The figures of the four Titled Douluo appeared simultaneously in the shattered ring, their invisible auras clashing and colliding. The hearts of the 100,000 spectators in Star Luo Soul Arena felt as if they were being gripped tightly by an unseen giant hand. The feverish cheers that had erupted from the peak duel were instantly silenced, cut off as if by a sharp blade, replaced by a suffocating silence and heavy gloom.
In the VIP seats, Emperor Dai Liang of Star Luo gazed at the tense crowd. The corners of his mouth curled into a faint, uncontrollable smile as he silently observed the proceedings. Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong exchanged glances, undisguised excitement flickering in their eyes. Ning Fengzhi absently rubbed the scepter in his hand, rapidly calculating all possible outcomes.
In the center of the ring, the Grand Elder appeared calm and unruffled. The solemn atmosphere that was enough to crush even Soul Sages did not seem to affect him. His gaze swept nonchalantly over Azure Luan Douluo and Dawn Douluo, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. The laughter rang out clearly across the quiet field.
"What's wrong? No courage to play anymore?"
Though the Grand Elder's tone was somewhat jesting, a sudden cold gleam flashed in the depths of his seemingly gentle eyes, and the implicit aura around his body faintly suppressed Azure Luan and Dawn Douluo. If they so much as revealed their intentions or gave a negative answer, the Grand Elder would not hesitate to see the Spirit Hall lose two Titled Douluo.
He had always maintained that the Body Sect was low-key and had no desire to clash early with Spirit Hall, but that never meant the Body Sect was afraid.
No one in Star Luo City could defeat him!
Azure Luan Douluo and Dawn Douluo's faces turned pale, their soul power roiling like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Qian Renxue was gravely injured and defeated, which alone was a great humiliation for them. Now, being questioned so contemptuously by the Grand Elder only added to their fury.
Yet, standing before this unfathomable Grand Elder, their hearts were filled with deep fear. The two pressed their lips together and exchanged no words. What could they do? They had no confidence of victory. If war broke out here, the consequences would be unthinkable.
At this moment, the air was oppressively still, stretched taut like a bowstring on the verge of snapping.
Suddenly, Qian Renxue, who was being supported by Azure Luan Douluo, coughed several times. Her long lashes trembled as she slowly opened her dazzling golden eyes. At first, her gaze was dazed, but soon clarity and determination returned.
"Fourth Grandfather... I'm fine."
Qian Renxue's voice was a bit weak, but she gently pulled herself free from her supporters. Though her body still trembled slightly, she stubbornly straightened her back and stood tall.
Her gaze passed over the two powerful men before her and fell on Chen Yi, who was being guarded by the Grand Elder and Ye Cien. Chen Yi's face was calm, as if the shocking battle just now had nothing to do with him—but his breathing was slightly rapid.
Qian Renxue's beautiful face flashed with a complex, hard-to-read expression—refusal to accept defeat, humiliation, anger, but even more so, a cold clarity toward reality... and a fiercer fighting spirit.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the surging energy and blood in her chest. Her voice, not loud, rang out clearly in the deadly quiet ring.
"I lost."
These words seemed to weigh a thousand pounds as they left her lips.
"Hahhh—!"
In an instant, sighs of relief spread among the audience, merging into a low wave. Many found themselves drenched in cold sweat. How fortunate! They would not be caught in the crossfire. The aftermath of a Titled Douluo battle was not something ordinary soul masters or civilians could bear.
However, in the VIP seats, both Dai Liang and Ning Fengzhi showed visible irritation and disappointment. Yet, Qian Renxue had not finished speaking.
Enduring intense pain and weakness, she took a step forward, glaring at Chen Yi with an undying flame in her eyes. Her tone was as solemn as an oath.
"This time, I lost."
"But, Chen Yi, remember! Next time—when we meet again—I, Qian Renxue, will never lose to you again!"
At that moment, all eyes fell on Chen Yi, eager to see how the miraculous victor would respond. On hearing this, a faint smile flickered in Chen Yi's eyes, and the corners of his mouth moved in a subtle, almost unexplainable way—as if he had finally reached his long-awaited cue.
He too stepped forward, standing side by side with the Grand Elder. His face remained calm, as if simply stating a fact. His gaze met Qian Renxue's battling eyes, his tone indifferent, yet imbued with a sense of looking down upon mountains and rivers, a timeless loneliness. It was as if he was not responding to Qian Renxue, but rather speaking to himself, declaring a certain truth.
"Those defeated by my hand are never considered my enemies."
Chen Yi paused slightly, his gaze seeming to pierce through time and space, looking into the distant future. His voice was not loud, but carried an undeniable, absolute confidence that reached every ear.
"I'll give you time to catch up."
"Until you can no longer see my back."
"Shhh—!"
As soon as those words were spoken, the entire arena erupted in a collective gasp.
How domineering! To think that the young miss of Spirit Hall, the Seraphim inheritor, the eighteen-year-old Soul Emperor Qian Renxue, would have to struggle just to catch up, and even then, might not even see his back?
Even the Grand Elder was momentarily stunned by Chen Yi's shocking words, but soon a peerless, radiant smile broke across his face.
"Well done! As the young master of my Body Sect, you must have the courage to swallow mountains and rivers!"
Meanwhile, Qian Renxue, whose face had already paled, turned even darker. Her delicate body trembled with rage, her chest heaving violently, nearly coughing up blood again. She stared daggers at Chen Yi, as if golden flames burned in her eyes, and squeezed out her words through clenched teeth.
"Really? Chen Yi, you'll pay for your arrogance! I'll show you with actions—I, Qian Renxue, am worthy to be your opponent!"
With that, she did not pause but forcefully turned away, pushing her wounded body step by step toward the bottom of the ring, still maintaining the pride and dignity befitting the young miss of the Angel Clan. Against the backdrop of the ruined ring, her golden palace robe seemed slightly embarrassed, yet also radiated determination and tenacity.
Azure Luan Douluo and Dawn Douluo stared at Chen Yi but said no more, turning to follow after Qian Renxue.
The Grand Elder watched the three figures of Spirit Hall depart, then looked up at Dai Liang in the VIP seats, whose face was expressionless. Dai Liang quickly masked his disappointment, once again displaying the dignity of a king as he stepped forward. His booming voice, carried by soul power, echoed through the arena.
"I hereby declare the conclusion of this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament! The final champion team is—"
He paused, scanning the crowd, then finally rested his gaze upon the young figure in black standing in the ring, and announced:
"The Grand Martial Academy Team!"
"Boom—!!!"
It was like a volcano that had been suppressed for ages finally erupting! After a short silence, the entire Star Luo Soul Arena exploded in unprecedented cheers and shouts, shaking the very clouds!
"Grand Martial Academy!"
"Chen Yi!"
"Champions!"
The sound waves grew ever higher, sweeping across the venue like a tsunami, causing the ground to tremble slightly. Countless ribbons and flowers rained down from the stands, and the atmosphere soared to its peak.
Chen Yi stood at the center of the ring, bathed in the admiration, fervor, and wonder of millions, dedicating this glorious moment to the victors. The Grand Elder and Ye Cien stood behind him, smiling with relief.
Far away, Qian Renxue, just before stepping into the passageway, turned to gaze at the figure surrounded by thousands. Her jade-like hand clenched into a fist, her nails digging deep into her palm.
…
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