The Pope's Palace stood on the mountainside of the divine peak.
And higher still, hidden in the clouds, lay a place of mystery.
Bibi Dong stepped alone into this holy land.
The heels of her boots struck against the cold stone slabs, each sound echoing crisply along the mountain path.
She arrived at the mountain peak. The scene in front of her suddenly became clear.
A palace, more majestic and ancient than the Pope's Palace, stood above the sea of clouds.
Pure white, gilded pillars soared skyward, supporting a dome that vanished into the heavens.
Above the roof stood a statue of a twelve-winged angel, each feather carved with such precision that it seemed at any moment the being might spread its wings and ascend to the divine realm.
Bibi Dong walked straight toward the heavy palace doors.
With a deep rumble, the doors opened.
She stepped inside, her pace never slowing.
As she passed—
The ever-burning lamps on both sides of the corridor extinguished one by one.
Thick darkness spread like a tide, silently engulfing and eroding everything.
Tap—
Tap—
Her footsteps were piercing in the silence.
At last she reached the end of the corridor.
An immense open space unfolded.
At its center loomed a statue of the Angel God, over twenty meters tall.
On each side of the statue stood three thrones, all gilded in gold.
And upon those six thrones—
Sat six figures, motionless, their auras solid, immersed in cultivation.
Darkness swallowed the corridor behind, but the statue and its thrones remained bathed in holy radiance.
Bibi Dong stood at the boundary between light and shadow.
Yet those six figures remained utterly motionless, as if unaware.
Her fingers curled, tightening around the Pope's scepter.
Wum—
Two monstrous spider phantoms, bristling with venom, suddenly flared into being at her back.
Their chilling aura crashed like a tide, surging across the space.
Under the pressure of this terrifying aura, the six figures opened their eyes at once.
In an instant, it was as if six dormant giant dragons had awakened.
Six incomparably powerful auras exploded, surging wildly in this space.
"I am the Pope of Spirit Hall…" Bibi Dong's voice was colder than the winds of the Nine Hells.
"And you cannot even discern your own stance?"
"You want Qian Renxue to gather faith and complete the Angel God's Trial?"
"Then why does the Worship Hall stand in my way?!"
...
At the hour of the Rooster (5 PM to 7 PM) in the afternoon, the team battle final began on time.
A deafening wave of cheers erupted from the audience.
Dean Bai Baoshan, Li Zhexian's friends Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, and countless Spirit Masters who had traveled from a far-off journey of a thousand miles from Heavenly Dou City were roaring until their voices were hoarse as they cheered them on.
Li Zhexian led Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the other six teammates slowly onto the stage.
At the opposite end—
The seven of Spirit Hall, led by the Golden Generation, stood ready in battle formation.
"The situation is obvious."
Yu Tianheng clenched his fists and gritted his teeth:
"Besides the three of the Golden Generation, the four others on their team are all Spirit Ancestors above rank forty!"
"They'll definitely throw everything into holding us down!"
"Zhexian, you'll have to face the Golden Generation's three alone. We'll break through as quickly as possible to support you!"
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Feng, and the Shi brothers could not hide their worry.
Though Li Zhexian was strong beyond reckoning—
This time, he would face the combined assault of the Golden Generation.
But Li Zhexian only smiled, nodding slightly.
Then—
His gaze sharpened like lightning.
He met the eyes of the three Golden Generation members head-on, without the faintest hesitation.
With Shrek forfeiting due to injury, this was the true decisive battle for the team championship.
As Li Zhexian's cold eyes clashed in midair with those of the Golden Generation—
That chilling killing intent and battle spirit—
Even from the distant audience stands, it could be clearly felt.
In an instant!
Like a tidal wave, the roars and cheers nearly overturned the entire arena!
The Spirit Hall's Golden Generation had long established their prestige in the hearts of Spirit City's people, forging an image of invincibility among their peers.
Even though Li Zhexian had already displayed his earth-shattering strength,
At this moment, the cries of support for the Golden Generation still swept the sky.
"Li Zhexian may be strong, but the Golden Generation is no weaker!"
"Hah! Sword Wine is but a lonely shadow. The Golden Generation of Spirit Hall is truly the strongest!"
"The 'strongest' when it's three against one? Is that even worth bragging about?!"
"Enough nonsense! Winners are kings, losers are nothing but scum!"
…
Though the decisive clash on the stage had not yet begun,
The audience stands were already bristling with hostility.
"Team battle finals—begin!"
The referee's voice fell.
Buzz—!
Buzz—!
On the stage, Spirit Rings flared in dazzling brilliance.
Events unfolded just as most had predicted.
The Spirit Hall team split instantly into two forces.
Four Spirit Ancestors lunged ferociously at Dugu Yan's group of six.
While Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena—all locked on Li Zhexian!
Dugu Yan tried to rush to his aid—
But in the next moment,
a power-attack Spirit Ancestor intercepted her head-on.
Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena advanced in a line, their oppressive aura surging as they charged straight for Li Zhexian.
At their feet, each bore the perfect configuration of Spirit Rings: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black.
Their immense Spirit Power surged together like a roaring tide, crashing down toward Li Zhexian.
"Li Zhexian!"
Hu Liena shouted sharply.
Her first Spirit Ring flared beneath her feet.
In her naturally alluring fox eyes, a pink, bewitching glow erupted.
"First Spirit Ability—Charm!"
This spiritual control technique—
Could suppress fifty percent of an opponent's senses and movements!
However—
The instant her gaze locked onto Li Zhexian's deep, unfathomable eyes—
Zheng!
A sword qi burst forth from his pitch-black pupils.
"Hmph!" Hu Liena let out a muffled groan, horrified in her heart, and quickly closed her eyes. At the same time, she quickly turned her head to dodge.
Shhh!
A razor sword-light swept past her ear, close enough to shear several strands of hair.
Even as she faltered,
Yan and Xie Yue's attacks crashed forward.
Xie Yue wielded a pair of crimson moon blades, both hands in motion as his fourth and second Spirit Rings shone.
"Fourth Spirit Ability—Moon Shadow Clone!"
"Second Spirit Ability—Crescent Slash!"
His figure blurred, splitting into three indistinguishable clones.
Four figures in total, eight moon blades in hand, slashed in unison.
In an instant, dozens of chilling crimson arcs tore through the air, each half a meter long, radiating bone-piercing sharpness as they cut toward Li Zhexian.
The blade qi crisscrossed, leaving the ground etched with countless fine cracks.
On the other side—
Yan's attack carried the might of an earthquake.
With each step forward,
His body swelled larger.
Rock-like muscles bulged and knotted.
Flames erupted from his shoulders, ribs, and knees.
In moments, he had become a towering lava giant over two meters tall.
Cruelty burned in his eyes—he could no longer restrain himself.
His third and first Spirit Rings lit up simultaneously.
"Third Spirit Ability—Molten Burst!""First Spirit Ability—Lava Eruption!"
Boom!
Boom!
With a thunderous stomp, a massive crack split open beneath his feet, racing toward Li Zhexian's position.
From within the fissure, scorching, viscous dark-red magma spewed upward—
Instantly engulfing Li Zhexian's figure…