The first round's draw was undoubtedly extremely important. If a team could draw a relatively weak opponent, it would be a considerable advantage for any team.
This was especially true for a team like Shrek Academy, which had a bye in the second round. If they could win the first round easily, they could conserve their energy and focus their efforts on the third round's matches. From the third round onward, the real competition would begin.
Flandre returned quickly, his expression noticeably improved, a broad smile plastered across his face. Seeing his smug demeanor, there was no need to ask—the draw had clearly gone well.
Suddenly, Flandre's expression turned serious, and he addressed the group: "One piece of bad news, one piece of good news. Which do you want to hear first?"
Everyone paused for a moment. Dai Mubai said, "Let's hear the bad news first."
Flandre said solemnly, "The bad news is that your first-round opponent is Blazing Fire Academy."
"Blazing Fire Academy?" Everyone indeed furrowed their brows. Ever since the advancement tournament, when the students of Blazing Fire Academy had figured out a way to counter Tang San and two other students had risen above the fortieth rank, the academy had become one of the strongest teams on the Tian Dou Empire's side. Even compared to Divine Wind Academy, they were hardly inferior.
Despite Shrek Academy having won easily during the advancement tournament, they had suffered during the preliminaries.
Of course, Blazing Fire Academy was not enough to block their advance, but encountering such a near-powerhouse team in the first round was still not a favorable draw.
Even Tang San couldn't help but say, "How is it that we run into them every single time we compete? What kind of fate is this?"
The Great Master said calmly, "Flandre, and what's the good news?"
Flandre chuckled. "The good news is that Blazing Fire Academy has forfeited the finals—they've voluntarily withdrawn."
Everyone in Shrek Academy wore almost the same stunned expression.
Liu Erlong said, "Blazing Fire Academy put in a lot of effort to make it to the finals. Why would they suddenly forfeit?"
Flandre spread his hands. "Don't ask me—I don't know either. The news came out of nowhere. But regardless, it's very good news for us. Two consecutive byes in the first two rounds."
Ning Rongrong giggled. "Not bad at all—we're already in the top ten without even fighting."
Flandre said, "The matches are about to begin. You all need to carefully observe your opponents. This is an elimination tournament—hiding your strength won't be easy. The biggest advantage of two consecutive byes isn't avoiding combat, but rather the chance to better assess your opponents' strength. Anyone who makes it to the third round won't be weak—they'll at least be on par with Blazing Fire Academy."
The finals didn't have the grand opening ceremony that people had imagined. Everything was simple. A Cardinal in red robes from Spirit Hall took the stage, announced the start of the finals, and at the same time revealed the matchup list and the bye list. Under the direction of referees specially selected by Spirit Hall, the matches began.
The two teams in the first match weren't particularly strong. The Shrek Seven Devils chatted quietly among themselves in their rest area.
Oscar said, "These finals don't seem as grand as even the preliminaries. There's not even an opening ceremony. And the spectators are pitifully few—maybe a few thousand at most."
Tang San said, "Although there are only a few thousand, don't forget—they're all Soul Masters. And the vast majority should be Soul Masters belonging to Spirit Hall. Spirit Hall not allowing commoners to watch probably has its reasons. Didn't the teacher say that the final top-three showdown will be held in front of the Papal Hall? That's when the true climax of the finals will come. The current calm is very likely preparation for that climax."
The first match ended quickly. The second match: Divine Wind Academy versus Dragon Kui Academy from the Xing Luo Empire.
"What?" When the Shrek Academy group saw Divine Wind Academy's lineup take the field, they couldn't help but stand up in shock.
Among Divine Wind Academy's lineup, four members had been conspicuously replaced—and those four members were actually from Blazing Fire Academy.
On the Xing Luo Empire's side, the dozen or so academies didn't react much, but on the Tian Dou Empire's side, the news caused an uproar. How could Blazing Fire Academy's team members appear in Divine Wind Academy?
The Great Master's brow furrowed deeply, and Flandre couldn't help but say, "What is this about? I'm going to the organizing committee to ask." With that, he immediately strode away.
The commotion below naturally didn't affect the match on the field. Huo Wu held the rear position while Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wushuang stood at the very front of the team. When all of them revealed their Soul Rings, their opponents' hearts turned to ice.