The thick red mist obscured their vision. The massive energy mass made it impossible to see what was happening within the red fog, only the calm commands of Yu Tianheng to his teammates could be heard, followed by continuous muffled groans.
The next second, Dugu Yan was thrown out of the red mist sideways, crashing into the outer railing of the combat stage and falling unconscious.
She had no visible wounds, yet she was already drenched in blood.
"Yan Yan!"
Dugu Bo's expression changed. With a flash of movement, he rushed towards Dugu Yan, who had been thrown out. He extended his hand and, with two fingers pressed against her nostrils, sighed, his expression finally easing slightly.
Fortunately, she had only fainted after a powerful blow, sustaining minor injuries.
Before Tang Sui could analyze Dugu Yan's condition, another heavy collision echoed from within the red mist.
A laughter, both male and female, drifted into everyone's ears. The red mist that obscured their vision finally receded, and the unified entity formed by the martial soul fusion skill "Demonic Charm" reverted back to Xie Yue and Hu Liena.
Yu Tianheng stood stiffly opposite them, less than two meters apart.
After the red mist dissipated, everyone could clearly see Yu Tianheng's dragon-shaped arms trembling incessantly.
The dragon scales that had assimilated with his Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon martial soul were crisscrossed with bone-deep gashes from an extremely sharp weapon. Even the hard dragon scales were shattered into pieces by the weapon.
Seeing this, the Master's pupils constricted. The hand hidden beneath his sleeve instantly clenched into a fist.
Tianheng…
After all, he was his blood relative, his nephew whom he had once doted on and protected. How could the Master not feel heartache?
"For the sake of your family, I'll spare your life."
Xie Yue glanced indifferently at the trembling, numb Yu Tianheng. He lightly swung his moon blade, as if a thread was guiding Yu Tianheng's body, causing his powerful physique to collapse heavily onto the ground.
The dragon scales on his arms were torn by invisible attacks, like a fish being scaled on a chopping board. The hard dragon scales, along with fragments of flesh and blood, splashed into the air.
"Xiao Gang!"
Flander quickly grabbed the Master's wrist, applying slight pressure, signaling him to calm down.
The Master's black pupils reflected the tragic sight of Yu Tianheng falling, his breathing becoming unsteady.
At this moment, only the seven members of the Spirit Hall Academy team remained standing on the competition stage.
Having dealt with the last opponent, Xie Yue slowly raised his moon blade, his gaze shifting directly towards the Shrek Academy team. A hint of disdain curved his lips. He held the moon blade horizontally, making a gesture of extreme cruelty, as if provoking them. Tang San's gaze deepened at the sight.
Witnessing the one-sided, utterly defenseless crushing victory, Tang Sui turned her head to look at Tang San and the Master beside her.
"Brother, Teacher, I won't be participating in tomorrow's match, but for the day after tomorrow, let me switch with Sister Xiao Wu."
Tang San paused, a guess forming in his mind.
Xiao Wu, on the other hand, became agitated. "Why, Sui Sui!"
Tang Sui looked at Xiao Wu calmly. The latter was caught off guard by the sudden depth of Tang Sui's blue eyes, as if she were being seen through. She heard Tang Sui say earnestly:
"Sister Xiao Wu, I won't harm you. Trust me."
Xiao Wu opened her mouth, but eventually compromised.
"Alright, I trust you, Sui Sui."
Tang Sui let out a soft "Mm" and looked at Tang San, her blue eyes calm and deep. "Brother, you can give me the things later. You can also make arrangements for the tactics. I'll adjust my condition as quickly as possible."
"Wait, Sui Sui, Flander won't draw the opponent's lot for the next match until tomorrow. Are you planning to go into seclusion?" The Master suddenly caught on.
Tang Sui did not deny it. "Just in seclusion in my room. If you need me, I'll be there anytime. Moreover, if my prediction is correct, the people from Spirit Hall won't let us face their elites so quickly. The matches for the next two days are very likely to be against the elite teams of other academies." Su Dan Novel Network.
Whether considering the original fate trajectory or from the current perspective of Spirit Hall, she was more inclined to believe that Spirit Hall would not pass up this opportunity to further probe their hidden strengths.
Tang Sui's words were meaningful, and the Master and the others couldn't help but fall into contemplation.
With the third round of competition concluded, only six teams remained in the entire tournament. Two of the three seeded teams had been eliminated in today's matches. Only the Spirit Hall Academy team remained.
Undoubtedly, among the remaining six teams, the Spirit Hall Academy team possessed the strongest strength. Following closely were the Shrek Academy team and the Divine Wind Academy team. Although the other three teams had also reached the top six, they were largely just supporting players.
Tomorrow's drawing would determine many things. No one wanted to face the Spirit Hall Academy team first, as it represented an insurmountable wall.
As Tang Sui had predicted, their opponent in the next match was indeed another unfamiliar soul master academy.
Qin Ming and the others, after deliberation, cautiously arranged their main players and narrowly defeated the other soul master academy.
The three teams that ultimately qualified for the promotion matches were scheduled to participate in a unified drawing tomorrow.
Tang Sui had wanted to continue transforming demonic energy to fill and heal her soul's injuries, but unfortunately, Flander informed her that for today's drawing, all participating students from the three teams had to be present. Unless they were truly severely injured and unable to attend, they would be disqualified.
Reluctantly, Tang Sui followed the main group back into the front of the main hall of the Spirit Hall.
Blazing sunlight bathed the land, adorning it with a shimmering cloak of light.
Under the sunlight, the magnificent Papal Palace appeared even more solemn and majestic, exuding a unique sacred aura.
In front of the Papal Palace, two rows of Guardian Knights, all above Soul Ancestor cultivation, lined up from the entrance of the Papal Palace down to the foot of the mountain. Their shining silver, sturdy armor and heavy knight swords further enhanced the majesty of the Papal Palace.
The eliminated teams had already departed and were not even permitted to watch the final day's battles. Only true young powerhouses were qualified to step onto the square before the Papal Palace.
Early in the morning, the three teams that had entered the final three had already appeared before the Papal Palace, quietly awaiting. The teachers of the three academies were not allowed to stand on the square and could only wait at the periphery.
The participants in the finals stood silently on the square, awaiting the arrival of this final moment.
The members of the Spirit Hall Academy team were all main members, led by Xie Yue. They stood tall and straight on the stage, gazing towards the majestic Papal Palace, their eyes filled with faith and piety.
The other two teams were more low-key and silent.
Soon, a group of twelve red-robed cardinals emerged from the side entrance of the Papal Palace, forming two columns of six on either side of the main entrance.
The massive palace doors slowly opened, and all eyes focused on them, not daring to look away.
Pope Bibi Dong of the Spirit Hall, her face solemn, wearing a brilliant golden long dress and a purple-gold crown, holding a scepter, was the first to walk out of the Papal Palace.
Following closely were five people. Four of them wore grand red robes embroidered with gold and silver patterns, with a golden gem the size of an infant's fist on their chests.
These were the Douluo robes that only Titled Douluos could wear, the most coveted robes for soul masters.
Among these four, two were the Sword Douluo Chen Xin and the Bone Douluo Gu Rong of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, and the other two were Ghost Douluo Gui Mei and Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan who had attacked Tang Sui and the others on the road.
The last person to follow the Pope was the honorary elder attached to the Spirit Hall, and also the Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, Ning Fengzhi.
Everyone, except for the Shrek group, bowed and knelt as the Pope emerged, shouting "Long live."
Thus, the Shrek Academy, as expected, once again became the focus of everyone's attention.
—Author's Note—
This chapter is a bit longer. I'm too sleepy, will update again tomorrow.