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The match between the Tiandou Imperial Academy and the Spirit Hall Academy was scheduled for the final round.
Before the match, Dugu Yan brought the members of the Imperial Battle Team to visit the Seven Treasures Academy.
When Yu Tianheng was part of the Imperial Battle Team, there had been some friction between their team and Ning Tianchen's. However, during the inter-academy exchange tournament, the two teams had resolved their differences and become brother teams.
"Yanzi, judging by your expression, it seems you've already given up hope?" Ning Tianchen asked.
Dugu Yan forced a bitter smile. "Stop teasing us. According to the information my grandfather received, the Spirit Hall Academy has at least three Soul Kings. Our team only has me as a high-level Soul Ancestor, and the gap between us is simply too vast. We don't stand a chance of winning."
"In this match, we'll do our best to force the Spirit Hall Academy to reveal their trump cards. When that happens, you'll have to avenge us."
Yu Feng sighed. "Our captain is right. As soon as the match starts, we'll give it our all. If we can force the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall to reveal their fifth soul skill, we'll consider our mission accomplished."
Ning Tianchen couldn't help but feel sympathy for them.
If they had drawn better lots, the Imperial Battle Team's strength would have easily allowed them to reach the third round and secure a top-ten finish.
A first-round elimination felt like an immediate death sentence, and no one could take it lightly.
In the original timeline, the Spirit Hall Team had dealt a heavy blow to the Imperial Battle Team in the competition.
Almost every member of the Imperial Battle Team had suffered severe injuries.
Thinking about this, Ning Tianchen solemnly reminded them, "Yanzi, your safety comes first in this match. If the Spirit Hall team goes too far, just surrender directly."
After a pause, he added, "The relationship between the Spirit Hall and the Tiandou Empire has reached a breaking point. I suspect they'll use this opportunity to retaliate."
Dugu Yan nodded. "I understand. We'll be careful."
Afterward, the two sides exchanged pleasantries for a while.
As the match approached, Dugu Yan led her team away.
"Boss, is the Spirit Hall Academy team really that strong?" Chen Huayu asked nervously.
To win the championship meant they would eventually face off against the Spirit Hall Academy.
The stronger the opponent, the greater the pressure on them.
"The key to determining whether an enemy is strong or not doesn't lie with us—it lies within yourself. If you think they're overwhelmingly strong, then they are. Conversely, the same applies," Ning Tianchen didn't explicitly confirm their strength.
In his view, the Spirit Hall Academy team was indeed strong, but their dominance was built on their age advantage.
Under the premise of consistent cultivation and equal talent, older individuals always held a slight edge in cultivation.
If both sides were of the same age, Ning Tianchen believed they could easily defeat the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall.
Feng Xiaotian chimed in, "We gained our current strength because of the immortal herbs. Without them, even if we were in the position of the Golden Generation, we might not surpass them even after cultivating until the age of eighteen."
That was true.
Without the immortal herbs, Chen Huayu and Zhu Zhuqing would only have a starting soul power of level seven.
In the early stages of cultivation, diligence might allow them to keep up with geniuses who started with full soul power.
But as they grew older and their strength increased, the gap would become more pronounced—something hard work alone couldn't bridge.
Ning Tianchen clapped his hands. "Alright, the match is about to start. Everyone, focus carefully and don't miss the opportunities the Imperial Battle Team creates for us."
Everyone refocused their attention, turning their gaze toward the arena.
After the captains shook hands, the match officially began.
On the Spirit Hall Academy side, only the three members of the Golden Generation revealed their martial souls and soul rings, while the other four teammates stood aside, seemingly as mere accessories, showing no intention of participating.
True to their pre-match words, the Imperial Battle Team unleashed their high-level soul skills right from the start.
However, it seemed the Golden Generation trio was prepared.
Xie Yue swung his crescent blades rapidly, creating a whirlwind in front of him that dispersed Dugu Yan's Azure Phosphorus Snake Poison entirely.
Taking advantage of the moment, Hu Liena slipped to Dugu Yan's side and used her spirit-type soul skill to successfully incapacitate her.
Dugu Yan, being the granddaughter of a Title Douluo, wasn't subjected to excessive harm by the Golden Generation trio. They gently tossed her off the stage.
However, the rest of the Imperial Battle Team wasn't so lucky.
Facing Xie Yue and Yan's charge, they struggled to hold their ground. With Hu Liena providing support, the Imperial Battle Team quickly crumbled, and everyone sustained serious injuries.
"I protest! This is premeditated murder!" The speaker was none other than Xue Qinghe, the representative of the Tiandou Empire and its crown prince.
On the high platform, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Chen Xin's expressions turned grim.
The Tiandou Imperial Academy team represented the face of the Tiandou Empire. The Spirit Hall's blatant humiliation of them was clearly intended to send a message to the empire.
"These Spirit Hall guys are despicable!" Ning Rongrong muttered under her breath.
Ning Tianchen patted her forehead and explained, "Rongrong, this world has no inherent good or evil. The Golden Generation represents the Spirit Hall, and this move is part of political maneuvering."
"But they can't just act recklessly!" Ning Rongrong pouted indignantly.
"Here in the Spirit City, the Spirit Hall is the rule." The speaker was Ke Jie.
Within the Spirit City, the Spirit Hall was the absolute authority, and no one dared to provoke them lightly!
The red-robed cardinal serving as the referee hurried onto the stage to check the injuries of the Imperial Battle Team members.
With the Golden Generation blatantly violating the rules in public view, the Spirit Hall would need to uphold the banner of fairness and impose punishment.
After inspecting everyone, the referee let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the Golden Generation trio had exercised restraint and hadn't inflicted life-threatening injuries.
"No casualties occurred in the Imperial Battle Team, and the Spirit Hall Academy team did not violate any rules. The tournament rules clearly state that soul skills are indiscriminate, and injuries are inevitable."
Representing the Spirit Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo said calmly, "Out of humanitarian considerations, the Spirit Hall Academy team will compensate the Tiandou Imperial Academy team with ten thousand gold spirit coins. We hope they recover soon."
"Hmph!" Xue Qinghe angrily slammed the railing in front of him and stormed out of the arena.
It wasn't as if the Tiandou Empire lacked ten thousand gold spirit coins—or even each member of the Imperial Battle Team.
This gesture by the Spirit Hall was a clear act of humiliation toward the Tiandou Empire.
In Shrek Academy's rest area, Ma Hongjun burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "Haha, I'm dying of laughter! Who would have thought the Imperial Battle Team would end up like this today? In my opinion, they shouldn't have spared Dugu Yan. A team should fall together!"
At the end of the preliminaries, Shrek Academy's prize money had been awarded to the second Imperial Battle Team. The amount? Exactly ten thousand gold spirit coins.
By stating this figure, the Spirit Hall was clearly mocking them!
However, after Ma Hongjun finished speaking, few responded.
Flender patted his head. "Hongjun, now isn't the time to make sarcastic remarks."
Tang San spoke gravely, "The Spirit Hall is clearly targeting the Tiandou Empire. As a participating team from the Tiandou Empire, we are also their primary target for suppression."
Yu Tianheng added, "Lips and teeth depend on each other. Even though we aren't on good terms with the Imperial Battle Team or the Seven Treasures Team, at this moment, we must stand united. Otherwise, the fate of the Imperial Battle Team today could easily become the fate of other teams from the Tiandou Empire tomorrow."
Yu Tianxin frowned. "The Spirit Hall Academy team displayed formidable strength. At our current level, we likely can't withstand the charge of three Soul Kings."
Tang San sighed. "I wonder when Teacher will return. Right now, we desperately need his guidance."
Suddenly, Liu Erlong had an idea. "Although your individual strengths may not match the Spirit Hall team, if you could concentrate everyone's power into one person, you might still have a chance."
"Like our Golden Iron Triangle's triple martial soul fusion technique. If you could channel everyone's power into Xiao San, you might still stand a fighting chance."
Hearing this, Tang San's eyebrows twitched. "Teacher Erlong's suggestion might be feasible. But it requires Teacher's wisdom. After following him for so many years, I've only scratched the surface. On my own, I can't figure out how to do it."
For a moment, the members of Shrek Academy longed deeply for Yu Xiaogang's return.
As for Yu Xiaogang's safety, no one was worried.
As long as Yu Yuanzhen was alive, his status as the son of a Title Douluo served as a powerful protective talisman.
After all, even a behemoth like the Spirit Hall wouldn't dare to offend a Title Douluo lightly.
---
In the evening, at the hotel where the Tiandou Imperial Academy was staying.
Dugu Bo personally intervened to treat the injuries of the Imperial Battle Team members.
Their healer, Ye Lingling, was severely injured and unable to treat others. Without timely treatment, she would inevitably develop lingering ailments that could affect her future cultivation.
Not long after, Ke Jie arrived with Ning Tianchen, Ning Rongrong, and a healer from their sect who had accompanied the team.
Seeing them, Dugu Bo was somewhat surprised. "Old Ke, little guy, what brings you here?"
Ke Jie replied, "Brother Dugu, this is our sect's healer. Relying solely on medicinal herbs, the children's recovery would take time. Let our healer treat them first."
Ning Tianchen added, "Treat Ye Lingling first. The healing ability of the Nine-Heart Begonia martial soul is very strong. Once she's healed, you'll have it easier."
The healer acknowledged the order, and his Radiant Staff martial soul appeared in his hand.
The next moment, a sun-like glow entered Ye Lingling's body, and her injuries visibly began to heal at a rapid pace.
"Thank you, Senior Ke, and thank you all," Dugu Yan bowed deeply to the group, expressing her sincere gratitude.
"Don't worry, Yanzi. The Seven Treasures Academy will avenge you," Ning Tianchen said earnestly.
"There's no need for thanks. Helping each other is what brother academies do," Ke Jie waved dismissively.
Dugu Bo sighed. "Old Ke, thank you."
He then led the group to the living room.
Sitting on the sofa, Dugu Bo spoke gravely, "The Spirit Hall dared to openly strike this hard, clearly showing they don't take the Tiandou Empire seriously. I'm worried that even if you win the championship, they won't let you leave Spirit City with the spirit bones easily."
Ning Rongrong pouted. "Uncle Dugu, please rest assured. Grandpa Sword's strength is formidable. Those two Title Douluos from the Pope's Palace aren't a match for him. I doubt they'd dare seize the spirit bones."
Ke Jie countered, "Brother Dugu, are you saying that apart from Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo, the Pope herself is not to be underestimated?"
The world knew that Pope Bibi Dong possessed the strength of a Title Douluo, but her exact soul power level remained unknown.
Of course, given the Pope's prestigious status, no one dared to probe her strength.
Dugu Bo's expression grew more serious. "Bibi Dong's strength is extraordinary. I can confirm that she's a Super Douluo. Whether she's at level ninety-five, ninety-six, or higher, I cannot say."
"But don't forget, she's a twin martial soul, soul master."
Ning Rongrong gasped, covering her mouth. "If that's the case, even Grandpa Sword might struggle against her."
Ning Tianchen, however, wasn't worried. "Because of the Soul Master Tournament, Spirit City is filled with spectators from across the continent. Even if Bibi Dong wants to seize the spirit bones, she wouldn't dare do so in broad daylight."
"After the tournament, as long as we leave with the main group, the Spirit Hall won't have a chance to strike."
"Even if Bibi Dong wanted to defy the entire continent, she wouldn't act without preparation."
"So, we can relax. We're safe."
Dugu Bo pondered for a moment and found his reasoning sound. "Still, after the Soul Master Tournament, Bibi Dong might attempt to assassinate you. Be cautious in the future."
...
From the third round of the finals, the competition had already entered a white-hot stage.
The teams that had made it this far were almost all strong contenders.
Every match from this point onward was incredibly intense and thrilling.
The Spirit Hall slowed down the pace of scheduling matches, with only one or two matches held each day moving forward.
On this day, Yu Luomian, who had departed from the sect, arrived in Spirit City.
If he wanted to free Yu Xiaogang, he had no choice but to approach Bibi Dong. And she already knew his identity.
However, Spirit City was now flooded with soul masters, among whom there were likely informants from various factions.
Yu Xiaogang's situation wasn't exactly honorable, so for the sake of the sect's reputation, Yu Luomian, after some careful disguise, checked into a hotel in Spirit City.
That night, Bibi Dong and Ghost Douluo arrived at his residence.
"Lord Ghost Douluo, who is this?" Yu Luomian asked, puzzled.
Beside Ghost Douluo stood a burly figure clad in a black robe.
From their build, this person clearly appeared to be male.
"Vice Sect Master Yu, did I keep you waiting long?" If not for Bibi Dong's voice, an ordinary person wouldn't have been able to discern her identity.
Yu Luomian was slightly startled and quickly knelt on one knee. "Greetings, Your Holiness, the Pope."
"Rise," Bibi Dong said without removing her disguise as she walked into the room and directly took the seat of honor, lightly tapping her fingers on the table.
"Speak. What is the purpose of your visit?"
After offering some flattering words, Yu Luomian finally got to the point. "My elder brother sent me here to request a person from Your Holiness."
"Yu Xiaogang?" Bibi Dong asked.
Yu Luomian nodded.
"Then you've come to the wrong person. Yu Xiaogang wasn't imprisoned in the dungeon by offending the Pope. He used Tang Hao's Pope's Token to impersonate an elder of the Spirit Hall and came to the Pope's Palace to deceive us, only to be caught red-handed by the fifth elder." It was Gui Mei who spoke. "If Vice Sect Master Yu wishes to rescue him, please go to the Elder's Hall and ask those old fellows to release him."
"Tang Hao?"
Yu Luomian's expression froze, surprised that Yu Xiaogang had gotten mixed up with this man.
But thinking about it, it made sense.
Tang San possessed the Haotian Hammer martial soul, and the only disciple of the Haotian Sect still wandering outside was Tang Hao. The former could only be Tang Hao's son.
With this realization, things became complicated.
The Spirit Hall already had grievances with Tang Hao. Yu Xiaogang's actions amounted to slapping the Spirit Hall in the face, and if pursued, he would likely spend the rest of his life in the dungeon.
Yu Luomian clasped his hands together. "I humbly request Your Holiness to find a solution. My elder brother has given me strict orders. If I fail to rescue Yu Xiaogang, a conflict between our two forces may become unavoidable."
He aspired to become the patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, but he certainly didn't want to inherit a family riddled with problems.
A conflict between the two forces would be extremely disadvantageous for him.
Bibi Dong didn't rush to speak.
Yu Luomian still had value to exploit, and she couldn't afford to let him turn against her before her goal was achieved.
After a moment, she feigned difficulty. "I can try. However, Vice Sect Master Yu, isn't it unrealistic to expect something for nothing?"
"Of course not." With that, he retrieved a twenty-thousand-year-old soul bone from his soul-guiding device.
Before leaving, Yu Yuanzhen had handed the soul bone to him specifically as leverage to ransom Yu Xiaogang!
With the soul bone in hand, Bibi Dong was thoroughly satisfied.
After accepting the soul bone, her figure vanished on the spot.
"Lord Ghost Douluo, this…" Yu Luomian immediately sensed something was amiss.
"Rest assured. Since the Pope has accepted your payment, she will naturally handle the matter for you." Ghost Douluo said coldly.
Yu Luomian let out a sigh of relief and bowed deeply in the direction Bibi Dong had left.
This spirit-type soul bone was essentially useless to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, but for Hu Liena, it was an invaluable treasure.
His gift greatly pleased Bibi Dong. She immediately ordered someone to go to the dungeon and release Yu Xiaogang.
Inside the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong summoned Hu Liena privately.
"Nana, you possess an external soul bone. If you win the tournament championship, you'll receive a head-type soul bone."
Hu Liena didn't understand and thought her teacher was reminding her of the stakes.
She quickly assured her, "Disciple will do everything in her power to secure the championship."
Bibi Dong waved her hand, and in the next moment, an arm-type soul bone appeared in her hand.
"This soul bone, if I'm not mistaken, should originate from a spirit fox-type soul beast. It will be of great help to you. Take it and absorb it—don't disappoint me."
"Teacher, isn't this too valuable? I…" Hu Liena felt excited but tried not to show it outwardly.
"No arrogance, no impatience—you've done well. I don't need the soul bone. Tonight, you will absorb the soul bone in the Pope's Palace. In the subsequent matches, you must win beautifully."
Absorbing a spirit-type soul bone could significantly enhance a soul master's mental strength and soul power.
In other words, absorbing this soul bone would make Hu Liena far stronger than she currently was. Not to mention, the soul bone would also grant her an additional soul skill.
Hu Liena stopped declining and began absorbing the soul bone on the spot.
Not long after, the person Bibi Dong had sent to release Yu Xiaogang returned to the Pope's Palace to report.
"Your Holiness, the Elder's Hall refuses to release the prisoner. They require your personal presence."
Bibi Dong wasn't surprised and pressed further, "How has Yu Xiaogang fared in the dungeon?"
The guard hesitated for a moment before revealing everything about Yu Xiaogang's ordeal.
These sordid affairs made Bibi Dong feel utterly disgusted.
At the same time, in her mind, Yu Xiaogang's image was completely shattered.
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