Douluo Dalu: Starting Evolution as the Man-Faced Demon Spider
Chapter 210: Team Selection Trials

Chapter 210: Chapter 210: Team Selection Trials

"By the way, why were you so urgent to find me?" Fang Chang finally asked after Zhu Zhu completed her soul ring formation.

She froze momentarily, her gaze vacant, before suddenly slapping her forehead. "Right! I almost forgot the main thing."

"In just a few days, the academy will select participants for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. You’ve been absent this whole time—don’t you want to compete?"

So that was it... Fang Chang had heard about this during his initial enrollment, but held little interest.

In his view, this so-called tournament amounted to children playing house. Given his true status, participating would feel like bullying toddlers.

He was about to decline when a question occurred to him. "Where is this tournament being held?"

"At Shrek Academy in the Sun Moon Empire," Zhu Zhu answered, a trace of hostility coloring her tone. "They’re our academy’s sworn rivals—we’ve had numerous clashes with them."

At that name, Fang Chang’s eyelid twitched. Their current location should have been where Shrek Academy originally stood in the storyline.

He’d assumed that name had vanished completely—yet it had somehow resurrected?

His initial disinterest evaporated instantly. "When are the selection trials? I’ll attend."

"Huh?" Zhu Zhu’s eyes filled with exasperation. This guy didn’t even know the basics?

"It’s tomo—no, today!" She’d nearly forgotten the night had passed during her breakthrough.

"Today then. I’ll be there." Fang Chang’s response was casual, though his gaze drifted upward thoughtfully.

"Alright, I’ll fetch you tomorrow—I mean later—and explain the rules." With that, Zhu Zhu departed his dorm.

Wei Li, who’d been waiting outside, finally shuffled in leaning against the wall. "Boss...I didn’t interrupt anything, right?"

Despite being somewhat spineless, his roommate wasn’t truly malicious—at least his social awareness pleased Fang Chang.

Considering the boy had floated outside all night, Fang Chang tossed him a medicinal fruit scavenged from the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well. While no immortal herb, it would still benefit a soul master of his level.

*The Next Morning*

Zhu Zhu arrived at Fang Chang’s dorm at dawn.

"We’re heading to the inner academy now—that’s where selections occur." She eyed his provisional student uniform with slight discomfort.

Still, given his strength—easily top three even among inner academy students—she doubted anyone would bar his participation.

"Let me explain the selection rules," she began as they walked. "The trials are open to all academy students above Soul King level."

"Essentially a tournament format. First, inner academy teachers nominate seven擂主 (challengers). Then other students choose whom to challenge."

"But note: if you register as a power attack-type, you can only challenge power attack擂主. Same for support-types—they can only challenge support擂主."

"Support trials are more complex though, testing team buffs and auxiliary effects. Not relevant to us anyway."

As they spoke, they reached a lakeside. Zhu Zhu produced a palm-sized boat from her robes and tossed it onto the water. It expanded instantly to accommodate them both.

Boarding solemnly, Zhu Zhu grew serious. "You’re registering as power attack-type, right? There are specific opponents you should—"

Fang Chang raised a hand, cutting her off. "No need. I can handle it."

He recognized her intention—to brief him on adversaries and potential weaknesses.

Most might value such intelligence. But with his overwhelming true strength, such concerns were meaningless.

"Hmph! Fine, reject my help then!" Zhu Zhu pouted adorably, equal parts annoyed and concerned. "Don’t come crying if you get hurt!"

"Tell me about your situation instead," Fang Chang redirected. As his sole trusted kin here, he’d gladly assist her.

Her irritation faded at his concern. "With my strength? My chances are excellent."

A frown surfaced. "But control-type slots may fluctuate—either one or two positions."

"Two slots would be fine. But if only one..." Her soul power fluctuated unconsciously before steadying. "Though now it shouldn’t matter."

Her post-breakthrough level 61 soul power should overwhelm any competitor.

Satisfied, Fang Chang nodded—she needed no further intervention.

Their boat soon reached the opposite shore. The inner academy’s architecture appeared more sparse than the outer’s—where the latter blended modern and traditional styles, the former resembled an ancient town preserved for millennia.

After several turns, Zhu Zhu led him to a bluestone plaza already crowded with spectators.

Mixed reactions greeted Fang Chang and Zhu Zhu’s arrival—some were Zhu Zhu’s admirers, but most knew of Fang Chang killing Xu Sheng without consequence.

His notoriety had spread academy-wide. Many now regarded him with palpable wariness.

The faculty panel’s expressions turned particularly strained upon spotting him. They exchanged helpless glances—if this deity participated, what chance had others?

Noticing their looks, Fang Chang signaled discreetly to proceed normally without revealing his identity.

One elderly instructor sighed deeply. After confirming no further arrivals, he announced plainly:

"Selection trials begin now."