Three days later, the fourth round of the finals—where the top six teams competed—officially began.
In the first match, Heavenly Dou Team 1 overwhelmingly defeated Heavenly Star Academy.
In the second match, Star Luo Royal Academy defeated Thunder Academy.
Thunder Academy was very strong—stronger than everyone expected—and had initially been considered a top-three contender. However, Star Luo Royal Academy also had a trump card.
In the previous preliminary rounds, Star Luo Royal Academy had a similar lineup to Heavenly Dou—four Soul Masters and three Soul Sages. But their support was far inferior to the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, so they appeared slightly weaker.
In the finals, they revealed their true trump card: a team composed entirely of Soul Masters. Although none exceeded Level 45 yet, aside from Spirit Hall, they had the most Soul Masters.
Seeing this, the Emperor Xue Ye's expression turned quite unpleasant.
The difference in talent cultivation between the two empires was clear from the composition of their academy teams. To enter Star Luo Royal Academy, one could only rely on talent and strength. Status and power were useless there. Their style perfectly matched the Star Luo Empire's iron-blooded approach—ruthless and power-obsessed.
As for Heavenly Dou Royal Academy? It had become a stage for noble children to gain fame and wealth. Thanks to strong measures by the three Education Committee members and the Emperor Xue Ye, this unhealthy trend had been curbed. Otherwise, the situation would have worsened.
In the third match, the Spirit Hall team crushed Blazing Fire Academy, who couldn't even force out a Soul King-level soul skill.
The fifth round of the finals was the individual preliminary round. As expected, both Heavenly Dou and Star Luo teams forfeited. In individual competition, Spirit Hall held an overwhelming advantage. Unless Lin Yang planned to win seven consecutive matches, revealing his strength would bring no benefit, so it was better to forfeit.
Star Luo Academy also didn't want Heavenly Dou to gain any advantage from the situation.
Ultimately, Spirit Hall took temporary first place, while second place would be decided between Heavenly Dou Team 1 and Star Luo Royal Academy.
When the match started, the other members of Heavenly Dou Team looked at Lin Yang.
Lin Yang shrugged. "Why are you looking at me? Do whatever you want. If you can't hold on, just jump off the stage. No need to force it."
No one found this strange, because it had always been like this.
"The Seven Treasures are named: First, Soul; Second, Power; Third, Speed!"
Several beams of light flashed and poured down on the group. After receiving the amplification, the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Soul Master's face paled, seemingly drained of soul power.
"President Lin, I'm going now." With that, he turned and jumped off the stage.
On the highest platform, Ning Fengzhi smiled. "The Heavenly Dou Team wants to end this quickly."
The Emperor Xue Ye turned and asked, "Sect Master Ning, what are the chances of the Heavenly Dou Team winning?"
Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment before saying quietly, "It was about 30% before, but now… around 80%."
"Oh?" The corner of the Emperor Xue Ye's mouth twitched slightly. He knew Ning Fengzhi was trying to save Heavenly Dou's face. Originally, even reaching the top three had been doubtful. Fortunately, he had foresight.
"However, the winning probability might be even higher—perhaps 90%."
"Your Majesty seems to place great trust in the student named Lin Yang."
The Emperor Xue Ye didn't answer. He simply smiled and returned his gaze to the arena.
In the arena, the other team members each found their opponents, while Lin Yang faced Star Luo Team's strongest captain.
"Martial Soul Possession!"
The opposing captain didn't underestimate Lin Yang and immediately activated his Martial Soul. It was called the "Crimson Gold Lion," possessing both gold and fire attributes—one of the highest-level soul beasts.
His Level 44 soul power further proved his talent was decent.
"Third Soul Skill: Furious Lion's Rage!"
A huge golden lion phantom appeared behind him and fired a thick crimson-gold beam at Lin Yang. The light was unbelievably fast and pierced Lin Yang's body in the blink of an eye.
"Hmph!" The Star Luo captain sneered coldly. He had watched his opponent's previous matches and felt they were strong but far too arrogant.
You think you can win with just your bare hands without using your Martial Soul? Who do you look down on?
Pay the price for your arrogance.
Furious Lion's Rage was his strongest single-target penetration skill. Even a Soul King would need to temporarily avoid its edge, let alone an unguarded Lin Yang.
But at that moment, a calm voice came from behind him.
"Not bad attack power!"
The Star Luo captain was shocked. Cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.
When had that sound appeared? How had he not noticed at all?
Instinctively, he turned and swung his hand like a real lion's claw—powerful enough to crush gold and split rocks—toward Lin Yang's chest. His goal wasn't to injure but to create distance again.
Bang!
Lin Yang lightly flicked his wrist and grabbed the opponent's wrist. His long, powerful fingers emitted a faint silver light.
The moment he was caught, the Star Luo captain's expression changed drastically. It felt as if his hand was clamped in an iron vice—he couldn't pull it free no matter what. If he used excessive force, his wrist would definitely be torn off.
"Get down!"
Lin Yang slapped the opponent's face and sent him flying off the stage, where he fell into peaceful sleep.
The other members of Star Luo Team refused to accept defeat even after seeing their captain lose. They attacked even more fiercely, even trying to drag opponents down with them.
Star Luo might lose, but Heavenly Dou shouldn't win easily.
Of course, Lin Yang wouldn't let them succeed. He took his time driving them off one by one.
The moment Team 1 won, the entire stadium erupted in deafening cheers. This was Heavenly Dou's home ground—the place where they had defeated their former rivals. Any person from Heavenly Dou would be overjoyed.
The Emperor Xue Ye didn't hide his gratitude toward Lin Yang. He was already extremely satisfied that the Heavenly Dou Team had come this far. As for the final championship, even losing was acceptable. Exchanging it for a ten-thousand-year soul bone and a genius who could lead an era felt like a win-win.
The next day, the finals of the Soul Master Elite Tournament finally arrived.
The 80,000-seat stadium was completely packed. Everywhere one looked, it was a sea of heads.
On the Heavenly Dou side, aside from the calm Lin Yang, the other team members were quite excited. Regardless of the result, participating in the continent's most authoritative tournament was something they could be proud of for a lifetime.
Lin Yang calmly scanned the spectator seats and quickly spotted Xiao Wu, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling in the best viewing positions. Beside them sat none other than Dugu Bo and Ye Guyi.
Weren't the two of them living in seclusion? Did they come all this way just to watch his match?
"Little Yang, don't give the Spirit Hall any openings," Dugu Bo's voice echoed in his ear. Lin Yang smiled faintly.
Lose? That doesn't exist.
He was determined to obtain the soul bone. Even if the Spirit Realm came, they wouldn't be able to take it from him.
....