Chapter 274: The Emperor's Shock and the Upcoming Battle
Star Luo Empire, the imperial capital, the palace.
"Your Majesty, the result of this continent-wide advanced soul master competition, Shrek Academy vs. Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, is out."
A eunuch approached the bed of the Star Luo Empire Emperor Xu Jiawei with quick, small steps, ready to report the outcome of the competition.
The Emperor opened his eyes weakly and spoke in a half-dead tone, "With Xiao Qiang here, how can Shrek fight? If Shrek is no longer the number one soul master academy on the continent, will they still have any appeal? Who else can they call on to fight against the Sun Moon Empire?"
Since many Title Douluo besieged Xiao Qiang and others two years ago but were killed in return, the Star Luo Empire Emperor's health had been declining. At this moment, he looked somewhat like the Sun Moon Empire Emperor before.
"Your Majesty, according to the news, Xiao Qiang from the Sun-Moon Empire did not participate in the battle. It seems that because of his status as the master of the Soul Palace, he did not take part in this all-continental advanced soul master competition."
Hearing this, the Emperor suddenly sat up straight. "So Shrek won this all-continental advanced soul master competition?"
Under the Emperor's intense gaze, the eunuch trembled but still answered honestly, "No, Your Majesty. The Sun-Moon Empire has another genius besides Xiao Qiang. In this competition, a soul douluo with four black and four red soul rings appeared on the Sun-Moon Empire side. Shrek admitted defeat after fighting her."
"Puff!" The Emperor spat a mouthful of blood, then collapsed back onto the bed, fainting again.
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, you must not trouble us now! The Empire is still counting on you to oversee the overall situation!"
"Imperial Physician!"
"No! Send for the Medical Immortal Douluo!"
After learning of Shrek's defeat, Emperor Xu Jiawei fainted outright. The situation in Tianhun and Douling was similar, especially in Tianhun. Although Xingluo and Douling were not fully aware of Shrek's condition, the current Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion—formerly Sect Master of the Tianhun Empire's Protectorate Sect—understood the implications of the message.
Shrek had lost completely, and this meant they would surely lose in future confrontations with the Sun and Moon Empire's soul masters.
"After defeating the Mingyu Sect, we will face the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy."
With only two matches left in the round-robin stage, Beibei reluctantly reminded everyone of their upcoming battle with the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy.
Upon hearing this, the mood grew heavy and depressed.
If it had been the old Shrek Academy, they wouldn't fear the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. But after their recent defeat, the Shrek team could no longer remain calm as before.
Everyone knew they could not beat the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, and their chances against the Instructor Academy didn't look much better.
"Don't be discouraged. Although the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy is strong, the Instructor Academy is not like them. We still have a chance."
Seeing everyone's gloom, Beibei quickly analyzed the situation to lift their spirits.
"The Sun-Moon Royal Soul Master Academy has Nana, an eight-ring Soul Douluo, and many five-ring Soul King-level soul masters. Nana, their captain, can singlehandedly win three team battles in a seven-on-four scenario, and might even win one against seven."
"Because Nana could possibly win one against seven, I chose to give up the battle against the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. But the Instructor Academy doesn't have such a player. Their strength is limited, and since the Sun-Moon Empire split their forces into four teams, their power is divided. This is our advantage."
"We are not facing the team led by Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, siblings. We only face Meng Hongchen's team. Xiao Hongchen and others are not in this round-robin representing Mingde Hall. That's the Sun-Moon Empire's arrogance, but also our advantage."
"A senior from Shrek already sensed this. Meng Hongchen's cultivation is not as high as Nana's, so she can't beat seven people alone. Plus, we fought her in the last Continental Advanced Soul Master Competition and already understand her abilities. The advantage in this battle lies with us!"
"Are you serious?" Vina asked, not wanting to challenge Beibei but compelled to be truthful.
"Of course. Although soul spirits let people absorb soul rings beyond their level, soul spirits have only existed for three years. The talent pool in the Sun-Moon Empire is limited. Most of their teams have many five-ring soul kings because the medicines they use work best up to five rings. After that, it only gets worse—sometimes even becoming an obstacle for promotion."
"They do have Soul Emperors, but because they have to organize four teams, only two Soul Emperors—Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo—are in Meng Hongchen's team. The rest are only Soul Kings."
"Soul Emperors…" Xiao Xiao frowned. In terms of talent, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo are better than her. She was still at Soul King level. The more she knew Shrek, the more confused she became as to how Shrek had remained the number one academy on the continent for ten thousand years. Doubt crept into her mind about her own choices.
Beibei ignored Xiao Xiao's thoughts and continued, "They have one Soul Saint, two Soul Emperors, and four Soul Kings. We also have one Soul Saint, two Soul Emperors, and four Soul Kings. Although Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo have martial soul fusion skills, how could Yu Hao and Wang Dong'er's 100% fusion skills be worse than theirs?"
"Besides, we have the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda boosting us by 60%. Even if Meng Hongchen has a 100,000-year soul ring, how can Xuanzu's 'Domination of the World' technique left to me be inferior? I've also revised it. Against the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy, the advantage is ours!"
Vina: "…" Yeah, sure, you're just deceiving yourself!