The next morning.
Luxury ceremonial vehicles arrived at the entrance of the Star Luo Grand Hotel to pick up Fang Yang and the others, transporting them to the competition venue.
Today was the final of the individual competition. To avoid unnecessary trouble and to ensure they could arrive at the venue as quickly as possible.
Star Luo Empire Emperor Dai Tianling had specifically dispatched imperial vehicles to pick them up.
Fang Yang and the others boarded the luxury ceremonial vehicles, which immediately set into motion.
Escorted front and back by royal guard convoys, they formed an impressive motorcade, heading straight for the Star Luo Grand Stadium.
Today, not only was the Star Luo Grand Stadium packed to capacity, but even outside the stadium was impassable.
Every good spot with a view of the giant soul guide screens had been completely occupied by people who had arrived early.
To secure such a position, many people had come here a day in advance.
This match was not only the final of the soul master tournament's individual competition but also a peak showdown between Monster Academy and Shrek Academy.
It was even regarded as a symbolic contest between the Star Luo Empire and the Sun-Moon Federation.
This match held extremely significant meaning for the entire Star Luo Empire.
Inside the stadium, it was already filled to capacity.
On the presidential platform were Emperor Dai Tianling of the Empire and Monster Academy Dean En Ci.
As well as Tang Bingyao, leader of the Douluo Continent delegation, Scarlet Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi of Shrek Academy, and other heavyweight figures—all had arrived here today.
The Shrek Academy group entered the waiting area almost simultaneously with the Monster Academy group.
The moment both sides entered the waiting area, the entire spectator stand erupted.
The audience passionately shouted the names of Monster Academy and Long Yue, the heated atmosphere like a boiling cauldron of oil.
The Monster Academy group, dressed in their traditional red uniforms, sat down neatly under Long Yue's leadership.
Their gazes simultaneously turned toward the Shrek Academy waiting area opposite them.
Fang Yang sat calmly in the Shrek Academy waiting area, seemingly oblivious to the thunderous cheers surrounding him.
His gaze swept indifferently across the Monster Academy group before finally settling on Long Yue.
Long Yue seemed to sense this gaze and met Fang Yang's line of sight.
Their eyes intersected in mid-air, as if electric light were flashing invisibly.
This Long Yue, acclaimed as the number one of the Star Luo Continent's younger generation and head of the Eight Kings, had also put away his usual composure at this moment, his expression growing grave.
"Silence. Now, please welcome His Majesty's address."
At this moment, a white-haired elder rose from the presidential platform.
A deep and resonant voice rang out, transmitted throughout the venue through the soul guide amplifiers, instantly suppressing the boiling voices.
The venue gradually quieted down, all eyes focusing on the center of the presidential platform.
Dai Tianling slowly stood up, the soul guide amplifier before him rising at the appropriate moment.
He surveyed the entire venue, his majestic gaze sweeping across every corner before finally landing on the two teams in the waiting areas.
"Today's victor, in addition to the original soul bone reward, shall also receive the Empire's additional commendation—the title of Viscount!"
These words caused an uproar throughout the venue.
The rank of Viscount was extremely noble in the Star Luo Empire, obtainable only by those who had rendered great service.
That the Emperor would now offer this as a reward demonstrated the degree of importance attached to this match.
Dai Tianling raised his hand slightly, suppressing the commotion on site, his voice suddenly rising: "I declare that the All-Continent Youth High-Level Soul Master Elite Tournament Individual Competition Final—now begins!"
Thunderous applause and cheers once again resounded through the clouds.
And at this very instant, Fang Yang and Long Yue simultaneously rose and strode toward the arena that had captured the attention of countless spectators.
Long Yue's bald head was particularly eye-catching under the sunlight, dressed in a red uniform, his robust physique imposing.
With every step he took, his body faintly emanated a heart-trembling aura—the natural pressure exuded by the Mountain Dragon King martial soul.
Fang Yang wore simple black clothing. Unlike Long Yue's domineering exterior, his aura was restrained and profound. Yet within those calm eyes lay a radiance that made people dare not look directly.
The two stood facing each other at the center of the arena. The entire stadium instantly fell silent, everyone holding their breath in anticipation of this peak showdown's commencement.
Long Yue looked at Fang Yang and spoke in a deep voice: "Fang Yang, I have been looking forward to this battle for a long time."
"Please!"
Fang Yang nodded slightly, his tone still indifferent.
"Ten, nine, eight... three, two, one—match begin!" The referee swung his arm down, announcing loudly.
With this command, a terrifying aura suddenly erupted from Long Yue.
Purple, purple, purple, black, black, black—six soul rings rose from beneath his feet, and the Mountain Dragon King martial soul instantly possessed him.
His body instantly expanded to over five meters tall, his entire body covered by a layer of massive brown scales.
These brown scales were circular, each one extremely large, like hemispheres protruding outward.
Behind him appeared a massive phantom that constantly shifted—sometimes taking the form of a wingless giant dragon, sometimes that of an ancient city.
A long tail dragged behind him, terrifying muscles, broad shoulders.
Fang Yang stood quietly in place, not even showing any intention of releasing his martial soul.
He merely gazed calmly at Long Yue, as if waiting for something.
A flash of gravity passed through Long Yue's eyes. He deeply understood Fang Yang's terror, but the pride of being the Star Luo Empire's younger generation number one made him absolutely unwilling to concede easily.
"Fang Yang, let me witness your true strength!"
Long Yue's deep voice echoed throughout the entire arena. He stomped fiercely, and the entire arena trembled.
He laughed wildly, suddenly bending down, his right fist shining with thick yellow light as it ferociously struck the ground!
The first soul ring behind him erupted with brilliant light.
First Soul Skill: "Mountains and Rivers!"
The arena ground cracked, and small mountains like sword peaks madly surged forth from the ground, connecting heaven and earth, instantly enveloping the entire competition venue.
Facing this mountain range impact that connected heaven and earth, Fang Yang finally moved.
He didn't use any soul skills, simply raising his right hand and throwing out a punch.
This punch was plain and unadorned, yet contained extreme, pure power.
The moment the mountains collided with the fist, a spiderweb-like crack instantly formed and spread, then exploded with a thunderous crash!
Transforming into countless earth-yellow light points scattering through the air, rustling down like a brilliant yet brief meteor shower.
"Is this all you have?" Fang Yang's flat voice rang out, and before his words fell, his figure vanished from where he stood.
In the next moment, Fang Yang appeared before Long Yue. It was still that seemingly ordinary punch, heading straight for his face.
Long Yue's pupils contracted sharply, his scales trembling slightly.
"This punch is fast! Indescribably fast!"
Combat instinct drove him to cross his arms covered in thick scales, desperately blocking before him.
The vigorous soul power within his body erupted without reservation, condensing before his arms into a thick, substantial earth-yellow mountain-shaped shield.
Boom—!
A vast, boundless, irresistible terrifying force passed through the earth-yellow mountain-shaped shield and solidly crashed into the crossed arms.
Long Yue grunted, his massive body flying backward and crashing heavily onto the ground.
In an instant, the entire Star Luo Grand Stadium fell into dead silence.
Everyone stared dumbfounded at this scene on the arena, almost unable to believe their eyes.
The future pillar of the Star Luo Empire, head of Monster Academy's Eight Kings, Long Yue—acclaimed as the undefeated legend—had actually been sent flying by a single punch from his opponent in a direct collision?!
Fang Yang slowly withdrew his fist, standing quietly in place, his black clothing like ink, untainted by a speck of dust.
His gaze calmly turned toward Long Yue, who was struggling to rise, and he spoke indifferently: "Long Yue, do you wish to continue?"
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