The strength of the New Divine Wind Academy was beyond doubt, and other academies that noticed the loophole in the rules and wanted to exploit it were a step too late.
This was because the final list of participating students for the academies had been finalized and could no longer be changed.
The members of Shrek Academy, who had watched the match of the New Divine Wind Academy, had mixed expressions, but they were not in a hurry.
This was because, by now, their trump card had awakened.
Due to their opponent forfeiting in the first round and a bye in the second, they proceeded directly to the third round's draw.
This time, Dai Mubai drew the lot himself.
When he pulled out a slip of paper and saw the result of the third round's draw, he and Zhu Zhuqing fell silent upon seeing "Star Luo Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy" written on the slip.
Tang Suixin, who had caught this scene in her peripheral vision, understood. Apart from her noticing their unusual expressions, the others in Shrek could feel the fighting spirit that ignited from Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing at that moment.
Like a volcano that had come alive, the suppressed lava was almost breaking through the surface, fueled by anger and unwillingness, making their nerves taut.
Before Tang San could ask what was wrong, they saw the two simultaneously stand up and walk forward, bowing to everyone present.
"Hey! Brother Dai, Zhuqing, what are you doing?!" Ma Hongjun, who was sitting in the front, "whooshed" up and dodged, as if there was something hot on his seat.
The others also quickly avoided the direction of their bow. Tang Sui, needless to say, stepped forward with Tang San, one supporting each of them to stand upright.
Tang San frowned and looked at Dai Mubai, whose expression was unusual, and asked, "Brother Dai, what are you and Zhuqing doing?"
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her eyes, her voice somewhat low, but filled with determination, "This match, Mu Bai and I implore all of you to win. Because... this is a life-or-death duel between Mu Bai and me!"
The last four words were spoken by Zhu Zhuqing with solemnity and force.
Dai Mubai, who spoke a moment later, moved his lips but couldn't make a sound, only holding Zhu Zhuqing's hand, and for the first time, Zhu Zhuqing did not shake him off.
Tang San looked at Dai Mubai, then at their clasped hands, understood, and then asked, "Brother Dai, can you explain the reason in detail?"
Zhu Zhuqing met the concerned and caring gazes of her companions, feeling a warmth in her heart.
This time, Dai Mubai stepped forward and continued, "Yes. At this point, there is nothing left to hide. This match, when Zhuqing and I face them, is no longer a simple academy competition, but a life-or-death struggle between families."
"Mu Bai and I are not from the Heaven Dou Empire. We are both from the Star Luo Empire, belonging to two different families," Zhu Zhuqing also spoke, elaborating with Dai Mubai in tacit understanding.
"Our two families have always had a custom of arranged marriages and have had a very close relationship. Within the family, only the most outstanding individuals can inherit the family. Our elder siblings were betrothed from a young age... Mu Bai and I are actually also betrothed."
Tang San glanced at the list of participants for this competition and understood, "Your elder siblings are in the Star Luo's participating team, and they are also our opponents in the next match."
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
"Originally, we had no hope, but ever since we met you all, I realized that we might have a very good chance of winning."
Xiao Wu, who had lived in the forest, isolated from the world, couldn't help but ask, "Is power really that important?"
"No matter where it is, as long as there are people, there will be classes and competition. Even without power as bait, there are not few life-or-death struggles that occur for survival," Tang Sui said softly, lowering her eyes.
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but glance at Tang Sui, and a bitter smile appeared at the corner of her lips, "Yes, Suisui is right. If it were just about power, Mu Bai and I wouldn't care, and we could easily give up our competition spot."
"But... this competition is not something that can be given up just by saying so. Because our families, in order to make their future heirs more outstanding, after selecting the disciples to compete, they cultivate them as enemies. The victor can naturally inherit the family, but if they lose, they will be immediately eliminated."
"The only way to give up is death... But we haven't lived enough, so Mu Bai and I have been fighting with all our might!"
After Zhu Zhuqing finished speaking, she lowered her head and was silent for a moment before raising it again, looking directly at Grandmaster and saying, "Grandmaster, I know Suisui is an ace up our sleeve. But this time, the overall strength of the Star Luo Empire is above Soul Sects, and the previously agreed-upon lineup is not very realistic. I implore you to let Suisui participate!"
Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's words, Dai Mubai also took a deep breath, stared at Grandmaster intently, and bowed to Grandmaster again, "Grandmaster, I beg you too!"
All eyes immediately focused on Grandmaster.
Grandmaster frowned, and in the next moment, he handed the choice over to Tang Sui herself, "Suisui, what is your wish?"
The pressure was suddenly placed on Tang Sui.
Tang San, who understood his sister well, already knew his sister's choice when he heard this.
The others were the same.
Tang Sui lowered her head slightly and stated her answer:
"I'm sorry."
Huh?!
Tang San looked up in surprise, and astonishment flashed across the faces of the others.
Including Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, but their reactions were quick. Although somewhat disappointed, there was more trust and concern.
"Suisui, what is your reason for refusing?"
Grandmaster provided Tang Sui with an avenue.