Bonus Chapter. Enjoy!
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Ending the first match so quickly was indeed consistent with Shrek Academy's strength. Fast, accurate, and ruthless, without a hint of hesitation.
But this time, only five Reserve Team members had taken action.
This caused a sense of invincibility to rise in the hearts of many teams. After all, if the Reserve Team members were already this strong, wouldn't the Main Team Members be even stronger?
Members of many teams looked at each other, their eyes filled with bitterness and helplessness. However, they hadn't originally intended to compete for supremacy with Shrek Academy; they were simply lamenting.
But among these teams, one was different. That was Shrek Academy's old rival, the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Tool Master Academy. Having always kept a close eye on Shrek Academy, they knew some inside information; according to intelligence, Shrek Academy only had eight participants this time, with only three Main Team Members!
Captain Ma Rulong's brows were tightly furrowed, his eyes flickering with the light of contemplation.
"No matter how high Shrek Academy's teaching level is, a Spirit Ancestor and a Spirit Elder couldn't possibly unleash such combat power!"
The arrogance on Xiao Hongchen's face had also lessened considerably at this moment.
Looking at the people on the stage, he said calmly, "There should be an enhancement from a support system Spirit Master. That five-ring Spirit King used a Spirit Ability, but we didn't see any effect. He's likely a support system Spirit Master!"
This judgment was instantly accepted by everyone. Thinking of this, many in the team breathed a sigh of relief. Although support system Spirit Masters were important, as Spirit Masters, they ultimately pursued individual combat power.
Which of those powerhouses standing at the Peak of the continent didn't have supreme strength themselves? Who would fight team battles every day?
At this moment, the old man with a resolute face spoke. "He cannot be a support system Spirit Master!"
As soon as these words were spoken, they instantly drew everyone's attention. His name was Elder Ma, an eight-ring Spirit Douluo, an elder from Captain Ma Rulong's Clan, and one of the leading teachers for the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Tool Master Academy this time. Xiao Hongchen immediately turned his head to look at the old man.
Xiao Hongchen asked, "Elder Ma, did you see something?"
Elder Ma's gaze fell on the back of the figure who had already turned to leave the stage, his eyes flashing with brilliance.
"You all saw that young man's spirit rings. Starting from the first spirit ring, they were all absorbed beyond their age limits, and the same goes for every subsequent spirit ring." He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "What does this mean? It means his physical body strength and mental force are both far beyond those of ordinary Spirit Masters. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to withstand those high-age spirit rings at all. This... is not something a support system Spirit Master can achieve."
Hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought. Although the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Tool Master Academy focused mainly on spirit tools, as the top academy in Sun Moon, their research on Spirits was naturally not weak. They knew very well that what Elder Ma said was the truth; he indeed didn't seem like a simple support system Spirit Master.
Ma Rulong chimed in at this point, "Elder Ma, according to what you said, this young man is most likely a Spirit Master with a Beast Martial Soul."
It was no secret that Beast Martial Souls enhanced physical strength; even ordinary Students knew this.
Elder Ma nodded. "Exactly. His Spirit Abilities might have supportive effects, but he absolutely cannot be a pure support system Spirit Master. In the upcoming matches, we should pay close attention to him; he can't possibly never take action."
Everyone's expressions became much more solemn upon hearing this, deeply engraving the name Huo Yuhao in their hearts.
Shrek Academy's first match ended in victory as expected. This one-sided crushing victory left the entire audience shouting in excitement.
Afterward, they remained in the Preparation Area to watch the subsequent knockout matches. This was also an opportunity to understand their opponents' strength in advance; after all, they would have to face these teams sooner or later in the following matches.
However, unless two teams of similar strength met, not much could be seen. Matches with a large disparity in strength often ended quickly, revealing nothing, as many teams were intentionally or unintentionally hiding their true power.
After all, a duel between Spirit Masters was also a duel of information. The more information one had about their opponent, the greater the chance of winning. No one wanted to reveal all their trump cards in the first round.
The first day's matches lasted until evening. Out of over a hundred teams, half were directly eliminated.
Starting from the second day, it was the Round-robin Tournament!
Shrek Academy's match yesterday had already brought a huge shock to the audience. Especially the young Spirit King, Huo Yuhao, who had become the focus of everyone's attention.
Many people are looking forward to seeing him appear again. They wanted to see this genius's true strength with their own eyes..
However, today was destined to disappoint everyone.
Because for the Round-robin Tournament, Shrek Academy drew the individual battle format.
In the end, Xu Sanshi actually accomplished the feat of defeating seven opponents in a row! Although the strongest of the seven opponents was only a Spirit Ancestor, it still showcased the powerful combat strength of Shrek Students!
...
During the day, the Star Luo Emperor, Emperor Xu Jiawei, watched the matches from the city wall.
But at night, he had to handle government affairs in his study.
The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Soul Dueling Tournament was important, but the Empire's affairs couldn't be ignored either. Memorials were piled high, each requiring his personal review and annotation. This was the destiny of being an emperor; while enjoying the glory, one must also bear the corresponding responsibilities.
The candlelight flickered, casting a long shadow of him.
As a series of footsteps approached, Emperor Xu Jiawei raised his head after finishing his review of the memorial in his hand. Prime Minister Fan Quan was now standing before the desk.
Not many could enter here without announcement; Fan Quan, as a veteran of three reigns and a teacher to two emperors, was one of them.
Before Emperor Xu Jiawei could even ask, Fan Quan took the initiative to speak, "Your Majesty, the information on that young man has been clarified."
As he spoke, he gently placed the organized information before Emperor Xu Jiawei. Emperor Xu Jiawei was slightly startled, then immediately remembered the matter.
Yesterday in the Observation Area, he had indeed ordered an investigation into the young man's background.
He pointed to a nearby chair. "Prime Minister, please have a seat."
Fan Quan sat down and watched Emperor Xu Jiawei pick up the information, speaking slowly, "Your Majesty, this boy's identity is not simple."
Emperor Xu Jiawei's hand holding the information paused slightly, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. He wanted to see exactly how this young man was "not simple"! He opened the first page of the information, his gaze falling on the first piece of information written there.
In the next second... Emperor Xu Jiawei's eyes widened suddenly!
On that face which always maintained imperial dignity, he could no longer remain calm!
He looked up sharply at Prime Minister Fan Quan sitting beside him, his voice full of disbelief: "He is Dai Hao's son?!"
At this moment, the first line of the information in his hand read strikingly: "Huo Yuhao, third son of the Duke of White Tiger, Dai Hao."
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
2 Reviews = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.