Douluo: Trinity, I run through the timeline.

Chapter 187 Targeted? (Please subscribe!!!)

"No matter what, we must force the Sun Moon Royal Team to reveal all their trump cards. We cannot let the Sun Moon Empire get the ten customized spots for the championship of this competition if we cannot get them."

Xu Jiawei looked at his younger sister with a somber expression and shared his thoughts.

“Brother, although the Shrek team encountered a slight mishap, their main players are still intact, and the championship should be a sure thing,” Xu Jiujiu said.

Xu Jiawei sighed.

“I know that Shrek Academy has always been the champion, and their strength is beyond doubt. But my heart has been pounding too hard lately, and I have no confidence at all. I’m worried about the cooperation between the Blacksmith Association and the Sun Moon Empire. We can confirm that the Blacksmith Association also has a branch in the Sun Moon Empire, but we don’t know how much spirit metal they are trading.”

It's still the same problem.

There was a long silence.

Indeed, if this is uncertain, then the upper limit of the Sun & Moon Royal team's strength cannot be determined.

After struggling for a long time, she gritted her teeth and said, "Then let's do as my brother says. The third place's one-time customized spot is not very meaningful. I already have a thousand-refined first-grade magic crystal, and the magic crystal is very compatible with me."

Xu Jiawei sighed and patted Xu Jiujiu on the shoulder.

"Jiujiu, it's up to you guys."

His gaze turned serious, and his tone became solemn.

"This time, I will also arrange the Douling team in your group. You and the Douling team will test the Sun Moon Royal team together."

He paused for a moment before continuing with a possibility that he himself didn't really have high hopes for.

"If possible, it would be better to deplete their manpower so that they can't even make it into the top three."

Day four of the competition.

After the knockout stage, it's time for the round-robin tournament.

Now only 67 teams remain. These teams will be divided into eight groups, three of which will have nine teams each, and five of which will have eight teams each.

A round-robin tournament is a competition where every two teams play against each other. This round uses a points system: a win earns two points, a loss earns no points, and a draw earns one point for each team.

The two teams with the highest scores advance to the round of 16 and participate in the final qualifying rounds.

Unlike the single seven-on-seven team battles of the knockout stage, the round-robin tournament adds individual elimination rounds and two-on-three cooperative battle modes. The three competition formats are determined by drawing lots, and the competition will be conducted in the format drawn.

There is no such thing as going through all three forms at once.

When the two teams clash, they will only choose one format for the match.

Therefore, the round-robin stage is the stage that best tests a team's overall strength.

"This group assignment looks suspiciously like it's targeting us."

Looking at the announced group list, Ma Rulong's face turned grave.

"Star Luo Royal Team and Dou Ling Team, two of the top four favorites, have both made it into our group,"

Old Ma squinted, pondering whether to raise a question.

Su Ming spoke up at this moment.

"Mr. Ma, since we've grouped them like this, we can just eliminate them in the round-robin tournament."

Just as Master Ma was about to reiterate the potential impact of spirit metals, Su Ming interrupted him.

"Since the Star Luo Empire has made this arrangement, it probably isn't sure about our strength. This means we can be certain that they haven't actually improved in any substantial way because of the Blacksmith Association's spirit metal."

Su Ming's words made Old Ma's expression relax a little.

Yes.

Suddenly, Old Ma had a sudden realization.

"Of course, it's also possible that they want to intercept us halfway and stop us in the round-robin tournament, and not leave us any of the custom spirit metal spots for the top three."

When Su Ming mentioned this possibility, even Old Ma laughed.

is it possible?
impossible.

He was just a team leader, considering the worst-case scenario, but he didn't underestimate his team to that extent.

"First match, Team Douling."

After reviewing the layout, the Sun & Moon Royal team became even more certain that they were being targeted.

"Let's draw lots to see what format it will take."

Old Ma looked at Ma Rulong and asked him to go up and draw lots.

Watching the completely fair and impartial lottery process, Su Ming basically locked in the answer.

"Individual Elimination Tournament." In the individual elimination tournament, each team determines its seven players, then arranges the order of appearance, and the winner continues to wait for the next player from the opposing team.

"Ma Rulong, I'm leaving him to you."

Mr. Ma's arrangement was very simple and straightforward.

One person can take down several opponents; that would be ideal.

Ma Rulong, a six-ring Soul Emperor and a level six Soul Master, has prepared a level seven Soul Tool as his trump card.

Of course, he did not plan to use a level 7 soul tool in the round-robin tournament, but instead fought with a level 6 soul tool he made himself—the Thunderfire Sword.

A six-ring Soul Emperor, a melee Soul Master.

This is the ability that Ma Rulong revealed in this battle.

It took four members of the opposing Douling team to defeat him.

The Douling team's lineup is undeniably impressive, boasting five Soul Kings!

However, Ma Rulong eliminated one of their Soul Kings and two Soul Masters by himself.

Now, the Soul King Chi Hengyu of the Douling team has also lost more than half of his soul power.

"Xiao, go ahead."

Reserve team?
On the imperial city wall, Xu Jiawei frowned as he looked at the second person sent out by the Sun and Moon Royal Team.

How can it be a reserve team?

If the reserve team is brought on stage, how can I observe their true intentions?

The next second, Xu Jiawei stood up directly from his seat.

He stared intently at the ring.

"One, two, three, four, five!"

Five spirit rings!

Xiao Hongchen looks no more than fifteen years old and is still a member of the reserve team. He will be a key player in the next Sun Moon Royal Team.

However, he is already a five-ring Soul King.

Not only Xu Jiawei, but all the teams in the preparation area stared at Xiao Hongchen in shock.

Shrek Team.

"There are still five years until the next tournament, and he has already become a Soul King."

Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan, the three Soul Masters, are under immense pressure at this moment.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they will be the main force in the next competition, and that's what they are now.
In the arena.

Seemingly sensing the attention from all sides, Xiao Hongchen revealed a confident smile and struck a pose of enjoyment.

He enjoys the feeling of being the center of attention.

After the referee shouted the start of the match, Xiao Hongchen transformed into a cannon and squatted in place.

He used nine level-five soul-guided cannons to easily eliminate Chi Hengyu.

"next."

Han Ling'er, a level 51 agility-based Soul King, makes her debut.

As an agility-based attacker, she is undoubtedly very effective against turret-type Soul Masters.

By displaying her talents to the fullest, she managed to touch Xiao Hongchen and had already evaded his resistance aura and other abilities.

"Little brat, you still lack combat experience."

Just as Han Ling'er was feeling triumphant, Xiao Hongchen transformed into liquid metal, becoming immune to 80% of the damage she had caused.

The next instant, the firelight filled her vision.

"Ling'er!"

The captain of the Douling team was shocked and caught Han Ling'er, who was being blown away.

He stared at Xiao Hongchen, filled with shock and anger.

A reserve team actually eliminated one of their own regular players.

(End of this chapter)