Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 285 The Snipe and the Clam Fight?

……

"This morning, each of your three teams will compete in an individual elimination tournament with seven players. The team that remains will have an advantage and will directly enter the championship battle tomorrow. The two losing teams will compete for the other final spot this afternoon. Now, you can send out your first player."

After announcing the rules, Bibi Dong sat down on the throne, and Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others also took their seats on either side of her, their eyes all fixed on the arena in the center of the square.

Because of Xuanming's existence, the Spirit Hall is keeping even the final champion's reward a secret, which only fuels everyone's curiosity.

"The first match is between Shrek Academy and Spirit Hall Academy. Please send out your first players." The referee announced loudly.

The individual elimination tournament format means that each team needs to send out seven players to take turns playing until all seven players on one side are eliminated. This tests not only individual skills but also the team's strategic deployment and ability to sustain combat effectiveness.

On the Spirit Hall Academy team's side, Xie Yue stepped forward first, and his figure flashed to the center of the arena.

As the team captain, he was the first to appear, clearly aiming to secure the first victory with overwhelming force and boost morale.

On Shrek Academy's side, Yu Xiaogang frowned deeply.

Facing a formidable enemy like Xie Yue, it would be extremely difficult to send anyone into battle.

Moreover, in terms of both individual and overall strength, Shrek Academy is inferior to these two strong teams.

The only way to seize even the slightest hope of victory is...

"We are forfeiting the individual elimination rounds."

Yu Xiaogang's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly echoed throughout the suddenly quiet square, carrying a sense of almost humiliating resolve.

In an instant, all eyes were focused on the Shrek Academy students.

Surprise, confusion, mockery, contempt... a mix of emotions mingled in the air.

"Give up?" The referee was taken aback.

"Shrek Academy, are you sure you want to forfeit the individual elimination rounds? This means you will directly enter the loser's bracket finals this afternoon to compete for the other spot in the finals."

"We're sure." Yu Xiaogang said expressionlessly, his voice hoarse.

Flander beside him looked ashen, while Liu Erlong clenched his fists, his eyes filled with resentment, but ultimately did not refute him.

Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others also lowered their heads, clenched their fists, and their nails almost dug into their palms.

This humiliation of retreating without a fight burned their pride like a fire.

An uproar erupted in the stands.

"Just giving up?"

"That's so cowardly!"

"Knowing they can't win, they might as well conserve their strength and try their best this afternoon? That's clever."

"Heh, even if we win the loser's bracket this afternoon, we'll still get crushed in tomorrow's finals, right? What's the difference?"

"At least I can struggle a little longer and manage to get second place?"

Various discussions came without any attempt to conceal them.

On the Spirit Hall Academy team's side, Xie Yue snorted coldly, withdrew his step, and his face showed undisguised contempt.

Yan sneered, "Trash is trash. It doesn't even have the courage to fight."

On the Royal Fighting Team's side, Xiao Wu's eyes widened in disbelief: "They... just gave up like that? This..."

Ning Rongrong shook her head: "It's not giving up, it's choosing."

"In the individual elimination rounds, they have no chance of winning. Whether facing us or the Spirit Hall Academy, their seven members will be defeated one by one, and may even be injured, losing their chance to compete for the second spot this afternoon. Giving up directly, although humiliating, will preserve all their fighting strength for the afternoon match."

"Moreover, when two tigers fight, one will inevitably be injured. Regardless of the outcome of this elimination round, both of our teams will inevitably suffer losses. The losing team will face the full strength of the Shrek team this afternoon, which undoubtedly increases their chances of reaching the final."

Dugu Yan curled her lip: "So what if we make it to the finals? We'll still get beaten up."

On the high platform, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin exchanged a glance and both shook their heads slightly.

They could naturally see Shrek Academy's helplessness, but this act of cowardice before the battle was ultimately a poor choice, especially when it came to Tang San, on whom high hopes were placed, which inevitably made people somewhat disappointed.

Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly, realizing that Yu Xiaogang's strategy sometimes pursued the theoretically optimal solution too much, while neglecting the sharpness that a Soul Master should possess.

"Since Shrek Academy has chosen to forfeit the individual elimination rounds," the referee announced loudly, breaking the whispers in the room.

"Then, the individual elimination match this morning will be between the Royal Fighting Team and the Spirit Hall Academy Team!"

"The winner will advance directly to the championship final tomorrow, while the loser will face Shrek Academy in the loser's bracket final this afternoon to compete for the other final spot!"

"Please send out your first member from the Royal Fighting Team and the Spirit Hall Academy Team!"

Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the upcoming showdown between the two powerhouses.

Shrek Academy silently retreated to the edge of the plaza, as if in a forgotten corner, enduring the gazes, both overt and covert, as they awaited the afternoon's battle that would determine whether they could struggle their way into the finals.

Their good fortune seemed to need to be sustained in this frustrating way at this moment.

"The Spirit Hall Academy team has also forfeited the individual elimination rounds."

A cool yet uniquely alluring voice rang out, not from the team leader, but from Hu Liena of the Spirit Hall team.

As soon as she said this, the entire square in front of the Papal Palace fell into a deathly silence.

If Shrek Academy's withdrawal was surprising and contemptible, then the Spirit Hall Academy team's withdrawal was completely beyond everyone's comprehension!
Countless gazes instantly focused on Hu Liena, filled with disbelief.

Even the members of the Spirit Hall Academy team, such as Xie Yue and Yan, were instantly filled with astonishment and confusion. They looked up at Hu Liena and then subconsciously glanced at the Pope on the high platform.

Bibi Dong remained seated, her face shrouded in golden light, obscuring her expression. She neither spoke to stop her nor made any other statement, as if she had tacitly approved of Hu Liena's declaration.

The referee stood on the platform, speechless for a long time.

The final of this competition was absolutely bizarre.

Finally, he could only swallow hard and announce loudly, his voice slightly unsteady: "Given that... both Shrek Academy and Spirit Hall Academy teams have forfeited their individual elimination matches... according to the rules, the Royal Fighting Team wins directly and advances to tomorrow's championship final!" "This afternoon, the Shrek Academy team and the Spirit Hall Academy team will compete in the loser's bracket final, with the winner securing the other spot in the final!"

As the referee's announcement faded, the eerie silence in the square was broken by a cacophony of suppressed chatter.

All eyes darted back and forth between the Royal Fighters who advanced directly, the Spirit Hall who voluntarily gave up, and Shrek Academy who were forced to "abandon" them.

Yu Xiaogang stood frozen in place, the muscles on his face twitching slightly.

His composure, which he had barely maintained by finding the "optimal solution," shattered completely at this moment, leaving only incredulous astonishment and a hint of embarrassment at being seen through and manipulated.

He planned everything.

In the individual elimination rounds, the two powerhouses, Royal Fighting and Spirit Hall, will clash. Regardless of who wins or loses, it will inevitably be a fierce battle of attrition.

The winner will advance to the finals, but will inevitably be severely weakened, and there may even be casualties.

The loser, exhausted and injured, will face the fully-rested and healthy Shrek in the afternoon.

This was the only glimmer of hope he could bring Shrek Academy into the finals—a case of the snipe and the clam fighting, while the fisherman benefits.

He had even planned out his strategy for the afternoon match against the exhausted Spirit Hall team, including how to utilize Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer and Oscar's recovery sausages to fight for a spot in the finals.

But... even the Spirit Hall gave up?!
How dare they? How could they?!

They are the biggest favorites to win the championship, and they are the face of the Spirit Hall!
Don't they have any shame? Aren't they afraid of being ridiculed by the world?
"Nana, why?"

After stepping down from the plaza, Xie Yue couldn't help but ask.

They hadn't seen Xuanming since he left Wuhun City. Although they had heard news about him often over the years, they had always wanted to experience Xuanming's strength for themselves.

This knockout stage presents the perfect opportunity!

Even if they are not opponents, how can they simply give up on them as the face of the Spirit Hall?

“This is what the teacher wants,” Hu Liena said softly.

"Your Holiness the Pope?" Xie Yue was taken aback.

"why?"

"I can handle the afternoon's competition by myself," Hu Liena said.

"You all get some rest and prepare for tomorrow's match."

In the afternoon, the sun was still blazing, but it seemed unable to dispel the somber atmosphere in the square in front of the Papal Palace.

After the two bizarre forfeit games that morning, everyone's curiosity was piqued to its peak.

The Shrek Academy students were already standing on one side of the arena, each with an unusually solemn expression.

Yu Xiaogang frowned, repeatedly giving instructions on tactics, but the unease deep in his eyes was hard to hide.

The Spirit Hall's decision to abandon the project disrupted all his plans.

Now, the only thing left to see is whether this final seven-in-one fusion technique can give us the upper hand.

Tang San stood at the front of the group, his gaze calm, but his clenched fists revealed the turmoil in his heart.

He knew that the battle that afternoon would be many times more difficult than he had anticipated.

Just then, from the direction of the Spirit Hall Academy team, only one figure slowly walked out.

It was Hu Liena.

She was still wearing that white team uniform, which accentuated her slender figure. Her beautiful face carried a hint of languor and indifference, as if the upcoming match was not a crucial one that would determine a spot in the finals, but rather an insignificant game.

Alone, she walked onto the wide arena and stood opposite the Shrek team.

"What? She's all alone?"

"This is a complete disregard for Shrek Academy!"

The stands erupted in chaos, filled with exclamations and questions.

Even the Royal Fighting Team showed expressions of astonishment.

"She's all alone?" Dugu Yan looked at Xuanming in disbelief.

Even if the other members of the Shrek team are of average strength, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Yu Tianheng, these three main players are extraordinary!
At least she didn't have the ability to face the attack of several people all by herself.

Xuanming's eyes flickered slightly. "More than enough."

The referee was also taken aback for a moment, then confirmed, "The Spirit Hall Academy team... you're only sending one person to fight?"

Hu Liena nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the Shrek team opposite her, who looked as if they were facing a formidable enemy. She parted her red lips slightly, her voice carrying a hint of alluring magnetism: "To deal with you, I alone am enough."

"Arrogant!" Dai Mubai roared, his evil eyes burning with fury.

To be so disrespected by a woman is the greatest insult to them!

Tang San's heart sank suddenly, and an extremely dangerous feeling instantly enveloped him.

He instinctively shouted sharply, "Everyone be careful! Stay alert!"

However, it's too late.

Hu Liena gave them no time to react or devise tactics.

On her body, five perfectly matched spirit rings—two yellow, two purple, and one black—instantly rose up, especially the jet-black ten-thousand-year spirit ring, which emitted a heart-palpitating aura.

But all of this pales in comparison to the illusory figure that quietly appeared behind her.

That was no longer her previous form as a demon fox spirit, but a giant fox that was more noble, more mysterious, and more alluring to all beings!

Its entire body seemed to be shrouded in a hazy halo, with nine huge fox tail phantoms swaying gently behind it. Every hair seemed to shimmer with a dreamlike luster, and its pair of fox eyes were as deep as the starry sky, as if they could devour a person's soul.

It is the evolved, top-tier martial soul—the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox!
(End of this chapter)