Chapter 109: The Beginning of the Finals
After Shrek's team defeated the New Divine Wind team, they finally reached the top three. The other two teams were the Spirit Hall team and the Star Luo Royal Academy team, both of which were recognized as the strongest teams.
It was clear to anyone that Shrek's victory over the New Divine Wind team was a result of tactical superiority. Without this strategic advantage, it would have been far from easy for Shrek's team to win, or perhaps it would have been nearly impossible.
When others looked at Yu Xiaogang, Qin Ming, and the rest of the team, there were mixed expressions—some admiration, some respect, and a hint of confusion. After all, it was the finals now, and no team would easily change their lineup at this point.
But Shrek's team, with their leader and vice-leader, had the courage to make a change, replacing two soul masters with the untested Ye Lingling.
Yu Xiaogang seemed to enjoy the attention, but Yang Xiong didn't really care. As he had said, the New Divine Wind Academy had discarded their advantages, so they weren't a big deal. The real challenge lay in the last two powerful teams. The question was whether Yu Xiaogang could come up with a winning strategy.
From the start of the competition, Yu Xiaogang had never once mentioned the Seven-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Technique. It seemed the most spectacular moment from the original story might never happen.
While others were anxious, Yang Xiong was out drinking with Feng Xiaotian, the "licker dog," all night. Even Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu, who were always nearby, hadn't appeared.
The two seemed to have some camaraderie. Feng Xiaotian was reckless in his pursuit of love, disregarding others' opinions, while Yang Xiong was the opposite—calculating and cautious in everything he did.
Yang Xiong envied Feng Xiaotian's carefree attitude and his boldness in love, unafraid of the consequences.
As they drank more, it seemed like they opened up to each other. Yang Xiong criticized Feng Xiaotian for losing himself in his obsession, while Feng Xiaotian teased Yang Xiong for overthinking, accusing him of lacking the vigor of youth.
They teased and supported each other, filled with laughter and camaraderie.
Three days passed in a flash, and the final match was about to begin. Everyone seemed incredibly energized. After all, this was considered one of the most sacred places. But Yu Xiaogang, with his bloodshot eyes, looked as though he hadn't slept for days, likely preoccupied with strategies to face the two remaining powerful teams.
Among the three teams, Spirit Hall's team appeared exceptionally relaxed and excited, clearly confident in their strength and with absolute faith in the Pope's Hall.
The Star Luo Royal Academy looked unusually solemn, each member seeming rebellious, especially Davis, who looked every bit the challenger.
Yang Xiong observed carefully. Davis and Zhu Zhuyun resembled Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, with Davis sporting blonde hair and a handsome face, much like Dai Mubai. However, Davis seemed more composed and deep, while Zhu Zhuyun had a hotter figure and appeared more mature than Zhu Zhuqing.
Shrek's team members had different expressions. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing appeared nervous, Yu Tianheng looked somewhat rebellious, while Tang San was relatively calm. The others displayed a burning intensity.
The three teams in the final stood quietly in front of the Pope's Hall, which was the venue for the final match.
The atmosphere was incredibly solemn, and even the senior soul masters present remained silent.
At that moment, the doors of the Pope's Hall opened, and eight red-robed bishops walked out, with the leader shouting, "His Holiness the Pope has arrived!"
All the Spirit Hall personnel shouted in unison, "Long live the Pope!"
The sound was like a mountain roar, echoing through the entire Spirit Hall City. It was clear that everyone respected the Pope greatly, but there was also a dangerous, almost fanatic fervor. Yang Xiong felt a weight in his heart, feeling a resemblance to the fanaticism of cult followers.
Then, a few people stepped out of the Pope's Hall, led by a woman holding a scepter and wearing a golden crown—Pope Bibi Dong.
Pope Bibi Dong was stunningly beautiful, but even more intimidating was her terrifying aura, which emanated with supreme authority.
Behind her were four people: Sword Douluo, Ning Fengzhi, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo.
Yang Xiong was particularly interested in Ghost Douluo, whose martial soul was the rare, plant-based Chrysanthemum Heaven-reaching Chrysanthemum. Ghost Douluo's entire body was pitch black, radiating an eerie, mysterious aura.
As the five of them appeared, all Spirit Hall personnel, whether soul masters, palace knights, or bishops, knelt on one knee and shouted, "Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!"
Even the original Spirit Hall team members knelt down.
However, neither the Star Luo Royal Academy team nor Shrek's team knelt, as they represented two great empires and had no subordination to Spirit Hall.
Pope Bibi Dong, who had been imposing, now appeared unexpectedly gentle.
"Rise."
Immediately, all the Spirit Hall personnel stood, their movements synchronized.
Yang Xiong fixed his gaze on Bibi Dong. Whether in this life or the last, there were many different evaluations of her: outstanding talent, great power, ruthless methods, and great ambition...
But at that moment, Yang Xiong couldn't think of any of those things. Instead, he felt an immense pressure from her, as if she were a poisonous snake, or a poppy flower—beautiful in appearance but filled with venom.
Bibi Dong remained calm, smiling as she gazed at everyone present.
"From all of you, I see the hope of the soul masters. I hope you all show your talents and strength, and the final victor will receive all the rewards."
With a wave of her hand, three beams of light appeared before her. Though small, they took the shape of baby-like bones, each glowing enticingly.
The crowd stared wide-eyed, even the top experts present burning with excitement.
These were the soul bones—the top-tier soul bones to be awarded to the champions of the Soul Master Tournament. In an instant, the entire arena erupted with fervor.
Standing behind the Pope, Ghost Douluo spoke in his deep voice, "These three soul bones are the Wisdom Skull of Mental Focus, the Fire Arm of Explosive Flames, and the Wind Leg of Swift Movement. All three are from ten-thousand-year soul beasts, the finest soul bones in the world. The skull is particularly exceptional."
Yang Xiong's expression darkened as he looked at the three soul bones. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate treasures, but these soul bones were clearly prepared for the Golden Generation.
Throughout the tournament, Spirit Hall's Golden Generation displayed immense strength, effortlessly crushing all other teams, creating a vast gap in power.
Especially the martial soul fusion technique Demon Charm, formed by Xie Yue and Hu Liena, which not only possessed mental attack power but was also highly formidable in combat. Even a low-level Soul Emperor might struggle to overcome it.
Yang Xiong had looked through many books over the years but never found any detailed description of the Crimson Mist. Even with his Purple Extreme Magic Eyes, his mental power only reached the level of a Soul King. And Yang Xiong was only a level 39 Soul Master.
As for Tang San, Yang Xiong thought their Purple Extreme Magic Eyes were similar, but his was a body martial soul, which might make his mental power stronger. He couldn't even fully deal with the Crimson Mist, so the only real contender might be Davis and Zhu Zhuyun's Ghostly White Tiger.
While Yang Xiong pondered this, Bibi Dong spoke again.
"There is only one champion, and these three soul bones will be the reward for the final winner. I hope all three teams will give their best and achieve the final victory."
"This morning, each of your three teams will send seven members for a personal elimination match. The winner will gain an advantage and directly secure a spot for tomorrow's final. This afternoon, the losers will face each other. The match begins now."
Everyone already knew the competition rules. The three teams would send one person each to draw lots, and Shrek sent Shi Mo.
As for the individual matches this morning, everyone had considered them carefully.
Spirit Hall's team was the strongest, and they would likely take first place in the individual matches, with their three Soul Kings and other Soul Masters above level 45.
The Star Luo Royal Academy, while powerful, had only Davis at level 49, with the rest of the team at around level 42-43, creating a significant gap.
Shrek's team had an even larger gap, with the highest being Yu Tianheng at level 43, and the rest of the team ranging from level 41-42, nearly a 9-level difference, which was practically insurmountable.
As Shi Mo finished drawing lots and prepared to step onto the stage, Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke.
"Please wait, Shi Mo, come back."
Bibi Dong looked puzzled and asked, "What do you mean? Please explain your reasons."
Yu Xiaogang smiled coldly, "I have no other intention. Our Shrek team from the Tiandou Royal Academy voluntarily forfeits this morning's individual match and will directly enter the afternoon's losers' match. We have the right to forfeit, don't we?"
Yu Xiaogang's words were calm but carried an air of profundity.
After hearing this, the high-ranking officials of the Tiandou Empire, led by Prince Xue Qinghe, looked extremely uncomfortable. Shrek represented the Tiandou Royal Academy and the Tiandou Empire. For them to concede without a fight felt like a humiliation for the entire empire.
Meanwhile, the Star Luo Royal Academy team's members looked grim. If Shrek conceded, they would have to face Spirit Hall's team alone. Even Davis, however arrogant, understood the disparity—especially the difference of three ten-thousand-year soul rings.
Bibi Dong, initially surprised, nodded slightly and said, "You're right, forfeiting is indeed your right. I was being rude, Elder Yu."
Everyone was taken aback. The leader of the Tiandou Royal Academy team was actually a Spirit Hall Elder. This was quite amusing.
Spirit Hall Elders were mostly Title Douluo, with the only non-Title Douluo elder being Ning Fengzhi, who was also the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the continent's top support soul master.
People looked at Yu Xiaogang with strange expressions. In the eyes of these top experts, it was obvious that Yu Xiaogang was just a 29th-level Great Soul Master. Even though he had some fame in the soul master world, his reputation was rather poor, and he was somewhat despised by many factions.
Bibi Dong said, "Since Shrek from the Tiandou Royal Academy has forfeited, the competition will continue."
Everyone's gaze turned to Davis. Shrek clearly intended to rest and wait for their opponents to tire. But the Star Luo Empire, as the continent's top power, couldn't afford to lose so easily, especially with Davis needing to report back.
Davis's face turned pale. He immediately sent a Soul Sovereign to the stage, who was swiftly defeated.
After sending two Soul Sovereigns and realizing their lack of power, Davis decisively forfeited, preserving his strength and maintaining the country's image.
(END CHAPTER)
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