"Clang! Clang! Clang!—Crack! Crack! Boom—"
The difference in strength between the two sides was immense. Before Feng Xiaotian could even complete his Thirty-Six Slash, by the time his eighth strike landed, the purple electric shield surrounding Yu Tianheng's body was already covered in fine cracks, then shattered with a loud explosion.
In the next moment, the razor-sharp light wings descended once more, leaving a thin red line on the left side of Yu Tianheng's neck.
Then, as Feng Xiaotian twisted his body mid-air, two more slashes followed, leaving identical red lines on Dugu Yan's neck.
Touching his neck and looking at the trace of red on his fingertips, Yu Tianheng couldn't help but show a bitter smile.
Indeed, challenging someone of a higher rank was never easy—especially when the opponent was also a genius soul master, even more exceptional than oneself.
Feng Xiaotian had shown mercy, and Yu Tianheng was not ungrateful.
Shaking his head with a sigh, he cupped his fists toward Feng Xiaotian in salute before leading Dugu Yan off the competition stage.
Immediately afterward, Feng Xiaotian joined the other battle.
Half a minute later, among the seven main members of the Heaven Dou Academy Team, only Ye Lingling, the healing-type soul master, remained standing unscathed on the stage.
Seeing all seven members of the Divine Wind Team turn their gaze toward her, Ye Lingling shrank her neck, took a graceful step back, and quickly fled the stage.
The match was decided. The referee stepped forward to announce the results:
"I hereby declare that in the match between Divine Wind Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Divine Wind Academy is victorious! Congratulations to Divine Wind Academy for advancing to the fourth round of the finals!"
Not long after, the second match began, and both teams entered the arena.
The members of Shrek Team who took the stage were Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Tai Long, and Jiangzhu.
Perhaps because Shrek appeared too weak, the Spirit Hall Team did not go all out. Among the Golden Generation trio, both Xie Yue and Hu Liena did not participate, and only Yan, the five-ring Soul King, took the field.
But even that was enough.
After all, aside from Yan, the other six members of the Spirit Hall Team all had soul power levels no lower than Rank 45 Soul Ancestors.
"Hey~ Dai Mubai, right? Are you interested in joining our Spirit Hall?"
On the stage, before the referee could announce the start of the match, Yan looked at Dai Mubai with a playful expression and asked.
The appearance of the Netherworld White Tiger during the Heaven Dou division's preliminaries had naturally drawn Spirit Hall's attention.
After some investigation, Dai Mubai's identity as the third prince of the Star Luo Empire was revealed.
Perhaps ordinary soul masters in Spirit Hall's lower ranks were unaware of the Star Luo Empire's imperial succession system, but Platinum Bishop Kratt, the team leader of this year's Spirit Hall Team, was well aware.
As one of Spirit Hall's former four Platinum Bishops and now one of the three remaining after Salas' death, Kratt undoubtedly held a high position in Spirit Hall. Damaging the reputation of the two great empires' royal families was something he took great pleasure in.
Thus, under Kratt's instruction, Yan extended an invitation to Dai Mubai to join Spirit Hall.
If the invitation was declined, Spirit Hall lost nothing.
But if it succeeded, Spirit Hall's prestige in the soul master world would soar.
After all, if even the direct son of the Star Luo Emperor joined Spirit Hall, wouldn't that signify that unifying the continent under Spirit Hall was the will of the people and the mandate of heaven?
Moreover, with Dai Mubai's addition, Spirit Hall would gain its own White Tiger Martial Soul lineage.
As for how the Star Luo Empire would react?
While the Star Luo Empire was undoubtedly stronger than Heaven Dou and possessed no shortage of Titled-level combat power, in the end, Spirit Hall was even stronger.
With the enemy weaker and Spirit Hall stronger, the fact that Spirit Hall hadn't actively sought trouble with Star Luo's imperial family was already a mercy. Emperor Dai Yutian should be grateful!
And if Star Luo truly dared to make a move?
Heh, they would just be walking into Spirit Hall's trap!
Perhaps now was not the time for Spirit Hall to confront all the great powers of the soul master world at once, but if it was just the Star Luo Empire alone?
That was absolutely no problem at all—one by one, they would be crushed!
"Join Spirit Hall?"
Dai Mubai's eyes lit up, and a stirring restlessness rose in his heart.
However, despite his temptation, he didn't immediately agree.
After all, if Yan was merely joking and didn't actually represent Spirit Hall's stance, then once he made a choice, there would be no turning back—and he'd be doomed.
The Grand Elder of the imperial family, who led the Star Luo Royal Academy team to the tournament, would undoubtedly kill him on the spot to prevent the White Tiger Soul inheritance from leaking.
When it came to the White Tiger bloodline's legacy, the life of a mere traitorous imperial prince was insignificant.
Noticing Dai Mubai's slight hesitation, Yan secretly rejoiced.
"Hah, Dai Mubai! With those thick eyebrows and righteous look, who would've thought you'd actually consider becoming a little traitor? But I like it!"
If he could successfully bring Dai Mubai into Spirit Hall, not only would it be a heavy slap to the face of the Star Luo royal family, but His Holiness the Pope would surely reward him. More importantly, his goddess, Nana, would definitely see him in a new light!
Mu Yang: A simp is a simp. In the end, he gets nothing.
"Brother Dai, let's talk more after the match!"
Now that he knew Dai Mubai was tempted, Yan's tone became noticeably warmer.
VIP Section
"Hmph! Bishop Kratt, you've gone too far!"
Seeing Yan trying to lure Dai Mubai into Spirit Hall right on the tournament stage, Star Luo's Grand Elder and the Star Luo Battle Team's leader, Dai Feng, let out a cold snort. His expression darkened as he turned to Platinum Bishop Kratt beside him.
"Haha, no need for anger, Elder. Spirit Hall welcomes all soul masters from the continent. We have no intention of coveting the White Tiger inheritance. Just look at Sect Master Ning and Sword Douluo—they, too, hold honorary positions in Spirit Hall, do they not?"
Kratt chuckled, casually bringing up Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, who were seated nearby, as examples.
"You—!"
Dai Feng was furious. How could this be the same?
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin were merely honorary elders. But if Dai Mubai truly joined Spirit Hall, it wouldn't just be in name.
And they claimed they didn't covet the White Tiger lineage? Who knew how many women Spirit Hall would send to make Dai Mubai their stud horse?
Dai Feng didn't believe for a second that Dai Mubai—who had long been infamous for his indulgent lifestyle—would refuse women who willingly threw themselves at him.
At this moment, the referee stepped onto the stage, signaling both teams to release their martial souls as the match was about to begin.
In an instant, beast souls possessed their users, tool souls materialized, and yellow, purple, and black soul rings lit up across the stage.
"Zhuqing?"
Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing hadn't released her martial soul or soul rings, Dai Mubai was confused.
"Hah, Young Master Dai, you can enjoy this match by yourself!"
With a mocking sneer, Zhu Zhuqing turned to Ning Rongrong and the others.
"Rongrong, everyone, I'm sorry—I won't be participating in this match."
After saying her piece, she turned and walked off the stage.
Dai Mubai: "???
What the hell is going on?"
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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