Chapter 191: The Finals Begin
After Luo Ling offered his respectful salute, Ning Rongrong followed his example with a graceful bow. As the heiress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, there was no need for her to kneel.
However, having spent several years under Spirit Hall's care, receiving much kindness from Bibi Dong herself, it was only right that she showed some degree of respect.
This display surprised the Shrek team even more. Those who knew both Luo Ling and Ning Rongrong's identities exchanged knowing looks.
Ning Rongrong was the treasured daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and Luo Ling, at least publicly, was also considered part of the same clan. Both had just extended courtesy toward Spirit Hall—an unexpected show of goodwill.
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment before also bowing slightly.
Xiao Wu, however, had a different reaction. Her eyes flashed with hatred, yet when she saw Luo Ling bow, something like confusion mixed into her gaze.
Luo Ling sensed her emotions clearly but made no move to acknowledge them.
He had already told Xiao Wu during the qualifying rounds—he would ensure her safety, and that was all.
Even if she turned against him, he would still stand with Spirit Hall.
Bibi Dong had also noticed the actions of Shrek's group and Luo Ling.
"How dare you show such disrespect to Her Holiness the Pope!" one of the red-robed cardinals roared in anger.
Tang San and the others, still standing, immediately tensed up.
Bibi Dong's eyes swept toward Luo Ling and the few others who had not knelt.
She raised her hand slightly, and the red-robed cardinal instantly fell silent, bowing his head in submission.
Bibi Dong wasn't displeased with Luo Ling's gesture—she understood her disciple's temperament well enough.
As for Tang San and the Shrek team, she merely spared them a fleeting glance before looking away.
There was no point getting angry over a few insolent children. They were talented, perhaps, but nothing extraordinary.
After witnessing Luo Ling's monstrous growth over the past years, Bibi Dong found the likes of Tang San wholly unremarkable.
Among the crowd, Yu Xiaogang could barely contain his excitement. His gaze burned as he fixed it on the Pope's platform, hoping—no, longing—for Bibi Dong to notice him.
Bibi Dong's eyes moved away from Luo Ling and scanned the audience.
When her gaze reached Shrek Academy's area and landed briefly on Yu Xiaogang, his face flushed with excitement.
But she merely looked past him indifferently and focused momentarily on Liu Erlong.
From start to finish, she hadn't spared Yu Xiaogang a proper glance.
His smile faltered. He was sure she had seen him—so why hadn't she acknowledged him?
Was it because she didn't wish to speak to him publicly before so many people?
Yu Xiaogang comforted himself with that thought, though a shadow of unease clouded his heart.
Liu Erlong glanced toward him, a faint smirk of disdain flashing across her face.
"Rise," Bibi Dong said calmly, her scepter waving lightly after her eyes swept over the assembled crowd.
Everyone who had been kneeling—or bowing—slowly stood up.
Her gaze fell once more on the seven young spirit masters who had qualified for this final stage.
"From each of you, I see the future's hope," Bibi Dong said, her voice ringing clear across the square. "Before the Pope's Palace, I expect to witness your full potential and strength. The ultimate victors will receive Spirit Hall's highest reward."
As she spoke, she waved her scepter gently.
Three shimmering lights appeared before her—
A right arm bone, a skull, and a left leg bone—each small yet radiant with powerful energy, glowing in fiery red, ocean blue, and dark green.
They were the prizes of the tournament—the final rewards: three spirit bones.
The entire crowd erupted in excitement, eyes burning with desire.
Even from their glow alone, one could tell—they were all extraordinary, each clearly from ten-thousand-year spirit beasts or higher.
Behind Bibi Dong, Ghost Douluo's eerie voice rang out clearly.
"The three spirit bones are as follows: the Wise Spirit Condensing Skull, the Flame Explosion Right Arm Bone, and the Wind-Chasing Left Leg Bone. Each originates from ten-thousand-year spirit beasts. The Wise Spirit Condensing Skull, in particular, comes from a beast exceeding fifty thousand years—personally slain by the previous Pope. It is one of the finest spirit bones below external and hundred-thousand-year varieties."
Bibi Dong smiled faintly. "There can only be one champion. All three of these spirit bones will go to the winning team. I expect nothing less than your utmost effort."
The three teams below grew visibly excited.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy's members were flushed with anticipation—they had complete faith in Luo Ling.
Only Dugu Yan, who knew the truth, looked unimpressed. She already knew that once Luo Ling defeated Shrek, he wouldn't continue fighting against Wuhun Hall Academy.
Those three spirit bones were already prepared for Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
Luo Ling's reaction remained calm.
In fact, before the tournament even began, Bibi Dong had offered to prepare a special spirit bone reward for him, but Luo Ling had declined.
Though the quality of these bones was impressive, to him they simply weren't enough.
The two spirit bones he already possessed—a ten-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone and an external bone from the Evil Demon Tiger—were of far superior quality.
For Luo Ling, any future spirit bone he obtained must be at least hundred-thousand-year grade.
In the future, he planned to claim the pair of bones from the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings beneath the Icefire Yin Yang Well—and once he reached the Soul Saint level, he would start hunting hundred-thousand-year beasts for his next spirit rings.
Every such beast guaranteed a spirit bone drop.
Luo Ling's ambitions now extended far beyond the mainland—to the depths of the ocean itself.
Meanwhile, among the mesmerized onlookers, Shrek's team stared hungrily at the three spirit bones.
Tang San's gaze fixed on the most precious one—the fifty-thousand-year Wise Spirit Condensing Skull.
It was leagues above the useless soul bone they had acquired earlier in the Sunset Forest!
"Today's matches will begin in the morning," Bibi Dong declared. "Each team will send seven representatives for individual elimination bouts. The winners will proceed to tomorrow's final match. The two losing teams will compete later today for the remaining spot."
The rules announced, the finals began.
Just as in the original timeline, Shrek Academy drew a first-round bye.
But when it came time for the second match—between Spirit Hall Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Academy—Spirit Hall Academy suddenly declared forfeit.
The audience was stunned.
Then, realization dawned—Spirit Hall intended to let Shrek and Heaven Dou exhaust each other, reaping the benefits afterward.
Yu Xiaogang and Tang San understood the plan instantly—and their faces twisted with fury.
Clenching his fists, Yu Xiaogang rose from Shrek's rest area and turned toward the Pope's stage.
"Please, wait before starting the match!" he shouted.
"State your reason," Bibi Dong replied coolly, her eyes devoid of emotion.
Yu Xiaogang froze mid-step. He had walked forward not only to protest but also in hopes of speaking with her—believing she might still hold affection for him.
But when his gaze met Bibi Dong's cold indifference, the burning hope in his chest was snuffed out like a candle in the rain.
(END CHAPTER)
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