Chapter 44: The Grand Competition Begins

Kneel???

Ah?

A massive spiritual pressure instantly forced the soldier into a dog‑style kneel, collapsing to the ground!!! Chen Qiye wore a black bamboo hat, hiding his expression.

I kneel to neither heaven nor earth; besides my parents, even a god couldn't make me kneel!!

Instantly, all attention gathered on Chen Qiye.

The Star Luo Emperor was about to speak when Wang Yan immediately said, 'Your Majesty, this is from Shrek Academy.'

Hmph, even if you're Shrek, you can't just act like nobody's there," Xu Jiujiu said stepping forward.

Your Majesty, if it were an ordinary Shrek Academy bump, that would be our fault, but he isn't an ordinary student—he's a direct disciple of the current Sea God Pavilion Master…

What's so special about the Sea God Pavilion Master……

Jiujiu." The Star Luo Emperor gestured for Xu Jiujiu to stop, "Since you're the Pavilion Master's direct disciple, whether you bow or not doesn't matter—I'm giving the Pavilion Master face!"

Chen Qiye, why aren't you coming down???

Yes.

Chen Qiye leapt directly from the spectator stands, shaking off his black bamboo hat, revealing a face of icy elegance and eyes like blood, appearing before everyone.

Everyone present had only one word in mind: handsome or beautiful, beyond description.

Thus Chen Qiye walked to the leading position of Shrek.

The Star Luo Emperor gave Chen Qiye a meaningful glance, saying nothing, daring not to speak, merely because he was a disciple of the Sea God Pavilion Master.

Chen Qiye's action made Wang Yan somewhat worried—disrespecting an emperor has always been a grave crime! But who made him a disciple of the Sea God Pavilion Master? 'Everyone, rise.'

The Star Luo Empire Emperor's voice was amplified by a soul‑tool loudspeaker and rang out. Only then did the crowd rise, and the contestants from the competing academies straightened their backs. Everyone's gaze turned to the top of the imperial city walls ahead.

This emperor didn't waste words with empty talk; after a simple sentence he declared the tournament officially underway, and after the opening ceremony ended, the first match would begin shortly.

According to the rules of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Battle Tournament, the first round will be an elimination bracket. This edition, a total of one hundred thirty‑three advanced soul master and soul engineer academies registered. After drawing lots, one academy gets a bye in the first round. Sixty‑six matches will be played, the first round being elimination; losers are immediately out of the tournament.

Next, the first match is about to start. The two sides are, on one hand, the team from the Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy of the Dou Ling Empire, and on the other, the First Academy of the Continent, which has countless honors, having nearly swept all tournament championships over the past nearly a thousand years—the Shrek Academy team!

The announcer's declaration sent the atmosphere of Star Luo Plaza soaring to a boil. 'Shrek, Shrek, Shrek…'

Seeing this astonishing spectacle, Chen Qiye couldn't help but acknowledge Shrek's strength; without solid backing, even Shrek could not have such glorious honor.

But this supreme honor has become a shackle, forcing everyone to uphold it, for this honor blinds their eyes and makes them neglect the continent's development. Had the three great empires and the Sun Moon Empire gone to war back then, if Shrek Academy had begun emphasizing soul tools, Chen Qiye believes it would certainly not be the current decline of Shrek's Soul Tool Department talent.

As the shouts of 'Shrek Academy' echoed nearly every corner of the plaza, aside from Chen Qiye, the members of Shrek's reserve team present were all dumbfounded.

What's there to panic about? This is Shrek's glory; they're cheering for us—shouldn't we make a big wave?

What's there to panic about? This is Shrek's glory; they're cheering for us—shouldn't we make a big wave?

What Qiye said is right. Then, as we discussed, please handle the first match!" Bei Bei nodded, earnestly urging everyone; Chen Qiye will not play in the first match—he'll just watch a good show.

At that moment, the tournament announcer's voice rang out: 'Let's first invite the team from the Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy onto the field.'

From a relatively rear position in the player area, a team of youths with no color in their faces walked out; at this moment their faces were ashen.

The most inhumane rule is that, unless absolutely unavoidable, the opening match cannot be forfeited! Otherwise the fight couldn't start—presumably the other side would just all surrender!

At this moment the youths' hearts were collapsing—this is practically a free win! An elimination‑round one‑day trip, their luck is absolutely 'heaven‑defying', truly they're non‑champions! As they walked out of the player area, even their steps seemed to wobble, and Chen Qiye noticed some of their calves were trembling! 'Alright, the Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy team has appeared. At this moment of all eyes, next, please welcome the true king of the First Academy of the Continent—the Shrek Academy team!!'

The announcer's ringing voice pierced the clouds; Star Luo Plaza instantly became an ocean of cheers for Shrek, and even the Star Luo Emperor seated on the city wall to watch couldn't help but rise, his face showing excitement.

After all the ceremonies ended, Chen Qiye also slowly returned to the stands.

Now Chen Qiye carries his own lofty pride; in a word, he is a lone stranger in a foreign land.

The first battle, Chen Qiye had no mood to watch, so he dragged himself over to where Wang Yan was.

Wang Yan's slightly furrowed brow, he asked, 'Chen Qiye, do we really have a chance to win this time?'

Actually, when Xuan Lao left, he told him that learning Chen Qiye was a disciple of the Sea God Pavilion Master shocked him just as much.

Who knows? Honor is a faith and also a shackle; it can build a person, a family, even a sect, yet it can also wound them.

What people call honor, for those who receive it, is indeed a double‑edged sword; wielded well it is infinitely sharp, but if something goes wrong, it becomes a blade that cannot be defended against turned on oneself…

The first match proceeded as scheduled; seeing the seven leading the way, the arena erupted once more with a tsunami‑like cheer.

Shrek's glory is indeed well‑earned! As both sides took their positions, the judge intoned, 'First round, elimination, team battle. Both sides may use most soul tools for the match. However, during combat, if one side concedes, the other may not continue attacking. Soul engineers may not use high‑damage fixed soul tools. Do you all understand?'

The judge standing at the field's center slowly raised his right hand. At that moment, the Star Luo Plaza with its hundreds of thousands of people instantly fell silent. Everyone stared wide‑eyed at the wide combat platform.

One hundred and eight metal pillars simultaneously burst with light; instantly, beams of white light shot skyward, tracing arcs to converge in mid‑air. They finally gathered twenty meters above the combat platform.

When those one hundred and eight beams of light converged, a white light curtain descended, enveloping the entire combat platform. The shield was complete—this meant the first match of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Battle Tournament for this edition was about to begin.

(End of Chapter)