Chapter 77: The Preliminaries

Chapter 77: The Preliminaries

After the meeting, Du Qianjue returned to his room, sitting cross-legged on the bed. He has a myriad of techniques, any of which could wreak havoc. His skills are numerous and varied, making him virtually impossible to counter. At full strength, even a titled Douluo would likely not be a match for him. Thus, Du Qianjue isn't worried about being targeted; his power is simply too overwhelming for any schemes or tricks to defeat him.

For instance, the absolute defense soul guidance device used by the Star Luo Royal Academy to trap Ma Xiaotao was useless against Du Qianjue. To him, it's no more effective than a bubble, easily shattered with a single move. With such strength, why hide it? Just dominate!

Having decided on his strategy for the next day, Du Qianjue simply went to sleep. With dual soul cores automating his cultivation, he doesn't need to meditate—the automated system cultivates faster than he could on his own. Isn't auto-cultivation wonderful?

The next day, the sun rose. Du Qianjue freshened up and donned the Di'ao Academy's uniform, checking himself out in the mirror. Not bad! The aesthetic sense of the Di'ao Academy's dean is clearly superior to that of his architectural taste. The uniform isn't flashy like those found throughout the academy; it's a fitted goose-yellow suit with some rose-gold ornaments and tassels. The chest is embroidered with a rose-gold lotus, and on the left breast is a lotus-shaped emblem of Di'ao Academy. The lotus is likely a nod to the Heaven Soul Empire's royal spirit, the Snow Lotus, symbolizing both the royalty and the academy.

Overall, while slightly ornate, the uniform looks surprisingly good—certainly much better than Shrek Academy's green uniforms that Du Qianjue shuddered to remember from the day before. Shrek's uniforms vary by grade, but outside the academy, only that green uniform represents them—a millennium-old tradition.

Thankfully, he doesn't have to wear one.

Relieved, Du Qianjue then headed out to the conference room to meet up with the rest. The match against the Fancypants Advanced Soul Master Academy team was scheduled for the afternoon, so the team coach had instructed everyone to gather in the conference room after getting up, and they would head over together.

No need for a meeting, as Du Qianjue put it, they would just overpower the competition. No strategy needed when you can outmatch your opponents so completely.

By the time he arrived at the conference room, almost everyone was already there; Du Qianjue was the last to join, but no one complained. Being a major player comes with certain privileges.

Nobody would bother him unnecessarily, and in the knockout rounds, they wouldn't face any team that required the Di'ao Academy to strategize.

"Junior, did you have breakfast?" Wei Na blinked her moist eyes, pulling out a small cloth bag filled with food.

"Here, have something to fill your stomach."

Du Qianjue was surprised but didn't refuse Wei Na's kindness, taking the bag from her.

"Thank you, senior," Du Qianjue said, popping a dumpling into his mouth and smiling, "It tastes great, I really like it."

"Glad you like it, eat up," Wei Na smiled sweetly.

Yang Lian and Zhao Jian exchanged looks, Zhao Jian shrugged, and Yang Lian rolled his eyes.

"Must be nice, no one prepares breakfast for me," Yang Lian said, his tone slightly sour.

Ouyang Qian gave him a stern look, retorting, "Yang Lian, how old are you? Still need others to bring you food? Can't you buy it yourself?"

"I was just making a comment. Du junior gets food from Wei Na, can't I vent a little?" Yang Lian complained.

"You always make a fuss!" the team coach slapped him on the back of his head, clearly annoyed.

Yang Lian rubbed the spot where the coach hit him and sulkily retreated to a corner.

"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's head out," Wei Na stood up, clapping his hands to draw everyone's attention.

"Today's opponent might not be very strong, but we shouldn't take them lightly. I'll organize the lineup," he said.

"Du junior, Wei Na, Yang Lian, plus four from the reserve team, all good?"

"No problem!" everyone said in unison.

"Great, let's go!"

The group left the hotel and took the competitors' exclusive passage to the soul fighting arena.

In the prep area, Wei Na sat next to Du Qianjue.

"Junior, you'll need to protect me later, I'm just a support with no combat ability," Wei Na said with a coy smile.

"Don't worry," Du Qianjue nodded, "If I knock everyone down, that counts as protecting you."

The best defense is a good offense!

As they waited to go on, Wei Na chatted with Du Qianjue, trying to gauge his mood, but she was bound to be disappointed. Despite Wei Na's sweetness, Du Qianjue was already spoken for.

Under Du Qianjue's subtle rejections, Wei Na felt dejected.

But a warrior doesn't give up easily!

Full of fighting spirit, Wei Na caused Du Qianjue no end of trouble, while Yang Lian, watching the drama unfold, sprawled on the couch, belching contentedly.

The four juniors didn't join in the chat between the three main team members, instead watching the matches and whispering about other teams.

"The elimination round is really brutal. No team wants to be knocked out in the first round; they're practically fighting for their lives," Du Qianjue remarked as he watched a particularly fierce match.

The match on the stage had just ended, with both sides suffering. Only four competitors were left unscathed by exhaustion.

Of the others, seven were lightly injured and three severely.

"Each match is like a brush with death; it's no joke. No one knows if disaster or tomorrow will come first," Yang Lian said, munching on fruit and mumbling.

"How will we fight later?"

Du Qianjue looked at Yang Lian oddly. "How else? You all watch the show, I'll perform. It's that simple."

"Don't you need me to boost you?" Wei Na pursed her lips.

"No need. If I, a Soul Saint, need your support to fight them, that would be too much of a bully," Du Qianjue shook his head.

"Alright then."

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, the Fancypants Advanced Soul Master Academy team, versus, the Di'ao Academy team!" the host shouted into the microphone, flying high above the arena.

The stands erupted in cheers.

The Di'ao Academy team, representing the royal academy of the Heaven Soul Empire, was sure to provide an exciting battle.

The spectators were all eagerly anticipating the match.

"It's our turn!" Du Qianjue stood up, smiling slightly.

"Let's go!" Yang Lian stuffed his hands in his pockets, his demeanor extremely arrogant.

With no pressure, the group walked out of the prep area.

(End of Chapter)

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