I’ve already become a titled Douluo, and only now the system arrives?

Chapter 199: The First Battle, New Shrek's Debut

When Qin Xiao arrived, Ning Fengzhi greeted him with a smile and a nod.

Qin Xiao understood; this wasn't the place for a long conversation with so many people around.

He nodded back in response.

"May I ask why His Majesty has called for me?" Qin Xiao asked directly.

Qian Renxue smiled warmly. "I just thought that Thunder Emperor's position is more suitable for sitting here."

What?
Qin Xiao was taken aback by Qian Renxue's words. Are you kidding? I'm just a team member!
However, with so many people around, he had to give Qian Renxue some face and couldn't speak too bluntly.

"I appreciate His Majesty's kindness."

"But I'm just an ordinary citizen, unworthy of sitting here."

He politely declined.

However, Qian Renxue, with a sly glint in her eye, seemed to ignore Qin Xiao's refusal. She stepped forward and led him to a seat.

"Thunder Emperor, there's no need to be modest. In the entire Heaven Dou Empire, who can compare to you? These so-called nobles are insignificant."

"I've already reserved a seat for you, right next to Sect Master Ning."

Uh... Qin Xiao was speechless.

Qian Renxue's words left him without a reply.

After thinking for a moment, he nodded and agreed, curious to see what Qian Renxue was planning.

"Alright then, I humbly accept."

"Good."

Qian Renxue smiled warmly and gestured, "Everyone, please take your seats."

She then sat down herself.

In the front row of the VIP seats, what was once three seats became four.

In the second row sat Meng Shenji and others.

However, they had no objection to Qin Xiao sitting in the front row.

After all, some of them had witnessed how Qian Renxue had ascended to the throne, largely thanks to this young man's intervention.

Qin Xiao's exceptional prowess still made their hearts race when they recalled it.

However, many people didn't understand.

"Hey, who is that young man? Why does he get to sit with His Majesty?"

"You know, I noticed something odd too. One is Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The other is Platinum Bishop Salas of the Spirit Hall. Who is that young man, and what qualifies him to sit among these people?"

"Could he be the heir of a great power?"

"Pfft, even if he were the Pope's illegitimate son, he wouldn't deserve that seat!"

"But the fact is, he's sitting there."

Many in the crowd turned their attention to Qin Xiao, curious about his identity.

But this mystery wouldn't last long.

"Esteemed audience, please join us in welcoming the final participating team with the loudest applause."

"They are the nine members of the Shrek Team from Blue Tyrant Academy."

At the same time, the announcer shouted loudly.

The audience's excitement surged again, shifting their focus from Qin Xiao to the last participating team.

"Shrek? What a strange name."

Many people began to murmur.

However, when Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, Ah Yin, Meng Yiran, Jiang Zhu, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling stepped onto the stage, the crowd erupted.

"Wow, it's an all-girl team!"

"They're so beautiful! The girls in the front are even prettier than those in the Tianshui Team!"

The old perverts in the crowd whistled and cheered.

However, seeing Huang Yuan and Jing Ling in the team dampened their enthusiasm.

"What a shame. Those two guys at the back really spoil the view. They shouldn't be up there... I should be!"

Of course, while they found Huang Yuan and Jing Ling an eyesore, they also wished to be in their place.

Such is human nature.

After Zhu Zhuqing and the others took their positions on the stage, the announcer spoke again, "Esteemed audience, let's give another round of applause to these nine members of the Shrek Team!"

But just as the announcer finished speaking, he realized something was off. "Wait, why are there only eight people?"

He quickly double-checked, confirming that there were indeed only eight.

So where was the ninth member?

As an experienced announcer, he knew now was not the time to dwell on the missing team member but to find a way to keep things moving.

With a smile, he said, "Haha, it seems like everyone knows that having nine members with only eight present is quite normal."

The audience burst into laughter, breaking the awkward atmosphere and giving way to enthusiastic applause.

However, some observant individuals in the crowd noticed something familiar about the Shrek team members' clothing. Instinctively, they glanced at Qin Xiao and couldn't stay calm.

"Hey, why does it seem like the person next to Sect Master Ning has clothing that looks very similar to those of the Shrek team members?"

"Now that you mention it, I see the problem. The clothing isn't just similar; it's identical."

"Could it be that this young man is a member of the Shrek team?"

Some were puzzled.

But the next moment, these questions were drowned out by a wave of opposition.

"What a joke! I've never even heard of the Shrek team. Do you think a team member qualifies to sit with His Majesty and Sect Master Ning?"

"Brother, you dare to imagine. Do you even understand what it means to sit on equal footing with His Majesty?"

"No way, absolutely no way. At most, it's just a coincidence in clothing."

"…"

Except for those from Blue Tyrant Academy, no one believed Qin Xiao could be a member of the Shrek team.

Seeing the high spirits of the crowd, the announcer quickly moved on to the next step, which was an address by Emperor Xue Qinghe, who was actually Qian Renxue in disguise.

After the speech, the matchups were determined by drawing lots.

However, when the results were announced, Qin Xiao was taken aback.

What's going on?
The only match today was drawn by the Shrek team, and their opponent was the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team.

Instinctively, he glanced at Qian Renxue, who also looked at him, and Qin Xiao clearly noticed the hint of amusement in her eyes.

"Did you tamper with the drawing?" he transmitted to Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue gave no explanation.

Qin Xiao instantly understood. So, this was the trick.

Qian Renxue's aim was to prevent him from participating.

"Heh, then you're wrong. Even without me, the Shrek team can easily crush any team in the Heaven Dou Empire."

"Only the Golden Trio of the Spirit Hall might give them some pressure."

Qian Renxue heard Qin Xiao's voice again in her ear.

Under Qin Xiao's gaze, Qian Renxue still looked unconvinced.

If the Shrek team was really that strong, why would Qin Xiao need to compete?

Clearly, it didn't make sense.

What she didn't know was that Qin Xiao was participating for the additional rewards.

Meanwhile.

In the contestants' rest area.

Meng Yiran asked, "Zhuqing, His Majesty said you're to take over as captain and command us. How do we proceed with the match?"

Zhu Zhuqing thought briefly and replied, "You, me, Rongrong, Yan, Ah Yin, Jing Ling, and Jiang Zhu will go on."

Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's arrangement, Ning Rongrong and the others had no objections.

However, Jing Ling frowned, "I don't think this is very reasonable. Since we already have one support on the field, there's no need for Jiang Zhu to go on. I think Huang Yuan is more suitable."

He believed this made more sense.

Having two supports seemed excessive.

However, Zhu Zhuqing shook her head and straightforwardly told Jing Ling, "You misunderstood. We chose Jiang Zhu to support you and prevent you from getting hurt.

You are only going up to meet the requirement of having seven participants. To deal with those opponents, we're enough. Adding Huang Yuan won't significantly increase our output."

Uh, what…? Jing Ling felt quite disheartened by Zhu Zhuqing's words.

Jiang Zhu gently waved her fist. "Jing Ling, don't worry. With my healing abilities, treating everyone might be overwhelming, but if I focus solely on you, I can ensure you won't get hurt."

Jing Ling remained silent.

He was a strong assault-type battle soul master, and now he needed a support to look after him?

The world was getting worse.

At this moment, a servant's voice came from outside the rest area, "Members of the Shrek team, it's your turn to enter the arena."

…

As Zhu Zhuqing led the Shrek team onto the stage, they found the members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team already waiting.

Regardless of the actual strength of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team, their appearance was quite impressive. Each looked to be in their twenties, and the light golden uniforms only enhanced their spirited appearance.

Moreover, each member wore either a confident smile or a proud expression, as if they had already won.

"Shrek team? Who would name their team after a soul beast? Even calling it the Mandala Snake would be a hundred times better," scoffed a flamboyantly dressed girl with a revealing outfit at the front of the Heaven Dou team.

There was no doubt that her words carried undisguised hostility towards the Shrek team.

Or rather, she made no effort to hide her hostility at all.

Why should she? When Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and the others stepped onto the stage, the male members of her team almost popped their eyes out, staring straight at the Shrek girls as if their souls had been captured. This made her extremely jealous.

Seeing the diverse beauty of the Shrek girls made her feel incredibly sour, as if she had eaten a basket of lemons.

She felt overshadowed, her proud figure outshone by the girl in black leather at the front.

She was no longer the darling of the team.

So, naturally, she wouldn't give the Shrek team any kindness.

However, no one in the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team seemed to hear her words.

Especially the short-statured captain at the front, who leered at Ning Rongrong with a lustful gaze, liking her fair and tender appearance.

"Pretty girl, how about having dinner with me?" he asked.

Ning Rongrong's face turned dark; she found him repulsive.

The short captain became even more excited, "Heh, I like girls with a bit of temper. I promise, if you nod, I'll go easy on you, so you can last longer on the stage and save face."

"Go to hell, you creep!" Ning Rongrong could no longer hold back, coldly refusing.

Upon hearing Ning Rongrong's words, not only did the captain's face darken, but the other members also looked displeased.

They all knew that although their captain often acted in a dubious manner, he hated being called names like that.

"Since you refuse the toast, you'll drink the penalty. We gave you a chance, but you didn't take it. Don't blame us for being ruthless."

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy captain said menacingly.

The flamboyantly dressed girl next to him smirked.

Hmph, serve you right. Now that you've angered the captain, you'll suffer.

She knew well that their captain liked to play cruel games, making it hard for others to bear.

At this moment, the announcer's voice echoed through the arena, "Both teams, please prepare."

As his voice fell, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team members immediately took action.

The captain and the flamboyant girl remained in place, while the five muscular members moved to the front, forming a wall to protect them.

In contrast, the Shrek team's formation seemed disorganized.

Their lineup hadn't changed since they stepped onto the stage.

Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran stood at the front. Ah Yin, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Yan stood side by side, with Jing Ling and Jiang Zhu at the back.

"Your Majesty, it seems our Heaven Dou Royal Academy team is likely to win this match. Even though they're the second team, their quality is evidently much higher than that of the Shrek team," Meng Shenji said with a smile behind Qian Renxue.

He was proud since, strictly speaking, he had trained the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team.

"Is that so?" Qian Renxue glanced at the composed Qin Xiao and began to have doubts.

She didn't see any of the emotions she expected—no panic, shock, or unease—on Qin Xiao's face.

Qin Xiao's calmness made her uneasy.

"It's inevitable."

Listening to Qian Renxue, Meng Shenji nearly pounded his chest in assurance. "Setting aside quality, the average cultivation of our Heaven Dou Royal Academy second team members is above level 35.

Among the Shrek members, only Dugu Yan seems to have a higher cultivation. But the Shrek members still look too young…"

His implication was clear: youth here was a disadvantage, not an advantage.

In normal thinking, youth equates to less time cultivating and thus weaker cultivation.

But is that really the case?

(End of Chapter)

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