Douluo Continent, Huo Yuhao who returned from Sekiro

Chapter 284 Rotten Fish and Shrimp (Daily 10,000 words)

If this continues for a full month, the Star Luo Empire will earn approximately 60 million gold soul coins, or more than 50 million in revenue.

This is one of the reasons why the four great empires are so willing to host the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament. Keep in mind that Star Luo City's annual tax revenue is roughly this amount.

Compared to the income, the prize money for the top three in the competition is negligible.

Just as the audience entered, Huo Yuhao and his companions had already arrived and taken their places in the contestants' area.

Today, all the students of Shrek Academy are wearing their traditional dark green school uniforms, the standard color of Shrek Academy. Furthermore, they stand in the front row of all the academies, a position to which no other academy objects. This is the glory that Shrek Academy has accumulated through centuries of strength.

However, the contestants from the academies standing at the back couldn't help but show some surprise when they saw Shrek Academy's lineup.

Only ten people showed up, and most of them looked way over twenty. You could tell they were young without even needing a bone age test.

Only the three at the very front looked to be of a suitable age. However, they were all wearing cloaks, which concealed their faces.

For the vast majority of academies, they are now secretly praying that they will not be the first to run into Shrek Academy or Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

If they collide.

That basically means that their journey in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament has ended prematurely before it even began.

The Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy team stood behind the Shrek Academy team, and the way they looked at each of them was different. For example, the Hongchen siblings, whom they had met at the Soul Master Exchange Conference, were different.

Meng Hongchen's gaze towards Huo Yuhao was filled with hostility, but when she looked at Wang Dong, she was somewhat infatuated. Her face was flushed, and after a few glances, she would look at Huo Yuhao shyly, and then, still annoyed, she would turn her gaze back to Wang Dong's face.

Being unable to get along with oneself is a problem.

When the sun was high in the sky, a voice broke the silence of the preparation area.

"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived."

Hundreds of thousands of people knelt down in a rush; the scene was indeed quite spectacular.

The soldiers knelt on one knee, while the participants from the participating academies bowed in respect to the emperor.

The students certainly don't need to kneel. Who knows how many titled Douluo will emerge from this group in the future? It would be inappropriate to be cornered at the door by a bunch of titled powerhouses when you're old and have to settle scores.

"All of you may rise."

Emperor Xu Jiawei of Xingluo arrived at the city wall.

"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament is the most important event in the Soul Master world of Douluo Continent. I am very pleased that it is our Star Luo Empire's turn to host this year's tournament."

"Alright, I hereby declare the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament officially open!"

Xu Jiawei's opening remarks were concise and he finished quickly, which made everyone feel more favorably toward this Star Luo Emperor.

As the people of Xingluo shouted "Long live!" and 108 cannon salutes rang out, the highly anticipated Soul Battle Tournament officially began.

After the Emperor of Xingluo and his civil and military officials stepped back and took their seats, the Prime Minister immediately gave the order to begin the competition.

"According to the competition rules of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament, the first round will be an elimination tournament."

"A total of 133 advanced soul master and soul master academies have registered for this competition. After a draw, one academy received a bye in the first round, and a total of 66 matches will be required."

"Now, the first match will begin immediately. The two teams are the representatives from the Star Luo Empire's intermediate and advanced Soul Master academies—Kassel Academy."

"And the Shrek Academy, the number one academy on the continent, boasting countless honors and having won almost every major tournament in the past millennium!"

The moment the host announced the competition, the atmosphere at Xingluo Square exploded, and cheers for Shrek echoed throughout every corner of the square.

Not a moment was saddened by the foreseeable tragic end of the miscellaneous academy in Xingluo; all the cheers went to Shrek Academy.

Faced with this situation, the reserve team members were all a little confused. Their opponents were the Star Luo Empire's academy, so why were the cheers all for Shrek Academy?

Just then, the competition's host announced, "Let's first welcome the students from Kassel College to the stage!"

In the back of the contestant area, a group of pale-faced students walked out, some of them even walking unsteadily.

The seven men looked like ghosts with their pale faces, and they had only one thought in their minds—how to lose in a way that would be somewhat dignified.

In particular, Ansel Kass, the team leader of this competition, had to ask his father to bribe many people in order to ensure that his students could enter the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Competition. However, this matter was exposed and he was extorted by the Hutu Treasure Pavilion.

He originally thought that even so, as long as he got into the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament, he would have at least a 50% chance of making it through the elimination rounds. If he performed well in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament, it would all be worth it.

After all, no matter what, he had finally broken through to level 40 with the help of the pills, even though he had been stuck at level 39!

But he never dreamed that his opponent would be Shrek Academy.

Their team has two level 29 Great Soul Masters, and he's the only Soul Grandmaster. The rest are all Soul Venerables. How can they possibly fight against Shrek Academy?

"Alright, the Ansel Academy team has all taken the stage. Now, at this moment of great anticipation, let's welcome the number one academy on the continent, the true kings of academies—the Shrek Academy team!"

The host's high-pitched voice pierced the clouds, carrying very obvious personal emotions and preferences.

Even Emperor Xu Jiawei of Xingluo, standing atop the city wall, stood up, watching Shrek Academy's entrance with great excitement.

When he was still a prince, he studied at Shrek Academy under an assumed name. He has a deep affection for Shrek Academy and often talks about it with his ministers.

"Alright, senior sister, let's go together. How effective this intimidation is depends mainly on your performance."

Huo Yuhao's mental energy fluctuations entered Ma Xiaotao's mind, and Ma Xiaotao smiled slightly.

"Let them feel fear, Yuhao, let's go!"

Huo Yuhao raised his head slightly and strode towards the competition stage with Ma Xiaotao.

Yes, just two people. Today, sending only the two of them on the field is enough!

Kassel College was an old acquaintance of his, full of scoundrels. Even their qualification for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament was bought with money. It was the kind of team that would be considered bullying even if the Shrek Academy reserve team made a move.

Huo Yuhao once considered whether to join Ansel's family and use the inherited title of "Loyal and Brave Earl" to enter Shrek Academy. However, years later, he found himself standing on the opposite side of the Ansel family and Kassel Academy.

(End of this chapter)