Chapter 257: Avengers All Traitors Must Die!
In truth, most people in the arena weren't particularly familiar with the actual strength of each academy. However, that didn't stop them from enthusiastically discussing and debating their predictions based on the students' appearances during the entrance procession. The atmosphere was lively and animated until Xue Qinghe announced the final match up.
"Preliminary Round, First Match: Heaven Dou Imperial Academy vs. Blue Tyrant Academy."
Instantly, the crowd erupted with cheers for Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Apart from a small minority, the majority of the spectators in attendance were residents of Heaven Dou City. Naturally, their enthusiasm for their city's academy was high, even though it had already been stated that the participating team was the second team.
However, to most civilians, even the second team was more than enough to match, or even surpass, other academies especially since Blue Tyrant Academy was also based in Heaven Dou City.
As for the other academies?
With the exception of the renowned elemental academies, the rest were just outsiders in the eyes of Heaven Dou's citizens country bumpkin teams, wandering beggars, here to seek fortune and entertainment for their noble masters.
They wouldn't dare say it out loud, but deep down, they thought it. After all, they couldn't afford to offend soul masters.
But if they were paying to watch the competition, was indulging in a little fantasy too much to ask?
"Alright, the first match of the preliminary round will now begin: Heaven Dou Imperial Academy vs. Blue Tyrant Academy.
All other academies, please exit the arena. The two competing teams should prepare themselves the match will officially begin in half an hour."
On the stands, Xue Qinghe completed his final task and simultaneously announced the beginning of the opening match.
The rest of the competing academies were led by officials to their designated spectator stands, leaving behind only Heaven Dou's second team and, some distance away, the Blue Tyrant Academy team.
The atmosphere in the waiting area was stifling.
Even the earlier exchange between Han Li and Ning Fengzhi had failed to lift their spirits.
Instead, in their minds, Dugu Yan coming to stir up trouble was definitely Han Li's doing.
To be fair, they weren't entirely wrong.
"Are you planning to forfeit?"
Ning Rongrong, noticing that the officials were approaching, finally spoke up.
Compared to the others, her mental state was on a completely different level.
She might not have cared much about the Soul Master Tournament, but she knew that the opening match concerned Heaven Dou Empire's prestige.
If they lost, even she would be affected even if only slightly.
Hearing Ning Rongrong's words, Oscar quickly chimed in to support her.
"Everyone, pull yourselves together! This is our first match we have to make a strong impression!"
"As for Tianshui Academy, we'll definitely face them later in the round robin stage. When the time comes, we'll defeat them!"
His voice wavered slightly he wasn't entirely confident but it was the best he could do.
Besides Dugu Yan and the other three, they already had information on Tianshui Academy.
According to reports, five of their team members had reached the Soul Ancestor level (40+), while the remaining two were at levels 38 and 39.
Although, aside from Vice Captain Shui Yue'er, the others were a bit older, they were still within the tournament's age limit.
Recruiting talented individuals was about overall potential, but winning matches was about pure strength.
No one forced them to participate in this tournament they had signed up voluntarily.
"Oscar is right. We'll settle things in the arena."
"But for now, we must focus. This is the opening match our first step onto the continental stage. We must make it a victory."
This time, it was Tang San who spoke.
He had finally snapped out of his dazed state and reconnected.
He had already buried the humiliation in his heart.
A gentleman's revenge is never too late!
With his talent, he would surpass all of them sooner or later.
And the names of Tianshui Academy's members had already been added to his Tang Sect kill list.
Of course, also on that list was a certain Holy Son of the Spirit Hall Han Li.
After all, Tang San had personally witnessed a Titled Douluo take him away from Notting City.
Spirit Hall…
And now, the betrayal of Zhu Zhuqing…
Han Li's name had risen even higher on Tang San's list of priorities.
But for now, the enemy was too powerful he had to endure.
The most important thing right now was the match that would begin in half an hour.
This was the first step in his rise he would not allow himself to fail.
As soon as Tang San finished speaking, Tai Long immediately chimed in.
He had kept his head down earlier, though he didn't really understand why.
But since Tang San had been feeling down, he had followed suit.
After all, that was the "secret technique" his grandfather had taught him.
Xiao Wu, meanwhile, forced herself to focus.
She didn't care about what Dugu Yan had said.
What truly upset her was that after Zhu Zhuqing appeared, she had never once even looked her way.
Still, seeing that Zhu Zhuqing was doing well, Xiao Wu tried to comfort herself.
That's fine.
Even if she had to choose again, she would still choose Tang San.
As for Ma Hongjun, he looked toward Flender, who sat alone in silence.
Unlike the others, to Ma Hongjun, Flender was not just his teacher, but his father figure.
If Oscar had been left to roam free, then Ma Hongjun had been raised in Flender's palm.
He could clearly see that Dugu Yan's words had shattered the once proud and confident Flender his mentor and academy leader.
After some hesitation, Ma Hongjun cautiously walked over.
"Teacher…"
"Don't let such trivial matters bother you, Tai Long. They're just a bunch of losers."
Tang San stepped forward, placing himself slightly ahead of Tai Long, directly facing the seven opponents whose eyes seemed to burn with fury.
Tai Long was his subordinate now.
And the ones standing across from him? They were merely the weak preying on the weaker what right did they have to be angry?
Resent Tai Long for abandoning them?
Ridiculous.
If they had worked harder, would they have remained at Blue Tyrant Academy?
Was it because they didn't want to enter Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?
No they simply weren't talented enough.
And whose fault was that?
"You're right, Young Master San."
At first hesitant to face his former teammates, Tai Long straightened up, gaining newfound confidence from Tang San's support.
His grandfather's decision had been the right one.
Since joining the Heaven Dou Second Team, he had realized that compared to his old teammates, the warriors under Tang San's leadership though not particularly friendly were undeniably more powerful and more talented.
Especially Tang San himself.
Just a week ago, when sparring, Tang San had effortlessly defeated him without even summoning his martial soul.
Such a mighty force was indeed worthy of his allegiance.
His spine straightened further.
They would crush their opponents and make them face reality.
Meanwhile, up above, the host had finished his introduction, and the camera angle shifted to the arena.
The referee, standing at the center of the two teams, observed their intense standoff with satisfaction before stepping forward.
"Both teams, bow and prepare for the match."
Neither side was particularly willing, but once on stage, they had to follow the rules.
After a reluctant nod toward each other, the referee glanced at both teams.
"Preliminary Round, First Match Begin!"
With that, he retreated to the side, and both teams quickly moved into position.
Like in traditional Spirit Arena matches, each team was given one minute to summon their martial souls a moment that also served as a spectacle for the audience.
With cold eyes locked onto his opponents, Tang San extended his right hand and shouted:
"Brothers, release your martial souls!"
Yes because of his status, Tang San was the official captain of this team.
As a Star Luo Empire prince, Dai Mubai could never be the core leader it wasn't allowed.
The moment both sides released their martial souls, revealing their spirit rings, gasps of shock rippled through the audience.
Standing at the very front, Tang San displayed an unprecedented combination of rings two yellow, one purple, and one black.
"A ten thousand year fourth ring?!"
In the VIP section, Emperor Xue Ye froze in surprise before his voice rang out, filled with excitement.
He immediately turned to Xue Qinghe, then shifted his gaze to the three major education officials, as if questioning them for an explanation.
Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue) frowned.
She had no idea about this.
But she was certain Han Li must have known.
And yet, he never told her.
After this match, she would definitely confront him about it.
But for now, she turned her gaze toward the three great deans.
Dream God Machine, caught under the weight of their stares, hesitated because he didn't know either.
The last report Flender submitted had shown that Tang San had just reached Level 37 a month ago.
Now he was suddenly a Soul Ancestor (Level 40)?
And his fourth ring was ten thousand years old?!
If he had known, he definitely would have reported it immediately.
He was fully aware of what this meant.
What he didn't know was that Flender had originally planned to use this reveal to win favor today but after what had happened earlier, he had completely lost the will to care.
Thus, Dream God Machine had no choice but to answer awkwardly:
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I am also unaware of the details. Before the tournament, they only mentioned they had a 'surprise.' I did not expect it to be something of this magnitude."
"Your Majesty, regardless of the situation, this is indeed a great surprise, is it not? And it comes from our academy! Just look at the audience's reaction.
Perhaps we should watch the match first, and afterward, summon Tang San for questioning?"
One of the deans, Bai Baoshan, quickly attempted to smooth things over.
Xue Ye nodded but subtly shifted his gaze toward Ning Fengzhi and Yu Yuanzhen, who were discreetly eavesdropping, as well as toward Han Li, who still wore that unreadable smile.
After a moment of thought, the emperor shook his head.
"No need to summon him. Let them focus on their matches. If this is meant to be a surprise, let them reveal it on their own after the preliminaries.
In the meantime, I want him under strict protection.
No one is to contact him."
The three education officials exchanged glances before realizing his meaning.
That "no one" included their so called allies.
They nodded in agreement, deciding that the moment the match ended, they would assign guards to Tang San.
What they didn't know was that among all the power players present, the only one truly interested in Tang San was Yu Yuanzhen.
Salas, despite being surprised by the ten thousand year fourth ring, simply saw it as proof of Tang San's exceptional spiritual power something already known among Spirit Hall's upper ranks.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, on the other hand, knew about Tang San's background and had no thoughts of abducting him.
Instead, they merely considered whether they could negotiate with Tang Hao in the future to obtain the secret of such a powerful spirit ring configuration.
As for Han Li and Xue Qinghe?
They were completely indifferent.
Thus, despite the various schemes playing out in everyone's minds, the VIP section remained eerily peaceful.
Meanwhile, back on the stage, the scene was quite different.
Aside from Xiao Wu and Tai Long, who had already known, both the Blue Tyrant Academy team and Ning Rongrong's group were utterly stunned.
"When did Tang San reach Level 40?!"
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