"Xi Xi, Nannan, are you both ready?"
Zhang Lexuan stood at the center of the arena, glancing at Jiang Nannan and Xi Xi, who stood on either side of her.
"Ready, Lexuan-jie," Jiang Nannan replied calmly, wearing a composed smile. She showed no signs of nervousness, despite her opponent having higher soul power.
"No problem, Senior Sister," said Xi Xi. She was a plain-looking, petite girl with a cold expression and few words. Her tone was flat as she addressed Zhang Lexuan.
"Very well. Begin!" Lexuan announced without hesitation.
At her command, Xi Xi launched the first strike. She became a streak of lightning, charging directly at Jiang Nannan with astonishing speed. Four soul rings glowed behind her, their brilliance shocking the crowd.
Yet Jiang Nannan remained completely unfazed. Xi Xi's speed may have been fast, but to her, it was still manageable—because she was faster.
With a light push from her legs, Jiang Nannan turned into a streak of silvery light, meeting Xi Xi's lightning head-on. The two collided at speeds so great that their fists and palms sparked upon contact—tiny arcs of fire flickering in the air from the sheer intensity.
Their initial clash lasted only a split second. After that, both quickly pulled back.
This rapid disengagement was typical of agility-type Soul Masters—a key tactic both had clearly mastered. As top students of the Inner Court, they moved with absolute precision, avoiding any unnecessary exchanges.
After pulling back several dozen meters, the two stared at one another. Their gazes were cool, calm, and unshaken.
Then, without warning, silver light and lightning clashed again.
They met several more times in rapid succession.
Finally, Xi Xi activated her first soul skill. Her body was suddenly surrounded by electric arcs, her hands morphing into sharp yellow feline claws. A long, slender tail emerged from her lower back—her martial soul was revealed to be the Lightning Leopard.
With her soul skill active, her speed surged again. Her lightning claws glowed menacingly as she slashed toward Jiang Nannan in a blinding flurry.
But Nannan showed no fear. In the same instant, her first soul skill, Silvermoon Spirit Form, activated.
Her lithe form shimmered with pale silver radiance and seemed to melt into the light itself—becoming almost invisible to the naked eye.
The two figures collided once more—this time, faster and more aggressive than before.
Even the observers—like Dai Yueheng—had to focus with everything they had to keep up. Only Zhu Ziyang, using his powerful spiritual sense, could accurately track Nannan's movements.
From what he could tell, the two were currently locked in a stalemate. Unless someone made a mistake, this battle would drag on.
Then came a twist.
Lightning flashed again—but this time, accompanied by a leopard's roar. A golden-yellow figure with black stripes—the phantom of a mighty Lightning Leopard—appeared midair. Fangs bared, it pounced toward the silver streak that was Jiang Nannan.
The attack came without warning, and it struck its mark perfectly.
Gasps erupted from the crowd—surely Nannan had taken a hit.
But in the next instant, something unexpected happened.
The silver light shifted to gold.
The two energies locked in midair—revealing the two combatants.
To everyone's shock, Jiang Nannan was now clad in a glowing golden armor. Though its form was crude, it was clearly formed from pure energy.
Xi Xi's claw strike, which carried the full weight of her momentum, failed to pierce the armor. Worse—it left her completely exposed.
Nannan seized the opportunity.
Her second soul ring lit up. Her hand shot out and grabbed Xi Xi by the waist. Then, with graceful strength, she leaped high, spun midair, and slammed Xi Xi to the ground with bone-rattling force.
BOOM!
Xi Xi crashed hard into the arena floor. For a moment, her senses spiraled—her organs felt displaced, her vision spun, and she couldn't even stand, much less counterattack.
But Jiang Nannan didn't let up.
She accelerated again, reaching Xi Xi just as she struggled to rise. Nannan seized her once more, clearly preparing to perform another aerial throw.
"Nannan, that's enough!"
Zhang Lexuan shouted, stepping in.
"You've won."
"Oh!"
Nannan halted immediately. Gently supporting the unsteady Xi Xi, she smiled politely.
"Thank you for the match, Xi Xi-senpai."
"Ugh…"
Xi Xi shook her head, trying to speak. After a long breath, she managed to murmur:
"I… admit defeat."
Zhang Lexuan helped Xi Xi to the infirmary.
Meanwhile, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan were brought by Xian Lin'er to the other four selected team members.
Xian Lin'er beamed with pride.
She glanced at Ziyang, Nannan, and the others, then said:
"From this moment forward, you are the official Shrek Academy representatives for the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
"In the next two years, you will train hard and build your synergy."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison.
"You all understand what this means, right?" Xian Lin'er continued, smiling.
"The title of Shrek Seven Devils!"
Dai Yueheng spoke with yearning in his voice.
"Exactly," Xian Lin'er nodded, eyes filled with pride.
"This title is the symbol of Shrek's millennia-long legacy. It represents more than fame—it defines an era on the Douluo Continent."
"But make no mistake," she warned. "To earn that name, you must win the tournament. Only then will Shrek Academy bestow that honor."
Everyone's eyes burned with determination. Even Ziyang felt a thrill of anticipation.
A title like that… was worth chasing.
Xian Lin'er added:
"Since the founding of Shrek Academy, only a handful of teams have failed to win the title. In the last hundred years, we've won every single tournament. I hope you'll uphold this glory and bring home another championship."
"Yes!"
Their voices echoed with pride and resolve.
"Any questions?" she asked.
"If not, then this meeting is adjourned."
"One moment—"
Dai Yueheng raised his hand.
"Elder Xian, there are only six of us. Who's the seventh member?"
"The last one is a Soul Tool Department student," Xian Lin'er replied, sighing.
"He hasn't been admitted into the Inner Court yet, so he's not present today."
Though the rules required one Soul Engineer per team, this year's options were poor. The Soul Tool Department was embarrassingly weak compared to the Martial Soul Division.
Even in the last two tournaments, the Soul Engineers had been the team's weakest links. This time, they couldn't even find one in the Inner Court—so they had to select a student from the Outer Court.
As the Soul Tool Department's dean, Xian Lin'er felt more than a little ashamed.
The others were silent.
"Well," she forced a smile, "maybe they won't even make the team. After all, if Ma Xiaotao recovers in time, she'll reclaim her spot."
Even Dai Yueheng brightened at the thought.
He didn't particularly like Xiaotao's explosive temper, and he knew her return meant he'd be demoted to vice-captain. But even so—he had to admit, her strength exceeded his own.
Xian Lin'er noted their expressions, quietly sighing in her heart. Then she asked again:
"Any more questions?"
None.
"Good. You're dismissed."
After Xian Lin'er left, the six members remained behind.
"Ziyang, Nannan—welcome to the team."
Dai Yueheng stepped forward and smiled warmly. The others also gave sincere nods of welcome.
"Thank you, seniors," Ziyang said with a cheerful smile.
"We're honored to join you."
"Yueheng," said Gongyang Mo, "now that we have two new teammates, how about we go to Tianying Pavilion tonight to celebrate and bond?"
"I'm in," said Chen Zifeng.
Ling Luocheng nodded silently.
Dai Yueheng turned to the newcomers.
"Well?"
"Sounds great!"
Both Ziyang and Nannan smiled and nodded.