Compared to the tension and unease of other battles, the atmosphere in the Heaven Dou Royal Team was one of tranquility.
The rules of the finals were excessively cruel, just the first round alone had eliminated a total of fifteen teams.
Now, only eighteen teams remained in this thrilling, heated battlefield.
For the second round, the top-ranked teams from the two great empires' qualifying tournaments were given a bye, while the remaining sixteen teams would compete for a spot in the top sixteen.
"Our opponent today is the Divine Wind Team."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the team members became a bit strange.
Although they had never fought against the Divine Wind Team before, they had certainly heard of their name, right?
In the Divine Wind Team's resting area, Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and the others wore solemn expressions, looking somewhat dazed.
They had never expected that, in just the second round of the top sixteen, they would already have to face the strongest seed team, the Heaven Dou Royal Team!
"This..."
Feng Xiaotian spread his hands, feeling a bit helpless. He had no idea what to do.
Forfeiting without a fight was not the style of the Four Elements Academy, especially not in front of such a large audience.
They had their pride, after all.
But if they went on stage, they might end up being utterly humiliated!
"Xiaotian, with us helping, we shouldn't lose too badly," Huo Wushuang patted Feng Xiaotian on the shoulder and said bluntly.
No one disagreed with his words, after all, they were bound to lose anyway…
Huo Wu suddenly seemed to think of something, her eyes lighting up. She said, "You guys hold them off for a while. I'll release a high-risk soul skill, and maybe we can turn things around…"
The most dangerous aspect of her soul skill was that it could match an attack from a Soul King. But in the Heaven Dou Royal Team, there were actual Soul Kings!
Not only that, but their Soul King-level experts might not just be one or two.
"Alright!"
"I will give it my all to buy you some time!"
Feng Xiaotian had the expression of a martyr, ready to sacrifice himself. Huo Wu slightly parted her lips, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
She knew exactly what Feng Xiaotian thought of her.
Shaking her head, she decided now was not the time to think about that.
They were about to face the most terrifying young generation in a hundred, no, in a thousand years.
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team versus Divine Wind Academy!"
"Both teams, please enter the stage!"
As the announcer's voice rang out, the entire Great Spirit Arena erupted into a frenzy.
Countless eyes from outside the arena also turned toward this battle in Spirit City's Great Spirit Arena.
These top-tier experts also wanted to witness firsthand just how strong the Heaven Dou Royal Team was.
Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and the others all walked toward the stage with solemn expressions.
Meanwhile, Xiao Feilian, Du Siji, and the others looked completely relaxed.
Du Siji even had his hands behind his head, looking utterly at ease, as if this was just an ordinary match.
"Sigh, what a pity we didn't draw a better matchup, we won't be able to shine right away."
"Zhiqing, you guys should take it easy so you don't scare them off!"
"Don't worry, this match's opponents aren't weak. We'll definitely take it easy."
The first match was drawn by Zhiqing and another disciple of the Body Sect, named Li Qing.
Like Zhiqing, his name also contained 'Qing,' but they had different surnames.
After stepping onto the stage, the Heaven Dou Royal Team's positioning left the spectators confused.
They all stood at the very edge of the platform, as if the match had nothing to do with them.
Only Zhiqing stood in the control-type soul master's position, while Li Qing stood alone at the very front.
"???"
Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, and the others exchanged glances, puzzled.
What was going on?
For a moment, they had no idea what to make of the situation.
"Everyone, this match will be handled by the two of us. If you can defeat us, then the victory will be yours!"
Zhiqing spoke calmly, with no trace of mockery in his expression.
Feng Xiaotian and his teammates exchanged glances again.
They were being underestimated!
But… wasn't this also an opportunity?
"Are you serious?" Feng Xiaotian asked in disbelief.
"My Body Sect is united in mind and action. What we say and do is never false."
As if to confirm Zhiqing's words, Xiao Feilian immediately led Du Siji and the others off the stage, returning to the resting area.
The spectators: "…"
As expected of the Body Sect!
"Alright, thank you all for giving us this opportunity, we will make the most of it!"
Feng Xiaotian was overjoyed!
The audience, however, felt a little disappointed, especially the Golden Generation.
What they wanted to see was the full strength of the Heaven Dou Royal Team, but now only two members' abilities would be revealed.
"This Feng Xiaotian is celebrating too soon."
"For the Heaven Dou Royal Team to dare to fight two against seven, against an entire team of Soul Ancestors, shows just how confident they are!"
If Hu Liena and Xie Yue didn't have their martial soul fusion technique, even they wouldn't dare to face an entire team of Soul Ancestors, especially not a strong team like this.
"Perhaps Her Holiness the Pope was right, we really have no chance at all."
"Let's watch and see."
On the stage—
"Feng Xiaotian, captain of the Divine Wind Team! Martial Soul: Gale Twin-Headed Wolf! Level 45 Assault System Soul Ancestor!"
"Martial Soul Possession!"
As Feng Xiaotian completed his martial soul possession, he made a courteous gesture.
"Please instruct us!"
Since their opponents had given them a chance to perform, and even a chance to advance, it was indeed a bit humiliating, but it was still better than being beaten into the ground outright.
If they won, the task of mocking the Heaven Dou Royal Team could be left to others.
Only by winning would they have the right to speak. If they lost, they'd have nothing.
"Huo Wushuang, member of the Divine Wind Team! Martial Soul: One Horned Fire Dragon! Level 43 Assault System Soul Ancestor! Please instruct us!"
"Huo Wu…"
"Huo He…"
"Feng Ying…"
The presence of members from Blazing Academy in the Divine Wind Team didn't surprise anyone, this had happened in past tournaments as well.
But weaklings remained weaklings. No matter how they banded together, they were still weaklings.
"Li Qing, member of the Heaven Dou Royal Team! Martial Soul: Twin Hands! Level 53 Assault System Soul King!"
"Please instruct us!"
Since the opponents had introduced themselves, it was only polite to do the same.
A bronze glow flickered over Li Qing's hands as five soul rings, yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, rose from beneath his feet.
The spectators: "…"
As expected of a Body Sect disciple, just a Soul King, yet he actually possessed two ten-thousand-year soul rings!
That was truly terrifying!
"With my twin hands, I will shatter your dreams!"
The Golden Generation fell silent as well.
Did every single member of the Heaven Dou Royal Team have such power?
A Soul King, one who possessed two ten-thousand-year soul rings!
Was that some kind of common commodity?
"Zhiqing, member of the Heaven Dou Royal Team! Martial Soul: Brain! Level 56 Control System Soul King! Please instruct us!"
Zhiqing's martial soul was his brain, and his brilliance shone from the windows of his soul, his eyes.
Of course, his eyes weren't his martial soul.
Two yellow, one purple, and two black soul rings swiftly rose beneath his feet.