Meng Shu emphasized, "This isn't an exaggeration—it's the truth."
"Through various sources, Grandpa has confirmed that Ning Tianchen is indeed a Soul King. Not only that, but every member of the Seven Treasures Team is at least a Soul Ancestor. Among them, there's one Soul King and two high-level Soul Ancestors."
What kind of divine lineup was this?
Meng Yiran's mouth hung open in disbelief.
The Beast Academy was a school established by their family, and her position as vice-captain with merely level 38 strength was largely due to the family's backing.
Their team consisted of four Soul Ancestors and three Soul Elders—this was the standard configuration for most competing teams.
Being able to stand out in the Balak Kingdom zone proved that their strength wasn't weak.
But compared to the Seven Treasures Team, the difference was like heaven and earth.
"Grandpa, does that mean the Seven Treasures Team has already locked in the championship?" Meng Yiran exclaimed in amazement.
Meng Shu shook his head. "No. Grandpa has heard that the Spirit Hall Academy Team has the so-called Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall. I don't know who's stronger between them, but it's clear that the top two spots will be decided between these two teams."
"Even teams with a Soul King can't secure first place. Goodness, how many powerful individuals are there in this tournament?" Meng Yiran covered her mouth, utterly shocked.
Chao Tianxiang sighed helplessly. "In fact, there's also a regional disparity in soul master cultivation levels. The average strength of soul masters in the three major cities of the Douluo Continent far exceeds that of soul masters elsewhere."
"Those from smaller places inevitably have limited access to resources."
The three major cities were the administrative centers of the two empires and the Spirit Hall.
These large cities not only attracted countless soul masters but also concentrated the continent's cultivation resources.
Over time, noble soul masters living in these cities gradually widened the gap between themselves and other soul masters.
The Seven Treasures Team, funded by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, naturally didn't lack cultivation resources.
"Cough, cough." After clearing his throat, Meng Shu said, "Old woman, our Yiran has been a beauty since she was young. I wonder if Ning Tianchen will take notice of her during the promotion matches."
"Grandpa!" Meng Yiran scolded him playfully.
Chaotianxiang chimed in, "Yiran, Ning Tianchen's status within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect must be quite high. With his current talent, he's bound to become a Title Douluo in the future. Someone like him would certainly be worthy of you."
"Besides, if you marry him, our family could establish roots in Tiandou City through his connections. In the future, the family's strength will only grow stronger."
Meng Shu earnestly advised, "Yiran, your grandparents are old now—we don't have many years left. In the future, only by relying on a powerful backer like the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can we ensure the survival of the entire family."
"For both your sake and the family's, marrying Ning Tianchen would be the best outcome."
Since childhood, Meng Yiran had been instilled with the idea that the family came first.
After a moment of silence, she lowered her head and tacitly accepted the matter.
---
On the outskirts of Tiandou City
The battle between Zhang Erhe and the Gold Palace Soul Douluo had reached a fever pitch.
With their true martial souls activated, all attributes were qualitatively enhanced. They transformed into their martial soul forms, and the residual energy from their clashes grew increasingly intense.
The advantage of the Golden Eagle martial soul lay in its flight capability. Every time he successfully attacked, Gold Palace would soar into the sky to evade Zhang Erhe's counterattacks.
"This isn't right—he's changed his tactics!" Zhang Erhe's expression changed abruptly, and his grip on the halberd unconsciously tightened.
In the past, Gold Palace had positioned himself as a power-type Soul Douluo.
Using the sharp wings of the golden eagle, he unleashed a continuous barrage of blade-like attacks, overwhelming his opponents with sheer force.
However, against true power-type soul masters, his attacks were somewhat lacking.
Especially since Zhang Erhe's Evil-Crushing Battle Halberd was one of the top-tier weapon-type martial souls. The blades formed from the golden eagle's wings weren't real swords or knives and couldn't compare to the halberd.
This was why, even when Zhang Erhe's soul power level was much lower in the past, he could still handle himself well in battle.
But now, after receiving guidance from Qing Luan Douluo, Gold Palace had completely changed his fighting style, redefining himself as an agility-focused soul master who relied on speed to win.
"Sixth soul skill, Malevolent Fangs!"
Zhang Erhe swung his halberd in a sweeping arc, unleashing multiple sharp fangs from the tip.
His sixth soul skill was obtained years ago when he fled to a coastal city to escape pursuit and hunted the sea soul beast, the Golden Flag Great White Shark.
The shark's teeth were extraordinarily sharp, and any ordinary Soul Douluo would have to put in significant effort to fully withstand them.
But to Gold Palace, they seemed to pose no threat.
High in the air, his gaze was sharp, like a predator watching its prey struggle.
The golden eagle's wings flapped rapidly, generating powerful gusts of wind. In the next instant, his figure dove downward.
As the Malevolent Fangs passed near him, they were caught by the strong airflow, losing their offensive capability.
"This time, I won't let you escape. Eighth soul skill, Sky-Piercing Spear."
The form of the golden eagle martial soul transformed into a gilded spear. Like a falling meteor, it plummeted toward Zhang Erhe.
"Eighth soul skill, Demonic Sweep of the Clouds." Zhang Erhe was forced to counterattack.
Zhang Erhe wielded the Evil-Crushing Battle Halberd at high speed, stirring up the surrounding trees. With his own strength, he disrupted the very winds and clouds of this battlefield.
From afar, this attack looked incredibly intimidating. However, the strength of this move wasn't in its offense but in its defense.
It stirred the heavens and earth, shattering any incoming attacks.
The clash between spear and shield was destined to leave only one side victorious—but at a heavy cost.
Dugu Bo concealed his presence and approached the battlefield.
Upon seeing this scene, he shook his head. "Even if Zhang Erhe wins, his injuries won't heal anytime soon."
Ning Tianchen had gone through great lengths to help him break through to Soul Douluo status so he could assist in carrying out tasks.
After sustaining such severe injuries, healing at the Soul Douluo level would require an astronomical amount of precious resources.
Wasting so many resources on an ordinary Soul Douluo wasn't worth it in Dugu Bo's eyes.
Moreover, there was no guarantee that Zhang Erhe would even win this fight.
Thinking this, Dugu Bo decided to intervene.
"Medusa's Gaze."
Two streams of milky-white light shot out from his eyes.
The Medusa soul bone inherited the special abilities of the Medusa soul beast.
Wherever the light passed, even soul power would turn to stone.
The sudden attack disrupted the battlefield.
Zhang Erhe and Gold Palace simultaneously withdrew their forces and quickly dodged.
Once he stabilized his stance, Zhang Erhe recognized the newcomer's face.
"Lord Dugu, why are you—"
He wanted to question why the other party had intervened. But upon reflection, he realized he wouldn't have been able to withstand Gold Palace Soul Douluo's attacks.
If Dugu Bo hadn't appeared, Zhang Erhe would likely have been severely injured—or even killed—by Gold Palace.
"Title Douluo! Who are you, and why are you interfering in our battle?" Gold Palace lost his composure and sharply questioned.
Dugu Bo's expression remained unchanged as he slowly advanced.
"I'm not interested in judging right or wrong between the two of you. I only know that Zhang Erhe must survive today. As his enemy, I can only make you disappear!"
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