Inside Dai Mubai's spiritual consciousness space.
A massive white tiger lay coiled, its red and blue eyes exuding an indescribable aura of dominance. The white vertical eye on its forehead gave it an even more divine presence.
"Little brat!"
"You seem unwilling to meet me! Hmph! Foolish behavior!" The gigantic three-eyed white tiger snorted coldly.
"It seems my eyes were too poor, finding nothing but a weakling. Is this what the Evil-Eyed White Tiger clan has come to? Such a disgrace!" Inside Dai Mubai's spiritual consciousness, the giant tiger spoke in displeasure.
This wasn't the first time Dai Mubai had heard the three-eyed white tiger taunting him. He also wasn't as frightened as he was the first time.
This time, Dai Mubai had collapsed due to the depletion of his soul power during his battle with the Heavenly Water Academy.
Before the battle with the Heavenly Water Academy, his soul power had started to dissipate. Since his fight with Canghui Academy, he had noticed it, but hadn't spoken of it.
"Who exactly are you?" Dai Mubai asked calmly.
"Coward! Fool! As a member of the Evil-Eyed White Tiger clan, you don't even recognize me. And you think you can use my power?"
"Get lost!" The three-eyed white tiger barked.
"Come back when you've figured things out. If you continue to act like a coward, then I'll blame myself for misjudging you!"
The white tiger may not have been wrong in choosing Dai Mubai; this might just be its way of motivating him.
"Ning Sect Leader, do you know what's going on here?" Since Shrek Academy couldn't find anyone else, they had to invite the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Rongrong's father, to come help.
Dai Mubai had also just woken up.
Ancient mysteries, sects like the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, with their long history, might have some knowledge about these matters.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan did know something.
"Based on what you're saying, I might know a thing or two!" Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.
"Dai Mubai, are you a royal or imperial family member of the Star Luo Empire?" Ning Fengzhi asked softly, looking at Dai Mubai.
Ning Fengzhi's gentle demeanor made it hard not to feel a sense of affinity toward him.
The question was also profound because there was a difference between being a royal family member and a member of the imperial family.
Being a royal family member offered incredible opportunities—an immense blessing.
However, for a member of the imperial family, it was a potential curse.
While the Star Luo Empire always adhered to the belief that strength was paramount, power could corrupt the heart. Though such events were rare, they did happen.
"Royal family!"
Ning Fengzhi smiled and asked, "Older brother or younger brother?"
"… Younger brother! I'm the younger brother!" After a brief silence, Dai Mubai answered.
"In that case, you're indeed lucky." Ning Fengzhi pushed his glasses up.
"If your older brother from the Star Luo royal family knew about your current situation…"
"He'd probably go mad with jealousy."
"Please, Sect Leader Ning, explain everything clearly!" Flander cupped his hands and asked Ning Fengzhi.
"It's normal for you not to understand these things, considering the limited experiences you've had," Ning Fengzhi began.
"Have you ever heard of the Ancient Evil-Eyed Saint King?" Ning Fengzhi softly spoke.
As soon as Ning Fengzhi mentioned it, Yu Xiaogang immediately understood.
"Sect Leader Ning, are you referring to that… that legendary, god-like…" Yu Xiaogang said, his expression serious, his tone hesitant.
"That's right. Dai Mubai is a royal member of the Star Luo Empire and the wielder of the Evil-Eyed White Tiger Martial Soul. What he's undergoing right now is the inheritance ceremony of the Ancient Evil-Eyed Saint King."
"The reason he has been showing signs of soul power depletion is just part of the preparation for the ceremony!"
...
The elite tournament for high-level soul masters in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy quickly came to an end. The battle between Wu Ji Academy and Tian Shui Academy also ended with Wu Ji's victory, thanks to the poison from Du Gu Yan's Ice Toad.
The defeat of Tian Shui Academy made their female members extremely upset, as they still had many moves and trump cards they hadn't yet revealed before being beaten.
Although Dai Mubai had encountered some problems, Shrek Academy still advanced.
"This year's competition was so exciting! Our Heavenly Soul Empire's excellent soul masters have produced a new generation of talent."
"Next, let us invite our exalted Emperor and noble Crown Prince to award the five advanced soul master academies that made it through to the next round."
The Heavenly Soul Empire's Heavenly City serves as the home of the most elite soul master academies. The strongest soul masters of the empire's youth come from these academies, so naturally, the soul masters from this region are the most active in the subsequent ranking matches between the two empires.
That's why every team advancing from the Heavenly City division receives recognition from the Heavenly Empire's royal family. The emperor bestows prestigious honors and wealth upon these outstanding young soul masters.
The Snow Night Emperor took the stage. "Each of you is the pride of my Heavenly Soul Empire. Your hard work and sweat have proven your strength and potential."
He continued, "In the upcoming matches, you will represent my Heavenly Soul Empire and compete with the outstanding soul masters from other empires. This is your honor and responsibility."
"You are the best talents of my Heavenly Soul Empire, and you will represent the sharpest edge of our youth."
"Please allow me to entrust the Empire's honor and future to you."
"I hope you will give your all in the coming matches and carry the glory of the Heavenly Soul Empire forward."
As the Snow Night Emperor finished speaking, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe walked forward, wearing a gentle smile. Behind him, five maidservants carried a delicate tray, on which lay five sparkling medals and five silver laurel crowns.
The Snow Night Emperor placed the silver laurel crowns on the heads of the five academy captains.
"Well done!"
"Keep it up!"
"…" For each academy captain he crowned, the Snow Night Emperor offered words of encouragement.
Afterward, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe awarded the medals to the captains.
"This is the honorary medal prepared for you by the Heavenly Soul Empire," Crown Prince Xue Qinghe said with a smile.
"It represents your status and glory in the soul master community of the Heavenly Soul Empire. I hope you will cherish this honor, continue to train diligently, and bring more glory to our Heavenly Soul Empire."