Chapter 309: Monster Academy! 

The first round of the duo preliminaries had concluded, and today marked the start of the first round of the team preliminaries.

Jing Shaoyu had spent the night in Wu Siduo's room, so the two of them headed to the hotel restaurant together in the morning. After breakfast, they set off for the Star Luo Grand Stadium.

"Jing Shaoyu, come out here!" Just then, a sharp voice rang out. Dai Yuner stood in the hotel lobby with her hands on her hips, glaring at him angrily. A young man stood beside her—none other than Dai Yueyan.

The two of them blocked Jing Shaoyu and Wu Siduo's path.

Jing Shaoyu sighed helplessly. "Your Highness, what brings you here again?"

"Hmph! This is the Star Luo Empire. Do I need to report to you about where I go?" Dai Yuner retorted with a haughty sniff.

"Then what instructions does Your Highness have for us? Unlike you, we don't have the luxury of leisure—we have a match to attend," Jing Shaoyu said, rubbing his temples in exasperation.

"A shameless woman, tarnishing the dignity of the Dai ancestors," Wu Siduo muttered under her breath. Though seemingly a quiet complaint, her words carried clearly to Dai Yuner and Dai Yueyan's ears.

Both stiffened, their expressions darkening. Dai Yuner's face flushed with anger, and she was about to rebuke Wu Siduo when Dai Yueyan stopped her.

Dai Yueyan stepped forward, an invisible pressure radiating from him as he bore down on Jing Shaoyu and the others. Unfazed, Jing Shaoyu effortlessly withstood the oppressive aura.

"Greetings. I am Yun'er's elder brother, Dai Yueyan," he introduced himself, though his gaze remained fixed on Wu Siduo. "So, you're the descendant of that royal lineage from the Douluo Continent? Has the White Tiger Clan of Douluo fallen so low that they've forgotten even the most basic clan rules? Is this how a branch family should treat the main lineage?"

Wu Siduo sneered. "Who's the main lineage and who's the branch? That's still up for debate. The ancestral temple of the Dai Clan still stands on the Douluo Continent!"

"Outrageous!" Dai Yueyan's expression twisted with fury, and he unleashed an even more overwhelming aura, directing it straight at Wu Siduo.

When the Star Luo imperial family migrated to the Star Luo Continent, they had only taken the memorial tablets of Dai Hao, Dai Luoli, and a few subsequent emperors. The tablets of the other Dai ancestors remained in the White Tiger Ancestral Temple in Star Luo City on the Douluo Continent, where they had been tended to by the Wu family for generations.

Beyond the tablets, the imperial mausoleums of the Dai emperors were also located on the Douluo Continent. Only the tombs of the few emperors who had migrated were buried on the Star Luo Continent.

Thus, in theory, the Wu family represented the true main lineage of the White Tiger Clan, while the Star Luo imperial family was actually the branch. This was the most sensitive topic for the Dai family, who had always prided themselves as the main lineage—which was why Wu Siduo's words had provoked such an intense reaction from Dai Yueyan.

After all, even in insults, one should avoid touching sore spots.

Jing Shaoyu stepped forward, shielding Wu Siduo behind him as he intercepted Dai Yueyan's oppressive aura. His expression turned grave. "Your Highness, if you have something to say, say it. If not, don't obstruct us from heading to the arena."

Dai Yueyan withdrew his gaze from Wu Siduo, his expression calming considerably as a faint smile even appeared on his face. "My apologies for the earlier impropriety. We bear no ill will—we simply admire Shrek Academy's reputation as the foremost institution for Soul Masters and wished to make your acquaintance. Taking advantage of this tournament, we also hoped to exchange pointers with your esteemed team."

It had to be said that Dai Yueyan was already beginning to display the temperament of an emperor. Rather than letting anger dictate his emotions, he spoke methodically—far more composed than Dai Yuner.

"No need for formalities, Your Highness," Jing Shaoyu said with a smile. "Should we meet in the tournament, let's focus on mutual learning rather than letting competition harm our rapport. After all, neither side would find defeat particularly glorious, wouldn't you agree?"

"Hahaha, precisely my thoughts!" Dai Yueyan laughed heartily. "Then we won't detain you any longer. We'll see you in the arena." With that, he led a still somewhat reluctant Dai Yuner out of the Star Luo Grand Hotel.

Seeing the obstruction gone, Jing Shaoyu's group of seven wasted no time either, promptly leaving the hotel and heading toward the competition venue.

"Maomao, your words were so sharp!" Xu Xiaoyan sidled up to Wu Siduo, eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Not really. I was just stating facts," Wu Siduo replied innocently, waving a hand dismissively.

"Ahaha, lies don't cut deep—truth is the sharpest blade," Mo Hentian chuckled.

Na'er nodded in agreement. "Exactly! Sister Duoduo said what I was thinking!"

Ye Xinglan wore a resigned expression. "Honestly, if relations between the Federation and the Star Luo Empire ever sour, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised."

"Rest assured, it's inevitable," Jing Shaoyu said calmly.

The temporary peace between Douluo and Star Luo was merely the fleeting pinnacle of the Federation's dovish faction. Though the hawks were currently suppressed by the doves, the hawkish faction's numbers and influence far surpassed theirs. The doves' hold on the Federation couldn't last long.

In the original timeline, had it not been for Tang Wulin's leadership at Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect's interference, the Douluo Federation would have long unified Douluo Star. From this perspective, Tang Wulin truly lived up to being the son of a Godking—his actions were all too human.

The Star Luo Grand Stadium was noticeably less bustling than during the individual matches, though livelier than the doubles tournament. By the time Jing Shaoyu's group entered, nearly all hundred-plus teams for the group competition had arrived—nearly a thousand participants—yet the venue didn't feel crowded.

Jing Shaoyu's team stood out conspicuously among the others. While every other squad consisted of eight members—seven starters and one substitute—they were the sole seven-member team. But this was unavoidable, given their limited numbers.

The group stage required larger arenas than individual or doubles matches, so only five platforms were erected in the stadium, meaning only five matches could proceed per round. Jing Shaoyu's team was scheduled for the third batch—a fairly early slot.

After confirming their match details, the seven found a relatively quiet corner to chat while awaiting their turn.

Just as team inspections were concluding, the final squad slowly entered through the waiting area's entrance. Their arrival instantly hushed the previously noisy venue.

This was a standard eight-person team, all clad in dark red martial attire with a black, wide-mouthed monster emblem embroidered on their chests, looking imposing and formidable.

"The Monster Academy team is here!" A murmur ran through the crowd, revealing the origins of this group.

Jing Shaoyu and his companions watched the Monster Academy team with keen interest. Monster Academy—a counterpart to Shrek Academy in the new continent, founded on the same principles as Shrek Academy, but even more straightforward in its approach.

The leader of the group was an exceptionally burly man, standing at a towering two meters tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular frame. His shaved head gleamed, and his fierce aura made him seem like a moving mountain, exuding overwhelming pressure and raw power.

Long Yue!

Jing Shaoyu studied him with curiosity and intrigue. So this was the Mountain Dragon King Soul Master Long Yue, who had once beaten Tang Wulin in the original story? Interesting!

Long Yue strode forward, and the surrounding teams immediately cleared a path, none daring to stand in the way of this humanoid monster. Behind him were Dai Yueyan and Dai Yuner, the siblings Jing Shaoyu had met earlier that morning.

As soon as Dai Yuner entered the venue, she began scanning the crowd for Jing Shaoyu and his group. The moment she spotted the seven of them, her face lit up with a radiant smile. She quickly approached Long Yue, tugging at his arm and whispering something into his ear.

Long Yue obligingly bent down to listen, then immediately straightened up, his sharp gaze locking onto Jing Shaoyu.

His eyes instantly darkened to a deep crimson, and his aura flooded the waiting area with a violent, oppressive energy. Those who had been standing near the Monster Academy team hastily retreated even further.

Unsurprisingly, Long Yue marched straight toward Jing Shaoyu's group, his wild momentum making him seem like a beast in human form.

Yet Jing Shaoyu remained unfazed, his expression still calm and his smile as gentle as ever.

In just a few strides, Long Yue stood before Jing Shaoyu, his voice deep and commanding. "I heard you bullied my little sister Yuner?"

Jing Shaoyu chuckled lightly. "Is rejecting her considered bullying? Hah!"

Long Yue's eyes narrowed. Then, he extended his massive hand. "Let's get acquainted. I'm Long Yue—also known as Long the Madman."

Jing Shaoyu reached out and clasped his hand. "Jing Shaoyu."

The moment their hands met, sparks seemed to fly, making both sides widen their eyes in surprise. The two men wore indifferent expressions, their grips firm and unyielding, neither budging an inch.

Yet, a change occurred—Jing Shaoyu's palm took on a dark golden hue, while Long Yue's turned a striking shade of dark red.

Long Yue abruptly raised his head, his crimson eyes like swirling abysses as he glared fiercely at Jing Shaoyu. In contrast, Jing Shaoyu's gaze remained relaxed and amused, as if this were nothing more than an ordinary handshake.

The stalemate lasted over ten seconds, their arms trembling slightly from the strain—until Dai Yueyan stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Alright, Brother Long."

Jing Shaoyu and Long Yue released each other simultaneously. Jing Shaoyu's smile never wavered, while a trace of madness flashed in Long Yue's eyes. He burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Interesting! Very interesting! Jing Shaoyu, I'll remember you. Don't disappoint me!"

With that, he turned and walked away, the rest of the Monster Academy team following closely behind.

"Brother, that Long Yue?" Na'er took a step forward, whispering in Jing Shaoyu's ear while casting a glance at Gu Yue.

"It's nothing." Jing Shaoyu raised his right hand, which trembled slightly for just an instant before steadying. He felt a surge of relief—if not for the Dark Gold Terror Claw right hand bone, he might have suffered a hidden loss today.

On the other side, Dai Yuner stood beside Long Yue, asking with concern, "Big Brother Long, are you alright?"

She noticed Long Yue's hand shaking, though only briefly, yet it still shocked her immensely. To match Big Brother Long in raw strength—just what kind of Martial Soul did that Jing Shaoyu possess?

"Nothing to worry about!" Long Yue laughed heartily. "Just a bit excited. It's been so long since I've faced such an opponent. I'm really looking forward to it!"