Chapter 196: Clash of the Undefeated – Tianshui vs. Heaven Dou Second Team
"Blue Silver Domain!"
Dai Mubai, Oscar, Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong widened their eyes. That faint blue, life-filled domain was all too familiar—it was the innate domain Tang San acquired after his Blue Silver Grass spirit's second awakening in their previous life.
This meant Qian Renxue's spirit had also undergone a second awakening—it had become the Blue Silver Emperor!
Xiao Wu's face was full of resentment. This originally belonged to her Third Brother! Damn Spirit Hall!
After the thirteenth round of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, Heaven Dou Division preliminaries, Tianshui Team once again had a long rest. Shui Bing'er's fifth soul skill, Ice Phoenix Snow Demon Break, was simply too destructive. Even the Thunderclap Team led by Yu Tianxin, bearer of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, chose to forfeit rather than face her.
Feng Xiaotian suffered severe injuries from Shui Bing'er's fifth soul skill. After stacking over twenty Gale Demon Wolf Slashes and using Demon Wolf Storm, he didn't die but required an extensive recovery period.
It was this long recovery that prevented Feng Xiaotian from giving his all again, causing Divine Wind Team to fall in the rankings—from first place in the original story down to fifth. If not for their earlier twelve victories, including a win against Elephant Armored Academy, they might not have even qualified in the top five.
Interestingly, this time around, the seven students from Canghui Academy—who were typically turned into mindless fools by the Shura Illusion Realm in most fan works—remained mentally intact.
Previously, Canghui's seven were aiming for revenge against Shrek Academy, and their Illusion Realm had been designed to cripple them. But this time, Tianshui held no grudge, and Heaven Dou Second Team had been the butt of many jokes due to Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, along with the presence of Gu Chen—the son of Bone Douluo from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Had they turned Gu Chen into a fool, the wrath of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would have destroyed Canghui Academy entirely.
With a ruthless teacher like Shi Nian, who found joy in killing, the seven from Canghui had gained a bit more experience this time.
In the tournament's twentieth match, not a single seat was left empty in the spectator stands, and many stood due to the crowd. This was the clash of the two remaining undefeated teams in the Heaven Dou Division: Tianshui Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Second Team.
Between them, three Soul Kings were present—not only the son of the Spirit Hall's Pope, but also the child of Bone Douluo from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the continent's top defense-type spirit master. All three were genius-level Soul Kings.
In the VIP stands.
Normally, only Salas—the committee head for the Heaven Dou Division—and Heaven Dou's royal representative Ning Fengzhi, along with Bone Douluo, would attend.
But this time, from left to right: Bone Douluo, Ning Fengzhi, Emperor Xue Ye, Qian Xunji, and Salas were all present.
Only five seats lined the front row. During the opening ceremony, Salas had to sit in the second row due to Ah Yin's presence. Now that Ah Yin had returned to Spirit Hall, Salas reclaimed his front-row seat.
Of the twenty matches, Emperor Xue Ye had attended a few when time permitted. Qian Xunji, however, hadn't appeared since the opening ceremony.
"Round one, center arena: Tianshui Academy versus Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team."
The announcer called out the match and participants. After two days of emergency repairs, the hole Shui Bing'er blasted into the center arena had already been restored.
With all eyes on them, both teams strode confidently toward the battlefield.
Qian Renxue glanced at the VIP stands. Seeing Qian Xunji, a surge of fighting spirit rose in his chest. His father was here—that meant this match was crucial. He couldn't lose! He couldn't bear the thought of disappointing his father—it would be a blow he couldn't recover from.
Heaven Dou's Second Team was going all out this time: Gu Chen, Dai Mubai, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing. They revealed their strongest hidden support—Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Ning Rongrong.
Ma Hongjun was only at level 36, hadn't consumed any immortal herb, and still possessed the Evil Fire Phoenix. His strength was on par with Tai Long's. However, his third skill, Phoenix Ascension, allowed him to fly, and his scorching flames countered Tianshui's ice, which earned him a spot on the team.
Emperor Xue Ye asked, "Your Holiness, who do you think will win this battle?"
"Of course, Tianshui Academy," Qian Xunji answered.
Bone Douluo countered, "Not necessarily, Your Holiness. Tianshui has two powerful Soul Kings, yes—but only your son and that little girl with the Ice Phoenix spirit are truly strong. My son leads a well-rounded team."
"Oh? So Bone Douluo is quite confident in your son's abilities?"
"Naturally. Chen'er inherited my spirit and has received my full teachings. I've selected only the finest soul skills for him, sparing no effort."
Salas snorted, "Are you implying your training surpasses His Holiness's guidance of the Holy Son?"
Ning Fengzhi interjected with a smile, "Bishop Salas, that's not what he meant. Your Holy Son wields the Blue Silver Grass from the Silver Emperor Douluo. But Uncle Gu Rong's cultivation is no less than Silver Emperor Douluo's."
"Alright, alright," said Emperor Xue Ye. "Your Holiness, Sect Master Ning, Bone Douluo, Bishop Salas—you each make valid points. But the true outcome will depend on how these young Soul Masters perform."
Tension thickened in the VIP stands. Emperor Xue Ye was clearly stoking conflict, aiming to pit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan against Spirit Hall. Compared to the terrifyingly strong Spirit Hall, the clan—based outside Heaven Dou City—was a more appealing ally for the royal family.
As tension simmered above, it also burned below. Lined up in formation, both teams saluted each other on the arena floor.
Gu Chen couldn't help stealing glances at Shui Bing'er. The mist surrounding her obscured her features. Every time he looked, he saw something new and beautiful.
This wasn't due to romantic feelings. As Bibi Dong's son, blessed with her genetics, his heart was long bound to the scarred tree that was Xiao Wu. His curiosity about Shui Bing'er stemmed purely from mystery.
Gu Chen locked eyes with Qian Renxue. Sparks flew as he growled, "Today marks the end of your winning streak."
Qian Renxue replied calmly, "That's exactly what I was about to say. One of us won't stay undefeated after today."
Gu Chen added, "In this match, I'll avenge Xiao Wu and Rongrong—for what you did to them at the Soto City Arena. And in the knockout stage, I'll show you who the real top genius of the continent is."
Qian Renxue remained composed, "I only know one thing—it won't be you. This match, and the next, your team will only taste defeat."
Gu Chen sneered, "We'll see who loses."
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