Three days later, at Shrek Academy's Outer Academy, Class One of the first grade.
"In order to showcase your true abilities, Teacher Wu and I have applied to the academy to conduct this class selection tournament through actual combat. The academy has approved our request," Shen Yi announced calmly, looking at the students in the classroom.
Upon hearing this news, the entire class was momentarily stunned, followed by expressions of astonishment. Actual combat?! It was actually actual combat! The selection tournament wasn't going to be held in a virtual space but through real combat! Weren't they worried about potential casualties during the tournament?
The atmosphere in the classroom became noticeably tense, but Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong remained unfazed. Shen Yi continued, "Since this is actual combat, even though Teacher Wu and I will be overseeing the matches, there is still a possibility of casualties. Therefore, any student who wishes to withdraw may do so now. However, those who withdraw will have five points deducted from their final grade."
No one withdrew.
Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong were pleased. This was the attitude a Soul Master should have. If one didn't even dare to engage in actual combat, how could they talk about defying fate? Cultivation was, after all, a battle against the heavens.
"Let's move out!" Shen Yi called out clearly.
"All rise," Jing Shaoyu stood up and shouted.
All 105 first-grade students stood up and, under the guidance of Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong, marched toward the sparring arena in the Outer Academy.
Most of the students wore expressions of excitement. They were all looking forward to this class selection tournament, or more accurately, the clash between the class committee team and Tang Wulin and Luo Guixing's team. On the surface, the class committee team of five was the strongest in the first grade, with two Soul Grandmasters and three Soul Venerables, averaging an astonishing Soul Power level of 40. However, Tang Wulin and Luo Guixing's team was not to be underestimated either. They were a complete team of seven, with four members from the Genius Youth Ranking, making them a formidable force.
This was going to be an evenly matched and thrilling showdown, as most students anticipated.
The sparring arena was the most frequently used facility, not only serving as an important teaching venue but also as the most efficient and convenient place for students to resolve conflicts. If there was any dispute, instead of arguing, they could simply take it to the arena and fight it out.
Shrek Academy prohibited private fights but allowed properly conducted public duels. As long as a certain amount of Contribution Points was spent, students could engage in Soul Duels on the sparring arena. The arena was equipped with an energy barrier that isolated the inside from the outside, preventing energy leakage and unnecessary economic losses during battles. Additionally, there were Soul Saints and above-level healing Soul Masters constantly monitoring the arena, ensuring the students' safety to the greatest extent possible.
Thus, the sparring arena was jokingly referred to by senior students as "Shrek's best combat instructor and conflict mediator," a title well-deserved.
When the first-grade students arrived at the sparring arena with Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong, they saw a woman standing on the arena. She wore a water-green dress, appearing clean and elegant, exuding a natural aura. Her features were beautiful, her long, dark green hair cascading down her back. Her demeanor was holy and kind, radiating a maternal warmth that made the thirteen or fourteen-year-old boys and girls feel as if they were seeing someone very dear to them.
She was the Holy Spirit Douluo, Ya Li!
Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully, calling out, "Your Excellency!"
"No need for such formalities, please rise," Ya Li said with a gentle smile.
The students heard Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong's address and were shocked. Your Excellency! This gentle and kind woman was actually a Titled Douluo! Indeed, this was Shrek Academy. In just one month since the start of the semester, they had already met two Titled Douluos.
Just how many Titled Douluos did Shrek Academy have?
Among the first-grade students, apart from Na'er, Ye Xinglan, and Xu Lizhi, who had come from the Inner Academy, only Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan knew of Ya Li's identity, so their expressions remained relatively calm.
"Everyone, greet the Holy Spirit Douluo, Your Excellency," Wu Zhangkong turned and instructed the students.
"Greetings, Your Excellency!" Led by Jing Shaoyu, all the first-grade students bowed to Ya Li in unison.
Ya Li smiled softly, her gaze briefly sweeping over Jing Shaoyu and Na'er beside him. "The sparring arena is meant for friendly exchanges. While showcasing your abilities to the fullest, please also ensure safety and do not harm the camaraderie among classmates. Alright, I leave this to you now."
Her body floated up lightly, like an immortal untouched by the mortal world, and gracefully landed on the referee's seat at the edge of the arena. Yes, Ya Li was the referee for this class selection tournament. It sounded surreal, but it was the truth.
With the continent's top healing Soul Master present, it would be nearly impossible for any injuries to occur among the first-grade students today.
Wu Zhangkong first nodded to Ya Li, then turned to face the students and announced solemnly, "This class selection tournament will be conducted based on the principles of fairness, justice, and transparency. There are a total of seventeen teams participating in this tournament, excluding the class committee team. The other sixteen teams will be divided into groups through a draw, and the matches will follow a single-elimination format.
The final winner among the sixteen teams will compete against the class committee team for the title of the strongest team in the class. The winning team will represent the first grade in the inter-grade competition four days later, where they will spar with the second-grade team. Additionally, the sub-profession exchange meeting will be attended by the class committee members of various sub-professions.
Now, let the draw begin."
After Wu Zhangkong finished announcing the rules, the students reacted differently. First, the class committee team led by Jing Shaoyu remained calm and composed, as if Wu Zhangkong's words had nothing to do with them. Next, Luo Guixing and Tang Wulin's team, including Xu Yu Cheng, Yang Nianxia, and Zheng Yiran, showed expressions of dissatisfaction and indignation. Did this mean they weren't worthy of competing with the class committee team? This was too insulting!
Finally, the other students were filled with excitement and joy, even some of the participating teams were the same.
The first round of the draw quickly concluded, and the class selection tournament officially began.
Jing Shaoyu's team of five sat calmly below the arena, along with the disqualified Ye Xinglan and Na'er. The seven of them sat in a row, their expressions calm and composed, their eyes naturally closed, their breathing steady, as if they were meditating, completely unfazed by the increasingly intense clashes on the arena.
However, with Ya Li present, even though the students fought fiercely, no real bloodshed occurred. After all, while Ya Li might not be strong in combat, her protective abilities were unmatched in the Douluo world.
Whenever a match was decided or someone was about to suffer severe injuries, a gentle light would fall on the arena, promptly ending the match or rescuing the injured. The Holy Spirit Douluo's power was undeniable. Her formidable healing abilities ensured that after several rounds of matches, no one was injured. Everyone remained full of energy, as even those who were injured would be instantly healed by a flash of white light.
Greatness needed no explanation.
After four rounds of matches, the team that stood last was, unsurprisingly, Tang Wulin and Luo Guixing's team. In terms of individual abilities, they were undoubtedly among the top 15%, even the top 10% of the class. Each of them was highly capable, and together they were an unstoppable force. Thus, it was no surprise that they made it to the end.
Next was the highlight of today's class selection tournament: the challenge between Tang and Luo's team against the class committee team!
"Next, the final match of the selection tournament. Jing Shaoyu's team versus Tang Wulin's team," Wu Zhangkong announced calmly.
Hearing Wu Zhangkong's words, Jing Shaoyu and his team, who had been resting with their eyes closed, opened their eyes. Their gazes were as calm as still water. They stood up slowly, their movements unhurried, their expressions composed, showing no sense of urgency or excitement about the upcoming match.
Relaxed—that was the impression they gave to others.
They stepped onto the arena, where Tang Wulin and Luo Guixing's team of seven were already standing, their eyes burning with intensity as they looked at Jing Shaoyu's team. After four matches, they were not only not tired but even more excited. Their consecutive victories had boosted their morale, filling them with confidence.
"Teacher," Luo Guixing, as the team's leader, raised his hand and called out, "To ensure fairness, I request that Ye Xinglan and Na'er be allowed to participate."
Upon hearing Luo Guixing's request, Wu Zhangkong glanced at him and replied coldly, "Request denied. Both sides, prepare yourselves."
Such a decisive response made Luo Guixing's eyes narrow, and a hint of anger appeared on his face. The others also felt indignant. Did the teacher really think they were inferior to the five class committee members?
This was too disrespectful!
Their anger was almost at its peak, and even Xu Lizhi, with his chubby face, was affected, his expression turning serious.
Jing Shaoyu smiled indifferently. Teacher Wu was giving the opposing team a buff!
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