Chapter 311: Passionate! 

Time passed, and the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Youth Competition was in full swing, with matches growing increasingly intense and thrilling.

Half a month later.

The preliminary rounds of the individual, doubles, and team competitions concluded one after another, and the main tournament was about to begin.

For the individual competition, after several rounds of fierce battles, only 128 contestants advanced to the second stage—the group round-robin matches. These 128 competitors would be divided into eight groups for single round-robin matches within their groups. Based on their rankings, the top eight from each group would advance to the third stage of the tournament.

Unsurprisingly, all seven members of Jing Shaoyu's team advanced to the round-robin stage. Though the group assignments for the individual competition had yet to begin, with seven participants spread across eight groups, the probability of them ending up in the same group was still somewhat high.

For the doubles competition, after multiple rounds, 64 teams advanced to the round-robin stage. These 64 teams would also be divided into eight groups, but only the top two teams from each group would qualify for the third stage, making the competition far more intense than the individual matches.

Naturally, all three teams from Shrek Academy advanced to the group stage without any issues.

As for the team competition, only 32 teams made it to the round-robin stage, also divided into eight groups. Only the top team from each group would advance to the next stage, while the rest would be eliminated outright—making this the most fiercely contested event.

The Shrek team also advanced to the team round-robin stage.

After the first stage concluded, all matches were suspended for a day. The round-robin matches for the doubles and team competitions would begin first—doubles in the morning and team matches in the afternoon. Two days later, the individual round-robin matches would commence.

The group assignments for the doubles and team competitions had already been announced.

For the team competition, Jing Shaoyu's team was placed in Group 6, while the Monster Academy team was in Group 3. This draw was undoubtedly what the tournament organizers had hoped for—how could the two strongest teams possibly meet in the group stage?

In the doubles competition, none of Shrek Academy's three teams were placed in the same group. Gu Yue and Na'er were in Group 1, Xu Xiaoyan and Wu Siduo in Group 3, and Ye Xinglan and Mo Hentian in Group 7.

It was worth noting that Monster Academy also fielded three teams for the doubles competition: Long Yue and Dai Yuner as one team, Dai Yueyan and Su Mu as another, and Hua Lantang and Ye Zhi as the third. Only Hua Lantang and Ye Zhi were placed in Group 1, meaning they would clash with Gu Yue and Na'er in the group stage.

After so many days of competition, they had gained a basic understanding of Monster Academy's members. For example, Hua Lantang and Ye Zhi were both Soul Kings and among the Eight Great Heavenly Kings of Monster Academy.

Hua Lantang, known as the Wolf King, possessed the Martial Soul of the Dragon Wolf—a powerful fusion of True Dragon and Heavenly Wolf bloodlines, said to be descended from the second son of the Dragon's nine offspring, the Yazi.

Ye Zhi, titled the Tower King, wielded the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda as her Martial Soul. Her ancestors were members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect who had migrated to the Star Luo Continent alongside the Star Luo Imperial Family.

If this duo ended up facing Gu Yue and Na'er, one could only hope they wouldn't be utterly crushed.

Gu Yue and Na'er's first round-robin match was against Hua Lantang and Ye Zhi—undoubtedly a highlight of the competition.

Rest day, evening.

Jing Shaoyu was summoned to Cai Yue'er's room after her mysterious half-month disappearance. He was puzzled—Yue'er hadn't shown herself since that evening banquet, so why seek him out today?

What matter required her to speak with him personally?

Upon entering, he realized another figure occupied the room: a handsome middle-aged man with a tall, slender frame and striking features, particularly his gentle, amorous eyes. Though appearing in his forties, he exuded mature, steady charisma.

Shaoyu's expression turned odd. His first thought was that this might be Yue'er's old flame, but he dismissed it immediately. If she had such a relationship, she wouldn't likely reveal it to him. So who was this man, warranting her personal reception?

"You must be Jing Shaoyu. Not bad—far more handsome than your teacher," the man remarked just as Shaoyu was speculating. His voice was magnetic, pleasant to the ear.

The words made Shaoyu pause briefly, instantly recognizing the "teacher" referred to as Yun Ming. There was no need to question why—after all, Leng Yaozhu was universally acknowledged as the continent's most beautiful woman.

"This is the master of the Tang Sect's Douluo Hall, the Amorous Douluo, His Excellency Zang Xin!" Cai Yue'er introduced, dispelling Shaoyu's confusion.

Another Limit Douluo!

Shaoyu's eyes brightened in surprise as he regarded Zang Xin—the genuine second-in-command of the Tang Sect and a bona fide Limit Douluo, a demigod powerhouse.

"Greetings, Your Excellency Amorous Douluo!" Shaoyu promptly bowed respectfully.

"Haha, no need for formalities. Just call me Martial Uncle," Zang Xin replied with a faint smile.

"Martial Uncle," Shaoyu obliged, catching on quickly.

It then struck him—Zang Xin, the Amorous Douluo, had been the control-type Soul Master of the previous generation's Shrek Seven Monsters. He shared an excellent relationship with both Yun Ming and Leng Yaozhu.

"Mm. Pity I came in haste and brought no gifts," Zang Xin nodded approvingly, though with a hint of apology. "Tell you what—once you return, visit the Tang Sect headquarters. I'll prepare something grand for you. After all, you're the shared disciple of Yun Ming and A'Zhu. Haha, truly unexpected!"

Shaoyu smiled but remained silent.

That generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters was downright absurd—five Limit Douluos emerged from their ranks alone: Skycrosser Douluo Yun Ming, Skysoar Douluo Guan Yue, Heartless Douluo Cao Dezhi, Amorous Douluo Zang Xin, and Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu!

It was hard not to suspect they had drained Shrek Academy's luck, given how drastically the quality of its students had declined over the past century.

"Brother Xin, cut the chatter and get to the point!" Cai Yue'er rolled her eyes at his rambling and urged impatiently.

"Haha, alright, alright." Zang Xin chuckled before turning serious. "Shaoyu, we called you here today to inform you of something. Soon, a top-tier secret realm under the Tang Sect's control on the Star Luo Continent will open. When it does, you may enter alongside the combatants of the Tang Sect's Soul Duel Hall."

"Secret realm?" Jing Shaoyu was taken aback for a moment before asking in confusion, "Why me? I'm not a member of the Tang Sect."

Hearing Jing Shaoyu's words, Cai Yue'er couldn't help but frown, while Zang Xin smiled indifferently.

He said, "Although you haven't joined the Tang Sect, you are the future leader of Shrek Academy. Therefore, the Tang Sect is willing to invest in you and build a good relationship. It's as simple as that."

"Oh." Jing Shaoyu nodded. Though he still had doubts, seeing Cai Yue'er's intense hinting gaze from the side, he wisely chose to set aside his questions and asked instead, "Then can I ask what kind of secret realm it is?"

"This... is confidential." Zang Xin smiled mysteriously. "You'll find out when the time comes. You're still in the middle of the competition, right? Coincidentally, the secret realm will open right after the competition ends. The Tang Sect's representative from Star Luo Continent will contact you directly then."

"Alright." Jing Shaoyu nodded somewhat disappointedly. All this secrecy—was it really necessary? A top-tier secret realm on Star Luo Continent, opening at this time—what else could it be besides the Dragon Valley?

"Here, take this Soul Duel Token. Keep it safe." A golden token appeared in Zang Xin's hand with a flash of light. One side was engraved with the character for "Duel," while the other bore the character for "Tang."

Jing Shaoyu took the golden token, feeling its unusual material and slight warmth. He asked, "Uncle, what's the use of this Soul Duel Token?"

"Proof of identity," Zang Xin said with a smile. "With this, you'll receive the highest courtesy from the Tang Sect. There are only two in the world—one is for the master of the Sea God Pavilion, and the other is for the heir to the master."

"But I'm not the heir yet, am I?" Jing Shaoyu glanced at the token, then at Cai Yue'er, before speaking to Zang Xin.

Cai Yue'er explained, "The Sea God Pavilion has already designated you as the heir. We were planning to inform you after returning this time, but it's fine if you know now." She shot Zang Xin a reproachful look.

Zang Xin pretended not to notice and continued smiling. "Alright, I still have to visit the Tang Sect, so I'll take my leave now. Goodbye, Yue'er, Shaoyu."

In an instant, only Jing Shaoyu and Cai Yue'er remained in the room.

"Elder Cai, why didn't you let me keep asking earlier?" Jing Shaoyu immediately questioned after Zang Xin left.

"Shaoyu, as the heir to the Pavilion Master, you must remember one thing: Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect are one. What belongs to the Tang Sect is Shrek's, but what belongs to Shrek can only be Shrek's," Cai Yue'er said earnestly. "The current Tang Sect was built with Shrek Academy's support, so every generation's Tang Sect Leader or Douluo Palace Master must come from the current Shrek Seven Monsters."

Jing Shaoyu was momentarily speechless.

"When you become the Pavilion Master in the future, you'll need to manage the relationship with the Tang Sect well. So far, you've had no interaction with them, which isn't a good trend. The Tang Sect must remain under the academy's control. Fortunately, you already have a Tang Sect member by your side," Cai Yue'er said. "In the future, she will be your key ally in coordinating between the academy and the Tang Sect."

"Who is it?" Jing Shaoyu was momentarily dazed.

"Ye Xinglan."

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