The promotion round adopted a single-round robin format, meaning every team would face each other once.
After the draw was completed, the staff quickly cleared the stage to prepare for the upcoming match.
During this time, Emperor Xue Ye left the tournament venue, and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe took his place to represent the royal family in observing the matches.
"Promotion Round, First Round, Match One: Seven Treasures Academy versus Beast Academy."
As the match was about to begin, the gazes of all the teams quickly focused on the two competing squads.
"I heard that the Seven Treasures Team ranked first in the preliminary round of the Tiandou Empire region, while the Beast Academy ranked first in our Haagen-Dazs Kingdom's preliminaries. I wonder which team is stronger," muttered the leader of the Ice Snow Team.
"You're not fully informed. The Seven Treasures Team is a strong contender for the championship of this tournament. You might not know this, but their team has two Soul Kings."
The words "Soul King" spread quickly, and some uninformed teams stared intently at the arena, determined not to miss any detail of the match.
In the Shrek Team's rest area, Tang San sneered, "Let them have their moment of arrogance. In our upcoming matches, we will surely avenge ourselves."
Yu Xiaogang clapped his hands. "Once the Seven Treasures Team's match ends, we'll face the Balak Academy Team next. Everyone saw their arrogant display earlier. In our upcoming match, we must not only win but win beautifully."
"Mubai will take the lead, followed by Tianheng. Tianxin will go third, and Xiao San will guard the final position. We must give them a taste of our strength."
---
Both teams simultaneously stepped onto the stage.
Representing the Seven Treasures Team was Chen Huayu, while the Beast Team sent Long Keda as their opening fighter.
Long Keda's martial soul wasn't the Snow Mountain Mammoth but the Titan Snow Ape, with a soul power level of 41.
In terms of height, Chen Huayu only reached his chest—this clearly seemed like an uneven matchup.
Below the stage, Ning Tianchen's lips curled into a faint smile. "Height doesn't guarantee victory."
"The people from the north seem to be taller," Feng Xiaotian said casually.
Long Keda was at least 2.4 meters tall, while Chen Huayu, the tallest member of the Seven Treasures Team, stood at only 1.85 meters.
Judging by height alone, the Seven Treasures Team seemed destined to lose.
The match began.
Both sides launched their attacks simultaneously.
In the clash between power-type soul masters, grappling was inevitable.
Height provided a certain advantage during grappling, but in this match, that advantage had already been nullified.
In the first round of grappling, Chen Huayu gained a significant upper hand.
Even after Long Keda used his soul power enhancement, he couldn't budge Chen Huayu and was easily countered.
Tian Chao, the captain of the Beast Team, abruptly stood up and growled, "Long Keda's strength was defeated by this guy? The Giant Rock Black Bear martial soul is quite interesting."
The match continued.
According to their pre-match plan, knowing he was at a disadvantage, Long Keda recklessly used high-level soul skills.
Even if he lost, he intended to deplete Chen Huayu's soul power.
After defeating his opponent, Chen Huayu had consumed 40% of his soul power, leaving him with 60%, enough for another battle.
The next member of the Beast Team to step up was Tian Wenjing, whose soul power level reached 42. His martial soul was the Snow Mountain Mammoth.
At the start of the match, the Snow Mountain Mammoth martial soul let out a deep roar, reminiscent of beasts from ancient times.
"A top-tier beast martial soul. What kind of sect is this!" Ning Tianchen grew serious.
To possess such a top-tier martial soul, the sect they belonged to was likely at least of the lower four sects' caliber.
In this match, Chen Huayu clearly struggled.
Relying on his low center of gravity, he used his third soul skill to knock his opponent off the stage, resulting in mutual destruction.
"This fat guy's strength can't be underestimated," Tang San commented.
Ning Tianchen had overshadowed the other members of the Seven Treasures Team so much that everyone forgot about them.
This Chen Huayu, in terms of sheer strength, was no weaker than Dai Mubai and the others.
---
Back in the rest area, Chen Huayu collapsed onto a chair, panting heavily.
Ning Tianchen handed him a glass of water. "You did well taking on two opponents."
Chen Huayu quickly wiped his hands on his clothes and respectfully accepted the water. "Boss poured me water—I'll brag about this for a lifetime."
Ning Tianchen glared at him and laughed, "Don't make me beat you when I'm happiest!"
The match continued.
Huang Wu was next to step onto the stage. Fortunately, he faced the only Soul Elder on the Beast Team.
With his Soul Ancestor-level strength, Huang Wu easily secured victory.
Losing three members in quick succession, the Beast Team immediately fell into a passive position.
Tian Chao frowned deeply and turned to someone beside him. "Guocheng, we fought our way out of the Extreme North. Don't disgrace us here."
Tian Guocheng was the vice-captain of the Beast Team and, like Tian Chao, came from a reclusive sect.
"Their vice-captain has a soul power level of 45. Huang Wu, you've done enough. Come back," Ke Jie said gravely.
A 45-level power-type soul master against a 42-level defense-type soul master made the latter nothing more than a punching bag.
To minimize unnecessary sacrifices, Huang Wu conceded early.
The third to step onto the stage was Ning Tianchen.
"Tian Guocheng, please guide me," Tian Guocheng said casually.
"Ning Tianchen, please guide me," Ning Tianchen responded with a smile.
Tian Guocheng stood at a towering 2.5 meters, forcing Ning Tianchen, who was 1.8 meters tall, to look up at him.
"Both sides ready, the match begins," the referee announced.
Five soul rings appeared beneath Ning Tianchen's feet: yellow, yellow, purple, black, black.
"Soul King!" The observing teams almost all stood up in unison.
"A ten-thousand-year fourth ring? What is this madness!"
"So the rumors are true—the Seven Treasures Team really has a Soul King," Tian Chao muttered, furrowing his thick brows. He had already given up hope for this match.
A Soul King appearing in the first round of the promotion matches—how could anyone compete in the subsequent rounds?
Tian Guocheng's expression darkened.
If not for the public scrutiny, he might have uttered the timeless phrase:
"Are you still not activating your martial soul? If this keeps up, I won't wait for you," Ning Tianchen said with a faint smile.
"The Snow Mountain Mammoth never retreats!" Tian Guocheng proclaimed loudly.
"Fourth soul skill, Mammoth Tusks!"
The Snow Mountain Mammoth's tusks became extraordinarily sharp and charged toward Ning Tianchen.
"You really think highly of me. Then let me show you this move."
Ning Tianchen smiled faintly, holding the Dragon Pattern Seven Kill Sword in front of him.
"Seven Kill Sword Technique, Piercing Sword Form."
The tip of the Seven Kill Sword pointed at Tian Guocheng as Ning Tianchen stood calmly, making no other movements.
At the moment the Snow Mountain Mammoth was about to approach, a sharp sword qi erupted from the sword tip.
Combined with his first soul skill, the sword qi transformed into the illusion of a mighty dragon, piercing through the Snow Mountain Mammoth martial soul.
Piercing through with precision, lingering sword qi—this was the true power of the Piercing Sword Form.
Before losing consciousness, Tian Guocheng's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to comprehend how he had been defeated in a single blow.
"This is a new sword technique."
Tang San had summarized Ning Tianchen's sword techniques and was certain this was the first time he had used it.
Moreover, the power of this technique was terrifying—it had instantly defeated a mid-level Soul Ancestor.
"We're improving, and so are others. Xiao San, with your Hao Tian Hammer, you still have a chance," Yu Xiaogang said gravely.
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