Early morning.
After finishing breakfast, Tang Feng left the Princess Manor together with Zhang Lexuan.
As for Xu Jiujiu and the others—
Aside from Gu Yuena, who remained hidden in the shadows, everyone else had already headed to Star Luo Square.
Especially Xu Jiujiu. As a princess of the empire, she had numerous state affairs to handle.
By the time Tang Feng and Zhang Lexuan arrived at Star Luo Square, it was already packed shoulder to shoulder.
"First match of the quarterfinals: Star Luo Royal Academy versus Cang Lei Advanced Soul Master Academy!"
The host announced from the high platform.
Tang Feng's team was facing an advanced academy from the Heaven Soul Empire.
Any academy that had made it into the top eight was formidable—most ranked within the top three of their respective nations.
"Let's go."
Tang Feng leapt onto the competition stage.
This time, Huang Heyun and the others followed him up.
Unlike before, Tang Feng would not be fighting alone.
"We, Cang Lei Academy… concede."
Before the match even officially began—
The opposing captain surrendered outright.
Their advancement into the top eight had already involved a fair bit of luck.
Yesterday had been a brutal battle, and many of their members were still heavily injured.
Against most teams, they might have tried to fight.
But against Tang Feng's team?
Tang Feng alone could sweep a top-sixteen academy.
Let alone a full seven-member lineup.
"Star Luo Royal Academy advances to the semifinals."
The referee declared immediately.
There had never been any suspense in this match.
"How boring."
Tang Feng vanished from the stage.
He returned to the Star Luo Royal Academy rest area and sat beside Zhang Lexuan.
Not far away—
From the Shrek rest area, pairs of hostile eyes glared at them.
"Dean Xian… is Senior Sister really not coming back?"
Ling Luocheng found it hard to accept.
Zhang Lexuan was the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion—
Yet she had abandoned Shrek Academy and sided with the Star Luo Empire.
"No more questions."
Xian Lin'er raised her hand.
She knew very well why Zhang Lexuan stood beside Tang Feng.
It all stemmed from Mu En's disastrous plan.
Not only had Bei Bei failed to secure Tang Ya—
They had also lost Zhang Lexuan.
"Tang Feng!"
Bei Bei clenched his fists.
He had already received a stern warning:
If he appeared before Tang Ya again, he would die instantly.
Even Zhang Lexuan had been forced to stay by Tang Feng's side to save him.
"Bei Bei, do not waste Lexuan's sacrifice."
Xian Lin'er restrained him.
Even at Mu En's peak—
He would not have been able to defeat Tang Feng.
With an Ultimate Douluo protecting him,
Tang Feng was not someone they could provoke.
"Dean Xian… I understand."
All strength drained from Bei Bei.
After learning the truth from Zhang Lexuan the night before,
He finally understood the harm he had unknowingly caused Tang Ya.
He had never realized that his great-grandfather had sent him to the Tang Sect to monitor her.
No wonder Mu En frequently asked about Tang Ya—
He had thought it was a simple concern for the Tang Sect.
Even his feelings for Tang Ya—
Mu En had been the first to know.
And Mu En had personally helped him annul his engagement with Zhang Lexuan—
So he could "rightfully" be with Tang Ya.
"Bei Bei, we'll win it back on the stage."
Xu Sanshi encouraged quietly.
Their confidence rested on one person:
Ma Xiaotao.
As long as she could handle Tang Feng,
The rest of Star Luo Royal Academy was insignificant.
Soon.
It was time for the semifinals.
By sheer coincidence—
Shrek Academy drew Star Luo Royal Academy.
After entering the top four, the format changed.
The two academies would face off in three consecutive rounds:
Team battle
Individual elimination
2-2-3 format battle
All conducted back-to-back.
At this stage, what mattered was sustained combat ability and endurance—
And willpower.
"Are you confident you can face Tang Feng?"
Xian Lin'er looked troubled.
Even Elder Xuan had repeatedly suffered at Tang Feng's hands.
How could Ma Xiaotao possibly contend with him?
The only conceivable strategy—
It was to exhaust him to death.
"Our ancestor left divine power within me. At a critical moment, I can draw upon it."
"Leave Tang Feng to me."
Ma Xiaotao's confidence came from the Phoenix God.
A trace of divine power resided within her.
Against Tang Feng, she would be far more effective than Elder Xuan.
This was a difference in the level of power—
Not mere soul power quantity.
"Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luocheng, Gongyang Mo, Chen Zifeng, Xixi, and Huo Yuhao—you seven will go."
Xian Lin'er did not select Yao Haoxuan.
Instead, she sent Huo Yuhao into battle.
There was no point in defense—
No one could block Tang Feng's bizarre defense-shattering abilities.
Huo Yuhao's Spiritual Detection Sharing would strengthen Ling Luocheng's ice control.
That would yield greater overall benefit.
"For Shrek's glory—we cannot lose! Shrek must win!"
Ma Xiaotao's battle intent soared.
Once, in Tang Feng's hands,
She had been like a mouse caught by a cat—
Toyed with before being killed.
This time—
She would not only win.
She would avenge that humiliation.
"Shrek must win!"
The team roared.
Even Huo Yuhao was stirred.
Though Tang Feng was Teacher Xiaoya's younger brother—
He was also Huo Yuhao's rival.
Bei Bei had treated him extremely well.
He would not allow anyone to harm his senior brother.
On the opposite side.
Tang Feng stood beside Xu Jiujiu.
As Shrek's morale burned fiercely—
He simply watched them calmly.
"Xiao Feng, be careful of Ma Xiaotao."
"A year ago, she received a special life-saving method granted by her ancestor, the Phoenix God."
Zhang Lexuan reminded him seriously.
Ma Xiaotao's martial soul remained the Evil Fire Phoenix—
But she was no longer tormented by its backlash.
She could now unleash phoenix flames without repercussion.
Otherwise, she would not have reached Level 71—Soul Sage—so quickly.
"Sister Lexuan, even if the Phoenix God descends personally, I would not fear him in the slightest."
"Today, I will grind Shrek's so-called glory into the dirt."
Tang Feng was curious.
What tricks could the Phoenix God possibly play?
Even if Ma Hongjun manifested divine signs like the Sea God once did—
So what?
Within the domain of the divine path—
Not even a God King could advance a single foot.
Let alone a mere fragment of divine will.
"Just be careful."
Zhang Lexuan shot him a look.
She had once been the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion.
Yet Tang Feng openly declared he would trample Shrek's dignity.
Still—
After leaving Shrek Academy,
Her mind had grown unexpectedly clear.
It was as if an obsession had completely dissipated.
Now—
She felt nothing for the Sea God Pavilion.
Nothing for Shrek Academy.
It was merely a school she once attended.
Nothing more.
Bei Bei, however—
Remained family.
The younger brother she had raised.
Perhaps he was foolish.
But she could never abandon him.
And she could not allow him to die here.
That was precisely why—
Through Insight into Weakness—
Tang Feng had been able to guide her effectively,
And dissolve her lingering attachment to the Sea God Pavilion.