Afterward, Nan Qiuqiu settled down in Mingdu. But to conceal her identity, Chen Junting took her to the Shrek Academy team to find Wang Dong'er.
Using the Hao Tian Sect's secret disguise techniques, combined with cross-dressing as a man, they instantly crafted a strikingly handsome young warrior.
Now, there was no risk of exposure whatsoever.
Over the next few days, the first round of the tournament's elimination matches drew to a close. By the end, half of the original 167 teams—83 in total—had been eliminated.
Of the 84 teams advancing, a staggering 56 came from sects, making up over two-thirds of the qualifiers.
This alone spoke volumes about the strength of these sect disciples.
That said, veteran academy powerhouses were no less formidable—teams like Xing Luo National Academy and Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy remained dominant forces in the tournament.
In reality, Mingyue Hotel quickly emptied out.
And those eliminated teams? As they left Mingdu, they met unforeseen disaster—captured alive by Sun Moon legions and thrown into chains. Yet aside from Chen Junting's small circle, not a whisper of this leaked out.
As for how to rescue them…
That was a matter for later.
Because the first round had taken so long, there was no rest period before the second round began.
The very day after the first round ended, the second-round draw commenced.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's match was scheduled for the second day—with Shrek Academy opening the first day's slate.
Shrek faced a sect called Heavenly Armor Sect—a trivial opponent they used for training. All their Soul Emperors stayed comfortably in the pavilion watching the show, while only Soul Kings took the stage.
They even deliberately capped their individual elimination points, then forfeited to force a team match. Xu Sanshi anchored the lineup, and the other six swiftly swept Heavenly Armor Sect off the platform.
Even when Heavenly Armor Sect unleashed their seven-member combination skill, it was futile—Xu Sanshi easily activated his Tortoise Soul Spirit, entered Black Tortoise Form, and pummeled them into submission.
The tournament grew increasingly brutal. Every team fought desperately for a spot in the next round. Injuries piled up, and the scent of blood on the arena thickened.
Until the Holy Spirit Church took the stage—and painted it crimson.
Their opponent matched Chen Junting's prediction exactly: Proud Sword Sect, one of the most outstanding sect teams.
---
Arena Rest Area – Day Two of Round Two
Since many powerhouse teams were competing today, Chen Junting came to watch.
Seeing Proud Sword Sect face the Holy Spirit Church, he frowned. "Just as I thought—their sole purpose in entering is to hunt down the next generation of soul masters from the original Three Great Empires."
"Proud Sword Sect stands no chance," Ning Tian declared, arms looped around Chen Junting's.
Was the Proud Sword Sect impressive?
Absolutely.
In the original timeline, this reclusive sect reached the top eight. Every member boasted at least 55 soul ranks, and their captain was a Soul Emperor.
But the Holy Spirit Church was far more terrifying.
"Proud Sword Sect: Wu Yifan."
"Holy Spirit Church: Yan Feng."
A flicker of dread crossed Captain Wu's mind. An icy, bloodthirsty aura pressed down on him, stealing his breath.
Yet fear wouldn't make him flee.
This was the pride of the Proud Sword Sect!
And this arrogance was precisely why the Holy Spirit Church could brazenly hunt opponents without worry—every major sect was stubbornly proud, refusing to back down.
But pride couldn't sustain willpower forever.
Before the referee even cried "Begin!", sweat already beaded on Wu Yifan's brow under Yan Feng's chilling smirk.
It seemed only his sect's honor kept him standing.
At the referee's signal, Wu Yifan's resolve snapped. He roared, lunged forward with sword and body as one—
His sword intent blazed, yet lacked true decisiveness.
Though suppressed, Wu was still the Proud Sword Sect's leader—battle-hardened and experienced.
He knew his chances against this evil soul master were slim. His only hope? All-out burst damage.
So he opened with his ultimate.
Azure light exploded. His fifth ring flared. A massive emerald greatsword, radiating piercing sword intent, shot straight for Yan Feng's chest.
Yan Feng didn't move—only sneered.
A claw lashed out, bone fingers clamping the blade tight.
Just as horror flashed across Wu's face, searing pain erupted in his chest. Darkness swallowed his vision—he faintly heard an elder shout "We forfeit!"
---
An incense stick later…
"I'm heading back," Chen Junting told Ning Tian, glancing at the sky.
"Not staying to watch?" she asked.
He shook his head. "I only came to confirm the Holy Spirit Church's opponent. Now that their match is over—four dead from Proud Sword Sect—and the rest aren't worth watching."
"Then I'll go with you," Ning Tian said, rising.
Chen Junting gently pushed her back down.
He wasn't actually returning to the hotel to rest.
"Xiao Tian, help them analyze the matches. I'm taking Old Gu and Yuhao—we've got work to do."
"Ah, got it," Ning Tian nodded, understanding instantly.
---
As the Continental Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament entered its second round, battles intensified. The remaining 84 teams clashed in pairs. After Day One, 21 advanced. On Day Two, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect secured their victory.
Now, 42 teams remain.
The final elimination round differed significantly: 32 teams would advance.
Beyond the 21 winners, another 11 would qualify via tiebreaker points for the upcoming round-robin stage.
But who would the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect face in Round Three?
---
Mingyue Hotel, Floor 4 – Meeting Room 1
The entire Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect team gathered, awaiting news.
For now, everyone occupied themselves quietly.
"Yuhao—success?" Chen Junting sipped tea calmly.
"Success," Huo Yuhao nodded. Days earlier, he'd secretly registered for the underground tournament—undetected by anyone.
Then, thoughtful, he added: "Brother Junting, I spotted the Holy Spirit Church in the underground matches too."
Chen Junting set down his cup. "You mean the Xi Shui Alliance?"
"You knew?" Huo Yuhao blinked, surprised by his lack of shock.
"Heh…" Chen Junting's lips curled. "'Xi Shui Alliance'—the name itself is a dead giveaway (Derived from Ye Xishui's name). Any organization needs funding. Even if evil soul masters collude with Sun Moon, they can't openly profit. So they must dominate the black markets."
"So should we…" Huo Yuhao gestured subtly, then mimed strangling someone.
Chen Junting understood—but shook his head. "Hold position. Don't spook them."
Just then, Ning Tian pushed open the door, followed by Wu Feng and Nan Qiuqiu (still disguised as a man).
"The next opponent's been drawn."
She held up a card. Boldly printed:
Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.
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