On the arena.
The red glow had dissipated as Xie Yue and Hu Liena separated from their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
Xie Yue felt regretful.
"What a pity. Zhu Zhuyun actually survived?"
Zhu Zhuyun had controlled the Martial Soul Fusion Skill to retreat beyond the range of the red light barrier.
The two collapsed to the ground, losing all ability to resist.
At that moment, if he had continued attacking, it would have been too obvious.
His two Moon Blade strikes had been executed with Soul Power at the Soul Emperor level.
The opponent's Netherworld White Tiger could only reach a Soul Power fluctuation of around level 55 at most.
Moreover, after defeating Yan, they had already exhausted one of their attack capabilities.
Xie Yue had originally thought that a single strike would be enough to kill both of them.
Yet only one had died.
He sighed inwardly before turning his gaze toward the Gem Academy's seating area.
The Moon Blade in his hand emitted a faint red glow as he gave it a light flick.
Xie Yue's lips moved slightly as he muttered, "I'll be waiting for you!"
Hu Liena also looked at Dugu Feng.
"You once brought shame upon the Spirit Hall, but this time, we will make you pay!"
Hu Liena spoke coldly as well.
Their provocations instantly made Dugu Feng the center of attention in the entire arena.
Dugu Feng's expression remained indifferent as he gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
This left Xie Yue and Hu Liena with no outlet for their aggression.
They had intended to provoke Dugu Feng to gauge his reaction, but naturally, it had no effect whatsoever.
On the other arenas, matches concluded one after another, and the Gem Academy Team also defeated their opponents, advancing to the fourth round.
By now, the original thirty-three participating teams had been whittled down to just six.
Among the remaining teams, the undisputed favorite for the championship was the Spirit Hall Team, followed closely by the Gem Academy Team, the Divine Wind Academy Team, and the Heavenly Water Academy Team.
The remaining two teams were virtually unknown, serving more as filler—likely benefiting from the numerous clashes between stronger teams, which had allowed weaker teams to advance by sheer luck.
By the fourth round, however, they stood no chance of progressing further.
This time, the drawing of lots proceeded without any surprises.
The Spirit Hall Team and the Gem Academy Team were each matched against one of the weaker teams, while the Divine Wind Academy drew the Heavenly Water Academy.
This round of matches held almost no suspense, proceeding entirely without incident.
The matches concluded uneventfully, paving the way for the final showdown.
That evening, Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, Huo Wu, and Shui Binger visited Dugu Feng's room.
"Brother Feng, tell me honestly—just how strong have you become? Have you absorbed your Fifth Soul Ring yet?"
Inside the room, the four sat on the sofa as Feng Xiaotian asked earnestly.
"In three days, we'll be opponents in the competition. Are you here to gather intelligence?" Dugu Feng replied with a faint smile.
Feng Xiaotian could only smile wryly. Though they had defeated the Heavenly Water Academy to reach the final round, he was self-aware enough to know their chances against the championship favorites.
"Brother Feng, you jest. With our strength, how could we possibly pose a threat to you? I plan to forfeit the finals."
Feng Xiaotian spoke calmly.
Huo Wushuang, Huo Wu, and Shui Binger showed no surprise—they were already aware of the Divine Wind Academy's decision.
"By giving up our pursuit of the championship, we can still make some meaningful contributions.
The finals consist of individual elimination matches followed by the championship battle."
"If Brother Feng needs anything, we can help take out one or two more Spirit Hall Team Soul Masters in the arena!"
The individual elimination round consisted of seven members per team totaling twenty-one Soul Masters, taking turns to compete until only one remained standing.
The last remaining Soul Master's team would advance directly to the championship match.
The remaining two teams would battle again for the other finals spot to compete for the championship.
Dugu Feng was slightly surprised. In the original plot, Divine Wind Academy had pulled an unexpected move.
They completely abandoned the individual matches, choosing instead to compete against Shrek Academy in the loser's bracket.
But this time, their withdrawal wasn't about competing against Gem Academy - it was a genuine forfeit.
Dugu Feng considered it briefly. Skipping these steps might actually be better.
Let Gem Academy face Spirit Hall Team directly in the finals!
"Your thought is appreciated, but this time we'll win with honor. Divine Wind Academy should just withdraw," Dugu Feng said confidently.
Feng Xiaotian exchanged glances with Huo Wushuang, Huo Wu, and Shui Binger before saying, "I told them Brother Feng wouldn't need our unnecessary assistance. With your strength, we'll just watch you claim the championship!"
Feng Xiaotian clasped his fists respectfully.
"May you win the championship!"
"Heaven Dou Empire hasn't won in years - we're all waiting for this moment!"
Shui Binger and Huo Wu added their congratulations.
"Since Brother Feng is confident, we won't disturb your rest and preparation any longer!"
Huo Wushuang clasped his fists in farewell.
Dugu Feng nodded and saw them out of his room.
Closing the door, Dugu Feng revealed a meaningful smile.
The relationship between the four academies had warmed considerably during their journey.
The main reason was the growing enmity between Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family and Clear Sky Sect, who were rapidly aligning with Spirit Hall.
Large-scale conflict could erupt at any moment.
The four academies, including Thunder Academy composed of Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family's collateral relatives and lightning-attribute Soul Masters, wanted no part in it.
While nominally affiliated with Azure Tyrant Dragon Family, their primary focus remained developing their academies and nurturing Soul Masters.
The emergence of Gem Academy, combined with Dugu Family's traditionally low-profile approach of focusing on Martial Soul cultivation without involving themselves in continental disputes, made banding together their natural choice.
This was an unexpected benefit from instigating conflict between Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family and Clear Sky Sect.
"But I won't repeat Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family's mistake of letting Five Element Alliance remain merely a loose coalition.
When crisis strikes the family, these academies would scatter like rats abandoning a sinking ship - none would stand with the family through hardship.
In a few years when circumstances change, I'll push for Five Element Alliance to merge into Ultimate Academy.
Gathering all elemental Soul Masters under one banner, recruiting past graduates to form a massive force.
That's my true goal!"
Dugu Feng leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes as he calmly considered potential drastic changes in the continent's future.
The more he thought, the more opportunities he saw to expand his influence.
Chaos would create opportunities for Dugu Family's development.
Before they knew it, the three-day rest period between the fourth and fifth rounds had passed.
The day of the finals had arrived.
At dawn, the three teams advancing to the championship matches appeared before Pope Palace. Teachers from the three academies and Heaven Dou Empire's team leader Xue Qinghe stood ready on both sides of Pope Palace square to observe the matches.
The Star Luo Empire contingent had already withdrawn from Spirit City, returning home with bitter resentment to file their complaints.
Thus, this finals match became a Soul Duel between Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire.
The twenty-plus Soul Masters from the three teams all wore solemn expressions.
Even the Divine Wind Academy team, which was about to withdraw, maintained a serious demeanor, as if awaiting the competition.
In reality, they were preparing to give Spirit Hall a surprise once the match began.
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "LegendaryTL" on Patreon!"
Thanks!