"Blazing Academy… actually fielded three Soul Ancestors and four Soul Elders?!"
The announcer's voice rang through the arena once again, unable to conceal his astonishment.
Almost simultaneously, in each of the participating teams' lounges—
"What?! Three Soul Ancestors?"
Startled voices erupted in all directions.
"Dean, I heard their students have been training at Monster Academy these past few years... Could this be the reason?"
An elderly man with white hair stroked his beard and speculated thoughtfully.
"Monster Academy again…"
The Godwind Academy dean muttered with a darkened expression, his brows deeply furrowed.
---
Thunderclap Academy Rest Area
"Quick, investigate Blazing Academy thoroughly!"
"How could they produce three Soul Ancestors in just a few years? Last time they didn't even have a single one over rank 42!"
The Thunderclap Academy Dean slammed his hand down in frustration.
---
VIP Stand
"Xue Xing, Salas, Ning Fengzhi—looks like this year's teams from our Heaven Dou Empire are rather impressive!"
Emperor Xue Ye narrowed his eyes slightly, a note of pride in his voice.
"All thanks to Your Majesty's wise leadership," Prince Xue Xing immediately chimed in.
"Only under your guidance could teams like Blazing and Monster Academy emerge so powerfully."
But deep down, Xue Xing knew full well the credit belonged to Senior Dugu and the Lin Clan's founding of Monster Academy.
Off to the side, Ning Fengzhi and Salas merely smiled faintly.
But Salas's expression flickered with insight—his spies had just reported back on Monster Academy.
So this is why Blazing's team became so formidable… Monster Academy again. This must be reported to the Elders as soon as possible.
---
On the Arena Floor
"C-Captain… they've got three Soul Ancestors?"
"But you're the only Soul Ancestor on our team…"
Vice-Captain Lei Zhen of Thunderclap Academy looked utterly shaken.
"What are you scared of?!"
"My Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is a top-tier martial soul! What if they have three Soul Ancestors? That doesn't mean they can beat us!"
Yu Tianming snapped back, taking a bold step forward.
"First Soul Skill — Thunderclap Dragon Claw!"
Before the rest of his team could even prepare, Yu Tianming surged forward with crackling electricity wrapped around his dragon-formed arm.
His teammates hesitated, visibly shaken by the power Blazing had displayed. If he didn't make a show of strength now, morale might crumble before the battle even began.
I'm already 25, barely qualifying for this tournament. I need this victory for better cultivation resources. It's all or nothing.
With that thought, Yu Tianming's lightning-charged claw slashed toward Xiao Huo.
"Strike the leader first!"
"Hah!"
In the blink of an eye, he was within inches of Xiao Huo.
"Third Soul Skill — Netherflame Barrier!"
Xiao Huo smirked calmly as a light blue flame shield flared around him.
"Captain, I'm backing you up—First Soul Skill: Ember Threads!"
Huo Yan'er acted quickly, weaving shimmering threads of fire that integrated into her teammates' bodies. For fire-type soul masters, this increased skill effectiveness by 20%.
Simultaneously, the other three members of the Blazing team charged the remaining Thunderclap fighters.
BOOM!
Soul skills clashed violently. As the dust cleared, only sparks of lightning remained where Yu Tianming had struck.
Xiao Huo's flame shield held firm and faded gently.
"First Soul Skill — Netherflame!"
Cold blue flames gathered in Xiao Huo's hand, steadily condensing.
"How?!"
"My lightning… it's being absorbed?!"
Yu Tianming's face twisted in disbelief as he scrambled backward.
"Trying to run?"
"Second Soul Skill — Ember Cloud!"
Behind Xiao Huo, fire clouds exploded outward, cloaking him and Huo Yan'er in a hazy crimson mist. Their movement speed surged for five seconds.
---
Monster Academy Rest Area – Viewing Platform
"Aunt Erlong, Blazing's coordination isn't bad, huh?" Ma Hongjun grinned as he watched.
Liu Erlong smiled faintly and looked to the side.
"Naturally. Who do you think trained them?"
Flender and Zhao Wuji immediately stepped forward proudly.
---
Arena
Yu Tianming barely began to retreat before Xiao Huo reappeared right in front of him.
With fire-infused speed and power behind him, Xiao Huo's Netherflame Fist landed squarely in Yu Tianming's gut.
CRACK!
Blood burst from Yu Tianming's mouth as he plummeted from the sky.
"Captain!"
The Thunderclap team cried out from across the field.
But before they could help, the three Soul Ancestors from Blazing had completely locked them down.
"Third Soul Skill — Wings of Lightning!"
Lei Zhen, his back transforming into thunder eagle wings, burst into the air in an attempt to reach Yu Tianming.
But he had barely flown a few meters when—
"Your opponent… is me."
"Third Soul Skill — Flame Clone!"
Liuhuo's clone materialized beside Lei Zhen, catching him off guard.
"Liuhuo?!"
"First Soul Skill — Thunderclaw Kick!"
Lei Zhen launched an electric-charged flying kick—only for the clone to dissipate into fiery sparks.
"Too slow."
"Fire Fist!"
The real Liuhuo appeared behind him, and with a powerful strike, smashed Lei Zhen into the ground.
"Ugh!"
Lei Zhen mouth dripped with blood.
"Third Soul Skill — Ember Rain!"
From a safe spot at the edge of the arena, Soul Expert Huo Yan'er unleashed her support skill.
A fiery rain descended from the skies, boosting her team's attack power and soul power by 50%.
"It's over."
"Fourth Soul Skill — Netherfire Burst!"
Xiao Huo, floating above the arena like a demon king, cast down a massive blue curtain of flame.
Blue sparks filled the sky, concealing the battlefield in an eerie glow.
The Thunderclap team's vision went dark—and then the fire fell.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
A chain of fiery explosions rocked the arena.
When the flames faded, every member of the Thunderclap team was on the ground, unconscious and severely injured.
Yu Tianming's eyes reflected despair.
"How… how could this happen…"
Before he could finish, he passed out cold.
"Quick! Medics!"
The announcer called for healers in a panic.
Thunderclap's team was soon carried off the stage.
"I hereby declare the fifth match of the Heaven Dou division of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament—Blazing Academy wins!"
...
As the last matches ended and night descended, the emcee made the final announcement:
"The first day of the Heaven Dou Division preliminaries… is officially concluded!"
Outside the Monster Academy team's lounge, four academy deans awkwardly gathered—Skywater, Thunderclap, Godwind, and Elephant Armored.
"You're here too?"
The Godwind Dean asked warily.
"You came to speak with Monster Academy as well?"
The Elephant Armored Dean asked, puzzled.
"Ahem… I was just passing by,"
Thunderclap's dean muttered, eyes avoiding contact.
Just then, with a creak, the Monster Academy door opened.
All eyes landed on Lin Feng, who stood calmly at the entrance.
"Uh… You all need something?"
Lin Feng asked with a puzzled expression.
---
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