The Soto Grand Soul Arena was alive with energy, the roar of the crowd a thunderous backdrop as Shrek Academy made its entrance.
A month had passed since their grueling training under Grandmaster, and each of the Shrek Seven Devils carried a new weight to their steps — not of fatigue, but of quiet confidence, forged in fire.
Tonight, though, something in the air was different.
There was tension.
An anticipation that made the hairs on the back of Ayanokoji's neck stand on end.
---
The Arena's Pulse
The group moved through the familiar stone corridors of the Soul Arena, their green Shrek Academy uniforms drawing more attention than usual.
They had made a name for themselves here — a team of rising stars with unconventional tactics and unshakable teamwork.
But the whispers tonight weren't about them.
"They say Tian Dou Academy is here…" a passing soul master muttered to his companion.
"Tian Dou?" Tang San echoed, frowning slightly. "That's… unexpected."
Xiao Wu, walking beside him, tilted her head. "Aren't they one of the top-ranked academies in the empire?"
"They are," Dai Mubai confirmed, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "But what would they be doing here in Soto?"
No one had an answer.
But the unease had settled in.
---
The Opponents
When the Shrek Seven Devils entered the preparation room, the mystery unraveled.
Across the chamber stood a group of seven students, dressed in the distinctive white and blue uniforms of Tian Dou Academy.
They radiated strength.
The tallest among them, a broad-shouldered young man with short black hair, looked up as they entered, his gaze sharp and appraising.
"That's them," Zhu Zhuqing whispered softly, standing just behind Dai Mubai. "Tian Dou Academy's core team."
Ning Rongrong, normally playful, was unusually quiet. Her gaze was fixed on one of the Tian Dou students… and there was something in her expression that wasn't quite anger, but close.
Ayanokoji noticed.
As always.
---
A Familiar Face
Before anyone could speak, the door to the preparation room swung open again.
A man entered, tall and composed, dressed in the colors of Tian Dou Academy. His dark eyes swept over the Shrek team with practiced calm, assessing rather than challenging.
The moment Dai Mubai saw him, his expression darkened instantly.
"Qin Ming…"
The name came out like a curse.
The other Shrek Devils exchanged confused glances.
"You know him?" Tang San asked quietly.
Dai Mubai didn't answer.
Qin Ming's smile was calm, but there was a hidden edge to it — a blade wrapped in silk.
"Well, well… Shrek Academy's current lineup. I see Flender's eye for talent hasn't faded."
He paused, meeting Dai Mubai's glare with a look that was almost amused.
"I never thought I'd see you again, Dai Mubai."
The air in the room seemed to grow colder.
---
A Fragmented Past
"You were from Shrek?" Xiao Wu asked, her curiosity cutting through the tension.
Qin Ming's smile didn't falter. "Once. A long time ago."
"I didn't think Shrek kept secrets from its own students," Zhu Zhuqing said, her gaze sharp.
Dai Mubai's voice was tight with suppressed anger. "He left… or rather, he was forced to leave."
The casual smirk on Qin Ming's face twisted slightly. "Let's not dredge up old memories. What matters is that tonight… we're opponents."
His eyes flicked toward Ayanokoji, pausing just a second too long.
"And I'm curious about your new talents."
Ayanokoji met the gaze without expression.
But he noted the challenge.
---
The Match
When their names were announced for the main event of the evening, the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch.
"Tonight! A clash of rising stars! The undefeated team from Shrek Academy… versus the elite prodigies of Tian Dou Academy!"
As the Shrek Seven Devils stepped into the arena, the reality of the fight settled on them.
This wasn't like their usual matches.
Tian Dou Academy wasn't here for experience.
They were here to crush them.
---
The Opening Clash
The match began with stunning ferocity.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing immediately took point, their martial spirits combining to create a devastating offensive line.
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass controlled the field, weaving a net of entangling vines, while Xiao Wu darted through gaps with graceful, lethal precision.
Oscar and Ning Rongrong stayed back, supporting with buffs that made their frontline nearly unstoppable.
Ayanokoji… watched.
He moved through the chaos like a shadow, striking only when necessary, his Dark Phoenix spirit pulsing with barely contained menace.
But Tian Dou's team was prepared.
Qin Ming stood at the edge of the arena, watching the fight unfold with the calm scrutiny of a master tactician.
---
A Calculated Test
For Ayanokoji, the battle wasn't about winning.
It was about understanding.
He saw the layers behind Qin Ming's strategy — the subtle traps, the psychological warfare.
He's testing us, Ayanokoji realized. He's not fighting to win. He's fighting to learn.
And that was dangerous.
---
The Turning Point
As the battle neared its climax, one of Tian Dou's strongest students broke through Tang San's defenses, their martial spirit — a fearsome black iron wolf — radiating dark, oppressive energy.
Their target wasn't Dai Mubai or Tang San.
It was Ayanokoji.
Their eyes locked across the battlefield.
"You're holding back," Qin Ming said from the sidelines, just loud enough for Ayanokoji to hear.
Ayanokoji didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
---
A Warning Given
The fight ended in a draw — not because either side was weak, but because neither was willing to reveal their true strength.
As the two teams left the arena, Qin Ming approached once more.
"That was… educational," he said, his tone amused.
Dai Mubai stepped between them, his fists clenched. "Stay away from us."
Qin Ming's smile didn't fade.
"Relax. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon… perhaps in the Continental Tournament?"
His eyes slid to Ayanokoji one last time.
"After all, I'm quite curious about your power."
And with that, he was gone.
Leaving behind a tension that refused to fade.
---
The Aftermath
Back in their inn, the Shrek Seven Devils sat in thoughtful silence.
"That wasn't just a sparring match," Tang San said at last. "They were… analyzing us."
"We need to be ready," Zhu Zhuqing agreed.
Dai Mubai said nothing.
But the anger in his eyes made it clear:
Qin Ming was a ghost from Shrek's past.
And now… he was a threat to their future.