The match between Shrek Academy and Star Luo Royal Academy.
Without Tang San, even with Yu Tianheng's addition, Shrek Academy was like a broken ship without a helmsman, unable to withstand the storm raised by Star Luo Royal Academy.
Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others, at this moment, had not obtained the Opportunity of immortal-grade herbs as in the original work. Their strength was separated by an insurmountable chasm compared to the main team members of Star Luo Royal Academy led by Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun.
After the match began, it was almost a one-sided affair.
Dai Weisi's White Tiger Martial Soul crushed Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuyun's Hell Civet completely restrained Zhu Zhuqing, and though Yu Tianheng fought with all his might, he was like a lone tree against a forest under the opponent's overall advantage and tacit cooperation. Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix was suppressed before it could even fully unleash its power, and Oscar's Sausage was merely a drop in the bucket in the face of absolute strength disparity.
Shrek Academy's defeat came quickly and thoroughly.
When the referee finally announced Star Luo Royal Academy as the winner, Dai Mubai's face was as pale as paper. At this moment, his Soul Power was exhausted, and his Martial Soul was on the verge of collapse.
Immense fear and despair for the future made his legs weak, so much so that he couldn't even walk off the stage by himself. He was eventually supported by Ma Hongjun and Oscar, one on each side, before he could barely leave.
Zhu Zhuqing was in tears, the pain of failure and the helplessness against the arrangements of fate made her cry to the point of almost fainting. Shrek Academy's first journey to the finals ended abruptly with such a tragic and humiliating defeat.
In this parallel World, they couldn't even make it past the first round.
In stark contrast to Shrek Academy's dismal exit was Tianxing Academy.
After Divine Wind Academy forfeited, Tianxing Academy displayed a despair-inducing dominance in the subsequent matches over the next few days.
No matter which team it was, when facing Tianxing Academy, they found it difficult to organize effective resistance. Tang Chuan and Xiao Rui'er alone were enough to sweep all opponents.
They Advanced triumphantly, undefeated, and with an absolutely crushing momentum, they continuously defeated strong enemies without suspense, easily passing through round after round.
A few days later, they directly entered the final of the Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition!
...Supreme Pontiff Palace, deliberation hall.
At this moment, the atmosphere here was grim and solemn.
Bibi Dong sat on the throne symbolizing the highest authority of Spirit Hall, with Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo standing respectfully on either side of her throne.
Below them stood several Elders of Spirit Hall, as well as the Golden Generation who were about to represent Spirit Hall in the final.
Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena stood at the very front, their postures upright, their eyes sharp, but at this moment, under Bibi Dong's authority, they couldn't help but lower their heads slightly.
"Have you all understood the tactical arrangements I just spoke of?" Bibi Dong's cold gaze swept over the crowd below, finally settling on the three members of the Golden Generation, and she spoke indifferently.
Hearing this, Xie Yue stepped forward, and responded in a deep voice:
"We respectfully obey the Supreme Pontiff's decree, we have understood."
Nodding slightly, Bibi Dong's tone carried a hint of chilling killing intent as she said, "In tomorrow's final, you must not only go all out to reclaim glory for Spirit Hall, but also try your best to inflict casualties on the opponents, especially that Tang Chuan and Xiao Rui'er! Show no mercy!"
"Yes!" Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena felt a chill in their hearts. After sensing the undisguised killing intent emanating from Bibi Dong, they immediately and respectfully accepted the order.
Just then, Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, who stood beside Bibi Dong like a shadow, suddenly spoke, "Your Holiness, if... I mean, just in case, if we lose tomorrow's final. Do we really have to follow the rules and let them leave Spirit City?"
As soon as these words were uttered, the air in the hall seemed to grow even colder.
"Leave? Of course, we will let them leave Spirit City openly and honorably. After all, our Spirit Hall is the example for all Soul Masters on the Continent, how can we openly violate the rules we ourselves set?" Bibi Dong's lips curved into a cold arc, her eyes glinted with a chilling light, and her tone became deep and unfathomable.
"It's just that... outside the boundaries of Spirit City, where Soul Beasts run rampant and bandits roam, if any accidents occur, I wouldn't know anything about it. Whether they live or die, it's up to fate."
Upon hearing this, Ghost Douluo's eyes flashed with a knowing and ruthless glint. He bowed slightly and said, "In that case, this subordinate understands. I will go and make arrangements immediately to ensure everything is foolproof."
As he was about to move, Bibi Dong seemed to suddenly remember something.
She raised her hand, stopping Ghost Douluo's movement.
"Wait." Her gaze swept towards Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, who was nearby. Bibi Dong frowned slightly and said, "One more thing, is there any news of Devil Bear Douluo? A dignified Elder of Spirit Hall, a Titled Douluo, has been missing for so long. How can it be that he's neither seen alive nor found dead?"
Upon hearing this question, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo's bodies stiffened almost imperceptibly. The two exchanged glances, both seeing deep embarrassment and unspeakable difficulty in each other's eyes.
After a moment of silence, Ghost Douluo bit the bullet and replied in an even drier voice than before:
"Reporting... reporting to Your Holiness, regarding Elder Devil Bear... we, we only heard some... some rumors."
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan couldn't help but interject, his tone filled with indignation and shame:
"It's just... these rumors are too absurd, and... and they harm the reputation of our Spirit Hall, so this subordinate and the others dared not speak carelessly!"
"Speak!" Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed, and she said in a deep voice.
Taking a deep breath, Ghost Douluo seemed to use all his strength to say: "According to... according to some unconfirmed news from the border of Star Luo Empire, someone claimed to have seen... seen Elder Devil Bear near the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he... he..."
"He what?" Bibi Dong's voice was already tinged with impatience and coldness.
"They saw him naked, in... in a frenzied pursuit of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Vice Clan Leader Yu Luomian and several Elders, roaring that he would kill these bastards who defiled his innocence..."
After Ghost Douluo finished speaking, he immediately lowered his head, almost not daring to look at Bibi Dong's expression.
Chrysanthemum Douluo also added from the side:
"The rumors are very detailed, and they also say... they also say that Yu Luomian kept shouting it was a misunderstanding while running, that they thought they had caught a woman with the golden dragon bloodline... that... that..."
Chrysanthemum Douluo simply couldn't continue the rest of the sentence.
As their voices fell, the entire deliberation hall fell into a dead silence.
The Elders looked at each other, their expressions strange, wanting to laugh but not daring to.
The three members of the Golden Generation also desperately lowered their heads, their shoulders subtly shaking, clearly trying their best to suppress their emotions and keep themselves from laughing out loud.
This news was more than absurd; it was an unprecedented humiliation for Spirit Hall since its establishment! A dignified Titled Douluo, missing in such an indecent manner, and even causing such an incredible and scandalous rumor!
At this moment, Bibi Dong's fingers, clutching the scepter, were slightly white from exertion, and her chest rose and fell slightly, clearly infuriated by this outrageous news.
Immediately after, she closed her eyes, took several deep breaths, and only then barely suppressed the urge to drag out the rumor-monger and tear them into ten thousand pieces.
"This matter, strictly seal off the news! No one is allowed to spread it! At the same time, dispatch more personnel, and make sure to find Devil Bear Douluo as soon as possible. If he's alive, I want to see him; if he's dead... I want his body brought back!"
"Yes!" Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo quickly responded, their backs already drenched in cold sweat.
After a moment of silence, Bibi Dong suppressed the urge to eradicate all those involved in this scandal, brought the topic back to the core, and continued:
"Devil Bear Douluo's matter will be put aside for now. The most urgent task is tomorrow's final, and... the matters thereafter. All of you listen carefully, after this competition ends, no matter who the final champion is, no matter which side the glory belongs to..."
At this point, her words paused slightly, and killing intent permeated the air as if it were substantial.
"We cannot let that Tang Chuan return alive!"
"At such a young age, he is already a six-ring Spirit Emperor, and his sixth spirit ring is an unheard-of hundred-thousand-year level! Such talent is unprecedented! Moreover, he is Tang Hao's illegitimate son! With the new and old grudges his Family has against Spirit Hall, how can we allow him to continue growing?"
"This child is terrifying, he must be completely stifled before his wings are fully grown!"
At this point, Bibi Dong waved her hand, appearing slightly fatigued, and her tone returned to its usual indifference, yet it was even more chilling, saying, "All of you go and prepare. Tomorrow's operation concerns the dignity and future of Spirit Hall; there can be no mistakes."
Immediately after, she slowly rose from the throne, and an aura far more terrifying than before surged from her body, making the surrounding air seem to become viscous.
"This interception... I will personally participate."
"I want to see how many moves that beast, who dares to repeatedly oppose my Spirit Hall and has three heads, can withstand from me!"
At this moment, Bibi Dong, with her resolute killing intent in the deliberation hall, and the high-ranking officials of Spirit Hall who were about to leave to execute orders, did not notice that outside the Supreme Pontiff Palace.
Above the Void Realm, shrouded in night and as black as ink.
Space was undergoing subtle and strange distortions.
Immediately after, an enormous outline silently condensed and appeared.
It was a black Dragon head!
It seemed to be woven from the purest darkness and spatial power, the patterns on its scales dimly visible in the night, carrying an ancient and primeval vastness and majesty. Its size was immeasurable; just its head seemed capable of covering half of Supreme Pontiff Mountain.
If its true body were to descend, it would probably rival a mountain!
And at this moment, in the Void Realm, the enormous Dragon head, seemingly formed from darkness, slowly opened its eyes.
Those were a pair of golden eyes, pure to the extreme, noble to the extreme!
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"