Alright, here is the revised chapter according to your requirements, adjusting the audience's reaction to "presuming Shrek would concede":
Chapter 147 Final Matchup, An Expected Surrender?
Time flew by, and the Heavenly Dou Division advancement tournament finally reached its conclusion.
After multiple rounds of intense competition, the rankings of the various teams had largely become clear. The Heavenly Dou Royal Academy's first team, relying on Marco's unmatched deterrence, held an undisputed top position with an undefeated record. Strong teams like Shrek Academy, Divine Wind Academy, and Heaven Water Academy also performed remarkably well, firmly occupying the top ranks. The list of fifteen teams advancing to the finals was already determined, with only minor adjustments to the final rankings remaining.
However, the atmosphere on this final day of competition was distinctly different. Because the grand finale, the last match, would pit the top-ranked Heavenly Dou Royal Academy first team against the recent dark horse—Shrek Academy—who had been making waves with their Martial Soul Fusion Skill "Netherworld White Tiger" and the enigmatic Control System Soul Master Tang San!
When the referee stood at the center of the arena and loudly announced the final matchup, the entire martial arena first fell into a slight hush, followed by murmurs of "as expected" and "completely predictable."
"Final match: Heavenly Dou first team versus Shrek."
"Tsk, Shrek's luck is really bad, facing Heavenly Dou's first team in the last match."
"What else can they do? They'll definitely concede directly to conserve strength."
"Yeah, second place in points is basically secured anyway. No need to waste Soul Power against Marco; getting injured would be even worse."
"A wise move. Anyone would choose the same."
All eyes turned toward Shrek Academy's preparation area with an "of course" expression. Their gaze wasn't one anticipating an intense battle, but rather carried a near-pitying confirmation—confirming the choice everyone considered the only sensible one: surrender.
On Heavenly Dou Royal Academy's first team side, only Marco was present as usual. He sat calmly on the bench in the preparation area, eyes closed in meditation. Only when the matchup was announced did he slowly open his eyes. His gaze swept calmly toward Shrek Academy's direction, carrying neither expectation nor contempt, only a deep pool-like tranquility. Perhaps, deep in his heart, he too believed the outcome was already predetermined.
In stark contrast to this atmosphere of "taken-for-granted" calm was the unusually oppressive and tense mood in Shrek Academy's preparation area.
"Dammit! The last match is actually against them!" Ma Hongjun's chubby face fell as he cursed under his breath, though his tone carried more resigned acceptance than unwillingness.
"Ah, forget it, fatty. There's no shame in conceding when we can't win," Oscar patted Ma Hongjun's shoulder and sighed, his face clearly showing "bad luck."
Dai Mubai's expression was tense, his fists clenching and unclenching, ultimately dissolving into a silent sigh. Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, but her slightly lowered eyelids revealed her inner turmoil. Xiao Wu pouted, clearly displeased, yet didn't voice any "let's fight it out" sentiments, instead looking worriedly at Tang San beside her.
Dean Flender covered his face with one hand, sighed deeply at the sky, his expression pained: "My bonus points... The extra reward for second place will be discounted now..." The shrewd man had already calculated the point loss from conceding.
The hot-tempered Liu Erlong stomped her foot irritably, cracking the ground with fine fissures as she fumed: "What awful luck! Of all times, the final match!" But her anger seemed directed more at misfortune than battle intent.
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, his face calm as still water, yet his slightly furrowed brow revealed rapid calculations. Direct confrontation with Marco offered countless harms without a single benefit. Conceding was the only logical and advantageous choice. Though it might bruise their pride, it meant nothing compared to pointless consumption and risk. He had even prepared how to comfort the team afterward and deal with potential gossip.
Having reached this conclusion, Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath and hesitated no longer. He stepped forward, about to raise his hand toward the referee's stand to announce Shrek Academy's withdrawal from the match. To all observers, this seemed the inevitable next action.
"Teacher."
A calm yet unusually resolute voice abruptly cut through, halting his nearly raised arm.
Yu Xiaogang paused mid-motion, turning with some astonishment toward the source—Tang San.
Tang San had risen unnoticed, his previously lowered head now lifted, gaze fixed directly on Yu Xiaogang. His eyes no longer held their usual calm wisdom, but were filled with something almost stubbornly... determined?
"Xiao San?" Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
Ignoring his teammates' surprised stares, Tang San kept his eyes locked on Yu Xiaogang and stated clearly: "Teacher, I want to try."
Yu Xiaogang's expression shifted dramatically, almost doubting his own ears! He lowered his voice, carrying disbelief and urgency: "Xiao San! Do you realize what you're saying? Try? With what? You know Marco's strength well! A direct clash is meaningless—it'll only waste energy, possibly cause injuries affecting the finals! Conceding is the wisest choice!"
Tang San pressed his lips into a tight line, the stubbornness in his eyes intensifying. Slowly, he raised his left hand, clenching it into a tight fist, knuckles whitening from the force. He didn't release his Martial Soul, but this suggestive gesture made Yu Xiaogang—who understood the implication—jolt with shock, his heart trembling violently!
The Clear Sky Hammer! Tang San wanted to use the Clear Sky Hammer!
"Preposterous!" Yu Xiaogang's voice held suppressed anger and anxiety, "Have you gone mad?! Revealing the Clear Sky Hammer now would expose your greatest trump card to the world! The Spirit Hall would target you immediately! You'd become everyone's mark! Is it worth it for this unwinnable match?!"
Meeting Yu Xiaogang's nearly blazing gaze, Tang San didn't retreat but stepped forward instead, his voice quiet yet carrying undeniable resolve as he repeated:
"Teacher! I want to try!"
His gaze was fixed and unyielding, stripped of the usual calculations and considerations, leaving only a long-suppressed battle intent eager to erupt—a stubborn refusal to accept a "foregone" defeat! Having witnessed Marco sweep through the qualifiers with an almost invincible demeanor, that overwhelming strength weighed on his heart like a massive boulder. He yearned to personally experience that gap, to unleash that hammer strike, even if he knew it was as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot! This impulse even surpassed his usual calm analysis of gains and losses.
Yu Xiaogang's heart trembled under Tang San's stubborn, almost obsessive gaze. He raised a hand, pointing at Tang San, his lips quivering. "You... you..." He saw the unyielding resolve in his beloved disciple's eyes, as if he were feeling Tang San's deep-seated pride and obstinacy with such clarity for the first time. In the end, as if drained of all strength, he slowly lowered his arm and let out an exceedingly heavy sigh. His face was etched with exhaustion, worry, and profound helplessness.
He understood Tang San—once that look appeared in his eyes, not even nine bulls could pull him back.
"...Fine." Yu Xiaogang's voice was hoarse and weak. "Tomorrow... you'll take the stage alone."
After speaking, he seemed to age instantly. Without another glance at Tang San or acknowledging the shocked stares of the other team members, he turned and staggered toward their lodgings, his retreating figure filled with desolation and heaviness.
Flender and Liu Erlong stared dumbfounded as the Grandmaster left, then turned to look at Tang San's resolute expression. They opened their mouths but ultimately said nothing, only releasing a heavy sigh. With complex emotions, they called out to the other team members, "Let's go, back for now."
The Shrek Academy group silently left the preparation area under an atmosphere of extreme tension, confusion, and unease. Their departure stirred little attention, as most spectators naturally assumed they were returning to discuss the details of a "dignified surrender" the next day.
"Look, Shrek's team is heading back."
"They must be going to discuss how to surrender without losing too much face tomorrow."
"What other way is there? Just announce forfeiture on stage. Would they really fight a bit before giving up?"
"Probably, just going through the motions to say they participated."
"A wise choice. I'd do the same."
Spectators in the stands murmured among themselves, their tones light and tinged with a sense of superior insight. No one believed Shrek would actually take on the fight—to them, it was an inevitable, unquestionable outcome.
However, Marco had keenly observed the brief but intense dispute within the Shrek Academy team, especially Tang San's tightly clenched left fist and unyielding gaze. A faint, almost imperceptible ripple stirred in his calm eyes.
"Oh?" he mused inwardly, the corner of his mouth curling into a subtle, barely noticeable arc. "So... they're not surrendering?"
This was... somewhat unexpected.
He stood up and left without delay, heading straight for his quarters.
Tomorrow's match, once deemed a foregone conclusion, seemed... to have become just a little more interesting.