Although the meeting wasn't very pleasant and they lost their starting positions, Michael and the others actually felt a sense of relief.
Liuxing and his team had defeated them with their strength, so there was nothing to complain about.
They had witnessed how badly their respected captain, Ma Rulong, had been defeated.
Although losing their starting positions was regrettable, if they could see the team defeat Shrek Academy and break the curse of always being the runner-up, they would still feel honored.
Soon, Jing Hongchen left with Lin Jiayi, and the two teams finally began to formally introduce themselves to each other.
After all, they would be training together for the next month.
The fourteen of them sat together chatting, and naturally, the topic of the previous Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament came up, as well as their strongest opponent, Shrek Academy.
As seniors who had participated in the previous tournament, Ma Rulong and the others gave Liuxing and his team a detailed introduction to the competition's process and rules.
Liuxing asked curiously, "Senior Ma, how many teams participate in the tournament?"
"The number of participating academies increases every year. In our previous tournament, there were 125 advanced soul master academies. This year, it will definitely be no less than that."
"Senior Ma, compared to your team's strength, how was Shrek Academy's team in the last tournament?"
Liuxing continued to ask. Not only was Liuxing curious about Shrek Academy, but so were Xiao Hongchen and the others.
After all, Shrek Academy's reputation was too great, especially for their Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
When this topic came up, Ma Rulong's expression turned bitter and helpless.
"Shrek Academy's lineup in the last tournament was unprecedentedly strong, possibly the strongest lineup in history. During that tournament, no team was a match for them."
Hearing this, everyone became even more interested. Liuxing's eyes lit up as he asked, "Oh, how strong were they?"
Ma Rulong hesitated, afraid that his words might crush the others' confidence.
Their former main team had willingly given up their positions precisely because they had personally experienced Shrek Academy's strength and had no confidence in defeating them.
If there had been any hope of winning, they wouldn't have given up their positions so easily. They would have fought for it.
But if the match was unwinnable, then there was no point in rushing to humiliate themselves.
They were actually glad that their juniors could step up.
However, Ma Rulong finally gritted his teeth and said, "In the last tournament, Shrek Academy's captain, I think her name was Zhang Lexuan, had the Moon as her martial soul. She was the only Soul Sage-level powerhouse in that tournament."
"Their vice-captain, Han Ruoruo, had a rope as her martial soul. She was an incredibly strong control-type soul master, also at the Soul Emperor level."
"The other five team members were also very strong, all at the Soul King level."
Ma Rulong's expression was extremely serious as he said, "Based on their lineup from the last tournament, even if they're not as strong this time, they will still have at least one Soul Emperor, possibly more."
This was also why Ma Rulong had no confidence.
Shrek Academy's students were already very strong, and many of them could fight above their level.
Moreover, every Shrek Academy lineup was overpowered.
Hearing this, Liuxing was also stunned. No wonder Shrek Academy had never lost in over ten thousand years.
After all, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament required participants to be under twenty years old.
This meant that Shrek Academy's previous captain, Zhang Lexuan, was a nineteen-year-old Soul Sage.
What did this mean? Based on Liuxing's memories, the previous protagonist of the Douluo Continent, Sea God Tang San, had only reached level 59 by the age of twenty!
Although he became a god just five years later!
What kind of monster was Shrek
Academy's previous captain?
A nineteen-year-old Soul Sage, if this were ten thousand years ago, she would have been the number one genius on the continent.
Even now, ten thousand years later, she would still be the number one genius on the continent, at least on the surface.
Was this the depth of Shrek Academy's foundation?
If Shrek Academy had a Soul Sage in this tournament, then...
At this thought, Liuxing glanced at Liuying. It seemed that only Liuying could handle this fight.
Although he had the same configuration as Liuying, he needed time to fully develop his strength.
Fighting a Soul Sage now was still a bit early for him.
He already needed to go all out to fight a Soul Emperor, let alone a Soul Sage, who was at least ten times stronger, especially a Soul Sage from Shrek Academy, who would definitely not be an ordinary one.
Only someone like Liuying, a powerhouse in the process of recovery, could unleash 100% or even 200% of her strength at the Soul Ancestor level, ignoring the gap in soul power and fighting above her level.
"Heh~"
Liuxing chuckled softly, his smile growing brighter and brighter.
Ma Rulong and the others looked at Liuxing in confusion.
"Isn't it more valuable to defeat a stronger Shrek Academy? Doesn't that make our championship more meaningful?"
Liuxing's tone was calm.
No matter how strong the opponent was, he would give it his all and fight with everything he had.
If he lost, it would be because he wasn't strong enough, and he wouldn't blame anyone else.
Besides, so what if he lost? It wasn't like he had never lost before.
He had never beaten Liuying, after all.
Moreover, they still had the advantage of age.
If they lost this tournament, there was always the next one, right?
Even Liuxing himself didn't know how strong he would be in five years, or how strong Liuying would be.
What was a Soul Sage compared to that?
However, the look of fear on Ma Rulong and the others' faces before the battle even began did surprise Liuxing a little.
The others were one thing, but Ma Rulong, a level-six soul engineer and an elite disciple of the Illustrious Hall, actually had the same expression.
It was clear how much the previous Shrek Academy team had traumatized them.
Even after five years, they still carried that psychological shadow.
Then again, not everyone was like Liuxing, who had the confidence to climb to the peak.
Everyone's foundation was different.
Ma Rulong and the others lacked confidence because they didn't have the foundation, while Liuxing, even though his cultivation level was lower than theirs, had the foundation and was full of confidence.
Although he was confident, Shrek Academy was indeed worth taking seriously.
However, we are not pushovers either!
Liuxing glanced at Liuying beside him, as well as Xue Nu and Gu Yuena.
With the four of them together, wouldn't they be unstoppable?
As for the timid expressions on Ma Rulong and the others' faces, Xiao Hongchen and Gu Yuena couldn't help but feel a bit disdainful.
Regardless of their strength, the way they seemed to have had their spines broken by Shrek Academy made the proud Gu Yuena and the others look down on them.
It seemed that not only was Ma Rulong's generation like this, but likely every previous generation of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy had been the same.
This kind of fear before even stepping into the arena was the reason they could only manage second place, and they had to thank the other academies besides Shrek Academy for that.
They were just too weak!
"..."
"To be honest, Senior Ma, you all disappoint me."
Liuxing's tone was indifferent.
"What do you mean by that?"
Ma Rulong frowned, and the others also showed displeasure on their faces.
Liuxing ignored them and turned to his own teammates, asking, "Shrek Academy is strong, and they might even have a Soul Sage participating. What is your goal?"
"Championship," Xiao Hongchen grinned, adjusting his hat.
"Championship," Meng Hongchen gazed at her palm, admiring the freshly painted nail polish.
"Championship," Gu Yuena and Xue Nu said coldly.
"Championship," Liuying and Ye Guxi answered without hesitation.
A competition without the goal of winning the championship was meaningless. They were all proud individuals.
Liuxing looked at Ma Rulong and the others, whose faces were flushed, and shook his head. "You might think we're just young and reckless, but without the determination to win, how much of your strength can you truly unleash?"
Liuxing extended his right hand to Ma Rulong and the others, revealing a confident smile. "Come, follow me, and I will lead you to claim the championship throne. Ahead of us, there will be no rivals."
Ma Rulong and the others stared at Liuxing, at the radiant smile on his face, as if they were seeing a rising sun.
Ma Rulong was the first to place his hand on Liuxing's, his eyes shining with an unprecedented light. "Captain, please lead us to defeat all our opponents, including Shrek Academy."
This time, the title "Captain" was spoken with genuine sincerity.
Michael and the others exchanged glances, then placed their hands on top as well, saying in unison, "Captain."
This time, there was a spark in their eyes as well.
In the distance, Elder Ma watched with appreciation.
In his eyes, Liuxing might not be the strongest, but he was undoubtedly the most qualified captain.
Whether it was the proud Xiao Hongchen, Gu Yuena, or Xue Nu, they all respected him.
The strongest among them, Liuying, would only take orders from him.
Even the mentally unstable Ma Rulong and the others had the shadows in their hearts dispelled by Liuxing's radiant presence.
Xiao Hongchen watched as Liuxing and the others stacked their hands together, murmuring, "He really is... dazzling."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and placed his hand on top, saying firmly, "Don't forget about me."
Meng Hongchen also cheerfully joined in, and even Gu Yuena and Xue Nu walked over.
The fourteen of them formed a circle, and the barriers between them vanished in that moment.
"The championship is our only goal. Anything less, whether second or third place, is a failure."
Liuxing declared resolutely.
Under Liuxing's leadership, the atmosphere became incredibly intense.
...
Two hours later, the training session ended.
Xiao Hongchen stretched and said, "Finally, it's over. Meng, let's head back."
"Brother, you'll have to go back alone today~"
"Huh?"
Xiao Hongchen's head was filled with question marks.
Meng Hongchen gave a sly smile and walked over to Liuxing's side. "I'm going to the Ordinary Commerce Auction with Liuxing and the others, so you'll have to go back by yourself, brother."
"Ah, it is almost time for the auction. Let's go then."
Liuxing nodded.
"Bye, brother."
Meng Hongchen turned her head and playfully winked at Xiao Hongchen before following Liuxing out of the underground training ground.
Xiao Hongchen stood dumbfounded, watching as Meng Hongchen abandoned her older brother and left with Liuxing.
In the underground training ground, Michael patted Xiao Hongchen's shoulder and said solemnly, "I also have a younger sister. As an older brother, you'll have to face this day sooner or later. Just accept it."
"..."
Xiao Hongchen's veins bulged on his forehead, his blood pressure skyrocketing.
"Are you deliberately trying to piss me off?"
"No, I'm just stating the facts."
Michael waved his hand. He wasn't doing it on purpose; he really did have a younger sister.
Xiao Hongchen, feeling frustrated, could only head home alone.
Time flew by.
There was only one week left until the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament.
The tournament was held every five years, with the four great empires, Sun Moon Empire, Star Luo Empire, Dou Ling Empire, and Heavenly Soul Empire, taking turns to host it.
This year, it was Star Luo Empire's turn.
The venue was set in Star Luo City, the capital of Star Luo Empire.
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy was located in Mingdu, thousands of kilometers away from Star Luo City.
Even with advanced flying soul tools, it would take at least three to four days to reach.
In addition, they needed time to handle the competition matters upon arrival, so they had to leave early.
Thus, Elder Ma decided to set off a week in advance.
Before departure, Luan Yu and Luan Feng stuffed Liuxing and Liuying with a pile of life-saving soul tools.
Things like Invincible Barriers, three for each of them, and automatically triggered level-eight defensive soul tools, custom-made by Elder Ma from the Unbreakable Douluo.
Inside, Luan Yu had pre-stored soul power, enough for Liuxing and the others to use at least three times.
This was the first time Liuxing and Liuying were leaving their side for a long journey. If it weren't for their own commitments, they would have wanted to go along.
After much persuasion, Liuxing finally managed to reassure them.
The academy had led teams to the Soul Dueling Tournament before, and with a level-nine soul engineer leading the team, it was almost impossible for anything to go wrong.
Their concern was just a result of their deep care.
At the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Jing Hongchen, Lin Jiayi, and other high-ranking officials came to see off Liuxing and the others, who were representing the academy.
This showed just how much importance the academy placed on this tournament.
As the number one soul engineering academy on the Douluo Continent, they were eager to claim a championship to prove their worth.
But unfortunately, they always fell short against Shrek Academy.