Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

Xu Cheng nodded.

Ma Rulong was right—after all, this was the original protagonist team.

Their talents were top-tier, and with Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng fully recovered, their lineup was strong enough to reach the finals with ease—as long as they didn't run into the Sun Moon team.

Soon, Elder Ma returned from the drawing, his expression filled with mixed emotions—excitement, yet also a hint of worry.

"Shrek?"

Xu Cheng asked calmly.

"Yes."

Elder Ma nodded heavily.

In the Shrek Rest Area

Ma Xiaotao glanced provocatively at Xu Cheng, her red lips parting as she uttered a few words.

"Prepare to die…"

Clearly, Wang Yan had already informed them of the match-up right after the draw.

Xu Cheng chuckled helplessly. It seemed that with her strength restored, Ma Xiaotao's confidence had returned in full.

He was certain that while the Star Luo Empire had healed Ma Xiaotao, they were also likely hoping to take him out in the process. After all, death was allowed on the battlefield, and dying in a match was preferable to them taking direct action later.

Xuan Zi wasn't among the crowd, but Xu Cheng was sure he was lurking somewhere, watching him with sinister intent.

In the Shrek Rest Area

Wang Yan spoke solemnly.

"The Sun Moon Empire still has some hidden members: their official team captain, Ma Rulong, and Xiao Hongchen. That means their trump cards go beyond just Xu Cheng. In fact, our sources reveal that Xu Cheng's martial soul isn't just the Blood Pupil—he has a twin martial soul. The other one comes from the Sun Moon Empire's royal bloodline—the Sun."

"Tch, Sister Wuming's martial soul is the Golden Crow. That mere 'Sun' dares to act so arrogantly?" Ma Xiaotao snorted.

"…" Wang Yan sighed helplessly.

Exhausting.

But he still had to remind them.

"If we encounter the Sun Moon Empire in this match, it's best to win the team battle. Even if we can't win, we must make it look good. In the individual matches afterward, we need to put on a spectacular performance so I can go up there and… play the sympathy card."

"Stop rambling. Just get to the tactics," Ma Xiaotao said impatiently.

She was already eager to see the other team bleed.

"Ma Rulong is strong, but we can't underestimate Xu Cheng. I have a feeling he's actually the strongest one in their team. At the start of the team battle, Xu Sanshi will swap him out immediately. Xiaotao and Yueheng, you two will focus on taking him down first…" Wang Yan instructed seriously.

"…"

…

Soon, the referee announced the draw results.

The moment the first match was revealed, the entire crowd erupted into cheers.

"Shrek will win!"

"Crush them all!"

…

The eternal first-place team versus the eternal runner-up team—meeting as early as the Top 16.

No matter who got eliminated, it would be a major upset!

Those with inside information, having learned what had happened at the Star Luo auction last night, were even willing to bet everything on Shrek.

Sun Moon Empire's Side

"Who's going up this time?" Xiao Hongchen asked eagerly.

Ma Rulong pondered for a moment before answering, "Your Highness, myself, you, Meng Hongchen, Ji Juechen, Xiao Xiafeng, and Lin Xi. This should be our strongest lineup."

"Good. Let's make those guys cry!" Lin Xi said angrily.

Clearly, Shrek's team had already started showing their arrogance.

Elder Ma was a little nervous.

How were those two Soul Emperors from Shrek not crippled in the Ming Dou Mountain Range? And they were both at Rank 68—strong enough to rival Rank 70 Soul Engineers.

You could never be too careful. If they won, great, but if they lost…

Given Shrek's personality, they would spread the news everywhere—"Shrek's injured team defeated the Sun Moon Empire's full team!" That would be a disgrace forever.

"That little girl has twin martial souls. She's quite strong," Xiao Hongchen commented, looking at Xiao Xiao with a victorious grin.

The little girl had been crucial in Shrek's previous matches.

Her combination of cauldron and flute was even more useful than the White Tiger duo at times.

But… this was as far as she would go!

"Who are you calling 'little girl'?" Wang Dong, disliking the way his best friend was being mocked, immediately stood up.

"Huh? Me?" Xiao Hongchen pointed at himself in shock. "You're talking to me?"

Wang Dong's face was innocent and bright. "Of course, Uncle! Is there anyone here older than you?"

Xiao Hongchen scratched his head awkwardly. "Meng, do I really look that old?"

Meng Hongchen simply smiled without answering.

The tense atmosphere suddenly lightened.

"Alright, let's get ready for the match," Xu Cheng said, glancing at Wang Dong indifferently. The supposedly fearless "little boy" immediately shivered and retreated back into the group.

He stole another glance at Xu Cheng.

That oppressive aura… so damn cool.

Too bad we're enemies.

…

"Top 16 to Top 8! First Match: Shrek Academy vs. Sun Moon Imperial Academy! Both teams, enter the waiting area!"

The referee was an elderly man.

That's right—Heavenly Fiend Douluo, Huang Jinxu, who was originally meant to appear in the Top 4, had arrived early for this Top 16 match.

After all, this match wasn't supposed to happen this early in the tournament…

On Shrek's side, Ma Xiaotao led the team, with Dai Yueheng as vice-captain. The two official team captains entered the stage together, followed by the icy beauty Ling Luocheng, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, and finally… Xiao Xiao.

Among the three Soul Elders, she was the most crucial—even more so than He Caitou.

"Ji, go for her first," Xu Cheng said with a smile, patting Ji Juechen on the shoulder.

"Got it." Ji Juechen nodded concisely.

A sharp light flickered in his eyes.

Ma Xiaotao was their strongest opponent—she suited his head-on battle style perfectly.

The Judgment Sword in his hand trembled slightly, as if responding to its wielder's battle intent.

"Alright, let's stick to the original strategy."

Xu Cheng smirked.

…

As both teams stepped onto the stage…

Tens of thousands of eyes focused on them.

Even the air seemed to freeze.

"Match… begin!"

Huang Jinxu announced before instantly retreating from the battlefield.

At that moment…

Both teams' spirit rings lit up.

The presence of three Soul Emperors pushed the atmosphere to a fever pitch.

"Darknet Replacement!"

Xu Sanshi smirked mischievously. His figure vanished and reappeared in the Sun Moon team's formation, immediately assuming a defensive crouch—ready to take a hit.

In his previous spot, Xu Cheng's figure appeared.

"Phoenix Meteor Shower!!!"

"White Tiger Meteor Shower!!!"

Seeing their hated enemy, Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng attacked without hesitation.

Xu Cheng was responsible for their teammates' deaths. This match had already been stifling enough.

Ma Xiaotao let out a battle cry, her fiery wings unfolding like a true phoenix descending. Her sixth spirit ring flared.

In the sky, a six-pointed star faintly appeared.

Countless blazing meteors rained down upon Xu Cheng.

Dai Yueheng roared, his entire body transforming under the White Tiger's power, summoning his own meteor shower.

Beibei's body crackled with lightning, his eyes filled with hatred. If not for Xu Cheng, Tang Ya wouldn't have become an evil spirit master…

Yet to Xu Cheng, all of this…

Felt as if time had slowed.

"Ah, the White Tiger Meteor Shower that San Shao loves so much…"

Xu Cheng smacked his lips.

Now then… should he use the Blood Pupil, the Sun, or the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion?

Too many trump cards…

What a hassle.

(End of Chapter)