The majestic Spirit City lay like a slumbering metallic behemoth, quietly sprawled across the plains. Its hexagonal walls, towering a hundred meters high, reflected a cold, hard light under the sun. The patrolling Spirit Hall soldiers on the ramparts stood in gleaming armor, their gazes sharp, emanating an intangible aura of solemnity and authority. Even before entering the city, the delegation from the Heaven Dou Empire, having traveled from afar, felt a palpable, weighty pressure.
At the city gates, ceremonial officials and Soul Masters from the Spirit Hall were already waiting, guiding the Heaven Dou Empire's delegation into the city. Once inside, the sight before them made the young Soul Masters from Heaven Dou brighten with awe.
The streets within Spirit City were exceptionally broad, all paved with bluestone slabs as smooth as mirrors. Lining both sides of the streets stood buildings of various styles, differing from the ornate and intricate architecture of Heaven Dou City. Here, the designs leaned toward simplicity and solidity, with clean, hard lines. Many structures were engraved with patterns or emblems related to Martial Souls, Angels, or six-winged motifs, showcasing the city's unique faith and identity. The bustling crowds included a remarkably high proportion of Soul Masters, most of whom moved with purpose and an air of steady composure, clearly indicating that the overall caliber of Soul Masters here far surpassed that of ordinary cities.
Under the guidance of the Spirit Hall officials, the fifteen teams from the Heaven Dou Empire were settled in a designated guest quarter in the western part of the city, reserved specifically for participating teams. The lodgings were grand in scale and tranquil in environment, with each academy assigned an independent courtyard complete with all necessary facilities. It was evident that the Spirit Hall had spared no effort in maintaining appearances.
However, after the perilous ambush experienced on the journey, no academy dared to truly relax. Once settled, each institution immediately dispatched personnel—some even sending their mentors personally—to cautiously gather information within Spirit City. They sought to learn about the other competing teams, especially those from the Star Luo Empire, as well as the detailed rules and format of the Grand Finals.
At Shrek Academy, Tang San, still recovering from his injuries, was ordered to rest quietly in his room under the care of Oscar and Ning Rongrong. Flender and Liu Erlong embarked on an intensive intelligence-gathering mission.
The information they obtained only deepened the somber mood among the Shrek team.
The Promotion Tournament on the Star Luo Empire's side had concluded, and their fifteen qualifying teams had also arrived in Spirit City. Although detailed intelligence was hard to come by, scattered reports indicated that the Soul Masters from the Star Luo Empire were more fierce and formidable in combat, with exceptionally strong practical abilities. Several traditional powerhouse teams were not to be underestimated, especially the Star Luo Royal Academy team, rumored to be one of the top contenders for the championship.
Yet what weighed most heavily on the Shrek team was the enigmatic "Golden Generation" of the Spirit Hall team, shrouded in mystery. Very little concrete information about them was available, as the Spirit Hall had tightly sealed all details. The more elusive they were, the more inscrutable they seemed. The few rumors that circulated pointed to this team possessing at least three Soul Kings. Their captain, Xie Yue, vice-captain Hu Liena, and a member named Yan were collectively referred to as the three core members of the Golden Generation, their strength likely far surpassing that of their peers.
In contrast, on the Heavenly Dou Empire's side, aside from the monstrously strong Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One sitting at the top of the rankings, and Shrek Academy with its Twin Spirits wielder Tang San, Netherworld White Tiger, and Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda, other academies like Divine Wind, Heavenly Water, Blazing Academy, and Elephant Armor, though also strong teams, seemed to many to be half a tier below the aforementioned squads.
It was in this tense, oppressive, yet faintly expectant atmosphere that the Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament Grand Finals officially commenced.
The first round of the Grand Finals was not a direct battle but a draw. Thirty-three teams (fifteen from each of the two great empires, plus three that advanced through special channels) would draw lots to determine their first-round opponents. The tournament format was not a simple knockout but a complex system with a round-robin points element, ensuring strong teams wouldn't be unexpectedly eliminated by meeting too early and making the matches more intense and exciting. Regardless, good luck in the draw was crucial for any team.
The draw ceremony was held in the massive square before the Papal Hall, presided over by a red-robed bishop from the Spirit Hall, with the leaders and captains of the major academies in attendance. Temporary spectator stands had been erected around the square, and many residents and Soul Masters of Spirit City had come to watch, creating a bustling, lively atmosphere that temporarily diluted the air of solemnity.
Shrek Academy was represented by Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang and Tang San. When Yu Xiaogang and Tang San appeared on the square, they immediately attracted many gazes. There was curiosity, scrutiny, fear, and undisguised hostility. Clearly, news of the canyon ambush, the exposure of the Twin Spirits, and the conflict with the Spirit Hall had already spread among the upper circles of Spirit City. Tang San could clearly feel the pressure in those stares. He maintained an expressionless face, enduring the physical discomfort and inner turmoil, following behind his teacher.
The draw soon began. Yu Xiaogang went on stage to represent Shrek Academy and drew a lot from a sealed Soul Tool. When the Spirit Hall deacon responsible for announcing the draw loudly proclaimed, "Heavenly Dou Empire bracket, Shrek Academy, first round opponent—Heavenly Dou Empire bracket, Blazing Academy!" Yu Xiaogang's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and many below who were watching Shrek also let out low murmurs.
Blazing Academy! One of the traditional powerhouses of the Heavenly Dou Empire, possessing two peak Soul Ancestors, Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu. Especially Huo Wu's Ring Fusion technique and her Fire Dance Sun were immensely powerful, making them a tough nut to crack. For the currently morale-battered Shrek, with Tang San severely injured and not yet recovered and Xiao Wu absent, this was definitely not a good draw—it could even be called "bad news."
Yu Xiaogang and Tang San returned to the Shrek lodgings with this less-than-ideal news. Upon hearing the draw result, Flender, Liu Erlong, and the others also looked grim. Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others clenched their fists, feeling the pressure. They needed a victory to boost morale, but facing a hard opponent like Blazing Academy right from the first match made the outcome unpredictable.
However, just as the Shrek members were feeling heavy-hearted and beginning to discuss how to deal with Blazing Academy, especially how to contain Huo Wu's explosive power, an unexpected piece of news arrived.
Blazing Academy had forfeited and conceded defeat.
Upon learning that their first-round opponent was Shrek Academy, Blazing Academy's team leader and captain Huo Wushuang, after brief deliberation, actually submitted a withdrawal application directly to the tournament committee, forfeiting the first-round match. According to the rules, Shrek Academy won without a fight, directly securing the first-round points.
When the news arrived, the Shrek camp first fell silent, then erupted into soft cheers. Although winning without a fight felt somewhat dishonorable, at this critical juncture, a guaranteed victory was undoubtedly excellent news for stabilizing morale and giving Tang San more time to recover. With the pressure suddenly lifted, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hmph, they know what's good for them!" Ning Rongrong said upon hearing the news, lifting her small chin with a hint of young lady's pride. "I was actually looking forward to taking the stage properly and showing them the power of my Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda! Now I don't have the chance."
Her words were partly playful and boastful, meant to lighten the oppressive atmosphere of the past few days. However, as soon as she finished speaking, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's expression suddenly darkened, and he said sternly, "Rongrong! Watch your words!"
Startled by Grandmaster's severe tone, Ning Rongrong's face stiffened, and she looked somewhat wronged toward her father, Ning Fengzhi. Ning Fengzhi also frowned slightly and shook his head at her.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, suppressing the internal injuries agitated by his excitement. His gaze swept over everyone present as he said gravely, "Rongrong, the evolution of your Martial Soul into the Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda is currently one of Shrek Academy's most important trump cards! Its strategic significance is no less than Xiao San's Twin Spirits! At a critical moment, it can turn the tide of battle and achieve victory through surprise! How can you casually reveal it just because of a momentary impulse? Have you forgotten what we encountered on the road? Forgotten how many eyes are secretly watching us, watching Xiao San, and watching anyone who might pose a threat to them?!"
He grew more agitated as he spoke, coughing twice before continuing, "The Grand Finals are fraught with peril at every step. Any premature exposure of our trump cards could be studied and countered by our opponents, leading to our complete defeat! Your Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda must be used at the most critical moment, against the most crucial opponents! For example... the Spirit Hall team, or..." He paused, not uttering the name, but everyone understood he was referring to Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One, referring to Marco.
Ning Rongrong lowered her head, chastised, and realized her earlier words were indeed inappropriate. She said softly, "I'm sorry, Grandmaster, I understand."
"Just remember," Yu Xiaogang's expression softened slightly. "From now on, Rongrong, unless absolutely necessary, try not to reveal your Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda. In front of most people, you are still a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master, understand?"
"Mm," Ning Rongrong nodded solemnly.
Just as the Shrek side was processing the unexpected "good fortune" and Grandmaster's admonition with mixed feelings, on the other side, Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Marco also learned his draw result.
His first-round opponent was not from the Heaven Dou Empire, nor was it a traditional powerhouse from the Star Luo Empire. Instead, it was an academy from the Star Luo Empire that was not described in detail in the original work—the War Academy.
Based on the limited intelligence gathered, this War Academy appears to have strong ties to the military of the Star Luo Empire. Its students are known for their iron-blooded, fierce style and rich practical combat experience. The team consists of four Soul Ancestors and three Soul Honours. In the Promotion Tournament stage, this would be considered a mid-to-upper-tier team. However, on the Grand Finals stage, where geniuses gather, especially when compared to a lineup like Marco and Lu Zhou's, where all members are Soul Ancestors, it seems somewhat... underwhelming.
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