It wasn't only Shrek Academy.
Over the following half month, major powers and academies from all across the Douluo Continent sent delegation after delegation toward the Sun Moon Empire.
Compared to the previous Soul Master Tournament, the sects and academies participating this time carried an additional, unspoken mission.
They had come to reclaim victory for the original Douluo Continent.
In the hearts of these soul masters and sect disciples, they were the true orthodoxy of the continent. For thousands of years, the supreme honor of the All-Continent High-Rank Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament had always belonged to the three traditional empires of Douluo.
Yet five years ago, that honor—something that had never fallen into foreign hands—was seized by the Sun Moon Empire.
The humiliation from that defeat ran deep.
Because of this, during the past five years, these sects and academies had shared a single goal: to grow stronger at all costs.
They cultivated day and night, pouring far more effort than ever before into spirit power levels, combat techniques, and team coordination. Everything they did was for this moment—to defeat the Sun Moon Empire on its own soil and take back what once belonged to them.
…
At the same time, in Star Luo City, the capital of the Star Luo Empire, the Star Luo representative team was fully assembled and ready to depart.
Given the special significance of this tournament, the royal family had selected not just elite talents, but future pillars of the empire.
The Star Luo Emperor personally came to the city gates to see off the team that carried the empire's hopes.
Standing beside him was the eldest princess, Xu Jiujiu, dressed in full ceremonial attire.
The emperor looked at the young, determined faces before him, his expression solemn. His gaze eventually settled on Xu Jiujiu.
"Jiujiu," he said gently, "the journey to the Bright Capital is long, and that city lies at the heart of the Sun Moon Empire. As one of the team's leaders, the pressure on you will be immense."
Xu Jiujiu bowed slightly, her tone firm and unwavering.
"Please rest assured, Brother. I understand the significance of this competition."
"The defeat five years ago severely damaged the Star Luo Empire's standing. This time, we will never allow that to happen again."
The emperor sighed softly and looked toward the distant north.
"Remember this: victory and defeat matter, but what matters even more is seeing clearly the true foundation of the Sun Moon Empire."
"Especially that Liu Yuan. If he is still participating, you must remain extremely vigilant. I don't ask you to defeat him outright—but you must display the dignity of the Star Luo Empire."
Xu Jiujiu nodded, her beautiful eyes shining with determination.
"I understand. I will do my utmost."
The emperor raised his hand.
"Go. May your journey be safe."
…
Meanwhile, within the Body Sect of the Heaven Dou Empire, the atmosphere was far more oppressive—and far more aggressive.
As one of the top hidden sects on the continent, the Body Sect valued its reputation far more than ordinary academies ever could.
In the eyes of Sect Master Poison Undying, the Soul Master Tournament was meant to be a clash of martial souls—not a spectacle dominated by piles of spirit tools.
At this moment, Poison Undying stood at the head seat of the sect hall, his hands clasped behind his back.
Before him stood Long Aotian, Vina, and the most outstanding disciples of the current generation.
Poison Undying's emerald-green eyes flashed coldly as he scanned the crowd.
"Aotian. Vina," he said. "You both know why I allowed you to participate in this tournament."
"In my eyes, those so-called academy exchanges are meaningless. But this time is different."
"The vermin of the Sun Moon Empire dare to rely on iron contraptions to dominate the soul master world. Their victory five years ago was a desecration of the soul master bloodline itself."
Long Aotian stepped forward, his powerful aura surging as he spoke in a deep, resolute voice.
"Sect Master, this disciple understands. Anyone may win—but the Sun Moon Empire absolutely cannot."
"Before absolute strength, all external tools are nothing but illusions."
Poison Undying nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
"Correct. That Liu Yuan may have stolen the spotlight last time."
"But this year, you have completed the sect's core secondary awakening training. Your strength has already undergone a qualitative transformation."
"Long Aotian, when you encounter the Sun Moon Empire's team, do not hold back. I want the entire continent to see clearly that the Original Body Martial Soul stands at the very peak of this world."
Vina added calmly from the side, "Sect Master, we will also use this opportunity to thoroughly probe the Sun Moon Empire's true foundation. If Liu Yuan truly is as overwhelming as the rumors claim, I will coordinate with other forces to suppress him."
Poison Undying snorted coldly.
"Coordinate? That is the thinking of the weak."
"You represent the Body Sect. What we do is crush everything head-on."
"This time, we will not only seize the championship—we will break the spine of the Sun Moon Empire in their own Bright Capital."
"Set off. Don't let those self-important academies arrive before us."
Long Aotian and the others answered in unison. In the next instant, their figures turned into streaks of light, tearing through the clouds as they sped toward the Sun Moon Empire.
…
For the next half month, teams from every direction traveled without rest.
Along the major trade routes leading to the Bright Capital, groups of young soul masters could be seen almost everywhere.
They came from different sects, different academies, and different nations—but their destination was the same.
They were all heading to the Bright Capital, determined to challenge the rule of the Sun Moon Empire.
As the city drew closer, the oppressive atmosphere grew heavier with each passing day.
In the blink of an eye, another half month passed.
On this day, outside the towering gates of the Bright Capital, the Shrek Academy representative team finally arrived.
Elder Xuan, still wearing his tattered grey robe, took a bite of a chicken leg and looked up at the massive city walls, a complicated expression flashing across his eyes.
Behind him, Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, Wang Donger, and the others all wore solemn expressions.
They gazed at this city filled with cold, industrial modernity, yet in their hearts, the same figure surfaced—someone who had once dominated the battlefield single-handedly.
Ma Xiaotao walked at the front of the group. The surging spirit power fluctuations emanating from the city—especially that faint yet oppressive dragon-type aura—made her clench her fists unconsciously.
"So we're finally going to meet that guy again…" she murmured, her eyes filled with tangled emotions. "I wonder what level his strength has reached now."
The defeat five years ago was the shame Ma Xiaotao least wanted to recall.
Over those five years, she had pushed herself to the brink, even coming dangerously close to qi deviation during cultivation more than once. The only belief that sustained her was a single thought—defeating Liu Yuan the next time they met.
That was why she had insisted on coming this time, even though she could no longer compete personally.
When the opportunity arose, she would find a way to spar with him again.
On the other side, Elder Xuan swallowed the last bite of chicken and wiped his greasy hands on his worn robe without care.
He turned to look at the students behind him, his aged voice carrying unquestionable authority.
"No matter how far that kid has advanced, and no matter what opportunities he's gained."
"Remember this: Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year legacy cannot be completely overshadowed by a single individual's talent."
"I've seen your progress over these five years. Bei Bei, Sanshi—you've both entered the Spirit Emperor realm. Yuhao's rank may be slightly lower, but his twin martial souls have fully matured."
Elder Xuan narrowed his eyes at the soul tool detectors hovering above the Bright Capital and let out a cold snort.
"Compared to last time, our team is stronger, not weaker."
"This time, we must win."
"We will reclaim the glory that belongs to Shrek."
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