Not long after, Ning Tian also walked out of Jiang Nannan's room, just in time to run into Wei Na and Mu Xue, who were sitting on the sofa in the living room.
The three people's gazes met, and the atmosphere instantly became subtle.
As the only daughter of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sect Master and the sole heir to the next Sect Master, Ning Tian's status and position on the continent were actually not inferior to Wei Na, this princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Mu Xue also came from a top-tier soul master family around Heavenly Dou City in the Heavenly Soul Empire. With similar levels and ages, this led to them having had many interactions during their childhood.
Although the relationship between Ning Tian, Wei Na, and Mu Xue was not particularly close, they could still be considered familiar with each other.
"Wei Na, Mu Xue." Ning Tian showed a smile, greeting the two girls with elegance and composure.
Wei Na's expression was somewhat unnatural as she pursed her lips. After inquiring during this period, she had learned about the "true" relationship between Yu Tianhuang and Ye Guyi.
Leaving aside Ye Guyi, who was Yu Tianhuang's "elder sister" for the time being, Ning Tian was Yu Tianhuang's girlfriend in the open. The bold and proactive behavior she had displayed toward Yu Tianhuang back then was truly somewhat frivolous. It could even be said that she was openly provoking Ning Tian.
However, both Ning Tian and Wei Na, due to their special backgrounds and the demeanor cultivated from long holding high positions, did not show anything on the surface, and they tacitly avoided mentioning that matter.
Wei Na soon returned to her usual gentle and graceful appearance, giving Ning Tian a sweet smile.
"If there are no accidents, our Snow Demon Sect will also advance with the first-place record in the group tomorrow. At that time, we can join hands to deal with those evil soul masters from the Holy Spirit Team."
Mu Xue, on the other hand, asked the question she was most concerned about more directly.
"Ning Tian. Yu Tianhuang has not appeared for nearly half a month already. Will he be able to take the field in the upcoming quarterfinals? I don't mean to look down on you all. But if your Shrek Academy draws the Holy Spirit Team in the quarterfinals, and Yu Tianhuang cannot participate, your chances of winning are probably truly slim. You were just watching the match on site; you must have seen it too. The strangeness and power of those evil soul masters far exceed our expectations."
"Tianhuang has recently made a breakthrough in his cultivation. I can't be sure whether he will be able to take the field in the quarterfinals." The smile on Ning Tian's pretty face faded, becoming much more serious. Then, as if thinking of something, she nodded slightly toward Wei Na and Mu Xue.
"I'll go take over from Sister Guyi to protect the law for Tianhuang first. You two chat. Wei Na, this time with Senior Sister Jiang, it was thanks to you."
After saying this, Ning Tian left the place. She even put Wei Na's matters completely out of her mind.
Although Jiang Nannan's serious injuries worried Ning Tian, in her heart, Yu Tianhuang's matters always came first.
There were distinctions of closeness and distance in relationships. Yu Tianhuang was the person she had decided to spend the rest of her life with, so naturally, she cared more about him.
Right now, Yu Tianhuang had entered a state of deep meditation, which was most taboo to be disturbed. During this period, she and Ye Guyi took turns protecting the law for Yu Tianhuang.
"As expected." Mu Xue sighed softly.
"I didn't expect that he could actually make a breakthrough even during the competition period."
After a moment of silence, seeing that Wei Na remained quiet for a long time, Mu Xue subconsciously glanced sideways at her.
Wei Na was lowering her head, her soft green hair sliding across her fair and delicate cheeks. Her light green eyes, like jade, emitted an unusually soft and beautiful luster under the gentle soul guidance lighting.
"Wei Na?" Mu Xue couldn't help but call out softly.
"Ah?" Wei Na, who had been lost in thought, reacted, raising her head to meet Mu Xue's gaze. A charming blush appeared on her pretty face.
"What's wrong, Sister Xue?"
"You really have been enchanted by Yu Tianhuang."
Mu Xue instantly understood something and pressed her jade hand lightly against her forehead.
'Forget it. Since you have already made your decision, I will not say much more. But one thing I have to admit is that that guy really is too outstanding. Outstanding enough that even you, the princess of Heavenly Soul, are thinking of throwing yourself on him.'
"Sister Xue—"
...
The next afternoon, the group stage cycle matches that had lasted half a month finally concluded completely. While the quarterfinalists were determined, it also meant that this edition of the All-Continent Advanced Youth Soul Master Elite Tournament had entered its final phase.
The four teams that advanced with first-place group records were Shrek Academy, Clear Sky Sect, Snow Demon Sect, and Heavenly Dragon Gate. All four teams came from the original Douluo Continent.
Clear Sky Sect, Snow Demon Sect, and Heavenly Dragon Gate were even ancient sects with long inheritances located within the Heavenly Soul Empire.
From this, one could see to a certain extent the pattern of the soul master world on the original Douluo Continent side. The genius soul masters and top powerhouses emerging within the Heavenly Soul Empire had always far surpassed those of the Dou Ling and Star Luo countries. After the Spirit Hall's destruction, this pattern had continued for nearly ten thousand years.
Among the quarterfinalists, the four teams that placed second in their groups included the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Holy Spirit Team, Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy, and Star Luo National Academy.
Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy was another well-known soul engineer academy in Mingdu, with fame and foundation second only to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. In the Sun Moon Empire, it was also an existence with a very long history. It had simply always been suppressed by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy in the past.
In this edition of the competition, Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy had produced a batch of geniuses known as once-in-a-millennium talents, which allowed them to successfully enter the quarterfinals.
However, compared to the other teams, Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy and Star Luo National Academy were still somewhat lacking in overall strength. Their path to advancement had been full of struggles, without displaying that kind of overwhelming dominance.
While the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and Holy Spirit Team also advanced with second-place group records, there were special reasons for that.
In terms of pure strength, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and Holy Spirit Team were undoubtedly in the first tier.
With the quarterfinalists determined, the tournament would rest for two days. Two days later, the quarterfinals would officially begin. All four matches would be held within a single day. After the quarterfinals concluded, there would be another two days of rest before the semifinals.
After the semifinals, another two days of rest would lead to the final. By then, this edition of the tournament would completely end, with the award ceremony held that same afternoon.
On the first day before the quarterfinals rest period began, early in the morning, all eight quarterfinalist teams got up early to participate in the quarterfinals drawing ceremony. For every team, this was extremely important.
It wasn't that teams advancing with second-place group records were weak. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and Holy Spirit Team were the best examples. Among the four teams that advanced with first-place group records, who would dare say they could definitely defeat that group of evil-spirit-reeking evil soul masters?
After all, the previously appearing Yan Feng from the Holy Spirit Team had displayed Soul Saint-level cultivation, and Yan Feng clearly regarded that black-robed woman as the leader.
From this, a reasonable inference could be made: the Holy Spirit Team very likely had at least three Soul Saints.
Even the proud Tang Wutong could not ignore the threat posed by the Holy Spirit Team.
The drawing ceremony was held inside the Mingyue Grand Hotel. It had to be said that the Sun Moon Empire officials' arrangement was still quite humane.
Mingyue Grand Hotel, grand banquet hall.
All eight teams stood neatly in eight rows. However, on Shrek Academy's side, Ning Tian needed to help Tang Ya take care of Jiang Nannan and did not come to participate in this drawing ceremony.
On the front rostrum sat Zheng Zhanhe, the chief referee of this edition of the tournament. There were also several main officials from the Sun Moon Empire responsible for organizing this competition.
At this moment, one of the stout officials stepped forward with a full-faced smile.
"First of all, I want to congratulate everyone present on entering the top eight of this edition of the tournament. This edition introduced sect participation, making the competition unprecedentedly intense. And for all of you to stand out from it..."
A string of official polite nonsense lasted a full quarter of an hour before getting to the point.
"Next, we will conduct the quarterfinals drawing ceremony. First, the four first-place group teams will draw to divide into the upper and lower halves. Then, each will draw one second-place group team as their quarterfinals opponent. The rule is not to draw teams from the same group in the group stage. The two winning teams from the upper and lower halves in the quarterfinals will compete in the semifinals, and the winner will proceed to the final."
The drawing rules were simple, yet filled with too much uncertainty.
The representatives from the first-place group teams quickly went onstage. The one representing Shrek Academy was Wang Qiu'er. From the Clear Sky Sect, it was Tang Wutong.
The two girls had identical appearances, and standing together instantly created a strong visual impact. Many people were spreading gossip that Tang Wutong and Wang Qiu'er were biological sisters, but neither of them had ever confirmed it.
Even when ascending to the rostrum, Tang Wutong and Wang Qiu'er maintained an indifferent and cold demeanor toward each other, leading many to make their own imaginative guesses in their hearts.
For the remaining two teams, Heavenly Dragon Gate's representative was undoubtedly Yu Tianlong.
The one representing Snow Demon Sect was Wei Na. By now in the competition, their Body Sect no longer needed to hide too deliberately.
As the champions of the previous edition, Shrek Academy naturally drew first. No matter how much the Sun Moon Empire disliked Shrek Academy, they still had to give this face.
Wang Qiu'er walked forward expressionlessly. Her inner pride meant that no matter what draw she got, there would be no emotional fluctuation.
"Shrek Academy, upper half." She drew the upper half position.
Tang Wutong followed closely, completing her draw with the same indifferent expression.
"Clear Sky Sect, upper half."
Hearing this result, the faces of Shrek Academy's representative team all changed slightly.
This drawing result meant that if they successfully advanced to the semifinals, they would face the Clear Sky Sect.
There was no need to continue with the upper and lower half draws, as the remaining Heavenly Dragon Gate and Snow Demon Sect would definitely be in the lower half.
"Next is the quarterfinals opponent draw. Still starting with Shrek Academy."
Wang Qiu'er stepped forward again, her expression and actions unchanged. However, when she drew the card, her gaze instantly froze.
The official standing beside Wang Qiu'er seemed to know some inside information; his eyes flickered with a pause before he loudly announced.
"Shrek Team's quarterfinals opponent is the Holy Spirit Team."
The faces of Shrek Academy's representative team became even uglier. Quarterfinals against the Holy Spirit Team, semifinals against Clear Sky Sect, this schedule could be called hell-level.
Even Zhang Lexuan, standing at the very back of the group, wore a grave expression.
Next was the Clear Sky Sect's draw.
At this point, the three remaining teams in the lower half truly became nervous. After all, no one wanted to be in the same half as Shrek Academy, Clear Sky Sect, and the Holy Spirit Team.
"Clear Sky Sect's quarterfinals opponent is... Star Luo National Academy."
Xu Jiujiu had come today as well. As the leader of Star Luo National Academy, she stood at the back of the team like Zhang Lexuan.
However, hearing this result, she appeared very calm. For this edition of the tournament, she had not held much hope to begin with. Encountering the Clear Sky Sect in the quarterfinals was better than facing those evil soul masters from the Holy Spirit Team. Being able to retreat with dignity was also a good choice. Moreover, her main purpose in leading the team to Mingdu this time was not this.
"Next, Snow Demon Sect draws."
"Snow Demon Sect's opponent is... Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy."
Wei Na politely showed a faint smile, showing no unusual emotion at drawing the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy in the quarterfinals. She handed the card back to the official hosting the draw and returned to the Snow Demon Sect team.
With their Body Sect's strength, they naturally had no fear of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
As for the last match of the quarterfinals, it was naturally Heavenly Dragon Gate versus Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy.
"Good, the draw is complete. The quarterfinals will be held the day after tomorrow. The upper half matches will be in the morning, and the lower half in the afternoon. Please prepare well, each team. As the tournament reaches its final stage, every match is of utmost importance. I hope you will all display your full strength and achieve good results." The drawing ceremony ended, and the officials withdrew one after another.
The eight teams also headed out of the banquet hall.
Wei Na and Mu Xue left their team and came to Zhang Lexuan's side.
Wei Na's Snow Lotus Martial Soul could not only heal wounds but also had an excellent nourishing effect on those with frail bodies. It was truly a top-tier healing-type Martial Soul.
Every morning, Wei Na would go to the No. 1 suite where Shrek Academy and Tang Sect members were staying to nourish Jiang Nannan's body. Today, it had been delayed due to the drawing ceremony.
"Sister Zhang, I didn't expect you all to encounter the Holy Spirit Team right in the quarterfinals." Wei Na asked Zhang Lexuan softly.
"Has Tianhuang not finished his cultivation yet?"
Anyone with eyes could feel the thick concern in Wei Na's tone. Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan, who were lagging behind the Shrek Academy group, exchanged knowing glances and winks again.
Zhang Lexuan's current mood was truly low; she merely shook her head lightly.
She was now extremely conflicted, considering whether to interrupt Yu Tianhuang's deep meditation ahead of time. Without Yu Tianhuang holding the fort, facing the Holy Spirit Team, the Shrek Team would inevitably suffer deaths and injuries.
Wei Na understood and did not ask too much, following Zhang Lexuan back to the top-floor No. 1 suite.
As time passed, with the quarterfinals approaching, the number of competing teams staying at Mingyue Grand Hotel had dwindled to only the eight participating in the quarterfinals.
This world was just that cruel: any team already eliminated had to move out of Mingyue Grand Hotel.
Only the Tang Sect was an exception.
This also made the vast Mingyue Grand Hotel feel empty. The emptiness was filled with an oppressive atmosphere.
And on the night before the quarterfinals began, in his room, Xu Zihuang, who had been in deep meditation, suddenly opened his pair of purple-glowing eyes. Those eyes seemed capable of seeing through all the splendor and silence of the world.
Breakthrough, level seventy!
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