Zhu Ziyang's stance was so reassuring that Wang Yan couldn't help but smile, then said, "Alright, what needs to be emphasized is the competition format for the third stage.
The third stage has a total of four rounds of competition: Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals. Among them, the first three rounds have the same competition rules, while the Finals have a different set of rules.
I'll explain the rules for the first three rounds first; as for the Finals, there's no rush for now.
The competition mode for the first three rounds of the third stage no longer requires drawing lots, but rather two fixed formats: team battles and individual battles. Each match needs to be conducted over two days. The first day will be a seven-on-seven team battle. The outcome of this match is irrelevant because it cannot determine the final qualifying spots; it merely serves to increase the viewership of the competition.
What determines the final qualifying spots are the individual battles on the second day. In individual battles, based on the previous day's team battle results, if a team lost the team battle but can defeat all seven opponents with three or fewer team members in the individual battles, then they can turn defeat into victory and qualify.
And for teams that won the team battle, they only need to defeat three opponents with the strength of their seven members to secure qualification."
"It feels so complicated!" Wang Dong couldn't help but complain, saying, "What's the value of this team battle? Is it just for us to be watched like monkeys?"
"Uh!" Wang Yan was speechless and could only say, "Although I don't entirely agree, it is indeed the truth. One of the main purposes of the Soul Master Competition is to entertain the public, gain public recognition, and increase their reputation."
"Teacher Wang, how do you plan to arrange the match against the Battle Spirit Academy?" Bei Bei asked.
"I'm thinking this way," Wang Yan said, lost in thought as he looked at Zhu Ziyang, "For the team battle on the first day, Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao will participate. Zhu Ziyang will be the main attacker, and Huo Yuhao will be the main controller. For the individual battles on the second day, Ma Xiaotao will be the main force, with Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, and Tang Ya serving as the reserve team."
Wang Yan's arrangement could be said to have considered all aspects, but Zhu Ziyang did not agree. He directly said, "Teacher Wang, there's no need for such trouble. I can go alone for the team battle. I said I would make a move, so I wouldn't just say it!"
"This..." Wang Yan was stunned. He hadn't expected Zhu Ziyang to say such arrogant words, which didn't align with his understanding of Zhu Ziyang over these past few days!
"Wow! Ziyang, are you that brave?" The members of the preliminary team were all very surprised, and Tang Ya even directly said, "The other side has five Spirit Kings, don't push yourself!"
"I think we can try!" Wang Yan was also very hesitant, but Ma Xiaotao directly stated that she believed Zhu Ziyang. She said, "With Ziyang's strength, let alone five Spirit Kings, even five Spirit Emperors would be a piece of cake! As the number one genius of Shrek Inner Courtyard, you must believe him!"
Seeing that Ma Xiaotao also agreed, and recalling what Elder Lin and others had said before, Wang Yan could only put his worries aside and said, "Since that's the case, then Ziyang, you can go alone for the team battle. But don't push yourself too hard, after all, the individual competition on the second day is the key!"
"Don't worry, I have it under control!" Zhu Ziyang nodded faintly and said.
Just then, suddenly, there was a knock on the conference room door.
Wang Yan frowned slightly and sternly said, "Didn't I say that service personnel shouldn't disturb us?"
A pleasant female voice came from outside the door, "Sorry to disturb you, I'm not service personnel. I'm from Starlight Auction House."
Starlight Auction House? Hearing this somewhat familiar voice, Wang Yan couldn't help but be stunned. Bei Bei, who was closest to the door, had already stood up and gave Wang Yan an inquiring look. After seeing Wang Yan's affirmative nod, he walked over and opened the door.
At the door was a beautiful woman who looked about twenty-eight or twenty-nine, full of mature charm. It was the auctioneer named Qing Ya whom they had met at the spirit tool auction that day. Qing Ya's gaze went directly to Wang Yan, and she smiled slightly, bowing to Wang Yan and saying, "Hello, Teacher Wang. I apologize for the abrupt intrusion."
Wang Yan hadn't expected it to be her. Although he was a bit displeased by the interruption, he still spoke very politely, saying, "Do you have something to discuss? Auctioneer Qing Ya, also, how did you find us here?"
Qing Ya apologized, "When you purchased the auction items last time, you paid using the Shrek Academy account, so we naturally guessed your origins. Shrek Academy's reputation is simply too well-known. After a brief inquiry, we came to bother you today.
It's like this: our Starlight Auction House will be holding a top-tier auction tonight. Auctions of this level usually only happen once or twice a year. Only the most distinguished guests are invited by us. Last time, we didn't know you were from Shrek, and we apologize for any oversight.
To express our apologies, our boss specifically asked me to deliver invitations to you all. If you are free tonight, you are welcome to attend this auction. We believe there will definitely be items of interest to you at tonight's auction."
As she spoke, she took out a stack of invitations and placed them on the table, then bowed again with a smile and said, "I won't disturb you any further. Again, my apologies."
As she spoke, she slowly retreated, exited the room, and politely closed the door.
Looking at the stack of beautifully gilded invitations, Wang Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said, "What an impressive Starlight Auction House! Eleven invitations, not one less, and they were able to bypass the Star Luo Empire's official blockade of the hotel to deliver the invitations. What a grand gesture!"
"Hehe, that's not surprising!" Zhu Ziyang smiled and said, "In Star Luo City, almost all places with the character'star' in their name are properties of the Star Luo Royal Family. Being able to freely enter and exit the Star Emperor Hotel only indicates that the one who wishes to invite us to this auction is not the owner of the auction house, but the Star Luo Royal Family!"
"Ziyang is right!" An Old Woman suddenly appeared in the conference room, but no one felt any surprise, because this Old Woman was Elder Lin. The preliminary team members had already been informed by Wang Yan of Elder Lin's arrival, so they were not too surprised to see Elder Lin suddenly appear. Elder Lin said, "Behind this Starlight Auction House is a prince of the Star Luo Royal Family, and that prince is the uncle of the current Star Luo Emperor, Emperor Xu Jiawei. He is an undisputed supporter of the Emperor. His invitation is clearly at the behest of Emperor Xu Jiawei."
"Since that's the case, should we go, Elder Lin?" Wang Yan asked.
"Go, why not go?" Elder Lin said, "They've already delivered the invitations to our door. If we don't go, it would be too much of a snub!"
"Hooray!" Hearing Elder Lin's decision, the students immediately cheered. The three youngest, Huo Yuhao, even directly shouted, "Long live Elder Lin!"
"Hehe, it's good to go see the world, just relax a bit. You've all worked hard during this time!" Elder Lin showed a benevolent smile and said.
After making the decision, everyone returned to their respective rooms, changed into their own clothes, and after dinner, they arrived at the Starlight Auction House under Wang Yan's leadership.
To everyone's surprise, Auctioneer Qing Ya was already waiting at the entrance, as if she had anticipated their arrival. Dressed in a long black gown, she appeared even more noble and elegant under the night lights, with a gentle expression on her beautiful face.
Wang Yan met her gaze, nodded slightly, "Hello, Auctioneer Qing Ya. We meet again."
Qing Ya's face lit up when she saw the Shrek Academy group. She walked up to them and said, "Welcome, distinguished guests."
Wang Yan said, "How did you know we would definitely come today?"
Qing Ya shook her head and said, "I wasn't certain if you would come, but my task is to receive distinguished guests. Whether you come or not, I would wait here until the auction officially begins.
Gentlemen, please follow Qing Ya."
With that, she smiled sweetly at Wang Yan again, then swayed her graceful figure and walked ahead delicately.
Led by Qing Ya, they walked further inside this time, quickly passing the venue where they had previously participated in the auction. They then walked all the way to the end, where two young women in golden dresses came to greet them. After bowing slightly to everyone, they briefly conversed with Qing Ya and guided everyone into a new passage.
This passage, unlike the opulent exterior, was filled with a soft glow. Whether it was the floor, the walls, or the ceiling, everything was made of milky-white jade, showcasing both luxury and elegant taste.
Qing Ya softly explained, "This is our Number One Auction Hall for holding top-tier auctions. Only the most distinguished guests are invited to enter here to participate in the bidding.
I am also benefiting from your presence today, distinguished guests, otherwise, with my auctioneer level, I wouldn't be qualified to enter here."
"So that's how it is!" Everyone suddenly understood.
Finally, led by Qing Ya, everyone entered VIP Room Number Seven of Auction Hall Number One.