Chapter 381: Tang Sect vs. Holy Spirit Sect
Bei Bei gazed at Tang Ya's indifferent expression, his heart aching. She had once been such a cheerful girl, but now, the wicked Holy Spirit Church had turned her into this.
Judging by her current demeanor, he couldn't shake the feeling that she had truly fallen and become an Evil Soul Master.
But Evil Soul Masters were bloodthirsty, merciless killers.
Tang Ya had been away from him for years had she murdered innocent people in that time? That was still an unknown.
Of course, even if she had, he could never bring himself to harm her.
After all, she was his beloved.
"Xiao Ya, just wait for me. No matter what, I will bring you out of that hellish Holy Spirit Church."
Spectator Stand
Xu Tianran turned to Jing Hongchen and asked, "Hall Master Hongchen, who do you think will win today's match Tang Sect or Holy Spirit Sect?"
Jing Hongchen immediately cupped his hands in a respectful gesture. "Your Highness, in my opinion, the victors will undoubtedly be the Holy Spirit Sect.
Their techniques are not simple, especially when it comes to soul tools. Tang Sect will be at an absolute disadvantage."
Xu Tianran nodded slightly. "You and I think alike. According to intelligence reports, while Tang Sect's team consists mostly of Shrek Academy students, their strongest member Bei Bei has been severely injured and is unable to compete.
This means their strength has been greatly diminished.
My advisors predict that Tang Sect will be completely crushed by the Holy Spirit Sect today."
In truth, he despised the Holy Spirit Church.
Even though they had disguised themselves as the Holy Spirit Sect to compete, it didn't change the fact that they were a filthy group of Evil Soul Masters.
He only tolerated them because they were useful.
If the Holy Spirit Sect won, they would advance to the finals. Meanwhile, the Sun Moon Academy was expected to defeat the Snow Demon Sect, ensuring a Sun Moon vs. Holy Spirit championship match.
With Huo Yuhao's strength, he was confident that the Sun Moon Academy would emerge victorious.
And that would give him leverage at the negotiation table he could squeeze more benefits out of the Holy Spirit Church.
After all, his deal with Zhongli Wu was simple:
If the Holy Spirit Sect won the championship, he would do everything in his power to remove Kong Deming's opposition, ensuring that the Holy Spirit Church became the Empire's official state religion and that Zhongli Wu was named the Imperial Preceptor.
Jing Hongchen thought this was a bit of an exaggeration.
Sure, Tang Sect was up against Evil Soul Masters, but they were still Shrek students there was no way they would be crushed that easily.
However, Xu Tianran was the Regent.
Jing Hongchen didn't want to offend him, so he simply smiled and said, "Your Highness is most wise."
Huo Yuhao, who was sitting in the stands, listened to their conversation and quietly disagreed.
Holy Spirit Sect was strong, and under normal circumstances, they should win.
But there was one unpredictable factor Tang San's divine consciousness.
If Wang Dong were ever in mortal danger, Tang San would intervene without hesitation.
Given the brutal nature of Evil Soul Masters and the ongoing feud between Shrek Academy and the Holy Spirit Church, Wang Dong was highly likely to be targeted in the individual elimination rounds.
Even though there was a referee, that didn't guarantee Wang Dong's safety.
Of course, Wang Dong might also be ruthless toward the Holy Spirit Sect, especially now that Bei Bei was injured and unable to fight.
Eliminating as many Holy Spirit members as possible would increase Tang Sect's chances in the team battle.
Suddenly, Xu Tianran spoke again:
"By the way, Hall Master Hongchen, don't you think that Tang Sect's He Caitou looks like he has noble Sun Moon blood? His skin is far too dark it makes him look more like a noble from our Empire than someone from the Three Empires of Douluo."
In the Sun Moon Empire, not all nobles had dark skin but all dark skinned people were nobles.
That had been the case since the Empire was founded.
Jing Hongchen had also noticed He Caitou's skin tone long ago.
After all, he had personally expelled He Caitou from Mingde Hall when he was caught stealing blueprints.
That incident had left a strong impression on him.
"Indeed, I've always thought He Caitou resembles a Sun Moon noble.
Perhaps he really does have noble blood.
And since he's Tang Sect's strongest soul engineer, I imagine he will be their main fighter today."
Tournament Stage
The referee, holding a soul tool amplifier, made the announcement:
"The first match of the individual elimination round is about to begin! Holy Spirit Sect and Tang Sect, please send your first competitors!"
The audience focused their attention on the stage.
Many of them were eager to see Tang Sect fight, not because of their legacy, but because the organizers had announced that Tang Sect consisted of Shrek students.
This essentially made them Shrek's second team.
Although Shrek's reputation had plummeted in the Sun Moon Empire due to Elder Xuan's scandal, its history and accomplishments still made it worth watching.
Wang Dong flapped his butterfly like wings and flew onto the stage.
Jing Hongchen was slightly surprised.
"Tang Sect didn't send He Caitou first? Why not start strong and build momentum?"
"Why Wang Dong?"
Jing Hongchen knew little about Wang Dong.
All he knew was that the boy was stunningly attractive, even more so than his own grandson, Xiao Hongchen.
As Wang Dong took the stage, the female spectators those who cared more about looks than battle prowess cheered wildly.
Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit Sect sent out their first fighter a short man with sinister green eyes, exuding a dark and eerie aura.
He looked like anything but a decent person.
The referee raised his hand.
"Both sides, state your names!"
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