Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 123 Speculation

Based on Ji Lin's understanding of Xu Jiujiu, she should have the idea of ​​leading the Star Luo Royal Academy to defeat Shrek Academy and Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

When the competition begins, let alone Ji Lin showing her mercy, she'll be lucky if he doesn't target Ji Lin to death.

While Ji Lin and Xu Jiujiu were chatting and developing feelings for each other.

Almost all participating academies were engaged in mobilization efforts. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, which shared a floor with Shrek Academy, was no exception.

They consistently placed second in almost every major competition, so the treatment they received at the Star Emperor Hotel was almost identical to that of Shrek Academy. Their sole goal was to strive for first place.

Inside the conference room, two elderly men sat at the head of the table, with fourteen students seated on either side. The students on the left were noticeably older, while those on the right were slightly younger. Clearly, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy had sent both a regular team and a reserve team to prepare for five years from now.

The elderly man on the left at the head of the table had a straight nose, a square jaw, and a dignified appearance, with a face as red as a jujube. His broad shoulders gave him a very solid presence. He said in a deep voice, "According to our observations, Shrek Academy only sent ten people this time, and only three of them look to be around twenty years old. The others are all much younger. We used our people who had infiltrated the Star Luo Empire and have obtained accurate information. When they registered, only those three were nineteen years old; the other seven were under fifteen. In other words, Shrek Academy didn't send any of its seven main members to participate this time. Of the seven members in the reserve team from the last competition, only two have come. That nineteen-year-old female student is also making her first appearance. Do you know what this means?"

The fourteen trainees on both sides were somewhat puzzled.

The old man on the right at the head of the table has a full beard and is also tall. His short white hair is like steel needles, and the hair on both sides of his temples is connected to his beard, giving him a fierce and imposing look.

"They completely look down on us!" The old man slammed his hand on the table, his voice filled with anger and disappointment. "Shrek Academy only sent a reserve team to the competition; this is blatant contempt for us. What do they think we are? Easy peasy?"

His face was ashen, and his eyes flashed with anger.

"This is a slap in the face, do you understand?" the old man continued. "According to the tournament rules, registration closed today. They want to compete with us with this kind of lineup, which is the greatest insult to us."

"Ma Rulong!" the old man suddenly called out.

"Here." A young male student suddenly stood up. His appearance was somewhat similar to the angry old man; he was burly, with short, neat hair and piercing eyes.

"You're the captain. If we lose to a team like Shrek Academy in this competition, you're out of Mingde Hall." The old man's words were full of severity and threat.

"Yes." Ma Rulong's answer was still just one word, but his loud voice was now filled with murderous intent.

His expression turned serious. This was not just about winning or losing a match; it was about the dignity and honor of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

He must lead the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy to defeat the arrogant Shrek Academy and defend the honor of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

The entire room was filled with a tense and heavy atmosphere.

"Mr. Ma, please don't worry. I don't think things are that simple."

Just then, a boy's voice rang out.

Sitting opposite Ma Rulong was the reserve team captain, a handsome young man under fifteen years old. He had bright, large blue eyes and a tall, slender figure. His hands, resting on the table, were exceptionally fair and long, with a jade-like luster that even girls would find hard to possess. He seemed very particular about his hands, even while talking to Old Ma, he kept looking at them as if admiring the most exquisite works of art in the world.

Old Ma frowned slightly and looked at him, saying, "What do you mean it's not that simple?"

The handsome young man continued to look at his fingers, leisurely saying, "Shrek Academy isn't stupid. Given how much they value us, how could they be so careless? Besides, they've never sent only three regular members to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament before. Clearly, they encountered some unforeseen situation and couldn't send all their regular members. In the end, they could only bring in their reserve members."

Old Master Ma blushed slightly at his words. Of course, he had the same thought in his heart, but his previous words were meant to encourage the students.

"That would be best, of course. Xiao Hongchen, you'd better focus your energy on the students under fifteen from Shrek Academy. They'll be your real opponents in the next competition."

The handsome young man, Xiao Hongchen, finally raised his head and smiled slightly. That smile was so beautiful it gave people a sense of unparalleled beauty. "Old Ma, my only opponent is myself."

Ma Rulong's face darkened. "Xiao Hongchen, you better behave yourself."

Xiao Hongchen smiled slightly and said, "I'm very honest, Brother Ma. You have to do your best! It would be too embarrassing to lose to Shrek Academy, which only has three regular players, and you'd have to leave Mingde Hall. That would be such a pity, wouldn't it?"

"You..." A murderous glint flashed in Ma Rulong's eyes, but Old Ma glared at him and said in a deep voice, "Sit down. Alright, I'll start arranging the first round of participants now."

Xiao Hongchen wore a smile, but his eyes held an arrogant look. Although he was only the reserve team captain, both Elder Ma and Ma Rulong, the official captain, were wary of him.

At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through Xingluo City, the capital of the Xingluo Empire exuded an atmosphere of solemnity and grandeur.

On the streets, pedestrians began to bustle about, and merchants had already set up their stalls. A wide variety of goods attracted passersby, and shouts and bargaining filled the air, creating a lively symphony.

All the streets around Xingluo Square were blocked off by soldiers in bright armor, especially near the Xinghuang Hotel, where thousands of soldiers were stationed. The streets leading to Xingluo Square from there were completely under martial law.

Only team members from each academy who exited the Star Emperor Hotel were eligible to pass.

The arena for this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament is not located in the center of Star Luo Square, but rather in front of the main gate of the Imperial City. This allows His Majesty the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire and his court officials to watch the battle from a high vantage point atop the city walls. Not only is the view optimal, but safety is also guaranteed.

(End of this chapter)