The Star Luo Emperor was on the Imperial City wall, spouting a whole lot of nonsense.
Feng Yu returned from the drawing of lots, instantly pulling everyone's attention away from the guards beside Xu Jiawei.
The expression on everyone's faces as they looked at Feng Yu was very relaxed.
To them, this tournament was all about fighting their way to the finals and taking the championship.
No matter which academy they drew for the first round, they had to demonstrate their aura.
Meng Hongchen stood with her hands behind her back, smiling sweetly as she asked, "Senior Brother Feng, which unlucky academy did you draw?"
Feng Yu didn't keep them in suspense and gave the result directly:
"Tiantong Military Soul Master Academy of the Heavenly Soul Empire."
"Tiantong Military Soul Master Academy?" Ma Rulong was slightly surprised. Seeing Huo Yuhao and the others looking over, he explained,
"This Tiantong Military Soul Master Academy is one of the academies heavily supported by the Heavenly Soul Empire's military."
"The students who come to compete are partly experts carefully selected from the various major army groups of the Heavenly Soul Empire."
"Looking at their competition records from previous years, they will likely focus on either assault, defense, or long-range attrition."
As Ma Rulong spoke, he took out the list he had obtained earlier from his storage ring and distributed it to everyone.
Huo Yuhao took the list but didn't look at the names; instead, he quickly scanned the text section from top to bottom.
Three Soul Kings, ten Spirit Ancestors!
Huo Yuhao raised his eyebrows slightly and said,
"This academy clearly has decent strength, so why don't I see them in the list of the top thirty-two teams from previous years?"
Xiao Hongchen stood with his hands behind his back and smiled faintly,
"Their Martial Soul Abilities are all designed for battle formations; when it comes to team battles, their strength is not weak at all."
"But for individual elimination matches and small-scale 2-2-3 cooperation, it emphasizes individual strength, Martial Soul Abilities, and Soul Guidance Device systems more."
Huo Yuhao looked at the images of several main team members captured by a camera Soul Guidance Device on the list.
He activated Mental Detection and found this team in the rest area, simultaneously activating Mental Sharing to share his vision with the others:
"These people are tall and sturdy, with well-defined muscles, thick auras, and restrained temperaments. They are basically all defense-system Spirit Masters."
"Senior Brother Xiao, their Martial Soul Abilities that serve battle formations should have been figured out over these many years, right?"
Xiao Hongchen and Ma Rulong looked at each other and nodded,
"It's consistent with what we guessed."
"Generally speaking, their Martial Soul Abilities mean that every member adds the exact same first or second Spirit Ability."
"Exactly the same?" Huo Yuhao was stunned for a moment, doubting if he had heard correctly.
"That's right." Ma Rulong said in a deep voice,
"The seven main team members have a total of fourteen yellow hundred-year Spirit Rings, and the Martial Soul Abilities of these Spirit Rings are basically all the same defensive aura."
"This kind of defensive aura isn't very impressive when used individually, and its strength is even slightly worse than normal defensive Martial Soul Abilities of the same age."
"But once they assemble as a squad, it's completely different."
Huo Yuhao's eyes narrowed, instantly sensing something wrong:
"Could it be that the defensive auras can stack?"
"To what level would the single-target defense boost reach with fourteen hundred-year Spirit Rings stacking their defensive auras?"
Ma Rulong said in a deep voice, "At least seven or eight thousand years or more, and the higher the cultivation, the greater the boost obtained."
"Those three Soul King-level defense-system Spirit Masters can probably obtain a ten-thousand-year level defensive aura boost."
"So, in previous tournaments where this academy's representative team focused on defense, they were also called the Iron Bucket Academy."
Huo Yuhao's face twitched slightly:
"There should be a stacking limit for this kind of Spirit Ability, right? Otherwise, this is too perverted."
"The Heavenly Soul Empire shares a border with our Sun-Moon Empire." Ma Rulong used Mental Detection to ensure no one was spying on them before whispering:
"According to data statistics from various battles in recent years, the upper limit for the number of these hundred-year Spirit Rings that can stack is around twenty."
"Any more than that won't have any additional effect."
Huo Yuhao nodded and turned to look at Xiao Hongchen, who was trying his best to appear calm and indifferent, but whose joy was already becoming hard to contain in his eyes.
Senior Brother Xiao's addiction to showing off in front of others was acting up again.
But this kind of hard stone with no power to fight back was indeed very suitable for him; let's stick to the plan.
Just as they finished talking, Xu Jiawei's opening ceremony speech also concluded.
A loud voice that resounded throughout the entire Star Luo Square suddenly rang out.
A total of one hundred and thirty-three academy representative teams; one team drew a bye, and the rest all participated in the first round of the elimination tournament.
The winners would be grouped into the round-robin tournament, and the losers would be eliminated.
The loud voice announced:
"Now, the first match is about to begin."
"The two sides of the match are the representative team from the Zhengtian Academy of the Heavenly Soul Empire."
"And the representative team from the continent's number one academy, Shrek Academy, which possesses countless honors and has encompassed almost all the tournament championships of the past thousand years!"
As the match host made this announcement, the atmosphere of the entire Star Luo Square instantly boiled to its peak.
"Shrek, Shrek, Shrek..."
The voices shouting for Shrek Academy were indeed loud, but there were also some discordant noises mixed in:
"Shrek Academy's main team has been wounded; this year is the most hopeful year!"
"I want to see rivers of blood!"
"Shrek Academy has held the top spot on the kill list for ten thousand years; do you think they're joking with you?"
"I'll bet one thousand Gold Soul Coins that Shrek Academy will get at least seven kills this tournament!"
"Fight to your heart's content; it would be best if you kill until corpses cover the field!"
Under the gaze of everyone, with Beibei absent, Tang Yin, acting as captain, took a deep breath, feeling his whole body trembling.
It was as if he had returned to the time when he and his companions carved out a piece of the sky at the Martial Soul Fighting Tournament.
Looking to his side, this time standing beside him, the Netherworld White Tiger and the Food-type Spirit Master chanting familiar and lewd Martial Soul incantations were still there.
Besides that, Xiao Xiao and Xu Sanshi were also talented individuals with their own strengths.
Unfortunately, the one possessing the Soft-boned Rabbit Martial Soul was not Xiao Wu, but Jiang Nannan.
"Let's go! The three seniors from the main team are unable to participate in the battle; this time, we will defend Shrek's ten-thousand-year glory!"
Amidst the earth-shattering cheers, both sides stepped onto the high platform.
The fourteen people each gathered in a corner of the competition platform, looking at each other from afar.
When the students of the Zhengtian Academy representative team saw that the lineup Shrek Academy had sent was so young, they were all overjoyed.
Their Zhengtian Academy was a first-class strong team that had achieved good results in the top sixteen.
Since Shrek Academy dared to be so arrogant and send their Reserve Team to fight.
Then don't blame them for sending Shrek Academy on a one-round trip!
Even if they lost to other academy representative teams later and couldn't swallow up all the reputation of this tournament.
But in the future, whenever someone mentioned Shrek Academy, they would always think that the ones who eliminated Shrek Academy for the first time in ten thousand years were them!
On the Imperial City wall, Xu Jiawei, dressed in majestic finery, cast his gaze toward the slightly youthful faces of those representing Shrek.
He was expressionless, not knowing what he was thinking.
In the rest area, all the teams that had received information about their elimination round opponents but had no matches scheduled for the day had not left.
"Sending such young students to the elimination tournament—why did Shrek Academy's main team get wounded?"
"Then I, too, can sit in the position of first place in this tournament!"
"I heard it was because they went to hunt Evil Soul Masters and accidentally capsized; Shrek has done so much for the continent's peace, so show some decency."
"Are you a Shrek-lover? That's Shrek itself wanting to be the continent's inspector and take overall control of the continent's inspection rights!"
"Shrek Academy? Just a bunch of reputation-seeking hypocrites!"
"A mob!" On the high platform, Tang Yin, wearing the familiar dark green school uniform, sneered.
He had already secretly made up his mind that later he would definitely use his Eight Spider Lances to pierce those guys on the other side through and through!
Xiao Hongchen stood proudly in a white robe and said indifferently,
"Junior Brother, do you think Shrek can win this elimination match?"
"They can win." Huo Yuhao shrugged and said.
Just because Tang Yin could be involved with Fortune, Huo Yuhao didn't think he would be defeated so easily.
Rather than watching them have a one-round trip.
Huo Yuhao would rather personally use a sixth-grade live ammunition soul tool sniper rifle to send this team off the field.
On the high platform, the Martial Soul Saint-level preliminary round referee said in a deep voice:
"First round, elimination tournament, team battle. Both sides may use most Soul Guidance Devices for the match."
"But during the battle, if one side admits defeat, the other side must not continue to attack."
"Soul Engineers cannot use high-lethality equipment like fixed-load Soul Guidance Devices for combat. Do you all understand?"
"Understood." Tang Yin replied first with a sullen face.
Although the referee didn't elaborate, Tang Yin also knew that the mechanical Hidden Weapon inside the storage Soul Guidance Device could not be used.
Zhengtian Academy's captain, Ye Wuqing, also followed Tang Yin and agreed.
The referee nodded and said, "Good, both sides retreat to the sides of the competition field."
"Wait for my order to start the match. Before I announce the start, no one is allowed to release their Martial Soul in advance. Otherwise, you will be judged to have lost."
Both sides slowly pulled apart, and in the process of retreating.
Tang Yin turned around and whispered, "Later, Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, directly release your Martial Soul Fusion Skill to drag down the opposing Soul King Yu Mengdi."
"Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan, block the output of the Soul King Tang Xiaolei."
"He Caitou, I'll let bygones be bygones now, so don't have any psychological burden."
"Give me enough high-intensity long-range support and crowd control, focusing on harassing that ugly ghost on the other side."
"The Mental Power in his eyes is flickering, I suspect he is a mental-system Spirit Master."
"Don't let him have the chance to cast Martial Soul Abilities, so as not to disrupt my combat rhythm."
He Caitou was a bit confused; he understood Tang Yin's tactics, and he had no objections to this.
Tang Yin's Eight Spider Lances were a bit evil, but he acknowledged their power.
When Tang Yin said he was letting bygones be bygones, what matter was he talking about?
Also, why should he have any psychological burden?
He Caitou thought through all the bad things he had done in his life and couldn't figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it.
Tang Yin said with a serious tone:
"Xiao Xiao, I see that your Zhenhun Cauldron Martial Soul is quite hard, isn't it? You go and stop Ye Wuqing!"
"Three breaths, at most three breaths, and I will come to support you."
"As long as you can hold out for three breaths, I will, on behalf of Tang Ya, specially approve your entry into the Tang Sect, with no extra assessment required!"
Arranging for me, a two-ring Spirit Grandmaster, to go and stop the number one person under the Spirit Emperor level in this tournament for three breaths?
Xiao Xiao widened her eyes and swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
She roughly understood what Tang Yin meant by using a low-quality horse to trade for a high-quality horse.
But with such a disparity in strength, is Tang Yin really not afraid that I'll be insta-killed the moment we meet?
"He Caitou's long-range firepower will assist you, helping you share the pressure."
"It doesn't matter if you get insta-killed; the Tang Sect miraculous poison I developed, combined with the modified Tang Sect unique skills, can also insta-kill Spirit Ancestor small fry."
"If you can make Ye Wuqing look at you a couple more times, that counts as a success."
"The rest depends on how I use the Eight Spider Lances to turn the tide!"
Xiao Xiao looked toward the distant Ye Wuqing, whose eyes were cold and whose Soul Power fluctuations were completely on a different level than hers.
Thinking that she was about to be ruthlessly ravaged, she couldn't help but shiver, closed her eyes, and said resignedly:
"Things have come to this; I can only listen to you. But forget about that Tang Sect thing."
Treating me like this, and you're still acting benevolent by letting me into the Tang Sect?
I'm not even a member of the Tang Sect yet, and you're already using me as cannon fodder.
If I joined your Tang Sect, what else would happen?
Tang Yin finished laying out the tactics and watched the people from Zhengtian Academy in the distance with ease.
His mindset at this moment was very relaxed; he had seen even more thrilling scenes ten thousand years ago.
The current opponents seemed powerful, but the information gap between the two sides was extremely severe.
Before the match even started, his side already knew most of the opponent's information.
And the other side didn't know about his proud Eight Spider Lances, Tang Sect unique skills, and Tang Sect miraculous poison.
The chances of winning were extremely high!
On the other side, the Zhengtian Empire was also making final deployments during their retreat. Soon, both sides reached the edge of the field.
The referee standing in the center of the field slowly raised his right hand, and the members of both teams immediately began to take their positions.
At this moment, the Star Luo Square, with hundreds of thousands of people, suddenly went quiet.
Everyone widened their eyes, looking at this wide competition platform.
At the same time, the one hundred and eight Star Luo Empire Spirit Masters who had been prepared under the stage all pressed down on the metal pillars in front of them.
The one hundred and eight metal pillars shone brightly at the same time.
Suddenly, beams of white light shot into the sky, drawing arcs and converging in the air.
They eventually gathered in the air twenty meters above the top of the competition platform.
When those one hundred and eight beams of light all gathered together, a layer of white light screen immediately poured down, enveloping the entire competition platform.
On the side of Zhengtian Academy, the seven people quickly lined up in two layers.
Ye Wuqing, Yu Mengdi, and the wolf-transformation Martial Soul stood in front, while the remaining long-range output and support stood in the back.
A typical three-four formation.
This meant their lineup had no front row; they were all squishy.
They were taking the path of high output, low health, and quick victory or quick defeat.
In contrast, on the Shrek representative team's side, they were standing in twos and threes, not looking like they were going to defend at all.
The referee's raised right hand then fell, and he shouted:
"The match begins."
As soon as the words fell, the Agility-Attack System Spirit Ancestor Blood Wolf, who had the highest cultivation on the field, had just released his Martial Soul and hadn't even taken a step.
On Shrek's side, a dark green figure had already dashed out twenty or thirty meters, trailing purple-black afterimages!
The footwork was tricky, and the movement speed was extremely fast.
It was so fast that the three yellow, yellow, and purple Spirit Rings on him were pulled into afterimages, making it impossible for people to see exactly how many Spirit Rings he had!
Tang Yin knew that this was not the time to worry about Soul Power consumption.
His only goal was to, just like when he eliminated the outer court students in the melee, quickly pierce the opponent's Spirit Ancestor through the heart!
When Zhengtian Academy's Blood Wolf saw Tang Yin's speed was so astonishing, he thought that he was also an Agility-Attack System four-ring Spirit Ancestor.
Following the principle of Agility-Attack System meeting and cutting each other's back row, Blood Wolf originally wanted to head straight for Shrek Academy's back row.
At the first glance, he met Tang Yin's pair of scarlet eyes.
The next moment, the ferocious Eight Spider Lances, constantly emitting purple-black energy behind Tang Yin, fiercely entered his field of vision.
Tang Yin, who had reached level 40 Soul Power, closed the gap in Soul Power with the Spirit Ancestor.
The gap in experience and means of dealing with enemies was greatly highlighted.
With just one parry and one Eight Spider Lances eight-way stab, he pierced several holes in the body of Blood Wolf, who was good at melee assault.
The Eight Spider Lances stabbed and retracted, injecting potent poison while simultaneously absorbing part of Blood Wolf's Soul Power and vitality.
Tang Yin didn't stop for a moment and headed straight for the next Spirit Ancestor.
In an instant, the potent poison in Blood Wolf's body took effect.
This was something Tang Yin had specially refined for the Soul Kings and Spirit Emperors in the tournament; how could he, a mere Spirit Ancestor, resist it?
Within three breaths, Blood Wolf was trembling like chaff and fell to the ground, unable to get up.
Before falling to the ground, he looked with blurred vision at the various Spirit Rings that were constantly lighting up on the competition platform.
The explosions and roars of various Martial Soul Abilities and Soul Guidance Devices pouring onto the competition platform were already distorted when they reached his ears.
It seemed as if there was only a light buzzing sound.
Only the constant tremors from the ground and the shockwaves constantly coming through the air could give him a little sense of reality that he was still alive.
These were not important to him; the key was that the feeling of losing his vitality and having his Soul Power devoured was constantly impacting his mind.
This awakened his painful childhood memories.
While foaming at the mouth, he muttered in his mouth, "Evil, evil..."
The next moment, he rolled his eyes back and passed out.
On Star Luo Square, most of the audience was still cheering enthusiastically, and most people didn't have the discernment to see Tang Yin's specific actions and means clearly.
But at such a grand event, how could there be a lack of experts with sufficient discernment?
On the Star Luo Imperial City wall, Xu Jiawei had already walked forward a few steps, his gaze fixed on Tang Yin, who was constantly waving his Eight Spider Lances and killing in all directions on the competition platform.
With his Star Luo Emperor's cultivation of temperament and Titled Douluo-level cultivation.
At this moment, he couldn't suppress the shock in his heart, so much so that it was reflected on his face.
The surrounding civil and military officials with con
Was this youth truly a student representing Shrek Academy in battle?
By Shrek Academy's own standards, wasn't this person clearly an Evil Soul Master?
How did Shrek dare to risk universal condemnation by training an Evil Soul Master in secret?
These doubts appeared not only atop the Imperial City but also in the hearts of many powerful experts.
However, those with profound experience among them deduced the possible reasons for Shrek Academy's actions.
Atop the Imperial City walls, Xu Jiawei watched Tang Yin charge toward the next Spirit Ancestor, quickly gaining the upper hand under the control of his exceptionally tough Blue Silver Grass.
Xu Jiawei suppressed the shock in his heart and said in a heavy voice:
"The Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass, equipped with the Eight Spider Lances, an External Soul Bone that looks exactly like the one from legend."
"Coupled with that unpredictable movement technique, this person is definitely from the Tang Sect!"
"Could he be a descendant of the Sea God Tang San, seeking to emulate his ancestor's path to godhood?"
"Jiujiu, is his surname Tang?"
"This person's name is Tang Yin," Xu Jiujiu, standing beside him, said with a frown.
"Brother, Shrek Academy is so blatantly cultivating an Evil Soul Master; how should we handle this?"
Xu Jiawei pondered for a moment and said:
"In this world, strength ultimately does the talking. Don't be fooled by Shrek Academy's occasional display of hating evil with a passion."
"In reality, they have extreme double standards."
"For a Genius student with such immense potential, they will protect him no matter what."
Xu Jiujiu asked in confusion, "Then aren't they afraid of triggering a public outcry and falling into the condemnation of the entire continent?"
Xu Jiawei's eyes flickered slightly as he understood. "I fear they will strike first to seize the initiative and set the tone for this matter."
High upon the platform.
The cold-faced youth advancing with quick steps looked at Xiao Xiao, who was charging toward him with teeth clenched and an expression of heroic sacrifice, carrying two yellow Spirit Rings.
Ye Wuqing's facial muscles twitched slightly.
Sending a two-ring Spirit Grandmaster to deliver her head—aren't they afraid I'll accidentally poke her to death?
He didn't even bother to use a Spirit Ability. He simply held two fingers together like a sword, casually attaching a bit of Soul Power to the tips, and a sharp sensation naturally arose.
With just this move, he didn't believe a two-ring Spirit Grandmaster who didn't look like a defense-system could block it.
Facing the charging Xiao Xiao, his first move was a gentle poke.
Ding!
A layer of trigger-type Level 2 soul Tool barrier on Xiao Xiao's body opened and immediately shattered.
Due to the massive gap in Soul Power Level, Ye Wuqing's casual sword-finger met little resistance and continued to thrust forward with undiminished momentum.
Ding!
Another layer of trigger-type Level 2 soul Tool barrier opened.
Ye Wuqing frowned slightly, exerting a bit more force into his sword-finger; the Level 2 soul Tool barrier shattered quietly like a popped bubble.
According to his calculations, the remaining power of this sword-finger should be enough to directly carry the petite Xiao Xiao away.
No matter how much she feared death, two trigger-type soul Tool barriers of the same level should have been about enough, right?
However, what answered him was a third—Ding!
A third layer of trigger-type Level 2 soul Tool barrier had opened!
Finally, this casual finger, devoid of any Spirit Ability, was blocked by the Level 29 Xiao Xiao.
But her small face was also slightly pale now.
Releasing three soul Tool barriers of her own level in succession, with two broken, had already drained half of the Soul Power in her body.
Ye Wuqing was like his name—indifferent in character and steady in emotion.
But encountering such a situation, Ye Wuqing felt both frustrated and amused.
What an onion of a woman!
His eyes turned cold, and among his five Spirit Rings—two yellow, two purple, one black—a yellow Spirit Ring suddenly lit up.
A dazzling Golden Leaf appeared in his hand.
Just as Ye Wuqing was about to throw this Golden Leaf, streaks of white light, bright enough to be blinding, burst into his field of vision at this critical moment.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
Several Soul Tool Rays, not particularly powerful but massive in number, covered almost all his possible movements without any blind spots.
He Caitou's long-range support had arrived!
Ye Wuqing gave a cold snort and hurled the Golden Leaf in his hand toward the Soul Tool Rays.
The two collided—Boom!
An explosion rang out. Ye Wuqing braved the shockwave, his Soul Power protecting his body as he pressed forward against the blast.
With a wave of his hand, the dust scattered.
He looked at Xiao Xiao, who had already retreated several steps under the cover of He Caitou's fire support and had summoned her Cauldron Martial Soul.
Ye Wuqing directly sent out a Golden Leaf.
Boom!
Xiao Xiao's Martial Soul was blasted apart into flying pieces, vanishing into points of light and leaving a shallow pit in the ground.
She herself instantly fell unconscious and was sent flying backward.
Just as Ye Wuqing was about to turn his attention to He Caitou, who had just harassed him, Yan'er's scream reached his ears:
"Ye Wuqing, what on earth are you doing!"
"Taking so long to deal with a Spirit Grandmaster, how are we supposed to contend with that guy?"
"Ah!"
Just as Yan'er finished speaking, a cry of alarm followed immediately.
Ye Wuqing looked back.
A giant white tiger, over eight meters long and two meters high, had already entangled Yu Mengdi.
A shield-bearing youth was protecting a long-eared female student, charging all the way toward Tang Xiaolei!
On the other side, a dark green figure brandishing purple-black spider legs had reached the side of their long-range mage Yan'er and the support Shangguan Can.
What!
Ye Wuqing's breath hitched. How did the opponent's Agility-Attack System get into their backline?
Why didn't Xuelang and Yang Yifan stop him?
Two Spirit Ancestors couldn't stop an Agility-Attack System Spirit Master who had just reached Level 40 Soul Power?
What were they doing?
His thoughts raced; Ye Wuqing didn't have time to wonder what had gotten into those two.
He immediately ignored He Caitou and rushed back to defend at top speed.
Although he was a Level 58 Soul King, Tang Yin's damage output speed far exceeded his imagination!
Shangguan Can, his face full of terror, shook his Soul-Snatching Bell so fast it became an afterimage, his Spirit Rings flashing incessantly:
"Soul Sway!"
"Soul Pierce!"
"Soul Snatch!"
"Soul Dirge!"
However, He Caitou's long-range output still affected him, preventing him from casting at full strength.
A purple glow erupted in Tang Yin's eyes as he actually withstood various mental-type Martial Soul Abilities, stabbing Shangguan Can with three spears and six holes.
Tang Yin, who had conveniently replenished some Soul Power, sneered with disdain in his heart.
Ten thousand years ago, when I first entered the four-ring stage, I could already absorb ten-thousand-year Spirit Rings and ignore the soul shock of ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts.
Tang Yin looked at Ye Wuqing and beckoned with his hand in a provocative gesture.
"Damn it!"
Ye Wuqing could no longer maintain his indifferent state of mind.
This guy who had just reached Level 40 Soul Power had a speed that was top-tier even among Agility-Attack System Spirit Ancestors!
Were those eight spider legs his Spirit Ability or his Martial Soul?
Facing such a terrifying opponent, did Xuelang and Yang Yifan really not step in to stop him?
Or rather...
Thinking to himself, Ye Wuqing, who already sensed something was wrong, was not slow to act.
With a wave of his hand, he released three long-range Martial Soul Abilities simultaneously—one yellow, one purple, and one black.
"Leaf Blade!"
"Leaf Array!"
"Dance of the Golden Leaves!"
Hundreds to thousands of golden leaves formed a seamless metal storm; the moment the Leaf Array took shape, it was enough to shred any target within its range.
Under the full-strength fury of a Level 58 Soul King, this strike reached the level of a Spirit Emperor, and it was unavoidable!!
Ye Wuqing intended to eliminate Tang Yin in a single blow.
However, beneath the Leaf Array, a flash of black light passed. Before Ye Wuqing could see where Tang Yin had gone, another flash of black light passed.
In the center of the Leaf Array, Yu Mengdi, holding her golden longsword, looked at the storm of golden leaves in shock.
Oh no!
I've hit my teammate!
Ye Wuqing's pupils shrank as a chill ran up his spine; he quickly controlled the Golden Leaf storm to shoot in all directions.
However, how could an all-out strike be so easy to manipulate?
Ye Wuqing spat out a large mouthful of blood; his Soul Power had backfired.
However, even the leaking Golden Leaf storm forced out Yu Mengdi's fifth Spirit Ability, the Angel Sealing Slash!
Another violent explosion sounded, and a wave of air surged from the collision of the two Soul Kings.
The dust settled.
Ye Wuqing saw that Yu Mengdi's face was only slightly pale, and he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he quickly scanned the competition stage.
He saw his team's two Agility-Attack System Spirit Ancestors lying on the ground, twitching all over, with a large pool of white foam coming from their mouths.
Ye Wuqing swallowed hard; this match had only just begun for a dozen breaths!
On the city walls of the Imperial City, Xu Jiujiu said in surprise:
"The Xuanming Sect's Black Tortoise Displacement from the Douling Empire? Winning twice in a row, it actually had a miraculous effect."
"But if it weren't for that two-ring little girl risking her life, relying on three trigger-type second-class Soul Guidance Device shields to stubbornly distract Ye Wuqing's attention..."
"Otherwise, even with those sinister Eight Spider Lances, they couldn't have achieved this level."
"However, Ye Wuqing didn't make any mistakes either."
"Who could have imagined that a Spirit Master who just reached Level 40 could produce such an exaggerated effect?"
"And this is the result without him even absorbing his fourth Spirit Ring!"
Xu Jiawei suddenly asked, "Jiujiu, what Soul Beast do you think he will hunt for his fourth Spirit Ring?"
"From the Blue Silver Bind, parasitize, and Blue Silver Restraint he used before..." Xu Jiujiu and Xu Jiawei looked at each other and said solemnly:
"Following that person's example, hunting a ten-thousand-year-old Crypt Demon Spider?"
In the waiting area, Xiao Hongchen stared intently at Tang Yin, who was moving across the field, and muttered to himself:
"Zhengtian Academy's team has high attack but low defense; it's normal for Shrek Academy to beat them with speed."
"But that guy with the eight spider legs is already so fierce without even absorbing his fourth Spirit Ring."
"Once he absorbs a powerful fourth Spirit Ring, wouldn't even an ordinary Soul King be unable to do anything to him?"
Huo Yuhao smiled upon hearing this and said:
"Setting aside the fact that he hasn't absorbed his fourth Spirit Ring yet, even if he does, isn't there a Soul King on the field who just happens to counter him?"
Just as Huo Yuhao finished speaking, Yu Mengdi, with her Angel Martial Soul, was actually chasing after Tang Yin to slash him!
Under the burning of Yu Mengdi's Holy Flame, Tang Yin's Soul Power melted instantly like snowflakes meeting sunlight!
With so much Soul Power melting away, it was difficult for the Eight Spider Lances to exert their super high speed.
Tang Yin's expression was unsightly; having absorbed too much energy from corpses, he was actually countered by the Angel Martial Soul!
After a few exchanges, he even had several burn marks on his body.
This won't do!
After the match, he must definitely take some time to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to wash away the impurities!
On the other side, Xu Sanshi activated his Bloodline Power and knocked the Soul King Tang Xiaolei, who had only fired three arrows from his Purple Flower Bow, off the competition stage.
Tang Yin quickly lunged at the last Spirit Ancestor blood bag on the field: the long-range mage, Yan'er.
A moment later, only the weakened Ye Wuqing and Yu Mengdi remained on the field.
But on Shrek Academy's side, they only lost one lower-tier horse.
Under the harassment of the Netherworld White Tiger, Tang Yin, and Xu Sanshi, who still had strength left...
Ye Wuqing and Yu Mengdi could not interrupt He Caitou and Jiang Nannan's charging of the Ultra-Concentrated Energy Cannon.
In the waiting area, Huo Yuhao shook his head; the outcome was decided.
Throughout the match, Tang Yin didn't suffer any other damage besides the light burns caused by the Holy Flame.
Next, he would rest for a day at most before going to the Soul Beast forest to hunt for his fourth Spirit Ring.
That would be the best opportunity to use the Quill of Alzuhod!
Tang Yin, I will let you absorb your fourth Spirit Ring smoothly—I guarantee it will be a perfect absorption!
Provided you can survive.
Huo Yuhao, who already had a plan in mind, stood up and said:
"Senior Brother Xiao, I'm going to the restroom; I'll be back soon."
...
The situation on the competition stage became one-sided.
With one shot from He Caitou's Ultra-Concentrated Energy Cannon, Yu Mengdi was blasted off the stage.
Ye Wuqing was also poisoned by Tang Yin's unexpected chipping attacks and was defeated almost at the same time.
The referee quickly asked Tang Yin to detoxify the students from Zhengtian Academy.
Then he checked Xiao Xiao's body, stuffed a pill into her mouth, and then stood up straight.
He announced in a low voice through the amplification Soul Guidance Device:
"As a referee, I shouldn't be biased."
"But I must say, as I watched little classmate Xiao Xiao face a Level 58 attack system Soul King without hesitation..."
"My blood was ignited by a certain spirit."
"I deeply regret that I could not become a member of Shrek in this life!"
Above the Imperial City, Xu Jiawei heard the referee's heartfelt words and clapped for him with emotion.
Xu Jiawei smiled gently and said:
"Jiujiu, don't let him be a referee in the next match."
"It just so happens that we and the Heavenly Soul Empire are collaborating to develop a mineral vein in the Far North."
"Tell him to pack his bags tonight and take his whole family to the Far North to mine!"
After Shrek won, hundreds of thousands of Spectators burst into enthusiastic cheers.
But it wasn't over yet.
A dirty old man suddenly appeared on the competition stage.
"Elder Xuan!" Tang Yin, who hadn't left the stage yet, said in shock.
"I'm here to clear your names!" Xuanzi took a swig of wine and waved his hand.
He composed his emotions, and his voice, amplified by his Level 98 Soul Power, rang throughout the venue:
"Everyone, please quiet down. I am the guardian of Shrek Academy's participating team for this session, and I have a few words to say."
The atmosphere in Star Luo Square was so intense that it only gradually quieted down after Xuanzi slightly released his pressure.
Everyone's gaze was drawn to the tearful Xuanzi.
"Friends, and all the teachers and members of the participating academies. You all saw the match just now."
"Our Shrek Academy's children fought to the end to defend the academy's glory and finally achieved victory."
"I know many of you are questioning why Shrek Academy has suddenly become so weak."
"Originally, this involved the academy's secrets and I shouldn't have spoken of it."
"But now, I really can't hold back. I must clear the names of these lovely children."
"The participating students you see are actually all members of the Reserve Team who came here for experience."
Hearing this, whether it was the representative teams of the participating academies, the commoners, or even His Majesty the Emperor who was originally preparing to leave the city walls, everyone's curiosity was piqued.
"Just before we came to Star Luo City to compete, our academy's main team and these reserve members went to do something else first."
"To wipe out a group of bandits led by an Evil Soul Master. However, that lead Evil Soul Master had an evil skill that detonated corpses to launch attacks."
"Caught off guard, four members of the main team were tragically sacrificed on the spot, and the other three suffered varying degrees of injury."
"As the captain, Tang Yin stood alone to block part of the Corpse Explosions to protect the members of the Reserve Team."
"Even now, his injuries have not fully healed, so once he takes action, he will appear slightly abnormal."
"That's why he was countered by the flames on the field just now; please don't think too much into it."
"This is proof of his self-sacrifice in dealing with Evil Soul Masters and his practice of the Shrek Inspectorate's philosophy!"
"I am proud of them!"
After saying this, Xuanzi picked up the unconscious Xiao Xiao and walked off the competition stage.
On the city walls, Xu Jiawei and Xu Jiujiu looked at each other, and he smiled faintly:
"See, that's how they seize the initiative."
"Training Genius students to walk the path of godhood from the past—let them do it, but they want both fame and fortune."
"Selling indulgences all the way to my Star Luo City."
"With Evil Soul Masters so rampant in the world today, in my view, Shrek Academy bears at least half the responsibility."
Xuanzi's words were both a warning to the powerful people present to mind their mouths and hands...
...and an explanation to the many Spectators who felt something was wrong.
After hearing Xuanzi's words, the hundreds of thousands of ordinary Spectators were silent for several seconds.
There were no cheers, replaced instead by thunderous applause.
The knowledgeable people present looked at each other.
They've already pulled the 'dealing with Evil Soul Masters,''self-sacrifice,' and 'practicing the Shrek Inspectorate's philosophy' cards.
They've even said 'I am proud of them.'
Fine, let's just pretend we didn't see anything.
Otherwise, what if the old man comes to check the water meter later tonight
The members of Shrek Academy stepped down amidst cheers.
Except for Xiao Xiao, who was taken to the Royal Star Hotel by Xuanzi, everyone else stayed in the luxurious rest area prepared for them by the officials.
Under the complex gazes of many academy representative teams, they took their seats.
The reason they didn't leave immediately was simple.
According to historical convention, the first three matches of each stage are played by the top three finishers from the previous session.
Coincidentally, the next match was the perennial runner-up, the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy representative team.
They wanted to see the strength of their opponents.
The pale-faced Dai Huabin looked excited.
"We won!"
"To think we could win against the odds and crush Zhengtian Academy!"
The way Dai Huabin looked at Tang Yin softened considerably, and he sighed inwardly.
Although this guy has a tendency to lean towards being an Evil Soul Master and loves tinkering with outdated Hidden Weapon.
But his strength is indeed formidable!
On the other side, Tang Ya, who had been waiting expectantly in the rest area for a long time, laughed and hugged Tang Yin:
"Good disciple, you were amazing!"
Her voice wasn't small, and it was heard by the many academy representative teams standing around.
Tang Yin looked around, his eyes brightening slightly; he patted Tang Ya's back, signaling her to let go first.
He clenched his right hand into a fist, waved it forcefully, and said loudly:
"Tang Sect! I come from the Tang Sect!"
"Most of what I used on the competition stage were Tang Sect secret techniques."
"The Tang Sect will rise in my hands, and that will be the day of its prosperity."
"The Tang Sect will need talents in the future; everyone is welcome to join the Tang Sect after graduation!"
The people from the surrounding academy representative teams heard this, but none of them responded.
Thinking back to the methods Tang Yin had just used on the stage.
They felt there were deep traps involved.
My little disciple cares so much about the Tang Sect! Hearing Tang Yin's words, Tang Ya was instantly overjoyed, almost moved to tears.
In her excitement, she hugged Tang Yin again.
Tsk tsk! Dai Huabin, standing to the side, had a strange expression.
As far as he knew, Tang Ya's boyfriend had always been Beibei, right?
Although Tang Yin was only twelve or thirteen, he had developed where he should have.
Was such an intimate gesture really appropriate?
Dai Huabin noticed these details, but others might not have cared, such as Zhou Yi.
She looked at Tang Yin, her eyes full of pride as she said:
"Tang Yin, you did very well."
"With a mere trash Martial Soul like Blue Silver Grass, you achieved a feat that most Spirit Masters cannot."
"You have practiced the academy's teaching philosophy: 'There are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Spirit Masters'."
"In my view, your potential is definitely not inferior to Ancestor Tang San!"
"Once you obtain your fourth Spirit Ring, even if the three members of the main team recover, you will be an absolute mainstay!"
"Teacher Zhou, you flatter me," Tang Yin said with a humble expression. "I plan to rest for a day and then set out."
"I wish to emulate the first Sect Master of the Tang Sect, Tang San."
"To break through the limits of a Spirit Master and explore unknown Domains."
"To hunt a ten-thousand-year-level Crypt Demon Spider."
"To use a ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring, which surpasses the optimal Spirit Ring ratio, as my fourth Spirit Ring!"
"This way, even when entering the high-intensity confrontations of the round-robin tournament."
"I will be confident in carrying Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year glory and moving forward alone!"
Tang Yin spoke and laughed, ignoring the exclamations and disbelief of the surrounding students and teachers.
His gaze fell on Meng Hongchen in the distance, who had blue eyes, snow-white hair, and looked like she was itching for a fight.
He also wanted to see how the Son of Destiny of this era compared to him.
Atop the Imperial City walls, Xu Jiujiu watched Xiao Xiao disappear from view and sighed:
"Everyone is praising Tang Yin, lauding his Eight Spider Lances as peerlessly brave."
"But in my opinion, the one most worthy of admiration is actually that little girl."
"I don't know who made her face an opponent whose Soul Power was nearly thirty ranks higher than hers."
"She was very brave and did not retreat."
"Fortunately, there were three trigger-type second-level spirit tool shields; otherwise, her bravery would likely have been meaningless."
"If they could value Soul Guidance Devices as much as we do, this match wouldn't have been so difficult." Xu Jiawei's expression was calm, but a hint of clarity flashed in his eyes:
"Shrek Academy isn't that they don't want to support Soul Guidance Devices, but their Martial Soul Department has deep roots."
"Yan Shaozhe's prestige isn't enough to suppress the Elders of the Martial Soul Department."
"If he dares to support the Soul Engineer Department and harms the interests of the Spirit Master Department, it would be difficult for him to keep his position as Dean."
Having said this, he shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of sighs:
"Even the elderly Master of the Sea God Pavilion cannot do it himself."
"Developing Soul Engineers sounds simple, but behind it is a mountain of gold and a sea of silver!"
"The resources for all Spirit Master Department students and mentors would be cut, and by no small amount."
Xu Jiujiu covered her mouth and laughed, "The first match forced out Shrek Academy's trump card."
"The Iron Bucket Academy in the second match will definitely force out the advanced Soul Guidance Devices of the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy representative team!"
"It's something to look forward to." Xu Jiawei's eyes held a faint look of reminiscence:
"I remember twenty years ago, during the session held in Star Luo City, before you were born, Jiujiu."
"The same Tiantong Military Soul Master Academy, the same team specializing in defense."
"They actually almost eliminated the Star Luo Royal Academy representative team of that session!"
"This session, their overall strength is even more powerful."
"Without using offensive seventh-level spirit tools, it's likely going to be hard to break through their defense."
Rest area.
"Let's go, Junior Brother, it's our turn to go on stage!"
"This match depends on the two of us."
Xiao Hongchen strode towards the competition stage.
Feng Tingting linked her arm with his left and walked beside him.
Huo Yuhao and Meng Hongchen followed behind the two, and behind them were Ma Rulong, Lin Xi, and Mi Jia.
Compared to the enthusiastic cheers Shrek Academy received, the shouts welcoming them were not as loud.
After all, they weren't in the Sun-Moon Empire, and the Spectators were very unfamiliar with them.
Seeing the four people in front, especially Huo Yuhao with his slightly youthful face.
The Spectators' whispers actually drowned out the cheers.
"Has the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy also been crippled by Evil Soul Masters?"
"How can such a young team beat Iron Bucket Academy?"
"Thinking about these kids holding fourth or fifth-rank Soul Tool Rays being ravaged by the soldiers of Iron Bucket Academy, I feel like laughing."
"Look at the smallest kid; does he even have rank thirty Soul Power?"
The people watching from atop the Imperial City walls also had similar questions.
"They have no reason to give up on themselves." Princess Xu Jiujiu of Star Luo was also full of doubt:
"Even if some of them can use offensive seventh-level spirit tools, adding a few more Fifth-Rank Soul Tool Masters to supplement the damage..."
"The output pressure wouldn't be that high!"
Xu Jiawei looked at the seven people walking towards the high platform, feeling that the main output for this match lay with the three in the back.
In the rest area, Xu Sanshi pouted towards Huo Yuhao below and said:
"That kid who was selling grilled fish earlier is on stage; I bet he won't even get a chance to act, he's just a pure decoration."
Tang Yin, Tang Ya, Zhou Yi, and the others looked down and agreed with Xu Sanshi's statement.
Finally, the high platform was right before them.
Xiao Hongchen did not step directly onto the platform, but turned to Huo Yuhao and winked:
"Yuhao, I'm counting on you. Don't worry about light pollution; just give me whatever special effects you've got!"
"In this match, we not only have to win, but win impressively! It will make it easier for your Sister Tingting to get enough attention!"
Huo Yuhao nodded firmly; this was the plan they had already decided on.
As the perennial runners-up, the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy representative team...
Whether they hid their trump cards or not, they were a subject of study for every powerhouse team.
Instead of being secretive and letting others use various means to ponder and test them...
It was better to openly display an invincible posture and, while they were at it, draw enough attention to Feng Tingting in the first match.
This was so that the characteristics of her Martial Soul could be utilized to their fullest extent.
Xiao Hongchen decided to Sacrifice himself by attracting everyone's attention to provide cover for Huo Yuhao and Ma Rulong.
All of the above was what Xiao Hongchen had said when they were arranging their tactics earlier.
He claimed he absolutely had no intention of showing off or acting like a badass on his own.
Everything was for the sake of serving the team.
Huo Yuhao expressed his understanding at the time; after all, there were many restrictions when using a Level 6 live ammunition soul tool sniper rifle.
Not to mention it mainly relied on teammates for charging.
As for him, the wielder of the gun, he was only a three-ring Spirit Elder.
He wouldn't underestimate the Spirit Ability system that the Original Three Douluo Kingdoms had developed for over ten thousand years.
There was no guarantee that some team wasn't hiding a trick.
Specifically waiting to ambush them.
Only then did Xiao Hongchen turn around again and step onto the high platform ahead with Feng Tingting.
The seven members of both sides gathered at their respective corners of the competition stage, looking at each other from a distance.
When the burly students of the Tiantong Military Soul Master Academy saw that the one leading the charge was a flashy pretty boy, who even brought along a beautiful female companion...
They couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
Where did I just end up?
Is this a dating scene?
The students of Tiantong Military Soul Master Academy immediately felt insulted and slighted, and they all began to clamor:
"Hey, pretty boy, just wait and see how this soldier grinds you into the dirt later!"
"And you, girl, you wouldn't want to see your boyfriend humiliated by us, would you?"
"Leave those two to me, I'll take them both out!"
Since most of them came from the military, their mouths were full of constant foul language.
Xiao Hongchen's smile remained unchanged, but a faint red light flickered in his eyes.
But a match was a match; a few lines of trash talk were enough, and the competition still had to begin.
The new referee sent by the Star Luo officials, whose strength had reached the level of a seven-ring Soul Saint, was already in position and made a gesture for both sides to come forward.
The seven students from both sides quickly gathered in the center of the field.
Up close, Huo Yuhao and the others could see the lumps of muscle on their opponents that looked like coiled dragons.
They were tall and broad-shouldered, with thick waists.
Even the tallest and largest on their own side, Ma Rulong, was slightly inferior to the opponent's average level in terms of physique alone.
The noise from the Spectator stands quieted down significantly.
From a distance, the students of Tiantong Military Soul Master Academy surpassed the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy side by more than just a bit in terms of size alone!
Almost everyone believed this would be a fierce battle.
Thus, Xiao Hongchen's cynical attitude made many people think there was something wrong with him.
After confirming that both sides understood the rules, the referee directed both sides to slowly pull back and create distance.
The white light screen formed by the 108 metal pillars instantly cascaded down, and with a command from the referee, the second match officially began!
On the Tiantong Military Soul Master Academy's side, the seven people did not spread out their formation, nor did they pay any attention to their positioning.
The first thing they did was release their Martial Souls and show their Spirit Rings!
Howls of various strange shapes rang out as Defense-type Beast Spirits possessed them one after another; even those without Beast Martial Souls followed suit with a few howls.
A large area of yellow and purple Spirit Rings appeared, along with three scattered black ones.
All the yellow Spirit Rings lit up simultaneously at the first moment.
Two bronze-colored halos of different sizes appeared beneath everyone's feet.
Huo Yuhao hid his Spirit Rings and swept out with Mental Detection...
He discovered that the patterns on these halos actually bore some resemblance to the Core Arrays commonly used in low-level soul tool barriers!
Not only that, these halos emitted highly synchronized Soul Power fluctuations.
They stacked and enhanced each other.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The constant sound of clothes bursting was mixed in with the strange cries, and the height of everyone on the Tiantong Military Soul Master Academy side shot up by several dozen centimeters.
Their skin was dyed a copper-green color, and there was even a faint tendency to repel Huo Yuhao's Mental Detection!
The seven did not spread out too far from each other and charged straight toward Xiao Hongchen and the others.
However, at this moment, no one would pay any attention to the situation of the Tiantong Military Soul Master Academy at all.
The gazes of almost all the observers were concentrated on the other side.
More accurately, they were all focused on Xiao Hongchen.
Xiao Hongchen laughed flippantly and snapped his fingers with his right hand.
Ting!
A yellow Spirit Ring rose; the speed of his finger snaps increased, and the speed at which the Spirit Rings appeared also suddenly accelerated.
Ting, ting, ting, ting, ting, ting!
Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Red, Red!
Seven Spirit Rings appeared with a configuration that surpassed almost everyone's understanding.
It was also at this moment that an indescribable, terrifying aura suddenly descended upon the competition stage.
The two blood-red Spirit Rings illuminated the entire competition stage in just an instant.
An aura filled with various terrifying flavors such as coldness, cruelty, slaughter, and madness suddenly erupted.
At the same time, Xiao Hongchen's aura also climbed steadily.
Level 37... Level 48... Level 64... Level 76!
The intense Soul Power fluctuations and the terrifying aura of the 100,000-year Spirit Rings were almost like a surging tide, causing the breathing of the seven charging people to hitch.
The steps they took became smaller unconsciously.
One must know, how many Spirit Douluos' dream was to possess a 100,000-year Spirit Ring as their ninth ring?
As long as a Titled Douluo possessed one 100,000-year Spirit Ring, they would have the foundation to push toward becoming a Super Douluo.
A youth who looked to be fifteen years old at most not only had a cultivation that had reached the level of a Soul Saint but even possessed two 100,000-year Spirit Rings!
To what extent was this beyond what an ordinary person could imagine?
Never mind them, even the Star Luo seven-ring Soul Saint who had just taken office and was acting as a referee for the first time was the same.
His first reaction was to turn tail and run.
If it weren't for the lesson learned from his predecessor still echoing in his mind, he would have already jumped off the soul fighting stage.
This referee was having some self-doubt: Am I worthy of being a referee for such a monstrous talent?
If he's unhappy later, he won't hit me too, will he?
Should I run when the time comes?
Exclamations rang out from hundreds of thousands of people simultaneously like a stormy sea.
That deafening sensation was truly too intense.
Even the Emperor, the Empress, and the civil and military officials of the Star Luo Empire on the city walls all stood up in shock in unison.
The first thought that arose in almost everyone's mind was that it was impossible.
How could such a young youth be a Soul Saint with two 100,000-year Spirit Rings?
However, the 100,000-year aura was so terrifying and so real.
The Soul Power fluctuations at the Soul Saint level could also hardly be faked.
Aside from the instigator Huo Yuhao, the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy, and other insiders...
There was one other person who believed it.
That was Tang Yin, who was sitting in the Spectator stands and had once also possessed a 100,000-year Spirit Ring as his sixth ring.
His first reaction was:
For a Spirit Emperor to want to absorb a 100,000-year Spirit Ring, there was only one possibility!
This fellow must have used his smooth tongue to trick some 100,000-year Soul Beast into sacrificing itself for him!