In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
The Soto Grand Spirit Arena, Central Main Spirit Arena. Night had fallen, and beneath the massive dome, the arena was brilliantly illuminated with lights, the roar of the crowd boiling like water. The spectator stands were already packed to capacity, the clamorous noise nearly lifting the roof. The news that the Berserker Team had returned for revenge just days after their crushing defeat to the Shrek Seven Devils had spread throughout Soto City, and rumors of changes in the Berserker Team's lineup had added countless layers of suspense and speculation to this rematch. The air was thick with excitement, conjecture, and the pungent smell of gunpowder.
Amid deafening cheers, whistles, and scattered boos, members from both teams slowly emerged from the dimly lit tunnels on either side, stepping into the arena brightly lit by Soul Guidance Lamps.
From the eastern tunnel, led by the mountainous figure of Crazy Rhino, the seven members of the "New Berserker Team" filed out. Crazy Rhino, Spider Woman, and Ruyi Pan walked at the forefront, their faces so dark they seemed capable of dripping water, their eyes a mix of the humiliation and resentment from their previous defeat, along with a trace of desperate resolve. The four following them, however, carried a completely different aura. Yu Tianheng appeared cold and stern, his steps steady. The innate pride of his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Spirit kept his head high and chest out even on enemy turf, his sharp, hawk-like gaze sweeping across the arena before finally settling on the western tunnel exit. The brothers Shimo and Shimò were silent and reserved, like two moving mountains, their heavy presence exuding immense pressure. Li Qiuyao walked at the rear, her slightly slender frame appearing somewhat delicate compared to her robust companions. She pressed her lips together slightly, her small hands unconsciously clenched, her clear eyes reflecting the tension of participating in such a high-level melee for the first time, but more than that, an undeniable determination. Her gaze frequently drifted toward the direction of the VIP boxes, as if drawing strength from there.
From the western tunnel, the full roster of the Shrek Seven Devils entered the arena in unison. Dai Mubai led the way, his Evil Eyes gleaming with sharp light, the regal Haki of his White Tiger Spirit naturally emanating. Tang San stood in the center, his expression calm as still water, his seemingly gentle eyes hiding a composure and wisdom far beyond his years, as if everything was under his control. Xiao Wu bounced along beside Tang San, her lively Scorpion Braid swaying, her pretty face brimming with eager excitement. Ma Hongjun rubbed his hands together, faint heat rising around him. Zhu Zhuqing remained as cold as ice, yet her sharp eyes were like a leopard ready to pounce. Ning Rongrong and Oscar positioned themselves at the rear of the team; one held the radiant Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, while the other had already begun secretly preparing sausages, their roles as support-type Soul Masters clear and defined. After three days of targeted preparation, their faces showed less of the initial overexcitement from defeating a powerful foe and more solemnity, yet their overall fighting spirit was more restrained and intense.
The two teams met at the center of the arena, facing off ten meters apart. The clash of their invisible auras made the Soul Power particles in the air seem to stir restlessly, the atmosphere instantly becoming taut as a drawn bow.
"Well, if it isn't our dear Captain Crazy Rhino?" Dai Mubai broke the silence first, his Evil Eye filled with undisguised mockery as he targeted the most obvious opponent. "What, have your injuries from last time healed already? So eager to come back and be our training partners again?"
Crazy Rhino's already unpleasant face instantly flushed dark red, veins bulging on his forehead as he roared, "Dai Mubai! Don't you fucking act so arrogant with me! Last time I was careless, but this time I'll beat the shit out of you! If I don't, I'll take your surname!"
Xiao Wu burst into laughter, her lively large eyes curving into crescents, though her gaze lightly swept over Yu Tianheng and the others. Her clear voice carried a sharp edge: "Oh my, such big talk! If you can't win, just say so. There's no shame in getting help. But... has your Royal Fight Team run out of members? How come your elites have fallen so low that they need to mix with a team we just beat to feel relevant?" Her words were like poisoned needles, precisely striking the most painful spots in Crazy Rhino, Spider Woman, and Ruyi Pan's hearts. The intense humiliation made all three breathe heavily, their eyes venomously fixed on Xiao Wu.
Yu Tianheng slightly furrowed his brow, his cold gaze sweeping over Xiao Wu before finally settling on Tang San. His voice was like ice: "Empty boasts are meaningless. To deal with you, we don't need the entire Royal Fight Team. Just a few of us are enough. Meanwhile, you people from whatever backwater you crawled out from - do you really think winning one fluke victory means you can run wild? Today we'll make you understand that there are always greater heights beyond your reach!"
"Who the hell are you calling backwater?!" Ma Hongjun immediately bristled, his chubby face flushing red as flames erupted around him. "Still running your mouth when you're about to die! This fat lord will let you taste Phoenix Flame today!"
Oscar added with sarcasm: "Yeah, yeah, Boss Dai. It seems those from the Imperial Royal Academy have their eyes on the top of their heads, looking down on us 'country bumpkins'."
Though Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, her icy killing intent had already locked onto Yu Tianheng, as if she might strike at any moment.
As conflict seemed imminent, the referee swiftly inserted himself between the two teams, Soul Power surging as he sternly shouted: "Attention all team members! The combat rules cannot be challenged! Immediately retreat to your designated preparation areas! Any further verbal attacks will result in immediate penalty warnings!"
Under the referee's forceful intervention, both sides reluctantly backed away while cursing, though the killing intent and hostility in their eyes only intensified. The audience's atmosphere was completely ignited by this pre-match war of words, with various cheers and shouts mixing together into a deafening roar. "Berserker Team! Tear them apart!" "Shrek! Create another miracle!" "Royal Fight Team boys, show them what you've got!" The shouts came wave after wave, though upon closer listening, the cheers for Shrek Seven Devils clearly dominated. After all, their recent classic upset victory against stronger opponents had won them massive support from commoner Soul Masters.
In the VIP box, the atmosphere was equally tense enough to drip water.
Qin Ming stood before the large one-way glass window, hands tightly gripping the railing. Dugu Yan, Osler, Ye Lingling and other Royal Fight Team members gathered here, all concentrating intently. Dugu Yan couldn't help commenting: "These Shrek guys really have poisonous tongues."
Osler looked relaxed: "Don't worry! What kind of situation hasn't the boss and the Shi Family Brothers seen before? And with Qiu Yao's elusive interference, they'll have their hands full! Let's see if they can still talk tough when the fight starts!"
Ye Lingling stood quietly nearby, her gaze mostly fixed on Li Qiuyao's slightly slender figure down in the arena. Her cool eyes held a trace of concern that was difficult to conceal.
In the neighboring booth, Flender adjusted his glasses, his eyes flickering uncertainly behind the lenses; Zhao Wuji crossed his arms, his thick eyebrows knitted together; Master Yu Xiaogang remained expressionless, but his slightly narrowed eyes showed he was rapidly analyzing every detail on the field.
Marco sat alone on a sofa slightly further away, his posture seemingly relaxed as he leaned back into the soft cushions. Yet his profound eyes clearly reflected every subtle movement in the arena below, particularly Li Qiuyao's figure.
His expression remained calm and unreadable, like a deep pool of water, making it impossible to discern the ripples beneath the surface.
"Central Main Spirit Arena, Team Spirit Fight, begin!" The referee's powerful voice echoed throughout the venue through the amplifying Soul Tool, officially declaring the start of this highly anticipated showdown!