In the original story, after Tang San first made contact with Canghui Academy, he was targeted by their dean, Shi Nian.
Shi Nian was a Soul Saint, but his Martial Soul was highly peculiar. Named Brutal Dream, it was said that if someone fell into his dreamscape, they would never find their way out. Furthermore, according to Shi Nian himself, once he broke through to the Titled Douluo realm, he would be able to peer into the memories of others. It had to be said that if Shi Nian were actually allowed to grow, his Martial Soul would be a terrifying asset.
However, Shi Nian's talent was mediocre at best; he was nearly sixty years old and still only a Soul Saint. The hope of him ever reaching the Titled Douluo rank was virtually nonexistent.
The reason Gu Xuan remembered Shi Nian, however, was that the man had tried to torture and kill Tang San, only to be counter-killed. He had dropped a soul bone—a 20,000-year gem-type left arm bone—which happened to be a perfect fit for Ning Rongrong.
Gu Xuan wasn't entirely sure if Tang San had been targeted yet. Because of the addition of the Seven Treasure Team and the strengthening of the Godwind and Blazing teams, the match order and matchups had shifted from the original timeline. The script had already changed.
Logically, Shi Nian shouldn't have a reason to fixate on Tang San yet. Tang San hadn't shown anything particularly "special"—no ten-thousand-year soul ring, no Eight Spider Lances, and his Martial Soul was still just Blue Silver Grass. His only distinction was cultivating a "trash" Martial Soul to the Soul Ancestor level.
Regardless, today was the match between the Shrek Team and the Canghui Team. Gu Xuan only needed to see if Shi Nian was present. If he were, then even if the man didn't target Tang San, Gu Xuan would personally step in to slaughter that "old schemer." The old man wasn't a good person anyway, and letting that soul bone sit on him was a waste. It was much better suited for the lovely Xiao Rongrong!
And if Shi Nian did target Tang San, Gu Xuan could perform a bit of "heroism," reaping a wave of gratitude from Tang San. After all, Tang San's hidden weapons cost money either way—it was just a matter of how much. If he saved Tang San's life, he could just claim his own hidden weapons were depleted and ask to buy a whole new batch!
Of course, that was just a thought. How things would actually unfold remained to be seen.
Soon, the announcer's voice boomed through the soul tool amplification.
"Qualifiers, Round Three, Match Ten: Shrek Academy Team vs. Canghui Academy Team! Please gather in the preparation area!"
As the announcement rang out, both teams walked onto the field. Cheers erupted instantly. As the highlight of this round, the match was naturally placed on the central main stage. Four other arenas surrounded the main stage like guards, but this match was the undeniable focus of the crowd.
Professional commentators in the VIP section began detailing the two teams with vivid descriptions.
For this match, Shrek had deployed five Soul Ancestors:
Captain: Dai Mubai (Rank 43)
Vice Captain: Tang San (Rank 42)
Meng Yiran: (Rank 41)
Oscar: (Rank 41)
Zhu Zhuqing: (Rank 41)
Aside from Ma Hongjun, Shrek had fielded nearly all their heavy hitters. This lineup was considered top-tier even within the Heaven Dou division.
In contrast, while the seven members of the Canghui Team all possessed optimal soul ring configurations, only their captain was a four-ring Soul Ancestor. The other six were all three-ring Soul Elders. Even though their lowest rank was 35, a Soul Elder was still just a Soul Elder.
However, no one dared to look down on Canghui anymore. By utilizing their Seven-in-One Fusion Skill, they had defeated the Thunder Team, one of the Five Element Academies. Their strength had been validated, which was exactly why Shrek had deployed such a powerful lineup.
Under the referee's command, the match began. To the audience, the most dazzling part was always the initial release of Martial Souls—the flash of rings and the various visual effects never failed to rouse the crowd's excitement.
With five Soul Ancestors and two Soul Elders, Shrek immediately suppressed their opponents in terms of raw soul power. Canghui's seven members looked cautious. They quickly huddled together in a strange formation.
Having watched Canghui crush the Thunder Team, and knowing Shrek had beaten the Elephant Armored Team, neither side took the other lightly. Aside from their captain, the other six Canghui members formed a hexagon, warily eyeing the Shrek Seven.
"Group up," Tang San commanded.
The Shrek members gathered around Tang San. Familiar Blue Silver Grass vines wrapped around their waists as Tang San focused his soul power to its peak. Surprisingly, Canghui didn't move either.
Of the five matches happening simultaneously, the other four were already in a fierce melee. Only the central stage remained in a stalemate, both sides staring each other down, neither willing to make the first move.
Seeing that Shrek hadn't charged in blindly, the Canghui captain blinked, a flicker of disappointment crossing his eyes. Ever since they revealed their fusion skill, other teams always tried to finish them as quickly as possible to prevent them from setting up. Shrek's refusal to rush in meant they hadn't fallen into the immediate trap.
But it didn't matter. If the opponent wouldn't move, they would take the initiative. Five Soul Ancestors might be strong, but it wasn't enough! Shrek didn't have anyone specialized in mental attacks.
The Canghui captain stopped hiding his intent. He stepped back a meter, sliding perfectly into the center of the hexagonal formation. Simultaneously, the other six stepped outward, expanding the formation. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, a result of years of practice.
Then, the audience saw the seven Canghui members raise their right hands. A gemstone appeared in each of their palms, each differing in color and shape—round, rhombic, triangular, teardrop. They represented the seven colors of the rainbow. The moment they appeared, a layer of misty, kaleidoscopic light enveloped the seven of them.
Gemstone Martial Souls were incredibly rare. It wasn't that they were inherently "overpowered," but they possessed immense versatility. Depending on the soul rings chosen, they could develop into Power, Control, Agility, or even Support types. They were the Martial Souls most dependent on ring selection; with the right choices, they held infinite possibilities.
Though the Shrek Team had seen these Martial Souls before, feeling the combined pressure at such close range was a first. Even though Canghui only had one Soul Ancestor, the pressure they exerted was heavier than even the Elephant Armored Academy!
(End of Chapter)
---
This story is already complete on my Support Page! If you want to stay 2 chapters ahead for free, just search for Fallen_Archangel_ on the orange platform.
Your 5-star reviews and Power Stones keep the chapters coming!