Chapter 128: Claiming the Championship
Boom—
In the end, under Su Mo's relentless assault, Xie Yue couldn't withstand the attack and was fiercely blasted out of the ring.
His figure flew off in a sorry state, landing heavily outside the platform.
"Xie Yue!"
"Brother!"
Yan and Hu Liena, who had already been eliminated earlier, rushed to catch Xie Yue. Their faces were dark with frustration and disappointment.
Buzz—
After completely defeating the Golden Generation, Su Mo and Ning Rongrong could no longer sustain their martial soul fusion state and quickly withdrew from it.
Crack— Crack—
Upon exiting the fusion, Su Mo promptly retracted the Eight Spider Lances on his back.
Only then did he and Ning Rongrong turn their attention to the ongoing battle between Yu Tianheng and the others.
At this point, the Spirit Hall team had only four members remaining, which had now dwindled to just two.
When these two realized that Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena had already been eliminated by Su Mo, their morale plummeted completely. Without the will to fight, they were swiftly defeated by Yu Tianheng and his team.
"We won..."
"We really won..."
"We've become champions..."
Yu Tianheng and the others, after defeating their opponents, turned to see that Su Mo and Ning Rongrong had already taken down the Golden Generation. They were shocked.
They couldn't believe it. The Heaven Dou Royal Team had actually secured the final victory.
This year's Spirit Master Tournament champion was truly their Heaven Dou Royal Team.
"We won..."
"The Spirit Hall team, which was so powerful, actually lost to Heaven Dou..."
"This is unbelievable..."
"It's absolutely shocking..."
"And Su Mo and Ning Rongrong look so young! They're definitely still eligible to compete in the next Spirit Master Tournament. If they're already this strong now, who could possibly be their opponent next time?"
The audience was in disbelief after witnessing the Heaven Dou Royal Team's victory.
Although they had started to suspect this outcome when Su Mo was seen overwhelming the Golden Generation, actually seeing it unfold left them astounded.
The disparity in combat strength between the two teams was enormous.
The Heaven Dou Royal Team didn't even have all members at the Spirit Ancestor level, and Ye Lingling was still a Spirit Elder.
Yet this lineup had defeated the Spirit Hall team, which boasted three Spirit Kings.
It was inconceivable by any measure.
Had they not seen it with their own eyes, they would have thought anyone who told them this story was lying.
"But this is good news!"
"Finally, the Spirit Hall team didn't take the championship for the third time in a row!"
"Yeah, Heaven Dou reclaimed the title this time. And if Su Mo and Ning Rongrong compete again next time, the championship will surely be ours again!"
"As long as Spirit Hall doesn't win, I'm happy!"
After the initial shock, the crowd readily accepted and celebrated the result, reveling in Spirit Hall's loss.
The only unhappy group was, of course, Spirit Hall.
Even Yu Xiaogang, who was not particularly fond of Su Mo, couldn't help but feel pleased about the outcome.
Firstly, it meant Spirit Hall had suffered a setback, which he delighted in. Ever since being abandoned by Pope Bibi Dong, Yu Xiaogang harbored resentment toward Spirit Hall, so their defeat was gratifying.
Secondly, his nephew Yu Tianheng was part of the Heaven Dou Royal Team and its captain. The team's victory would bring great recognition to Yu Tianheng.
"I hereby announce that the champion of this year's Spirit Master Tournament is the Heaven Dou Royal Team!"
"Congratulations to the Heaven Dou Royal Team for achieving this great honor!"
The Spirit Hall announcer, despite the bitterness of seeing their team lose, had no choice but to declare the Heaven Dou Royal Team as the winners.
Soon after, Pope Bibi Dong herself stepped forward, her mood visibly unpleasant.
"Congratulations on your victory in this Spirit Master Tournament!"
"Having outstanding young talents like you is a blessing for the Douluo Continent!"
"Here are the rewards prepared by Spirit Hall for the championship team. They will be given to you now!"
Although her mood was sour, Pope Bibi Dong still managed to maintain a smile as she congratulated Su Mo and his team. With a wave of her scepter, she retrieved three soul bones from her spatial soul tool and presented them before Su Mo and the others.
"They're really soul bones!"
"They look incredible!"
"..."
The sight of the three soul bones left Yu Tianheng and his team ecstatic. For the time being, Yu Tianheng, as the captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Team, held onto the soul bones.
"They actually gave out soul bones—three of them!"
"The Spirit Hall is truly wealthy and bold!"
"..."
The other teams were equally stunned to see Pope Bibi Dong actually handing over three precious soul bones. They were awestruck by the Spirit Hall's audacity and magnanimity.
With this, the Spirit Master Tournament officially came to an end.
As the teams left the Spirit Hall, they prepared to return home. The event was over, and everyone was heading back to their respective places.
"Su Mo, these three soul bones—one for you, one for Rongrong, and the remaining one for Yanzi."
"If it weren't for you two, we wouldn't have won the championship, so there's no need to hold back."
Back at the hotel, Yu Tianheng took out the three soul bones and allowed Su Mo and Ning Rongrong to select their shares first.
Hearing Yu Tianheng's words, the others, including Shi Mo, had no objections.
They all understood that the championship victory was entirely thanks to Su Mo and Ning Rongrong. Winning the championship itself was already a huge honor for them; they didn't dare ask for the soul bones.
Yu Tianheng's decision to allocate one soul bone to Dugu Yan was based on what Su Mo had mentioned earlier. Dugu Yan's eyes were afflicted by the poison of her own martial soul, the Jade Phosphor Serpent. The only way to resolve this condition was by absorbing a soul bone and transferring the poison into it.
Su Mo, aware of Dugu Yan's condition, naturally didn't stand by idly as her teammate. Sharing the solution was the least he could do.
"Alright, then Rongrong and I won't hold back!"
"We'll take the head and right arm soul bones. The left leg soul bone will go to Dugu Yan."
Su Mo made his decision without hesitation. He chose the fifty-thousand-year head soul bone and the fire-attributed right arm soul bone for himself and Ning Rongrong. He avoided giving the head soul bone to Dugu Yan as it was better suited for their team, and the fire-attributed arm soul bone wasn't ideal for storing the Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison. Thus, the left leg soul bone was allocated to Dugu Yan.
With the soul bones distributed, Dugu Yan couldn't wait to return and begin absorbing hers.
The Jade Phosphor Serpent poison had plagued her for a long time. Now that she had a way to resolve it, she naturally wanted to deal with it immediately.
"Teacher, I'm sorry for disappointing you!"
In the Pope's Hall, Hu Liena knelt on one knee before Pope Bibi Dong, feeling deeply ashamed and guilty. Behind her, Xie Yue and Yan also knelt in silence.
"Hmph!"
"Your performance was indeed disappointing!"
"Those three soul bones were specially chosen by me for you, and now they've all gone to someone else!"
Bibi Dong's anger flared as she looked down at Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan. She didn't hold back her reprimands.
The three soul bones had been meticulously selected by her.
The head soul bone was meant for Hu Liena, the fire-attributed right arm soul bone was suited for Yan, and the left leg soul bone matched Xie Yue. Each had been chosen with care.
And now, they were all handed over to others.
"Starting tomorrow, the three of you will head to Death Canyon for training. You'll remain there for two years before returning!"
With that, Bibi Dong announced the punishment for Hu Liena and her team.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Xie Yue and Yan immediately accepted the punishment.
However, Hu Liena didn't respond. Instead, she looked up at Bibi Dong with determination and said, "Teacher, I want to go to the Slaughter City. I wish to train there!"
The failure in the Spirit Master Tournament left Hu Liena deeply unwilling to accept defeat.
She desperately wanted to grow stronger.
To achieve that quickly, Hu Liena thought of the Slaughter City—a place her teacher, Bibi Dong, had once trained in. Though it was perilous, surviving it promised immense growth.
"What?"
"You want to go to the Slaughter City?"
"No, it's too dangerous!"
Bibi Dong was first taken aback by Hu Liena's request, then firmly rejected it.
Despite her disappointment in Hu Liena's performance during the tournament, she still cared deeply for her student and didn't want her to risk her life in such a perilous place.
Having been to the Slaughter City herself, Bibi Dong understood better than anyone the extreme dangers of that place.
"Teacher, only by going to the Slaughter City can I grow stronger faster!"
Hu Liena's gaze was stubborn as she looked at Bibi Dong, her voice filled with determination.
"You..."
Seeing Hu Liena's expression, Bibi Dong immediately realized that she had made up her mind.
"Fine. If you're so determined, then you can go!"
"But promise me, you must come back!"
After a brief silence, Bibi Dong eventually agreed to Hu Liena's request.
Part of her decision was not to dampen Hu Liena's resolve, and another part was her confidence in the influence she still held in the Slaughter City.
With her identity as the Pope of the Spirit Hall and her title as the God of Slaughter, she could provide some degree of protection for Hu Liena in that dangerous place.
Beyond that, it would depend on whether Hu Liena could make it out on her own.
"Yes, Teacher! I promise I won't disappoint you again!"
Hu Liena's voice was firm, her resolve unwavering.
"Alright."
"I'll personally escort you to the Slaughter City after some time," Bibi Dong said, nodding with a headache brewing.
Before sending Hu Liena there, she would undoubtedly prepare thoroughly. She planned to increase Hu Liena's strength further to ensure her survival in such a perilous environment.
For instance, she considered finding another soul bone that suited Hu Liena.
After all, Bibi Dong genuinely cared for Hu Liena, treating her like a daughter.
In the original story, Bibi Dong even secretly visited Hu Liena multiple times, demonstrating her concern for her.
Her care for Hu Liena was incomparable to how she treated Qian Renxue.
The next day, the sixteen teams from the Heaven Dou Empire that participated in the tournament set off to return home under the escort of Heaven Dou soldiers.
On the return journey, Su Mo and Ning Rongrong didn't stay with their team but instead traveled alongside Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo.
"Su Mo, after returning, do you plan to stay at Heaven Dou Royal Academy or apply for graduation directly?"
"Given your and Rongrong's current age, there's no rush to graduate. That way, you'll still be eligible for the next Spirit Master Tournament!"
On the way, Ning Fengzhi inquired about Su Mo's future plans.
With Su Mo's current strength, he was more than qualified to graduate.
"Yes, Brother Su Mo, I think you and little junior sister don't need to rush to graduate!"
"The Heaven Dou Empire will still rely on you in the next Spirit Master Tournament!"
Before Su Mo could respond, Qian Renxue spoke up, seizing the opportunity.
As the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, she naturally wanted to retain Su Mo and Ning Rongrong to strengthen the empire's chances in the next tournament.
Though, in reality, as the heir to Spirit Hall, she disliked seeing anyone other than Spirit Hall win the championship.
"Alright, Rongrong and I won't graduate for now!"
"But we won't visit Heaven Dou Royal Academy often anymore."
"Staying at the academy no longer benefits my training."
Su Mo agreed after hearing Ning Fengzhi and Qian Renxue's suggestions.
He had no idea what the circumstances would be in five years.
With Xiao Wu absent from this tournament, Tang San's identity hadn't been exposed, meaning he would still be eligible for the next tournament.
Su Mo didn't know if Yu Xiaogang would continue to lead Tang San's team. If he did, Su Mo was more than willing to participate again to crush Yu Xiaogang's hopes, fulfilling his promise to Bibi Dong.
As for Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he had no intention of returning.
"Haha, that's perfectly fine!"
"Brother Su Mo, you and junior sister Rongrong don't need to attend the academy at all. Just participate in the next Spirit Master Tournament!"
Qian Renxue laughed heartily at Su Mo's response.
"Uncle Ning, these are the soul bones we received as rewards from the tournament. Rongrong and I each kept one."
"I plan to keep the head soul bone for myself, but I hope you can exchange the right arm soul bone for one suitable for Rongrong to absorb."
"This fire-attributed right arm soul bone isn't suitable for either of us."
Su Mo took out the two soul bones and explained to Ning Fengzhi.
He had considered giving the head soul bone to Ning Rongrong but ultimately decided it was better for him to absorb it.
With the uncertain future and potential changes in the situation, rapidly improving his strength was a necessity.
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