The schedule of the Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament Grand Finals proceeded with intense momentum. The vast square before the enormous Papal Hall had been transformed into a massive open-air Soul Arena capable of accommodating tens of thousands of spectators. The arena floor was paved with exceptionally sturdy special stone, surrounded by powerful Soul Guidance Protective Shields strong enough to withstand the residual shockwaves of battles at the Soul Saint level. The towering Papal Hall cast an imposing shadow under the sunlight, as if silently observing this grand gathering of the younger generation in the Soul Master Realm.
The initial few matches mostly unfolded between teams with clear disparities in strength. While there were some highlights, they did not stir up significant waves. A veteran powerhouse team from the Star Luo Empire easily defeated their opponents, while the Spirit Hall Academy team crushed their foes with overwhelming Domain Momentum, swiftly concluding the battle with only three members deployed. The formidable strength and seamless coordination displayed by their members sent chills down the spines of all spectators. On the Heavenly Dou Empire side, academies such as Divine Wind, Heavenly Water, and Elephant Armor also secured victories, though not without difficulty, demonstrating that no weak teams remained in the Grand Finals.
However, everyone knew the true main events and climaxes were yet to come. The major championship contenders—the Spirit Hall team, Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One, the Star Luo Royal Academy team, and even Shrek Academy with its Twin Spirits wielder Tang San (though they had not yet competed)—were the focal points of everyone's attention.
Finally, under countless gazes filled with anticipation, curiosity, and scrutiny, the highlight match of the first round of the Grand Finals was about to commence: Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One, the top-ranked team from the Heavenly Dou Empire division, which had secured first place single-handedly and was hailed as possessing the "Continent's Top Genius" Marco Lee, would face the War Academy from the Star Luo Empire.
The scheduling of this match had clearly undergone "meticulous" consideration by the Spirit Hall, placed in the prime time slot of the day's events. Once the news spread, not only did the already packed Heavenly Dou Empire spectator stands erupt with excitement, but even the Star Luo Empire spectator area, which typically showed little interest in Heavenly Dou teams, saw an influx of spectators several times larger than usual. Even the VIP seats were filled with numerous figures exuding profound auras and distinguished statuses, including accompanying officials from both empires, representatives of powerful Soul Master families, and... several red-robed cardinals from the Spirit Hall.
"Finally, it's Heaven Dou Royal Academy's turn! No, it's Marco's turn!"
"He's fighting an entire team alone? Can he pull it off? The War Academy isn't weak!"
"Have you forgotten the Promotion Tournament? He swept through all the teams single-handedly!"
"But that was in the Heavenly Dou division—this is the Grand Finals! The opponents are Star Luo's elites!"
"Who cares? Just watch! I want to see exactly how strong he is!"
Discussions buzzed across the spectator stands, the noise rising like tidal waves. Most spectators in the Star Luo Empire area harbored skepticism and defiance toward the "top genius" from Heavenly Dou, yet the exaggerated rumors from the Promotion Tournament also sparked curiosity and a hint of apprehension in them. They all wanted to witness firsthand just how much substance lay behind the legendary tales surrounding this young man.
The preparation area of the War Academy was filled with a heavy, murderous atmosphere. The seven team members were tall and robust, their faces resolute, their eyes sharp, exuding the iron-blooded temperament of soldiers. They all wore identical black combat attire, with crossed sword and blade emblems on their shoulders. The leader among them had an especially steady aura, his Soul Power fluctuations having already reached the peak of level 49, just one step away from becoming a Soul King. He was precisely the captain of the War Academy, Luo Zhan.
At this moment, Luo Zhan and his teammates were gathered around their lead instructor. Their instructor was a one-eyed middle-aged man with a ferocious scar on his face, radiating the killing intent of a seasoned veteran. He was a powerhouse at the Soul Saint level.
"Just received a message," the one-eyed instructor lowered his voice, his tone icy. "From His Highness, the Grand Prince."
Upon hearing the words "Grand Prince," Luo Zhan and the others immediately straightened their backs, their eyes focusing even more intently. The Grand Prince of the Star Luo Empire, Davis, was the captain of the Star Luo Royal Academy team, the leading figure among the younger generation of the Star Luo Empire, holding a prestigious position and known for his ruthless methods.
"His Highness commands," the one-eyed instructor's gaze swept over each team member, "in this battle, you must exert your full strength at all costs, and do everything to probe Marco's true combat power, the characteristics of his Spirit Abilities, and his fighting habits! If possible..." a cold glint flashed in his eyes, "try to cause trouble for him, even... injure him! At the very least, force him to reveal some of his true trump cards!"
Luo Zhan frowned deeply and said in a low voice, "Instructor, the intelligence we received about Marco... is too exaggerated, simply unbelievable. Single-handedly sweeping through the Heavenly Dou Promotion Tournament... Is that really possible? Could it be a smokescreen deliberately released by the Heavenly Dou side?"
The one-eyed instructor snorted coldly. "Half true, half false. But there's no smoke without fire. This kid can firmly hold the top spot in Heavenly Dou, even making the Spirit Hall secretly wary and even take action—he is definitely not an easy opponent. His Highness the Grand Prince also wants to use us to gauge his true weight, preparing for potential future matches. Remember, your mission is not to defeat him—that is almost impossible—but to force out as much as possible from him, exhaust him, understand him! Even at some cost, you must obtain valuable intelligence for His Highness, for the Star Luo Empire! Understood?"
"Understood!" Luo Zhan and the other six team members roared in unison, their eyes burning with fighting spirit and determination. They were soldiers; obeying orders was their duty. No matter how strong the opponent or how difficult the task, they would carry it out without hesitation.
"Tactics will follow our most proficient ones. The opponent is only one person, but you must not be careless. From the start, go all out, focus your fire! Force him to use his Spirit Abilities, force him to move, force him to reveal openings!" the one-eyed instructor gave his final instructions, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
"Yes!" Luo Zhan and the others understood perfectly, nodding heavily.
On the other side, the preparation area of Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One was much more "spacious" and quiet. Because here, there was only one person.
Marco sat alone on the bench, leaning against the wall with his hands crossed in front of him, eyes closed as if the surrounding noise, anticipation, and hostility had nothing to do with him. His breathing was steady and long, like an old monk in deep meditation. This was the preparation area reserved for "Team One." Although he was the only one present, no one found it inappropriate. The formidable reputation earned during the Promotion Tournament had long accustomed everyone to the existence of this "one-man team."
He knew that this match, while seemingly against a weak opponent, would not be peaceful. The Star Luo Empire would not miss this opportunity to observe him up close, and the Spirit Hall would be watching with wide-open eyes. Even some hidden gazes might be cast his way. But so what?
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One, contestant Marco, please prepare to enter the arena," the staff member's voice sounded outside the door.
Marco slowly opened his eyes, his golden pupils calm and undisturbed. He stood up, straightened the simple black team uniform he wore, embroidered on the left chest with the golden Heavenly Dou crown emblem. His movements were neither hurried nor slow, carrying a unique rhythmic sense, and then he stepped out of the preparation area.
When his solitary figure emerged from the passageway and stepped onto the massive, spotlighted arena, a tidal wave of sound instantly engulfed him.
"Heaven Dou! Heaven Dou!"
"War Academy! Victory!"
"Marco! Marco!"
Cheers, shouts of encouragement, and whistles blended into a cacophony. Spotlights (special Soul Guidance Lamps) shone on him, clearly presenting his tall, straight posture and calm expression to the tens of thousands of spectators.
He stood alone on one side of the arena, his black figure strikingly conspicuous and aloof against the empty half of the field. Opposite him, the seven members of War Academy had already lined up, like seven unsheathed sharp swords, exuding an aura of iron-blooded solemnity. Their Soul Power faintly connected, forming an imposing presence. Seven against one—the numerical disparity was vast—but anyone who had seen Marco's matches felt no sense of "unfairness." Instead, they secretly worried for War Academy.
The referee was a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse from the Spirit Hall, hovering in mid-air. His gaze swept over both sides, lingering a moment longer on Marco, as his voice, amplified by Soul Power, echoed throughout the arena: "First round of the Grand Finals: Heavenly Dou Empire, Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One, versus Star Luo Empire, War Academy! Competitors, salute!"
The seven members of War Academy bowed slightly, their eyes sharp as lightning, firmly locked onto the solitary figure standing opposite. Marco merely nodded calmly in acknowledgment.
"Match—prepare!" the referee's high-pitched voice rang out.
"Boom—!"