Douluo Continent: I, Long Aotian, will not be a supporting character.

Of course, all the participants had been notified in advance that all personnel from the participating academies were exempt from kneeling; they only needed to bow at a 90-degree angle to show their respect for the emperor.

"Everyone, rise!" The Star Luo Empire Emperor's voice was amplified by the soul-guided amplifier, spreading throughout the entire venue.

At this moment, all the civilians and soldiers stood up, and the contestants straightened their backs, with everyone's eyes fixed on the city gate tower of the palace directly in front of them.

Emperor Xingluo, along with the Xingluo Empire's royal family and a host of civil and military officials, had already reached the front of the city tower.

"The Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies is the most important event for all soul masters across the continent. This year, it is being held in our Star Luo Empire, which I am very pleased about. Here, on behalf of the Star Luo Empire, I welcome the representatives from various academies who have traveled from afar. I hope that in the upcoming competitions, you will demonstrate your style, achieve excellent results, and showcase your best."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The teachers and students from the 123 academies all bowed again.

The emperor of the Star Luo Empire also smiled and nodded in their direction.

"I hereby declare the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament officially open!" With the Star Luo Emperor's resounding announcement, a series of loud cannon salutes echoed through the sky, drawing back the curtain on this grand event.

"Long live! Long live! Long live!" The people and soldiers shouted in unison, their emotions stirred up almost instantly.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom..." The booming sound of the cannons rang out in Xingluo Square, resounding through the sky and lasting for one hundred and eight times before stopping. Xingluo Square had become a sea of ​​excitement and cheers.

The staff also sprang into action, and the competition officially began.

The loud voice that had appeared earlier rang out again: "According to the competition rules of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament, the first round of the competition is a seven-on-seven team battle elimination tournament. The losing side will be directly eliminated from the Elite Tournament."

"In this competition, a total of 123 advanced soul master academies and advanced soul master schools have registered. After drawing lots, one academy will receive a bye in the first round, while the other academies will be paired up for battle."

"A total of sixty-one battles will be held. The first battle will begin immediately."

"The two teams facing off are the Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy team from the Douling Empire, and Shrek Academy, the continent's number one academy with countless honors, having won almost every major competition in the past few thousand years!"

The moment the host announced this, the atmosphere at the scene instantly reached its peak.

"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek..."

Cheers echoed in almost every corner of Xingluo Square.

Just then, the host's voice rang out again, "Let's first welcome the contestants from Shrek Academy and Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy to the stage."

A group of young players, looking pale and sickly, emerged from the back of the players' area.

As they walked from the contestants' area toward the arena, their steps appeared unsteady.

Facing Shrek Academy was almost a certainty of elimination, so it's no wonder the team members from Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy looked unhappy.

At the same time, seven young men and women stepped out from the Shrek Academy team. Although these seven figures all looked like young children, they were all calm and confident as they walked onto the Soul Arena.

Seven people from each side stood on opposite sides of the Soul Battle Arena, facing each other from a distance.

When they saw that Shrek Academy had sent such a young team, not only were the members of their opponents, Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy, stunned, but all the academies and spectators watching were dumbfounded.

These seven teenagers, who looked to be no more than fifteen years old, were undoubtedly a reserve team. Shrek Academy truly lived up to its reputation as a monster academy. What exactly were they up to?

Moreover, this first round is an elimination tournament, aren't they afraid?

Even Mu Yu Chengfeng chimed in, "Is Shrek Academy using the same strategy as our academy? Sending out their reserve team, they seem quite confident. With the reserve team's strength, they should be able to get through the elimination rounds."

However, no matter how many questions there are, no one can answer them at this moment.

At this moment, the referee sent by the Star Luo Empire was in place, and the referee made a gesture for both sides to step forward.

The seven players from both sides quickly gathered in the center of the field.

The referee said in a deep voice, "The first round is a seven-on-seven team battle, an elimination tournament. Both sides may use most of their soul tools in combat, but if one side concedes, the other side cannot continue attacking. Furthermore, soul masters cannot use high-damage equipment like fixed-position soul tools in combat. Understand?"

"Understood," both teams responded simultaneously.

The referee nodded and said, "Alright, now both teams will announce their names."

The seven members of Shrek Academy announced their names in turn: "Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, Jiang Nannan, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Cao Jinxuan."

The Tianling Academy team consists of: Zhao Jia, Qian Yi, Sun Bing, Li Ding, Zhou Wu, Wu Ji, and Zheng Geng.

"Both sides step back to the sides of the arena. The match will begin only after my command. No player may release their Martial Soul before I announce the start; otherwise, they will be disqualified."

The two sides gradually increased the distance between them, and soon both teams reached the edge of the field.

Upon hearing the names of the seven Shrek Academy members, Long Aotian was taken aback. Huo Yuhao was actually among the participants. He had thought that Huo Yuhao, who had snatched Tianmeng Ice Silkworm and Ilex and whose innate soul power was only level one without twin martial souls, would not be able to enter the Shrek team.

But now that he's actually in the group, could it be that Huo Yuhao has obtained other opportunities? He truly deserves to be called the "Chosen One." Long Aotian couldn't help but feel wary. There must be Tang San's scheme behind Huo Yuhao. It seems he has to be careful.

As for Xiao Xiao of the Shrek Seven Devils in the original work, he has joined the Body Sect and the Imperial Academy because of Dugu Yuan. Therefore, Xiao Xiao's position has been replaced by Cao Jinxuan. His martial soul is the Time-Fleeting Bell, which has a rare time attribute and should not be underestimated.

The referee in the center of the Soul Arena slowly raised his right hand. At that moment, the Star Luo Square, which had hundreds of thousands of people, fell silent. Everyone stared intently at the Soul Arena, eagerly awaiting the start of the battle.

This is the first match of the Soul Fighting Tournament, and also the first elimination match. One of the teams fighting is the number one academy on the continent!

Although the Shrek Academy team members are all very young, they still represent the glory of Shrek Academy. Everyone watching is eager to see what kind of style these young boys can show.