"They don't share the same unspoken chemistry with the original seven of your Shrek Seven Devils. In the limited time remaining, you must place heavy emphasis on team synergy!
With the tournament just around the corner, even the slightest lack of coordination could become a fatal flaw."
"Yes, Teacher, I understand."
In the simulation, Tang San saw that his teacher's expression had softened, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief. He then responded respectfully, keeping Yu Xiaogang's advice close to his heart.
He could sense that although his teacher still seemed distant toward him, he remained rigorous and responsible when it came to the tournament and the team's victory.
"Go on."
Yu Xiaogang turned around, no longer looking at him. His gaze shifted back to the tactical diagrams spread across the desk, as if they held something far more worthy of his attention.
Seeing this, the Tang San in the simulation stayed no longer. Bowing once more to Yu Xiaogang's back, he silently exited the room and gently closed the door behind him.
The subsequent simulation showcased the Shrek team's intense and tightly scheduled preparatory training.
Just as Yu Xiaogang had emphasized, although the newly joined Tai Long, Jiang Zhu, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling had all reached the level of Soul Elders in terms of individual strength, there was indeed a glaring lack of familiarity between them and the Shrek Seven Devils, who possessed seamless chemistry.
As the team's actual tactical core and Control System Soul Master, the Tang San in the simulation invested an immense amount of energy into coordination and command.
On the training grounds, shouts, the collision of soul power, and Yu Xiaogang's occasional pointers and corrections rang out endlessly.
As an observer, Tang San could clearly "feel" his simulated self's brain working at high speeds, constantly issuing commands, adjusting positioning, and testing various combinations of soul skills.
This high-intensity, highly complex team coordination and command left even the observing Tang San feeling mentally exhausted. Yet, at the same time, a wondrous sensation of having global control and orchestrating everything from behind the scenes arose naturally.
This was somewhat similar to the feeling he had in his past life when executing precise missions as a Tang Sect elite, but on a grander scale with far more variables.
He also noticed that throughout the training process, Yu Xiaogang spent most of his time standing quietly by the sidelines observing. Only occasionally would he speak up to point out macro-level issues or offer suggestions. The specific tactical details and execution were left entirely to the "self" in the simulation to control.
This level of trust was clearly built upon strength and ability.
Evidently, in this "future," the "Tang San" who had already become a Soul Ancestor and possessed even greater Blue Silver Grass control capabilities had won this command authority through his actual performance.
"Is it because... Master Fu Shiyan's guidance caused my Blue Silver Grass martial soul and control capabilities to undergo a qualitative leap, allowing me to shoulder such a heavy responsibility at this age?"
The observing Tang San speculated in his mind.
The training continued amidst sweat and repeated grinding.
Time flew by rapidly in the simulation, and as if in the blink of an eye, the eve of the tournament's opening ceremony arrived.
At this moment, the entire Shrek Academy was permeated with a tense yet excited atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Tang San had also decided on the roster for the qualifiers, which mainly involved a rotation among four members of the Shrek Seven Devils.
Among the four chosen for this rotation were Tang San himself, who had to participate, as well as Dai Mubai, the Evil Eye White Tiger with the highest soul power, Oscar the Food System Soul Master, and Xiao Wu the Power Attack System Soul Master.
Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong were kept hidden as secret weapons.
Once all preparations were complete, the group set off for Heaven Dou City.
Upon arriving at Heaven Dou City, even Tang San, who was in the observer's perspective, was astonished by the sight before him.
Centering around the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena, nearly a third of Heaven Dou City presented a scene where the streets were completely empty as everyone flocked to the venue. The bustling crowds, the deafening clamor of voices, and the various fluttering banners showed just how massive the attraction of this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was to the people!
His teammates beside him were also looking here and there, letting out exclamations and chatting from time to time, clearly shocked by this grand spectacle as well.
But soon after, they all subconsciously lowered their heads, their faces burning with embarrassment.
Because their attire at this moment was truly mortifying--the standard Shrek uniform was an incredibly eye-catching, grass-like emerald green!
This had been specially custom-made by Dean Flender, and on the front of this poop-green uniform, there was a cartoon Shrek monster design that occupied almost the entire chest.
The most bizarre part was that everyone had six bright red, piercingly glaring words on their backs:
Actively Seeking Title Sponsorship!
Sure enough, as expected, the moment this group entered the crowd's line of sight, they immediately received extra "attention."
Countless stunned gazes were thrown their way, followed by uncontrollable whispers and undisguised laughter.
"Look at those guys... what on earth are they wearing?"
"Hahaha, actively seeking sponsorship? Are they here to compete or to tell jokes?"
"Shrek Academy? Never heard of it. This aesthetic is just too unique!"
Even as an observer, Tang San could clearly feel the intense embarrassment of his simulated "self," who wished nothing more than to find a crack in the ground to crawl into!
What was even more excessive was that Flender and the others leading the pack in front actually looked up at the sky in unison with perfect synchronization, or gazed left and right with an "I don't know the people behind me" look. They strode forward into the crowd, trying to put some distance between themselves and the team.
Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong, who followed behind him, were not slow at all either, blending into the flow of people in the blink of an eye.
Before long, amidst feelings of immense awkwardness and depression, everyone finally found Shrek Academy's dedicated rest area.
Just as they gathered together, whispering and expressing their strong dissatisfaction with Dean Flender's bizarre aesthetic, a highly discordant voice carrying deep ridicule drifted over from the side:
"What's this? A bunch of toads thinking they can win the championship too?"
The speaker was a youth who looked to be in his early twenties. He had an arrogant expression and wore a team uniform of the same design, though the color and patterns were entirely different from Shrek Academy's.
This person was someone neither the observing Tang San nor his simulated "self" recognized.
The hot-tempered Tai Long was the first who couldn't hold back. He had already been bottling up a bellyful of rage from being laughed at all along the way, and seeing someone actively provoke them now made fury rise from his heart. With a low growl, he wanted to rush forward and throw hands.
"Tai Long!" Fortunately, the Tang San in the simulation spoke up in time, his tone steady yet carrying an unquestionable authority that barked him to a halt.
Earlier during team training, Tang San had discovered that the relationship between himself and this Tai Long seemed to resemble that of a master and servant.
Tai Long often addressed him as Young Master, and his tone and behavior were extremely respectful. Based on the title "Young Master," he guessed it either had something to do with his drunkard father or with his master, Fu Shiyan.
At this crucial juncture, engaging in a private brawl over a verbal dispute could very likely result in disqualification from the tournament, which wasn't worth the loss.
Just as Tang San's group was exchanging words with the youth opposite them and the students who had gathered behind him--who were also wearing moon-white team uniforms--and both sides were fighting a bloodless war of words, an elderly man around sixty years old walked over.
Before the person even arrived, a deep voice carrying a hint of pressure preceded him:
"What are you all doing?"
Everyone looked toward the sound and saw the newcomer wearing a finely crafted moon-white Soul Master robe. The embroidery on it was a dazzling gold, similar to the attire of the students behind him but significantly more luxurious, highlighting his distinct status.
His face was lean and his gaze sharp. As his eyes swept over both parties, they carried the scrutinizing look of someone accustomed to holding a high position.
Ma Hongjun still wanted to trash-talk back, but the elderly man merely gave Ma Hongjun a faint, emotionless glance.
It was this seemingly plain glance that made Ma Hongjun feel as though he were being targeted by some dangerous soul beast. The words that had reached his lips were forced back down his throat, and a layer of cold sweat instantly drenched his back.
The elderly man paid no further attention to the Shrek crowd, as if they were just a bunch of insignificant, noisy ants.
He turned around and said in a deep voice to the youth who had initiated the provocation and the students behind him:
"Why are you all gathered here? Go back!"
His tone was calm, yet it carried an command that brooked no argument.
The group of students in moon-white uniforms instantly fell silent. Responding respectfully, they followed the elderly man and slunk off toward their own academy's rest area.
Watching their departing backs, Dai Mubai frowned and said in a low voice:
"They're from Blue Sunshine Academy. That old guy should be their leading teacher. I feel like... his strength isn't weak."