Douluo Continent II: The Dragon King Suppresses the World!

Chapter 45 Round Robin

After countless intense and thrilling matches, the first round of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament finally came to a close. The spectators in Star Luo City who witnessed the battles were completely swept up in the excitement.

Despite the organizers' best efforts to prevent any tragic injuries or deaths among the participants, a heartbreaking situation still arose at the end of the first round of elimination matches. Nearly two hundred participants suffered injuries of varying degrees and severity, and more than a dozen of them tragically lost their lives due to the severity of their injuries, a truly lamentable loss.

With the knockout stage over, the highly anticipated second stage, the round-robin tournament, is about to begin. In this stage, the three competition modes will be determined by a draw, a method full of unknowns and variables.

Moreover, after the brutal elimination round, the surviving teams from the participating colleges are undoubtedly stronger and more experienced. This means that the subsequent matches will surely be even more exciting, thrilling, and filled with endless anticipation.

On the morning of the fourth day, before the first rays of sunlight had completely dispelled the gloom of the night, and as the faint, soft light struggled against the darkness, the fervent shouts of the audience surged and echoed across Star Luo Square like a raging tide, seemingly threatening to pierce the clouds. They were filled with anticipation; the Shrek Academy team, which they most hoped to see shine once again, was about to take the stage. Even the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire ascended the towering, imposing city walls early in the morning, holding his breath and waiting silently, his eyes filled with expectation and scrutiny.

The round-robin tournament has begun, with four of the eight participating teams set to play first. However, the sixty-seven teams that fought their way through the knockout stage are all sitting quietly in the rest area. They came not just to watch the matches, but more precisely, they are most concerned with confirming with their own eyes whether the eight-ring Soul Master from Shrek Academy is real or just a myth.

When the Shrek Academy team members appeared at the entrance to the participating academy, the entire Star Luo Square instantly erupted in excitement.

Ye Qi'an and Gu Yuena walked calmly at the front of the group, their posture upright and firm, exuding an unparalleled powerful aura.

Since Ye Qi'an broke the fourth seal, his personality has changed from being as gentle and humble as before to being extremely arrogant. At this moment, he wore a wild and unrestrained smile, as if he was declaring his strength and invincibility to everyone.

At this moment, the participating teams from other academies also turned their heads, their eyes fixed on the Shrek Academy team. Some eyes revealed deep awe, while others harbored jealousy and resentment. But whatever they thought, the Shrek Academy team members didn't care at all. Their gazes were firm and focused, fixed on the arena ahead.

Shrek Academy's lounge area is located at the northernmost part of the campus. The entire area has a full twenty comfortable and soft sofas, as well as dedicated waiters providing attentive service. The tables are laden with a rich variety of food, fresh and tempting fruits, and a dazzling array of drinks.

The other academies received similar treatment, but lacked the attentive service of the waiters, and crucially, their rest areas were much smaller than Shrek Academy's. Overshadowed by Shrek Academy's brilliance, the other academies paled in comparison, like faint fireflies beside dazzling stars.

At this moment, the host was already warming up the crowd. His voice was enthusiastic and powerful. He first announced the list of academies that had passed the first round of the competition. His voice was clear and loud, echoing in the square. Then he began to introduce the group assignments in detail, "Next, please welcome the Shrek Academy team, the number one academy on the continent, and their opponents, the Yunluo Advanced Soul Master Academy team of the Star Luo Empire, to the waiting area. At the same time, please invite the captains of both teams to come up on stage to confirm their competition format."

At Wang Yan's signal, Ye Qi'an stood up and walked gracefully towards the stage. The captain of Yunluo Advanced Soul Master Academy was a muscular man with striking short blond hair. Beneath his white school uniform, the outline of his strong muscles was faintly visible, exuding a sense of power.

The two stepped onto the competition platform simultaneously. The process of drawing lots to determine the competition method was simple and straightforward. The lottery tube was transparent. The referee inserted three small balls representing different fighting styles through holes, then turned the tube upside down, and had each of the two players hold a large ball against their palms.

The referee shouted, "Three, two, one!"

Ye Qi'an and the opposing captain exerted their strength at the same time, and the powerful force instantly flung the large sphere into the air. When the large sphere was flung into the air by the two of them, a small sphere fell out.

The referee, with lightning speed, caught the small ball and simultaneously retrieved the large ball falling through the air, loudly announcing: "Shrek Academy vs. Yunluo Academy, a one-on-one elimination match will be held. Please send out your first player."

Ye Qi'an turned around and walked off the stage with steady, powerful steps. Back in the waiting area, he gave Wang Yan a questioning look and said, "I'll go."

Wang Yan nodded, his expression serious, and said, "Okay, but Qi An, try not to release your spirit rings. Keep it mysterious, and it's best to defeat it directly."

Ye Qi'an nodded and said proudly, "Watch me." After saying that, he strode towards the competition stage, his posture resolute and full of confidence.

The first student sent by Yunluo Academy was not tall, but his shoulders were broad, and he was even somewhat overweight. Facing Ye Qi'an, who was about to enter the arena, he looked extremely nervous, beads of sweat already forming on his forehead, glittering in the sunlight as they slid down his cheeks. After all, this was a Soul Douluo; who wouldn't be nervous facing him? Did it even matter whether it was genuine or not now?

Ye Qi'an's appearance immediately gripped everyone's attention. They stared intently at the stage, eager to see if this Soul Douluo was real or fake. If he was real, it would be terrifying; if he was fake, his strength was still enough to make them wary.

The referee called the two players to the stage, his expression serious, and said in a deep voice, "The rules for the individual elimination tournament are: the losing side immediately leaves the stage, and the winning side can choose to continue playing or withdraw and have a replacement. Each side will field seven players, and the competition will continue until all seven players on one side have lost. Understand?"

"Understood." Ye Qi'an replied crisply and decisively, his voice firm and strong.

In contrast, the opponent stammered, "I...I understand."

The referee said, "Alright, both sides step back and wait for my command to begin the match." With that, the referee stepped back.

Ye Qi'an glanced at it briefly, then walked to the other side of the competition stage without even announcing his name beforehand. The implication was quite clear: he was extremely contemptuous of his opponent.

With the referee's whistle, the match officially began.

The Yunluo Academy student reacted swiftly with his short, stocky body, his movements as agile as a nimble monkey. He raised his arms, and three thumb-thick metal tubes appeared from each arm, while two arm-thick metal tubes appeared from each shoulder. A pair of folding wings instantly unfolded on his back, emitting faint fluctuations of soul power.

However, Ye Qi'an remained calm and composed, a faint smile playing on his lips, as if nothing in front of him could move him.

Seeing this, Ma Yingjun charged towards Ye Qi'an with all his might, his speed creating a whooshing sound. Just as he was about to reach Ye Qi'an, Ye Qi'an flashed and appeared behind him as if by teleportation.

Ma Yingjun was shocked, his expression freezing instantly. Before he could react, Ye Qian gently clapped his hand, seemingly casual, yet containing immense power.

With a loud "bang," Ma Yingjun was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, landing heavily on the edge of the arena. His soul tools fell off his body, their parts scattered all over the ground. He struggled to get up, but found that he had no strength left and could only lie on the ground, panting heavily.

Ye Qi'an crossed his arms and said coldly, "Is that all you've got?" His voice was icy and full of disdain.

A murmur rippled through the audience, who were deeply awestruck by Ye Qi'an's overwhelming strength. What a duel this was! It lasted so short, not even a minute? No, not even ten seconds! To defeat his opponent so swiftly—was this the true power of Shrek Academy? People whispered amongst themselves in amazement, their faces filled with disbelief.

The Yunluo Academy team members' faces were so gloomy they seemed to drip water, their eyes filled with anger and helplessness. They never imagined their team members would be so utterly defeated by Ye Qi'an, like fragile puppets easily swayed. They clenched their fists, their resentment burning like flames.

The referee stepped forward solemnly and announced Ye Qi'an's victory in a loud and solemn voice.

However, Ye Qi'an showed no intention of backing down. He looked at Yunluo Academy with a piercing gaze and a defiant air, and said loudly, "Continue."

As the saying goes, the layman sees the spectacle, the expert sees the details. The members of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, sitting not far from Shrek Academy, tensed up again. The power to shatter a soul tool so effortlessly far exceeded their expectations. Moreover, he hadn't even unleashed his martial soul yet—that was the most terrifying part; they certainly didn't believe they could handle an opponent so easily.

Ma Rulong's expression was grave, his brows furrowed, and he said in a low voice, "Such an opponent is truly terrifying; we must be careful in dealing with them."

As soon as Ma Yingjun walked back to the waiting area, Captain Yunluo, enraged, slapped him hard on the head and roared, "Idiot! You've disgraced the academy! Shangyue, you go!"

"Yes." In Yunluo Academy, a female team member quickly sprang to her feet and stepped onto the competition stage. Her eyes were resolute, and although she knew in her heart that her chances of winning were slim, she seemed determined to avenge her previous defeat and fight with all her might.

Ye Qi'an narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing the female student before him. The woman wore a tight-fitting Soul Master uniform, perfectly outlining her graceful yet powerful figure. Her long hair was neatly tied back, exuding an air of competence.

After the referee solemnly reiterated the rules, he loudly announced the start of the match.

Shang Yue's fighting style was completely different from Ma Yingjun's earlier. Behind her were a pair of long swords gleaming with a cold light. At this moment, she rushed forward like lightning, reaching behind her with both hands. Her movements were swift and skillful, and she instantly drew the long swords. With a split of her hands to the left and right, the two four-foot-long swords immediately lit up with an intense white light. The light was dazzling, and they brought with them two three-foot-long blade beams, which slashed straight towards Ye Qi'an with the force of thunder.

Seeing this, Ye Qi'an's expression remained unchanged, as if the fierce attack was nothing more than a gentle breeze to him. With a slight shift of his feet, his figure moved like a willow catkin in the wind, gracefully and skillfully avoiding the extremely sharp twin blade strikes.

Despite missing his initial strike, Shangyue didn't hesitate or pause. His twin blades moved with the speed and power of a storm, their blades crisscrossing and weaving a dense, impenetrable net that completely enveloped Ye Qi'an.

However, Ye Qi'an moved through the dense, chilling array of blades with the ease of a refined scholar strolling leisurely in his own garden. Not even the hem of his robes was touched, as if all the attacks were mere illusions.

The audience below the stage stared wide-eyed, their gazes fixed on the figure on stage. They were so tense that they seemed to forget to breathe, completely absorbed in watching this thrilling scene.

Beads of sweat glistened on Shangyue's forehead in the sunlight. Her breathing became rapid, like a broken bellows, clearly indicating that such intense attacks were taking a heavy toll on her stamina.

Ye Qi'an suddenly chuckled, a hint of disdain in his voice: "Is that all the tricks you've got?" With that, he flashed, instantly transforming into a phantom and appearing behind Shang Yue. He extended a slender finger, seemingly lightly touching her back.

Shangyue felt an overwhelming force surge through her, causing her to stumble forward involuntarily, nearly dropping her twin swords. She gritted her teeth, struggling to regain her balance, and turned around, a hint of barely concealed panic in her eyes.

Ye Qi'an crossed his arms, looking relaxed, and said, "Admit defeat. You're no match for me."

"I'll fight you to the death!" Shangyue roared, her eyes burning with an indomitable flame. With that, she gritted her teeth, raised her twin swords again, and charged towards Ye Qi'an with all her might.

Ye Qi'an shook his head, a hint of helplessness on his face. This time, he no longer dodged, but instead stretched out one hand and firmly grasped Shangyue's twin swords.

Shangyue tried desperately to break free, but found that the twin swords were clamped in iron clamps and could not be moved at all.

Ye Qi'an suddenly flung her away with tremendous force. Shang Yue was flung away like a leaf caught in a whirlwind, landing heavily on the ground and raising a cloud of dust.

The referee immediately announced, "Ye Qi'an wins!" The voice echoed throughout the arena.

The faces of the Yunluo Academy team members grew even uglier, as if shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere. Ye Qi'an, however, remained standing on the stage, his eyes defiantly fixed on the direction of Yunluo Academy, like an invincible war god.

.........

(End of this chapter)