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Tang San led the Shrek team to Yu Xiaogang, his eyes sparkling with excitement, "Teacher, we won!"
Yu Xiaogang looked at the young people with relief, nodding gently, "Yes, Little San, you did it." A hint of complexity flashed in his weathered eyes, but his voice remained exceptionally steady, "But never become arrogant because of a temporary victory. Tomorrow's finals…"
Before he could finish, the joy on the Shrek team's faces gradually faded. A black-haired figure holding a guqin appeared in everyone's mind simultaneously.
Yu Tianheng unconsciously clenched his fists, "Feng Xiao." Tang San softly uttered the name, a trace of solemnity flashing in his Purple Demon Eye. Although they had defeated Spirit Hall, the real test might have just begun.
"Teacher, do you have any countermeasures?" Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang with burning eyes.
Yu Xiaogang frowned tightly and slowly shook his head, "He has evolved the sounds of the guqin into the abilities of various Spirit Masters, making him almost flawless." He unconsciously stroked his chin, "What's more troublesome is that his spirit rings not only follow an extreme flow path but also include an ultra-limit spirit ring. This development path perfectly combines versatility and extremity…"
"In my opinion, there is only one way to defeat him—break through his limits." Yu Xiaogang said in a deep voice, "The future you, after your Clear Sky Hammer has nine spirit rings attached, might be able to do it. But now…" He paused, his gaze heavy, "He only used the power of two spirit rings to defeat Spirit Hall's Spirit King. If he goes all out, I'm afraid only a Spirit Emperor can directly suppress him."
Tang San's pupils constricted slightly, a flicker of unwillingness in his Purple Demon Eye. He understood his teacher's meaning—with their current strength, directly defeating Feng Xiao was almost impossible.
"Alright, we'll discuss these slowly when we get back." Flender suddenly interjected, pushing up his glasses and lowering his voice, "If we don't leave now, I feel like the eyes of these temple guards are going to devour us whole."
Only then did everyone notice that the surrounding Spirit Hall guards were staring at them with cannibalistic gazes. Those cold stares expressed the anger of the defeated more than any words could.
Yu Xiaogang nodded and patted Tang San's shoulder, "Go back and rest first. No matter what, you've created a miracle today." He gave a meaningful glance at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's camp in the distance, "As for tomorrow's finals, we'll figure something else out."
The Shrek team then seemed to awaken from a dream and quickly left under the watchful eyes of the surrounding temple guards. As they passed through the crowd, they could clearly feel the hostile gazes from the Spirit Hall camp. Those stares were like tangible thorns, sending chills down their spines.
"Walk faster." Dai Mubai lowered his voice, his tall figure instinctively shielding Zhu Zhuqing.
Oscar jogged to catch up with the team, not forgetting to hand each person a recovery Sausage, "Replenish some stamina, just in case…"
Ma Hongjun also dared not be playful. He followed closely behind Flender, not even daring to breathe loudly.
Yu Xiaogang walked at the back, occasionally looking back in the direction of the Supreme Pontiff Palace, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. He knew that although today's victory was glorious, it had also completely enraged the sleeping beast that was Spirit Hall.
On the other side, inside the Supreme Pontiff Palace.
Bibi Dong's scepter struck the ground heavily, a crisp sound echoing in the empty hall. A terrifying pressure suddenly erupted from her, and the air in the entire hall seemed to solidify at that moment.
"Why was Yao Mei not released immediately?"
Her voice was neither hurried nor slow, yet it was like the bitter wind from the far north, causing the three members of the Golden Generation kneeling on the ground to tremble. Every word was like a heavy hammer striking their hearts.
Xie Yue's forehead touched the ground, his voice tight, "Reporting to Supreme Pontiff, it was this subordinate's misjudgment. Seeing the opponent's abnormal retreat, I thought…"
"Thought?" Bibi Dong's eyes turned cold, and the gem on her scepter suddenly glowed with dazzling light, "I spent countless resources cultivating you, just so you would make decisions based on 'thought' at critical moments?"
Hu Liena's delicate body trembled slightly, her red lips bitten white. Yan was drenched in cold sweat.
Beside them, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan's effeminate voice echoed faintly in the hall, "Spirit Hall Academy, since its establishment, has never been absent from the peak showdown of the finals…" Golden petals fell from his fingertips, "You, however, have set a precedent."
The Spirit Hall Academy members all knelt in the center of the hall, cold sweat dripping down their cheeks onto the polished floor. Xie Yue's fingertips dug deep into his palms. No one dared to look up directly at the Supreme Pontiff and the Elders above.
The entire hall was eerily silent. Bibi Dong coldly looked down at the Golden Generation she had personally nurtured, gently tapping her scepter on the ground. That crisp sound made everyone unconsciously hold their breath.
Hu Liena slowly raised her head, her usually charming fox eyes now filled with guilt and determination, "Teacher, we underestimated them."
Bibi Dong's gaze fell on her beloved disciple, a nearly imperceptible sigh flashing in her eyes. She nodded slightly, "Very good, at least you know where the problem lies." The gem on her scepter reflected a cold light, "Although the opponent used some tricky methods, losing is losing."
She paused, her voice suddenly turning cold, "After the competition, all of you will proceed to the Maze Grand Canyon for three years."
At these words, all the Spirit Hall members trembled. That was a place of death that even Spirit Saints dared not easily venture into! But no one dared to object, and everyone responded in unison, "Understood, Supreme Pontiff."
Bibi Dong looked at the disciples she had personally nurtured, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. But it vanished in an instant, returning to her usual majesty, "You may withdraw."
Hearing Bibi Dong's command, the Spirit Hall Academy members felt as if they had received a great pardon, their strained nerves finally relaxing slightly. They maintained their kneeling posture as they slowly retreated, only daring to stand up at the hall entrance. After a uniform bow, they hurriedly exited the hall.
The moment the heavy hall doors closed behind them, Xie Yue finally let out a long breath, his tall figure swaying slightly. Hu Liena's bangs were already soaked with cold sweat. Yan leaned directly against a pillar, panting heavily, as if he had just walked from the brink of death.
"Maze Grand Canyon…" a team member whispered, his voice trembling.
Xie Yue raised a hand to stop him from continuing, saying in a deep voice, "Shut up! This is the Supreme Pontiff's grace."
Everyone nodded silently, leaving with heavy steps.
After everyone had left, Gui Mei's hoarse voice echoed faintly in the hall, "Your Holiness need not be overly angry. In this subordinate's opinion, neither Nana nor Shrek are likely to be a match for that child." His figure, beneath his black robe, was indistinct, "Since Feng Xiao accepted your reward, Spirit Hall has not suffered too great a loss."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly, her fingertips gently caressing the gem on her scepter, "It was precisely because I anticipated that Nana and the others might lose that I bestowed the title of Honorary Elder upon Feng Xiao in advance." Her eyes were deep, looking out at the deepening twilight outside the hall, "I hope this setback will make them truly understand that there are always higher peaks to conquer."
Yue Guan said softly, "The Maze Grand Canyon, though dangerous, is also an excellent place for self-breakthrough."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly, and thinking of Qian Renxue's attitude towards Feng Xiao, a slight curve unconsciously appeared on her lips. In her eyes, the potential and value Feng Xiao displayed had long surpassed the three Spirit Bones given as prizes.
"The outcome of the competition…" She gently stroked her scepter, her voice carrying a hint of nonchalance, "is merely a game among these children."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged glances, both seeing understanding in each other's eyes. Their Supreme Pontiff always had her sights set on the longer term.
"The true purpose of the Grand Competition," Bibi Dong's fingertips lightly tapped the armrest, "to select talents and probe the relationships between various forces, these goals Spirit Hall has already over-fulfilled." Her eyes shifted, looking at the darkening sky outside the hall, "As for those empty titles…"
She didn't finish, but the two Elders already understood. Spirit Hall had stood on the continent for a thousand years, and what it lacked least was prestige and glory. And geniuses like Feng Xiao were the true gains worth valuing.
"The three great sects all seem unwilling to remain silent." Bibi Dong mused to herself, a meaningful cold smile appearing on her exquisite face.
The scepter struck the ground heavily, emitting a crisp sound, "Do they truly think I don't know their intentions?"
The robes of Yue Guan and Gui Mei billowed without wind. Both Titled Douluo felt the chill emanating from the Supreme Pontiff.
"However…" Bibi Dong suddenly chuckled, a smile that sent shivers down one's spine, "Since they want to play, I'll play along with them."
She turned to look at the deepening twilight outside the hall, her luxurious Supreme Pontiff robe glinting with a cold golden light in the setting sun. This seemingly youthful competition, at its core, involved a reshuffling of the entire continent's power structure.
The night passed uneventfully.
Morning light poured down, bathing the Supreme Pontiff Palace in a dazzling golden glow, solemn and majestic. The atmosphere of the entire plaza was heavy and oppressive, with everyone's eyes focused on the impending final battle.
Bibi Dong sat atop the high platform, her expression indifferent, her scepter lightly held in her hand, an invisible pressure emanating from her. Beside her, Ning Fengzhi, in white robes, had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda suspended quietly in his palm, his gaze thoughtful. Sword Douluo Chen Xin, Bone Douluo Gu Rong, and Spirit Hall's Chrysanthemum Douluo and Gui Mei, both Titled Douluo, were already seated, and the air was filled with a suffocating sense of oppression.
Three Spirit Bones lay quietly on a red brocade plate, emitting a faint glow, as if silently proclaiming the preciousness and cruelty of this battle.
And to the side, the seven members of Spirit Hall Academy, who had been defeated yesterday, stood in silence, their eyes fixed on the arena. Although they were out of the championship, they still wanted to witness the outcome of this duel firsthand—would Shrek go all the way, or would Heaven Dou Royal Academy claim the top spot?
At this moment, sunlight poured down, and battle intent surged. The final battle was about to begin.
The Cardinal referee moved like lightning, instantly appearing at the center of the arena, his scarlet robe flapping in the morning breeze. His gaze, like a torch, swept across the entire venue, and his deep voice, amplified by spirit power, resounded through the sky:
"The Elite Competition of Advanced Soul Master Academies of the Entire Continent Grand Finals, Heaven Dou Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy versus Shrek Advanced Soul Master Academy—both teams prepare! The battle officially begins in fifteen minutes!"
Both teams took their positions, and a murderous aura permeated the air. Yu Xiaogang's gaze was firm as he was the first to raise his right palm. The seven Shrek members immediately understood, and their eight hands stacked one upon another.
"Victory!"
This earth-shattering roar was like a clap of thunder, carrying a do-or-die momentum that shot straight into the sky, even causing the clouds in front of the Supreme Pontiff Palace to tremble.
"Hmph, what arrogance." Dugu Yan folded her arms, her purple eyes filled with disdain.
Feng Xiao, however, gently pressed the strings of his guqin, a graceful smile on his lips, "Student Tang, there's no need to play these little tricks in front of me."
Dai Mubai snorted coldly, a white tiger phantom faintly appearing behind him, and said boldly, "What? Does a dignified Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall not even have that much courage?"
A hint of playfulness flashed in Feng Xiao's eyes, and he suddenly said something astonishing, "How about this…" He stood up gracefully, "I'll have all my teammates step down. If you seven can withstand one move from me, I'll concede, how about it?"
At these words, the entire venue erupted in an uproar. The spectator stands immediately became a hive of activity, and even the Titled Douluo in the VIP section couldn't help but sit up straight.
"Little Feng…" Dugu Yan anxiously tried to dissuade him, but Feng Xiao stopped her with a raised hand. He gave her a reassuring look, a calm smile on his lips.
The Shrek team all looked at Tang San in unison, waiting for their captain's decision. Tang San's Purple Demon Eye flickered slightly, and the memory of Feng Xiao's formless guqin attack from that day surfaced in his mind, causing a bead of cold sweat to unconsciously form on his forehead.
"What?" Feng Xiao's voice carried a hint of mockery, "Are you afraid?"
The atmosphere on the field instantly solidified, and everyone held their breath, waiting for Tang San's response.
Bibi Dong, seated on the high platform in the VIP section, curved her lips slightly, a meaningful smile appearing on her exquisite face. Her slender fingers gently caressed the gem on her scepter, and a glimmer of anticipation flashed in her deep, beautiful eyes.
"Interesting…" she murmured to herself, the gem on her scepter glowing with a hazy light as her thoughts flowed. This seemingly arrogant gamble, in her eyes, became the best touchstone; she also wanted to see Feng Xiao's true strength.
Ning Fengzhi glanced at the Supreme Pontiff's expression, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in his hand unconsciously sped up its rotation. Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged a solemn look, both reading the same concern in each other's eyes.
And on the arena, Feng Xiao's black hair swayed lightly, his posture of holding the guqin elegant and composed, as if his earth-shattering proposal just now was merely casual conversation. This demeanor deepened Bibi Dong's appreciation for him.