At the center of the Spirit Arena...
The Charm Demon Body formed from the Spirit Fusion Ability of Xie Yue and Hu Liena had been completely bound like a dumpling by the root vines of the Blue Silver Jade Tree Martial Soul.
On the ground lay the twin MoonBlades—two exaggerated, rainbow-glowing Spirit Weapons—no longer in their hands.
"What?!"
In the VIP platform...
When Bibi Dong saw her prized disciples, Hu Liena and Xie Yue, in their Charm Demon Body, utterly subdued by Ye Yu, with no power to resist—evident from the dissipated red mist—her elegant and cold beautiful face changed drastically. She suddenly stood up from her throne, her jade-like hands nearly crushing the armrests of her seat.
How?!
How could this happen?!
Hu Liena and Xie Yue were both Spirit Kings. After performing their Spirit Fusion Ability, their Charm Demon Body was already at the level of a Spirit Emperor, capable of suppressing sensory perception, Spirit Power, and movement. How could they lose to Ye Yu, who was also only a Spirit King?
But, no matter how furious or unwilling Bibi Dong was—
The outcome had already been decided.
After draining the Spirit Power and stamina of the Charm Demon Body—
As the red mist dispersed, the Charm Demon Body shattered into a sky full of red-gold light particles.
Xie Yue and Hu Liena reappeared in place of the fusion form, bound tightly by the root vines of Ye Yu's Blue Silver Jade Tree Martial Soul.
"Nana!"
Seeing Hu Liena restrained, Yan's expression shifted drastically. Ignoring Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan, he rushed toward Hu Liena, desperate to save his goddess.
But before he could reach her, Ye Yu controlled the roots of the Blue Silver Jade Tree to rapidly split and spread outward, entangling Yan, Sun Chuantao, Li Kai, and Xu Yu.
Soon, all of them were bound.
Only Zhang Ping, still airborne, remained free.
But as a rank 47 agility-type Spirit Master—and with all her teammates incapacitated—she was powerless to turn the tide.
"We concede!"
Not wanting to stand defeated under the gaze of the Supreme Pontiff or other Spirit Hall members—
Xie Yue, heart heavy with regret, admitted defeat.
The fact that Spirit Hall's team had lost the tournament was already a huge blow.
And to make matters worse, the three ten-thousand-year Spirit Bones meant to be the championship rewards for Spirit Hall had to be handed over to another.
The red-clad cardinal, who was officiating the match, felt like his heart was bleeding. But he still had to maintain composure and announce loudly:
"I hereby declare—
The winner of this year's Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is:
The Heaven Dou Royal Team!"
Once the announcement was made—
Ye Yu dismissed his Blue Silver Jade Tree Martial Soul and its sprawling root system that had bound the Spirit Hall team.
As the massive tree roots dispersed into shimmering blue-silver particles, the Spirit Hall team regained their freedom.
But all of them kept their heads lowered in frustration and discouragement.
Only Hu Liena, with her jade-like fists clenched tightly, glared fiercely at Ye Yu with unrelenting defiance in her eyes.
Ye Yu, however, remained utterly indifferent.
Who would have expected that Ye Yu would actually lead the Heaven Dou Royal Team to victory?
Though Bibi Dong was inwardly furious and pained, as the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall, she still had to save face. There was no room for denial.
Taking a deep breath and calming her emotions, Bibi Dong rose gracefully, grasping the Pontiff Scepter in one hand.
Her elegant and regal face remained composed, her crimson lips parting as she declared:
"The champion of this year's Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is—
Heaven Dou Imperial Academy!"
"Congratulations, young geniuses. Please step forward and receive your rewards."
The red-clad cardinal echoed the announcement:
"Would Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's representative please come forward to receive the champion's rewards!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze turned to Ye Yu.
It was solely through his strength that the Heaven Dou team claimed the championship.
Without hesitation, Ye Yu stepped down from the Spirit Arena and headed toward the VIP platform.
Arriving before Bibi Dong, he found the red-clad cardinal standing beside her, holding a tray covered with a red cloth.
From beneath the fabric, faint glows of blue, green, and red could be seen.
When Bibi Dong saw Ye Yu approach, a complex look flickered in her eyes.
Dressed in the splendid uniform of the Heaven Dou team, with his tall, upright frame, ink-black shoulder-length hair, and handsome features—calm, confident, with a gentle smile and sharp eyes—Ye Yu gave off an aura of cultured elegance.
In that moment, Bibi Dong was momentarily dazed.
He reminded her so much of the man she once loved—Yu Xiaogang.
That scholarly, refined air… it was nearly identical!
Yet Ye Yu was taller, more poised, more confident.
It was as if he were a "perfected version" of her beloved Xiaogang.
"Ye Yu, you're outstanding," Bibi Dong said.
"Heaven Dou isn't worthy of your talent."
"Would you be willing to join Spirit Hall?"
"Only we can fully realize your potential."
"If you're willing to join, I will personally take you as my disciple."
Her words were sincere and coaxing.
But hearing that, Ye Yu's expression turned slightly strange.
Seriously?
Bibi Dong, do you think I'm a fool?
You sent people to kill me, and now you want to recruit me?
You think I don't know you're only interested in the secret behind my evolving Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, to curry favor with your beloved Xiaogang?
Standing nearby, Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, furrowed her brows.
She subtly signaled Ye Yu with her eyes—
Reject her.
Ye Yu smiled gently and replied politely:
"Your Holiness the Pontiff, thank you for your kind offer."
"But I'm still young and value freedom. I wish to travel and grow."
"For now, I have no plans to join any sect."
"Still, Spirit Hall is the sacred ground in every Spirit Master's heart—including mine."
"It was a Spirit Hall deacon who helped me awaken my Martial Soul."
"I've always been grateful."
"If someday I grow tired of wandering, Spirit Hall will certainly be at the top of my list."
His response was tactful yet firm—leaving no room for further persuasion while maintaining utmost courtesy and respect.
If the offer had come from Qian Daoliu or Qian Renxue, Ye Yu would have accepted.
But Bibi Dong?
Absolutely not.
Though disappointed, Bibi Dong couldn't find fault in his response.
She gave the cardinal a nod.
The red cloth was lifted, revealing the three ten-thousand-year Spirit Bones:
Mind Condensing Wisdom Skull (head)
Wind Chasing Left Leg Bone (leg)
Immolation Flame Right Arm (arm)
After a brief introduction, Bibi Dong—despite her inner frustration—forced a calm expression.
With a wave of her hand, she signaled for the cardinal to hand over the tray of Spirit Bones to Ye Yu.