Douluo Continent: Huo Yuhao obtains the Flame Emperor template

Chapter 137 Xuanzi: We Can't Lose at All

Xuanzi gestured to the seven regular team members wearing inner academy uniforms, then looked at the seven reserve team members from the outer academy, whose faces were filled with excitement, and slowly spoke.

"The Shrek Seven Devils represent the highest honor that all disciples of the academy aspire to."

"And these seven inner court disciples standing before you are all outstanding individuals with extraordinary talent, and they are the true pride of Shrek Academy."

"We will soon defend the glory of Shrek Academy for ten thousand years in this Soul Master Competition."

When Master Xuan spoke these words under the golden tree, a strange Buddhist light seemed to emanate from his head, making his disciples feel proud and honored.

Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Dai Huabin, and other reserve team members looked at Elder Xuan and the seven inner court disciples with changed expressions, some admiring and others looking up to them.

Xuanzi was very satisfied with the performance of the reserve team members, and he continued.

"Although you won't be the main force in this Soul Master Competition, you have a chance to play against some weaker teams from other academies. This is not only to gain experience in the competition, but also to represent the glory of Shrek Academy. Only victory is allowed, defeat is not an option!"

In Xuanzi's view, the main purpose of sending reserve players into the game was to show off how superb Shrek's teaching level was.

Upon hearing that they had a chance to perform, Bei Bei and the other six were overjoyed, their faces flushed with excitement.

Xuanzi's personality is well-known; his habits make his disciples feel a constant sense of crisis.

Seeing the obvious joy on the faces of Beibei and the other six, Xuanzi felt it was time to make them feel a little threatened.

Of course, seeing their strong sense of identity and belonging to Shrek's eternal glory made Xuanzi very happy.

In high spirits, he picked up his gourd and took another swig of wine, chuckling, "It's certainly a good thing that you reserve players can get to play and show yourselves."

"However, if I see anyone dragging the team down and causing a loss, hehe, those disciples who are 'enjoying reserve player treatment' are always ready to take your place."

"Finally, I must tell you that you must adjust your mindset. As reserve team members, you are only subordinate to the regular team members. You must follow orders in all actions. Do you understand?"

"clear!"

Upon hearing Elder Xuan's words, Bei Bei and the other six responded earnestly, all of them extremely excited.

Xuanzi continued drinking with satisfaction. Next, he had the regular players and reserve players introduce themselves so they could get to know each other.

……

After the fourteen contestants introduced themselves, the mixed team battle officially began.

Xuanzi finished a chicken leg and laughed heartily, "Alright, you've all gotten to know each other. Next, we'll have a friendly match. During the battle, feel free to use your abilities; I'll take care of everything."

Xuanzi's gaze fell on Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, two of the starting players, and he shook his head and pondered for a moment.

"Ma Xiaotao, your cultivation level is the highest. Therefore, you can only bring two regular team members; Dai Yueheng, you will bring three regular team members."

As soon as Elder Xuan finished speaking...

A stunningly beautiful red-haired woman emerged, her crimson eyeshadow and fiery red lips exuding a touch of femininity, yet her imposing aura made her appear rather aloof and glamorous.

His gaze swept over the group of participating disciples.

The first team member Ma Xiaotao chose was a cold and aloof woman with clear, bright eyes, as proud as a plum blossom. Her skin was as white as snow, and she exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay.

It was Ling Luochen.

Unexpectedly, although Ling Luochen remained silent and had an icy expression, he calmly strode over to Ma Xiaotao's side.

In the original work, Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen seem to be natural enemies, and the relationship is further strained due to their conflicting personalities caused by their martial soul attributes.

Ling Luochen was very reluctant to suppress Ma Xiaotao's evil fire, while Ma Xiaotao believed that they were teammates and it was only right for Ling Luochen to suppress his evil fire for her. Therefore, the two ultimately did not get along.

This time, it's estimated that someone from the Sea God Pavilion personally intervened and persuaded Ling Luochen to suppress Ma Xiaotao's evil fire, so the two of them are currently getting along quite well.

Half an hour later, Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng had both chosen their teammates, and Elder Xuan raised his wine gourd to announce the start of the friendly match.

……

In the stands of the mixed team battle arena, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Jiang Nannan, Ning Tianwufeng, and the Lan sisters are eating snacks and drinking beverages, watching the match with great interest.

As disciples enjoying the benefits of reserve team members, they will not participate in the competition, but they can go to Xingluo City to watch this year's Soul Master Competition under the guidance of other teachers, and see their seniors display their prowess in the competition.

"Senior Nan Nan, that's roughly how Yu Hao is doing at Sun Moon Academy. He's very much favored by Miss Meng from Mingde Hall."

"And then there's a girl with golden eyes and red eyes, who carries a golden spear and is named Di Rachel. She's even more annoying than Miss Meng."

Jiang Nannan listened attentively as Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao recounted their holiday trip to Riyue, their encounter with Huo Yuhao, and their subsequent meal at Huo Ran Kailang Barbecue Restaurant. Unfortunately, they were kicked out and banned from entering Mingdu City for five years.

Wang Dong angrily called out Di Ruiqiu's name, because she had mentioned her so many times that she remembered Di Ruiqiu's physical features very clearly.

After listening to Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao's story, Jiang Nannan reached out and tucked her orange-gold hair behind her ear. Her clear eyes flickered slightly. "I see... That's good. I was worried that Yuhao would be mistreated at Sun and Moon."

Wang Dong waved her hand and smiled, "Don't worry, Sister Nan Nan, Huo Yuhao can't stand any grievances over there. Once Auntie's illness is better, Xiao Xiao and I can take Sister Nan Nan over for a stroll next time."

Xiao Xiao took a sip of her drink and nodded: "Yes, we now know the exact location of Huo Yuhao's barbecue restaurant."

Jiang Nannan gave a gentle smile: "Then thank you, juniors."

"However..." Xiao Xiao blinked her light green eyes, her tone slightly shy, "Compared to eating Huo Yuhao's kebabs, I still really want to be friends with him."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dong stared at Xiao Xiao for a few seconds. Something was wrong; Xiao Xiao really had feelings for Huo Yuhao.

Wait, that's not right either. Xiao Xiao's feelings for him aren't that deep anymore. When she changes back into women's clothing, Xiao Xiao won't be too heartbroken.

Xiao Xiao noticed that Wang Dong was staring at her, and his gaze kept changing. She thought that Wang Dong was jealous.

Her face flushed slightly, and she quickly told Wang Dong not to overthink it, explaining that she simply wanted to be friends with Huo Yuhao because the grilled fish and skewers he made smelled so good, so that she could eat them often in the future.

"I understand you, Xiao Xiao, it's alright this way."

Wang Dong revealed a mysterious smile, feeling that it was more important that Xiao Xiao's feelings for her had diminished and that she had changed back into women's clothing; Xiao Xiao's situation wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Ning Tian glanced at Wang Dong from time to time.

She noticed that Wang Dong was leisurely eating snacks, seemingly without any resentment about not being selected as a reserve team member.

Ning Tian leaned forward, asking with a mixture of curiosity and surprise, "Wang Dong, your talent is no less than Dai Huabin's. Aren't you sad at all about not being selected?"

"What are you sad about?"

Wang Dong subconsciously said, "Becoming one of the Shrek Seven Devils will at most mean the academy will allocate some resources to my training, but that's just a drop in the ocean for me; it won't really benefit me much."

"My family has no shortage of resources. We have plenty of all kinds of pills, and we don't need the school to help us hunt for spirit rings. My family is much more capable than the academy teachers."

Ning Tian thought about it and felt that Wang Dong was right. As the young clan of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, she came to Shrek Academy to receive the best soul master knowledge teaching on the continent, but in fact, she was more about expanding her network.

Wang Dong is not only powerful but also very beautiful, which perfectly matches the ideal mate selection criteria of the female young sect leaders of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect throughout history.

Ning Tian was no exception; she naturally developed a liking for Wang Dong. She thought for a moment and asked, "Wang Dong, have your parents asked about the reserve team members?"

Wang Dong took a leisurely sip of his drink and said with a smile, "Of course I asked. I told you that the competition for reserve team members was particularly fierce this year. I was just unlucky, plus the school didn't have the eye to spot a real genius."

At first, she was a little resentful about not being selected as a reserve team member, and even once wanted to use the Clear Sky Hammer to amaze everyone.

But then I thought about it seriously and realized it was completely unnecessary.

She is the young sect leader of the Haotian Sect, and she doesn't care at all about the legendary title of "Shrek Seven Devils," nor does she have any interest in defending Shrek's ten-thousand-year-old glory.

Wang Dong said happily, "My family said it's okay if I wasn't selected as a reserve team member, as long as I eat well and have fun at school."

"Yes, that's what my family says too."

Ning Tian nodded: "The auxiliary abilities of our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School Martial Soul are known throughout the continent, there's no need to use the Shrek Seven Devils' name to prove it."

Among the first generation of Shrek Seven Devils was Ning Rongrong, a Soul Master who possessed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and who eventually ascended to the God Realm.

Once this martial spirit is revealed, no one will say it's unworthy; everyone will subconsciously acknowledge it. If it doesn't become a reserve member, that's just another problem with the school.

Ning Tian asked thoughtfully, "Wang Dong, if you hunt higher-age soul beasts in the future, will you always have your family help you? Will you not need to rely on your school teachers?"

She wanted to subtly inquire about Wang Dong's family situation, since most mid-level families didn't have titled Douluo, making it difficult for them to hunt 100,000-year-old soul beasts.

For a genius like Wang Dong, who appears only once in a century, the best scenario would be if he could cultivate to the level of a quasi-titled Douluo and find a way to obtain a 100,000-year red spirit ring.

"My family helps me hunt them."

Wang Dong said in a friendly tone, "Even if my cultivation level is high in the future and I need a 100,000-year soul ring, I won't need the school teachers' help. In fact, I think the school teachers are unreliable."

She gestured to the golden tree below, then casually picked up a potato chip and put it in her mouth, making a crisp sound as she bit into it.

"And look at that guy lying under the golden tree, that slovenly chicken leg teacher who only knows how to drink all day... He doesn't seem responsible at all. If you let him lead the students to hunt for spirit rings, the students might become the prey."

Ning Tian sipped his drink through a straw, glancing at the person Wang Dong was referring to—it was Elder Xuan.

Although Wang Dong's words made no mistake, and Elder Xuan seemed unreliable, she was still somewhat surprised.

"Judging from how much respect Teacher Wang Yan showed him, he must be very strong. Surely he wouldn't really let his student become prey, would he?"

Wang Dong's light blue eyes flickered slightly: "Ning Tian, ​​don't overthink it, it's just a feeling I had."

Ning Tian smiled slightly: "Actually, Wang Dong, what you said is right. That teacher who loves to eat chicken legs is just not very reliable."

"If I want to hunt for higher-level spirit rings in the future, I won't need the school teachers' help. Wang Dong, you should be able to tell that I come from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School. My family is very wealthy and has a lot of resources, so I don't really need the school to give me any special treatment."

Wang Dong nodded slightly. During her vacation, she read many books about the original Shrek Seven Devils in order to practice the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique.

All of them introduced the origins of the original Shrek Seven Devils, so she was not unfamiliar with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School and knew some information about the school.

Moreover, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, where Ning Tian belongs, was once on par with the Haotian Sect ten thousand years ago.

Its most prominent feature is that it is the wealthiest sect on the continent.

Wang Dong was thinking this as she kept drinking through the straw of her beverage when suddenly the bottle made a hissing sound. She glanced at it and realized it was empty.

She reached out to grab the potato chips from the bag next to her, but found nothing; her snacks were gone.

Upon seeing this, Ning Tian generously took out a large pile of snacks and several bottles of drinks from his storage soul tool and handed some to them.

"Here, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, you can have these. Senior Nan Nan, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo, these snacks are for you."

Wang Dong accepted the snacks without hesitation, saying, "Thank you."

Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo's eyes lit up as they realized that this was the true meaning of "enjoying the treatment of reserve team members." Not only did they not have to attend classes, but they could also watch the game while eating snacks distributed by Ning Tian, ​​this little rich girl.

The two sisters beamed with joy, said "thank you" to Ning Tian, ​​and happily accepted her snacks.

As Wu Feng watched Ning Tian and Wang Dong chatting and laughing, a wave of bitterness washed over him.

She pouted, pitifully grabbed Ning Tian's slender arm with both hands, and said aggrievedly, "Ning Tian, ​​I am a genius with a Fire Dragon Martial Soul, and I was not even selected as a reserve team member."

"Why didn't you ask me if I was feeling unwell..." Wu Feng was clearly jealous. She couldn't let Wang Dong take away the beautiful Ning Tian she was protecting.

Ning Tian felt a headache coming on when he saw her like this.

She really couldn't accept these feelings, but Wu Feng was obstinate and kept saying he liked her, which made her feel helpless.

"Wu Feng, stop grabbing me! You were supposed to protect me... I haven't even become a reserve member yet, what are you going to do if you become one?"

Wu Feng thought about it and felt that Ning Tian's words made sense. He hugged Ning Tian's arm and said with a grin, "Yeah, that's true. I don't care about being a reserve team member."

They chatted happily in the audience, while the mixed team battle below was in full swing.

Elder Xuan lay under the golden tree, watching the mixed team battle match, enjoying a bite of chicken and a sip of wine.

"Hmm, not bad, that was a great play!"

Seeing Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng's brilliant performance, Xuanzi felt extremely pleased.

The team consists of two powerful attack-type Soul Emperors at levels 67 and 64, plus five Soul Kings, and all the main team members possess top-tier Martial Souls.

Even Master Xuan couldn't imagine how such a powerful lineup could possibly lose; it was simply unbeatable.

(End of this chapter)