"Zhexian, you're so composed that you make us look impatient." Vice Dean Bai Baoshan shook his head with a bitter smile. "Not to mention Tianheng and the others, even I find it hard to calm my heart."
After all…
This journey carried a mission.
If they could defeat Spirit Hall and seize the championship—
That would mean returning in triumph to Heaven Dou City, honored beyond compare.
Li Zhexian leaned lazily by the window, smiling. "The rules already favor the seeded teams. Dean Bai, you need not worry."
Yu Feng, trying to disperse the pressure, spoke very quickly: "Thirty-three teams, and the three seeded teams get a bye in the first round!"
"The remaining thirty teams will draw lots and compete. The fifteen victorious teams, plus the seeded teams, will advance to the top eighteen!"
"And then..."
Osler continued:
"We'll rest for one day."
"Eighteen reduced to sixteen, with two more drawing byes. Winners advance to the top ten!"
"Another day of rest."
"Then ten teams—with two byes again—leaving eight to clash and decide the top six!"
Yu Tianheng's eyes burned with battle intent.
"From the top six onward, no more byes."
"It's head-to-head until the top three."
"As for the final championship match…"
His tone carried both longing and gravity.
"It will be split between an individual battle and a team battle. The battlefield will be moved before the Pope's Palace itself."
Bai Baoshan nodded, a smile of relief on his face.
"So then…"
"Today, all you need do is watch."
"Your stage will come the day after tomorrow."
Li Zhexian said no more. He raised his hand and lifted the curtain.
On the arena floor—
All the teams had drawn their lots.
The opening round of the finals had officially ignited its flames.
The first to represent the Heaven Dou Empire, Thunderclap Academy, suffered a harsh defeat.
Their opponents were a powerhouse team from the Star Luo Empire.
After a hard-fought battle, their captain, Yu Tianxin, was ultimately exhausted and fell onto the arena.
But afterward, Godwind, Blazing Fire, and even Shrek Academy all claimed victories over their opponents.
From dawn's first light to the golden glow of sunset,
the first round ended.
The dust settled.
Spectators surged out like the tide, still buzzing about the brilliant duels.
The various teams also left the preparation areas one after another, heading toward the contestant passage.
The moment Li Zhexian stepped out, he felt several gazes pierce toward him.
Not just Shrek's eyes—
But in front of the very first preparation room, seven figures cast long black shadows in the setting sun.
Li Zhexian clearly sensed... that the gazes of the three leading people were nailed on him.
"Sword Wine… Li Zhexian…" The red-haired youth sneered, baring his teeth, his tone dripping with contempt.
When he saw Li Zhexian look over, he raised his hand and made a throat-slitting gesture at his own neck.
Yu Tianheng and the others bristled with fury.
But Li Zhexian stretched out his arm, holding them back.
He looked at the red-haired youth, and in his calm, smiling voice, a bone-chilling coldness surged.
"Remember this…"
"That hand of yours—I'll be taking it."
The only girl among the three glanced at Li Zhexian. Her red lips lightly opened.
"Let's go."
Just two simple words, but they made the angry Yan, the squinting Xie Yue, and the other team members instantly restrain their momentum, turning and leaving.
Li Zhexian also retracted his gaze. In Dugu Yan's vertically slit pupils, a hint of solemnity flashed through.
"That girl is Hu Liena, disciple of the current Pope, Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden."
"The red-haired one who provoked you is named Yan."
"The black-haired one is Xie Yue."
Li Zhexian gave a slight nod.
Then led his team into the dispersing crowd.
The first day of the finals ended perfectly.
Fierce Spirit Master battles, dazzling displays of genius, ignited the long-slumbering blood of this holy city.
On every street corner, in every tavern and inn, people spoke only of the tournament.
Thousands of soul tool screens were spread throughout the streets and alleys of Spirit City.
Spirit Masters only needed to touch them with their fingertips to lavishly throw down bets on the team they were rooting for.
At this moment, the first round of matches had already affected the team rankings.
At the top—
No surprise, Spirit Hall's First Team.
Shrek Academy, having stormed through, now firmly held second place.
But the Heaven Dou Imperial Battle Team, despite being seeded, had already fallen to seventh.
Strong teams from Star Luo, Spirit Hall's Second Team, even Godwind and Skwater Academy, all stood ahead of them.
"Good. Very good."
Li Zhexian stopped before a screen near their quarters with Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the rest.
Staring at that stinging "seventh place."
He clapped his hands—and laughed.
Yu Feng ground his teeth.
"Idol, what's good about this?!"
"We're a seed team! This is humiliating!"
Osler remained calm.
"We haven't fought yet. A drop in rank is only natural."
Li Zhexian gave no explanation.
His fingertip tapped the name "Heaven Dou Imperial Battle Team."
Then, without hesitation, pressed "Place Bet."
"Brother Zhexian, you..." Dugu Yan exclaimed in surprise.
"Bet!" Li Zhexian's movements were quick and clean. He bet all of the over one hundred gold coins he had borrowed from Xue Qinghe. "While the odds are high now!"
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the other seven were silent for a moment. Then, they all took out their savings and excitedly followed with a bet.
Just as everyone was satisfied, Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and Feng Xiaotian also came looking for them.
"Go, go, are you done betting? It's our turn!" Under Li Zhexian's helpless gaze, they squeezed in front of the screen with a grin and also placed a bet on the "Imperial Battle Team."
Li Zhexian raised an eyebrow. "You guys... aren't you going to support your own teams?"
Huo Wu punched his shoulder playfully, her eyes crinkled, her smile sly.
"Championship's probably out of our reach!"
"But between glory and money, might as well grab one of them, right?"
"Sword Wine!"
"Don't let us down!"
...
One day of rest passed in an instant.
The second round of the finals kicked off with an even more fervent wave of sound.
he boiling shouts from the spectator stands shot straight to the clouds, scattering the floating clouds above.
Today! The three mysterious seeded teams were finally going to make their appearance!
The accompanying teachers of each team went up to the stage to draw lots. Everyone held their breath.
They watched as Bai Baoshan took a deep breath. He then fiercely crushed the special draw ball in his hand.
Boom—!
With a muffled sound, a line of large characters shining with Spirit Power brilliance was suddenly projected onto the sky above the arena:
[Heaven Dou Imperial Battle Team VS. Spirit Hall's Second Team]
The air froze for an instant.
Then erupted.
A tidal wave of cheers and shouts swept across the Grand Spirit Arena.
In the preparation area,
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Tianheng and the others burst into excitement.
"Brother Zhexian / Li Zhexian!"
"We drew Spirit Hall's Second Team!"
In his jet-black eyes, a keen edge surged, and the corner of his lips slowly curled up.
"Good…"
In the Shrek team's preparation area, a bright light flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes "This draw... is undoubtedly the worst possible one for the Emperial Battle Team!"
"Spirit Hall's Second Team has long trained as sparring partners for the First. Their strength is terrifying."
"This match will be perilous. Even if they scrape through, their trump cards will be laid bare."
Tang San nodded in agreement.
Dai Mubai clenched his fists in excitement.
He unconsciously looked toward Zhu Zhuqing not far away, but found that she was stuck together with Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong. On her cold and beautiful face, there was not the slightest hint of worry.
Inside Spirit Hall's First Team's exclusive chamber—
Yan grinned wide, teeth gleaming.
"Heh, let's see if Li Zhexian gets knocked out in the first round!"
Xie Yue frowned.
"You saying Second Team needs to hold back?"
Hu Liena's enchanting eyes narrowed.
"Don't underestimate him."
"This Li Zhexian… is not simple."