Chapter 52: One vs. Seven — Crushing the Trash
At the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Second Team area, six members stood side by side in perfect formation.
Behind them, Gui Mei stood silently, his presence alone like a shadow that could swallow light.
"Brothers—activate your Martial Souls!"
Dai Mubai roared, erupting with power. In an instant, the Evil Eye White Tiger manifested: muscles bulging, eyes turning golden, and four soul rings—two yellow and two purple—rose majestically around him.
At the same moment, Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and the rest of the Shrek team released their own Martial Souls and soul rings.
The six members of the Heaven Dou Second Team did the same, their Martial Souls and rings emerging—each with the optimal configuration of two yellow and one purple.
Then—
A wave of exclamations swept through the audience.
All eyes were drawn to Tang San.
From the center of his right palm, an enormous Blue Silver Grass unfurled like a living serpent. The tendrils shimmered with an eerie, obsidian glow—dangerous, cold, and mesmerizing.
But what truly stunned the crowd were the soul rings orbiting his body: yellow, yellow, purple, purple… black.
Five soul rings!
Everyone knew what that black ring represented.
A ten-thousand-year soul ring!
In that instant, the black soul ring's oppressive aura completely eclipsed the brilliance of all others on the stage.
The spectators weren't the only ones stunned— even the other competing Soul Masters watching from the stands gasped aloud.
"Blue Silver Grass Soul Master… a Five-Ring Soul King?!"
The tournament had gathered countless prodigies this year—the top-tier Beast Martial Soul users: Shui Bing'er with her Ice Phoenix, Yu Tianxin with his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Huo Wushuang with his One-Horned Fire Dragon, and Feng Xiaotian, the Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf wielder born with full innate soul power.
Each of them was a peerless talent capable of leading their team into the top five.
Yet when they saw Tang San's Martial Soul and soul rings… every one of them felt their hearts tremble.
Blue Silver Grass—known across the continent as a useless Martial Soul, weak and powerless.
But in Tang San's hands, it had evolved—becoming the Dark Blue Silver Grass.
And even more shocking—he had cultivated it to the level of a Five-Ring Soul King!
Even the nobles seated in the VIP stands could not remain calm.
"That young Soul Master from Shrek Academy… he's a Five-Ring Soul King?!"
The Emperor of Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Ye, widened his eyes in disbelief.
Beside him, Platinum Bishop Salas straightened abruptly, his gaze locking tightly onto Tang San. His expression was filled with shock and disbelief.
"A Five-Ring Soul King?! How could such a powerful student exist in the Heaven Dou region?!"
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly.
"Your Majesty, that Blue Silver Grass Soul Master is named Tang San. His Martial Soul evolved from an ordinary Blue Silver Grass. He's only fourteen this year—and he's the disciple of the Grandmaster."
"What?!" Salas interjected sharply. "Fourteen?! Did you just say… the Grandmaster? Don't tell me you mean—"
"Indeed," Ning Fengzhi replied with a knowing smile. "That Grandmaster."
"No wonder!" Salas's face instantly darkened.
The Emperor Xue Ye looked puzzled. "Sect Master Ning, who exactly is this Grandmaster you're talking about?"
Ning Fengzhi leaned closer and whispered a few words in Emperor Xue Ye's ear.
As soon as Emperor Xue Ye heard, his eyes lit up in realization.
"So it's him! I've long heard of the Grandmaster's reputation. For that young Soul Master to possess such astonishing power—it must be because of his guidance."
"Exactly," Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Those who gain the Grandmaster's teachings will surely rise above all others. He is a rare genius—both in wisdom and theory."
"Haha, then you must introduce him to me sometime," the Emperor Xue Ye said eagerly.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Only then did Emperor Xue Ye truly understand.
"So, Sect Master Ning, the team you're supporting… It's Shrek Academy, isn't it?"
"Your Majesty guessed correctly," Ning Fengzhi said with a faint smile. "To be honest, my daughter is also part of that team."
"Oh? Excellent! This year's Soul Master Tournament truly gathers the brightest talents of our Heaven Dou Empire! With such strength, victory might well be within our grasp! Hahaha!"
The Emperor Xue Ye's delighted laughter echoed through the VIP box.
But while Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi exchanged words with visible satisfaction, Platinum Bishop Salas's expression darkened further.
A single Five-Ring Soul King wasn't enough to threaten the mighty Spirit Hall Academy team.
However, this Blue Silver Grass Soul Master held terrifying potential.
If Spirit Hall couldn't claim him… then he must be eliminated.
In the arena, Tang San stood calmly amid the storm of attention, his composure unshaken.
From her seat above, Qian Renxue's crimson lips curved into a faint, intrigued smile.
"I didn't expect the Heaven Dou Empire to produce such an exceptional young Soul Master," she mused softly. "And judging by his connection to Ning Fengzhi… perhaps he could even be drawn to my side."
At that moment, nearly every gaze in the coliseum was fixed on Tang San.
His Dark Blue Silver Grass radiated a sinister energy, the black ten-thousand-year soul ring pulsing like a living shadow. His aura surged violently, filling the arena with oppressive power.
Beside him, Dai Mubai's Evil Eye White Tiger roared to life, four soul rings—two yellow, two purple—flaring with blinding brilliance.
The remaining five members of Shrek Academy each possessed the ideal configuration of two yellow and one purple ring, forming a formidable formation.
The six members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Second Team paled instantly, their faces stiff with terror.
"Hmph! Weren't you all acting so arrogant just a moment ago?" Jing Ling sneered mockingly. "Why so quiet now? Keep barking!"
The six opponents dared not utter a word in response.
Just then, a cold voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"Step back."
The six turned sharply toward the source—Gui Mei, who stood behind them like a shadow come to life.
He was the only one among the fourteen fighters yet to reveal his soul rings.
In fact, no one even knew if he had released his Martial Soul—because his Martial Soul was his body itself.
The six Heaven Dou team members obediently retreated behind him.
Facing the seven Shrek members, Gui Mei took a single step forward—
And in that instant, it became clear: he intended to fight alone.
The audience erupted into thunderous cheers.
Only now did they recall that this strange, black-clad youth was said to possess a Body Martial Soul.
Gui Mei walked forward, each step echoing with cold finality.
His jet-black hair fluttered wildly, though there was no wind. His eyes were deep, chilling, and unreadable—eyes that seemed to pierce directly into one's soul.
As he advanced, an invisible wave of icy pressure burst from his body, sweeping across the entire arena.
Even the Shrek team couldn't help but shiver.
Tang San's heart tightened—his instincts screamed danger.
'Impossible! I'm a Five-Ring Soul King who's earned the title of Death God! How could I… feel fear?!'
'No… I can't lose momentum before the fight even begins!'
He forced his breathing to steady, narrowing his eyes at Gui Mei with a cold, defiant glare.
Gui Mei tilted his chin slightly, his expression full of disdain. In his eyes, the seven Shrek members were nothing but insects—unworthy even of his attention.
The spectators, the competing academies, even those in the VIP section—Emperor Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, Salas, and Qian Renxue—all stared in astonishment.
They had thought Tang San's five rings made him unrivaled among the younger generation.
Yet now, this mysterious, black-clad youth's presence alone had completely crushed Tang San's momentum—without even releasing his Martial Soul.
Qian Renxue frowned slightly, curiosity flickering in her golden eyes.
"Who exactly is that black-robed boy? How can his aura be this overwhelming? Interesting… truly interesting."
Down below, the host raised his voice nervously:
"Participant 'Wuming,' please release your Martial Soul and soul rings. The match is about to begin!"
Gui Mei smiled faintly, his tone calm yet filled with arrogance.
"There's no need. To deal with this kind of trash, my soul rings won't be necessary."
"The battle begins."
—
End of Chapter