Ten days passed quickly in the capital of the Sun and Moon Empire.
The reconstruction of the arena had taken place day and night, teams of engineers and formation masters working without pause beneath the towering structure of the stadium. Reinforcement pillars had been rebuilt, new defensive formations embedded into the stone foundations, and the battlefield itself reforged from layered alloys and spirit-conducting stone.
The result was something even larger than before.
The arena floor gleamed under the morning sun.
Massive projection arrays floated above the stadium, their translucent surfaces ready to broadcast the final match not only to the thousands seated in the stands—but to countless viewers across the entire capital.
Outside the stadium, the streets were overflowing.
Merchants sold commemorative banners.
Street vendors shouted about the final match.
And everywhere the same discussion echoed through the crowds.
Sun Moon Academy.
Shrek Academy.
And one name in particular.
Lin Huang.
Inside the competitors' entrance corridor, the Sun Moon team had already gathered.
The hallway leading toward the arena gates was lined with banners representing academies from across the continent, their emblems hanging proudly from polished pillars.
Beyond the massive gate at the end of the corridor, the roar of the crowd was already growing louder.
The final match was minutes away.
Ma Xiaotao stretched her arms slowly, her crimson hair tied loosely behind her shoulders as faint traces of phoenix flame flickered across her fingertips.
"Sounds bigger than the semifinal."
Wu Feng rolled her shoulders beside her.
"That's because the entire continent is watching now."
Xu Tianzhen glanced toward the massive gate.
"And because someone decided to destroy the arena last time."
Several eyes turned toward Lin Huang.
He stood calmly near the back of the group.
The mask had been replaced.
Smooth.
Black.
Unbroken.
Honghong rested comfortably in his arms, her cerulean tails swaying lazily as she watched the corridor with mild curiosity.
Lin Huang shrugged.
"It wasn't entirely intentional."
Wu Feng snorted.
"Sure."
But the moment the conversation slowed—
Xu Tianzhen suddenly stepped closer.
And pinched his side sharply.
Lin Huang flinched slightly.
"…Ow."
Xu Tianzhen crossed her arms.
"That's for breaking the mask."
Ma Xiaotao stepped in immediately.
She grabbed his other arm.
"And that's for letting the entire stadium see your face."
Wu Feng smirked.
"Honestly, you deserved worse."
Lin Huang sighed.
"…I feel unfairly targeted."
Ning Tian closed the strategy tablet in her hand.
"You caused the problem."
Xu Tianzhen tightened her grip on his arm.
"And now we're fixing it."
She leaned slightly closer to him.
Possessively.
Ma Xiaotao didn't let go either.
Instead she folded her arms around the other side of him.
Now Lin Huang was effectively trapped between the two.
Wu Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Subtle."
Xu Tianzhen shrugged.
"That's not the point."
Honghong watched the entire situation from Lin Huang's arms.
"…Hmph."
The fox spirit tilted her head.
Then wrapped one of her cerulean tails lightly around his shoulder.
As if supporting the claim.
A horn sounded.
The massive gate at the end of the corridor slowly began to open.
Light flooded into the hallway.
And the roar of the stadium exploded inward like a wave.
The announcer's voice echoed across the entire structure.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"Welcome to the FINAL MATCH of the Continental Elite Tournament of the Soul Masters Academy!"
The stadium erupted.
The Sun Moon team stepped forward.
The moment they emerged onto the arena floor—
The reaction was immediate.
Thousands of spectators stood.
Cheers.
Shouts.
And excited murmurs spread across the stadium as the projection arrays above the arena magnified the image of the team walking onto the battlefield.
But the moment the cameras focused on the center of the group—
The noise doubled.
Because Xu Tianzhen and Ma Xiaotao were still holding Lin Huang's arms.
Possessively.
The crowd noticed immediately.
A group of young men in the upper stands groaned loudly.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
Another shook his head dramatically.
"That guy again?!"
Nearby, several girls leaned forward in their seats.
"Wait—look!"
"That's him!"
"The one whose mask broke!"
"And those girls are holding onto him!"
One of them sighed dramatically.
"Of course they are."
Another crossed her arms.
"That's not fair."
Below them on the arena floor, Xu Tianzhen noticed the reaction instantly.
And smiled.
Then she tightened her hold on Lin Huang's arm even more.
Ma Xiaotao did the same.
Wu Feng walked beside them with an amused grin.
Lin Huang glanced sideways.
"…You're doing this on purpose."
Xu Tianzhen answered calmly.
"Yes."
Ma Xiaotao nodded.
"Absolutely."
Across the arena, the opposite gate opened.
The announcer's voice rose again.
"And now—!"
"Representing the legendary academy of the continent!"
"SHREK ACADEMY!"
The crowd erupted once more as the Shrek team stepped onto the battlefield.
The final battle of the tournament—
Had begun.
The roar of the stadium did not fade after the two teams stepped onto the battlefield.
If anything, it only grew louder.
Thousands of spectators stood from their seats as the massive projection arrays above the arena activated, displaying the combatants for the final match across enormous translucent screens.
The announcer's voice echoed throughout the stadium.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"Before the final battle begins, let us introduce the fighters!"
The projection arrays first turned toward the northern side of the arena.
The Shrek Academy team.
At the front stood their captain.
Han Ruoruo.
Long dark hair flowed behind her shoulders as golden spiritual energy shimmered faintly around her.
Six soul rings slowly rotated around her body.
Soul Emperor — Rank 66.
The crowd reacted immediately.
Han Ruoruo raised one hand calmly.
Golden light appeared.
From that light emerged thin strands of shining energy.
Elegant.
Dangerous.
The manifestation of her martial soul.
Dazzling Golden Rope.
Dozens of golden threads floated around her like a web of light.
A pure control-type martial soul.
Perfect for battlefield manipulation.
The projection arrays shifted to the rest of the Shrek team.
"Next — Lei Tian!"
A tall young man stepped forward.
Blue lightning crackled along the spear in his hand.
Martial Soul — Thunder Spear.
Rank 54 Soul King.
A fast offensive fighter.
"Gu Shan!"
The ground beneath the next fighter trembled slightly as he stepped forward.
His body expanded with dense stone armor as his martial soul manifested.
Mountain Guardian.
Rank 55 Soul King.
A defensive specialist.
"Bai Yun!"
A slender figure appeared next.
Wind spiraled around his body as translucent wings formed behind him.
Cloud Falcon.
Rank 53 Soul King.
A mobility specialist.
"Su Lian!"
The next fighter raised her hands.
Threads of icy silk extended outward like spider webs.
Frost Silk Spider.
Rank 52 Soul King.
A secondary battlefield controller.
"Chen Kai!"
A muscular young man stepped forward as the projection arrays displayed the phantom of a massive tiger behind him.
Iron War Tiger.
Rank 54 Soul King.
A close combat specialist.
Finally—
"Luo Jian!"
The final member lifted a mechanical-looking crossbow formed entirely from spiritual energy.
Spirit Crossbow.
Rank 53 Soul King.
A long-range attacker.
Together they formed a balanced formation around Han Ruoruo.
Control.
Defense.
Speed.
Range.
A classic Shrek battle structure.
The audience murmured with interest.
Even if these were not the academy's most famous students—
Their strength was undeniable.
Then the projection arrays turned toward the southern side of the battlefield.
The Sun Moon team.
The reaction from the crowd immediately intensified.
"Ji Juechen!"
The quiet swordsman stepped forward.
His blade remained resting calmly across his shoulder.
But the faint pressure around him felt sharp enough to cut the air.
"Ma Xiaotao!"
Scarlet flames flickered briefly behind her as the phantom of a phoenix appeared across the screen.
The temperature in parts of the stadium seemed to rise slightly.
"Xu Tianzhen!"
The Sun Moon princess stepped forward confidently.
A radiant golden bow materialized in her hand.
Solar light shimmered along its limbs.
Several nobles in the imperial stands applauded loudly.
"Meng Hongchen!"
The moment her name was called, the temperature across part of the arena dropped.
She lifted her staff calmly.
Frost Queen Staff.
Crystalline frost spread briefly across the ground beneath her feet.
The projection arrays displayed faint ice constructs forming behind her.
Xu Tianzhen glanced sideways.
Then smirked.
"Trying to show off?"
Meng Hongchen didn't even look at her.
"I don't need to."
Small crystals of frost formed along the edge of her staff.
Xu Tianzhen raised an eyebrow.
"Confident."
Meng finally turned slightly.
"Always."
Behind them, Wu Feng whispered to Ma Xiaotao.
"Here we go again."
Ma Xiaotao folded her arms.
"Let them."
She sounded amused.
The projection arrays continued.
"Ning Tian!"
The magnificent structure of the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda appeared above her hand.
Layers of colored light shimmered across the arena.
Support-type masters of this level were rare.
The audience reacted immediately.
"Qiu'er!"
Golden light flashed.
The phantom of a dragon appeared behind her.
Even without releasing her full aura, the pressure of draconic lineage spread quietly across the battlefield.
And finally—
The projection arrays focused on the final figure.
Lin Huang.
The reaction from the stadium was immediate.
Even with the mask restored—
Everyone remembered the moment from the semifinal.
The broken mask.
The spear.
The shattered arena.
Honghong rested calmly on his shoulder.
"…Hmph."
Her cerulean tails swayed slowly.
The fox spirit looked completely unconcerned by the thousands of eyes watching them.
In the stands, several spectators reacted loudly.
"That's him!"
"The masked guy!"
"The one who destroyed the arena!"
Nearby, several young women leaned forward excitedly.
"Even with the mask he looks amazing…"
Another sighed.
"And those girls beside him too…"
Because Xu Tianzhen and Meng Hongchen were still holding his arms.
Possessively.
Xu Tianzhen noticed the reaction.
And smiled.
Then pulled Lin Huang slightly closer.
Meng Hongchen immediately tightened her hold as well.
Lin Huang looked to both sides.
"…You're still doing this."
Xu Tianzhen answered calmly.
"Yes."
Meng Hongchen nodded.
"Obviously."
Across the arena—
Han Ruoruo watched the scene quietly.
Then she spoke.
"So that's Lin Huang."
One of her teammates frowned.
"He doesn't look that dangerous."
Han Ruoruo's golden ropes drifted slowly through the air.
"Don't underestimate him."
Her voice remained calm.
"But he's the most dangerous person in this stadium."
The referee stepped forward.
The massive barrier formation surrounding the arena activated once again.
Golden light formed a protective dome over the battlefield.
The announcer's voice echoed across the stadium.
"The FINAL match of the Continental Elite Tournament!"
"Seven versus seven!"
"Victory belongs to the last team standing!"
The crowd roared.
Across the battlefield—
Both teams stepped forward.
The final battle had begun.
The moment the referee's hand dropped—
The battlefield erupted.
Seven figures from Shrek moved almost simultaneously, their formation expanding outward with practiced precision. Years of coordinated training showed instantly in the way they spread across the arena, each fighter moving into position without hesitation.
Han Ruoruo raised her hand.
Golden light burst outward.
Dozens of shimmering threads expanded across the battlefield.
The Dazzling Golden Rope.
Thin strands of golden energy shot across the air like living serpents, weaving together into a radiant lattice that spread rapidly toward the Sun Moon team.
Control.
Perfect battlefield control.
"Formation," Han Ruoruo said calmly.
Her team reacted instantly.
Gu Shan stepped forward first.
Stone armor surged across his body as the Mountain Guardian martial soul fully manifested. The ground cracked beneath his feet as he planted himself at the front of their formation like an immovable fortress.
Lei Tian moved beside him, lightning exploding along the shaft of his spear.
Blue thunder crackled violently through the air.
Bai Yun vanished into a gust of wind, rising into the air above the battlefield as the translucent wings of the Cloud Falcon martial soul appeared behind him.
Su Lian's hands moved quickly.
Threads of freezing silk spread across the ground like frost-covered spiderwebs.
Chen Kai roared as the phantom of the Iron War Tiger surged behind him.
And in the backline—
Luo Jian lifted his spirit crossbow.
A bolt of condensed energy locked onto the battlefield.
The Shrek formation was complete.
Across the arena, the Sun Moon team had already moved as well.
Ning Tian's voice rang out first.
"First amplification!"
The Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda above her hand flared brilliantly.
Seven-colored light surged across the battlefield.
Speed.
Strength.
Defense.
Every member of the Sun Moon team felt their abilities surge instantly.
"Move!"
Ma Xiaotao launched forward like a falling meteor.
Scarlet phoenix flames erupted behind her as she thrust her Phoenix Inferno Spear toward Gu Shan's defensive line.
The collision exploded across the arena.
Fire and stone clashed violently as the defensive specialist held his ground against the phoenix warrior.
At the same time—
Ji Juechen moved.
He didn't rush forward like Xiaotao.
Instead his body seemed to glide across the battlefield.
The swordsman's blade flashed.
A sharp arc of sword intent cut through the air toward Lei Tian.
Lightning met steel.
The impact created a sharp thunderclap that echoed across the arena.
Lei Tian's spear trembled slightly under the force.
Above them—
Bai Yun dove from the sky.
Wind gathered around his claws as he aimed directly for Ning Tian in the backline.
But before he could reach her—
A golden arrow streaked across the battlefield.
Xu Tianzhen.
The radiant bow in her hands glowed brilliantly as the arrow exploded against Bai Yun's descending attack.
Solar energy burst outward.
The wind fighter twisted mid-air, forced to retreat before the second arrow could follow.
Xu Tianzhen smirked slightly.
"Too obvious."
But the battlefield changed again.
The temperature suddenly dropped.
Meng Hongchen raised her staff.
"Frozen Field."
Ice erupted across the battlefield.
A wave of frost spread across the stone arena, freezing the ground beneath Shrek's formation.
Crystalline structures surged upward from the battlefield like jagged spears of ice.
At the same time—
Three figures formed beside her.
Armored warriors made entirely of solid ice.
Ice Knights.
They charged forward immediately.
Xu Tianzhen glanced sideways.
"You're freezing the entire arena now?"
Meng Hongchen didn't look at her.
"I prefer controlled terrain."
Xu Tianzhen raised an eyebrow.
"Show off."
Meng replied calmly.
"Jealous?"
Behind them, Wu Feng—watching from the sidelines—groaned.
"They're doing this now?"
Ma Xiaotao's voice came from the frontline.
"Focus!"
Her spear slammed against Gu Shan's stone shield again, cracking the defensive barrier with a violent explosion of phoenix flames.
Han Ruoruo's eyes sharpened.
"Control the center."
Golden ropes surged outward.
The threads wrapped around several of Meng Hongchen's ice constructs instantly, restraining their movement before they could reach the Shrek formation.
More ropes shot forward.
A glowing net expanded across the battlefield.
Its target—
Qiu'er.
The golden-haired warrior stepped forward just as the ropes descended.
Dragon force erupted from her body.
The phantom of a golden dragon appeared behind her.
She didn't dodge.
She ripped the ropes apart.
Golden threads shattered as her raw strength tore through the restraint.
The stadium gasped collectively.
At the center of the battlefield—
Lin Huang had not moved yet.
He stood calmly beside Ning Tian.
Honghong remained on his shoulder.
"…Hmph."
The fox spirit watched the chaos with mild curiosity.
Across the battlefield, Han Ruoruo noticed immediately.
Her golden ropes moved again.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
That man still hadn't moved.
Which meant—
He was watching.
Analyzing.
Waiting.
And somehow—
That made him feel even more dangerous than if he had attacked immediately.
The true battle of the final had only just begun.
The battlefield had already become chaos.
Ice spread across half the arena.
Phoenix flames burned across the shattered ground.
Lightning clashed with sword intent while golden ropes moved like living serpents through the air.
And yet—
Despite the explosive exchanges, the structure of the battle remained clear.
Han Ruoruo's formation still held.
Her golden ropes moved constantly across the battlefield, adjusting positions, redirecting attacks, and restricting the Sun Moon team whenever they tried to break through the center.
Every time Ma Xiaotao forced Gu Shan back—
The ropes reinforced him.
Every time Ji Juechen's blade pushed Lei Tian onto the defensive—
A golden strand redirected the momentum.
Control.
Absolute control.
Han Ruoruo's martial soul was doing exactly what it was designed for.
High above the arena, Bai Yun descended again.
Wind surged around his body as he dove straight toward the Sun Moon backline.
His target was obvious.
Ning Tian.
But before he could close the distance—
Three streaks of golden light shot upward.
Xu Tianzhen fired without hesitation.
Solar arrows exploded through the air like miniature suns.
Bai Yun twisted violently in mid-air, barely avoiding the first arrow.
The second exploded against the wind barrier surrounding him.
The third grazed his shoulder and forced him to retreat again.
Xu Tianzhen lowered her bow slightly.
"Persistent."
Behind her, Meng Hongchen stepped forward.
Her staff tapped lightly against the frozen battlefield.
"Second layer."
The ice reacted instantly.
Dozens of jagged pillars erupted upward from the arena floor, forcing Shrek's formation to split their movement.
At the same time—
Four new ice constructs formed beside her.
Armored figures with glowing blue cores.
Ice Knights.
They moved immediately, charging toward Chen Kai and Gu Shan to disrupt the defensive line.
Xu Tianzhen glanced sideways again.
"You're creating an army now?"
Meng Hongchen didn't look at her.
"I'm managing the battlefield."
Xu Tianzhen smirked.
"That sounds like showing off."
Meng finally turned slightly.
"Jealous?"
Xu Tianzhen raised her bow.
"Not remotely."
She fired again.
The arrow struck the ground behind Lei Tian and exploded into a sphere of solar fire.
The blast forced the lightning spear user to retreat two steps.
Which was exactly what Ji Juechen had been waiting for.
His blade flashed.
A sharp arc of sword intent cut forward with frightening precision.
Lei Tian barely raised his spear in time.
The impact forced him backward across the frozen ground.
"Hold the center!"
Han Ruoruo's voice remained calm.
But the golden ropes moved faster.
A web of light expanded outward again.
This time—
The ropes targeted the entire frontline.
One strand wrapped around Ma Xiaotao's spear.
Another shot toward Ji Juechen's arm.
Several more surged toward Qiu'er.
Ma Xiaotao snarled.
Phoenix flames erupted violently from her body.
The rope around her spear burned instantly.
But two more replaced it immediately.
Han Ruoruo was adapting.
Fast.
Qiu'er stepped forward again.
Golden dragon force exploded outward.
The ropes around her arms tightened.
For a moment—
Even she slowed.
The audience leaned forward in their seats.
If Shrek could restrain Qiu'er—
Their formation might finally stabilize.
But the moment the ropes tightened—
A shockwave erupted.
Dragon force exploded outward like a hurricane.
The golden ropes shattered.
Qiu'er stepped forward again.
Unstoppable.
Even Han Ruoruo's calm expression flickered slightly.
"…So much raw strength."
Behind the frontline—
Lin Huang still hadn't moved.
He stood beside Ning Tian, watching the battlefield calmly.
Honghong rested on his shoulder, her cerulean tails swaying slowly.
"…Hmph."
The fox spirit looked mildly entertained.
Ning Tian glanced toward him.
"You're waiting."
Lin Huang nodded slightly.
"Yes."
Because the battle had reached the moment he was waiting for.
Shrek's formation had revealed itself.
Han Ruoruo's control web.
Gu Shan's defensive anchor.
Lei Tian and Chen Kai holding the forward pressure.
Bai Yun striking from above.
Luo Jian firing from the backline.
Everything revolved around one center.
Han Ruoruo.
Across the battlefield, Han Ruoruo's eyes suddenly met Lin Huang's.
For the first time since the battle started—
He stepped forward.
Just one step.
But the moment he moved—
Something changed.
The pressure across the battlefield shifted instantly.
Han Ruoruo's eyes narrowed.
"…Now he moves."
And somehow—
That single step felt more dangerous than everything that had happened before.
Lin Huang's single step was enough to shift the atmosphere of the battlefield.
It was subtle.
There was no explosion of power.
No dramatic release of aura.
But the moment his foot touched the frozen arena floor—
Everyone felt it.
The balance of the fight had changed.
Han Ruoruo noticed immediately.
Her golden ropes slowed for half a second as her eyes locked onto him.
So far during the battle, the masked captain of Sun Moon Academy had barely moved.
He had observed.
Analyzed.
Allowed his teammates to clash with Shrek's formation while he remained in the backline.
But now—
He was walking forward.
Which meant something had changed.
Behind him, Ning Tian spoke calmly.
"Second amplification."
The Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda flared again.
Brilliant layers of colored light spread across the battlefield.
Strength.
Speed.
Defense.
The Sun Moon team surged forward once more.
Qiu'er moved first.
Golden dragon force erupted around her as she drove straight into the center of Shrek's defensive line again.
Gu Shan's stone armor cracked under the impact as Chen Kai rushed in to reinforce him.
Flames exploded nearby as Ma Xiaotao's spear carved a blazing arc through the battlefield.
Ji Juechen's blade flashed again against Lei Tian's lightning spear.
The final battle had reached its most violent phase.
But Lin Huang's attention had shifted elsewhere.
Not toward the battlefield.
Toward the stadium.
His crimson eyes briefly scanned the enormous stands surrounding the arena.
Thousands of spectators.
Hundreds of powerful cultivators.
Nobles.
Academy elders.
Delegations.
And hidden among them—
Something darker.
A faint ripple of malice.
Subtle.
Carefully concealed.
But unmistakable.
He had felt it earlier.
Days ago.
Now—
It was clearer.
Multiple presences.
Watching.
Waiting.
The Masters of the Evil Spirit Church had arrived.
Lin Huang exhaled slowly.
"…So you're really here."
Beside him, Ning Tian noticed the change in his expression.
"What is it?"
Lin Huang's gaze returned to the battlefield.
"Nothing."
But his voice was quieter than usual.
Honghong stirred slightly on his shoulder.
"…Hmph."
The fox spirit's ears twitched faintly.
Even she had noticed something strange in the air.
Xu Tianzhen fired another arrow from her solar bow, the radiant projectile forcing Bai Yun to retreat again.
As she lowered the bow, she glanced sideways.
"You look distracted."
Meng Hongchen noticed as well.
The frost around her staff dimmed slightly.
"Did you see something?"
Lin Huang didn't answer immediately.
He watched the battlefield for another moment.
Then he said calmly—
"Maybe the mask will break again today."
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Then Xu Tianzhen's head snapped toward him.
"…What?"
Meng Hongchen froze.
"You're joking."
Ma Xiaotao turned around from the frontline just long enough to glare at him.
"You better be joking."
Wu Feng, watching from the sidelines, groaned.
"Oh no."
Xu Tianzhen immediately grabbed his arm again.
"Don't even say that."
Meng Hongchen moved to his other side instantly.
Small crystals of frost appeared in the air as she tightened her grip.
"That's not happening."
Lin Huang raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't say it would."
Xu Tianzhen pointed her bow at him.
"You implied it."
Ma Xiaotao shouted from the battlefield.
"If the mask breaks again I'm blaming you!"
Lin Huang sighed.
"…I didn't even do anything yet."
Honghong peeked down at him from his shoulder.
"…Hmph."
The fox spirit seemed mildly amused.
Across the battlefield, Han Ruoruo watched the strange exchange between the Sun Moon fighters.
Even during the most intense battle of the tournament—
They were still talking casually.
Laughing.
Arguing.
As if the outcome had already been decided.
Her golden ropes tightened across the battlefield again.
But deep down—
She already understood.
This battle was reaching its end.
Above the arena, the massive projection arrays continued broadcasting the fight to the entire capital.
Thousands of spectators watched the final with excitement.
But hidden among those thousands—
Several figures remained perfectly still.
Their eyes fixed on the battlefield.
Their spiritual auras carefully suppressed.
Waiting.
For the perfect moment.
On the battlefield below—
Lin Huang finally lifted his hand.
And the true climax of the final began to approach.