At the highest VIP seating, the Mainland's elite could not hide the dazed shock on their faces at this moment.
Emperor Star Luo's eyes shone, and beyond surprise there was wordless excitement and fear. Chen Yi's performance was so stunning that, if this young man could not serve Star Luo in the future, he might become a huge problem—though for now, it was satisfying to see Spirit Hall defeated.
For the first time, Ning Fengzhi's calm face rippled with intense emotion, his gaze at Chen Yi extremely complex, a mix of admiration and shock, but ultimately awe and a flash of killing intent.
Dawn Douluo's face was so dark it looked like water might drip from it, his claws digging deep into his palm.
Chen Yi's performance had completely exceeded their expectations—not a genius, but a monster!
But as his gaze swept a certain direction, he forcibly calmed himself, his face regaining composure, though the coldness in his eyes only grew.
On the ring, the only one still standing—healing angel soul master Li Zhengxuan—had long since turned her gaze to endless fear. Her delicate body trembled, her mind blank. She simply couldn't understand how, with four Soul Kings and the Spirit Hall team's tacit cooperation, they could be so quickly and completely defeated before this youth, as if a strong adult was beating children!
When Chen Yi's cold gaze swept over her, though there was no killing intent, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
Out of excitement, she forced a dry laugh uglier than crying, stammering,
"So… that's… Don't force me, I… I'll do it myself!"
With that, Li Zhengxuan scrambled over to the nearly unconscious Guang Yu, desperately resisting and dragging him up, then jumped off the ring without looking back—afraid that if she delayed even a step, she'd end up like her teammates.
As a support soul master with no offensive power, she simply could not withstand even the lightest touch of this great demon king.
Seeing Chen Yi's gaze turn her way, the referee unconsciously took a half-step back, throat tightening, then trembling, he announced,
"First match of the semifinals, the winner is Grand Martial Academy Team!"
Only then did the countless viewers, stunned by the incredible process and result, feel as if they had suddenly awakened from a long dream.
"Boom——!"
Thunderous cheers, shouts, and heated debate erupted like a tidal wave!
"Too strong! Way too strong! The Mainland's number one genius truly deserves the name!"
"Those who doubted Young Sect Master Chen before, what do you say now?!"
"My god, first ring millennium, third ring ten thousand years… is this really happening?"
"Spirit Hall… did they just get confused? Or did one man really overturn their whole team?!"
The feverish atmosphere nearly set the whole Soul Fighting Arena ablaze, all eyes focused on the indifferent figure walking to the ring's edge, full of respect and awe.
Chen Yi returned to Grand Martial Academy's preparation area, greeted by his teammates like a hero, faces brimming with excitement and pride.
"Young Sect Master, amazing!"
Jiang Hongfei pumped his fist in excitement. Shui Bing'er's eyes sparkled, while Dugu Yan couldn't contain her excitement and leapt up, giving Chen Yi a big hug. Her cute face blushed slightly as she scolded him,
"You—you've been hiding this from us!"
Chen Yi smiled slightly, patting her back and saying little.
After a moment of celebration, Jiang Hongfei's eyes turned to the jubilant Star Luo Royal Academy team in the other preparation area, high-fiving each other. He couldn't help but smile,
"Looks like there are people even happier than us over there."
The others smiled knowingly at this.
Originally, by strength comparison, Star Luo Royal Academy had no hope against Spirit Hall Academy and only made it to the finals by luck. But now, with Spirit Hall's main force gravely injured, Star Luo's chances in the afternoon finals had soared—they couldn't help but be pleased.
Yet, looking at the Star Luo team, it was as if they already held the champion's trophy. Chen Yi shook his head, his tone carrying a trace of mockery:
"Win? This afternoon, they'll be lucky not to get beaten so badly they need incense for the dead."
The moment those words left his lips, everyone in Grand Martial Academy was stunned, faces full of shock. Yang Zhantian frowned,
"Young Sect Master, the Spirit Hall substitutes are decent but at best Soul Ancestor level. Compared to a full-strength Star Luo team, they can't possibly compete, right?"
Shui Bing'er also wondered,
"Could they have another trump card we don't know about?"
Dugu Yan approached directly, grabbing Chen Yi's arm and asked with interest,
"Xiao Yi, could Spirit Hall have an even more powerful genius disciple hidden away?"
Chen Yi gazed into the distance, watching the Spirit Hall team receiving emergency treatment, and replied calmly,
"Joining this tournament is not just to build Grand Martial Academy's reputation. My main goal is to take this opportunity… to compete with her."
"Her?"
Everyone looked at each other in confusion.
Who could the young sect master, so powerful, consider his main target?
...
That afternoon, the Soul Fighting Arena was warmer and more subdued than in the morning.
The finals were about to begin, but the state of both teams was very different from pre-match expectations.
In the VIP box, Emperor Dai Liang of Star Luo looked at the crowd below, then turned to Dawn Douluo beside him, feigning a relaxed tone,
"Dawn Douluo, which side do you favor for the finals?"
Dai Liang expected to see anger or stubbornness on Dawn Douluo's face, but Dawn Douluo only glanced at him faintly, his eyes showing not anger, but a strong contempt as if looking at a foolish ant.
This abnormal reaction made Dai Liang's heart skip a beat. Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo Gu Rong also noticed, surprise written on their faces.
Since when was the Spirit Hall's Angel Legion vice-captain so silent?
The determination and mockery in his eyes could not be hidden.
Suddenly, Dawn Douluo stood up, straightened his clothes, and with extreme solemnity and respect, bowed towards the shadow at the edge of the VIP box. At the same time, his majestic soul power enveloped his voice and spread throughout the Grand Soul Arena:
"Welcome to the His Exellency Azure Luan Douluo!"
Title Douluo's salute?!
Countless gazes instantly focused on that shadow!
Who could be worthy of such respect from a Title Douluo?
The next moment, space rippled slightly, and a figure appeared quietly.
He wore blue robes, his features simple, his eyes as deep as the starry sky, his aura hidden but naturally exuding a transcendent quality above all living beings.
This was the third Worship of Spirit Hall, at level ninety-seven, the peak Douluo—Azure Luan Douluo!
"It's him!"
Bone Douluo Gu Rong's eyes turned extremely grave, quietly informing Ning Fengzhi of his identity and strength. Ning Fengzhi was shocked, not daring to slight him, and hurriedly stood to salute,
"Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect greets the Azure Luan Douluo!"
Dai Liang quickly stifled his earlier ease, overwhelmed, he too stood and nodded lightly,
"So it is the Worship of Spirit Hall. My apologies for any offense."
After a short silence, the entire audience erupted in a shocking cheer,
"Salute to Azure Luan Douluo!"
Azure Luan Douluo nodded lightly, not sparing a glance at Dai Liang or Ning Fengzhi. He walked straight past them and stopped before Ye Cien of the auxiliary clan, his face warm with a smile.
"To think the Douluo Continent has truly produced an auxiliary 'Titled Douluo'—a blessing for the soul master world and the Continent."
Ye Cien met him with neither arrogance nor humility, smiling,
"I'm not deserve such praise His Exellency Azure Luan Douluo."
Azure Luan Douluo smiled,
"As the mainland's only auxiliary Douluo, you deserve the title of 'Number One Support.'"
As his words fell, Ning Fengzhi's face darkened.
His Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul was hailed as the world's foremost support martial soul, and he had once been known as the world's number one support soul master, but now, before an auxiliary system "Titled Douluo," his level seventy-nine self felt deeply ashamed.
At that moment, a clear laugh rang out, echoing through the entire Grand Soul Arena,
"Hehe, Azure Luan Douluo is right—the auxiliary Titled Douluo is worthy of praise."
Before the words faded, a ghostly figure appeared halfway in front of Ye Cien, blocking most of his view.
Ye Cien immediately bowed,
"Greetings, Grand Elder."
Ning Fengzhi, Dai Liang, and the others dared not slight him, bowing together,
"Salute to the Wisdom Brain Douluo!"
Again, the audience heard a chorus of awed respect.
Many looked curiously at this gentle, uncle-like man, struggling to associate him with the unprecedented killer who had slain Clear Sky Douluo and shocked the Continent.
As the Grand Elder and Azure Luan Douluo took their seats, Azure Luan Douluo glanced at the Grand Elder, a trace of jealousy flickering in his eyes, but he smiled and asked,
"I wonder what brings the Wisdom Brain Douluo to this Soul Master Tournament? It can't be so simple as to just visit the juniors, right?"
The Grand Elder smiled, took the fragrant tea offered by the attendant, blew on it meaningfully, and replied,
"Why do you come, Azure Luan Douluo? Why do I come?"
Azure Luan Douluo was startled, clearly not fully understanding the deep meaning of his words.
Why are you here?
Of course, he had been ordered by the Worship to ensure the safety of the young miss and witness the other's first appearance.
Could that be the Wisdom Brain Douluo's goal as well?
Azure Luan Douluo's mind was sharply shaken, but nothing showed on his face. The Grand Elder only smiled, saying nothing, his gaze returning to the ring below.
At that moment, the referee's voice, amplified by the soul guide, broke the subtle tension in the VIP area,
"The finals are about to begin! We invite both teams, Star Luo Royal Academy and Spirit Hall Academy, to enter the arena!"
The seven members of Star Luo Royal Academy, under their captain's lead, strode forcefully into the arena, full of energy and soul power, their confident smiles radiant. The captain waved to the crowd, drawing cheers. In their eyes, facing a depleted Spirit Hall team of only substitutes, the championship was already in hand.
But as the Star Luo team reveled in the crowd's adulation, there was no sign of anyone at the Spirit Hall entrance. The noise seemed pressed down by an invisible hand.
Because, as the Spirit Hall team appeared, what emerged was not the frightened, weak substitutes or defeated remnants they'd imagined.
First to catch the eye—a dazzling golden accent.
Immediately after, a beautiful figure in a golden palace dress walked out slowly. Her slender form and calm steps made it seem as if she was attending a sacred ceremony, not a fierce soul master tournament.
Her long golden hair draped naturally behind her shoulders like silk, her skin fairer than snow, her features breathtakingly perfect.
Most striking of all—her clear, transparent golden eyes, and the high, holy, inviolable aura that radiated from her! Just standing there, she seemed the center of the world, drawing in all light and attention.
The entire Star Luo Arena fell into an eerie silence.
Everyone's heart filled with a huge question mark.
Who is she? Why haven't we seen her in the Spirit Hall team before?!
In the seats of Grand Martial Academy, a meaningful smile appeared on Chen Yi's lips as he murmured quietly,
"At last… I've been waiting for you."
…