Chapter 181: Another Collision

"Our opponent in the first round is actually Shilake Academy," Tuo Yu said with some surprise.

They still judged the overall strength of the Shilake team based on earlier impressions, believing Shilake Academy had only Dai Mubai as a Soul Ancestor.

"This time we shouldn't have to expose the boss; the few of us can finish them," Zhang Xiaohe said confidently.

He thought that with two Soul Ancestors on our side, only one on theirs, plus his own soul bone, the win rate against the Shilake team was not low.

Not only Zhang Xiaohe held this thought; the others thought the same.

Tie Li saw through it but said nothing; some time earlier at the Iron Clan's blacksmith shop he met Tang San, and from the fluctuations of his soul power it was easy to judge that he was already a four‑ring Soul Ancestor.

A Shilake team with Tang San was definitely not lacking.

Soon they arranged tactics, and the seven participants were Gu Qi, Ning Ning, Tuo Yu, Mu Wei, Jue Dun, Zhang Xiaohe and Xiao Li.

Xiao Li was a substitute, a level‑35 strong‑attack‑type martial soul Elder, his martial soul being the Flame Lion, and his strength was quite impressive.

The arena changed; within a brief half‑hour, the pre‑prepared arena was completed.

The arena stood ten meters high, circular with a radius over fifteen meters; today only one match was held, so only one arena was built, but tomorrow there will be five.

In total there were twenty‑eight teams, each required to fight twenty‑seven Soul Battles; each victory added one point, and the top five in points advanced to the next round.

One match per day was a heavy burden for every team.

As the two teams stepped onto the arena, the Shilake team's uniform contrasted sharply with the Tiandou Royal Academy's secondary team's uniform, and in the stands the cheers for Tiandou Royal Academy were undoubtedly louder.

Tie Li, watching from outside the arena at the seven Shilake members, saw that, as expected, they were preserving their strength just like in the original timeline.

The difference this time was that Tang San's fourth Soul Ring was no longer a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring but a deep Thousand-Year Soul Ring, derived from a six‑thousand‑year‑old human‑faced demon spider.

At the front of the Shilake team, Dai Mubai noticed that Tie Li was absent from the Tiandou Royal Team and silently breathed a sigh of relief.

"Xiao San, your judgment was indeed correct; they are also hiding their strength."

"Given the premise of ensuring advancement to the next round, they will definitely conceal their strength, but if they lose more than five matches, that Soul King of theirs will certainly appear," Tang San offered his view.

"Since they are hiding their strength, we needn't be courteous; let's give them a first defeat," a sharp gleam flashed in Dai Mubai's tiger eyes.

"Fine."

When the referee announced the start, both teams simultaneously released their martial souls and Soul Rings.

Each of these two teams had two four‑ring Soul Ancestors, instantly drawing the attention of all major teams.

Teams equipped with Soul Ancestors were undoubtedly strong contenders.

"The Tiandou Royal Academy's secondary team also fielded two Soul Ancestors, and this little‑known Shilake Academy—looks like we can't be careless."

"Record this; we need to keep a close eye on these two teams."

"Is the captain of the Tiandou Royal Team not present in the lineup?"

All major teams silently watched the match, already listing them among the contenders.

The Shilake team, possessing both a Control-type and a strong‑attack‑type dual Soul Ancestor, was clearly a step ahead.

Tang San manipulated blue‑silver grass, controlling the field, perfectly embodying the essence of a Control-type Soul Master.

With Dai Mubai serving as the front‑line strong‑attack point, victory was gradually shifting toward the Shilake side.

Even though Gu Qi and Tuo Yu strained to change the tide, they still couldn't turn the match.

"Don't use Soul Bone Skills; this match can't be turned around relying solely on Soul Bone Skills," Tuo Yu shouted at Zhang Xiaohe.

The outcome was already decided; better to hold the trump card for the next match.

The opponent's Control-type Soul Master's field control surpassed theirs, and he was also a four‑ring Soul Ancestor—a huge gap.

Unsurprisingly, they lost the match.

The victorious Shilake team displayed its strength, and the gazes of the other teams shifted—they had a formidable opponent.

Zhao Tianhe looked at the defeated members, offered little blame, and sent them back to rest and prepare for the next round.

Today was only the opening ceremony; tomorrow the Preselection would truly begin.

The second day had no Second Team match, yet Zhao Tianhe still brought his squad here to watch and gauge the opponents—a crucial task.

Especially the FiveElementsAcademy, which were very strong opponents.

Having already lost one match to Shilake Academy, they should not exceed three more defeats to securely lock the top five.

But their luck seemed poor; the second match would be against Divine Wind Academy.

This time they still planned to use the original Day‑one lineup.

The result was an even harsher loss, and jeers rose from the audience.

They had expected a relatively easy opponent in the third match, but instead it gave them a major headache.

Tianshui Academy, also one of the FiveElementsAcademy schools, fielded an all‑female Soul Master team; do not underestimate them because of gender.

After two consecutive losses, Zhang Xiaohe and several others began to consider sending Tie Li into the fray.

"What's the matter, only two losses and you're already like this?" Zhao Tianhe scolded sharply.

In Zhao Tianhe's mind he still intended to let them try once more; if they could win a FiveElementsAcademy team without relying on Tie Li, the morale boost would be huge, benefiting both mindset and honing.

Thus, for the next match Zhao Tianhe still planned to field all seven again.

Tie Li understood Zhao Tianhe's intention and watched as Zhao arranged tactics for the Second Team against Tianshui Academy.

The plan focused on the opponent's Control-type Soul Master; the tactical setup was sound, leaving tomorrow's performance as the key.

The next day they stepped onto the arena against the all‑female Tianshui Academy; a few missteps were inevitable, as the opponents' looks and figures were superb.

A voice of icy spirit from the Tianshui team said, "Your strength is decent, but facing us it's destined to fail." They had seen the Tiandou Royal Academy secondary team's strength—quite good, but still not strong enough.

"Before it even starts, you already think you can win—aren't you being too arrogant?" Gu Qi said coldly.

"It's not arrogance; it's a fact," Shui Bing'er stepped forward, her eyes showing no emotion, as if stating a fact.

That was what Gu Qi and the others could not tolerate.

"Fine, then let us see your strength," Gu Qi dropped a harsh remark.

After the referee announced the start, Ning Ning's amplification fell upon him; Gu Qi spread his wings, unleashed a powerful aura, and charged toward the side of the Tianshui team, intending a surprise attack.

(End of chapter)