Three days passed quickly in the Sun Moon capital.
But the city had not calmed down.
If anything—
The excitement surrounding the Continental Elite Tournament had only grown stronger.
The streets near the arena district were more crowded than ever. Merchants had begun selling tournament-themed banners, small souvenirs, and stacks of freshly printed newspapers detailing the results of the previous matches.
Everywhere people talked about the same thing.
The remaining eight teams.
And the battles that were about to come.
Large projection screens floated above the main avenues leading toward the stadium.
Formation arrays projected moving images of the surviving academies as they appeared on the screens one after another.
Shrek Academy.
Star Luo Royal Academy.
Thousand Spirits Academy.
Just Sky Academy.
Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
Each time a team appeared, the crowd reacted differently.
But when the projection shifted—
And displayed the image of Sun Moon Academy—
The street erupted in noise.
"That's them!"
"The masked captain's team!"
"Did you see the girl who defeated seven people by herself?!"
Nearby, a newspaper vendor shouted loudly while waving a stack of fresh prints.
"Latest tournament news!"
"Quarterfinal matches today!"
"Dragon versus dragon!"
The front page headline read in bold letters:
THE DRAGON CLASH OF THE QUARTERFINALS
Below the headline were two illustrations.
One showed a lightning dragon wreathed in thunder.
The other—
A golden dragon silhouette blazing with radiant power.
Yu Tianlong.
Qiu'er.
Along one of the wide stone roads leading toward the arena gates, a familiar group walked calmly through the crowd.
Even among thousands of people, they were difficult to miss.
Several pedestrians recognized them immediately.
"Wait—"
"That's them!"
"Sun Moon Academy!"
People stepped aside instinctively as the group passed.
Some stared openly.
Others whispered.
Reporters attempted to capture images with small projection cameras.
Xu Tianzhen sighed quietly.
"This again."
Wu Feng crossed her arms.
"Annoying."
Ma Xiaotao smirked.
"You should get used to it."
At the center of the group, Lin Huang walked quietly.
His mask still hid his face.
Beside him walked Qiu'er.
Her golden hair moved slightly in the morning breeze as the group continued toward the stadium district.
Around them, the massive projection screens shifted again.
This time displaying the quarterfinal bracket.
Spectators stopped walking just to look up at the display.
"Just Sky Academy versus Sun Moon!"
"That dragon fight will be insane!"
"They say Yu Tianlong's lightning dragon is the strongest in this tournament!"
Another voice responded immediately.
"Maybe."
"But have you seen the golden one from Sun Moon?"
Behind Lin Huang, Su Mei carried a small storage pouch filled with prepared spiritual food.
And naturally—
Honghong walked beside her.
The small fox spirit had completely abandoned the idea of riding in Lin Huang's arms.
Instead she followed Su Mei like a small guardian.
Her cerulean-blue hair moved softly in the wind while her ten fox tails swayed lazily behind her.
When Su Mei stopped briefly near a vendor stand—
Honghong stopped too.
Looking up at her expectantly.
Su Mei sighed.
"You're hungry again?"
Honghong tilted her head.
"…Hmph."
Wu Feng laughed.
"She's definitely yours now."
Su Mei pulled a small piece of spiritual food from her pouch and handed it down.
Honghong accepted it immediately.
Satisfied.
A few steps ahead, Ju Zi walked beside Xiao Hongchen while studying the small projection disk in her hand.
"Yu Tianlong," she said calmly.
"Rank fifty-two."
"Blue Lightning Dragon martial soul."
"Extremely aggressive combat style."
Xiao Hongchen nodded.
"High burst power."
Ji Juechen walked slightly ahead of the group.
His sword resting across his shoulder.
"Direct fighter."
Lin Huang glanced toward Qiu'er.
"Don't underestimate him."
Qiu'er didn't slow her pace.
Her golden eyes remained calm.
"I won't."
There was no arrogance in her voice.
Only quiet certainty.
Ahead of them, the enormous gates of the stadium opened once again.
Crowds poured through the entrance corridors.
The quarterfinal matches would begin soon.
Inside that arena—
The strongest teams remaining in the tournament would begin clashing.
And somewhere beyond that stage—
The semifinal battles waited.
Lin Huang glanced briefly toward the massive screens above the arena.
Where the names of the remaining academies glowed across the projection.
Soon—
It would be his turn to step onto the battlefield.
By the time the Sun Moon team entered the inner corridors of the stadium, the atmosphere had already changed from the earlier rounds of the tournament.
The difference was subtle at first.
But unmistakable.
The noise was no longer chaotic excitement.
It was tension.
The kind that built when the audience knew they were about to witness something extraordinary.
Only eight academies remained in the Continental Elite Tournament of the Soul Masters Academy.
Every fighter stepping onto the battlefield now had already proven themselves among the most talented young cultivators on the continent.
No more easy victories.
No more weak opponents.
From this point onward—
Every match mattered.
The interior halls of the arena complex were wide enough to allow entire delegations to move freely between preparation areas, medical chambers, and observation balconies.
Officials moved through the corridors carrying formation tablets that updated the tournament schedule in real time.
Formation engineers adjusted stabilization arrays around the battlefield.
Medical teams prepared recovery chambers.
Everything moved with quiet efficiency.
This stage of the tournament required precision.
When the Sun Moon group reached their preparation chamber, the distant roar of the crowd filtered faintly through the reinforced walls.
Ju Zi stepped toward the central projection table immediately and activated the disk she carried.
A three-dimensional bracket appeared above the surface.
Eight academy names floated in the air like glowing constellations.
She tapped the display once.
The quarterfinal matchups expanded.
Xu Tianzhen leaned forward with interest.
"So this is it."
Ju Zi nodded.
"Yes."
She pointed toward the first matchup.
"Shrek Academy versus Azure Valley Academy."
Ma Xiaotao folded her arms.
"That one won't last long."
Xiao Hongchen nodded calmly.
"Shrek's coordination is superior."
Ju Zi shifted the projection.
"Thousand Spirits Academy versus Crimson Gate Academy."
Ji Juechen glanced briefly at the display.
"Shen Ce."
"His spear technique is precise."
Wu Feng smirked.
"He looked disciplined."
Ju Zi nodded slightly.
"He is."
Then she adjusted the projection once more.
"Star Luo Royal Academy versus Northern Ice Academy."
Xu Tianzhen chuckled softly.
"My sister's empire is taking this tournament very seriously."
Lin Huang glanced briefly toward the projection.
"Royal academies usually do."
Finally—
Ju Zi expanded the final pairing.
The glowing projection shifted.
The names appeared clearly.
Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering AcademyversusJust Sky Academy
For a moment, the room grew slightly quieter.
Qiu'er was leaning against the wall near the entrance.
When the name Just Sky Academy appeared—
Her golden eyes lifted slowly.
Across the table, Xiao Hongchen spoke calmly.
"Yu Tianlong."
Lightning crackled faintly around the projected emblem beside the academy's name.
A stylized dragon surrounded by arcs of electricity.
"The Blue Lightning Dragon martial soul," he continued.
"Direct lineage from the original clan."
Ma Xiaotao tilted her head slightly.
"The same clan as Bei Bei."
Ju Zi nodded.
"Yes."
She tapped the projection again and several lines of information appeared beside Yu Tianlong's name.
"Rank fifty-two."
"Specializes in lightning amplification techniques."
"Close-range combat supported by high-speed movement."
Wu Feng smirked.
"So he's the aggressive type."
Ji Juechen spoke quietly from near the corridor entrance.
"Most lightning cultivators are."
At the far side of the room, Su Mei had begun preparing several small dishes of spiritual food again.
Recovery meals.
Light but rich in spiritual energy.
And as usual—
Honghong remained close beside her.
The small fox spirit sat quietly near Su Mei's feet while her ten cerulean tails swayed lazily behind her.
When Su Mei stepped to one side—
Honghong followed.
One tail brushing lightly against the hem of her robe.
Su Mei glanced down.
"You're still here?"
Honghong looked up.
"…Hmph."
Wu Feng laughed.
"She's definitely loyal."
Xu Tianzhen leaned against the wall.
"Food loyalty."
Su Mei sighed quietly.
Then she crouched slightly and placed a small piece of prepared spiritual food onto a plate.
Honghong immediately leaned forward.
Satisfied.
Meanwhile, Ju Zi continued analyzing the projection.
"Just Sky Academy has a balanced team."
She expanded another diagram.
"Yu Tianlong is their strongest member."
"But their other fighters provide support and control."
Xiao Hongchen crossed his arms.
"They rely heavily on Yu Tianlong's offensive power."
Ji Juechen nodded once.
"Break the spear."
Wu Feng grinned.
"That simple?"
Ji Juechen's voice remained calm.
"Yes."
Across the room, Lin Huang stood quietly beside the projection table.
His masked gaze moved briefly toward Qiu'er.
She had not spoken since the matchup appeared.
But there was no tension in her posture.
Only focus.
Lin Huang finally spoke.
"Don't underestimate him."
Qiu'er pushed away from the wall and walked closer to the table.
Her golden eyes studied the projection of Yu Tianlong's martial soul.
Lightning danced around the dragon silhouette.
She nodded once.
"I won't."
Her voice carried no arrogance.
Just certainty.
Above them, the roar of the stadium suddenly intensified.
Another quarterfinal match had begun.
The projection screens in the preparation chamber shifted automatically to display the battlefield.
Shrek Academy.
Their team had already stepped onto the arena floor.
Wu Ming's sword cut across the battlefield like a silver flash.
Ling Luochen's ice covered half the arena within seconds.
Han Ruoruo stood at the center of their formation, amplifying the team with precise support techniques.
Xu Tianzhen watched the display with interest.
"They're efficient."
Ju Zi nodded.
"Shrek has always trained their teams for coordinated combat."
The match ended quickly.
Clean.
Decisive.
The crowd roared again as Shrek Academy advanced.
The projection shifted again.
Now displaying the next match.
Thousand Spirits Academy.
Shen Ce stepped onto the battlefield with his long spear resting across one shoulder.
His aura remained calm.
Controlled.
Unlike many fighters who relied on explosive power, Shen Ce moved with measured precision.
Every step deliberate.
Every attack calculated.
Ji Juechen watched quietly.
"Spear intent."
Xiao Hongchen nodded.
"Yes."
Shen Ce's spear cut through the battlefield like lightning.
Within minutes, his opponents were forced out of the arena.
Another victory.
Another academy eliminated.
The projection returned to the bracket.
Four teams had now advanced to the semifinal stage.
Shrek Academy.
Thousand Spirits Academy.
And two more still to be determined.
Ju Zi closed the projection disk slowly.
"Our match will begin soon."
Wu Feng cracked her knuckles.
"Good."
Ma Xiaotao smirked.
"I want to see that dragon fight."
Lin Huang glanced once more toward Qiu'er.
Golden Dragon.
Blue Lightning Dragon.
Two ancient bloodlines.
Soon—
They would collide.
And the entire stadium—
Was waiting to see which dragon would stand at the end.
The moment the announcement for the next match echoed across the stadium, the atmosphere changed.
It was not the chaotic excitement that had filled the arena earlier in the tournament.
This time—
It was anticipation.
Thousands of spectators leaned forward in their seats as the massive projection arrays above the battlefield illuminated once more.
The announcer's voice rang across the arena.
"Next match of the Quarterfinals!"
"Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy!"
The stadium erupted.
The reputation of Sun Moon's team had already spread across the capital.
Every match they fought drew enormous attention.
But today—
There was another reason the crowd had been waiting for this battle.
The announcer continued.
"Versus!"
"Just Sky Academy!"
Another wave of cheers spread through the arena.
And then the projection screens displayed two images side by side.
A lightning dragon wreathed in thunder.
And a golden dragon blazing with radiant power.
The murmurs spread instantly through the stands.
"Dragon versus dragon…"
"That girl from Sun Moon…"
"They say her bloodline pressure is terrifying."
"And Yu Tianlong is the Blue Lightning Dragon heir!"
This match had already become the most anticipated fight of the quarterfinals.
Inside the Sun Moon preparation chamber, the announcement echoed through the corridor.
Ju Zi looked toward Qiu'er.
"It's time."
Qiu'er nodded once.
Then she walked toward the arena entrance.
Ma Xiaotao grinned.
"Have fun."
Wu Feng laughed.
"Break something."
Ji Juechen said nothing.
But his gaze followed her calmly.
At the center of the room, Lin Huang remained still.
Honghong had returned to his arms while Su Mei finished organizing the remaining food containers.
The fox spirit looked half-asleep again.
But one ear twitched as Qiu'er walked past.
For a moment, Honghong opened one eye.
Then closed it again.
As if the outcome was already obvious.
The arena gates opened.
Light poured across the battlefield as Qiu'er stepped onto the stone platform.
The reaction from the crowd was immediate.
Even before she reached the center of the arena—
The atmosphere changed.
Her golden hair moved softly in the arena wind.
Her expression remained calm.
But the aura surrounding her body carried a faint pressure that even the spectators could feel.
Across the battlefield—
The other gate opened.
Yu Tianlong stepped forward.
Lightning crackled faintly around his body as his martial soul awakened.
The moment he appeared—
The thunderous aura of the Blue Lightning Dragon spread across the arena.
Electric arcs danced along the stone floor.
His gaze locked onto Qiu'er immediately.
For a moment—
Neither of them spoke.
The crowd fell into a tense silence.
Two dragon bloodlines stood facing each other across the battlefield.
Even the referee hesitated slightly before raising his hand.
"Match begin!"
Yu Tianlong moved first.
Lightning erupted around his body as he surged forward like a bolt of thunder.
His speed was astonishing.
The arena floor shattered beneath his first step.
Electric energy gathered along his arm as he threw a powerful strike toward Qiu'er.
The impact exploded across the battlefield.
But Qiu'er had already moved.
Her body shifted sideways with effortless precision.
Yu Tianlong's fist struck empty air.
She stepped forward calmly.
Then struck.
Her fist collided with his forearm.
The impact echoed across the arena like a drum.
Stone cracked beneath their feet.
Yu Tianlong's eyes widened slightly.
He had expected strength.
But not this much.
Lightning surged around his body as he pushed forward again.
Another strike.
Faster.
Stronger.
Qiu'er met it head-on.
Their fists collided again.
Shockwaves spread across the battlefield.
The crowd gasped.
"Did you see that?!"
"She blocked it!"
"That lightning dragon strike—!"
Above the battlefield, the Shrek observation section watched carefully.
Wu Ming leaned forward.
"That girl…"
Ling Luochen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Her physical strength is abnormal."
Han Ruoruo spoke quietly.
"Both of them are holding back."
Back on the battlefield, Yu Tianlong stepped backward slightly.
Lightning intensified around his body.
The dragon-shaped aura behind him expanded.
His martial soul was fully awakening.
Blue scales formed along his arms as electricity surged through the air.
"You're strong," he said.
Qiu'er did not respond.
But the golden aura around her body began to grow.
A faint dragon silhouette appeared behind her.
Not lightning.
Not thunder.
But something far older.
Far heavier.
Golden light spread slowly across the battlefield.
And the pressure in the arena changed.
Several high-level spectators felt it immediately.
The aura of a superior dragon bloodline.
Yu Tianlong felt it too.
His eyes narrowed.
Lightning exploded outward again as he launched forward once more.
The true battle—
Had just begun.
The collision between lightning and gold shook the entire arena.
The protective barrier formations surrounding the battlefield flared brightly as waves of energy rolled outward from the impact. Even with the reinforced arrays absorbing most of the shock, the stone floor beneath the fighters fractured under the pressure.
For a brief moment—
The entire stadium fell silent.
Then the roar of the crowd returned with explosive force.
"Did you see that?!"
"That impact—!"
"The dragons collided!"
On the battlefield, Yu Tianlong pushed forward with everything he had.
Lightning surged wildly around his body, arcs of electricity snapping across the air like whips as the phantom of the Blue Lightning Dragon roared behind him.
His body had already partially transformed.
Blue scales covered his arms and shoulders.
Electric claws extended from his fingers.
He drove his fist forward again.
A spear of lightning erupted toward Qiu'er.
But she didn't retreat.
Golden light flared brighter around her body.
The phantom of the Golden Dragon behind her expanded once more.
And this time—
The pressure changed completely.
Several powerful cultivators seated in the VIP sections straightened immediately.
"That aura…"
"That's not just a dragon martial soul."
"Her bloodline…"
"It's suppressing his."
Even some of the older spectators felt the difference instinctively.
Lightning dragons were among the strongest martial souls on the continent.
But the golden aura radiating from Qiu'er carried something else.
Dominance.
An ancient authority embedded deep within the dragon bloodline hierarchy.
And Yu Tianlong felt it directly.
The moment he pushed forward again—
His lightning dragon phantom trembled slightly.
Just enough to notice.
His eyes widened.
"…Impossible."
Qiu'er moved.
Not with speed alone—
But with overwhelming physical power.
Her body surged forward.
The golden dragon phantom roared as her fist collided with Yu Tianlong's lightning spear.
The attack shattered instantly.
Fragments of lightning scattered across the battlefield.
Yu Tianlong barely had time to react before Qiu'er stepped inside his guard.
Her fist struck his chest.
The impact detonated across the arena.
Yu Tianlong was thrown backward.
His body skidded across the cracked stone floor before he managed to stabilize himself.
The crowd gasped.
"That punch—!"
"He flew halfway across the arena!"
Yu Tianlong rose again slowly.
Lightning still surrounded him.
But his breathing had become heavier now.
He stared at Qiu'er with intense focus.
"…You're strong."
The lightning dragon behind him roared again as he raised both arms.
Electric energy surged upward.
The entire arena darkened slightly as storm clouds formed above the battlefield formation.
"Then let's finish this properly."
Lightning descended like falling spears.
The Blue Lightning Dragon phantom expanded dramatically.
Yu Tianlong's aura surged to its absolute peak.
Inside the Sun Moon preparation chamber, Wu Feng leaned forward.
"Now that looks serious."
Ma Xiaotao smirked.
"Finally."
Ji Juechen watched the projection silently.
His voice calm.
"She still hasn't used her real strength."
Back on the battlefield, Qiu'er stood calmly beneath the descending lightning storm.
Golden light continued spreading across the arena.
The phantom of the Golden Dragon behind her raised its head.
Its eyes burned like molten gold.
Yu Tianlong launched forward.
Lightning exploded across the battlefield as he unleashed his final attack.
The entire arena trembled.
The dragon-shaped lightning strike descended toward Qiu'er.
And she stepped forward to meet it.
Her body moved like a golden meteor.
The moment the attacks collided—
The stadium shook.
Lightning shattered.
Golden light erupted outward in a wave that forced the protective barriers to glow intensely.
When the light faded—
Yu Tianlong was on one knee.
His lightning aura flickered weakly around him.
Qiu'er stood several meters away.
Completely steady.
The golden dragon phantom slowly faded behind her.
The referee raised his hand.
"Victory—Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy!"
For half a second—
The stadium was silent.
Then the roar of the crowd exploded louder than ever before.
"That golden dragon!"
"She overwhelmed the Blue Lightning Dragon!"
"She's terrifying!"
Above the battlefield, the projection screens updated once more.
Just Sky Academy faded from the tournament bracket.
Sun Moon advanced.
Inside the Sun Moon preparation chamber, Wu Feng laughed.
"That was clean."
Ma Xiaotao nodded.
"He didn't stand a chance once she got serious."
Ji Juechen spoke calmly.
"Dragon hierarchy."
Back on the battlefield, Yu Tianlong stood slowly.
He looked at Qiu'er.
Then nodded once.
"…Good fight."
Qiu'er nodded back.
Nothing more needed to be said.
High above the arena, the massive projection screens shifted again.
Now displaying the updated bracket.
Semifinalists
Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
Star Luo Royal Academy.
Shrek Academy.
Thousand Spirits Academy.
The next stage of the tournament had been set.
Inside the preparation chamber, Lin Huang looked quietly at the projection.
Honghong rested comfortably in his arms again.
One cerulean tail swayed slowly.
The next match would not belong to Qiu'er.
Or Wu Feng.
Or Jiang Nannan.
The entire stadium was waiting for the same moment.
Soon—
The masked captain of Sun Moon Academy would finally step onto the battlefield.