With Shrek Academy defeating the New Divine Wind Team, they finally entered the top three. The other two teams were the Spirit Hall Team and the Star Luo Royal Academy Team, both widely regarded as the strongest contenders.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Shrek's victory over the New Divine Wind Team was due to superior tactics. In terms of raw strength, the win wouldn't have come so easily, or might not have happened at all.
Observers gave Yu Xiaogang and Qin Ming strange looks, some admiring, some respectful, and others puzzled. After all, reaching the finals, no team would normally risk changing its lineup.
But the coach and assistant coach of Shrek were bold enough to do just that, swapping out two Soul Sect-level members in favor of Ye Lingling, who had never even appeared in the tournament before.
Yu Xiaogang seemed to enjoy the attention, while Yang Xiong didn't seem to care. As he had said, the New Divine Wind Academy lost its edge, and wasn't that difficult to beat. The real challenge now lay in the remaining two top-tier teams. It was unclear what tactics Yu Xiaogang could come up with next.
So far in the tournament, Yu Xiaogang had never introduced any "Seven-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Technique," so it seemed unlikely that the most dazzling moment from the original story would appear here.
While everyone else was tense, Yang Xiong spent the evening drinking with Feng Xiaotian, who dragged him out for drinks. Even Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu, who were always nearby, were absent.
The two of them seemed to connect on some level. Feng Xiaotian pursued love recklessly, caring nothing for public opinion. Yang Xiong, on the other hand, calculated everything carefully, almost overly cautious and hesitant in his decisions.
Yang Xiong envied Feng Xiaotian's carefree nature, his willingness to love and hate without restraint, pursuing his goals at all costs.
As they drank more, it was like a barrier broke between them. Yang Xiong teased Feng Xiaotian for being a simping fool who'd lost himself, while Feng Xiaotian mocked Yang Xiong for overthinking things at such a young age, lacking the vitality of youth.
They praised and roasted each other in turn, resulting in a night full of laughter.
Three days passed quickly, and the final round of the competition was about to begin. The atmosphere was electric. After all, this place was known as the most sacred ground. But Yu Xiaogang's bloodshot eyes suggested he hadn't slept in days, probably racking his brain for strategies against the two strongest teams.
Among the three finalist teams, the Spirit Hall Team appeared the most relaxed and excited. They clearly had full confidence in their strength and complete faith in the Hall of the Pope.
The Star Luo Royal Academy Team, on the other hand, was solemn. Each member exuded a rebellious, unyielding aura, especially Dai Wei Shi, who looked like a challenger ready to defy expectations.
Yang Xiong observed carefully. Dai Wei Shi and Zhu Zhuyun looked very much like Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. Dai Wei Shi also had golden hair and a handsome, unruly face, but he appeared more composed and deep.
Zhu Zhuyun was more voluptuous and mature, lacking Zhu Zhuqing's youthful innocence.
Shrek's members had varied expressions. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing looked nervous. Yu Tianheng still carried his usual arrogance. Tang San appeared calm, while the others were visibly fired up.
The three finalist teams stood silently outside the gates of the Hall of the Pope, the venue for the final round.
The atmosphere was extremely solemn. Even the high-ranking soul masters remained unusually quiet.
At that moment, the grand doors of the Hall of the Pope swung open. Eight red-clad bishops led the way, and the one in front announced loudly, "Her Holiness the Pope arrives!"
All members of the Spirit Hall shouted in unison, "Long live Her Holiness the Pope!"
Their voices roared like a tidal wave, echoing through the entire city of Spirit Hall. It was evident that everyone deeply respected and fervently admired the Pope. Yang Xiong felt a chill. This fanaticism reminded him of cult followers on Earth.
A group emerged from the hall. Leading them was a woman wearing a golden crown and holding a scepter, Pope Bibi Dong.
She was stunningly beautiful, but what stood out even more was the overwhelming aura she exuded, majestic and terrifying.
Behind her were four others: Sword Douluo, Ning Fengzhi, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo.
Yang Xiong was especially intrigued by Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo. Chrysanthemum Douluo's martial soul was the rare Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, a high-level plant-based soul, while Ghost Douluo radiated an eerie black aura, shrouded in mystery.
As soon as the five appeared, all members of Spirit Hall, soul masters, palace guards, even bishops, dropped to one knee and called out, "Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!"
Even the Spirit Hall Team knelt.
But neither the Star Luo nor Shrek teams knelt. They represented the two great empires and had no obligation to the Spirit Hall.
Strangely, Bibi Dong's severe expression softened.
"Rise."
Instantly, all Spirit Hall members stood in perfect sync, showing a remarkable sense of order.
Yang Xiong kept his gaze locked on Bibi Dong. In both his past and current lives, she had always drawn polarizing opinions, gifted, powerful, ruthless, and ambitious.
But right now, he couldn't think clearly. Her presence overwhelmed him, like a venomous serpent or a deadly poppy flower: beautiful, yet fatally toxic.
Bibi Dong smiled as she addressed the crowd.
"I see the hope of the soul master world in you. I hope you all display your talents and strength. The ultimate victor will receive the grand reward."
With a wave of her hand, three glowing objects appeared before her, baby-sized bones glowing with irresistible light.
Everyone's eyes widened, even top experts in the crowd were visibly excited.
These were soul bones, the ultimate prize for the champion of the tournament. The atmosphere instantly reached a fever pitch.
Ghost Douluo spoke in a deep voice: "These three soul bones are: the Wisdom Skull of Spiritual Condensation, the Flame Right Arm of Explosive Burn, and the Wind-Chasing Left Leg of Swift Advance. All come from ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts and are top-tier treasures. Especially the head bone, it's a true masterpiece."
Yang Xiong's gaze darkened. It wasn't that he didn't covet them, but these soul bones were clearly meant for the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
Throughout the tournament, the Golden Generation had only shown a fraction of their strength, yet effortlessly crushed every team they faced, a clear show of dominance.
Especially the Martial Soul Fusion technique "Enchanting Illusion" used by Xie Yue and Hu Liena. It combined mental attacks with overwhelming combat power, strong enough to challenge even a low-level Soul Emperor.
Over the years, Yang Xiong had searched through countless books but never found what the mythical Autumn Dew Tear looked like. Even after cultivating the Purple Demon Eye, his spiritual power had only reached the Soul King level, and he himself was just a 39th-level Soul Ancestor.
As for Tang San, Yang Xiong believed their Purple Demon Eye abilities were about equal, though his own spiritual power should be slightly stronger due to having a body-type martial soul. Yet even he couldn't see through the red mist, others stood no chance. The only ones who might stand a chance were Dai Wei Shi and Zhu Zhuyun with their Nether White Tiger fusion.
While Yang Xiong was deep in thought, Bibi Dong spoke again.
"There will be only one champion. These three soul bones will go to the final winner. I hope all three teams will give their all."
"This morning will be the seven-member individual elimination match. The winner will earn a spot in tomorrow's final. The losing teams will compete this afternoon. Let the matches begin."
Everyone already knew the rules. Each team would send a representative for the draw. Shrek chose Shi Mo.
Everyone had thought through the implications of the morning match.
Spirit Hall was the strongest. They were expected to dominate the solo matches, with three Soul Kings and others above level 45.
Star Luo had strong individuals too. Dai Wei Shi was at level 49, but apart from him and Zhu Zhuyun, the rest were only at levels 42 or 43, a large gap.
Shrek was in an even worse position. Their highest was Yu Tianheng at level 43, and others were only 41 or 42. The average gap in power was nearly nine levels, an overwhelming difference.
Just as Shi Mo finished drawing lots and was about to take the field, Yu Xiaogang spoke up.
"Please wait. Shi Mo, come back for now."
Bibi Dong asked with a hint of curiosity, "What's the meaning of this? Please explain."
Yu Xiaogang calmly replied, "Nothing special. The Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Team voluntarily forfeits the morning's individual match and will proceed directly to this afternoon's loser's match. I believe we have the right to do so."
His tone was calm, yet cryptic.
But the moment he said this, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and the other Heaven Dou officials looked extremely displeased. Shrek represented the empire, surrendering without a fight was humiliating.
Meanwhile, Star Luo's team was furious. If Shrek forfeited, they would have to face the Spirit Hall team alone. Even Dai Wei Shi, as arrogant as he was, understood the gap, Spirit Hall had three ten-thousand-year soul rings.
Bibi Dong looked surprised at first, then nodded.
"You're right. Forfeiting is your right. I overstepped, Elder Yu."
Everyone was shocked, Shrek's team leader was a Spirit Hall elder? That was almost comical.
Elders of the Spirit Hall were typically Title Douluo. The only exception was Ning Fengzhi, a non-Title Douluo elder who was also the continent's top support-type soul master and the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Everyone looked at Yu Xiaogang with strange expressions. All the high-level observers could tell at a glance, he was only a level 29 Grandmaster. Though he had some fame, it wasn't exactly a good reputation. Most major powers disdained him.
Bibi Dong said, "Since Heaven Dou's Shrek Team has forfeited, the competition continues."
All eyes turned to Dai Wei Shi. Shrek clearly wanted to preserve strength and take it easy. But as the representative of the continent's strongest empire, Star Luo couldn't afford to give up too easily, or Dai Wei Shi wouldn't be able to explain himself when he returned home.
With a dark expression, Dai Wei Shi sent up a Soul Ancestor to fight, who lost badly as expected.
After sending up two such members, Dai Wei Shi also chose to surrender, on the surface to admit they lacked strength, but also to preserve their team and their empire's image.
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