As for the people involved, Dai Yaoheng and Zhu Yuhan were staring at each other, frozen in place.
Zhu Yuhan's soul power was a deep purple, her aura swirling above Dai Yaoheng's head. Dai Yaoheng's white soul power leaked out in fine threads. When the two merged, one could vaguely even hear a tiger's roar.
"Are you Dai Huabin?" Zhu Yuhan said instinctively. "Before I came, didn't they say you were younger than me? How come you look almost twenty already?"
At that moment, a gentle breeze blew, stirring layers of leaves on the ground.
Dai Yaoheng: "..."The Duchess: "..."Second-generation members of the White Tiger family: "..."
"I'm not Dai Huabin, I'm his elder brother, Dai Yaoheng," Dai Yaoheng explained, his face twitching.
Since Zhu Changming hadn't introduced Dai Yaoheng to Zhu Yuhan, she had thought he was Dai Huabin.
"Ah?" Zhu Yuhan's expression froze into a daze. She then looked at the Duchess in shock. "So am I marrying Dai Yaoheng or Dai Huabin?"
"Why can my soul power merge with his?"
This question left the decades-old Duchess utterly dumbfounded.
At this critical moment, it was the second-generation family members who acted quickly. Dai Dianfeng, a senior supporting Dai Yaoheng, immediately spoke up:
"Second brother, quickly go fetch Zhu Changming and tell him the situation has changed. Ruiying, you send someone to the Xingluo Royal Soul Master Academy to bring Huabin back."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately understood.
Dai Dianchen's soul power surged as he rushed toward the place Zhu Changming had gone.
"I'll go notify Huabin," Dai Dianguang, supporting Dai Huabin, hurried after Dai Dianchen, his mind buzzing.
While Dai Yaoheng was still in a daze, Dai Dianfeng moved his lips slightly, transmitting his voice with soul power to Dai Yaoheng:
"Yaoheng, your chance has come."
Dai Yaoheng's eyes immediately lit up as he realized.
The Zhu family had always valued Dai Huabin, mainly because Dai Huabin could perform a spirit fusion with the Zhu girl. Now, Dai Yaoheng seemed able to perform a spirit fusion with her as well…
Thinking this, Dai Yaoheng's eyes shone. But soon, he felt conflicted.
On the surface, Zhu Yuhan had been arranged to be Dai Huabin's fiancée. If he, the elder brother, stole his younger brother's… ugh, this was tricky.
Dai Dianfeng clearly saw what Dai Yaoheng was thinking and added:
"You're an idiot. This girl hasn't officially been made Huabin's fiancée by the family yet. That means you have a chance too."
Indeed, an elder in the family was like a precious treasure. Dai Yaoheng suddenly had a moment of enlightenment.
He glanced at Zhu Yuhan. Her appearance and figure were exactly his type.
A firm thought immediately appeared in his heart.
"Huabin… brother's sorry. Don't blame me."
Sensing Dai Yaoheng's unusual gaze, Zhu Yuhan instinctively shrank her neck.
The Duchess gradually understood the situation. She looked at Dai Yaoheng, her expression complex:
"Come inside and talk. Yaoheng, don't go back for now."
"Okay," Dai Yaoheng nodded and cast a gentle glance at Zhu Yuhan.
Zhu Yuhan was stunned, her ears turning red.
In terms of looks, Dai Yaoheng was indeed handsome.
…
Xingluo Royal Soul Master Academy
This academy was even older than Shrek Academy, with over a thousand students. Graduation required reaching level 35 Soul Master.
As the top soul master academy in the Xingluo Empire, countless young talents wanted to join every year. The academy's principal was the emperor himself—if one could impress him, many years of detours could be avoided.
The academy was in the northern district of Xingluo City, occupying a vast area, not weaker than Shrek Academy. Its buildings were arranged neatly throughout the campus.
The training area, library, infirmary, teaching buildings for Martial Soul and Spirit Guidance tracks, gardens, lakes—everything was available.
With the new Spirit Combat Tournament about to start, the participants trained intensely.
In the temporary combat area, spectators silently watched a one-on-one duel.
Xu Jiujiu hadn't arrived.
On the battlefield, one side was clearly at a disadvantage. The boy on the left had a resolute expression. Even as powerful soul force impacts drew blood from his mouth, he refused to give up. His soul power was an unusual dark red, and the two yellow soul rings marked his Grand Soul Master rank.
The boy on the right was clearly stronger, with two yellow and one purple soul ring—a Soul Master level. His aura was overwhelming. Each swing of his tiger claws carried a tiger-like roar.
The heavy strikes made the air hiss.
Dai Luoli's arms weakened as he dodged repeatedly. Just as he narrowly avoided an attack and hadn't fully stabilized, blood-red eyes fixed on the descending tiger claw. This time, he couldn't dodge.
He roared, activating his first soul ring. A faint red shield formed on his body, and he swung a faint red tiger claw, attempting to block the white tiger claw.
"Foolish," Dai Huabin sneered, releasing a tiger roar, unleashing all his power. The white soul force wave almost obscured Dai Luoli's aura.
With this strike, he was confident he could sever Dai Luoli's arm.
"Swish."
At that moment, a figure appeared, arms stretching out, effortlessly grabbing both their arms, forcibly interrupting the fight.
Dai Huabin's face flashed with a hint of regret.
"You two kids, get back to the spectator seats," said the immensely powerful Soul Master Cheng Gang.
"Yes," Dai Luoli covered his chest and left the stage without looking at Dai Huabin.
"Are you okay?"
Several reserve team members approached to check.
"I'm fine," Dai Luoli smiled.
"Amazing! Level 25 soul power holding out against Dai Huabin's level 35 for nearly three minutes."
The teammates whispered, giving thumbs-up.
Dai Luoli shook his head, smiling. Sitting down, he thought: "Not enough yet. After the tournament, I need to experience life-and-death crises. Must awaken the Blood Tiger Martial Soul completely."
On the stage, Cheng Gang signaled: "Next duel, step up."
Two approached the stage. But at that moment, a Soul Guidance announcement echoed through the combat area:
"Student Dai Huabin, please report immediately to the academy gate."
Everyone's eyes turned to Dai Huabin, who had been resting with eyes closed. He opened his eyes slowly, surprised.
Since someone was calling, Dai Huabin did not hesitate. After asking Cheng Gang for leave, he calmly left the combat area.
"What are you staring at? The match is about to start. Train harder. If you don't make the top four… hmph," Cheng Gang's warning made everyone focus.
At the academy gate, Dai Huabin finally realized who had come for him. His eyes widened:
"Third Grandfather, you're here?"
Dai Dianguang's face was urgent:
"Come back quickly, something major happened."
"What major event?" Dai Huabin smiled lightly.
Dai Dianguang scanned Dai Huabin and said in a deep voice:
"Remember the Zhu girl the family picked for you?"
"She's here?" Dai Huabin's smile faded, recalling an unpleasant memory.
"Yes, but now there's a problem," Dai Dianguang said solemnly. "Yaoheng returned yesterday. This morning, on his way back, he met the Zhu girl. As a result, Yaoheng's soul power also merged with hers."
"Ah?" Dai Huabin blinked, staring with an innocent expression.
The air froze for several seconds. Then Dai Huabin's face suddenly changed.
My brother and my fiancée can perform spirit fusion?!
Seeing that he understood, Dai Dianguang didn't say more. Grasping Dai Huabin, he surged his soul power and rushed toward the family residence.
…
Xinghuang Hotel
Only Shrek Academy occupied the entire seventh floor, a massive luxurious space including a meeting room, now filled with people.
Zhang Lexuan frowned, looking at the only empty seat:
"Dai Yaoheng hasn't returned? Where has he gone?"
The students exchanged looks, unsure.
Wang Yan smiled:
"Probably home. Dai Yaoheng hasn't visited home for a long time. Young people are eager to return; we should understand. Maybe he's happily chatting with family."
Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan shook her head. Fine, she'd explain the rules later.
"Cough, cough." Wang Yan drew attention softly, smiling:
"We got all the tournament rules from the organizing committee. Today's meeting is for that."
"The Spirit Combat Tournament has 133 advanced soul master academies participating, all arranged in Xinghuang Hotel. Considering the large number of teams, the first round is a knockout. Lose, and you go home."
"So harsh?"
The students were surprised. If a prestigious academy faltered in the first round, they'd be sent home immediately.
Wang Yan nodded:
"The first round is seven-on-seven. Lexuan and I arranged the participants. Next, we'll explain the rest."
"After the first-round knockouts, remaining teams enter a round-robin, nine teams per group. Matches are determined by draw: individual duels, three-two-two battles, and standard seven-on-seven."
"The later stages will be explained later. Now, let's discuss the first-round participants."
Ma Xiaotao asked: "Teacher Wang, the first match doesn't need all main players, right?"
Wang Yan smiled:
"You're right. Though the first round is knockout, we don't need all main players. After discussion with Lexuan, the first-round team is: Dai Yaoheng, Chen Zifeng, Ling Luocheng, Huo Yuhao, Xiaoxiao, Jiang Nannan, Xu Sanshi. Seven people, your first match."
"Me?" Xiaoxiao's face tensed.
"Why are you nervous? I envy you getting to play," Wang Dong laughed.
Those not participating—Ning Tian, Zhu Lu, Wu Feng—looked envious. But they were calm; next year might be different.
Jiang Nannan was slightly nervous but soon composed herself.
Xu Sanshi grinned, already imagining how he'd attract countless girls on stage. Beibei and He Caitou shot him a disgusted look.
"I'm not playing?" Ma Xiaotao asked, puzzled.
Zhang Lexuan said: "You're the only soul saint this year, preserve your strength for later. If our first match faces top-eight teams from last tournament, you'll play."
"Got it." Ma Xiaotao obediently agreed.
Huo Yuhao shook his head. In the original story, why didn't Mu Lao assign senior sister to the team? Original main team members barely respected Wang Yan. With senior sister present, who dares defy?
"Temporary arrangements are like this. After round-robin, we'll adjust participants based on opponent strength. Reserve team members must be ready to step in. This is part of your training—don't mess it up," Wang Yan said, tapping the table.
"Understood," the reserve team replied in unison.
Huo Yuhao felt moved. Unlike the original story, now personnel were complete, and Wang Yan spoke confidently.
"Right," Wang Yan continued, looking at He Caitou. "You're in Spirit Guidance. I haven't seen your soul skill's effect. Can you show us for arranging purposes?"
All eyes turned to He Caitou, the only Spirit Guidance student present.
He Caitou smiled sheepishly:
"Sure, but don't get mad. Food-type soul skills involve chants. Some are elegant, some domineering, some… interesting."
The crowd's expressions shifted.
"Go ahead," Zhang Lexuan encouraged.
He Caitou relaxed, stood aside, and four soul rings lit up. He recited the chant:
"I have a thick cigar, I have a large cigar, I have a long cigar, I have a thin cigar."
The bizarre chants stunned everyone.
The four soul rings glowed, and four cigars of different colors and sizes formed in his palm.
He cautiously observed reactions and sighed in relief—just stunned, which was normal.
Yao Haoxuan joked: "Your soul skill chant is unique, rivaling Oscar's ancestor from ten thousand years ago."
He Caitou scratched his head: "I wouldn't dare compare."
"Effects?" Wang Yan asked.
He explained:
"My first skill, Spirit-Boosting Thick Cigar, enhances spirit power. Each burns ~20 minutes, boosting focus and spiritual cohesion. Yuhao tried it—his spirit increased ~15–20%, others ~10%."
"Swish."
Everyone's expressions changed. Spiritual power is the hardest to train on Douluo Continent; methods are scarce.
"What about the other three skills?" Wang Yan pressed.
Everyone realized a top-tier food-type talent had appeared.
He Caitou continued:
"Second skill: Strength-Enhancing Large Cigar, increases strength 10–20%, depending on user's Martial Soul.
Third skill: Defense-Enhancing Long Cigar, similar effect, stronger for defense-type users.
Fourth skill: Soul Power-Enhancing Thin Cigar, doesn't increase total soul power but improves quality, reducing consumption when using soul skills."
The meeting room fell silent.
"Good, good," Wang Yan said, wanting to pat He Caitou on the shoulder. At 1.8m, looking at 2.08m He Caitou, he stopped and patted the table instead.
"Oh, my cigars last two days before dissipating," He Caitou added.
"Phew."
Another wave of astonishment. Most food-type soul skills last barely twelve hours. Two days? Unbelievable.
Seeing He Caitou's gentle smile, Wang Yan felt impressed. He truly didn't realize how powerful his skills were.
Spirit Guidance trained him well.
Future head of Spirit Guidance? Perfectly prepared.
..............
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