Douluo : Capture the goddess starting from peerless tang sect

"Jiujiu has grown up, and it's about time she starts thinking about marriage," said the Star Luo Emperor, his tone carrying a hint of expectation.

"You should have a talk with her tonight. Let the young ones spend more time together," he added, his gaze thoughtful.

"Yes, I'll go later tonight," the empress replied with a gentle nod.

Princess Xu Jiujiu, a noble of the highest rank, carried immense prestige as the emperor's younger sister. But even the grandest titles paled in comparison to the value of a peerless genius like Qianran—especially one with a mysterious backing, including a Super Douluo of ultimate prowess.

The emperor's intentions were clear: securing Qianran's allegiance could elevate the empire's strength for generations.

The grand opening of the tournament commenced as the participating teams began entering the arena.

Shrek Academy's team was met with thunderous applause.

As a perennial champion with an unbroken legacy of dominance, Shrek had a near-mythical reputation among the public. The mere sight of their team sent the audience into a frenzy.

But for Qianran, the matches held little intrigue.

The disparity in power was far too vast. Most academies barely fielded Soul Kings, with Soul Elders and Soul Ancestors forming the bulk of their lineups. Many didn't even have optimal spirit ring configurations.

This level of competition? It was beneath him.

Shrek's first match: Shrek Academy vs. Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy.

Predictably, Shrek didn't field its main roster. Instead, Jiang Nannan and the other reserve team members took the stage.

For this generation, Shrek's reserve team was exceptionally strong. Thanks to Qianran's guidance, all seven reserve members were at least Soul Elders, a rarity in tournament history.

"Qianran, I'm so nervous," whispered Wang Dong'er, her voice trembling. The other girls mirrored her unease, all visibly anxious about their first major public appearance.

"What's there to be nervous about?" Qianran said with a reassuring smile.

"You're all so strong. Beating these opponents is as easy as breathing. Honestly, I'm the one who should be worried—what if someone falls for one of you beauties?"

His teasing tone dissolved their tension, replacing it with soft laughter.

"Well, as long as you know!"

The girls giggled, their spirits lifting instantly.

As the Shrek reserve team stepped onto the battlefield, the audience collectively gasped.

The Tianling team, upon seeing Shrek's lineup of stunning young women, hesitated briefly. Was this truly Shrek's reserve team?

For a moment, doubt lingered: was Shrek taking the match lightly?

Similar thoughts rippled through the crowd, including other participating teams. Even the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy found themselves momentarily stunned.

Yet, amidst the doubts, one fact stood out: the Shrek team's beauty was unparalleled. It wasn't just their strength that captivated; their elegance and charm won over the audience at first glance.

The referee's voice boomed across the arena, signaling the start of the match.

"First round, elimination match, team battle! Both sides are permitted to use most soul tools. However, no fixed-installation soul tools or other high-destructive devices are allowed. Any team that forfeits cannot be attacked further. Do you understand?"

"Understood," Jiang Nannan said firmly, her expression composed as she stepped forward to represent Shrek.

The Tianling team captain nodded as well, his gaze flickering with both determination and a faint glimmer of hope.

"Begin!"

At the referee's command, Shrek's reserve team activated their soul tools.

With a flash of light, the team's propulsion systems roared to life, propelling them at breakneck speeds toward their opponents.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

In mere seconds, the match was over.

Jiang Nannan and her teammates dismantled the Tianling team with ruthless efficiency.

The entire battle had lasted less than ten seconds.

The crowd sat in stunned silence, struggling to process what they'd just witnessed.

Using their custom-built propulsion systems, the Shrek girls had closed the distance with blistering speed and torn through their opponents' formation with ease.

While soul tools weren't new to the tournament, Shrek's equipment was in a league of its own.

Qianran had poured meticulous care into designing these tools, ensuring optimal performance and synergy with each girl's unique fighting style. Unlike the clunky, generic models typical of other academies, these tools were tailored masterpieces.

For example, Zhu Lu's Shadow Claw was a fourth-tier soul tool specifically crafted to amplify her Nether Hundred Claws skill, granting her Soul Ancestor-level destructive power.

The reaction among the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy was immediate and visceral.

"What?! Shrek Academy… using soul tools?"

The Sun Moon students stood in unison, their expressions a mix of disbelief and alarm.

Historically, the Sun Moon Academy had dominated the field of soul engineering, with most other academies, including Shrek, lagging far behind. For Shrek to field such advanced soul tools was nothing short of shocking.

Moreover, these weren't just ordinary tools. Each one was customized to seamlessly integrate with the user's martial soul—a hallmark of their own Integrated Combat Soul Tool Division.

"Shrek Academy's progress is astounding. Their reserve team members are practically on par with our Integrated Combat Division!"

The Sun Moon faculty exchanged uneasy glances.

Their Integrated Combat Division specialized in equipping soul masters with tools designed to complement their martial souls. It was an elite program, with students like Nana and Ji Juechen as prime examples.

For Shrek to suddenly replicate—or even surpass—this level of integration was a revelation.

"If even their reserve team is equipped like this… what about their main team?" someone murmured.

The implications were staggering. A top-tier soul master paired with top-tier soul tools could potentially challenge anyone, even the strongest Sun Moon fighters.

Meanwhile, atop the imperial palace walls, the Star Luo Emperor observed the match with interest.

"Were those… soul tools? If not for knowing this was Shrek's team, I'd have assumed they were from the Sun Moon Empire. Has Shrek Academy's soul tool research advanced this far? I didn't think they were capable of such progress," he remarked.

The empress, standing beside him, turned her gaze toward Qianran, who sat casually among his teammates.

"Your Majesty, wasn't there mention of Qianran being part of Shrek's soul engineering faculty? Perhaps…"

She trailed off meaningfully, her eyes lingering on Qianran's strikingly handsome face.

The emperor nodded thoughtfully. "It does seem likely. Regardless, we must secure his allegiance. Offer him anything—soul bones, treasures, whatever it takes. You and Jiujiu should approach him soon. I must remain neutral for now, given his conflict with the White Tiger Duke."

As the emperor spoke, his resolve solidified.

With Qianran's talent, charm, and influence, securing his loyalty could very well shape the future of the Star Luo Empire.

(End of Chapter)