"Ma Rulong, Martial Soul: Great-headed Spirit Ape, Rank 62, Comprehensive-type Soul Engineer."
Upon hearing this, Ma Rulong immediately understood. Considering that this person was highly likely to be his direct superior, he naturally wouldn't neglect his manners.
Regarding Soul Engineers, as the times progressed, the Sun Moon Empire had gradually begun to emphasize clear positioning.
Just like traditional Soul Masters, especially in the competition, all seven members needed distinct roles.
After all, Soul Engineers were also divided into long-range and melee combatants...
Ma Rulong was quite versatile, so he was classified as a Comprehensive-type Soul Engineer.
"Xiao Xiafeng, Martial Soul: Mantou (Steamed Bun), Rank 51, Support-type Soul Engineer."
A delicate-looking girl said with a gentle smile.
Xu Cheng nodded.
A Food-type Martial Soul was actually not much different from those of traditional Soul Masters, mainly serving as the supply provider for the team.
"Chen Fei! Martial Soul: Flying Bird. Hehe, Rank 53, Melee-type Soul Engineer." A young man scratched his head and chuckled.
"Chen An, Your Highness, he is my younger brother. We have the same Martial Soul. I am Rank 54, Melee-type Soul Engineer." Beside Chen Fei, a boy who looked almost identical to him smiled shyly.
"Twin brothers?" Xu Cheng asked in surprise.
"No, I'm one year younger than my brother..." Chen Fei coughed awkwardly.
Xu Cheng: "..."
I shouldn't have asked.
Seems like another of San Shao's little quirks.
The reason these two stood out in his memory was because, in the original story, the elder brother Chen An was burned to death by Ma Xiaotao, and the younger brother Chen Fei later sought revenge on Xu Sanshi in the individual battle, but both ended up dead. It was quite tragic.
But honestly, Xu Sanshi, who was only at the Soul Ancestor level, managing to take down a Soul King... That was some serious protagonist plot armor.
"Lin Xi, Martial Soul: Barbaric Bear, Rank 55, Defense-type Soul Engineer." Lin Xi quickly reported.
Xu Cheng glanced at him.
In the original, Lin Xi was the one who got swapped into Shrek's side by Xu Sanshi's Mysterious Nether Swap, only to be roasted alive by Ma Xiaotao. He took a significant amount of damage for his team.
"Mijia, Martial Soul: Mutated Scythe, Rank 53, Comprehensive-type Soul Engineer."
Mijia also stepped forward.
Xu Cheng remembered this guy well. A filler character who appeared frequently but was mostly there to make others look good. He was almost killed by Jiang Peng's axe and later got beaten up by the protagonist team.
"Alright, no need to introduce the reserve team—I already know all of you."
Xu Cheng spoke slowly.
The surrounding area immediately fell silent.
Everyone was focused on Xu Cheng. Since there were no teachers present, he held the highest authority here. Even if he decided to take the position of team captain, Ma Rulong wouldn't say a word.
Xu Cheng scanned the group.
To be honest, based on the Sun Moon Empire's current team strength, if Shrek Academy didn't screw up, and if Shrek's main team—Gongyang Mo and Xi Xi—suffered heavy casualties, they would have almost no chance of winning.
Even without protagonist plot armor, Shrek Academy's team had two Soul Emperors, and the rest were all Rank 55 or above—true prodigies among prodigies.
This was going to be a tough battle...
Xu Cheng furrowed his brows.
Shrek Academy's status as the number one academy was the key to attracting top talent. Even though Xuan Zi had killed a few people, the noble families were still desperate to send their own geniuses into Shrek.
But if Shrek Academy symbolized aristocracy and privilege...
Then I'll take the route of the common people.
I will continuously attract civilians from all three empires to the Sun Moon Empire.
I don't even need to exaggerate and glorify things like a certain Lin; I just need one simple fact:
The Sun Moon Empire offers free Martial Soul awakenings.
That alone would drive the common people crazy.
And it was already happening—even Jiang Nannan had been drawn in.
Speaking of Jiang Nannan...
Xu Cheng glanced over at the determined-looking Jiang Nannan in the reserve team.
Yes, Shi Xing had been reassigned to establish the Fifth Military Intelligence Division, leaving an open spot on the team. So Xu Cheng had placed Jiang Nannan in the competition lineup.
At first, he hesitated, wondering if she would feel conflicted about fighting her former academy, possibly seeing it as betrayal.
But as soon as she heard the order, she agreed without a second thought.
After spending several months living in the Sun Moon Empire's border town, in the Holy Spirit Church (Xu Cheng's branch), she had fully integrated. Her mother too.
After all, this was an era of survival, not ideals.
Even if Xu Cheng's actions were motivated by ulterior motives, even if he wasn't doing these things purely from the goodness of his heart—
He still did them.
And that made him a hundred times better than the so-called nobles or the hypocritical Xuanming Sect.
Her mother had always taught her:
"Be loyal to the Holy Son."
"He is the future of the common people."
"Alright, let's begin training."
Xu Cheng nodded.
"Hehe, how about we split into two groups: the reserve team versus the main team?" Xiao Hongchen grinned mischievously.
"Split training, working on team coordination... Fine, we'll go with your plan first." Xu Cheng sighed and shook his head.
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately divided into two teams.
Brilliant Soul Rings flared into existence...
Meanwhile, at Shrek Academy
Inside the dueling arena—
"The seven selected members who will represent Shrek Academy in the Continental Soul Master Tournament, and are also the reserve Shrek Seven Devils, are—"
Wang Yan spoke sternly.
"Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao!"
"..."
Upon hearing the announcement, the selected individuals exchanged glances, each reacting differently.
In reality, this "reserve team" would very likely become the official Shrek Seven Devils in the next tournament.
For them, this wasn't just a chance to shine on the battlefield—it was an honor.
Though for a certain someone, it was just an amusing game.
"Next, Elder Xuan will give a speech!"
After dismissing the others, Wang Yan addressed the seven remaining members.
Off to the side, a disheveled old man, chewing on a greasy chicken leg, impatiently grumbled:
"Enough with the speeches! With this lineup and our main team, we'll stomp the Sun Moon Empire into the ground. Just go bring Ma Xiaotao and the others over—we start training immediately!"
Wang Yan, knowing Elder Xuan's personality all too well, immediately bowed and hurried off.
On the stage—
The seven stood at attention.
Being able to command such deep respect from Wang Yan, this man was obviously a big deal.
His unkempt, sloppy appearance even gave off a hidden master vibe.
No one dared to make a sound.
Only Wang Dong whispered to Xiao Xiao, "Xiao Xiao, doesn't he seem really unreliable?"
Bei Bei's eyes widened in alarm, signaling them to shut up.
These younger students had no idea...
As Mu En's direct disciple, Bei Bei knew very well—this old man was a Sea God's Pavilion Elder.
His status was incredibly high... and he was also very petty.
If he didn't like you, he'd make your life miserable.
"..."
Elder Xuan coldly glanced at the girl but didn't say anything.
He took another swig from his flask.
Soon, Ma Xiaotao and the others arrived.
And only then did everyone realize—
Why Elder Xuan was so confident.
Two Soul Emperors (Rank 68 and Rank 63).
Chen Zifeng, one step away from Soul Emperor (Rank 59).
The rest were all Rank 56 or above—each capable of leading an academy's team by themselves.
Even Wang Yan, looking at this lineup, couldn't help but feel—
This time, the advantage is ours!