The group stage continued, but with half the matches completed, the standings in each group were already clear.
In Group One, Shrek Academy led with five consecutive victories, securing the first confirmed spot in the quarterfinals. Following closely behind was the Holy Spirit Sect, who also held a flawless record of five wins. However, everyone knew that only one of these two undefeated teams would advance as group champion. Their fateful showdown was scheduled for the last match of the group stage, the grand finale everyone had been waiting for.
In Group Two, the top contenders were naturally Tang Sect and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. Tang Sect maintained an unbroken streak, while the Sun Moon team had four wins and one loss. The other teams in their group were already out of contention.
Group Three featured two sect-based teams, the Proud Sword Sect and the Heavenly Dragon Gate, both of whom had a realistic chance to advance.
As for Group Four, things were far more intriguing. There, the Snow Demon Sect and the Mingdu Soul Engineering Academy dominated the rankings. The Snow Demon Sect, of course, was an offshoot of the infamous Body Sect, while the Mingdu Academy was none other than the Sun Moon Empire's second-ranked academy, second only to the Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
Interestingly, Mingdu Soul Engineering Academy had never participated in previous tournaments. Rumor had it that this year, they joined only because of a once-in-a-millennium genius student.
Mingdu was a true noble academy—only children of aristocrats ranked Earl or higher were admitted. Their so-called prodigy hadn't appeared in a single match so far. Their success up to this point had been entirely due to consistent, balanced teamwork rather than overwhelming individual strength.
Soon, the final day of the group stage arrived. All eyes were fixed on the last match of the day—the climactic duel between Shrek Academy and the Holy Spirit Sect.
In the Shrek team's resting area, Zhu Ziyang's gaze was icy as he gave instructions to Qian Lingyi, who would be representing them in this battle.
Among all of Shrek's members, Qian Lingyi, who possessed the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, was undoubtedly the best choice. The Angel Martial Soul was the ultimate nemesis of evil soul masters.
Since ancient times, the first bearer of the Six-Winged Angel had risen to godhood only after purging the evil soul masters who once ravaged the continent, gathering the faith of millions before ascending to the divine realm.
Though the Angel God's position had long since shattered, its essence still carried immense sacred power. Qian Lingyi, as a descendant of that legacy, could easily walk the same divine path—and this battle against the Holy Spirit Sect would mark her first step toward that destiny.
Zhu Ziyang gave her only one order—
"Leave no survivors."
For a sect as vile as the Holy Spirit Sect, there was no need for mercy. Beyond their atrocities in recent matches, their true nature alone was reason enough to erase them from existence.
And besides, Zhu Ziyang already had a grand plan in motion—and the Holy Spirit Sect was meant to play a crucial part in it.
Unfortunately, his anticipation was met with disappointment.
Just as the match was about to begin, the Holy Spirit Sect suddenly announced their withdrawal, conceding without a fight.
No one knew why they made such a decision. But whatever their reasons, Zhu Ziyang's plan would have to wait.
He sighed softly, his eyes flickering with cold amusement.
"What a pity," he murmured. "Very well… enjoy your remaining days while you can."
With the Holy Spirit Sect's surrender, the fourteen-day group stage finally came to an end.
The Top Eight teams were officially decided:
Shrek Academy, Holy Spirit Sect, Tang Sect, Sun Moon Soul Engineering Academy, Snow Demon Sect, Mingdu Soul Engineering Academy, Proud Sword Sect, and Heavenly Dragon Gate.
After the group stage, the eight remaining teams were granted three days of rest. Then, the quarterfinals—the first round of the championship stage—would officially begin. The quarterfinals would take place over a single day, with the group draw to be held live that very morning.
That night, Zhu Ziyang appeared quietly in a small inn within Mingdu City. Waiting for him inside were three familiar figures: Zhang Lexuan, Elder Song, and Xu Jianwei.
"Lexuan-jie!" Zhu Ziyang greeted warmly, his face softening into a smile.
"Ziyang, we're here," Zhang Lexuan replied with a gentle smile of her own.
"I was just wondering when you'd arrive," Zhu Ziyang said cheerfully. "Then your message came, and here you are. We really are in sync, aren't we?"
Zhang Lexuan chuckled. "Things at the military camp took longer than expected," she explained. "But don't worry—it's all been handled. Everything's in place. We can move at any time."
"That's excellent!" Zhu Ziyang exclaimed, stepping forward to clasp her hand. "You've worked hard, Lexuan-jie."
"It's not hard," she said softly, her eyes glimmering with warmth. "This is my choice." Then her tone turned serious. "Let's go over the plan again."
"Of course," Zhu Ziyang nodded, turning toward Xu Jianwei. "Elder Xu, I assume Lexuan-jie has already filled you in on the plan?"
"I have," Xu Jianwei said gravely. "Whatever you need, I'll do everything in my power to assist."
"Good." Zhu Ziyang's eyes gleamed. "Assassinating Xu Tiannan isn't difficult. What matters is controlling the aftermath. If we let the people's anger explode, it'll backfire and hinder the Moonblood faction's rise. So instead of framing it as an enemy assassination, which would unite the citizens against us, we'll make it look like an internal coup. That confusion will tear the Empire from within."
Zhang Lexuan's eyes brightened with realization. "You mean… we'll do it in the name of the Second Prince?"
Zhu Ziyang smiled knowingly. "Exactly. If we strike under Prince Xu Tianci's name, it won't be an assassination—it'll be a palace coup."
Understanding dawned on everyone. Xu Jianwei's eyes glowed. "Brilliant. That way, we can disguise the act as a conflict between royal brothers—while exposing the Sunblood faction's corruption to the people. Their public support will crumble."
Elder Song nodded approvingly. "And more importantly, Shrek Academy will remain clean. The Heavenly Soul and Star Luo Empires will also stay in the shadows, buying Lexuan more time."
"Precisely," Zhang Lexuan agreed. "But first, we need to rescue Prince Xu Tianci before we can move forward."
"Exactly," Zhu Ziyang said. "He's being held inside the Sun Moon Imperial Palace—but we'll need your intelligence to pinpoint the exact location."
"That's already prepared," Xu Jianwei replied, pulling out a rolled-up map. "This is Mingdu's city defense layout. Here are the locations where Emperor Xu Tiannan is detaining the Moonblood members—and here's where the former emperor is kept."
Zhu Ziyang scanned the map quickly, then nodded. "Understood. We move tonight. The longer we wait, the greater the risk. Lexuan-jie, you'll come with me to rescue Xu Tianci. Elder Song, Elder Xu—you'll create a distraction outside the city. Make sure Xu Tiannan notices."
"Understood," the two elders replied, already preparing to depart.
Zhu Ziyang turned back to Zhang Lexuan, smiling slightly. "Let's go, Lexuan-jie."
Grasping her hand, his eyes flashed with silver light—and in the next instant, the two vanished.
Outside the Sun Moon Imperial Palace, in a secluded corner, a streak of silver light appeared. Two figures materialized—Zhu Ziyang and Zhang Lexuan.
"Lexuan-jie," Zhu Ziyang whispered, his voice steady. "Be ready for battle."
"I'm always ready," she replied.
Without hesitation, they vaulted over the palace wall and slipped into the shadows.
Moments later, the city of Mingdu erupted in alarm. Sirens wailed as chaos spread through the streets.
Zhu Ziyang and Zhang Lexuan exchanged a quick glance.
"It's begun," Zhu Ziyang said quietly. "Elder Song and Elder Xu have started their diversion. Let's move."
The palace was on high alert. Patrols filled the courtyards and corridors, yet for two Title Douluo like them, avoiding detection was child's play. Unless they ran into another Title Douluo—or a spiritual master of extraordinary perception—no one would sense them.
Before long, they located Prince Xu Tianci. He was guarded by two Soul Sages and four Soul Emperors. With a flick of Zhu Ziyang's wrist, a wave of frigid energy swept through the room, freezing all six men solid.
He spared their lives—they would serve well enough as messengers once Xu Tiannan discovered the escape.
By the time the palace realized what had happened, Prince Xu Tianci had already been freed.
Zhu Ziyang and Zhang Lexuan whisked the half-mad prince away, rejoining Elder Song and Xu Jianwei outside the city.
Now, all that remained was to wait—for the final day of the Soul Master Tournament, when their grand performance would begin.
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