That morning, the semifinals of the Continental Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament began under a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.
Dark clouds rolled in from all directions, pressing so low they nearly brushed the ground. The entire city of Mingdu lay beneath a sky like an upturned black cauldron, suffocating under its weight.
Wind whipped dead leaves and weeds into the air. Distant thunder rumbled—rain was coming.
Yet despite the ominous weather, crowds surged toward the outskirts, stretching endlessly. Sun Moon's military had been maintaining order since dawn to prevent stampedes.
Without exclusive contestant channels, the four teams would've struggled to squeeze through the packed arena perimeter.
Soon, the upper-bracket semifinal commenced.
The outcome? Exactly as Chen Junting predicted.
After Di Yao's breakthrough to Soul Saint with her Golden Dragon martial soul, Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy's defeat was inevitable.
Even if they miraculously passed the individual elimination round unscathed…
Even if Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen flawlessly executed their Martial Soul Fusion Skill: Hongchen's Yearning…
Even if Di Yao stood motionless against their attacks…
Her Ultimate Power strike shattered all their hopes.
Overwhelming power crushes all techniques!
No matter their tricks, absolute strength rendered them paper tigers.
As Sun Moon Imperial's team crumbled under Di Yao's might, the crowd's fury erupted—not at outsiders, but at their own academy. Disappointment, not hatred, fueled their shouts.
Even Xu Tianran's face darkened. Though he'd expected this, witnessing Shrek's effortless victory left his composure cracked.
Beside him, Jing Hongchen broke into a cold sweat. They'd sacrificed much to crown Sun Moon Imperial champions—even the Holy Spirit Church yielded to them. Yet now… their performance was disgraceful.
"Hall Master Jing," Xu Tianran's voice turned icy, "I'm deeply disappointed."
His words instantly made Jing Hongchen—nearly a Level 98 Super Douluo—pale. He opened his mouth but found no words. He walked on thin ice now.
Xu Tianran abruptly praised the "Golden Dragon Girl" below, making Jing Hongchen's anxiety spike. "Hall Master Jing, I lack a Crown Princess. The empire lacks a queen worthy of heaven's grace." His fingers tapped the armrest—each thud echoing in Jing Hongchen's heart. "Imagine—the offspring of the Purple Dragon and Power Ancestor bloodlines. A peerless prodigy, no doubt."
"What do you think, Hall Master Jing?"
Jing Hongchen kowtowed instantly. "Your Highness is wise! After the tournament, I'll personally deliver her to you!"
"Hmm." Xu Tianran nodded, then fell silent. Just as Jing Hongchen exhaled, he added, "If you fail… the Hongchen Clan's beast-blood lineage pairs well with my Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon. Don't you agree?"
Jing Hongchen's head snapped up. He understood: Fail to capture her, and offer your granddaughter instead. But as a mere concubine—not empress.
With only three clan members left, only Meng Hongchen qualified. And Xu Tianran's "concubines" were breeding tools, not wives. As a grandfather, Jing Hongchen wanted his granddaughter safe. Entangled in palace schemes? Unthinkable.
"Your Highness," he vowed, eyes steely, "I'll capture her."
Xu Tianran merely gestured for his attendant to wheel him away. "I await your success."
Unaware of this exchange, Di Yao descended the stage, approaching Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Her gaze locked onto Chen Junting, but she addressed Ning Tian: "Our match is in two days."
She turned to Chen Junting, icy resolve in her voice: "You'll duel me alone. I'll wash away past shame."
Past shame?
Chen Junting blinked—then remembered. Five years ago, during her Inner Court trial, he'd defeated her.
"You still remember that?" he sighed. "It was just an entrance exam."
"Hmph!" Di Yao's battle lust burned. "Since birth, I've never lost—except that once!"
"If that's so…" Chen Junting glanced at Ning Tian, who gave a subtle nod. "I'll grant your wish."
"Good!"
Heh heh—
A chilling voice cut in: "You're ignoring us too blatantly."
Chen Junting didn't even turn. But Di Yao's killing intent fixed on Yan Feng behind him. "Speak again, and I'll behead you now."
Her sincerity left no doubt.
Yan Feng's face darkened. "Behead me? Who do you think you are? Arrogant!"
Around him, eight Holy Spirit Church members glared at Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—eyes dripping with malice, as if afternoon's match would claim their lives.
Chen Junting dismissed them. Just corpses walking.
But his teammates wouldn't tolerate provocation. Tension crackled between squads.
Slowly, Chen Junting turned. His gaze swept all nine Holy Spirit Sect members. "On the arena," he said flatly, "we'll make all of Mingdu hear your death dirge."
He led his team away.
The dismissal enraged the Holy Spirit Sect—until Zhang Xuan silenced them: "Save your breath for the match. Crush their bones, flay their flesh—that's true vengeance."
They exchanged glances. "Yes! Exactly!"
—
By afternoon, the main stand filled—only Jing Hongchen was absent. Xu Tianran eyed Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, wary of their geniuses. "State Preceptor, you promised results. You won't fail me?"
Zhongli Wu's voice was low. "Your Highness won't be disappointed."
"Even if they wield Super Douluo-level power?" Xu Tianran's hidden caution targeted the Holy Spirit Cult itself. Their rapid countermeasures were unnerving.
Zhongli Wu merely smiled confidently. He'd not only annihilate Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—he'd have Yan Feng and two others capture Chen Junting and Gu Tianchen alive as Saint Sons.
Unbeknownst to him, Yan Feng had other plans.
Remembering Zhongli Wu's noon command—"Spare those two Soul Saints; they'll be Saint Sons"—jealousy consumed him. 'I'm the Hall Master's disciple, yet not a Saint Son! These outsiders?'
I'll devour that Bone Dragon genius, absorb his talent, and become the true Saint Son! As for the vice-captain? Accidents happen.
Yan Feng's killing intent blazed.
Chen Junting noted it—but cared little. This match would end only when one team lay dead. And he trusted his comrades.
Soon, the match began.
Head Referee Zheng Zhan announced: "Second semifinal: Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect versus Holy Spirit Church! Competitors, enter the ready zone."
Seven from Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, nine from Holy Spirit Cult—they faced off, auras clashing across the arena.
"Individual elimination first," Zheng Zhan declared. "First match—competitors, take the stage."
A petite youth from Holy Spirit Sect—Ji Li—zipped onto the platform. For Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Dugu Xin stepped up.
"State your names."
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Dugu Xin."
"Holy Spirit Sect, Ji Li." Ji Li's snake-like gaze fixed on Dugu Xin, then twisted into a sinister smile.
'Confident little worm,' Dugu Xin thought, unimpressed. Think you've figured me out? Hunting the Serpent King with your tiny fangs?
"Begin!"
Buzz—!
Ji Li activated a soul tool—a flame-like aura enveloped him, repelling Dugu Xin's poison mist.
'Interesting. Is it that soul tool?' Dugu Xin deduced correctly: it burned soul power to block attribute-based attacks below a threshold. Ji Li needn't fear venom until his soul power drained.
"Die!" Ji Li roared. Blue-gray scales erupted across his swelling body, fangs bared. His soul ring flared as he stomped the ground—BOOM!—a gray-blue shockwave surged, forming a maw of abyssal hunger.
He lunged, the flame-shield deflecting poison. A violet-black tongue shot like an arrow at Dugu Xin's brow—his true kill move.
Crack!
Dugu Xin didn't flinch. Eight spider spears erupted from his back, blocking the tongue.
"Want a war of attrition?" Dugu Xin sneered. "Seems like you forgot—I'm not just poison."
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