With the advancement tournament finished, Emperor Xue Ye, of course, delivered a passionate speech.
Afterward, he announced the arrangements for the upcoming finals.
The competition would take place in Spirit City, departing in three days. The sixteen teams that qualified through the advancement tournament would be escorted by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and the Royal Knight Regiment.
It was worth noting that the advancement tournament was not an elimination format. Wins and losses only determined ranking, which affected byes in the finals.
According to the rules, the top two teams from the advancement tournament would receive a bye in the first round of the finals.
The advantage was twofold. First, fewer matches meant less risk of injury, plus an extra day of rest if anyone had been hurt in the opening round. Second, skipping a round concealed one's strength while forcing others to reveal more. A classic case of conserving strength while the enemy wore themselves down.
Thus, securing a top-two finish held clear benefits.
And this time, those two slots undoubtedly belonged to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, who finished first, and Godwind Academy, who finished second. The other academies would have no choice but to fight from the very start of the finals.
Once Emperor Xue Ye's speech concluded, the advancement tournament drew to a close.
With only three days until departure, most teams from distant towns chose to remain at the main competition grounds, while those closer returned briefly to their own academies.
Yang Yunhai returned to the academy with his team and the three Committee Members.
That evening, after a lively celebration with his teammates, Yang Yunhai slipped back into the valley.
As soon as he entered, he found Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo waiting on the sofa.
"Teacher." Yang Yunhai and Zhu Zhuqing immediately greeted them.
Yiner drifted out gracefully, bowing slightly.
The two Titled Douluo smiled and nodded. Chrysanthemum Douluo spoke first: "Sit. The Pope has sent a letter."
"Oh? What did she say?" Dugu Bo raised a brow, striding to sit. Yang Yunhai and the three girls sat opposite.
"She wants Xiaohai to kill Tang San during the finals," Chrysanthemum Douluo said gravely. "Afterward, Spirit Hall will declare it an accident."
Dugu Bo and Yang Yunhai both frowned. Dugu Bo sneered: "Right now, Xiaohai's allegiance to Spirit Hall is still concealed. Outwardly, he's only under my protection. If he kills the heir of the Clear Sky Sect in front of everyone, who would believe it's reasonable? The finals are team battles—killing one from seven? She thinks the whole world blind?"
"Teacher," Yang Yunhai asked, "did the letter mention whether the Golden Generation was given the same task? Or if seriously injuring Tang San would suffice?"
"No." Chrysanthemum Douluo's face darkened.
"Clever." Yang Yunhai sneered. "She wants to use me as bait, to force Tang Hao into the open, maybe even draw the Clear Sky Sect out. That would trap me in Spirit City, pushing me toward Spirit Hall's embrace, and perhaps persuade Grandpa Dugu to join. Most likely, Bibi Dong will also manipulate match pairings, sending strong opponents against Heaven Dou Royal Academy, forcing me to expose strength, giving the Golden Generation an advantage in preparation."
Such was the flaw of luring the snake from its hole. Clearly, his display in the qualifiers had shaken Bibi Dong's faith in her Golden Generation.
After all, the championship prize was three soul bones. Why would she want an outsider to claim them?
"A scheme to kill three birds with one stone," Dugu Bo scoffed.
"No," Yang Yunhai's eyes gleamed. "It's five birds. With Heaven Dou Royal Academy pitted against strong foes, Shrek will instead face weaker ones. That guarantees they advance smoothly, and Tang San—as their only Control System Soul Master and Yu Xiaogang's prized disciple—will shine."
"That conveniently fulfills Yu Xiaogang's lifelong dream of proving himself."
"Meanwhile, everyone knows my enmity with Tang San. If I kill him in the arena, people will see it as private vengeance. Even if my ties to Spirit Hall are later revealed, Yu Xiaogang's hatred will be directed at me, not Bibi Dong."
"But if Spirit Hall's Golden Generation killed Tang San, the blame would land squarely on her."
'Let Yang Yunhai do the killing. What does it have to do with me?' Yang Yunhai sneered inwardly.
"Crazy woman!" Dugu Bo cursed.
"Shameless!" Dugu Yan thought coldly.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo wore grim expressions. Especially the part about rigging the matches—it was highly plausible. The three soul bones were meant for Hu Liena's group, after all. Naturally, Bibi Dong wouldn't want anyone else taking them.
Not even their disciples.
Yang Yunhai only shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Strong opponents? Good. I entered this tournament to temper myself. Fighting strong foes is what I want. As for killing Tang San, the finals indeed present an opportunity."
"My Heaven Dou Royal team has six Soul Ancestors. Shrek has only four. We've already proven the gap in direct strength. Shrek knows they cannot win fairly. Their only chance is unconventional methods. In my view, that means relying on the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill they displayed against Skywater Academy. As for Martial Soul Fusion Skills—impossible. Their Martial Soul compatibility is far too low."
"So if Yu Xiaogang truly wants fame and victory, he will center his team around Tang San and attempt the Seven-in-One. Once they succeed, the others will be drained and leave the stage. Only Tang San will remain. Using borrowed power, if an 'accident' happens, injury or death is only natural."
"I imagine Tang San thinks the same. That he'll kill me in the finals."
"Perfect. Because I think so too."
Yang Yunhai smiled faintly. "My team also has a Seven-in-One Fusion Skill."
So when both sides unleashed their trump cards, his side's superior power would crush Tang San.
'If Tang San dies, so be it,' Dugu Bo's eyes gleamed. Offending the Clear Sky Sect was nothing—Spirit Hall would watch them closely. As for Tang Hao or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he would welcome their sneak attacks. And with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan already allied elsewhere, the fallout would be manageable.
If Tang San used his Fusion Skill with killing intent, but Yang Yunhai's proved stronger, who could they blame?
"It is indeed an opportunity," Chrysanthemum Douluo admitted. "But if Tang Hao sees his son's life threatened, he will intervene."
"If he dares strike in front of the Pope's Palace, that's treason. Bibi Dong could execute him on the spot."
"And if he dies, the soul bones won't involve us."
"That's the logic. But this is Tang Hao." Yang Yunhai's eyes narrowed. "Teacher, if you two hold back a little, I doubt Bibi Dong could kill him outright. Suppose he attacks the Pope's Palace, or even the spectators. As Pope, during the tournament, could she allow such destruction? No. She'd be forced to defend them, not pursue him."
"True. Spirit Hall's face would be lost otherwise," Dugu Bo nodded.
"Exactly. Which means Bibi Dong must hesitate, giving Tang Hao an escape." Yang Yunhai continued. "The only question is the Elder Hall."
"Will they mock her? Intervene? Even chase Tang Hao?"
"That's uncertain," Chrysanthemum Douluo said. "Ordinary Titled Douluo couldn't hold him. If he self-detonated rings, they might even die. But if the Worship Hall moved, Spirit Hall's hidden strength would be revealed. With Qian Renxue's coup unfinished and Bibi Dong still courting surrounding states, revealing too much power now is unwise."
"And without the Grand Worship's command, the Worship Hall won't act. If he had ever wished it, the Clear Sky Sect would have been destroyed long ago."
Yang Yunhai sighed inwardly. Qian Daoliu was too rigid. Years ago, he had the perfect chance… wasted.
"We'll see," Yang Yunhai said. "If Tang Hao dies by Bibi Dong's hand, one less enemy. If he escapes, we still have opportunities. Either way, we lose nothing."
"Agreed." Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded. "Who knows what will come."
"And Xiao Wu?" Dugu Bo asked.
"For now, leave her," Yang Yunhai said. "To seize a harmless student before all eyes is improper. Besides, given her bond with Tang San, Tang Hao won't kill her. If he takes her back to the Star Dou Forest, we can always capture her later."
Dugu Bo nodded. "Honestly, I'd prefer not to kill Tang San outright. His secret skills and hidden weapons are worth learning."
"Kill him," Yang Yunhai said coldly. "Otherwise, who knows what disaster he'll bring. His Martial Soul evolved into devouring power. He's already consumed countless soul beasts. Once begun, it won't stop. Next, he may target Soul Masters. As those aware, we must prevent it."
(End of Chapter)
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