Yu Xiaogang's expression was slightly unnatural. After clearing his throat a few times, he drew everyone's attention back to himself.
"Alright, let's discuss the rules."
At this moment, everyone's expressions turned serious—including Xiao Tianyang. After all, he had no intention of letting Miao Zhenshan explain the rules. That would only make things more confusing.
Besides, if Miao Zhenshan truly knew these details, why hadn't he mentioned them back in the Extreme North?
What was the point of asking now?
Wouldn't that just be a waste of effort?
So, Xiao Tianyang wisely kept silent and waited until they returned to the academy to hear Yu Xiaogang's explanation.
Even if he had only registered and didn't plan to participate, he was still a student of Shrek Academy—and the most outstanding one at that. It made no sense to exclude him.
Thus, even without Miao Zhenshan's suggestion, Xiao Tianyang had already intended to compete under Shrek Academy's banner.
But now, circumstances had changed. Though he was participating under a different identity to conceal his involvement, he still had the right to listen to Yu Xiaogang's explanation of the rules.
In summary, there were four main rules:
Recommended Teams: The Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and the Spirit Hall each had one recommended spot, totaling three teams that advanced directly to the finals.
Qualifiers: Each empire and principality had its own competition zone, collectively vying for the remaining fifteen qualifying spots.
Finals Seeding: The qualifiers' rankings determined the order of appearance in the finals.
Byes: In the first round of the finals, the three recommended teams received byes.
After the first round, half of the teams would be eliminated, leaving fifteen. Combined with the three byes, eighteen teams remained.
Then, two more teams would be randomly selected for byes, leaving sixteen teams to compete for eight spots. The two bye teams would rejoin, making ten in total.
This process repeated: another two byes, eight teams competing for four spots, plus the two bye teams, totaling six.
Finally, the last six teams would draw lots, and the championship would be decided through two matches: Team Battle and Group Arena
The last team standing would be crowned this year's champion!
There were also two implicit rules:
First: Participants could not use abilities unrelated to their martial souls or soul skills.
Second: Killing and fatal attacks were strictly prohibited.
However, these rules didn't affect Xiao Tianyang.
Even without his martial soul, no one at his level could defeat him in combat.
As for Cong Yunqie—if he took it to the stage, who could stop him?
Other abilities, such as physical techniques, were personal skills developed from martial soul foundations. As long as he didn't use weapons like Ebony and White Ivory or Tang San's hidden weapons, there was no issue.
Besides, these rules weren't strictly enforced.
On the Douluo Continent, martial souls were the foundation of power, and soul rings were its manifestation. Without them, how could one establish themselves?
Such restrictions mainly targeted those trying to cheat the system.
For true geniuses, even bringing a weapon onstage was overlooked—as long as they proved their worth, they would be recognized.
Unless, of course, they stood on the opposing side…
"Grandmaster, may I make a suggestion?" Xiao Tianyang suddenly smirked, glancing mischievously at Tang San and the others.
Yu Xiaogang didn't mind the interruption and smiled. "Go ahead."
After a few deliberate coughs, Xiao Tianyang said solemnly: "I think, given Xiaosan and the others' current strength, they'll breeze through not just the qualifiers but even the finals. There's no challenge."
"So, I propose that in the qualifiers, they field only five members per match—with two of them being substitutes. What do you think, Grandmaster?"
Xiao Wu's eyes widened in disbelief. "But the qualifiers are team battles! We need seven participants. Brother Tianyang, you're making us fight with just five?"
Ma Hongjun chimed in, "Yeah, Tianyang, you're just setting us up!"
"Even if we're strong, our opponents are the elites of different advanced academies. How weak do you think they are?"
Xiao Tianyang rolled his eyes. But he quickly shook his head.
"You're missing the point. Right now, you have the best resources—training, food, equipment. If you don't even have this much confidence… tsk."
Then, he turned back to Yu Xiaogang with a sigh.
"Never mind, Grandmaster. This might be too difficult for them. After all, they claim to be just 'ordinary geniuses.' Maybe we shouldn't push them…"
"Who said we can't do it?!" Dai Mubai stood up, his voice firm. "Grandmaster, we'll follow Tianyang's plan. Five members per match!"
Yu Xiaogang chuckled. "Can't you tell he's provoking you on purpose?"
"Provocation or not, Brother Tianyang's words hold truth," Tang San said seriously.
"Even without him, we still have the advantage. Thanks to him, we've grown rapidly. If we can't prove that his training was worthwhile, wouldn't we be failing both you and him?"
The others nodded in agreement.
Jiang Zhu and the newcomers, however, were puzzled.
'Five against seven? Isn't that too risky? Are they not afraid of losing?'
Yu Xiaogang sighed. "Very well. Since you've decided, I won't dissuade you."
Originally, he had considered letting Tang San's team field only three members, with Jiang Zhu's group filling the gaps.
But after Xiao Tianyang's words, he realized Tang San and the others were no longer the same as before.
Though risky—if the opponents exploited their numbers, they could lose—pressure bred motivation.
If they couldn't prove they had surpassed "ordinary geniuses," how could they face Xiao Tianyang and Saber?
Thus, this was the best plan: three core members and two substitutes—enough to handle any challenge.
Of course, much depended on Tang San's tactical arrangements.
In Douluo Continent, while there was no term for "Tian Ji's Horse Racing," similar strategies existed.
Another factor was the Spirit Hall's stance.
With only three core members and two substitutes—and minimal rotation—the Shrek Seven Monsters could conceal their full strength, avoiding the Spirit Hall's scrutiny until the critical moment.
After a long discussion, Yu Xiaogang concluded: "Today is a rest day—perhaps your last one for a while. Make the most of it."
He emphasized the last sentence.
Ma Hongjun, ever perceptive about such hints, shuddered.
A foreboding feeling crept into his heart…
…
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