20demayo Chapter 121 War Conference
Chapter 121 War Conference
At 9:00 AM, the entire Shrek team gathered in the private conference room on the top floor of the Star Emperor Hotel.
On either side of the long table, the new and veteran team members sat clearly separated, and the air was filled with a unique atmosphere of anticipation and tension that was characteristic of the eve of a major competition.
Wang Yan stood next to the whiteboard at the front of the conference room, his gaze sweeping over every young face.
He cleared his throat, his voice clear and steady, echoing throughout the room: "Gentlemen, a great battle is imminent. Before devising specific tactics, we must first thoroughly understand the rules of the game."
He turned around and neatly wrote down the key information on the whiteboard with an oil-based pen.
"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament will last for one month and is divided into two distinct phases."
"The first stage is the knockout stage. The rules are simple and straightforward—seven-on-seven team battles. Losers are eliminated, and winners advance."
He then continued, "The second stage is a round-robin tournament. The format is complex and unpredictable."
This includes: one-on-one elimination battles that test individual limits; three-on-three and two-on-two cooperative battles that test teamwork; and the return of the seven-on-seven all-team battle.
The tournament format will be determined by a random draw before each match, which requires us to have a comprehensive ability to handle any situation.
"A total of 133 elite teams from various countries participated in this competition."
Wang Yan put down his pen and rested his hands on the edge of the podium. "The opponents in the knockout stage will be determined by drawing lots. Before the schedule is announced, we know nothing about our enemies. They could be weak opponents, or they could be tough nuts to crack."
He then changed the subject, his gaze lingering on the new players for a moment longer: "Therefore, I plan to use a mix of new and experienced players in the knockout stage."
This is both a way to preserve core combat capabilities and to provide newcomers with the most valuable opportunity for real-world training. Any questions?
This arrangement meant both pressure and opportunity, and the new team members couldn't help but straighten their backs.
At this moment, Zi Ji, who was sitting next to Huo Yutong, suddenly spoke up: "Tactical arrangements are certainly important, but before that, I have a more fundamental question."
"Everyone here, besides your own soul skills, can you name all the soul skills and characteristics of your other thirteen teammates?"
The air froze instantly. A barely concealed embarrassment appeared on the faces of most of the team members.
They had little chance to work together due to their different ages, or because they hadn't had enough time to get to know each other well. Only when Ziji pointed it out did they realize how fatal this lack of "basic" understanding was.
Even Dai Yueheng and Ma Xiaotao frowned slightly, lost in thought.
Huo Yutong lowered her eyelids, her fingertips tightening slightly. She didn't just "not remember everything," she had even been hiding things from everyone.
It is common knowledge that only a 100,000-year soul ring can grant two soul skills, so she has never revealed her full abilities in front of others.
Moreover, she also possesses skills granted by two soul bones.
A mix of guilt and helplessness welled up inside her, but she knew it wasn't the right time yet.
"Teammates are those you can rely on on the battlefield," Brigitte said, picking up where Murasaki left off. "How can you have good teamwork if you don't understand each other?"
What about tactical execution? Let's start with the most basic mutual understanding.
They had already privately agreed on the extent to which Huo Yutong's soul skills would be displayed.
Under the cover of her ability to consistently disguise the colors of her spirit rings, she knows exactly what to reveal and what to hide.
"Alright, let's start with me." Ma Xiaotao broke the silence first, standing up gracefully. "My martial soul, the Evil Fire Phoenix. My first soul skill, Phoenix Fire Line..."
Following her, Dai Yueheng, Chen Zifeng, Xixi and other inner court disciples stood up one after another and gave a clear and concise introduction to their martial souls, soul skills, characteristics, advantages and limitations.
Their descriptions are concise and precise, often accompanied by a faint fluctuation of soul power, making the language descriptions more concrete and tangible.
After the inner court disciples finished their introductions, the pressure naturally shifted to the outer court disciples.
As the captain of the Shrek Seven Devils from the outer courtyard, Bei Bei calmly stood up and began by introducing his own Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Martial Soul, followed by Cai Tou, Tang Ya, Ning Tian, and the others.
As the presentation progressed, the atmosphere in the meeting room subtly shifted. The initial awkwardness was replaced by focused contemplation, and many people's eyes began to gleam with the potential to devise combos and tactical connections.
"Very interesting." Wang Yan listened to everyone's introductions, his fingers lightly tapping his notebook, his eyes sparkling with the research enthusiasm of a scholar. "Different combinations of martial souls will produce wonderful chemical reactions."
Multiple bursts of power from offensive builds, chain control from control builds, maximum amplification from support builds... and some unexplored but potentially huge combinations.
We need to explore these possibilities carefully.
"I have a suggestion," Zi Ji spoke again, drawing everyone's thoughts back to the strategic level. "For this competition, I suggest that Yu Tong and Xiao Xiao refrain from using their second martial souls for the time being."
Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback, then their expressions of realization and approval appeared.
Zi Ji continued, "Their second martial souls are all extremely powerful trump cards. It would be too early to reveal them in the early stages of the elimination rounds and round-robin tournaments, which are not absolutely necessary."
Concealing one's strength and waiting for a crucial moment, or the next major competition, to deliver a "surprise" to the opponent, yields far greater strategic value.
"Great! That's a great idea! We'll give them a real scare!" A loud voice suddenly came from the corner of the conference room. Xuanzi was seen curled up in the comfortable sofa again, holding a chicken leg in his hand, listening with great interest.
His sudden shout startled everyone who was focused on the conversation, and they were left speechless, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Xuanzi chuckled and waved his hand dismissively, "You guys continue, continue! This old man will be listening, and I'll be sitting in the stands cheering you on during the competition!"
After this little incident, the atmosphere of the meeting actually relaxed a bit.
Wang Yan smiled and shook his head, steer the conversation back on track: "Alright, let's get back to the main topic."
Hiding our trump card is a long-term strategy, but we also need to carefully study our current opponents.
Dai Yueheng and Gongyang Mo, you participated in the previous competition. Given the age limit of under 20, some of your opponents from that competition are likely to still be on the list this year.
Which individuals, or which teams from which colleges, require our special vigilance?
Upon hearing this, Dai Yueheng's expression turned solemn. He began to exchange opinions with Gongyang Mo, Chen Zifeng, and others in low voices, and then slowly explained to everyone.
They recalled the formidable figures on the field five years ago, analyzing the powerful martial spirits, unpredictable soul skills, and impressive tactical styles that might reappear.
Ma Xiaotao was unable to participate in the previous competition due to a condition caused by internal heat.