"The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament has hereby concluded. The champion team of this year is—Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy!"
Huang Jinxu's voice rang out far and wide.
When Shrek Academy could not even field three participants for the final 2-2-3 format, the match was already over.
The miracle the countless spectators had hoped for never appeared on the stage. Though reluctant to admit it, applause still rose to celebrate the birth of the new champion.
"Brother Dai, what do you think of those soul tools from the Sun Moon Empire?" On the city wall, Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei clapped twice, his expression grave as he turned to the White Tiger Duke beside him.
"Your Majesty, I am not surprised." The White Tiger Duke pondered for a moment. "In recent years on the border, I have personally felt the soul tools in the Sun Moon Empire's army growing ever more advanced."
"Although we are also researching soul tools, the speed of the Sun Moon Empire's development far surpasses ours. The gap between them will likely only widen."
Having witnessed soul tools on the battlefield, the White Tiger Duke's attitude toward them was far less resistant than that of other soul masters.
"Alas." Xu Jiawei nodded lightly and sighed. "We are aware of these matters, which is why we have no choice but to find ways to befriend Shrek Academy. Only I fear…"
Halfway through his words, a guard suddenly approached.
"Your Majesty."
"What is it?" Xu Jiawei turned his head.
"There has been some progress regarding the matter from a few days ago…"
Few paid attention to what was happening atop the city wall. With the tournament over and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy crowned champion, spectators were already trickling out of the arena.
Inside the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's rest area, everyone stood up. Listening to the referee's announcement from the stage, they still felt a trace of unreality.
"We… won?"
Even Ma Rulong's Grandfather was momentarily beside himself. It took him a long while to calm the excitement in his heart.
When he turned back, however, he noticed that Lin Xiao did not share his exhilaration. Instead, Lin Xiao was gazing toward Shrek Academy.
In Shrek Academy's rest area, Huo Yuhao sat with both hands pressed against Ma Xiaotao's back, helping her suppress the evil fire. The recent match had clearly taken a toll on her.
Their lead teacher, Wang Yan, had already stood and was walking toward them, with Xuan Zi following unhurriedly behind.
Seeing this, Ma Rulong's Grandfather frowned and stepped in front of his students.
"What do you want?"
"The competition is over. May we ask your academy's students to remove the poison from our disciples?" Wang Yan's tone carried undeniable dejection, yet remained polite.
Ma Rulong's Grandfather glanced at Xuan Zi behind Wang Yan, sensing the faint pressure emanating from him, and nodded.
Though they had defeated Shrek Academy this time, everyone had seen the strength of those reserve members. Deep down, he did not wish for those students to leave just like that.
Yet Xuan Zi's presence made everything clear. If they did not remove the poison from Shrek's students, the people from Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy would not be leaving easily.
Watching Meng Hongchen remove the poison from each of Shrek's members, Lin Xiao's gaze swept over Huo Yuhao once more.
Perhaps because defeat was certain, he and Wang Dong had not used all of their martial soul fusion skills. It was clear they were preparing for five years later.
By then, however, few would probably care about the outcome of that match.
"Apologies for the intrusion. His Majesty invites everyone to the palace to receive the prizes for this Soul Dueling Tournament."
Less than half an hour later, a squad of soldiers parted the crowd and arrived at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's rest area.
Ma Rulong glanced at Lin Xiao. "Senior, are you really not coming with us?"
Lin Xiao shook his head. "These prizes belong to you. Go."
On the other side, Shrek's poisoned members gradually regained consciousness. Xuan Zi cast a cold glance toward Lin Xiao and the others, said nothing more, and led his group away from the arena.
"Elder Xuan, we…" As soon as they left Star Luo City, Bei Bei spoke in a low, dejected voice.
"Enough, children. You have already done remarkably well." A faint smile suddenly appeared on Xuan Zi's face. "With only three official members, you reached the runner-up position—far beyond anyone's expectations."
"If a bunch of little dolls not yet fifteen had truly won the championship, that would have been impossible." Xuan Zi sighed softly. "Do not carry any burden because of this."
"This matter began because of me. I failed to protect you while you were carrying out your monitoring mission. It has nothing to do with any of you. You have already given your all."
"Very well. Regardless of the result, now we go home." With those words, Xuan Zi wrapped everyone in soul power and soared into the sky, flying rapidly toward Shrek Academy.
Xuan Zi's words left the group silent. Yet not long after they departed, just as they neared the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire, a ferocious gale suddenly swept toward them.
"Not good!"
Xuan Zi's expression changed mid-flight. He could tell this was no natural wind; it clearly contained fluctuations of soul power.
"Elder Xuan, what's wrong?"
The others' cultivations were too far below his to notice anything, but Xuan Zi was already descending toward the ground with everyone.
None of them had reached the seven-ring level. If something happened, being in the air would be the greatest danger.
Before he could fully land, however, five overwhelmingly powerful auras slowly emerged from the surroundings.
Xuan Zi scanned the area. Five figures clad in black cloaks had completely encircled them, their bodies hidden, their faces unseen.
What shocked him even more was that all five possessed cultivations above rank 90, and two among them were Super Douluos with soul power exceeding rank 95.
"Who are you people!"
Xuan Zi roared, his gaze locked on one of the figures. He even felt that person's cultivation was no less than his own, yet he could not think of any force on the Douluo Continent capable of dispatching so many Titled Douluos at once.
None of them answered. A single word—"Attack"—emerged from beneath a cloak, and all five figures charged at Xuan Zi simultaneously.
"MOO—"
A deafening roar burst from Xuan Zi's mouth, like the bellow of an ox yet laced with a hint of a dragon's chant.
His back suddenly arched. The oil-stained clothes on his body tore apart in an instant. The muscles on his back swelled at a terrifying speed, doubling his size in the blink of an eye. Two spiral horns sprouted from either side of his head.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are 40 early chapters available on Patreon
[email protected]/facficmax10--------(@→a)