At this moment, after stepping down from the competition stage, Zhu Zhuqing felt an unprecedented sense of relief.
When Yan had invited Dai Mubai to join Spirit Hall earlier, not only did Dai Mubai not refuse outright, but he even showed a look of eager anticipation. At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing immediately understood—Dai Mubai was still the same Dai Mubai as before, without the slightest change.
Thinking about the fate that awaited her after the tournament, Zhu Zhuqing felt a wave of sorrow.
However, upon further reflection, she realized she had been thinking about it the wrong way.
If Dai Mubai really did join Spirit Hall, that would actually be a blessing for her!
Why had she been subjected to her sister Zhu Zhuyun's hostility and suppression? Wasn't it because of that engagement with Dai Mubai?
Once Dai Mubai joined Spirit Hall, the royal family would either eliminate him or, at the very least, strip him of his royal status.
In that case, their past engagement would naturally become void. After all, as the second daughter of the Zhu family, she could never be married to someone from Spirit Hall.
Without the engagement tying her down, her sister Zhu Zhuyun and Crown Prince Davis would no longer see her as a threat.
With the root of their conflict gone and her no longer considered a rival—plus the fact that both of her parents were still alive—the fate of being eradicated or having her soul power crippled and imprisoned for life would no longer befall her.
Truly, taking a step back meant a broader future!
With Zhu Zhuqing gone, Dai Mubai was unable to unleash the Hell White Tiger, and his strength was no longer significantly above that of other soul masters of the same rank. This made the already disadvantaged Shrek Team even less of a match for the Spirit Hall Team.
In less than two minutes, Spirit Hall Team secured a decisive victory.
Logically, after a team's defeat and elimination from the next round, the team captain should be the most disappointed. But in this case, that logic didn't apply to Shrek Team.
Though they had lost the match, as Shrek Team's captain, Dai Mubai was not at all dejected.
The reason was simple—he had found another way out.
Compared to that, winning or losing the match seemed trivial.
"Better to live in disgrace than to die in glory." Dai Mubai found these words to be quite true.
If he returned to Star Luo, there was no way he could compete with his elder brother, Davis. The best-case scenario would be having his soul power crippled and being imprisoned for life. In the worst case, Davis might simply have him assassinated.
But if he joined Spirit Hall, things would be entirely different.
There was no doubt that, when martial souls were the same, stronger bloodlines had a higher chance of producing geniuses. While not an absolute rule, the children of powerful individuals usually had at least decent talent—ensuring a solid baseline and a potentially higher ceiling.
Therefore, if Spirit Hall wanted to use him to obtain the White Tiger Soul inheritance, they wouldn't limit his growth.
Likewise, if they wanted that inheritance, they would certainly provide him with women.
With delicious food, fine drinks, and women being sent to him for free… Tsk, that kind of life would be way too comfortable.
A few years down the line, Dai Mubai might even become the founder of the second White Tiger family in the soul master world!
Hmm… It would be best to discuss this with His Holiness the Pope—those with insufficient beauty need not apply.
Dai Mubai was, after all, a well-known genius soul master. If he was willing to cooperate, His Holiness should have no reason to refuse such a small request.
With the second match concluded, it was time for Blazing Academy to face off against Star Luo Royal Academy.
Mu Yang led Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Huo Yun, Huo Yu, Huo Chui, and Huo Junxiong onto the competition stage with imposing momentum.
On the other side, the Star Luo Royal Academy team, led by a visibly displeased Davis, also stepped onto the stage.
Why was Davis looking so grim?
There was no other reason—after stepping off the competition stage, Dai Mubai had gone directly to Yan.
And earlier, when Yan had openly invited Dai Mubai to join Spirit Hall in front of everyone, Davis had seen it all.
If Dai Mubai truly defected and betrayed the family, the one most troubled—besides their father, the Star Luo Emperor—would undoubtedly be Davis, the soon-to-be crown prince of the empire.
If the empire failed to address this matter promptly, it could become a major issue for him in the future.
After all, by the time the royal family's White Tiger Soul inheritance began to leak, it would be precisely when he was reigning as the Star Luo Emperor.
However, Davis had at least been trained as the empire's heir—if nothing else, he knew how to control his outward emotions.
Once he stepped onto the competition stage, his grim expression quickly shifted to one of unwavering confidence.
"You're all quite impressive."
At that moment, as both teams awaited the referee's signal, Davis suddenly praised Mu Yang's group while sizing them up.
Mu Yang and his team: "???"
"Mu Yang, Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang—have you considered your future plans?" Davis asked with a smile.
There was no other reason—his Highness the First Prince, ever mindful of the empire's interests, was looking to recruit talent.
Though Mu Yang and the others were from the Heaven Dou Empire, who said that Star Luo Empire couldn't recruit talent from its rival?
As for their background in Blazing Academy? The Star Luo Empire would certainly welcome the establishment of another elite soul master academy within its borders.
After all, recruitment was just about saying a few flattering words in the early stages—it cost nothing.
Even if the attempt failed, there would be no loss. But if it succeeded, the gain would be enormous.
Upon hearing this, Mu Yang and his teammates couldn't help but exchange amused glances.
This First Prince of Star Luo sure had an inflated opinion of himself.
There were six major forces on the continent: the two empires, Spirit Hall, and the three upper sects.
With the Clear Sky Sect in seclusion and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan being highly exclusive, the vast majority of soul masters—aside from lone wanderers—ended up joining one of the four major powers: Spirit Hall, the two empires, or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Although the Star Luo Empire was powerful, it was far from the best choice for talented soul masters who weren't born into its noble class.
Not to mention Spirit Hall, the undisputed ruler of the soul master world. Even among the remaining options, Star Luo Empire was less attractive than both the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Spirit Hall was strong—if one didn't have the misfortune of running into someone like Tang Hao, there was little need to worry about safety.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was wealthy, offered excellent benefits, and was facing a generational gap. If an exceptional young soul master joined, they might even have the chance to turn Sect Master Ning into their father-in-law.
As for the Heaven Dou Empire, Emperor Xue Ye was known for his generosity and skill in handling people. Moreover, the empire lacked top-tier experts, meaning that any strong or talented individual who joined would receive great importance.
Aside from its lack of high-level experts, Heaven Dou could offer everything the other powers could—and in some cases, even more.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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