Chapter 223: Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing Suffer a Crushing Defeat
Blazing Fire Academy—Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang knew their opponents were immensely strong, and they were bound to lose. Still, they held their ground. Even when facing the stronger Tianshui Academy, they had fought to the end.
After offering a formal salute, Blazing Fire Academy formed their standard triangular formation. Huo Wushuang stood at the front, flanked by two agility-type soul masters to form a triangle. Behind them were a power-type soul master guarding the rear, Huo Wu, Huoxing, and Huoyun—a control-type Soul Ancestor and a support-type Soul Ancestor.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Second Team had a similar setup. Gu Chen, Dai Mubai, and Yu Tianheng formed their own triangle. Xiao Wu stood alone, with Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling forming another triangle in the back.
As spirit rings lit up and martial spirits were released, thousands of soul masters watching widened their eyes, many gasping aloud. All eyes turned to the Heaven Dou Second Team.
The number one defense spirit—Bone Dragon. The number one beast spirit—Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. The royal spirit of the Star Luo Empire—Evil-Eyed White Tiger. Then came the Soft Bone Rabbit and Blue Silver Grass. And then, the top support spirit—Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and the top healing spirit—Nine Heart Begonia. Every spirit was elite, shining stars in the soul master world.
Tang San was also the son of Tang Hao, a direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect, and possessed twin spirits—one of them the Clear Sky Hammer, the number one tool spirit on the continent. This lineup was terrifying. It was a gathering of all the top geniuses from the Upper Three Sects.
Blazing Fire Academy was stunned. This wasn't just a battle—it was a slaughter.
Unsurprisingly, after just one minute of spirit activation, Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Second Team overwhelmed Blazing Fire Academy. The latter didn't even last a full minute under their crushing assault.
Even Qian Renxue felt the pressure watching the match. He was already considering strategies—target Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Ye Lingling first, especially the healer and the support. Then take them out one by one.
After the first round, the third began three days later. The crowd remained steady—after all, Spirit City was inhabited mostly by soul masters. Anyone who could afford to live there wouldn't balk at ticket prices. If this had been held in Heaven Dou or Star Luo City, the audience numbers would've surged. Why? Because the third round featured the top ten fighting the three seeded teams: Spirit Hall's team, Star Luo Royal Academy, and Heaven Dou Royal Academy's First Team.
Thanks to subtle manipulation by Spirit Hall, a known but unofficial rule ensured that the top three seeds wouldn't face each other before the final rounds. Even if they drew one another, the bracket would be adjusted.
This round:
Heaven Dou Second Team vs. Star Luo Royal AcademySpirit Hall Team vs. Heaven Dou First TeamTianshui Academy vs. Divine Wind Academy
Heaven Dou Second Team substituted Xiao Wu for Zhu Zhuqing.
As the match between Heaven Dou Second Team and Star Luo Royal Academy began, many questioned the substitution. While Zhu Zhuqing's fusion skill with Dai Mubai—Nether White Tiger—was powerful, why not bench Tang San instead? His Blue Silver Grass and Clear Sky Hammer had yet to contribute much.
Davis looked at Dai Mubai, his purple eyes filled with mockery. "Still worthless, even out here. As a member of the Star Luo royal family, you joined Heaven Dou's academy team? You think clinging to the Upper Three Sects' talents qualifies you to compete with me? Without them, you're still that pitiful loser."
Dai Mubai pointed at Davis. "We're enemies on the battlefield now. If you've got the guts, defeat me first. Who inherits the clan's legacy isn't decided yet."
He glanced at Zhu Zhuqing. Both their eyes filled with fighting spirit. Even without immortal herbs, they had beaten Davis and Zhu Zhuyun once before—they would do it again.
The battle started, and initially, Heaven Dou Second Team dominated. But with support from Xu Jing's control-type spirit and Davis' fourth ring skill—White Tiger Godslaying Strike—they knocked out Yu Tianheng.
Before Tang San could counter with his Purple Demon Eye's mental rebound, Gu Chen blocked Davis with his fourth skill—Black Hole—stealing the spotlight.
Gu Chen suffered mental backlash, and Davis was wounded by a Bone Spear.
Then Davis and Zhu Zhuyun unleashed their own Nether White Tiger to battle Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's version. A blue and a purple tiger clashed savagely in the arena.
Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling—top support and healing—focused entirely on the blue tiger.
The ensuing fight was brutal, with blood flying and bones breaking. Davis and Zhu Zhuyun, through sheer force, shattered Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's fusion three times. They exhausted Ye Lingling's soul power, crushed the tiger again, and won the round.
The blue Nether White Tiger faded. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, battered and bruised, collapsed into pools of blood.
The purple Nether White Tiger was heavily drained and fell under the combined assault of the remaining Heaven Dou Second Team members. In the end, Heaven Dou Second Team won.
Davis and Zhu Zhuyun were also bloodied and battered, but still better off than their unconscious counterparts. They supported each other off the stage.
Before leaving, Davis looked back at the fallen duo, his lips curling into a sneer. "Your end was already decided. No matter how hard you try, it's all meaningless."
After their match, the next round didn't begin immediately. Spirit Hall staff ascended the stage to clean up the blood and body parts left by the two tigers' savage clash.
Half an hour later, the Spirit Hall Team and the weakened Heaven Dou First Team (who had lost Yu Tianheng and Ye Lingling) stepped onto the field.
As Qian Renxue watched Spirit Hall's team take the stage, he froze when he recognized three familiar figures.
"Father... this trial you've given me... is far too difficult."
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