The White Tiger Duke held an exceptionally unique position within the Star Luo Empire. After all, thousands of years ago, the Dai family was once the imperial family of the Star Luo Empire!
Though the current royal family belonged to the Xinguan family (OC)—the Xu clan—the influence of the Dai family within the empire remained formidable. If it weren't for the decline in the Dai family's power after the War of Imperial Light, the Xu clan would never have had the chance to ascend to the throne.
Especially now, when the Star Luo Empire still relied on Dai Hao to lead their armies against the Sun Moon Empire, Emperor Xu Jiawei held the Duke in the highest regard, bestowing upon him unmatched honor.
Thus, when the White Tiger Duke's residence came under attack, Xu Jiawei took the matter extremely seriously.
He immediately dispatched the imperial guard from the capital to assist Dai Hao in tracking down the culprits. Grasping Dai Hao's hand earnestly, he said, "Over all these years, you have suffered much hatred from many for the sake of this nation. You've endured so much, my loyal subject."
"I don't consider it suffering," Dai Hao shook his head.
Xu Jiawei continued, "Once the Soul Master Tournament is over, I will personally issue a decree to construct a grander White Tiger Duke's mansion for you! I won't allow you or your family to be wronged any longer. Until then, you may stay within the palace."
This heartfelt declaration moved Dai Hao deeply. He nodded firmly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gracious favor!"
---
The next day, the elimination round drawing was completed. The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy was not matched against Shrek Academy.
Although the draw was officially random, those in charge knew full well the weight these two academies carried—they dared not risk having either eliminated in the early rounds.
In the first match, Shrek Academy faced the Heavenly Spirit Advanced Soul Master Academy from the Dou Ling Empire.
With all of Shrek's main team members still recovering from injuries, the seven reserve members took the stage. Under Jiang Qingtong's simulated soul skill, she appeared as a Soul Emperor. Unsurprisingly, Shrek secured a swift and decisive victory!
Unlike in the original plot, Jiang Qingtong didn't give herself six hundred-thousand-year soul rings. The Ice Empress wasn't with her, and Jiang Shengyu wouldn't offer up the Snow Empress embryo at this stage.
Therefore, even if she wanted to simulate ten-thousand-year soul rings, the results wouldn't be nearly as exaggerated.
Still, the crushing nature of the battle and the appearance of such a young "Soul Emperor" ignited the atmosphere. The crowd roared with cheers for Shrek Academy.
"Hiss—how did she become a Soul Emperor?"
Xiao Hongchen looked at the arena in shock. Huo Yuhao calmly replied, "My cousin imprinted my Spiritual Eye martial soul. Its second soul skill is simulation."
"Then can we do that too?" Xiao Hongchen's eyes lit up with inspiration.
Meng Hongchen shook her head and warned, "It's best not to expose Yuhao's Spiritual Eye martial soul. Otherwise, I worry Shrek might notice something about Qingtong's martial soul."
Hearing this, Xiao Hongchen nodded in agreement. "True, we can't cause trouble for Qingtong. She's alone among those hypocrites—it's dangerous for her."
At that moment, their team leader approached the group and said, "It's almost our turn. Since Shrek used their reserve team, perhaps we should do the same? Our opponent is the Heavenly Soul Imperial Soul Master Academy from the Heavenly Soul Empire."
As he spoke, the teacher glanced toward Tang Ya.
The three immediately understood what he meant.
Jiang Shengyu fully supported the decision but added, "But our reserve team doesn't have enough members. We'll need at least one main team member."
"I'll go,"
From not far away, the team captain Ma Rulong walked over. Taller than the rest, he looked down at them and said, "I'm a Soul Emperor. Since Shrek debuted one, we can't fall behind."
Jiang Shengyu looked at Xiao Hongchen.
Xiao Hongchen shook his head, "No objections here."
Meng Hongchen nodded, "I agree."
"They don't mind—neither do I," Jiang Shengyu said, then waved the other reserve members over and announced the new lineup.
"We're going up already?" Nana looked at everyone nervously. It was her first time participating in a competition of this scale! What if she made a mistake? This was the elimination round—one loss and they were going home!
When Tang Ya heard who their opponents were, she instantly understood the intentions of the team leader and Jiang Shengyu. She spoke up, "I'll take this one. You all support me from the sides, okay?"
Jiang Shengyu immediately agreed, "No problem. With us here, we won't lose."
Once the lineup was confirmed, they entered the arena.
The Heavenly Soul Imperial Soul Master Academy team walked on stage dressed in uniforms adorned with elegant white swan patterns. As the Heavenly Soul Empire's most heavily invested senior academy, their entire team consisted of five-ring Soul Kings.
Jiang Shengyu's group entered next.
"Up next, we have the Heavenly Soul Imperial Military Academy from the Heavenly Soul Empire facing off against the Sun Moon Empire's Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy!"
The host, Heavenfiend Douluo Huang Jinxu, looked at both teams before announcing the match.
There weren't many Sun Moon Empire spectators present—in fact, barely any at all—so most of the crowd was openly booing Jiang Shengyu's team.
However, while the general audience jeered, the other participating Soul Master and Soul Engineering academies were paying close attention. After all, aside from Shrek Academy, the Sun Moon Academy was the most anticipated team in the tournament.
Soon after, Beibei spotted Tang Ya and Huo Yuhao standing among the Sun Moon team.
Beibei wasn't particularly moved to see Huo Yuhao representing the Sun Moon Empire—but when he saw Tang Ya among them, his emotions exploded.
Without thinking, he dashed toward the arena, only to be stopped by Xuanzi.
"Elder Xuan, that's Xiao Ya!" Beibei, gripping Xuanzi's hand tightly, pleaded, "Let me bring her back! How could she be part of the Sun Moon Empire team?!"
Xuanzi's expression was grave. "Beibei! Calm yourself! The most important thing right now is the Soul Master Tournament. I don't know why Tang Ya is on their team either, but now is not the time to investigate."
"But Elder Xuan, Xiao Ya…"
Beibei stared at Tang Ya, unable to quell the storm in his heart.
"You're the team captain," Xuanzi said solemnly. "You must stay calm. Your teammates are watching you. Qingtong is watching you. Are you going to let Elder Mu's plans—and the Academy's efforts—go to waste?"
He lowered his voice near the end, but those words instantly snapped Beibei out of his daze.
Looking back, he saw the six other reserve team members staring at him—Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were wide-eyed with curiosity, Dai Huabin and He Caitou looked confused, and only Jiang Qingtong and Jiang Nan Nan remained composed.
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