South of Tiandou City!
The neighing of horses filled the air. Five hundred royal knights, tall, strong, well-equipped, and highly trained, were preparing to escort sixteen academy teams, including Tiandou First Team, to Spirit City for the finals under the leadership of Tiandou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
The poor performance of Tiandou Second Team had not affected the attention given to Tiandou First Team. Whenever Xue Qinghe had the chance, he would come by. He did not neglect anyone. Elegant, affable, and courteous, he earned everyone's favor.
Wang Li had to admit that if he did not know Xue Qinghe was actually Qian Renxue, and Qian Renxue was Xue Qinghe, he would have said that the Tiandou Crown Prince was indeed the perfect heir.
After more than twenty days of travel, they arrived safely and smoothly at Spirit City, located at the border between the two great empires, without encountering any ambushes from the two top-ranked Douluos.
Spirit City, completely controlled by the Spirit Hall, was a city where only soul masters or their families could live. It represented the core forces of the Spirit Hall.
Although the number of inhabitants was not large, the children of soul masters were more likely to become soul masters themselves, meaning this city could provide a continuous stream of reserve talent for the Spirit Hall.
The five hundred royal knights were stationed outside the city. Xue Qinghe, as the representative of the Tiandou Empire, brought only a small group of attendants to accompany the sixteen academy teams' teachers and students,a total of over five hundred people,into Spirit City.
No matches would take place today. The first priority was arranging accommodations. In the vast Spirit City, the sixteen teams representing the Tiandou Empire and the sixteen teams representing the Xingluo Empire were placed in adjacent quarters.
The Spirit Hall's intentions were unmistakably hostile.
At this time, Wang Li once again saw Tang San. The Shrek Academy team, dressed in strange outfits, stood out sharply from the other academy teams.
Among the Shrek Academy team, Tang San was unremarkable. His eyes were bloodshot, his face exhausted, and he looked completely dispirited.
The past two months of preliminaries and qualifiers had destroyed his confidence and pride utterly.
In reality, he was only fourteen, not yet fifteen, competing against twenty-something-year-old prodigies from other top-level soul master academies. Losing was still an honorable result and not something to worry about.
But Tang San was stubborn. He insisted the failure was entirely his fault, which led to his current state.
When Wang Li saw Tang San, Tang San also saw Wang Li. Wang Li was dressed elegantly, surrounded by admirers, radiant and impressive, while Tang San…
Lowered his head in shame, and the jealousy in his heart grew wildly, like untamed weeds.
"Ever since leaving Noding Academy, I've felt I've lived in Wang Li's shadow. Damn it, where did I go wrong?!"
Tang San questioned himself furiously in his heart.
"And now, I've even lost Xiao Wu…"
In the past two months, Xiao Wu had successfully advanced to level forty soul power. Liu Erlong had taken her to the Star Dou Forest to hunt the soul beasts needed for her fourth spirit ring.
But then a Titan Ape appeared, abducting Xiao Wu once again, and this time she never returned.
The pain of failure and losing Xiao Wu left Tang San completely shattered.
Wang Li, seeing Tang San in this state, felt no stir of emotion. He withdrew his gaze and strode forward toward Tiandou First Team's quarters.
Inside the room:
Team leader Qin Ming and the eight members of the Tiandou team were present. Qin Ming said:
"The finals are about to begin, and our matches will start soon. But from today until tomorrow, everyone can rest. The Spirit Hall team, Tiandou Royal team, and Xingluo Royal team,the three seed teams,will skip the first day."
"The remaining thirty teams will compete in the first round of the brutal elimination matches tomorrow. The elimination matches are team-based: winners advance, losers exit. Half the teams will be eliminated in a single day."
"We will start participating in the elimination matches on the second day, ultimately determining the three strongest teams."
"The three strongest teams will compete in one-on-one matches. The team whose player lasts the longest will advance first."
"The remaining two teams will compete in a team battle to determine the next advancing team. Finally, the two advancing teams will compete for the championship."
Among the eight, Wang Li and Dugu Yan were the most relaxed, never imagining they could lose.
The other six, including Yufeng, clenched his fists in excitement:
"Finally, it's our turn. We've watched the Five Elements Academy's matches for so long. Now it's time to show them what a truly top-tier team looks like!"
Oslo, Shimo, Shimo (Stone Mill), Ye Lingling, and even Yu Tianheng were all excited, as this was the best stage to prove themselves.
Qin Ming looked at the six excited members and the calm Wang Li and Dugu Yan, sighed, and said:
"Tactics and strategies mean nothing for you. I only hope each of you can show your best on the battlefield."
Wang Li replied:
"Teacher Qin, there are eight of us. Before the final championship match, only one of us,either Yan Yan or me,will compete at a time, mainly to hold the formation."
"First, to hide part of our strength. Second, to give everyone else the chance to fully demonstrate their abilities."
Upon hearing this, several team members looked at Wang Li with gratitude. Oslo and Yufeng knew that if Wang Li acted, there would be no chance for them to intervene.
Now that Wang Li was holding back, they were naturally grateful. Five years of training, five years of hard work, all to achieve glory in this match.
Even Qin Ming felt pleased and nodded at Wang Li and Dugu Yan:
"Then we'll adopt this strategy. Between you two, one will compete, one will stay hidden. In the final match, you will use your full strength to face the Spirit Hall team."
The next day, the first day of matches!
The square in front of the Pope's Palace was crowded. Spectators were soul masters or their families.
Of the thirty-three teams, all but the Spirit Hall team had arrived, awaiting the finals.
Time passed by, and the entire square fell silent as a woman in a purple-gold dress, wearing a jeweled crown and holding a scepter, gracefully emerged from the Pope's Palace.
Beside her were the Moon Pass in white and Ghost Phantom in black. As soon as the three appeared,actually, after Bibi Dong's entrance,all eyes were on her.
Excitement, fanaticism, respect, and devotion filled the crowd.
Before completely losing her mind in later years, this woman had used her skill and charm to control all forces of the Spirit Hall, except for the Worship Hall. She was truly formidable.
"Your Holiness!"
With a gentle lift of her hand, Bibi Dong addressed the audience:
"No need for formalities. Thank you to the thirty-two elite teams from the two empires for participating in the finals of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament."
"In the past three competitions, we have witnessed numerous outstanding soul masters. This time will be no exception. We will see many extraordinary performances. Let us wait and see."
The crowd erupted in excitement.
Bibi Dong glanced around and noticed Wang Li and Dugu Yan of the Tiandou Royal Academy but paid them no attention, immediately focusing on Yu Xiaogang.
"Xiaogang..."
Complex emotions rose in her heart. Even as a top-ranked Douluo and Spirit Hall Pope, she was affected by these emotions, becoming weak, foolish, and irrational.
After a long pause, Bibi Dong continued:
"This time, the grand prize for the champion of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament is..."
As she spoke, three ornate boxes flew from her storage soul device, floating in midair under her soul power.
Bibi Dong said:
"Three spirit bones: the Wisdom Skull of Concentrated Mind, the Burning Flame Right Arm, and the Swift Wind Left Leg. All are treasures from the Spirit Hall's treasury."
"The Wisdom Skull of Concentrated Mind comes from a holy demon ape over fifty thousand years old, hunted by the previous Pope."
The crowd gasped. Spirit bones were priceless treasures for any soul master.
If not for Pope Bibi Dong, Moon Pass in white, and Ghost Phantom in black present on the palace stage, someone might have tried to seize them.
After showing them, Bibi Dong withdrew the treasures and said:
"Now, the team leaders of the remaining thirty teams, come draw lots to determine your first-round opponents."
In the square:
Wang Li quietly said to Dugu Yan:
"This Wisdom Skull of Concentrated Mind is quite good."
Dugu Yan nodded:
"Yes."
Their conversation was cryptic to others. They meant that this spirit bone was better than the Illusion Skull from past years.
Dugu Yan, a control-type soul master specializing in poison, did not suit the Illusion Skull. The Wisdom Skull, as its name suggests, greatly enhanced mental power and would benefit her more.
Today, the Spirit Hall team, Tiandou Royal team, and Xingluo Royal team would not compete, so the matches held no real meaning.
On the second day of matches:
Qin Ming returned from drawing lots, glanced at Yu Tianheng, and said:
"Our opponent today is Thunder Academy from the Five Elements Academy. Facing a fellow Tiandou Empire team on the first day is..."
Yu Tianheng's expression tightened, then relaxed. They had no chance of losing, and neither did he against his cousin Yu Tianxin.
Soon, the red-clad cardinal, acting as referee, announced:
"Next match: Tiandou Royal Team versus Thunder Academy Team. Both teams, take the field!"
The Tiandou Royal Academy team and Thunder Academy team stepped onto the hundred-meter-wide arena.
All surrounding teams watched intently: Xingluo Royal Team, Shenfeng Academy, Chihuo Academy, and Tianshui Academy.
Even Bibi Dong on the Pope's Palace stage watched with interest.
Under all eyes, the cardinal shouted:
"Both teams, salute and summon your spirit!"
Both teams bowed and then summoned their spirits, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Thunder Academy had three Soul Masters and four Soul Lords, a first-tier team configuration.
But the Tiandou Royal Team had all members at Soul Lord level or higher: two yellow, two purple, and Wang Li himself had yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black rings. The deep black ring caused the crowd to gasp.
This tournament had truly produced its first Soul King-level competitor.
Xingluo Royal Team members Davis and Zhu Zhuyun looked grim. Their team typically aimed for second place, contending for first.
They had not expected this Tiandou Royal Team to be so strong: six Soul Lords and one Soul King. Their hearts sank.
Zhu Zhuyun, whose figure rivaled Zhu Qing, spoke nervously:
"Vis..."
Davis remained stoic, raised his head, and said:
"We are using spirit fusion techniques and possess the power to defeat a Soul King. Now, observe the six Soul Lords of the Tiandou Royal Team,their spirits and spirit skills. If our teammates can hold them off, we have a chance to win."
Feng Xiaotian of Shenfeng, Huowu and Huowushuang of Chihuo, and Shui Bing'er of Tianshui finally realized that their prior demonstration had not been taken seriously.
Even Bibi Dong seemed to remark meaningfully to Dugu Bo in the VIP area:
"Grand Duke Bilin has indeed cultivated an excellent successor."
Dugu Bo, usually arrogant, still had to show respect to Pope Bibi Dong and nodded:
"I have only one granddaughter and one grandson-in-law. I naturally cultivate them to the fullest, unlike the Spirit Hall, which has countless geniuses."
Meanwhile, on the arena stage, the battle began. Wang Li crossed his arms, not intervening, only protecting the team's sole support soul master, Ye Lingling.
Defensive soul masters Shimo and Shimo wielded black tortoise shields. Lightning struck but only caused ripples, failing to damage the shields.
They advanced like bulldozers, directly pushing forward.
Oslo and Yufeng, as agile attackers, became the main offensive force, forcing Thunder Academy to retreat.
Yu Tianheng finally faced his cousin Yu Tianxin in a duel. Both were four-ring Blue Electric Tyrannosaur soul masters, but Yu Tianheng's soul power level was two levels higher.
Their battle was fierce: lightning cracked, thunder rolled, their electric-clad forms clashing and separating, causing massive explosions.
Finally, after the last clash, Yu Tianxin fell, while Yu Tianheng remained standing. Victory was clear.
Yu Tianxin smiled wryly:
"Tianheng, in the end, you won!"
Yu Tianheng shook his head:
"I have an opponent I cannot currently defeat and may never be able to defeat,the Blue Electric Twins. Without true talent, the Blue Electric Tyrannosaur's pride cannot be restored without our effort!"
He also thought of Wang Li, calm and effortless even as a five-ring Soul King. His heart trembled.
"We lost, Thunder Academy lost, but... I will fight back!"
Unfortunately, no matter how fierce the fight, all eyes were on Wang Li, calm and silent.
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