Grandmaster Yu and the Pope had a falling out, and the crime of impersonating an elder landed him in prison.
Regarding this matter, the people of Shrek Academy were unaware.
Tang San was still eagerly awaiting the triumphant return of Yu Xiaogang, the omnipotent Grandmaster—or more precisely, waiting for the convoy to arrive at Spirit Hall City to reunite with Grandmaster Yu.
From him, he would obtain the cultivation method for Twin Martial Souls.
And ultimately, he would claim the championship glory in the finals at Spirit Hall City.
"San'ge, what's wrong?"
Seeing Tang San lost in thought, Xiao Wu asked curiously.
"I was thinking about the finals in Spirit Hall City. I wonder how many genius students from the Star Luo Empire and Spirit Hall have advanced to the finals."
Tang San snapped out of his daze, a warm smile appearing on his face.
"The finals!" Xiao Wu fell silent, her face tinged with worry. "Ge, can we really win the championship?"
It wasn't that Xiao Wu lacked confidence, but this Elite Soul Master Tournament had been downright unfair.
Especially Gu Yuena from the Blazing Wind team, who had ruthlessly shattered the Slaughter Domain and defeated her brother in a single move.
Such despicable behavior was nothing short of a death sentence in her eyes.
"We can win." Tang San patted Xiao Wu's shoulder, his tone firm. "No matter what dangers lie ahead, your brother will stand by your side."
"I believe that with the united will of the Shrek Six Devils, we will surely claim the championship."
Tang San had some confidence—it wasn't just empty bravado.
Not long ago, Tang Chen had sent him a message.
Tang Chen, the former invincible Title Douluo of the Clear Sky Clan, would lead members of the Clear Sky Clan to spectate the tournament and had even decided to hand over the Asura God's Sword—the weapon of the Asura God's Trial—to him in advance.
With the Asura God's Sword as a soul tool in the tournament, Tang San was brimming with confidence.
Aside from him, a participant in the Asura God's Trial—
Who else?
Who else could wield a divine artifact in the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament?
With the Asura God's Sword in hand, he would slaughter his way through effortlessly.
The reason he had lost in the qualifiers was partly due to his own carelessness. After all, they had already secured advancement, and there was no need to compete for first place against the Glazed Academy.
Who would've thought the Blazing Wind Academy would have no sense of honor? Even after qualifying, they had to unleash a dark horse to humiliate them.
This was just ridiculous—why not save their secret weapon for the finals?
But this was fine.
At least he now knew Blazing Wind's trump card, which counted as a gain.
Tang San lifted the curtain of the carriage, peering through the gap at the convoy ahead.
Hundreds of meters away, a luxurious carriage engraved with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda emblem was surrounded and guarded by the Imperial Knights.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Clan… Our battle is far from over. The finals will be the true deciding ground."
"I, Tang San, will prove the might of the Clear Sky Clan."
Beyond that, Tang San also harbored an ambition.
By leveraging the prestige of winning the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament's championship, he would lay a solid foundation for the future establishment of the Tang Sect—a sect meant to save all living beings.
Currently, the continent was at peace.
That was only because all factions had tacitly agreed not to stir trouble during the tournament.
But Tang San had a vague premonition that after this tournament, the Heaven Dou Empire might witness a major upheaval.
For example—war!
As long as war broke out, he could seize the opportunity to nourish his ambitions. With the Tang Sect's unparalleled hidden weapons—
He would carve out the Tang Sect's reputation in this otherworldly land.
...
Under the escort of the Heaven Dou Imperial Knights, the convoy traveled for several more days.
Ning Rongrong had also received news about the finals from Ning Fengzhi and was now briefing everyone in the Glazed Academy's carriage.
"The Glazed Academy's goal is the championship!" Ning Rongrong's gaze fell upon the tall young man sitting beside Ye Lingling. "Our harem protagonist, Ning Tian—do you have confidence?"
Hearing this, Ning Tian's forehead darkened with lines as he retorted:
"The Glazed Academy only has one male—me—but I'm not some harem protagonist, nor do I have my father's strange… cough."
Ning Tian, who had nearly blurted out his father's peculiar hobby of purchasing cat-girl slaves, swallowed his words when he noticed everyone staring at him.
Wuwuwu—
Ning Rongrong has corrupted me! I used to respect Father so much…
"Rongrong, the Glazed Academy still has a long way to go if we want to win! Rumor has it that this year's Spirit Hall team is far stronger than before. We must be cautious." Ning Tian stiffly changed the subject.
"Boosting others' morale while dampening our own." Ye Lingling muttered under her breath.
Ning Tian: "..."
I'm just being realistic, okay?!
This year's tournament's overall strength far surpasses previous editions…
In the past, Soul Ancestors could shine brilliantly, and Soul Kings were as rare as hundred-thousand-year soul bones.
But now…
The Shrek team, which had been utterly crushed by the Blazing Wind Academy's one-versus-seven sweep, had two Soul Kings from the Clear Sky Clan.
Were Clear Sky Clan Soul Kings the same as rogue Soul Kings?
Even if they poured all their intelligence points into their hammers, they still stood no chance.
"I say, what are you afraid of?"
Ning Rongrong sighed. Her brother was ridiculously cautious.
Even when going out, he carried a seventh-rank soul tool—even if he didn't use it, he'd let it gather dust in his storage space.
"This tournament's finals allow participants to use soul tools."
"You mean… that thing can be used?!" Ning Tian's voice rose, his face flushing with excitement. Even a support-type soul master had the heart of a damage dealer.
Hadn't he studied soul tool fabrication so diligently precisely so he could fight head-on?
That was what a real man did!
Someone like Ning Fengzhi, who acted like a delicate maiden hiding behind two Title Douluo and shouting "Amazing," was something only Ning Rongrong would do.
It didn't suit Ning Tian's personality at all.
A real man fights head-on!
Let's see who's tougher.
"I don't know what you're imagining."
Seeing Ning Tian growing increasingly excited, his neck stiffening like a monkey's butt, Ning Rongrong cut him off.
"This tournament is jointly hosted by the Seven Treasure Glazed Clan and Spirit Hall. You could say the Seven Treasure Glazed Clan is the angel investor…"
This tournament was significantly different from previous editions.
A certain Clan Leader Ning, in order to promote the future Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda's reputation across the Douluo Continent, had negotiated with Spirit Hall to co-host this tournament.
All non-combat-type soul tools appearing in Heaven Dou, Star Luo, and even Spirit Hall's events were provided by the Seven Treasure Glazed Clan—more precisely, by the 85th-ranked Soul Douluo and Soul Tool Pavilion Master, Lou Gao.
According to Ning Fengzhi's intentions, the Seven Treasure Glazed Clan no longer needed to hide its edge too much.
In simple terms—they were building momentum.
Spirit Hall, on the other hand, was also in full agreement.
They, too, were building momentum—likely for Qian Renxue's sake.
Up until now, Ning Rongrong still couldn't gauge Qian Renxue's strength.
It seemed to have been deliberately concealed.
The only one capable of such a thing was probably that person from the Star Dou Great Forest.
As for the Clear Sky Clan, their proposal to allow soul tools was likely meant to pave the way for their resurgence and to build momentum for the next Clear Sky Clan heir, Tang San—though mainly for the Clear Sky Clan itself.
Perhaps they also believed that with the Asura God's Sword, Tang San would be utterly invincible in the tournament.
With all three parties acting in tacit agreement, this year's tournament introduced rule changes unseen in many years.
For example, every match in the finals at Spirit Hall City would be broadcast live across the entire continent.