On the competition stage, Heavenfiend Douluo Huang Jinxu seemed eager to leave, announcing loudly the moment Dai Yueheng secured victory: "The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament has concluded. The champion is the Shrek Academy team."
Heavenfiend Douluo felt utterly stifled.
Though aloof and solitary by nature, he was extremely proud and cared deeply about his reputation. Yet, under Elder Xuan's pressure, he didn't dare show any dissatisfaction.
Star Luo Square erupted instantly. Even if the latter matches had been anticlimactic, witnessing Shrek Academy uphold its undefeated legend was something worth celebrating for a lifetime.
Moreover, the earlier clash between Yu Tianhuang and Xiao Hongchen had been thrilling and intense. Overall, this final round had plenty of highlights.
Amid the cheers of the audience, Dai Yueheng slowly returned from the stage to Shrek Academy's waiting area.
However, his face showed little of a victor's joy.
On the surface, his win had secured the championship for Shrek Academy, but anyone with discernment could see that the one who truly turned the tide of this final was Yu Tianhuang, who had consecutively defeated the siblings Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen.
Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire kept his gaze fixed on Yu Tianhuang, who was unconscious and resting in Ning Tian's arms. Even with the emperor's composure, he was visibly distracted.
He hadn't even paid attention to the subsequent matches.
This showed how profoundly shocked he was by Xu Zihuang's earlier display of the golden-level body martial soul second awakening.
White Tiger Duke Dai Hao was also observing Xu Zihuang. A thoughtful expression crossed his face; for some reason, this genius youth from Shrek Academy gave him a faint sense of familiarity.
Regaining his focus, he turned to Xu Jiawei with a hint of uncertainty. "Your Majesty, was the ability that the youth named Yu Tianhuang used just now truly a body martial soul second awakening?"
"Yes," Xu Jiawei took a deep breath.
"And it should be the highest level, a golden level body martial soul, second awakening."
"Golden-level body martial soul second awakening?" Dai Hao's brows furrowed.
Though the Body Sect, Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion, and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's Mingde Hall were considered the three most powerful forces on the Douluo Continent, the Body Sect was far more mysterious than the latter two.
The Body Sect had few members, and its disciples rarely appeared in the Douluo Continent.
Even with Dai Hao's status, his knowledge of body martial souls was limited.
"It's said in the soul master world that body martial soul second awakenings are divided into black iron, bronze, and silver levels. But in truth, beyond these three, there's a higher level: the golden-level awakening. This golden-level awakening has always been a secret within the Body Sect," Xu Jiawei explained, clearly more knowledgeable than Dai Hao.
"Some time ago, the Body Sect reached out to Yu Tianhuang. Now that he possesses the golden-level body martial soul second awakening, the Body Sect won't let this go easily. A struggle between Shrek Academy and the Body Sect over Yu Tianhuang is inevitable." At this, Xu Jiawei shifted his tone and instructed Xu Jiujiu, who was nearby, "Jiujiu, postpone the banquet. Go to the Consecration Hall and invite Senior Wang, the Healing Sage Douluo, to come. We'll offer a favor."
Xu Jiujiu, who had been gazing at Xu Zihuang with admiration in her eyes, snapped back to attention and nodded solemnly.
"Brother, I'll go right away."
With that, she left with light, brisk steps.
Given Yu Tianhuang's talent, he was worth any price to win over. Even if they couldn't bring him into the Star Luo Empire's fold, they needed to build a good relationship with him.
Meanwhile, Star Luo Square had become a sea of excitement.
Elder Xuan immediately approached the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's side, urging Meng Hongchen to detoxify Xu Sanshi and the others.
With his cultivation, neutralizing the Zhuqing Ice Toad poison wasn't difficult, but it would take effort. Since Meng Hongchen was unharmed, having her detoxify them directly was far more convenient.
Facing Elder Xuan, Elder Ma, the Sun Moon team's leader, who was worried about Xiao Hongchen's safety, could only suppress his anxiety and frustration, signaling Meng Hongchen to detoxify Xu Sanshi, Beibei, and Jiang Nannan.
He didn't want to linger here a moment longer.
Meng Hongchen quickly revived Xu Sanshi and the others, who had been afflicted by the Zhuqing Ice Toad poison.
Before leaving with the Sun Moon team, she couldn't help but glance back at Xu Zihuang.
Her intuition told her that Yu Tianhuang hadn't lied earlier.
As she looked back, her gaze inevitably met Ning Tian's, who was holding Xu Zihuang.
Next, Wang Yan led the Shrek Academy team to leave the arena.
Dai Yueheng approached Ning Tian, his eyes flickering.
"Junior Sister Ning, it's a long way back to the Star Emperor Hotel. Let me take Tianhuang."
Before Ning Tian could respond, He Caitou, with a goofy smile, stepped forward and hoisted Xu Zihuang onto his back.
"Senior Dai, I've got this."
Dai Yueheng didn't insist. He and Chen Zifeng supported the newly revived Xu Sanshi and Beibei, while Jiang Nannan was entrusted to Ma Xiaotao.
The group made their way grandly toward the Star Emperor Hotel.
Ning Tian stayed close to He Caitou, her concerned gaze fixed on Xu Zihuang.
Xu Sanshi, Beibei, and Jiang Nannan, who had been unconscious, learned from others what had happened and looked at Xu Zihuang, carried by He Caitou, with a sense of relief.
No matter what, Shrek Academy winning the championship was cause for celebration.
Emperor Xu Jiawei then publicly announced that the final award ceremony would not be open to the public.
With this decree, the fervor in Star Luo Square and the entire Star Luo City began to dissipate.
With no spectacle left to watch, what was the point of staying?
After all, many weren't residents of Star Luo City, and the prolonged crowding had already driven prices in the city to exorbitant levels.
As Shrek Academy's team returned to the Star Emperor Hotel, two men with unusual builds approached from the first-floor reception hall.
It was Lang Ya and Yu Tao from the Body Sect.
Lang Ya and Yu Tao bypassed the others, their gazes fixed on Xu Zihuang as if appraising a rare treasure.
Wang Yan, at the front, immediately understood upon seeing Lang Ya and Yu Tao.
Though he hadn't been present last time, Beibei had later recounted the encounter with the Body Sect in detail.
From Lang Ya and Yu Tao's distinctive features, he easily identified them.
But he was confident, knowing Elder Xuan was following behind.
"Gentlemen, is there something you need?"
Lang Ya ignored Wang Yan, instead retrieving a small jade bottle from his soul tool.
Inside the bottle floated a dragon-eye-sized, vibrant green pill, radiating an intense life essence. Its translucent interior faintly revealed flowing emerald liquid.
Even Elder Xuan, trailing at the back, raised an eyebrow at the sight of the pill, his calm gaze tinged with mockery.
"A pill condensed from the life essence of a 100,000-year plant-type soul beast, the Heavenly Azure Vine. The Body Sect is truly lavish. Aren't you afraid of losing your investment?"
At these words, everyone's eyes widened.
No one had a precise concept of the pill's value, but anything tied to a 100,000-year soul beast was undoubtedly extraordinary.
Yu Tao, with his fiery temper, bristled at Elder Xuan's tone, but Lang Ya remained calm, smiling faintly at Elder Xuan.
"Elder Xuan, you jest. Those with body martial souls are part of our Body Sect family. How could there be talk of losing an investment?"
"Oh?" Elder Xuan's eyes gleamed with a profound expression as he said lightly, "Leave the pill and go."
Lang Ya handed the jade bottle to Elder Xuan without hesitation and left with Yu Tao.
Elder Xuan opened the bottle, and a dense, almost tangible life essence wafted out, lingering around the emerald pill without dissipating.
"Heavenly Azure Vine, a 100,000-year plant-type soul beast," Elder Xuan murmured, feeding the pill to Xu Zihuang. He then patted Xu Zihuang's body gently and addressed the group.
"Everyone, go rest."
"Yes, Elder Xuan," the group responded, heading up the stairs to the top floor of the Star Emperor Hotel.
As the students left, Wang Yan stayed behind.
"Elder Xuan, the Body Sect…"
Elder Xuan said gravely, "That old monster will definitely make a move. We return to the academy first thing tomorrow. Once we're back, everything will be manageable."
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