Relying on the terrifying recovery power of the Super Recovery Sausage, Oscar and the Snow Empress engaged in endless battles, stopping only when he became mentally exhausted and needed to meditate and rest.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye. Oscar had already become completely familiar with the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion spirit and its various abilities. Now, relying on this third spirit alone, Oscar already possessed the strength to contend with an ordinary Titled Douluo.
After fully adapting to his greatly increased power, Oscar planned to fuse with the soul spirit of the Snow Empress.
Originally, Oscar had hesitated about whether he should keep the Snow Empress by his side a while longer. After all, with her current strength, she was invincible below rank ninety-nine Limit Douluo and could easily protect the Sword Sect.
If he waited until his own strength grew further before fusing with her, he wouldn't have to worry about the Sword Sect's safety and could focus entirely on his own pursuits.
However, Oscar quickly dismissed this idea. If he fused with the Snow Empress's soul spirit now and absorbed her seven-hundred-thousand-year energy, his spirit power could definitely rise from level eighty-eight to level ninety,or even higher.
Once he reached level ninety, his strength would hardly be inferior to the Snow Empress's peak.
Moreover, beyond level ninety, with the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion as his super spirit and the terrifying might of ultimate ice, his power would surely stand unmatched among his peers.
He might not yet reach the level of a Limit Douluo, but with three hundred-thousand-year spirit bones, the external spirit bone of the Evil Demon Tiger, and the complete Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion spirit, protecting the Sword Sect would be no problem.
It would only take some time to adapt to his new level of power,at most a year or so,and even during that time, his spirit power would continue to increase.
Furthermore, with the numerous enhancements and foundation granted by the Snow Empress, Oscar would only continue to grow stronger.
With that thought, Oscar no longer hesitated and began fusing with the Snow Empress's spirit ring.
Inside the ice cavern, the Snow Empress was also ready. The Titan Snow Demon King and Ice Bear King stood guard beside her. This was a crucial moment for the future of the Extreme North, and they would be witnesses.
…
Star Luo Empire, Imperial Capital
Today, the city of Star Luo was bustling with noise and excitement. Crowds flowed endlessly through the streets of the million-strong city. Every talented soul master in the empire had gathered here.
Pairs of armored soldiers patrolled the city. Known for their iron-blooded discipline, the soldiers of the Star Luo Empire were its strongest defense.
At the eastern end of the city, in the Star Luo Grand Battle Arena, countless talented soul masters had gathered. The empire's high officials, elite members of various sects, and even military figures were present.
Emperor Dai Yutian of the Star Luo Empire personally attended and, under the gaze of thousands, announced the opening of the empire's once-every-five-years National Elite Soul Master Battle Tournament.
This national tournament was exclusive to the Star Luo Empire. All participants were geniuses from the empire's sects, noble families, and military.
As long as they were under thirty years old, they qualified to participate. The scale of the tournament was comparable to the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament,perhaps even more prestigious.
This was not an academy competition but a grand stage for the empire's prodigies to shine.
The iron-blooded reputation of the Star Luo Emperor was forged under this flourishing martial tradition.
Though both were called tournaments, the rules differed from the Continental Academy competition.
All soul masters under thirty could participate, with no limit on the number of entrants.
The tournament was divided into three rounds. The first was a team elimination round, similar to the academy tournament, with seven-person teams.
After qualifying, the next round was the advancement stage, which consisted of individual matches with similar rules.
The only difference was in the final round. The final battle would not take place in a simple arena but in a specially constructed battleground filled with soul beasts and various obstacles.
No methods or strategies were forbidden. Participants could even abandon their original teammates to join stronger ones. Only ten participants would remain at the end.
These ten would be recognized as the strongest among the young soul masters and would receive extremely generous rewards.
The rewards would be distributed based on performance and overall strength,the higher the ranking, the richer the prizes.
Spirit bones were even among the rewards.
All teams that advanced would participate simultaneously in the final stage, making it both a team and individual showdown.
Due to the thirty-year age limit, most participants were around the Soul King level. Soul Sects were at the bottom, while exceptional talents could even reach the rare Soul Emperor level.
After Dai Yutian finished the opening ceremony, referees began introducing each team.
Nearly a thousand soul masters had entered from across the empire. The most promising teams included the First Prince's Team, Third Prince's Team, Northwest Army Group Team, Northern Army Group Team, Nether Duke's Team, Southern Duke's Team, Black Tiger Sect Team, and Holy Dragon Sect Team.
From these names, it was clear that the military and upper echelons of the empire were heavily represented. Among them, the First and Third Princes were the focal points of this year's competition.
The Star Luo Empire's well-known "competition of heirs" was infamous. Years ago, during the Continental Academy Tournament, the First Prince's Star Luo Royal Academy had lost to the Third Prince's Shrek Academy team.
That was their first confrontation. This tournament would be their second.
If the First Prince defeated the Third Prince this time, he could reclaim his position as crown prince.
If he lost again, his chances would vanish completely.
Thus, this year's National Elite Tournament was especially exciting, as it could determine the future crown prince of the empire.
Victory would mean redemption for the First Prince. Defeat would mean the end of his ambitions.
And since lethal combat was permitted, every participant fought with their life on the line in pursuit of rank and reward.
This was why the Star Luo Empire's warriors possessed such iron wills,the entire nation thrived on martial strength.
Inside the Third Prince's team's rest area, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun sat around a round table with their four teammates, discussing strategy.
Ma Hongjun looked at Dai Mubai. "Mubai, since killing is allowed, do you think we can take out Davis during the tournament?"
Dai Mubai nodded, eyes gleaming. Ever since Davis had sent assassins after them, he had completely lost any familial sentiment toward his brother.
"Of course. If there's a chance, this will be the perfect time to deal with him once and for all."
Zhu Zhuqing gently squeezed Dai Mubai's hand. "You're level sixty-four, Hongjun is level sixty-seven, and with our martial fusion skill, Davis won't stand a chance."
Ma Hongjun grinned confidently. "Not to mention, we've got Qin Qiong and Long Wu helping us. I don't see how we could lose."
Qin Qiong and Long Wu were both around twenty-eight, sons of Ye Haitang, with fathers named Long Shihu and Qin Wenlong. Both were close to level sixty and would likely reach Soul Emperor rank within two years.
The other two teammates, Li Sheng and Zhao Lan, were twenty-five and twenty-nine years old, both high-level Soul Kings under Dai Mubai's command.
Their lineup had full balance,offense, defense, control, and support,all perfectly coordinated after months of training.
The elimination rounds progressed quickly, narrowing more than a hundred teams down within half a month.
Today, Dai Mubai's Third Prince Team was facing one of the strongest opponents,the Holy Dragon Sect Team.
This was an exceptionally rare matchup between two powerful teams, the kind usually seen only in later rounds.
What made it even more significant was that the Holy Dragon Sect also had a Soul Emperor-level member.
In the past, Soul Emperors under thirty were exceedingly rare, each with the potential to become a Titled Douluo.
However, in recent decades, gifted soul masters had sprung up like bamboo after the rain. Although most couldn't match the monsters from the Continental Academy Tournament, they weren't far behind.
Many believed this was a sign of prosperity in the soul master world. In truth, it was due to the rise of destiny's chosen, strengthening the continent's overall fortune.
Dai Mubai's team was scheduled for the seventh day. By then, many powerful teams had already appeared, including nearly ten known Soul Emperors.
Seeing so many young prodigies, Dai Yutian couldn't hide his smile.
Though some participants came from the Heaven Dou Empire and even the Spirit Hall, he didn't mind. Their presence only enhanced the Star Luo Empire's martial fortune.
Besides, with Dai Mubai's current talent, perhaps in the future there would be no division between Star Luo and Heaven Dou at all.
Though the emperor showed no favoritism, Dai Mubai,seven years younger than Davis,was already level sixty-four, surpassing his brother in strength.
Even if Davis schemed in secret and conspired with Spirit Hall, Dai Mubai's friendship with Sword Sect heir Oscar meant that their external support was likely evenly matched.
The outcome would depend on the princes themselves. And with Ma Hongjun at his side,a talent even greater than his own,Dai Mubai's chances looked good.
The emperor knew all of this clearly, but as long as events stayed within expectations, he would turn a blind eye.
After all, he himself had not been much different in his youth.
That morning, under the bright sun, the battle between the Third Prince's Team and the Holy Dragon Sect Team began.
At the referee's signal, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing walked onto the stage side by side, followed closely by Ma Hongjun and the others, all with calm, determined faces.
Across from them, the seven members of the Holy Dragon Sect Team glared coldly.
The Holy Dragon Sect had long since allied with Spirit Hall in secret. Since the First Prince Davis was cooperating with Spirit Hall, the Holy Dragon Sect was eager to earn favor by assisting.
If they could help eliminate Dai Mubai, their standing with both Davis and Spirit Hall would soar.
Leading the team was Tuoba Hu, accompanied by six of the sect's most outstanding young members. He was determined to make the Holy Dragon Sect famous across the land.
The referee, a powerful Soul Douluo, introduced both teams in turn.
**Third Prince's Team**
Captain: Dai Mubai, Spirit: White Tiger, level 64 Attack-Type Battle Soul Emperor.
Vice-Captain: Ma Hongjun, Spirit: Fire Phoenix, level 67 Attack-Type Battle Soul Emperor.
Member: Zhu Zhuqing, Spirit: Nether Cat, level 56 Agility-Type Battle Soul King.
Member: Long Wu, Spirit: Lion Armor, level 57 Defense-Type Battle Soul King.
Member: Qin Qiong, Spirit: Battle Dragon Halberd, level 58 Attack-Type Battle Soul King.
Member: Zhao Lan, Spirit: Wind Xiao, level 55 Support-Type Battle Soul King.
Member: Li Sheng, Spirit: Heavenly Chain, level 55 Control-Type Battle Soul King.
After introducing the team, the referee said excitedly, "Among them, the Third Prince Dai Mubai, his fiancée Zhu Zhuqing, and Vice-Captain Ma Hongjun are all extraordinary prodigies who won the Continental Academy Tournament three years ago as core members of Shrek Academy."
"Currently, Ma Hongjun has the highest known spirit power among all contestants. I look forward to seeing these three geniuses in action."
As his words fell, the arena erupted in thunderous cheers from the hundred-thousand-strong crowd. Many had watched the Continental Tournament before and remembered these Shrek heroes vividly.
Now that they were seeing them again, everyone was eager to witness how much stronger they had become.
After introducing the Third Prince's Team, the referee announced the Holy Dragon Sect Team.
Holy Dragon Sect Team
Captain: Tuoba Hu, Spirit: White Armored Earth Dragon, level 61 Attack-Type Battle Soul Emperor.
Vice-Captain: Tuoba Gui, Spirit: White Armored Earth Dragon, level 58 Attack-Type Battle Soul King.
Member: Tuoba Li, Spirit: White Armored Earth Dragon, level 56 Attack-Type Battle Soul King.
Member: Tuoba Xi, Spirit: White Armored Earth Dragon, level 56 Attack-Type Battle Soul King.
Member: Tuoba Hong, Spirit: White Armored Earth Dragon, level 56 Attack-Type Battle Soul King.
Member: Tuoba Gang, Spirit: White Armored Earth Dragon, level 55 Attack-Type Battle Soul King.
Member: Tuoba Rong, Spirit: White Armored Earth Dragon, level 55 Attack-Type Battle Soul King.
All seven were nearly thirty years old. Tuoba Hu, the most talented of his generation, had reached level sixty-one thanks to years of Spirit Hall support.
After introducing the Holy Dragon Sect Team, the referee added, "It is said that the Holy Dragon Sect Team possesses a rare team martial fusion skill. This will truly be a clash of prodigies!"
Then he declared, "Now, both teams,release your spirits!"
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