As Han Ruoruo's surrender echoed out, the arena was instantly thrown into chaos. This was the second match of the finals—the seven-man team battle.
In the individual elimination round, Shrek Academy, knowing St. Freya Academy had two Soul Sages, surrendered immediately to conserve strength, placing all their hopes on the team battle and 2v3 matches.
But no one expected that even in the team battle, where Shrek managed to eliminate St. Freya's five Soul Ancestors and create a seven-vs-two advantage, they still couldn't overcome the two extraordinary Soul Sages and lost this crucial match.
That meant the tournament was over. The championship didn't go to the anticipated Shrek Academy but to the previously unknown St. Freya Academy.
Instantly, angry shouts and heated debates surged through the arena like a tidal wave.
Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming's faces were pale as paper, partly from exhaustion, partly from fear and anxiety at the crowd's condemnation.
Their teammates, already unconscious, were spared this humiliation. The two girls even envied them for fainting and avoiding the shame.
"Enough!" Suddenly, a thunderous roar shook the arena as an overwhelming aura swept across everyone.
All felt their breath catch as if a mountain pressed down on their chests.
Yan Shaozhe's figure flashed, appearing above the stage.
His gaze was cold as he swept over the now silent crowd, his voice deep: "Victory and defeat are part of the battle. They gave everything they had—no one has the right to blame them."
Yan Shaozhe was full of regret himself, but he'd promised Mu En that no matter what, he wouldn't let Han Ruoruo and the others be harmed—physically or mentally.
Besides, only Shrek could punish and rebuke its own, not these ignorant outsiders.
Shrek Academy was famous for protecting its own.
Once back at the academy, they could be punished in any way needed, but he would never stand by and watch his students be insulted by outsiders.
The Super Douluo's terrifying aura held the ordinary spectators in check—none dared protest, only suppressing their anger and frustration deep inside.
Yan Shaozhe said nothing more, just cast a complex look at Zhang Lexuan and Keqing—a look full of regret, helplessness, and indescribable emotion.
Then he led Han Ruoruo and the others away from the stage.
The two who had ended Shrek's millennia of glory were, ironically, products of Shrek Academy itself.
If not for their year training under the Golden Tree, Zhang Lexuan and Keqing might never have broken through to Soul Sage before the competition.
If they hadn't, St. Freya's original lineup likely couldn't have beaten Shrek.
—
The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament ended in triumph. St. Freya Academy, a dark horse, had swept aside powerful opponents and broken a thousand-year pattern, replacing Shrek at the top.
This shocking outcome was like a bombshell on the Douluo Continent.
The day after the tournament, the news spread everywhere. Shrek and St. Freya were both thrust into the spotlight.
Shrek, the perennial champion, now faced unprecedented shock and doubt—a heavy mood hung over the academy.
St. Freya, by contrast, was the continent's hottest topic, in the limelight and showered with attention.
After claiming the championship prize—three soul bones—Lu Jingming said farewell to Weina and set out for the Star Luo Empire with Xu Jiujiu.
…
"Whoosh—!"
An icy blue sword aura, filled with bone-chilling cold, instantly sliced an eight-ringed black-clad man in half.
The extreme cold froze the corpse into a crystal-clear ice sculpture, the whole process clean and bloodless—an eerie and shocking scene.
"Titled Douluo? The intel was wrong—run!" A terrified scream split the night.
Several shadows scattered in all directions, trying desperately to escape death.
"Since you've come, don't leave." Jingliu's expression was calm, her voice icy.
Before she finished, blades of ice shot out like meteors, accompanied by thunderous sonic booms that seemed to tear the air itself.
As a few distant screams rang out, Lu Jingming sensed several lives extinguished at once—like candles snuffed by the wind.
Lu Jingming tossed the three ten-thousand-year soul bones in his hand, sighing, "Soul bones are as tempting as ever. I just didn't expect that three mere ten-thousand-year soul bones would attract Soul Douluo-level powerhouses."
"They didn't even check their intel before trying to steal the soul bones?" Keqing frowned, clearly confused by their recklessness.
"Haiyuan City may be known thanks to the simulated universe and Herta, and many know about the teacher's presence, but in reality, most don't."
Lu Jingming was unsurprised, explaining calmly, "Even though the simulated universe started with us, with Shrek Academy at the front, only a few know the truth about Haiyuan City."
"Most powers just don't pay attention to Haiyuan City, and this time, they were targeting St. Freya Academy."
"In their eyes, we're nothing but a lucky upstart, a school that just happened to produce two geniuses and won the championship by fluke."
"After all, aside from you and Sister Lexuan, the rest of the academy isn't that strong. No wonder they think St. Freya's win was just dumb luck."
This kind of arrogant misjudgment had cost them their lives.