Chapter 72 – Qian Renxue's Troubles
Tang San stood silently in place, his peripheral gaze subtly lingering on the black-clad youth nearby.
His intuition told him—this youth and Gui Mei were very likely the same person.
However, reality poured a cold bucket of water onto that suspicion.
Bibi Dong, as a peerless powerhouse, possessed perception and insight far superior to ordinary people.
Yet even she failed to detect anything unusual about Wuming.
Seeing her expression remain calm and unchanged, Tang San felt a bit of disappointment rise in his heart.
'Am I mistaken? Could he and Gui Mei truly not be the same person?'
Just as Tang San sank into his doubts, Bibi Dong's cold and authoritative voice suddenly echoed through the hall:
"You are all elites among the high-ranked soul master academies. In the battles ahead, I hope each of you demonstrates your talents and strength. The final victors will receive generous rewards."
After she finished speaking, Bibi Dong gently waved her scepter.
Three brilliant points of light instantly appeared before her.
The radiance swelled rapidly, hovering in midair, shimmering with dazzling brilliance.
There were three soul bones.
The moment they manifested, the eyes of every soul master present were drawn to them.
No one needed to be reminded of the rarity and value of soul bones.
Most soul masters would never obtain even one in their entire lifetime—not even many Titled Douluo.
"These three soul bones are the Mind Condensing Wisdom Skull, the Fire Explosion Right Arm Bone, and the Gale Pursuit Left Leg Bone—each originating from ten-thousand-year soul beasts."
"Among them, the Wisdom Skull comes from a soul beast with a cultivation age of sixty thousand years. It was personally slain by the former Pope—an absolute top-grade soul bone."
"There will be only one champion of this tournament, and these three soul bones will belong entirely to the winning team. I expect all three academies to give their utmost effort."
After hearing her introduction, anticipation surged among everyone present.
Bibi Dong nodded to the Red-robed Bishop beside her.
The bishop stepped forward and announced loudly:
"I will now explain the rules of the final three-team showdown."
"This morning, each of your three teams will send seven members to participate in individual elimination matches. The team that wins will advance directly to tomorrow's final."
"The two losing teams will engage in a team battle this afternoon to determine the second finalist."
"The match is about to begin. You have five minutes to decide the first participant to enter the arena."
The Shrek Seven looked at each other with grave expressions.
These rules were something Bibi Dong decided on the spot; aside from the Spirit Hall team, the other two teams had no prior knowledge.
Yu Xiaogang instantly assessed the situation.
A three-team elimination format placed Shrek Academy at a severe disadvantage.
Every member of the Spirit Hall team had soul power above Rank 45—an overwhelming advantage.
As for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team, they would likely send only one fighter—Wuming.
But his strength was unfathomable. In one-on-one combat, no one could confidently defeat him.
For the Shrek team, the individual elimination round was almost a guaranteed loss. They would be forced into the afternoon's group battle.
Worse yet, Wuming was ruthless.
And Xie Yue and Yan of the Spirit Hall team were hardly any gentler.
Facing them in one-on-one matches carried an immense risk of injury for the Shrek members.
After the grueling fights of the morning, their stamina and soul power would be severely depleted.
If they had to immediately participate in the afternoon's group battle, they would hardly be able to perform at full strength.
And even if they somehow managed to win the afternoon's match, tomorrow morning they would have to face the team that had already advanced and was fully rested.
One side would be exhausted, the other refreshed.
Under such conditions, victory would be nearly impossible.
Yu Xiaogang weighed the situation rapidly and made his decision.
"Your Holiness, please wait. I have something to say."
Everyone was stunned.
Bibi Dong paused for a moment, turning her gaze toward Yu Xiaogang. Her expression remained calm as she asked:
"Grandmaster, do you have any objections to the rules of the finals?"
"No objections, Your Holiness. Your judgment is wise."
"Then what is it you wish to say?"
Yu Xiaogang bowed deeply toward her, respectful and composed.
"Shrek Academy voluntarily withdrew from the morning's elimination round. We will enter the afternoon's losers' bracket directly."
The plaza erupted with noise.
Even Tang San looked shocked.
He never expected his teacher to make such a decision, but after a brief moment, he understood Yu Xiaogang's intention, admiration flickering in his eyes.
By voluntarily withdrawing from the morning matches and heading straight to the losers' bracket, Shrek could force the Spirit Hall Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team to fight each other first.
If the two sides fought fiercely enough and both suffered severe losses, then regardless of who advanced, Shrek Academy could take advantage of their weakened state.
Since the tournament rules allowed voluntary forfeiture, Bibi Dong had no grounds to refuse.
"Grandmaster, are you certain you wish to withdraw and enter the losers' bracket?"
"I am certain."
"Very well. Shrek Academy will be placed into the losers' bracket. The remaining two teams will continue with the individual elimination rounds."
The moment Bibi Dong finished speaking, the Shrek Seven quickly left the center of the plaza.
All attention shifted to the seven members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team.
The teammates around Gui Mei all turned to him in unison, waiting for his decision.
"Their soul power is all above rank forty-five. You won't be able to handle them. All of you step back—I'll face them myself."
"All right. Be careful."
They were already used to this arrangement.
They believed completely in their mysterious and overwhelmingly powerful teammate.
Without him, getting this far would have been impossible.
Just standing here, on the plaza before the Pope's Hall in the final round, was already more than they ever dreamed of.
Everyone's gaze locked onto the black-clad youth at the center of the plaza.
There was some surprise—but more than that, acceptance.
No matter what opponent he faced, this youth had never once backed down.
And now, he would challenge seven once again—this time against the formidable Spirit Hall Academy team.
In Bibi Dong's eyes, a barely visible trace of worry flashed.
If the Spirit Hall Academy lost here… both she and the Spirit Hall would be utterly humiliated.
It would become the darkest mark in her legacy as Pope.
Qian Renxue looked toward Gui Mei, her gaze filled with complicated emotions.
She wanted to witness Bibi Dong's humiliation with her own eyes— Yet she also didn't want the Spirit Hall to lose.
That soul bone belonged to her father, obtained from a slain soul beast. It must not fall into an outsider's hands.
No matter which outcome occurred, she would be dissatisfied— Unless she could recruit Wuming to her side.
"Participants, enter the field. Non-combat personnel, step back."
The Spirit Hall team members withdrew to the edge of the plaza, leaving only Xie Yue standing opposite Gui Mei.
As captain, he naturally took the lead.
"You may now release your martial souls. The match will officially begin in one minute. Remember the tournament rules—intentional injury is forbidden. Violators will be disqualified!"
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End of Chapter