Feng Xiaotian knew his own limits. Even though the Godwind Academy had qualified from the Heaven Dou division as the first-place seed, they still had no chance at all of challenging the Spirit Hall Academy team.
Afterwards, Huo Wu told Yan the match results of the top-ranked academies.
It was exactly as Yan had guessed—without the support of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Fiery Apricot, and Autumn-Water Dew, Tang San could no longer achieve fire-and-ice dual immunity, making it extremely difficult for him to defeat Blazing Academy or Tianshui Academy.
Although Tang San's soul power had reached rank forty-two, his fourth soul ring was no longer at the ten-thousand-year level.
Even so, Yan knew that Tang San's existence could not be underestimated.
Shrek Academy had not shown their true strength. Up until now, Ning Rongrong and Oscar hadn't appeared in a single match.
Relying on Tang San's Tang Sect techniques and the team's seamless cooperation, Shrek Academy could still go much further.
Yan reminded them:
"Just like Feng Xiaotian said earlier, some academies haven't shown their full strength in the previous matches. So in the upcoming battles, don't underestimate anyone—even if it's a team you've beaten before."
Huo Wu nodded.
"Mm. Honestly, I've always felt that Shrek Academy isn't simple. After all, their advisor is the theoretical master Yu Xiaogang."
As she spoke, the group's eyes subconsciously shifted toward Shrek Academy's resting area.
Yan noticed that the Shrek members seemed to be looking back at them as well.
"By the way, Yan-ge, what level is your soul power now?" Huo Wushuang suddenly asked.
"Fifty-five. What about you all?"
"Fifty-five?! That's way too fast!"
Everyone was stunned.
Huo Wu added:
"I only broke through level forty-three half a month ago. My brother is at forty-two, and Bing'er is also forty-three."
Yan smiled, then reminded them:
"In our Spirit Hall Academy team, among our seven main members, the lowest soul power is forty-six. Besides me, there are two other Soul Kings above level fifty. So if you draw us in the matchups… it's better to just concede."
"Mm. Got it."
Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er both understood how strong Spirit Hall Academy was. Yan was saying this for their own good—he didn't want them getting seriously injured in a fierce battle.
Meanwhile, in Shrek Academy's resting area—
Tang San and the others had also noticed Yan with Huo Wu, Shui Bing'er, and the others.
Seeing them chatting happily as if they were close acquaintances, Oscar asked doubtfully:
"Aren't those the captains of the three elemental academies? How do they know the Spirit Hall people?"
"Who knows? Probably just brown-nosing."
Ma Hongjun replied with disdain.
Tang San frowned deeply, a vague feeling of unease rising in his heart.
At that moment, Dugu Bo's expression darkened as he suddenly spoke:
"Little monster, I told you already—no team can match the Spirit Hall Academy team. All seven main members have soul power above forty-five. Do you believe it now?"
"You know about them?"
"I only know the three who received the Purple Record Medal. The one with short black hair is Xie Yue, a level fifty-two assault-type Battle Soul King, martial soul Moonblade. The girl next to him is Hu Liena, a level fifty-one control-type Battle Soul King, martial soul Fox. The two are siblings, inheriting their parents' martial souls. Together, they can use a powerful martial soul fusion skill—Demonic Charm."
"So they also have a fusion skill."
Tang San frowned even more tightly.
Through his Purple Demon Eyes, he could feel that among the three, the red-haired soul master was the strongest.
"And the other one?"
"That one… come here."
Dugu Bo pulled Tang San aside, making sure no one could overhear.
"That one is named Yan. His martial soul is Flame Lord, assault type. His soul power has reached level fifty-five, without question the strongest among them."
"F–fifty-five?"
Tang San's heart trembled involuntarily.
Dugu Bo nodded and continued:
"Just from his presence, you should already feel the pressure, right? Your Blue Silver Grass is naturally restrained by fire. With soul power more than ten ranks above yours, his flame is far stronger than anyone in Blazing Academy—you wouldn't be able to withstand it. And he also has the ability to fly."
"What?! He can fly?"
A chill ran down Tang San's back. The heavy weight in his heart became even heavier.
"How can he fly? You've seen it?"
"Of course. You think I'm talking nonsense? When someone fell into the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well back then, I once thought it might have been him."
"??"
Tang San was even more shocked.
"Elder Dugo Bo, what exactly happened? Tell me clearly."
"I saw him in the Sunset Forest."
Dugu Bo then recounted everything he had seen regarding Yue Guan and Yan in the Sunset Forest.
When Tang San finished listening, his heart felt like it was being cut by knives.
He suspected that Yan, like himself, possessed an attached external soul bone—and that it granted him the ability to fly.
Dugu Bo was certain that the person who snuck into the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well wasn't Yue Guan, but could not confirm whether it was Yan. The possibility was extremely small…
But even the slightest possibility tormented Tang San.
He murmured in his heart:
"If he really picked the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Fiery Apricot… then he might already have a body immune to all poisons. Even my spider venom might not harm him."
"What are you thinking about, little monster?"
Dugu Bo interrupted Tang San's thoughts.
"I advise you to give up on the championship. Getting second place is good enough. You're all still young. In five years, you'll have another chance. With your talent and the master's guidance, no academy will be your match then."
"Five years…"
Tang San shook his head. He could not accept that.
Five years was far too long.
Even if the odds were slim, he still wanted to fight for this tournament's championship.
"Stop overthinking. The drawing results are about to be announced. Adjust your state first—win the first round before worrying about anything else."
"Mm. I understand."
Tang San looked at Yan again. His heart was filled with doubts… and a hint of fear.
He did not fear Yan's rank fifty-five soul power—
He feared that Yan might truly be the thief who escaped alive from the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.
At this moment, Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er had already left, and Yan had returned to his team.
The Spirit Hall team members were all curious.
Watching the two beautiful girls leave, Hu Liena felt a complicated emotion rising within her.
Li Kai asked:
"Yan-ge, who were those two beauties? How do you know them?"
Everyone looked at Yan, waiting for his answer.
Yan smiled lightly and said:
"We met while training at the Great Spirit Arena in Tokes. One's from Blazing Academy, the other from Tianshui Academy."
"I see. Yan-ge really is popular—those girls even approached you first."
"Enough. Focus on the matches."
The first-round drawing had concluded, and the battles soon began.
Godwind, Thunderclap, Tianshui, Blazing, and Shrek all faced weak opponents, earning easy victories and advancing to the next round.
According to the rules, the top-ranked teams from the two empires received a bye in the second round. Therefore, Godwind Academy would enter directly into round three.
The second round was about to begin.
This time, the Spirit Hall Academy team would finally appear.
On the eve of the match, Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena were summoned by Pope Bibi Dong.
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