Chapter 134: Shocking the Arena, Six-Ring Soul Emperor
After their battle with Shrek, the other academies gained a better understanding of Nine Stars Academy's strength. Many teams, including Tianshui Academy, one of the Five Elemental Academies, and the powerful Botany Academy, which hadn't even qualified from the Heaven Dou division, chose to forfeit their matches against Nine Stars Academy.
The reason for this shared decision was simple: Cang Mo.
In his fight with Tang San, Cang Mo's flames displayed a terrifying potency. Shui Bing'er, the captain of Tianshui Academy with her top-tier Ice Phoenix beast spirit, and Yao Zi from Botany Academy, who possessed fire resistance, both felt the intense threat of those flames.
Even if their soul power were on par with Cang Mo's—let alone the fact that Cang Mo's soul power was nearly ten levels higher—they were certain that they couldn't withstand his flames.
In light of such overwhelming power, choosing to surrender and preserve strength was nothing shameful. The real foolishness would have been going up to face him, knowing defeat was inevitable.
With this, Nine Stars Academy advanced through the promotion tournament effortlessly, achieving an impressive twelve consecutive wins and sharing the top rank with Godwind Academy. Thunder Academy trailed in third place with eleven wins and one loss, having been defeated by Godwind Academy but not yet facing Nine Stars. Tianshui Academy held fourth place with nine wins and three losses, having lost to Nine Stars, Thunder, and Godwind. With relatively easy final opponents, it was clear that Tianshui Academy's final record would likely be eleven wins and three losses.
As for Shrek, all their main players were injured in their match against Nine Stars Academy, forcing them to forfeit their next three matches. Currently, they held a record of seven wins and five losses. If not for Elephant Armor Academy's disqualification, they would have already fallen out of the top tier.
Today, Nine Stars Academy's opponent was Godwind Academy, their co-leader in the standings.
This arrangement slightly surprised Xiao Yu. He had expected the highly anticipated showdown between Nine Stars and Godwind to be saved for the final round. Instead, it turned out that their last opponent would be Thunder Academy.
But this was only a passing thought for Xiao Yu. In his eyes, neither Godwind Academy nor Thunder Academy posed a real threat to Nine Stars' progress.
From Godwind Academy, Feng Xiaotian strode out of the waiting area with a determined gaze fixed on Xiao Yu, who stood at the forefront of Nine Stars Academy's lineup.
Xiao Yu stepped forward at a steady pace, meeting Feng Xiaotian's gaze with a sharp look of his own. Sparks seemed to fly as their eyes locked, and they both walked onto the stage from opposite directions, reaching the arena almost simultaneously.
Once they took their positions, Feng Xiaotian took a deep breath and spoke to Xiao Yu, "Xiao Yu, before the match begins, I want to thank you. If it weren't for your guidance back then, I'd still be obsessively focused on developing my self-created soul skill. There's no way I could've broken through to Soul King before turning twenty-five!"
Xiao Yu smiled slightly. "No need for thanks. I only gave you a few pointers. The real credit goes to you for being willing to listen and reflect, unlike some people who, after losing, just blame others instead of considering their own shortcomings."
(Tang San: Achoo!)
Feng Xiaotian continued, "Though I'm grateful to you, don't think you can have it easy when it comes to winning people over romantically. Today, show me all you've got and prove that you're worthy of protecting Huo Wu!"
"I will!"
Xiao Yu nodded, not particularly disliking Feng Xiaotian. Though he had a bit of a devoted streak, his heart wasn't malicious. He openly pursued Huo Wu, unlike certain nobles who relied on shady tactics.
In the original story, Feng Xiaotian was influential enough in Godwind Academy to approve Blazing Fire Academy's merger. This showed that his position in Godwind Academy was likely on par with Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang's standing in Blazing Fire Academy.
Blazing Fire and Godwind Academies were deeply allied, genuinely supporting each other. If Feng Xiaotian had chosen to leverage his family's influence, Blazing Fire Academy wouldn't have refused his pursuit of Huo Wu. However, he refrained from such actions, preferring to win her heart through his own efforts. If he was a "loyal puppy," then he was at least a sincere one.
"Both sides, prepare."
At that moment, the referee slowly raised his right hand.
Xiao Yu cleared his thoughts and turned to walk towards the edge of the stage, while Feng Xiaotian moved in the opposite direction.
Each took a corner of the stage. Feng Xiaotian let out a sharp howl as his soul power surged, summoning a green, two-headed wolf behind him. Five soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—rose one by one from his feet, and his soul power, as heavy as a mountain, radiated outward.
On the screen behind him, his stats were displayed: Feng Xiaotian, martial soul: Gale Double-Headed Wolf, soul power level 53.
This electronic screen had a soul tool embedded within to detect and display the real-time soul power of the contestant, rather than relying on pre-submitted data. Teams only reported basic information like name and age. If they were required to report strength levels in advance, academies with substantial backgrounds would have stripped their opponents of every advantage long ago.
Although the referee had yet to announce the start of the match, Feng Xiaotian, now in his martial soul possession state, unleashed his soul power, transforming it into a fierce gale that surged directly toward Xiao Yu. A weaker soul master might have been forced to their knees under this pressure.
Xiao Yu, however, was unfazed by the oncoming wind. His expression remained calm as he raised his hands, and a dark shadow materialized behind him.
At that moment, Xiao Yu's soul power erupted, effortlessly pushing back the pressure of Feng Xiaotian's gale.
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.
Six soul rings pulsed at Xiao Yu's feet, far surpassing the optimal configuration.
"How… how is this possible?!"
The entire arena fell silent as everyone's faces reflected shock. Even those on the platform were astounded by the sight.
"No, this is impossible!"
Yu Xiaogang, as if struck by a blow, pointed at Xiao Yu and shouted hoarsely, "Cheating! Nine Stars Academy is cheating! He must have lied about his age!"
Beside him, Tang San wore a dark expression. Unlike Yu Xiaogang, he didn't doubt Xiao Yu's age; all contestants underwent strict bone age tests prior to the tournament—there was no room for deception.
Immortal herbs. It had to be immortal herbs!
Only such miraculous treasures could allow someone to reach such terrifying power at an age under twenty-five.
Inwardly, Tang San's heart screamed with resentment: Immortal herbs, these heaven-defying treasures should belong to me, mine!
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