Chapter 202: Finally, Some Entertainment
A month passed quickly. During this month of intense cultivation, Qian Renxue broke through another level, reaching rank 53. No one else had advanced, as not everyone had the benefit of cultivating with the Xuan Tian Technique.
The promotion tournament began as scheduled at the royal hunting grounds' grand training field.
After renovations, the field featured a central area marked as a fifty-meter-radius arena—much larger than the preliminary round stage—offering competitors more space to maneuver and display their skills.
To the north, a temporary VIP stand had been erected. There weren't many dignitaries present this time. In the front row sat the usual five: Emperor Xue Ye, Qian Xunji, Salas, Ning Fengzhi, and Bone Douluo. Behind them sat high-ranking officials from Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire.
A total of sixteen teams would compete across sixteen rounds—one match per day. After a brief opening speech, Salas drew lots.
Because there hadn't been much excitement in the preliminaries, and after enduring another month, Qian Xunji could no longer hold back. At his urging, Salas rigged the draw so that the first round featured Tianshui Academy versus Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team.
The moment the match was announced, both teams immediately locked eyes, sparks of battle intent flashing in their gazes.
Qian Renxue's eyes even drifted toward Tang San—the man who had committed an unforgivable error, someone just like him who had reincarnated into this world and bore the surname Tang. They even shared the same name.
During the preliminaries, Qian Renxue hadn't seen Tang San and had no idea where he'd gone. If Tang San had shown up earlier and he hadn't gone all out, there was a real chance Tianshui could've lost.
"No one take this from me—I'm going first!" Gu Chen declared, eyes brimming with fighting spirit. The time had come to show the continent, and Xiao Wu, who the true genius of this era was.
But after a month of recovery and knowing Tang San could now cultivate again, Yu Xiaogang stepped in: "No, let Xiao Wu go first."
Gu Chen's eyes narrowed. If Flender had said that, he might've let it slide—but Yu Xiaogang? A mere rank-29 Grandmaster had no right to dictate lineup decisions. Once touted as unbeatable in theory, he'd become the laughingstock of the soul master world the moment the Silver Emperor Douluo exposed his error in Tang San's cultivation path.
"Gu Chen, I know you want to challenge Qian Renxue, but you saw what happened during the preliminaries. He couldn't break your defense and wouldn't choose to fight you. What if Tianshui sends Shui Bing'er early to counter you?"
Gu Chen fell silent. Shui Bing'er's fifth soul skill could indeed break through his defense. Last time, Xiao Wu's Invincible Golden Body blocked her. Plus, she could fly and had soul power on par with him. Their strength was close. He hadn't considered her his rival simply because she didn't have twin spirits.
"Let Xiao Wu go, then. In terms of close combat, she's among our best. Unless they send out Qian Renxue or Shui Bing'er, no one on their side can beat her."
Gu Chen thought it over. Since it was Xiao Wu, someone he favored, he nodded.
For the opening match of the promotion tournament, there was no room for a poor showing. After a discussion, Tianshui sent out the only combat-capable Soul Ancestor on their team: Yu Hairou. Xue Wu, though also rank 41, was a support-type soul master.
Xiao Wu and Yu Hairou entered the center of the grand arena from opposite sides.
Outside of Tianshui, most team members focused their eyes on Xiao Wu—especially the male students. They had never seen such a stunning girl before. Yu Hairou was attractive too, but next to Xiao Wu, she was only more developed due to age—her looks didn't come close.
At the referee's signal, both girls summoned their spirits. Each bore two yellow and two purple soul rings. Both were rank-41 power-type Soul Ancestors, and their strength could only be proven through combat.
Naturally, the Heaven Dou Second Team was full of confidence in Xiao Wu. She was, after all, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form. Every self-condensed soul ring skill matched her perfectly, and she was also a reincarnator. How could a mere student from Tianshui compare?
"Begin!"
With the referee's command, Xiao Wu didn't attack. Instead, she placed her hands behind her back and asked sweetly, "Sister Yu Hairou, counting our fights at the Soto City Arena, this should be our third match, right? How old are you now?"
With her innocent demeanor, youthful figure, and exquisitely beautiful face, Xiao Wu naturally lowered her opponent's guard. Her calling Yu Hairou "sister" triggered goodwill—Yu Hairou, second only to Shui Bing'er in strength among the girls, felt a sudden fondness.
"I just turned twenty-one."
"Wow, I'm only fourteen."
Yu Hairou's lips twitched. Xiao Wu was seven years younger but had already matched her cultivation. What kind of terrifying genius was this—and so beautiful too?
In Yu Hairou's moment of shock, Xiao Wu's second soul ring quietly activated. Her eyes turned pink. As a hundred-thousand-year beast, her mental strength was overwhelming. Her charm skill immediately took effect, catching the off-guard Yu Hairou by surprise. Her eyes turned dazed.
They had started twenty meters apart. Xiao Wu sprang forward, closing the gap to ten meters in a flash, directly lunging at Yu Hairou.
When she was just five meters away, Yu Hairou snapped out of it. Her first soul ring lit up, soul power gathering in her palm—but Xiao Wu had already teleported.
Yu Hairou knew teleportation well—just stay alert for a nearby strike and counter. What she didn't know was that Xiao Wu's scorpion tail was also a weapon.
In previous matches, Xiao Wu had faced Shui Bing'er. The first time, she was seriously injured and Tang San went berserk. The second time, she used teleportation and Invincible Golden Body to stall. But due to the power gap, charm didn't work, and using it risked mental backlash. She'd focused on mobility instead, and her scorpion tail was ineffective against the Ice Phoenix, so she never used it.
Now, she unleashed both charm and the scorpion tail.
Xiao Wu reappeared with her back to Yu Hairou, her tail already mid-swing. With a flick of her head, it wrapped around Yu Hairou's neck and pulled her in. Her first soul skill, Waist Bow, activated.
Spectators widened their eyes. Some held their heads, some covered their mouths, some even shut their eyes—they couldn't watch what came next.
After flinging Yu Hairou into the air, Xiao Wu became a pink streak. She struck her repeatedly mid-air with her long legs—every blow targeting vital spots, as if determined to send her straight to the hospital.
This was the Pope's son's academy—how could Xiao Wu show mercy? She unleashed her most violent and powerful move: the Eight-Stage Drop.
Not to mention, in Soto City's Great Arena, Qian Renxue had brutalized the Shrek Seven Devils. Xiao Wu had never forgotten that grudge.
After the seventh slam, Yu Hairou was seven meters up, vision going black. Her spirit possession was undone from the relentless strikes.
Facing her was Xiao Wu, eyes gleaming with excitement. She charged one final kick straight at Yu Hairou's abdomen.
"Goodbye!"
Bang!
Crack!
A crisp crack echoed—Yu Hairou's rib had been broken by Xiao Wu's kick. Her body flew like a kicked ball, crashing straight into the group of Tianshui members—complete humiliation.
Qian Renxue instantly used Blue Silver Emperor vines to catch her. His gaze toward Xiao Wu was now icy cold.
Qian Xunji spared a moment of pity for the girl—but more than anything, he was thrilled.
Finally, something fun to watch.
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