According to the news from Spirit Hall, the competition would officially begin in three days. After the long and exhausting journey, three days of rest were sufficient for the various academies to make their final adjustments.
The participating academies from the Star Luo Empire were arranged to rest on the other side of Spirit City. Unintentionally or otherwise, Spirit Hall had already divided the competing teams of the two great empires into two distinct camps.
Meanwhile, within Shrek Academy, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang finally reunited with Tang San. When Xiaogang learned of the ambush Tang San had endured, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
'So that's how it is?' he thought. 'No wonder when I went to see that woman, she was not only unwilling to share the secrets of Twin Martial Souls but even claimed Tang San wouldn't need them. It turns out she actually sent people to assassinate him? And two Titled Douluos at that?'
After a long silence, Grandmaster let out a heavy sigh. "It is my fault. I shouldn't have let you participate in this tournament. You've already drawn their attention."
Tang San offered a faint smile. Recalling what Gu Xuan had told him earlier, he replied, "Teacher, why blame yourself? I am perfectly fine. Consider it a unique form of trial. Only by facing true powerhouses do I realize how small my own strength is. I will redouble my efforts in my future cultivation."
Inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Team's lounge, Gu Xuan sat in the seat of honor, with the petite and lovely Ye Lingling seated beside him. Gu Xuan scanned the group, feeling quite satisfied with what he saw.
After nearly three more months, the strength of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team had improved once again. For these Grand Finals, even the Spirit Hall team would find it difficult to compare to them, because the Imperial Team had a monster like Gu Xuan.
The current strength of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team was as follows:
Captain Gu Xuan: Martial Soul: Bone Dragon, Rank 56, Power Attack Type Soul King.
Vice-Captain Yu Tianheng: Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Rank 51, Power Attack Type Soul King.
Member Ye Lingling: Martial Soul: Nine-Hearted Begonia, Rank 53, Support Type Soul King.
Member Shi Mo: Martial Soul: Black Tortoise, Rank 49, Defense Type Soul Ancestor.
Member Shi Mo: Martial Soul: Black Tortoise, Rank 48, Defense Type Soul Ancestor.
Member Osler: Martial Soul: Black Leopard, Rank 48, Agility Attack Type Soul Ancestor.
Member Yu Feng: Martial Soul: Wind Chime Bird, Rank 48, Agility Attack Type Soul Ancestor.
The one who had made the most progress was naturally Yu Tianheng. Having broken through Rank 50 and obtained his soul ring, his soul power was now at the peak of Rank 51, only a step away from Rank 52.
With Ye Lingling included, the team now boasted three Soul Kings. On paper, they were already equal to the Spirit Hall team. Given that Gu Xuan's strength could not be measured by conventional logic, the championship was essentially within their grasp.
The three days passed in a flash. After Qin Ming gave the team their final pep talk, he explained the rules of the Grand Finals one last time.
Qin Ming's voice rang out calmly. "A total of thirty-three teams are participating in the Grand Finals. Among them are three seeded teams selected by the two empires and Spirit Hall. The greatest threat to you is undoubtedly the team sent by Spirit Hall Academy; they are the biggest stumbling block on your path to victory."
"The Grand Finals consist of only five rounds. It is shorter than the Qualifiers or the Promotion matches, but because the competition is so fierce, there is a one-day rest period between each round. Before the fifth and final round, there are three days to adjust."
"In the first round, the three seeded teams will receive a bye, meaning we do not have to compete. The remaining thirty teams will fight for fifteen advancement spots. Those who lose are eliminated immediately. This brutal format will force every team to fight with their lives, so you must not be careless."
Pausing for a moment, Qin Ming continued seriously. "Your talent is the finest I have ever seen, especially Gu Xuan and Lingling. Despite being the youngest, your soul power has reached Rank 56 and 53, respectively. However, you must be wary of the Spirit Hall team."
Gu Xuan and the others replied in unison, "Understood!"
Qin Ming nodded and continued. "According to the rules, the first-place teams from the Promotion Competition of the two empires will receive a bye in the second round. This is the advantage of winning those qualifiers."
"At that point, the remaining sixteen teams will compete for eight spots in the third round. That is when we will enter the fray. After those ten teams—eight winners plus the two with byes—are set, the second-place team from the Promotion matches will receive a bye in the third round. The others will fight for the remaining four spots in the fourth round."
"In the fourth round, there are no byes. Therefore, only the top two teams from the Promotion matches gain real benefits in the Grand Finals. The earlier you get a bye, the more advantageous it is, as it prevents early elimination."
"The six teams remaining after the fourth round will battle for the top three spots. Finally, in the fifth round, the last three teams will first use the same format as the Promotion matches—seven members each in a round-robin elimination—to decide the team with the strongest individual strength. Then, the two losing teams will face off in a team battle. The winner of that battle will challenge the winner of the individual round for the final championship. Do you all understand?"
"Understood!" Gu Xuan replied.
To be honest, the rules weren't complicated, but they left plenty of room for manipulation—much like the merger between Blazing Academy and Godwind Academy in the original story. Gu Xuan discussed the strategy with his team. He preferred to keep his trump cards hidden as long as possible. Rather than showing off, playing the "hidden expert" suited his way of survival much better.
Spirit Hall had cleared a massive area in the center of the city for the Grand Finals. The enormous stage was a hundred meters in diameter, built of granite and reinforced with numerous soul tools to prevent damage. According to Spirit Hall, the platform could withstand any attack from a Soul Saint.
The Supreme Pontiff's Palace stood less than a thousand meters away from the stage. Spirit Hall had already announced that the final top three teams would compete directly in front of the Palace, where the Supreme Pontiff would personally crown the winners—an unparalleled honor for any soul master.
On the first morning, the academies were led to the grounds. Each had its own independent lounge. Opposite the Palace was the VIP judging stand, where representatives of the two empires and Spirit Hall watched.
Before the matches began, the team leaders went to draw lots. Since the Heaven Dou Imperial Team had a bye in the first round, they didn't need to participate. However, a dramatic scene unfolded just as it had in the original history: Blazing Academy forfeited their first-round match, effectively giving up their chance at the championship.
As it happened, Blazing Academy had been drawn against the Seven Treasure Team. Thus, the Seven Treasure Team won the first round without even stepping onto the stage. Furthermore, because the Seven Treasure Team was the first-place seed from the Heaven Dou Promotion Competition, they also had a bye for the second round. They had advanced to the third round without breaking a sweat.
Gu Xuan couldn't help but chuckle. Was this just pure luck?
However, he quickly noticed the catch. Just like the original story, Huo Wu had led the members of Blazing Academy to join the Godwind Academy, exploiting a massive loophole in the rules. Since there was no rule preventing students from switching academies mid-tournament, the "New Godwind" was born.
This time, Blazing Academy's move wasn't just to defeat Tang San's Shrek Academy; it was also aimed at the Seven Treasure Team and the Heaven Dou Imperial Team, which had yet to show its hand. After all, the Seven Treasure Team's strength was evident, and the Imperial Team's captain was the enigmatic Gu Xuan.
To have a real shot at the title, Feng Xiaotian had persuaded Huo Wu to join forces. This time, Huo Wu wasn't as prideful as she once was. Having become Feng Xiaotian's girlfriend, she was willing to do whatever it took for him to win. She knew that alone, Blazing Academy might not even make the top five, but together with Godwind, they could truly challenge for the crown.
Thus, in the first round, a "New Godwind" emerged—becoming the second team after Seven Treasure to boast a roster composed entirely of Soul Ancestors and above.
(End of Chapter)
---
This story is already complete on my Support Page! If you want to stay 2 chapters ahead for free, just search for Fallen_Archangel_ on the orange platform.
Your 5-star reviews and Power Stones keep the chapters coming!