Chapter 235: The Pragmatist Shenfeng Academy
Just as Bibi Dong felt a strange connection with Xiao Ruier, a cardinal not far away noticed that the people from Tianxing Academy hadn't knelt. His face darkened, and to impress the Pope, he stepped forward and shouted angrily towards Tianxing Academy:
"How dare you! You dare not kneel before His Holiness the Pope?"
His rebuke was particularly jarring in the silent square.
Instantly, all eyes were focused on Tianxing Academy, and many Soul Masters from the Spirit Hall revealed hostility. However, to everyone's surprise, Bibi Dong's gaze on the platform softened. She slightly raised her jade hand, adorned with a magnificent gemstone ring, and gently pressed it down towards the cardinal who was trying to impress her.
With a simple gesture, the cardinal seemed to have his throat gripped, his face showing fear and awe. He lowered his head deeply, not daring to utter another word.
"In the Douluo Continent, there has never been a written rule stating that one must kneel and pay homage to the Pope." Bibi Dong's gaze swept over the group from Tianxing Academy, lingering briefly on Tang Chuan and Xiao Ruier, before she spoke calmly.
"Since they don't want to kneel, then they don't have to."
This casual remark defused a potentially explosive incident of disrespect, demonstrating her absolute confidence and composure as Pope.
She, Bibi Dong, did not need the kneeling of Soul Masters to maintain her authority.
The Pope's very existence was the supreme symbol of the entire continent.
Then, before anyone could fully grasp the meaning of her words, Bibi Dong gently waved the jeweled scepter in her hand, symbolizing the Pope's authority.
In an instant, three dazzling points of light shot out from her sleeve, magnifying in mid-air and hovering steadily, emanating a heart-pounding energy fluctuation.
The light gradually subsided, revealing what lay within.
They were three skeletons of different shapes, each radiating a powerful aura: a right arm bone wreathed in flame patterns, a skull flowing with a water-like blue light, and a left leg bone surrounded by a light, ethereal dark green light.
Fiery red, pale blue, and dark green light intertwined in mid-air.
Even in the bright sunlight, the light remained clearly visible.
Soul Bones! And three different soul bones at that!
"Boom—!"
After a brief silence, the entire Spirit City erupted in jubilation!
Even at the foot of Pope Mountain, countless people could clearly see the three soul bones floating in mid-air, symbolizing the highest dream of a soul master!
Aside from a very few who knew the inside story beforehand, who could have imagined that the final reward of this competition would be three soul bones?! Judging from the light emanating from them, these three soul bones were undoubtedly of superior quality!
Instantly, countless gazes burned with fervor, and heavy breathing filled the air. Even the members of the Spirit Hall couldn't help but reveal undisguised greed in their eyes.
If this weren't the Pope's Palace, and if several Title Douluos weren't presiding over the high platform, some would likely have already been unable to resist and rushed forward to snatch them.
Just then, Ghost Douluo, standing behind Bibi Dong, spoke in his deep and unique voice:
"These three soul bones are the Wisdom Skull, formed from concentrated spirit; the Right Arm Bone, formed from exploding flames; and the Left Leg Bone, formed from rapid movement. All three originated from soul beasts over ten thousand years old. Among them, the Wisdom Skull came from a powerful soul beast with over fifty thousand years of cultivation, personally slain by the previous Pope. It is considered the finest soul bone, second only in value to external soul bones and top-tier soul bones produced by hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts."
Ghost Douluo's words were like pouring hot oil on a burning fire, making the eyes of everyone in the square even more fervent.
The Wisdom Skull! And over fifty thousand years old! This was enough to drive any soul master mad!
Bibi Dong calmly gazed at the young Soul Masters below, their faces slightly contorted by the allure of the competition, and said softly,
"There can only be one victor, and the same goes for the champion."
"Therefore, these three Soul Bones will belong to the final champion team. I hope that the three academies that make it to the final three will give their all and claim this honor."
Then, Bibi Dong began to announce the detailed rules of the competition.
From the five-round format of the finals to the bye rule, and then to the method of determining the final champion, her voice echoed continuously in the square. But at this moment, the minds of most of the young Soul Masters were already firmly occupied by the three Soul Bones floating in mid-air, radiating an alluring light.
After the opening ceremony, the draw took place in a subtle and tense atmosphere.
"First round, Shrek Academy versus Star Luo Royal Academy!"
"Boom!"
Upon hearing this result, everyone on the Shrek Academy side changed their expressions.
Especially Dai Mubai, whose tall, straight body suddenly stiffened, the remaining light in his evil eyes dimmed abruptly, and his face turned deathly pale at a visible speed, then turned into a lifeless gray-black, as if all his energy had been instantly drained away.
"Damn it, why is the first match against Star Luo Royal Academy?"
"Why is the draw here just like in Heaven Dou City? They've assigned us this kind of opponent in the very first round? I seriously suspect that someone from the Spirit Hall is pulling strings behind the scenes!"
Clenching his fists tightly, Dai Mubai roared in impotent rage. At this moment, his nails had dug deep into his palms, even drawing blood, but he was completely unaware of it.
Star Luo Royal Academy…his brother, Davis!
If it were before, with Tang San and Xiao Wu around, he might have had the courage and resources to fight back.
But now? Xiao Wu sacrificed herself, Tang San was taken away by Tang Hao, vanished without a trace.
The entire team was in a state of panic, Grandmaster was drowning his sorrows in alcohol, utterly despondent… leaving only Dai Mubai, who hadn't even broken through to Soul King level, with nothing to offer against Star Luo Royal Academy.
In his eyes, this wasn't a competition; it was practically sending him to face judgment from his family!
Because if he lost to his brother Davis in this highly anticipated Soul Master Competition, according to the Star Luo Empire's cruel rules for the throne, what awaited Dai Mubai wouldn't just be the loss of his inheritance rights, but also the tragic end of having his soul power stripped and being exiled for life!
All his years of struggle, forbearance, and effort would be in vain.
Despair, like a cold tide, instantly engulfed Dai Mubai.
At this moment, he could even feel the mocking and chilling gaze directed at him from the Star Luo Empire delegation in the stands not far away, a gaze filled with both mockery and murderous intent.
In stark contrast to the gloomy and dejected atmosphere at Shrek Academy, the preparation area of Tianxing Academy was calm.
"First round, Tianxing Academy versus Shenfeng Academy."
Upon hearing that their opponent was Shenfeng Academy, Tang Chuan merely raised an eyebrow slightly, showing no surprise. Xiao Ruier, however, yawned, seemingly lacking interest.
Seeing that the students from Tianxing Academy didn't seem to take the news of their opponent being Shenfeng Academy too seriously, Dugu Bo stroked his chin and stepped forward to remind them,
"Don't be too careless. I have something to tell you. According to the information I just received, Chihuo Academy and Shenfeng Academy have now merged into one. It seems they intend to concentrate their forces and make a final push in the finals."
"Oh?" Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Tang Chuan's eyes, followed by a playful smile. He said nonchalantly, "Merged into one? They've chosen to unite just like in the original story. Only this time, their opponent is us, not Shrek Academy."
Dugu Bo keenly noticed the unusual nature of his words and asked suspiciously,
"The original story? What original story?"
Tang Chuan paused slightly, realizing he might have misspoke. He then waved his hand dismissively and explained, "Nothing, just a casual remark. However, even if they merge, the outcome won't change when they encounter us. I don't think there's much to fight."
His nonchalant tone wasn't arrogance, but rather based on absolute confidence in his own strength.
The fusion of elites from two major academies might pose a threat to other teams, but compared to him with a 100,000-year spirit ring, they were indeed somewhat insignificant.
Just as Dugu Bo was about to say something, a staff member dressed in the Spirit Hall uniform quickly approached. His expression was slightly strange. He went straight to the group from Tianxing Academy, first bowing respectfully, and then loudly announced:
"Everyone from Tianxing Academy, we have just received official notification from Shenfeng Academy."
"After learning that their opponent in the first round draw was your academy, after careful consideration, they have decided... to forfeit this match and voluntarily concede defeat."
"..."
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
The next second, Tang Chuan and Dugu Bo exchanged a glance. They both saw a hint of astonishment in each other's eyes, which then turned into a wry smile.
"Alright, now we don't need to fight, we've advanced directly."
Immediately afterward, the two of them almost simultaneously shrugged, their shoulders slightly shaking, and a knowing smile appeared on their faces.
"These kids know what's good for them, saving us the trouble of fighting."
Shortly after Shenfeng Academy conceded defeat, the match between Shrek Academy and Star Luo Royal Academy began. They didn't want to concede, nor did they dare to.
"First round of the finals, Shrek Academy versus Star Luo Royal Academy!"
"Teams, enter the arena!" The referee's loud voice resounded throughout the arena through a special amplified soul tool, instantly drawing everyone's attention to the arena.
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[end of the chapter]