Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 171 Self-Strategy

Star Luo City, the capital and largest city of the Star Luo Empire, has been experiencing urban congestion for several days in a row.

Urban congestion means that every street is crowded with people.

The two semi-final matches of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament have concluded, and queues began forming outside Star Luo Square the moment they ended. Some people have even been queuing for two days and two nights, all for the chance to witness the grand spectacle of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament finals. Perhaps this will be a momentous event they will talk about for the rest of their lives.

What's more, although this final will be divided into team battles, individual elimination battles, and 2-2-3 strategies, all of them will be completed within one day! What a spectacular event that will be! Even if it's a bit more arduous, it will be worth it.

To maintain order in the capital, the Star Luo Empire urgently deployed 10,000 elite troops to the city, and all shops extended their opening hours. To supply the suddenly surging influx of people, resources were urgently transferred from surrounding major cities. For a time, Star Luo City's prosperity reached unprecedented levels.

Without a doubt, the economic benefits that this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament has brought to the Star Luo Empire are immeasurable. No wonder that various empires compete to host the tournament, but ultimately have to compromise and have each tournament hosted by a nation.

The two finalists, Shrek Academy and Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, undoubtedly represent the most powerful forces on the continent today. The anticipation surrounding this final match is therefore immense.

The weather wasn't great today; it was overcast with dark clouds and a light mist shrouded Xingluo City. Occasionally, a few fine raindrops drifted down from the sky, bringing a chill to this magnificent city.

However, even the biting cold couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the people from all directions in Star Luo City. The finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament were about to begin. A clash of titans would unfold today.

At this moment, the two teams about to stage their ultimate showdown were marching towards Xingluo Square. Soldiers stood guard along the way, blocking the crowds who were loudly chanting their names. Many people who hadn't been able to enter Xingluo Square gathered on both sides of the passageway to watch the two teams up close.

Faced with the cheers of the crowd, even Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng began to feel nervous, as did Bei Bei and the others. In this situation, if they lost the game, they would have to face a lot of abuse!

Thinking of this, Beibei and the others became even more nervous.

Not only Shrek Academy was nervous, but the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy was equally nervous, even under greater pressure.

This was the closest their academy had ever come to winning the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament! Their team was stronger than ever before, the strongest ever, while Shrek Academy's lineup was incomplete. Although they had two Soul Emperors, they only had one Soul King! Such an opportunity could only be described as once-in-a-lifetime. Precisely because they were so close to the championship, they were even more nervous.

Even Xiao Hongchen, who had always been very arrogant, had a tense expression.

Their gazes toward Ji Lin were filled with fighting spirit.

Compared to the tension of her teammates and brother, Meng Hongchen was quite calm, but her gaze remained fixed on Ji Lin.

She ignored the cheers of the surrounding audience, only looking at Ji Lin's profile, thinking to herself, "Wow! His profile is so handsome too, with the same silver hair and blue eyes as me. We are a match made in heaven. He's twelve years old, right? Two years younger than me. I wonder if he likes girls who are a little older than him."

Thinking of this, the fourteen-year-old girl, just beginning to experience romantic feelings, felt a slight warmth in her heart. Ever since meeting Ji Lin, his image had lingered in her mind. She had watched every single one of Ji Lin's matches, and the stronger he appeared, the stronger her affection for him grew, gradually becoming irrevocably infatuated. She had completed her self-conquest.

The red carpet leads all the way to the rest area and then circles the competition stage.

Ji Lin looked up at the city wall and immediately saw Emperor Xu Jiawei and Princess Jiujiu waving to him. Beside them, he also spotted a familiar face—a middle-aged man, appearing to be in his thirties, clad in golden armor without a helmet, revealing his handsome features, deep-set eyes, and twin pupils shining in his azure eyes. His face was slightly gaunt, but his entire being possessed a metallic quality. Handsome, resolute, and imposing, with an iron-blooded aura, he stood beside Emperor Xu Jiawei.

Ji Lin recognized him as Duke Dai Hao of the White Tiger, whom he had met once before.

Ji Lin reached out and patted Dai Yueheng on the shoulder. Dai Yueheng turned around and looked at Ji Lin in surprise. Ji Lin didn't say anything, but just pointed to the city wall, indicating that he should look over there.

Dai Yueheng looked up and saw Duke Baihu on the city wall, and a flame of excitement ignited in his eyes. Looking at his father on the distant city wall, he clenched his fists.

Duke Dai Hao of the White Tiger merely nodded slightly to him, a hint of encouragement in his eyes, before looking away. But that single glance filled Dai Yueheng, who had always looked up to his father, with a fighting spirit that vanished instantly.

Seeing that both teams had entered the rest area, Emperor Xu Jiawei of Xingluo smiled faintly and nodded to Duke Baihu beside him.

"Silence. The competition is about to begin. Please allow His Majesty to speak." Dai Hao shouted in a deep voice. He did not use a megaphone, but his voice still carried far and wide, and his powerful and iron-blooded aura emanated from the city wall.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!" All the soldiers maintaining order shouted at the same time, raising their weapons. Instantly, the entire Xingluo Square was filled with a chilling atmosphere.

It was clear that the soldiers' eyes were filled with fanaticism; at this moment, they saw only their commander standing atop the city wall. Duke Zihu's authority within the army, in some ways, even surpassed that of the emperor!

It's no wonder that Xu Jiawei had to abdicate later. The Xingguan lineage was facing a talent shortage, while the Baihu lineage was growing stronger day by day, even surpassing the emperor in prestige within the army. The Xingguan lineage had no choice but to step down, since their throne was voluntarily relinquished by the Baihu lineage after its decline. Now, the tables have turned, and it's their turn to abdicate.

Xu Jiawei showed no displeasure; as an emperor, he possessed that much composure.

His face still wore a smile, and the crowd's shouts quieted down in the somber atmosphere.

Emperor Xu Jiawei of Xingluo smiled and said, "The last time I witnessed the final of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament in Xingluo City was twenty years ago. Time has passed, and today, twenty years later, I will once again witness the final of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament. I am very excited. I hope that both teams can put on a wonderful match for every spectator. As is customary, the winner of this final will receive three soul bones and a reward of one million gold soul coins. I have already selected ten soul bones from our national treasury for the final champion to choose from. I originally wanted to ask my brother Dai Hao to personally preside over today's match, but unfortunately, one of the main players on Shrek Academy's side is his eldest son. To avoid any appearance of impropriety, the referee for this match will still be the Heavenly Fiend Douluo."

"Without further ado, please join me in witnessing this duel that will surely be recorded in history."

As soon as Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire finished speaking, a beam of light flashed across the city wall and appeared in the center of the arena. It was none other than Huang Jinxu, the Heavenly Fiend Douluo.

Tian Sha Douluo glanced at both sides of the competition, and his gaze sharpened when he looked at Shrek Academy. In Shrek's rest area, an old man gnawing on a chicken leg came into view.

It was none other than the level 98 Super Douluo, the Gluttonous Douluo Xuanzi. The Heavenly Fiend Douluo clearly recognized Xuanzi, hence his expression was one of shock.

Upon seeing Xuanzi, Wang Yan's face lit up with joy. With Xuanzi present during the finals, at least the safety of his students could be guaranteed.

Furthermore, after the finals, Xuanzi will need to protect them as they return to Shrek Academy, since they are carrying too many valuable items.

Only when Wang Yan saw Xuanzi did he finally feel relieved.

On the other side, the leader of the Sun Moon team also saw Xuan Zi following the gaze of the Heavenly Fiend Douluo. His expression also changed drastically, obviously recognizing Xuan Zi as well. Xuan Zi was Shrek Academy's top expert in public, so it was not surprising that the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy knew him.

Not only Xuanzi came, but Mu En also came. After all, his great-grandson Bei Bei was in the group, and the others were also key targets of Shrek Academy's attention. Because of Xuanzi's criminal record, Mu En was really worried, so he made a trip in person. However, only Chi Yuan noticed his presence. Everyone else was unaware, including all the worshippers of the Star Luo Empire's Hall of Worship. This is the power of top experts. They can completely ignore the difference in numbers and can assassinate the emperor at any time. This is the real reason why the major empires have always tolerated Shrek Academy.

The Heavenly Fiend Douluo on the stage was slightly flustered by the appearance of Elder Xuan, but he quickly regained his composure and said in a deep voice: "I, Huang Jinxu, am the referee for the final of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament. Now I will announce the rules of the final competition."

Both sides were already fully aware of the rules of the competition, but according to the rules, it still needed to be announced.

As the competition rules were announced, the atmosphere in the entire Xingluo Square suddenly became tense. Hundreds of thousands of people fell silent, waiting quietly, their eyes wide open, unwilling to miss any developments even before the competition began.

Soon, Tian Sha Douluo announced the rules of the finals. He concluded by saying, "Now, both sides, get ready. In one minute, the team members participating in the team battle will enter the arena."

Shrek had already decided on their lineup.

Wang Yan said with a serious expression, "Keep it up! You are the strongest."

Ji Lin smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry, Teacher Wang Yan, we will win."

On the other side, the members of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy had also stood up, listening to their instructor's final instructions.

A minute passed quickly.

The opponents had already walked towards the arena, and Shrek Academy naturally followed suit. The team for this match consisted of Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, Ji Lin, Wang Qiu'er, Bei Bei, and Xu Sanshi.

The team members from both sides have already entered the arena, forming two rows and standing to the left and right of the referee, Tian Sha Douluo Huang Jinxu.

"I have already announced the rules of the match, so I will not repeat them here. Both sides step back and prepare to begin. The match will end when one side has no one left to continue fighting."

Ma Xiaotao looked at Ma Rulong across from her, her eyes seemingly burning with flames.

Ma Rulong's heart sank. As fellow Soul Emperors, Jiang Peng, the captain of the Imperial Academy, put far less pressure on him than Ma Xiaotao did now. He didn't know if it was just his imagination or if Ma Xiaotao was really several times stronger than Jiang Peng.

Both teams slowly retreated. Xiao Hongchen, who had been extremely tense, began to show excitement in his eyes. He was a naturally competitive player; the more nervous he was, the stronger his fighting spirit became. Just being able to participate in this final as reserve players already proved their formidable strength, along with Meng Hongchen. This was also their first appearance in this tournament. Being used as a secret weapon spoke volumes about their abilities.

Both sides were highly focused. Just as they reached the edge of their respective arenas, Huang Jinxu, the Heavenly Fiend Douluo, shouted, "The match begins!" The first battle to determine the champion of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament had finally begun.

The moment Huang Jinxu uttered those two words, both sides simultaneously changed their formations.

Ma Rulong, who was originally at the front of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, was replaced by a Level 5 Soul Master named Lin Xi. Lin Xi, who was standing at the front, immediately released a Soul Tool, which was also a shield. However, it looked to be only the size of an ordinary plate. A flash of light appeared on the metal shield, and a layer of yellow halo spread out, transforming into a light shield with a diameter of two meters. It not only protected him but also the others behind the Sun Moon team.

Anyone with eyes can see that this is a soul tool specially prepared to guard against Xu Sanshi's Xuanming Replacement.

Princess Jiujiu proved with her actions that Xu Sanshi's Xuanming Replacement could not penetrate the shield, so the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy was well prepared.

Shrek Academy's lineup has also changed. Xu Sanshi and Ling Luochen, who were originally at the back, are now at the front and center respectively. Ji Lin and Wang Qiu'er are now at the back, holding hands and releasing their martial souls at the same time. Wang Qiu'er's martial soul has been activated, transforming into the Golden Dragon Girl, while Ji Lin did not summon the Heavenly Fire Judgment, but instead used his second martial soul, the Ice and Snow Maiden, for the first time in the competition.

(End of this chapter)