At this moment, the doors of the Pope Hall swung open and a shout echoed.
"Welcome the Pope!"
"Long live the Pope! Long live, long live!"
Immediately, all the knights of the Martial Soul Hall shouted in unison, their voices resounding.
Witnessing this, Xiao Wu muttered to herself: "I'm ten thousand years old myself."
Amidst the shouts, everyone's eyes turned to the open doors, and the seven members of the Martial Soul Hall Team showed expressions of admiration and excitement.
The doors opened, and a woman, tall and noble, wearing a golden long dress and a purple-gold crown, holding a golden scepter, stepped out with an air of majesty and solemnity.
Immediately, all the subordinates of the Martial Soul Hall knelt on the ground.
"Greetings, Pope."
At the same time, students from the other two teams also knelt down.
Instantly, all eyes turned to the Shrek Team. Among the eight members of Shrek, not one of them kneeled.
Ning Rongrong, future sect leader of the Seven Treasures Glaze Tower, naturally did not need to kneel. Dai Mubai, being a prince, would not kneel, and neither would Zhu Zhuqing.
As for Oscar and Ma Hongjun, they didn't think highly of the Martial Soul Hall and disliked it; only when collecting their monthly Gold Soul Coins from the Hall did they feel any positivity towards it.
Tang San, for his part, would only kneel before his parents and teacher, possessing his own pride and dignity.
Ye Yu, naturally, wouldn't bow down either.
Xiao Wu also remained standing, lowering her head as a trace of hatred flashed through her eyes.
The Martial Soul Hall did not have any rule requiring those who did not belong to the Hall to kneel, but nonetheless, everyone thought the Shrek Team was foolish—this was the Pope, after all; even if they did bow, why not? Did the Pope not deserve it?
Ye Yu looked at the Pope and sighed internally: "So, that's Bibi Dong."
It was the first time he had seen Bibi Dong in person; she appeared only in her early twenties, young and beautiful, though she was actually around the same age as the Master.
Bibi Dong gazed at Ye Yu and the others, her eyes lingering slightly on Tang San before settling on Ye Yu.
Bibi Dong extended an invitation: "You are Ye Yu."
"I am," Ye Yu replied calmly.
Bibi Dong stated plainly, "Regardless of the competition's outcome, if you join the Martial Soul Hall, you will become my direct disciple."
Upon hearing this, the people of the Martial Soul Hall were visibly shocked, and Xie Yue and the others were filled with envy and jealousy.
Ye Yu shook his head: "I already have a teacher, as the Pope should know."
Ye Yu's words were a clear rejection, to which Bibi Dong responded with a slight smile: "Naturally, I know. To receive the Master's guidance is indeed commendable."
Bibi Dong said, "Rise."
Those kneeling rose in unison, casting glances at Ye Yu while internally scolding him as "truly foolish."
"To give up such a great opportunity, to become the Pope's direct disciple, second only to one."
"Hmph, how can that Master compare to the Pope?"
Someone couldn't help but mutter aloud.
Instantly, Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed slightly, and that person began to tremble all over, collapsing to the ground in fear.
Bibi Dong said coolly, "Take him away."
The knights dragged the person away, too afraid to utter a word or ask a question.
Bibi Dong waved her scepter, and three soul bones floated in front of her, immediately capturing the attention of everyone except Ye Yu.
Bibi Dong stated, "These are the greatest rewards for the champions."
The three soul bones consisted of a right arm bone, a left leg bone, and a skull.
Soul bones, priceless treasures, and here were three, all evidently of Ten Thousand Years Level. If this were anywhere but the Martial Soul Hall, someone might attempt to snatch them.
However, here, they dared not act on their greed.
Even Tang San, possessing an External Soul Bone, was tempted by these three soul bones. The value of soul bones, second only to a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, enhanced one's strength even more than soul rings.
Behind the Pope stood two people, one with an effeminate appearance, and the other clad entirely in black, shrouded in a mysterious mist that obscured their face.
Tang San and his companions naturally recognized these two as the Titled Douluo who had previously attacked them but were forced into submission, each receiving a kick from them.
Even now, looking at Ye Yu and the others, the Titled Douluo, despite being kicked, dared not express anger.
Ghost Douluo spoke in a low voice: "These three soul bones are the Spiritual Concentration Wisdom Skull, the Bursting Burning Flame Right Arm Bone, and the High-speed Pursuing Wind Left Leg Bone. The arm and leg bones come from Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, while the Wisdom Skull was obtained from a Fifty-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, slain by the previous Pope. In the realm of soul bones, it is top-tier, second only to an External Soul Bone or Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring."
Ye Yu felt indifferent, completely unimpressed.
However, he thought the three soul bones suited Tang San, Ma Hongjun, and Zhu Zhuqing perfectly.
Feng Xiaotian muttered, "High-speed Pursuing Wind Left Leg Bone? No right leg bone? Wouldn't absorbing it make one unstable when running? Once the left leg runs far, the right leg might still be in place."
Feng Xiaotian's words amused everyone present.
Xie Yue sneered, "Idiot, don't bother thinking about it, because it won't be yours. The champion will be us, the Martial Soul Hall Team."
Xie Yue and his group believed that these three soul bones were prepared for them and were brimming with confidence.
These three soul bones, the skull for Hu Liena to enhance her charm control, the right arm bone for Yan, and the left leg bone for Xie Yue.
The Divine Wind Academy had nothing to say. Although it was surprising that the Martial Soul Hall offered three soul bones as reward, generously even, they immediately realized that these three soul bones seemed intended for the Martial Soul Hall Team.
The three soul bones were of immense value to the Martial Soul Hall, but it didn't pain them, for they believed that the soul bones would eventually belong to the Martial Soul Hall.
Except for the Shrek Team, everyone thought the same.
However, Ye Yu believed that these three soul bones were meant for them.
Ye Yu sighed, "These three soul bones are well-suited for our team's Tang San, Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun. Martial Soul Hall, thank you for preparing them so thoughtfully in advance."
Upon hearing this, the seven members of the Martial Soul Hall Team grew sullen.
"Hmph, as if you're guaranteed to be the champions. We have claimed the title! Even if our opponent is Shrek, it won't matter; that's what I've said."
Ye Yu didn't want to waste further words: "Soon enough, we'll know."
Xie Yue and the others were seething inwardly, determined, "In the team battle, we will defeat you, if not kill you!"
This competition, with their three main forces, carried the mission to crush the Shrek Team and kill Tang San.
"The singles competition begins,"
announced the Pope, and the three teams began drawing lots.
In the first match, Shrek vs. Divine Wind.
In the second match, Martial Soul Hall vs. Divine Wind.
In the third match, Shrek vs. Martial Soul Hall.
In the first match, Ye Yu took the field directly, causing the Divine Wind Team to look very troubled, realizing that the first opponent was Ye Yu.
Having no other choice after consultation, they conceded.
In the second match, the Divine Wind Team naturally conceded.
In the third match, unexpectedly, the Martial Soul Hall Team forfeited.
Ma Hongjun was amazed: "Why is that?"
The Master explained: "To conceal their strength, I suppose. If they let Xiao Yu lead, it would expose their strength, so they forfeited. The singles match is insignificant; they are confident they can beat you in the team battle."
"So that's it, they're afraid of Boss Yu."