At the same time, Feng Qingcang suddenly stood up as well, his eyes wide with disbelief.
After going through the battle with Shui Wuhen and the training within Hurricane Canyon, Feng Xiaotian's strength had already increased significantly.
Therefore, even after seeing that Qian Renxue possessed a domain, Feng Qingcang still did not think Feng Xiaotian would lose.
But now the facts were laid out before him—Feng Xiaotian had indeed lost, and he didn't even know how he had lost.
After Feng Xiaotian landed, the golden light that had originally covered the entire arena also receded. Qian Renxue held her sword in one hand, standing proudly as always.
Seeing this, the referee immediately announced, "Divine Wind Academy versus Spirit Hall Academy—Spirit Hall Academy wins!"
Soon after, the longsword in Qian Renxue's hand and the angelic phantom behind her dissipated, and she slowly flew away from the scene.
Before long, Qian Renxue returned to her residence. After dismissing the guards and maids, she covered her chest, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
"What a Feng Xiaotian. I really underestimated you!"
Qian Renxue wiped the blood from her lips, sensing the special wind-attributed energy still raging within her body, her expression slightly complicated.
She had still been too careless. Otherwise, even if Feng Xiaotian's strength had exceeded her expectations, she wouldn't have been injured with her own power.
Then, lowering her head in thought, Qian Renxue muttered, "Spirit Hall's intelligence system is still not strong enough. According to the intel, this Feng Xiaotian should have been easily dealt with by me. But just now, even my Angel Domain couldn't completely suppress him—instead, he seized an opportunity to injure me."
Thinking of this, Qian Renxue couldn't help but recall that if even Feng Xiaotian was like this, then what level had Shui Wuhen—who had previously defeated him—truly reached? Had he also been hiding something?
While Qian Renxue was contemplating in her chamber, outside the Papal Palace, countless people were thrown into an uproar.
Especially Tang San and the others—their expressions had become extremely grave.
Originally, they hadn't fully believed Yu Xiaogang's words, but now that the stark reality was right before them, they had no choice but to believe.
They had witnessed Feng Xiaotian's strength firsthand. It could be said that even if they used their ultimate trump cards, they couldn't guarantee a 100% victory.
Yet even someone like Feng Xiaotian had lost to Qian Renxue. So just how strong was that Saintess of Spirit Hall?
"Feng Xiaotian lost so quickly… could it be that she has already…"
In the Tianshui Academy area, Shui Wuhen lowered his head in thought.
Although he didn't know what changes had occurred in Feng Xiaotian, there was no doubt that they were positive ones, and his strength had certainly increased.
But even so, Feng Xiaotian had still lost so quickly. Then there was only one possibility left.
The day's matches quickly came to an end. Facing Shui Wuhen's overwhelming pressure and knowing they had no chance of victory, Thunder Academy chose to surrender, while Shrek Academy secured a win after a fierce battle.
At this point, only three teams remained in the Elite Tournament to compete for the final championship.
...
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
On this day, Tianshui Academy, Spirit Hall Academy, and Shrek Academy stood neatly on the square in front of the Papal Palace.
Whether it was the members of the three academies or the Spirit Masters watching, not a single sound was made. Everyone silently waited for the thrilling final match to begin.
After an unknown amount of time, twelve red-clothed bishops walked out from the side of the Papal Palace. Dividing into two rows of six, they loudly proclaimed, "His Holiness the Pope arrives!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Spirit Masters throughout Spirit City erupted into cheers.
The sound was like a roaring tide, deafening Shui Wuhen and the others. From this alone, it was clear just what kind of status Spirit Hall held among Spirit Masters.
Shui Wuhen also raised his head, wanting to see what the legendary Papal Palace looked like.
But soon, a trace of amazement flashed in his eyes. He saw Bibi Dong, dressed in magnificent attire, holding the Papal scepter, exuding a noble aura as she strode out of the Papal Palace.
Whether in appearance or presence, Bibi Dong fully lived up to her identity as the Pope of Spirit Hall. Shui Wuhen could even sense a faint pressure from her—it was clear that this Pope of Spirit Hall was also a Title Douluo-level powerhouse.
Following Bibi Dong, four others also walked out of the Papal Palace.
These four were her right-hand aides: Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei; as well as Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
Upon seeing Bibi Dong appear, everyone present bowed and knelt.
Those from Spirit Hall showed the utmost respect, performing the highest form of etiquette. Others knelt on one knee, and even Shui Wuhen and Feng Xiaotian placed a hand over their chest and bowed slightly in respect.
Only the Shrek group showed no reaction at all, as if they regarded Bibi Dong as nothing.
This scene left Shui Wuhen and the others slightly stunned—they hadn't expected the Shrek group to be this bold.
Putting aside Bibi Dong's identity as the Pope of Spirit Hall, just her status as a Title Douluo warranted a certain level of reverence.
Naturally, Tang San and the others' unconventional behavior caught Bibi Dong's attention.
She cast a glance in their direction. In an instant, Tang San and the others felt immense pressure, as if their souls were about to be stripped away.
However, Bibi Dong clearly had no intention of arguing with a few children. After a single glance, she withdrew her gaze.
Once her gaze was withdrawn, the Shrek group immediately let out a sigh of relief.
Even though it had only been a glance, it left them drenched in cold sweat—some had even soaked their clothes.
Some members of Shrek wiped the sweat from their foreheads, thinking to themselves—is this the majesty of a true powerhouse?
At this moment, Yue Guan whispered a few words into Bibi Dong's ear. She frowned at first, then a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
Soon after, Bibi Dong instinctively looked toward Shui Wuhen, who stood at the front of the Tianshui Academy team, and praised, "You are Shui Wuhen, correct? Very good—you are even more outstanding than the Golden Generation of our Spirit Hall."
"You flatter me, Your Holiness," Shui Wuhen replied, still placing a hand over his chest and bowing slightly.
Bibi Dong smiled and said, "No need to be modest. I have seen many geniuses, but a genius who breaks through to Spirit Emperor at sixteen—I have never seen before."
Afterward, Bibi Dong instructed the kneeling crowd to rise. With a slight movement of her scepter, she spoke:
"To be able to reach this stage, all of you possess top-tier talent and strength among the younger generation. And this shall be the reward for the final victor among you!"
In the next moment, three points of light floated out as brilliant radiance burst above Bibi Dong's head.
And the source of that light was three Spirit Bones of different shapes.