Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

"That sounds amazing! If we beat them, won't our Shrek Seven Devils' reputation spread all the way to Heaven Dou City?"

Chapter 342 Encouragement

Oscar nodded repeatedly, his signature charming smile on his face: "Exactly! Who cares about Team One or Team Two? Who have we been afraid of in Soto City lately? Our winning streak isn't just for show! Fatty, give it your all and let those young masters from Heaven Fighting City see the power of our Evil Fire Phoenix!"

One of them came from a remote village, and the other grew up in poverty in Flanders, so they lacked a direct understanding of the prestige of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy.

Their winning streak at the Soto Arena has instilled in them a blind confidence that they are invincible.

The opponent is strong? That's good! Winning will prove we're monsters!

Tang San's reaction was the calmest.

He stared silently at the document, his dark eyes unreadable, revealing little emotion.

Team Tian Dou? Snow White? Level 45 Soul Master?

These thoughts flashed through his mind, stirring up calm analysis rather than fear or excitement.

An opponent is an opponent; there may be differences in strength, but they are essentially the same.

All we need to do is analyze, prepare, and then give it our all. As for the outcome... we'll only know after the fight.

His gaze unconsciously drifted toward Cinderella beside him.

Cinderella's azure eyes stared at the names of Snow White and Rapunzel on the document, a strange light flashing in them.

Her slender fingers unconsciously curled up slightly.

Snow White... Rapunzel...

Like herself, they were fairytale characters summoned to this world, and were colleagues in Lin Wan's system.

Although they occasionally exchanged simple messages through the system, their paths diverged, and they rarely crossed paths. She never imagined that she would be facing them face-to-face in this way, in this setting.

However, once the others noticed something amiss, she quickly composed herself, her face regaining its gentle yet slightly worried expression, and whispered, "Teacher, Dean, the opponent's strength... seems to be much greater than ours. Especially their captain..."

Her words expressed the shared concerns of the others, except for Oscar and Ma Hongjun.

Flander coughed twice, rubbed his hands, and glanced at Yu Xiaogang with his small eyes, the meaning of which was clear: You insisted on taking over this person, so you're the one who has to smooth things over.

Yu Xiaogang pushed up his glasses and glanced at the seven faces with different expressions.

He had anticipated this reaction.

"You've seen the information too," Yu Xiaogang said calmly.

"The opponent is very strong, extremely strong. The captain, Snow White, is twelve years old, a level 45 offensive-type Battle Soul Master, and possesses a ten-thousand-year fourth ring. The vice-captain, Yu Tianheng, has a Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Martial Soul, level 39. The other team members are also mostly above level 35, with extremely high-quality Martial Souls and complete configurations."

With each word he spoke, the atmosphere in the room grew more tense, and even the blindly confident Oscar and Ma Hongjun gradually lost their smiles.

“But,” Yu Xiaogang’s tone shifted, his eyes behind his glasses becoming sharp.

"You need to understand a few things."

“First, age.” He pointed to the file.

“Apart from Captain Snow White, everyone else on the other side is older than you. Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan are at least five years older than you. You should understand what a five-year time difference means in the early stages of Soul Master cultivation.”

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged glances.

Yes, age is an objective difference.

If given the same amount of time, the Shrek Seven Devils are confident they will not lose.

"Secondly, the gap in levels isn't as hopeless as you imagine," Yu Xiaogang continued his analysis.

“Dai Mubai, level 39, just one step away from becoming a Soul Master. Tang San, Cinderella, I know your true combat strength and growth rate best. Lin An, your control ability is very special. Zhu Zhuqing's speed, Oscar's support, Ma Hongjun's burst of power... each of you possesses strength that surpasses that of Soul Masters of the same level.”

His words were like a shot of adrenaline, injecting strength into everyone's hearts.

Yes, they are the Shrek Seven Devils, monsters!

Fighting opponents of a higher level is not unimaginable for them.

“Third, and most importantly,” Yu Xiaogang said, his voice growing louder as he looked intently at everyone.

"I never demanded that you win this battle of spirits."

These words surprised everyone.

"My purpose in accepting this battle was never to win," Yu Xiaogang said frankly. "At least, that wasn't my main purpose."

"Team Tiandou is the best benchmark and whetstone you will encounter before participating in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Their strength can most clearly measure where you are now."

The battles against them, regardless of victory or defeat, will expose your weaknesses to the fullest extent and hone your will and teamwork.

"so."

Yu Xiaogang concluded with a calm tone, yet his voice carried an undeniable authority.

"Don't be discouraged, don't lose heart, and don't be afraid before the battle even begins. Treat this battle as a valuable experience, an opportunity to learn from the strong. Put aside the burden of winning or losing, go all out, and show your own style and level, that's enough."

"I believe that when you reach their age, your achievements will be no less than theirs! And the experience of this competition will be an important foundation for you to surpass them in the future!"

Flander slammed his hand on the table at the opportune moment and chuckled, "Exactly! What's there to be afraid of? When have we Shrek monsters ever been afraid of fighting? Winning brings fame and fortune, and losing isn't shameful either, since we're smaller than them anyway! Cheer up, everyone! Prepare yourselves well for the next three days!"

Yu Xiaogang and Flander's words dispelled some of the gloom that had been hanging over the Shrek Seven Devils.

Dai Mubai's eyes rekindled with fighting spirit, Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, and Lin An pursed his lips, seemingly accepting the explanation.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun straightened their backs again.

Tang San's eyes remained calm, and Cinderella showed no reaction.

Seeing the renewed sparkle in his teammates' eyes, Yu Xiaogang nodded in approval.

Fear stems from the unknown, but once a challenge is transformed into a clear goal and training opportunity, fear becomes motivation.

"Alright," he clapped his hands, "The training plan for the next three days will be slightly adjusted. We will conduct some targeted tactical drills and refine teamwork based on the known characteristics of Team Tiandou. Now, everyone come with me to the training ground."

"Yes, Master!" the seven replied in unison.

……

Time flies, and three days have passed in the blink of an eye.

On the day of the battle, the Soto Grand Arena was already packed with people.

The match between "Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team 1 vs. Shrek Seven Devils" has spread throughout the city thanks to the Soul Arena's tireless promotion, becoming the most anticipated battle recently.

Chapter 343 The New Team Leader

The story of a prodigy from the Heavenly Dou Empire facing off against a rising dark horse monster from the local area is enough to attract countless curious and enthusiastic eyes.

Inside the VIP passage of the main battle arena, the members of Team Tian Dou are waiting to enter.

Compared to three days ago, the atmosphere in the team was noticeably more solemn, but also more focused.

However, the person leading them was no longer Qin Ming.

Instead, a middle-aged man, around fifty years old, wearing the robes of a tutor from the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, stood at the very front of the line.

He had a refined appearance, a neatly trimmed short beard, and a calm yet experienced and composed gaze.

He was none other than Sun Buyu, a senior teacher urgently dispatched by the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, a level 68 Control System Battle Soul Emperor, and his Martial Soul Key Golden Gong.

After all, following Snow White's letter and under pressure from various forces, both overt and covert, the three members of the academy's board of directors must now respond as soon as possible.

However, they were ultimately reluctant to part with Qin Ming, a Soul Emperor-level teacher with outstanding talent and in his prime, so they decided to let him return to the academy as an ordinary teacher first, observe and reflect for a period of time, and then make further arrangements.

At this moment, Sun Buyu calmly swept his gaze over the seven team members in front of him, his voice gentle yet carrying an unquestionable authority: "Remember what I emphasized before the match: respect your opponents, focus on yourselves, and perform to your expected level."

Although their strength is inferior to ours, they are still a formidable opponent and should not be underestimated.

The team members nodded in agreement.

Soon, staff members came to guide people into the venue.

……

The main battle arena in the center was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

As the two teams emerged from the side passages and slowly appeared on the arena via the rising platform, the thunderous cheers and discussions nearly lifted the dome off its height.

The top host of the Soto Grand Arena, holding a megaphone, introduced the lineups of both sides in a highly rousing voice:

"First up is the Shrek Seven Devils, our most dazzling rising star team in Soto City recently!"

"Captain, Dai Mubai, a level 39 offensive-type Battle Soul Master, whose Martial Soul is the Evil-Eyed White Tiger!"

"Team member Tang San, a level 36 control-type Battle Soul Master, with the Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass!"

"Team member Cinderella, Level 36 Agility-Attack Type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul Crystal Dancing Shoes!"

"Team member Zhu Zhuqing, a level 31 agility-attack type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Netherworld Spirit Cat!"

"Team member Oscar, a level 31 food-type spirit master, spirit soul: sausage!"

"Team member Ma Hongjun, a level 31 offensive-type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix!"

"Team member Lin An, a level 35 Control-type Weapon Soul Master, with the Martial Soul Miracle Veil!"

Each time a name and rank were announced, a gasp and a murmur would erupt from the audience.

Such a young Soul Master is already a rare genius in Soto City.

Immediately afterwards, the host's voice suddenly rose in pitch, filled with passion:

"And their opponents are the Imperial Pride Sky Fighting Royal Academy Team One, who have come from afar!"

"Captain, Snow White, a level 45 offensive-type Soul Master, with the Martial Soul Snow-Crested Swan!"

"Vice Captain, Yu Tianheng, Level 39 Power Attack Type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex!"

"Team member Dugu Yan, a level 38 control-type battle spirit master, with the martial spirit Azure Phosphorous Serpent!"

"Team member Shi Mo, Level 38 Defense-type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Xuanwu Turtle!"

"Team member Oslo, a level 36 agility-attack type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard!"

"Team member Rapunzel, a level 35 support/control type Soul Master, whose Martial Soul is Golden Long Hair!"

"Team member Ning Rongrong, a level 31 support-type weapon spirit master, with the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda as her martial spirit!"