This morning was the match between Shrek Academy and Martial Soul Academy.
This All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament was the grandest in history. Even for the semifinals, the spectator stands were packed to the brim, with soul masters buzzing with excitement.
In the lounge of the Martial Soul Hall:
Qian Renxue slowly opened her eyes, her amber pupils exuding a trace of coldness.
"It's finally starting."
Yu Xiaogang's disciple, Tang Hao's son, and the candidate for the next sect leader of the Clear Sky Sect.
Your journey ends here.
Under Qian Renxue's leadership, the Martial Soul team walked from the VIP room to the rest area beside the arena.
Glancing at the Shrek team's lineup, Qian Renxue slightly furrowed her delicate brows:
"Tang San isn't here?"
Not only was Tang San absent, but the rest area only had Tang Xiao and a few others.
Perhaps the time hadn't come yet.
Half an hour wasn't too short, and there were always those who liked to arrive at the last minute.
Qian Renxue's thoughts were in disarray, while Ning Rongrong in the VIP room was far more relaxed.
After all, their match wasn't until the afternoon.
"What's Yu Xiaogang up to?"
Ning Rongrong noticed Yu Xiaogang striding confidently out of the rest area, stopping not far from Bibi Dong.
He took a deep breath and declared in a resounding voice, "Shrek Academy forfeits this semifinal match and will automatically enter the revival round."
In an instant, all eyes turned to Yu Xiaogang, many filled with confusion.
Although there was a revival round, why would they surrender?
The crowd was utterly perplexed.
Yu Xiaogang, however, seemed to relish the attention.
"What's the reason?"
Bibi Dong stood up from her seat, looking down at Master Yu from the high platform.
"We have our own plans. That has nothing to do with the Martial Soul Hall under Your Holiness's rule, does it?"
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's slightly provocative tone, Bibi Dong's delicate brows furrowed.
Yu Xiaogang, are you seeking a sense of accomplishment like this?
Speechless. How did I ever fall for this guy?
If you don't give a proper explanation and just refuse, this is a live broadcast. Is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's face really that thick?
Yu Yuanzhen's face darkened like the bottom of a pot. Yu Xiaogang was stirring up trouble again.
Fortunately, Tang Xiao appeared in time.
He explained to Bibi Dong that Tang San was in the midst of cultivating for a breakthrough and was still familiarizing himself with the use of a soul tool.
Without him, the chances of losing this match were high, which could affect subsequent matches. Thus, Shrek Academy chose to forfeit this round.
As expected of a former sect leader, his words were like a spring breeze.
After listening to Tang Xiao's explanation, Bibi Dong glanced at the silent Qian Renxue, then nodded to Tang Xiao:
"I understand. Since Shrek Academy forfeits, this match will be won by Martial Soul Academy."
Bibi Dong announced the result, and the soul masters in the audience let out soft sighs of disappointment.
But outside the soul tool broadcast, in certain places, some hot-tempered folks began cursing loudly.
Their words were eloquent, with one classic outburst ringing out:
"Geneva, give me a refund!"
Bibi Dong also sensed the audience's dissatisfaction. She walked over to two red-robed cardinals and said something to them.
Afterward, the two quickly headed toward Glazed Academy and Blazing Wind Academy.
"Advancing the match time?" The door to the VIP room opened, and Ning Rongrong looked at the red-robed cardinal who came to deliver the news, a hint of surprise on her face.
"Yes, members of the Glazed team," the red-robed cardinal explained. "This is a suggestion from Her Holiness the Pope. If it's inconvenient for you, you may also decline."
"To appease the audience's anger?" Ning Rongrong tilted her head and asked.
"There is that intention," the red-robed cardinal said with a wry smile.
Ning Rongrong was right. Everyone wanted to see another match featuring Saintess Qian Renxue.
But the Clear Sky Sect was so uncooperative, forfeiting outright.
It was like choking on water—extremely uncomfortable.
"We don't have any major issues, but I hope there's an hour's buffer," Ning Rongrong said after a moment's thought, agreeing to the red-robed cardinal's proposal.
"No problem." The red-robed cardinal breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, he closed the door and left.
Ning Rongrong walked back into the lounge from the doorway.
"What are your thoughts?"
"Rongrong, is it okay to advance the match?"
Ning Tian was still somewhat worried about their team's lack of preparation.
"Gu Yuena's strength is formidable, but how much she can unleash depends on the situation."
"By the way, last time I told you to use the soul tool, it seems you didn't even get a chance to use it!"
"Well then, according to the plan…"
Ning Tian frowned slightly as he listened to Ning Rongrong's wild ideas. "Is something like that feasible?"
"It's fine to knock them out of the match quickly. This time, you and I will go up together, so there's no need to worry about surprises."
"Rongrong, you seem to care a lot about that contestant named Gu Yuena."
Having been Ning Rongrong's second brother for so many years, he had some understanding of his little sister's personality.
Unless absolutely necessary, she wouldn't easily take the field, preferring to give training opportunities to other team members.
Moreover, this time, two soul masters from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda were injured.
In essence, if Ning Rongrong didn't go all out, the team's composition would result in overlapping skill roles.
After all, whether it was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda or the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, their buffs would only stack by overwriting, not combining.
"I am somewhat concerned, but there's no need to worry too much."
"Your goal is to clear the field. Leave the rest to my Dugu Yan to handle."
Ning Rongrong's side was discussing their strategy.
Meanwhile, in the VIP room of Blazing Wind Academy, Bi Ji glanced at Gu Yuena, who gave a slight nod. Bi Ji sighed in relief and agreed to the red-robed cardinal's proposal to advance the match.
After the red-robed cardinal left, Bi Ji leisurely returned to the lounge.
"Glazed Academy is very strong. You all need to be careful."
…
The two red-robed cardinals returned to the competition venue and reported the situation to Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong immediately announced:
"The match between Glazed Academy and Blazing Wind Academy will take place in one hour."
Hearing that the match time was moved up and that it involved Glazed Academy and Blazing Wind Academy, the soul masters in the audience, who had been planning to leave and return in the afternoon, grew even more excited.
Thinking of Gu Yuena's terrifying strength and Dugu Yan, who inherited Dugu Bo's poison legacy, they wondered what kind of sparks would fly between the two sides.
Of course, both teams were exceptionally powerful.
Glazed Academy also had the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, a top-tier auxiliary soul tool rarely seen in the history of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which further piqued the audience's curiosity.
Time ticked by, second by second.
An hour, for soul masters, was merely a brief moment of meditation.
The teams from Glazed Academy and Blazing Wind Academy arrived at the arena simultaneously.
Glazed Academy's lineup: Ning Rongrong, Ning Tian, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Shui Yue'er, Shui Bing'er, Yu Hairou.
All participants were at the Soul Ancestor level.
On the other side, Blazing Wind Academy's lineup: Gu Yuena, Xue Ke, Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and two Soul Ancestor students just above level 40.
Likewise, all were at the Soul Ancestor level.
"Match positions!"
The red-robed cardinal announced.
As both teams took their places on the arena, standing in formation, the red-robed cardinal gave the command:
"The match between Glazed Academy and Blazing Wind Academy now officially begins!"