Chapter 412: Star Luo Royal Academy Team (Part 2)

"The four of us are each the most outstanding children from our respective families. Mubai and I came to the Tian Dou Empire precisely to strengthen our abilities. The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is an opportunity our families gave us. Because we aren't the firstborn heirs, our chances of succession are far smaller. If we can defeat our elder siblings, then we'll earn the right to inherit."

Tang San said, "So you're saying your elder siblings are on the Star Luo Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy team?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded silently. "Originally, I thought we didn't have any hope at all. But when I came to Shrek Academy and met all of you, I suddenly realized that with your help, we actually have a real chance of winning."

Xiao Wu couldn't help but ask, "Is power really that important? Even if you could inherit the family, would you actually be happy?"

Zhu Zhuqing smiled bitterly. "If only it were that simple. You think we really care about power that much? No, that's not it. Both of our families have extremely peculiar rules. In order to make the future family head more capable, once the competing heirs are selected, they are raised as enemies toward one another. The winner can of course inherit the family, but the loser meets a truly tragic end. To prevent internal strife, the losing competitor is directly eliminated. So what we're competing for isn't just power—it's also our lives."

As she spoke, Zhu Zhuqing's emotions visibly grew agitated. "Do you know why I've always been so cold toward Mubai? Because I've already accepted that I'm certain to die by the time I'm twenty-five. Maybe even sooner. Mubai's elder brother is six years older than him—his intelligence and strength are both top-notch. My sister is seven years older than me. Competing against them, we essentially have no chance at all. That's why Mubai chose to rot after coming to the Tian Dou Empire, losing himself among women. With him acting like that, how could we ever have a chance of surviving? I was furious because he refused to fight."

Dai Mubai finally spoke up. "Fight? How was I supposed to fight? My big brother is six years older than me. He was practically the family's predetermined heir from the start. Choosing me as a backup was only meant to give my brother more pressure and motivation. It wasn't until two years ago—when I saw Xiao San, you, Xiao Wu, and Rongrong join the academy—that I finally saw a sliver of hope. The family gave us a deadline of twenty-five. Our actual combat strength is tested here at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Zhu Zhuqing and I have to defeat our elder siblings during this competition. They're almost twenty-five now, which means this tournament is our only chance. If we lose, then we'd have to surpass them by a wide margin in every other area just to earn recognition. But the support they receive is far greater than ours—that's almost impossible to overcome. I hate my family, but for Zhuqing's sake, I won't run away anymore. Today's battle—no matter if I die, I will not lose."

Dai Mubai's Evil Eyes burned blood-red, and the atmosphere turned oppressively heavy. No one had expected that behind Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing lay such enormous pressure and such a dire backstory. It was a threat to their very lives.

Tang San extended his right hand, gazing into Dai Mubai's blood-red Evil Eyes, and spoke two words: "We will win."

Oscar was next, placing his right hand on top of Tang San's. Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong followed in succession, making the same gesture. When Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai placed their right hands on top as well, all seven of them roared out almost simultaneously: "We will win!"

Up to this point in the tournament, the Shrek Seven Devils had never fought together as a full squad. When they appeared on the competition platform in their complete lineup, the remaining Tian Dou Empire soul master teams couldn't help but freeze.

Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian stood side by side. They had guessed that Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun would appear. But Ning Rongrong and Oscar caught them completely off guard.

Though Ning Rongrong had once made a move when they encountered bandits, the situation had been too chaotic for anyone to take much notice of her.

Still, her appearance wasn't entirely without precedent—after all, she had thrown herself into her father's arms back then, proving she hailed from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

But Oscar was the real mystery. From the start of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament until now, he had never appeared on the competition grounds. And yet here he was, calm and composed, following the others onto the platform. Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, and the rest were greatly astonished.

Could it be that this person was the hidden expert of Shrek Academy? Had he been holding back all this time, only now making his debut?

Led by Dai Mubai, the Shrek Seven Devils stood in a line, perfectly still on the competition platform. Dai Mubai's Evil Eyes held a gravity never seen before as he gazed silently ahead.

On the other side of the platform, another group of seven ascended in a calm, unhurried formation. The moment Dai Mubai's gaze landed on the person walking at their head, two blazing sparks of intense light erupted in his eyes.

Tang San noticed that person as well. Long golden hair cascaded down his back, a lazy expression hung on his face, and within his eyes shimmered a purple glow—not heterochromatic like Dai Mubai's, but vivid all the same. His features bore at least a seventy percent resemblance to Dai Mubai's, though his frame was somewhat taller and broader. Despite his relaxed demeanor, his smile still carried the unmistakable bearing of someone accustomed to authority.

Behind him walked a tall young woman, nearly his height, with an extraordinarily voluptuous figure and skin like white jade. She too wore a smile and was, even in this competitive arena, arm in arm with the young man ahead of her. The girl was beautiful—her resemblance to Zhu Zhuqing was even greater than the resemblance between Dai Mubai and the golden-haired young man.