Chapter 250: Prelude
The next day.
When Dai Yao opened the door, the eight members of the Oakland team immediately turned to look at him, their faces lighting up with smiles.
"You're all up early," Dai Yao remarked, glancing around before closing the door behind him. He smiled faintly, his expression calm and composed, as though this was just another ordinary day.
His unshakable demeanor instantly reassured his teammates, calming the nervous and restless energy that had gripped them.
Jackson looked at Dai Yao, then at the rest of the Oakland team, his eyes filled with warmth.
Though Dai Yao was undeniably the most outstanding member of the Oakland team, Jackson, as their mentor, never allowed his brilliance to overshadow the unique strengths of each member.
Feng Qianli's steady leadership, Dai Yuanyi's hidden depth behind his carefree facade, Luo Ling and Luo Feng's tireless dedication to their roles, and Dou Yu's ability to accept his limitations gracefully—all contributed to the team's collective story. They were bound together by a shared academy and a common dream: to strive for the ultimate glory in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
Clearing his throat to draw their attention, Jackson smiled and said:
"Children, making it this far has already exceeded my expectations. Whether you win or lose today doesn't matter—just give it your all and return safely."
"You are the finest generation Oakland Academy has ever seen. I don't want your drive for victory to lead to injuries or impact your future."
"The tournament is important, yes, but it's just one beautiful chapter in your lives. Greater things lie ahead."
As Jackson spoke, a hint of moisture glistened in the corners of his eyes. Noticing this, he quickly turned away and added with a chuckle:
"Let's have breakfast first. Then you can head to the match."
Following Jackson's gesture, they saw the large dining table laid out with a sumptuous feast, its enticing aroma filling the room.
Despite the temptation, no one was particularly hungry after last night's celebratory feast following their victory over Shrek Academy and their advancement to the finals. Dai Yao stepped forward with a smile and politely declined:
"Grandpa Jackson, we're not too hungry right now. Let's leave the food for later—we'll handle the match and come back soon."
His lighthearted tone caught Jackson off guard. It was as if they weren't about to compete in the highly anticipated finals but rather a routine sparring session.
Seeing Dai Yao's confident demeanor, Jackson glanced at the other Oakland members and couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright then. The food's still hot, and it'll be just right when you return. I'll wait for your good news."
The team answered in unison before Feng Qianli, filled with bravado, took the lead and shouted:
"Let's go!"
Just like the day before, they walked along the long streets. This time, however, the heavy burden from yesterday was gone. Step by step, under the watchful eyes of countless guards, they ascended toward the Papal Palace—a symbol of Spirit Hall's supreme authority.
Bathed in the morning sunlight, the Papal Palace seemed like a divine abode. With each step Dai Yao took up the stone staircase, his desire to win grew stronger.
Victory wasn't just about the three spirit bones at stake. It was about the resources Spirit Hall would invest in him, the future achievements he could attain, and his ultimate goal of toppling the Star Luo Empire.
To accomplish this, he needed a prominent position in Spirit Hall. Today's victory was the first step on that path.
For him, failure was not an option.
As the Oakland team climbed to within a few hundred steps of the Papal Palace, seven silhouettes became visible above them, standing against the golden morning light.
The group's hearts tightened as they instantly recognized who they were.
Exchanging determined glances, they silently cheered themselves on. Facing the hostile gazes of Spirit Hall's team, they steadily climbed the final 100 steps, meeting their adversaries' stares head-on without flinching.
Xie Yue's sharp gaze landed on Dai Yao, a hint of confidence flashing in his eyes. Sweeping his gaze dismissively over Dai Yao's teammates, he smirked.
"Dai Yao, today's match is a team battle, not a solo performance. No matter how strong you are individually, there's no way you can carry a group of weaklings like them to victory against us!"
The members of Spirit Hall's team burst into laughter. Indeed, Dai Yao's astonishing performance yesterday had left them wary.
But the gap between Dai Yao and his teammates was evident, and the presence of a single auxiliary Soul Elder among them only fueled their ridicule.
However, Xie Yue's mockery failed to provoke the expected anger from the Oakland team. Instead, Feng Qianli calmly stepped forward, met Xie Yue's gaze, and said with a smile:
"Captain Xie Yue, I believe we'll use our strength to change your perception."
Spirit Hall's team was momentarily stunned, while Dai Yao smiled knowingly. He was confident in his teammates' abilities—they were, after all, among the finest of their generation. His brilliance merely overshadowed them.
After a brief silence, Xie Yue chuckled and replied, "Alright, then. We'll be waiting."
"Let's go, brothers!"
Xie Yue barked, then exchanged a subtle glance with Hu Liena. Both smirked slightly.
The Spirit Hall team had spent an entire night strategizing against Dai Yao. His individual prowess was undeniable, with three overpowered abilities: the self-created technique Ba Ji Collapse, his fourth skill White Tiger Thunderstrike, and the toxic capabilities of his external soul bone.
The poison was manageable as long as they were cautious, but Ba Ji Collapse and White Tiger Thunderstrike were terrifying. With sufficient preparation, either could annihilate their entire team.
Fortunately, both had a glaring weakness: they required continuous buildup. Preventing Dai Yao from building momentum would render those abilities ineffective.
Both teams turned their attention away from each other as they stepped onto the grand platform in front of the Papal Palace. A mutual determination to win burned within them, and the tension between them grew palpable.
The lineup of spectators before the Papal Palace was unparalleled in grandeur.
Papal Pontiff Bibi Dong stood at the forefront, accompanied by four of the seven Title Douluos who had fought against Tang Hao. Behind her were Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Spirit Kite Douluo, and Serpent Spear Douluo.
Even more striking was a man dressed in gold and silver robes, his handsome appearance exuding an air of authority. Standing just half a step behind Bibi Dong, his position alone spoke of his immense prestige, surpassing even the Title Douluos.
This was Qingluan Douluo, the third-ranked worshiper of Spirit Hall.
His gaze was fixed on Feng Wutong, eager to see how she would perform after receiving his guidance.
On the other side stood prominent figures from other factions: Ning Fengzhi, the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; Sword Douluo Chen Xin, the continent's strongest offensive Soul Master; and Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo—all silently awaiting the match.
Spirit Hall's two platinum bishops, Ferdinand and Salas, also sat among the honored guests.
And those unqualified to sit, who formed the largest group, were all at least Soul Sage-level Red-robed Cardinals. Among them, there were even several Soul Douluo, numbering more than a hundred. This alone highlighted the importance Spirit Hall placed on this match.
Aside from the reclusive super Douluos of the Worship Hall who rarely involved themselves in worldly affairs, nearly all of Spirit Hall's upper echelon was present. Each of these individuals was the type of figure whose mere presence could make a duchy or kingdom tremble.
Yet here, they showed no trace of their usual arrogance. Their faces were solemn, and silence reigned among them.
Amid this tense and quiet atmosphere, the crisp sound of footsteps echoed from the stone steps. The slightly relaxed gazes of the spectators immediately sharpened, their eyes all turning toward the source of the sound.
Though none of them released their soul power, the sheer pressure cultivated over years of dominance emanated from their piercing gazes. It surged from all directions, engulfing the two approaching teams like a tidal wave.
"This must be the majority of Spirit Hall's top brass," Dai Yao thought as he scanned his surroundings. His breathing quickened, and his palms clenched tightly. The overwhelming presence of these figures added an undeniable weight to the match.
A Red-robed Cardinal, serving as the referee, stepped forward and announced in a loud voice:
"The final match of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is about to begin. Both teams, prepare yourselves! The match will officially start in one quarter-hour!"
Each team retreated to their respective rest areas. The seven members of Oakland gathered in a circle. Dai Yao took out a Dragon Ganoderma Leaf, a herb known for its restorative properties. He consumed a portion himself and distributed the rest among his teammates.
After ingesting the herb, everyone felt a surge of mental clarity. Feng Qianli clenched his fists as he stared at Spirit Hall's team, once an unreachable peak in his mind. Turning back, he said with a hint of concern:
"Dai Yao, are you sure you'll be alright?"
"I'll be fine." Dai Yao nodded firmly.
Last night, the team had devised their strategy against Spirit Hall's formidable lineup:
The plan divided the battlefield into three fronts.
The most critical and intense front would be Dai Yao versus Hu Liena and Xie Yue with their Martial Soul Fusion Skill. The outcome of this battle would likely determine the match.The second front involved Feng Wutong and Zhu Zhuqing against Yan, the remaining member of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. While it was two Soul Ancestors against a Soul King—one of the strongest Soul Kings at that—Feng Wutong and Zhu Zhuqing's exceptional martial souls and soul ring configurations gave them a fighting chance.The third front featured Dugu Yan, Feng Qianli, Dai Yuanyi, and Luo Ling against Spirit Hall's four other members.
Though Spirit Hall's remaining four weren't as fearsome as the Golden Generation, they were still all Soul Ancestors above level 45. On Oakland's side, none of the four had reached level 45, and one was even an auxiliary Soul Elder, Luo Ling.
This disparity in power seemed insurmountable. Yet Dugu Yan, as a control-type Soul Master, was the key to this front. Without Hu Liena present, Spirit Hall's team had no control-type Soul Master to counter her. Her poison could disrupt and weaken the enemy, creating opportunities for her teammates to attack effectively.
Every battlefield was crucial. A single failure on any front could trigger a chain reaction, leading to the collapse of their strategy and ultimate defeat.
"We're ready too!"
Oakland's members looked to Feng Qianli with firm determination.
Feng Qianli nodded and extended his hand. Dai Yao followed suit, placing his hand over Feng Qianli's. One by one, Dugu Yan, Feng Wutong, Zhu Zhuqing, Luo Ling, and Dai Yuanyi joined in.
Dou Yu and Luo Feng hesitated, unsure if they should join. But when they looked up, they saw their teammates staring at them in mock disapproval.
"What's this? Why aren't you joining in? Are you not part of our team?" Feng Qianli asked with feigned anger.
Exchanging a glance, Dou Yu and Luo Feng grinned and placed their hands on top. Together, the group shouted:
"Oakland, victory is ours!"
"The match begins now! Both teams, enter the arena!"
The Red-robed Cardinal announced, signaling both teams to step onto the Soul Battle Stage. After a brief ceremonial bow, they assumed their combat stances.
"Activate Martial Souls!"
Xie Yue glanced disdainfully at Oakland's team and waved his hand.
At his command, the seven members of Spirit Hall unleashed their martial souls simultaneously. A powerful surge of soul power erupted as their soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black—lit up in perfect rhythm.
The sight of the Golden Generation's optimal configuration sent a ripple of awe through the observing Cardinals.
"Worthy of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation," some murmured in approval.
Behind them, the other four members displayed their yellow-yellow-purple-purple configurations. Their resolve was evident—they had tasted defeat at Dai Yao's hands the previous day and vowed not to lose again.
"Phew—"
Dai Yao exhaled deeply. He noticed that ever since Spirit Hall's team had activated their martial souls, his teammates' breathing had become heavier under the immense pressure.
Taking the lead, Dai Yao shouted, "Let's activate our martial souls too!"
A phoenix's cry, a tiger's roar, shimmering lights, and sharp sword energy erupted in response. Though Oakland's overall aura was slightly weaker than Spirit Hall's, it was still formidable.
Yet the sight of an auxiliary Soul Elder in their lineup drew murmurs of disbelief among the Cardinals.
"No matter how strong Dai Yao is, his teammates are too weak…"
Oakland's formation placed Dai Yao at the forefront, with Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong behind him. The backline consisted of Feng Qianli, Dugu Yan, and the remaining four members.
"Begin!"
The Red-robed Cardinal gave the signal and swiftly exited the arena.
The instant his words fell, the battlefield erupted into chaos.
Xie Yue wielded his twin moon blades while Hu Liena transformed, a fluffy fox tail sprouting from her back. Her seductive aura filled the air, captivating many male spectators. Yet she dared not target Dai Yao with her mental attacks after yesterday's lessons.
With a glance at Xie Yue, the two charged at Dai Yao from opposite sides, their coordination seamless.
Dai Yao knew this would be the final and most pivotal battle. Holding nothing back, he immediately activated his third soul skill: White Tiger Golden Transformation. His body swelled, muscles bulging as he took on the form of a human tiger.
Golden patterns coiled around his hands as he stomped the ground and launched himself toward Xie Yue and Hu Liena like a cannonball.
The true battle for supremacy had begun.
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