The entire hall fell silent.
Time seemed to stand still as everyone stared blankly at the black-robed figure on the arena, speechless with shock. He remained motionless, like a statue.
They simply couldn't believe what they were seeing.
Within moments, a single person, using only one hand, effortlessly defeated their prized Oakland team as easily as swatting a fly.
The shock left them unable to recover for a long time.
"I...I'll go down by myself."
The beautiful young girl glanced at the man in black robes with fear. Upon hearing his reply, she answered without hesitation, immediately turned around, and rushed to the edge of the Soul Fighting Platform, where she jumped off.
This speed is faster than many agility-type Soul Masters, making people marvel at how fast a support-type Soul Master from Auckland can run.
Seeing the girl jump off the Soul Fighting Platform, Dai Yao's golden eyes swept over Wang Lin and the others embedded in the wall, a barely perceptible smile appearing in his eyes.
He held back with everyone.
Although they would feel intense pain, they wouldn't actually be harmed. As a former teammate with whom he had worked seamlessly together, he understood Feng Qianli's thoughts despite the lack of communication.
Such a crushing defeat, where they were completely outmatched, should have brought these younger students back to their senses from their arrogance.
Pulling his hat brim low, Dai Yao slowly walked down the Soul Fighting Platform under everyone's gaze.
As Dai Yao approached, Feng Qianli was about to say something when Dai Yao lowered his voice and said:
"I am now a member of the Spirit Hall. You cannot get too close to me. I'll leave now. See you at the usual place."
As soon as he finished speaking, the man in black robes vanished from everyone's sight with a flash.
This scene immediately drew gasps of surprise, and many spectators hurriedly searched for the figure in black robes, but upon looking around, the figure in black robes had vanished without a trace.
Everyone felt a sense of emptiness, as if they had missed something...
Wang Lin struggled to free himself from the wall, rubbing his still aching chest, and looked in the direction of the man in black robes, his eyes filled with shock.
That gentle slap will become a nightmare that he can never shake off.
He was panting heavily as he and the girl helped their teammates escape. The seven of them stood together, their faces burning with shame. To be defeated so easily, without even using their martial spirits, was truly humiliating.
They even felt that everyone looking at them was filled with deep disappointment.
They lowered their heads and slowly walked to Feng Qianli's side, not daring to look at him. After a long silence, they all felt that this competition was somewhat shameful and difficult to talk about.
Wang Lin gritted his teeth and said:
"Team leader, we lost. You're right, there are many people who are better than us."
Looking at the dejected faces of the crowd, Feng Qianli smiled with satisfaction. The arrogant air that had permeated them had finally vanished.
But he didn't want to completely destroy the children's confidence in the path of Soul Masters, so he comforted them:
"I just wanted to correct your arrogant attitude towards others in today's competition. But don't take this defeat too seriously, after all, that guy is not someone that ordinary people can compare to."
Just now, Dai Yao simply waved his hand and suppressed this year's Oakland team. This scene surprised Feng Qianli just as much as the audience.
He couldn't imagine just how powerful Dai Yao had become in the past five years!
Upon hearing this, Wang Lin clenched his fists and said unwillingly:
"Team leader, who exactly is that man in black robes? We are really unwilling to accept defeat at the hands of someone whose identity we don't know."
These words immediately resonated with everyone. The black-robed man's voice sounded quite young, yet his strength completely overwhelmed them.
This deeply shocked these arrogant fellows, who were eager to know who the man in black robes was.
Feng Qianli scanned the faces of the seven people, remaining silent for a long while. He knew that if he didn't speak, these young people would definitely not let it go.
He shook his head and said with a smile:
"He's actually the same age as you all. The reason he wears a black robe is because it's inconvenient for him to show his face in the Heaven Dou Empire. He's an old friend of mine. He's so young, yet he possesses such strength. You should already know who he is, shouldn't you?"
Everyone's eyes suddenly lit up. The beautiful young woman excitedly approached Feng Qianli, suppressing her excitement as she said:
"Team leader, that man in black robes, could he be...?"
Although she didn't say the person's name, everyone understood the two words she didn't say.
The absolute core of that former championship team—Dai Yao…
The group, who had initially been somewhat dejected due to their defeat, were now beaming with joy and discussing the matter enthusiastically. Being defeated by Dai Yao was an honor.
Wang Lin's eyes were unfocused as he recalled scenes from the past. From childhood to adulthood, he had been constantly praised, which had fostered his arrogant personality. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of shame.
Dai Yao was about the same age as him, but the gap in their strength was as vast as an chasm. Compared to Dai Yao, what did his little achievement amount to?
He raised his head and said gratefully to Feng Qianli:
"Team leader, thank you for your hard work."
Feng Qianli smiled with satisfaction. His student was finally beginning to change his arrogant views and start to re-examine his future path as a Soul Master.
Even if they don't achieve results in the competition soon, the lessons learned today will benefit them for life. Maintaining today's mindset will definitely lead to great achievements in the future.
"Alright, everyone, go back and get some rest today. Let's review today's matches and prepare for the upcoming Continental Soul Master Tournament. I have important business to attend to and must leave now."
The girl said shyly:
"Team leader, are you going to see that man in black robes? Can you take us with you?"
As soon as he finished speaking, pairs of eager, expectant eyes turned to Feng Qianli. They all longed to meet the legendary figure.
Feng Qianli shook his head and said:
"That man's return today was truly unexpected. Moreover, given his current status, you should not see him."
Upon hearing this, the seven people's faces showed visibly disappointment.
"Alright, don't be too disappointed. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll ask him to meet you."
Feng Qianli comforted him.
After everyone left, Feng Qianli turned around and sped off towards the place he had agreed to meet with Dai Yao.
Unbeknownst to him, a young man, after nervously surveying his surroundings, hurriedly left the Auckland Arena and merged into the crowd in Tian Dou City.
······
Auckland College, the former residence of Dai Yao.
The waterfall cascades down, crashing against the rocks with a deafening roar. Beside the pool, a small wooden house stands seemingly out of nowhere.
In the forest, Dai Yao stared speechlessly at the wooden fence blocking his way. A wooden fence enclosed the entire waterfall, and directly in front of Dai Yao hung a wooden sign with the four large characters "Dai Yao's Former Residence".
He couldn't help but complain:
"Is the place where I live being turned into a tourist attraction? Do I have to pay an entrance fee just to go home?"
Just then, a rough voice rang out behind him.
"What? The black-robed man who just displayed such power can't even go back to his own home now?"
Dai Yao turned around and saw a hint of mockery on Feng Qianli's broad face. He said helplessly:
"yes."
Feng Qianli approached Dai Yao, gazing at the waterfall within the wooden fence, and explained:
"Please don't take offense, after all, this place no longer belongs to the academy."
Dai Yao was taken aback. This place was the academy's simulated cultivation environment, and he had lived here for several years. Given his importance to the academy, the academy would never easily give up this place.
He couldn't help but ask:
Why is that?
Feng Qianli turned to Dai Yao and said sarcastically, "This is all your fault."
"Blame me?"
"After winning the championship, the woman from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School of Shrek Academy approached the principal, wanting to buy this land. The principal refused no matter what, but she offered him a price he couldn't refuse."
"Left with no other option, the principal transferred it to that woman."
"Tell me, if it's not your fault for provoking that woman again, then whose fault is it?"
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao stared blankly at his old residence, which he hadn't seen in five years. He knew, of course, who the woman from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School that Feng Qianli was referring to was. After a moment of silence, he said:
"Is that woman alright?"
Feng Qianli laughed and said, "Good, how could it not be good! Not long after returning from Wuhun City, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School announced that this woman had officially become the young sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. She is of noble status, richer than a country, and beautiful."
"Countless men in Tiandou City dream of marrying this woman in the future!"
Dai Yao gently exhaled a breath of stale air and slowly said:
"That's good······"
Sensing that Dai Yao was in a bad mood, Feng Qianli tactfully stopped discussing the topic and turned to ask:
"Zhuqing, how are Wutong and the others?"
Dai Yao chuckled and said:
"Zhu Qing became Ghost Douluo's disciple, and Wu Tong was sought after by both Ling Yuan Douluo and Qing Luan Douluo. Now, she has been accepted as a disciple by both of them."
"Their teachers take care of all the training, including soul power cultivation, soul rings, and soul bones. Sometimes, even when I go with them, they kick me out."
Upon hearing this, Feng Qianli chuckled softly. Five years had passed, and everyone had changed a lot. He couldn't help but speak of the recent situations of his other teammates, saying wistfully:
"After we came back that year, Dai Yuanyi finally confessed his feelings to Luo Ling. After graduation, he took Luo Ling to the Kingdom of Silves."
"Luo Feng, on the other hand, stayed at the academy and became a teacher."
"Under his guidance, many talented people have emerged. His teaching skills have won unanimous praise from students and teachers alike, and even the principal has praised him highly."
"However, he recently went to the province of Pharos for academic exchange and cannot come back for the time being. Otherwise, I would have kept you here and we would have had a good drink together."
He usually doesn't drink alcohol, but Dai Yao's arrival made him break his vow. It's just a pity that one of his old friends was absent.
Dai Yao recalled Luo Feng's calm and composed command during the Soul Battle. Although he couldn't compare to Tang San, he was still considered top-tier among the thirty-two teams at the time.
With a flick of his wrist, he took out several thick books from the ring given to him by the librarian and handed them to Feng Qianli, saying:
"These are for Luo Feng. Since he has left, please pass them on for me. These are some of the more famous theories in the Soul Master world over the years, many of which are unknown to the outside world. They should be very attractive to Luo Feng."
Feng Qianli accepted the books, knowing their preciousness, and said in a deep voice:
"I thank you on his behalf."
"What about Dou Yu? What did he do?"
Dai Yao inquired.
Dou Yu was a three-ring Soul Master with one white and two yellow Soul Rings back then, and his strength was definitely among the lowest of that batch of Soul Masters. Dai Yao, with a mix of concern for his old friend and a touch of curiosity, inquired about his current situation.
Feng Qianli smiled and said:
"He, like you, joined the Spirit Hall. However, he doesn't have your talent and isn't valued by the Spirit Hall. He's quite happy with that, and has become a Soul Master responsible for awakening Spirits in various mountain villages."
"When he left, he told me, 'I come from an extremely remote village. Even the Spirit Hall didn't set up a branch there, so no one helped the villagers awaken their spirits.'"
'Therefore, he decided to return to his hometown and set up a branch of the Spirit Hall there to help the children there awaken their spirits.'
At this point, a hint of reminiscence flashed in Feng Qianli's eyes:
"Back then, when Dou Yu came to the academy, I happened to be there too. That day, he was dressed in rags, carrying a big bag full of patches, and his face was covered in sweat. He was almost kicked out by the gatekeeper."
"The principal was kind-hearted and only accepted him after inquiring about his situation."
"You know, when he first came here, he was as thin as a stick. After joining the academy, he started eating whatever he wanted, and he would eat until he was stuffed before stopping. That's how he became the obese person he is today."
"He decided to go back to where he came from, and to be honest, I admire him."
Dai Yao couldn't help but nod. He could imagine how many difficulties Dou Yu had to overcome to achieve what he had today in a place without a Martial Soul Branch Hall and without anyone to help them awaken their Martial Souls.
However, he did not stay in the bustling capital. Instead, he decided to build his hometown. This sentiment made Dai Yao admire him.
"After I go back this time, I will look for where Dou Yu is now and give him some help."
Dai Yao made a solemn promise.
Feng Qianli laughed and said, "He was worried that bringing these things up with you would damage your relationship, but now it's all good that you brought them up yourself."
"By the way, you must see Yanzi this time you come back. We've all watched her grow up these past few years and know how much she misses you."
"I know, I just came back from her."
"That's good."
The two didn't say much about Dugu Yan, but all the meaning was left unsaid.
The two reminisced about the past and chatted for a long time before saying goodbye again.
A day later, a carriage drove out of the Spirit Temple and slowly left Heaven Dou City. After a brief stop, Dai Yao once again departed this ancient and majestic city.
"Next time I come, this place might be engulfed in war..."
Looking at the still bustling Tiandou City, a trace of sadness flashed in Dai Yao's eyes, and he thought to himself.
······
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
The young man who came out of the Auckland Arena looked up at the majestic gate of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, took out a token, and showed it to the guards.
The guards were taken aback, but immediately showed respect and made way for them.
The young man took a deep breath and quickly entered the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. (End of Chapter)