Chapter 148: The Finals Begin, First Match Against Tianshui Academy
According to the schedule, after the Heaven Dou Empire's teams arrived in Spirit City, they were given three days to rest.
After over twenty days of travel and even surviving a large-scale ambush, all the competitors from the Heaven Dou division were physically and mentally exhausted. They intended to make the most of these three days to recover and bring themselves to peak condition.
Three days later, the finals officially began.
In the first round, aside from the originally designated three seed teams, another spot was available due to Elephant Armor Academy's disqualification for rule violations.
After a discussion by the tournament committee, it was decided that the fourth team with a bye would be selected by a lottery, and Shrek Academy ultimately drew this fortunate slot.
During the lottery, Xiao Yu clearly sensed a powerful spiritual fluctuation. After the results were announced, he cast a thoughtful glance towards the distant Pope's Palace, with a faint, almost undetectable smirk.
Bibi Dong really would stop at nothing to bring fame to her old flame.
For the first round, Nine Star Academy was drawn to face Tianshui Academy. In terms of team combat, Tianshui Academy, which possessed a martial soul fusion technique, was undoubtedly one of the top teams, even giving the Heaven Dou Empire's seed team, the Royal Fighting Team, a challenge they might not overcome.
The Royal Fighting Team was weaker than in the original storyline, with only three Spirit Elders: Yu Tianheng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo's twin. While Yu Tianheng and the Shi brothers had slightly higher spirit power than Shui Bing'er and her teammates at Tianshui, they lacked a devastating martial soul fusion technique, making the matchup a fifty-fifty fight.
The Nine Star Academy vs. Tianshui Academy battle was scheduled as the second match, with the first being a showdown between Shenfeng Academy and a team from the Star Luo Empire. Under the leadership of Spirit King Feng Xiaotian, Shenfeng Academy secured a swift and overwhelming victory.
"Second match of the first round of the finals: Nine Star Academy versus Tianshui Academy. Both teams, please step onto the stage!"
At the referee's announcement, the seven members of each team stepped onto the platform. Xiao Yu led his team, followed by Cang Mo, Huo Wu, Xie Wu, Mi Yi Mei, Mei Yi, and Yao.
The two teams lined up opposite each other. Standing directly across from Xiao Yu was Tianshui Academy's captain, Shui Bing'er, who possessed the top-tier beast martial soul, the Ice Phoenix.
Since Tianshui Academy had chosen to forfeit in the previous qualifying match against Nine Star Academy, this was Xiao Yu's first time getting a close look at the girl who, in the original story, had once made Tang San doubt himself.
Shui Bing'er stood around 165 cm tall with a perfectly proportioned figure—not too full, not too slim, with an appealing balance. Her water-blue hair cascaded down her back, framing a fair face with delicate features and a pair of deep, mysterious eyes that seemed like tranquil pools.
"Brother Xiao Yu, please go easy on us later!"
The speaker was Shui Bing'er's half-sister, Shui Yue'er, who stood beside her. Known for her flirtatious nature, Shui Yue'er batted her large blue eyes at Xiao Yu, making no attempt to hide her fondness.
The rest of Tianshui's team kept their eyes down, looking as if they didn't even know Shui Yue'er.
It wasn't that they shunned Shui Yue'er; it was just that her infatuation was out of control. During the qualifiers, she had a crush on Shrek's powerful and handsome captain, Dai Mubai, but now, after meeting the even stronger and more charming Xiao Yu, she seemed to have completely forgotten about Dai Mubai.
Xiao Yu nodded politely at Shui Yue'er, giving her a gentlemanly smile before turning his gaze back to Shui Bing'er, who stood directly before him. "Miss Shui Bing'er, you should know you have no chance of winning this match."
Although Shui Bing'er was competitive, she wasn't blind to reality. Otherwise, she wouldn't have chosen to forfeit against Nine Star Academy in the qualifying rounds.
With a soft smile, Shui Bing'er replied, "Captain Xiao, I admit Tianshui Academy is no match for Nine Star Academy. However, this isn't the qualifying rounds anymore; losing here would mean elimination. No team would want to bow out without a fight. Even if we lose, we'll make sure we have no regrets!"
"In that case, why don't you show me your martial soul fusion technique?"
Xiao Yu extended a single finger toward Shui Bing'er. "Let's settle this match with a single move. Show me your strongest attack, and that way, you won't have any regrets. What do you think, Miss Shui Bing'er?"
Shui Bing'er glanced at Cang Mo, Huo Wu, and the others standing beside Xiao Yu, then nodded without hesitation.
Xiao Yu's proposal was clearly in Tianshui Academy's favor. Cang Mo, standing beside him, possessed Spirit King-level strength, and his abilities greatly countered her ice attribute. Huo Wu, Xie Wu, and Yao were all outstanding Spirit Elders. If they went all out, she and Xue Wu's martial soul fusion technique would require preparation time, making it nearly impossible to execute.
"Begin!"
The referee didn't object to Xiao Yu and Shui Bing'er modifying the victory conditions. In team battles, the method of determining victory is up to the teams themselves; rendering the opposing team unable to fight is merely the standard approach. As long as both teams agreed, they could even use rock-paper-scissors to decide, so the referee waved to signal the start of the match.
"Let's go!"
Xiao Yu nodded toward Shui Bing'er, activating his Netherworld Apostle martial soul. Instantly, six spirit rings appeared around him—one yellow, two purple, and three black—far beyond what most could fathom.
"What the hell!"
The teams from the Heaven Dou Empire had already seen Xiao Yu's overwhelming power, so they weren't too surprised, having long since been astonished.
However, for the Star Luo Empire's teams, it was their first time witnessing Xiao Yu's strength, and they were all struck speechless.
In the resting area, the Star Luo Empire's seed team captain, Davis, was calmly sipping tea and observing the teams on the battle platform. But when he saw Xiao Yu's six rings, his hands began to tremble, causing his teacup to shatter and spill tea all over him.
The eldest prince and first in line to the throne of the Star Luo Empire didn't even notice his slip; ignoring the tea-soaked clothes, he turned to the teacher accompanying the Star Luo Royal Academy team and said, "Immediately, get me all available information on that person. Find out what powers are supporting him and whether he has any ties to the Heaven Dou royal family."
A Spirit Emperor under twenty-five was a prodigious talent. If he had no connection to the Heaven Dou royal family, Davis intended to do everything possible to bring him under the Star Luo Empire's influence.
"Yes!"
Understanding Davis's intention, the teacher respectfully accepted the order and left to carry it out.
(Chapter End)
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