The referee's command of "Begin!" echoed like thunder through the Heavenly Fight Grand Arena, instantly igniting the atmosphere! However, contrary to everyone's expectations, the two parties confronting each other at the center of the Soul Duel Stage did not immediately erupt into fierce combat.
Marco Lee, the prodigy currently at the peak of his fame in Heaven Dou City, did not strike with overwhelming force as he had in his previous two matches. Instead, he remained calmly in place, his gaze carrying a trace of inquiry as it settled upon Yu Tianxin, the captain of the Thunder Academy team standing opposite him.
His eyes swept over the six unfamiliar team members behind Yu Tianxin, whose Soul Power fluctuations were noticeably weaker than those of regular main forces. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before he finally spoke, his clear voice carrying across the suddenly silenced arena:
"Yu Tianxin, what is the meaning of this... from your Thunder Academy?" Marco's tone held undisguised puzzlement. "If I recall correctly, these individuals behind you are not your academy's usual main roster. Facing me, yet fielding team members with lower Soul Power levels... Do you possess some special reliance, or has your academy decided to strategically forfeit this match?"
His question was direct, even somewhat impolite, but this precisely matched the unfathomable, unrestrained image he now projected in everyone's eyes. Countless gazes instantly focused on Yu Tianxin's face, awaiting his response. The important figures in the VIP seats also showed expressions of interest.
Facing Marco's pointed inquiry, Yu Tianxin stood as straight as a pine tree and did not immediately answer. He remained silent, his thunder-filled eyes fixed intently on Marco as if trying to pierce through that calm exterior to see the truth beneath. The air in the arena seemed to freeze, with only invisible sparks flying where their gazes met.
After a long moment, Yu Tianxin finally spoke slowly, his voice low but carrying suppressed resentment and humiliation: "Marco... you truly are... arrogant."
"Arrogant?" Marco tilted his head slightly, appropriately showing a trace of confusion on his face while rapidly contemplating the deeper meaning behind the other's words. Outwardly, he maintained his composure: "I merely posed a question based on facts. What does that have to do with whether I'm arrogant? In my view, this is simply the most basic respect for an opponent, and... confidence in my own strength."
"Confidence in your own strength? Heh... hehehe..." Yu Tianxin suddenly chuckled lowly, his laughter filled with complex emotions—self-mockery, sarcasm, and an indescribable sense of grievous indignation. "Forming a team alone to participate in the Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, at your pre-adult age, intending to sweep through all opponents single-handedly and seize that sole championship crown... This is what you're planning, isn't it? Marco Lee!"
His voice suddenly rose, carrying an accusatory tone that resounded throughout the arena! These words were like a massive rock thrown into a lake, instantly causing huge commotion and discussion among the spectators!
"What? Is that really what Marco is thinking?"
"One person, one team, aiming for the championship? Heavens! This... this is too arrogant!"
"But... given the strength he's displayed, it seems... actually possible!"
"Still, this shows far too little regard for the other academies!"
On the VIP platform, Emperor Xue Ye's eyes flashed with a sharp gleam, Ning Fengzhi's hand stroking his beard paused slightly, and Bishop Salas's cold smile deepened at the corners of his mouth. Seated nearby, Li Zhaoyan, the Godly Spear Douluo, couldn't help but raise a hand to gently press his temple, a trace of helplessness crossing his face.
No one knows a son better than his father. Li Zhaoyan had long noticed the invisible barrier growing around his son, born from his increasingly overwhelming strength that set him apart from his peers. Initially, Lu Zhou had been able to keep pace, sparring and supporting each other. But ever since Ke'er broke through the sixtieth rank, his power had surged at an unbelievable rate. Even with Lu Zhou's exceptional talent and relentless training—having also advanced to Soul King—the gap between them had only widened. In Li Zhaoyan's estimation, Ke'er's true combat prowess was now likely sufficient to contend head-on with an early-stage Soul Douluo! Such strength had long transcended the category of "young genius," approaching the ranks of the continent's top experts.
With such power, how could his mindset not change? Looking down on his peers and treating the grand competition as trivial might not seem like arrogance to Ke'er, but rather a natural perception based on an absolute disparity in strength. Yet to others, especially proud talents like Yu Tianxin, it appeared as blatant contempt and extreme hubris!
Li Zhaoyan sighed inwardly, his gaze complex as he watched his radiant yet increasingly isolated son below the stage. Power was a double-edged sword—while it brought invincible might, it could also erect invisible walls.
On the stage, Marco remained calm upon hearing Yu Tianxin's near-roaring question, though a faint flicker of unease passed deep in his eyes. He had indeed intended this, but he understood the impact of having it stated so bluntly by another. He did not deny it. Instead, meeting Yu Tianxin's burning gaze, he nodded lightly and admitted frankly, "So what if I am? The championship is meant to be seized by strength. I possess that strength, so naturally, I aim for it."
This understated acknowledgment was like a drop of cold water in a sizzling oil pan, instantly causing an uproar across the venue! Though everyone had suspected as much, hearing him confirm it so directly was incomparably shocking!
Seeing Marco's matter-of-fact demeanor, the pent-up fury and humiliation in Yu Tianxin's chest erupted like a volcano. He took a fierce step forward, his voice trembling with emotion as he growled, "The championship is already in your grasp? Then what about us? Elephant Armor Academy, Blazing Academy, Divine Wind Academy, Heavenly Water Academy! And our Thunder Academy! In your eyes, are we all just stepping stones on your path to the championship, to be trampled at will?! Do our efforts, perseverance, and dreams mean nothing in the face of your absolute power?! In your eyes, are we not even worthy of a single glance?!"
His roar voiced the sentiments of many elite students present! Instantly, countless eyes focused on Marco—filled with anger, resentment, doubt, and a hint of indescribable desolation.
On the VIP platform, the expressions of several academy heads turned grim. Even Ning Fengzhi furrowed his brow slightly.
Marco fell silent. He wasn't unfamiliar with these emotions, but from his elevated position, they truly struggled to resonate with him anymore. The chasm of power had long since drawn boundaries in perception. He paused briefly before speaking slowly, his voice still calm but with less casualness and a touch more seriousness: "I have never looked down upon anyone's efforts or dreams. Every opponent standing on this battlefield deserves respect. But respect and the gap in strength are two different matters. What I pursue is the pinnacle of the Soul Master's path—the championship is merely a milestone along this journey."
His words, rational and composed, only emphasized the aloof sense of superiority they carried.
Yu Tianxin, upon hearing this, laughed in extreme anger: "Fine! Well said about the 'gap in strength'! Well said about a 'milestone'! In that case, Marco! Today, let me, Yu Tianxin, and my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, measure just how heavy this 'pinnacle path' of yours really is! Let's see if us 'stepping stones' can manage to chip even a single tooth of yours!"
Before his words fully faded, Yu Tianxin's Soul Power erupted violently around him!
"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Spirit Possession!"
A draconic roar-like bellow resounded! Dazzling blue-purple lightning burst forth from his body! His frame expanded, blue-purlish dragon scales surfaced on his skin, his hands transformed into sharp claws, a single horn sprouted from his forehead, and his eyes became completely filled with lightning! Two yellow and two purple Soul Rings spiraled upward as the formidable pressure of a Beast Spirit swept outward! This was indeed the world's number one Beast Spirit—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!
Almost simultaneously, the six teammates behind him also roared in unison, releasing their Soul Power without reservation!
Six Martial Soul phantoms of varying colors, all shimmering with lightning attributes, shot skyward! Yellow, yellow, purple, purple... Soul Rings rose from beneath their feet one after another! Although their Soul Power levels generally ranged between levels 35 and 38, far below the main team members.
This still elicited exclamations of surprise from both inside and outside the competition grounds.