.
A few minutes later, feeling bored, Dugu Yan nudged Yu Tianheng and whispered something in his ear.
"Excuse me, Dean Flender. I'm Yu Tianheng, captain of the Imperial Battle Team. I heard from Junior Brother Chu that your academy also has seven students. Since we also have seven members, I was wondering if we could have a friendly match?"
Yu Tianheng took a step forward and looked at Chu Chengzhou's group as he addressed Flender.
"Tianheng!"
Qin Ming immediately gave Yu Tianheng a sharp glare, clearly displeased.
Seriously, kid? You trying to embarrass me here?
"Oh?"
Flender wasn't annoyed—he just raised an eyebrow.
"Chu, what do you all think?"
He turned to Chu Chengzhou.
"A soul duel? No problem."
Chu Chengzhou answered immediately.
Even though they hadn't done much in terms of team combat training, and there were internal conflicts with basically zero coordination, Chu Chengzhou was confident—they could crush the Imperial Battle Team.
Even if the others stood back, either he or Xiao Wu alone could take them on.
"Alright then, let's do it on the training field. I want to see just how strong the so-called top academy of the empire really is!"
Flender pushed up his glasses and smiled, even tossing in a compliment to Heaven Dou Royal Academy at the end.
This wasn't just flattery—he was confident in Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu. By first hyping up Heaven Dou Academy as the strongest, once Shrek's students beat them, wouldn't that make Shrek even more impressive?
Sure, Shrek Academy may be rundown and worse off than any other senior academy in the empire—but its students could beat the best any day.
That one line immediately made the Imperial Battle Team feel a lot more favorable toward Flender.
Sure, he might look ugly—but he sure knew how to talk!
Who doesn't love a compliment? If Heaven Dou Academy was the strongest, then the Imperial Battle Team must be the empire's top talents, right?
As for losing the duel?
They didn't even consider that possibility.
Come on—they were the Imperial Battle Team. No way they'd lose to a shabby academy like Shrek!
"Ding ding ding—"
The assembly bell rang out across the skies of Shrek Academy.
Not long after, Ma Hongjun and Oscar arrived at the field.
"Uh… Boss Chu, who are these people?"
Seeing all the teachers gathered and several unfamiliar faces present, Oscar asked Chu Chengzhou.
"That guy's Senior Qin Ming, a graduate from our academy. And those folks are the Imperial Battle Team from Heaven Dou Royal Academy. They'll be doing a soul duel with us in a bit."
Chu Chengzhou gestured to them as he spoke.
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
Oscar looked at the team in surprise.
As for Ma Hongjun? He was already ogling Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling from the Imperial Battle Team.
Granted, Ye Lingling wore a veil and didn't have an especially curvy figure, so Ma Hongjun's attention focused more on Dugu Yan.
Though not a peerless beauty, Dugu Yan was in her prime, and her seductive figure—especially that wasp waist—was right up Ma Hongjun's alley.
"Fatty, wipe that pervy look off your face. She's got a boyfriend."
Chu Chengzhou couldn't help smacking Ma Hongjun in the back.
Dude, can you not embarrass us? Can't you see the girl's face is screaming "disgusted"?
"Tsk… A beauty, wasted on a boyfriend, huh?"
Clicking his tongue in regret, Ma Hongjun shifted his attention to Ye Lingling.
Though her veil covered her face, he figured she had to be pretty too.
At that moment, Flender asked Oscar and Ma Hongjun, "You two seen Dai Mubai around?"
God above, earth second, Flender third—Ma Hongjun quickly withdrew his gaze, exchanged a look with Oscar, and said, "We saw him last night, but he hasn't come back yet."
Clearly, the three had gone to the same place the night before.
Flender: "…"
Still not back from the club, huh?
"Dean Flender, even without Dai Mubai, the six of us are enough."
Chu Chengzhou spoke up.
Is Dai Mubai even necessary? Not really. Doesn't make a difference. Smashing the Imperial Battle Team is just a matter of lifting a finger.
"Fine then, the six of you it is."
Flender nodded, then turned to Qin Ming. "Qin Ming, you'll be the referee."
"Since your juniors only have six, we'll drop one on our side too. Shi Mo, Shi Mo—one of you step out."
Qin Ming addressed the Shi brothers, both of whom were defense-type soul masters. Captain Yu Tianheng and Vice-Captain Dugu Yan were must-haves, Yufeng was flight-type, Oslo was agility-type, and Ye Lingling was the team's healer. Dropping one of the Shi twins was the natural choice.
After exchanging a glance, the younger brother, Shi Mo, who had slightly lower spirit power, stepped out.
On the training field, both sides stood thirty meters apart.
The battlefield was simple—a fifty-meter-wide circle. Anyone who stepped outside was eliminated.
"Both sides, release your spirits. Soul duel begins in one minute!"
With Qin Ming's announcement, the Imperial Battle Team immediately released their spirits—all had the textbook ring configuration: two yellow, one purple.
"Yu Tianheng, captain of the Imperial Battle Team. Spirit: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Level 39, power attack type."
"Dugu Yan, vice-captain. Spirit: Jade Phosphor Serpent. Level 38, control type."
"Shi Mo, Spirit: Black Tortoise. Level 38, defense type."
"Yufeng, Spirit: Wind Chime Bird. Level 36, agility type."
"Oslo, Spirit: Ghost Leopard. Level 36, agility type."
"Ye Lingling, Spirit: Nine-Hearted Begonia. Level 35, healing type."
Following custom, both teams declared their spirits, levels, and roles before the friendly match.
"Chu Chengzhou, Spirit: True Spirit Banner. Level 36, support type."
"Xiao Wu, Spirit: Soft Bone Rabbit. Level 44, power attack type."
"Ning Rongrong, Spirit: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Level 27, support type."
"Zhu Zhuqing, Spirit: Nether Cat. Level 28, agility type."
"Oscar, Spirit: Sausage. Level 32, food-type support."
"Ma Hongjun, Spirit: Phoenix. Level 28, power attack type."
The Shrek team declared theirs as well.
But when Xiao Wu's four soul rings—two yellow, two purple—flared to life, everyone on the Imperial Battle Team was stunned, including Qin Ming, the referee.
"Level 44? That high?!"
"Dean Flender, Xiao Wu's really that strong?"
Qin Ming couldn't help asking.
"Haha, Qin Ming, you were our most talented student—until Xiao Wu showed up. She's the real genius now."
Flender pushed up his glasses proudly.
"She doesn't look very old… How old is she?"
Qin Ming asked curiously.
"Not much. Just seventeen."
Flender waved it off nonchalantly.
And that's just her official age. Her real age is twelve!
"Seventeen and already Level 44? Dean Flender, congratulations!"
Qin Ming beamed.
With Xiao Wu's talent, as long as she survived, she'd definitely become one of the top experts on the continent. Even a little support from someone like her would elevate Shrek.
Shocked or not, tactics still had to be discussed.
And it wasn't like they could plan anything earlier—they hadn't even known their opponents' spirits or levels until now.
Yu Tianheng quickly began issuing battle instructions during the brief prep time.
"Soul duel officially begins!"
One minute later, Qin Ming announced the start of the match.
Instantly, Chu Chengzhou's first and second rings lit up. A massive white lion over five meters long and a towering green tree over ten meters tall appeared beside him.
The lion and tree were the true-size versions of Light Lion Spirit Pet Xiao Bai and Azure Tree Spirit Pet Xiao Qing.
As for the Phoenix Spirit Pet Xiao Hong? Not needed for dealing with the Imperial Battle Team.
"Xiao Bai, go!"
Waving his banner, Chu Chengzhou tapped Xiao Bai's head and pointed at the enemy.
"ROAR—!"
With a deafening roar, Xiao Bai lunged forward.
Chu Chengzhou waved his flag and sent the beast into action—while his teammates weren't standing around doing nothing either.
"I got a flying sausage!"
Oscar's third soul ring lit up as he chanted an incantation. With a flash of golden light, a golden-winged flying sausage formed in his hand, which he handed to Ma Hongjun.
He could chant silently, but not with perfect control. And this was a Soul Duel—no time for slow conjuring. The sausage was for Ma Hongjun anyway. Whether it was a flying sausage or a large one, he could eat it no problem.
As for Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing?
Since they lacked long-range abilities—and with the odds clearly in their favor—they didn't bother asking for one.
"Seven Treasures turn out dazzling glass: First—Power! Second—Speed!"
The treasure pagoda in Ning Rongrong's hands radiated dazzling brilliance. Three colorful auras burst out, merging into Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun, each receiving a 30% boost in strength and speed.
Ning Rongrong was a support, and so was Little White. But to make sure Ning Rongrong still had a sense of involvement, Chu Chengzhou didn't let Little White apply buffs. Otherwise, she'd seem redundant in the team.
After Oscar made the flying sausage and upgraded Ma Hongjun from "hen" to air force, both he and Ning Rongrong—after buffing their teammates—took a few steps back to stand under the crown of the Azure Tree soul summon.
Shrek's tactic was simple: the non-combatants—Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and the supposedly non-combatant Chu Chengzhou—stayed in the rear. The main fighters were Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, and the Bright Lion summon Little White.
Don't be fooled by Little Green being a support-type Azure Tree soul beast comparable to a thousand-year beast. Soul beast classifications weren't as strict as soul masters'. Despite specializing in healing, its roots and vines could lash out with the force comparable to an early-stage Soul Elder of the assault type whose martial soul wasn't particularly strong.
"Tough opponent! Yufeng, you take Ma Hongjun. Oslo, deal with Zhu Zhuqing.
Shi Mo, you and Yanyan handle the lion. I'll take on Xiao Wu. Lingling, be ready to heal at any time!"
As soon as Chu Chengzhou summoned his two soul beasts and Shrek launched their offensive, Yu Tianheng, as captain, immediately adjusted their strategy.
"Got it!"
Though the strategy changed on the fly, the five remaining members of the Royal Fighting Team had no objections.
After all—assault vs. assault, flying vs. flying, agility vs. agility—Yu Tianheng's assignments made perfect sense.
"Dragon Transformation!"
With a loud shout, countless blue-purple lightning snakes erupted from Yu Tianheng's body.
In an instant, his right sleeve exploded, his arm growing over half a foot longer and far thicker. It was covered in blue-purple scales, and his once-slim fingers became five razor-sharp claws.
Unlike normal soul masters, Yu Tianheng's two yellow and one purple soul rings didn't orbit his body, but instead spiraled around the mutated arm.
This was the secret technique passed down in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan: Dragon Transformation—as important to their clan as Split Control is to Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda soul masters, or Hao Tian Nine Absolutes is to Clear Sky Hammer users.
Starting from level 30, every ten levels allowed a part of their body to transform into a dragon. In theory, at the Soul Sage level with seven rings, the user could fully transform into a true dragon.
"First Soul Skill: Thunder Dragon Claw!"
His first soul ring lit up on his right arm. As soul power surged, thunder erupted—a giant dragon claw made of lightning slammed toward the charging Xiao Wu.
But Xiao Wu reacted quickly. Before the claw could hit, she twisted mid-charge and dodged to the side.
"Second Soul Skill: Charm!"
She wasn't one to take hits without hitting back. Her second soul ring glowed, pink light flashing in her eyes as an intangible wave of spiritual energy burst forth.
Yu Tianheng, with weaker soul power and even weaker mental strength, was instantly charmed.
And once you let Xiao Wu, the "master of soft technique," get close while you're under control… need anything more be said?
Just as she was about to perform her signature "Eight-Stage Throw" combo, she suddenly remembered Chu Chengzhou's instructions.
What instruction? Naturally, no wrapping her thighs around other people's necks.
Chu Chengzhou didn't like that kind of move—too intimate. But it was easily fixed: just wear armor.
Blue light shimmered over Xiao Wu's body as azure cloud-patterned armor materialized.
She gave a small flick of her head, and her scorpion-tail braid wrapped cleanly around Yu Tianheng's neck.
With his neck entangled, Xiao Wu stomped hard on his abdomen. At the same time, her first soul ring glowed.
First Soul Skill: Waist Bow—she bent her back with explosive force, whipped her torso back, and kicked her left leg forward. Yu Tianheng, completely unable to resist, was launched into the air.
As his body reached the peak of its arc, Xiao Wu followed up. She grabbed his waist mid-air, waist bow skill activating again. Her slender waist twisted like it had snapped, hurling Yu Tianheng backward in a spin.
In that moment, Xiao Wu looked like a highly skilled acrobat, and Yu Tianheng was the unwilling prop in her routine.
After two full spins in the air, and with a whistling wind, Xiao Wu slammed Yu Tianheng into the ground.
"BOOM—!"
The ground quaked. Dust exploded. Yu Tianheng crashed heavily to the floor.
Given that it was a friendly match, Xiao Wu left him some dignity—he landed on his back instead of face-down, saving him from facial damage.
But that alone wouldn't be enough to knock him out of the fight. After all, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon body was tough. At most, his brain would be a little rattled.
Without pause, Xiao Wu did a back handspring, landing with her legs clamped on either side of Yu Tianheng's head, who was still charmed.
Waist Bow again. Her armored legs twisted his neck, flipping him forward.
"BOOM—!"
Another burst of dust.
Then another handspring—Yu Tianheng was swung and slammed again.
This time, Xiao Wu used his bounce to rebound, flipping back and slamming him once more into the original spot.
"BOOM BOOM BOOM—!"
Yu Tianheng's body, like a ragdoll swung by Xiao Wu's legs, was smashed back and forth eight times—four forward, four back—his bones cracking with each slam.
The violent spectacle made Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Ye Lingling—watching from the rear—seriously worry whether Yu Tianheng would come out of this in one piece.