The vice-captain of Shenfeng Academy looked at his captain, who was unconscious and foaming at the mouth on the stretcher. He then remembered his own humiliating experience with Ye Yin's curses and glanced at his teacher for confirmation. Seeing the teacher nod, a huge sense of relief washed over him. He took a deep breath and, with all his might, roared towards the referee's stand.
"Withdraw! Shenfeng Academy withdraws!"
The entire arena fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a massive uproar. Another withdrawal. Faced with Shrek Academy and the terrifying King of Curses, teams didn't even dare to fight anymore.
And so, the Grand Finals of the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament came down to just two teams.
The Heaven Dou Empire's Shrek Academy versus Spirit Hall's guaranteed entry, Spirit Hall Academy.
It was a fated showdown: the clash between a rising star and the continent's established overlord. The ultimate battle would unfold right in front of the Supreme Pontiff Palace, under the watchful eyes of the entire world.
Early the next morning, as the first ray of sunlight touched the enormous Seraphim statue atop the Supreme Pontiff Palace, the White Jade Plaza was already engulfed by a fervent crowd. Spirit Masters, nobles, and representatives from various powers had surrounded the plaza, making it impossible to pass through. The air was thick with unprecedented excitement and a chilling solemnity.
Above the high platform, three gilded chairs shone in the morning light. Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong sat in the center, her flawless face framed by her nine-bend purple-gold crown. Her eyes were as deep as an abyss as she calmly overlooked the scene below. To her left and right sat two of Spirit Hall's most powerful figures: Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, and Ghost Douluo, Gui Mei. Also seated as guests of honor were the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's Sect Master, Ning Fengzhi, and the Sword Douluo, Chenxin. Dugu Bo was present as well, but true to his nature, he had chosen to hide like a viper in the shadows rather than sit in the limelight.
Below the platform, Shrek Academy and Spirit Hall Academy stood on opposite sides. The Shrek team still wore their striking dung-green uniforms. Ye Yin stood at the very front, a gentle and harmless smile on his face as his gaze calmly swept across the opposing team. Behind him, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and the others stood with resolute expressions, their fighting spirit soaring. Having been tempered by the preliminaries, the promotion rounds, and Ye Yin's own bizarre training, their wills were as firm as rock.
On the other side stood the Spirit Hall Academy team. Xie Yue stood with his arms crossed, his eyes arrogant and filled with the innate haughtiness of someone looking at lambs for the slaughter. A scorching, domineering aura radiated from Yan, making him look like a volcano ready to erupt.
Hu Liena stood slightly in front of them, her black, gold-embroidered suit accentuating her breathtaking curves. Her stunningly beautiful face was calm, and her clear, captivating fox-like eyes held a profound charm that seemed to see straight into people's hearts. Her gaze didn't linger on Dai Mubai or the others, but instead fell on Ye Yin with a hint of curiosity and scrutiny. What was so special about this man, whom her brother and Yan had dismissed as a clown, yet who had managed to create one miracle after another?
Behind the Golden Generation stood the other four members of their team, all powerful Spirit Ancestors with condensed auras and sharp eyes. Their overall strength far surpassed that of Shrek Academy.
On the referee's stand, a red-robed bishop took a deep breath and announced in a booming voice, "The Grand Finals of the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament! The final match! Shrek Academy versus Spirit Hall Academy!"
"Both teams, bow!"
The members of Shrek Academy bowed slightly. On the other side, Xie Yue, Yan, and the others merely nodded, their postures dripping with arrogance. Hu Liena, however, returned an elegant bow, her gaze never leaving Ye Yin.
"Let the match begin!" the referee commanded.
Buzz!
In an instant, both sides released their spirits.
From Shrek's side, five spirit rings—purple, purple, purple, black, black—shone brightly under Ye Yin's feet as the Good and Evil Pearl floated in his palm, emitting a mysterious light. One by one, the spirit rings of Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and the others also lit up.
From Spirit Hall's side, the display was even more astonishing. Five spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—rose beneath Xie Yue's feet as two blood-red, crescent-shaped blades appeared in his hands. Yan was engulfed in blazing dark-red flames, his own five rings shining brightly. Hu Liena's five rings flowed with light as a huge fox phantom appeared behind her, its fluffy tail swaying gently. An invisible, charming power instantly permeated the air. The four members behind them also released their spirits, revealing themselves to be powerful Spirit Ancestors.
Spirit Hall's Golden Generation: three Spirit Kings, backed by four Spirit Ancestors. A terrifying wave of spirit power pressure swept across the stage like a tsunami.
Xie Yue's lips curved into a cold arc. "Attack!"
Hu Liena moved first. Her naturally charming eyes instantly locked onto the Shrek team, and her fifth spirit ring lit up. "Fifth Spirit Ability: Heavenly Fox Phantom!"
A powerful and disorienting wave of mental charm washed over all seven members of Shrek Academy. Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Ning Rongrong's eyes immediately became dazed and vacant, their movements stiffening as if they had fallen into the sweetest dream. It was Hu Liena's strongest control ability. While it was far less effective against Ye Yin, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu, it had successfully incapacitated the rest of the team.
A cruel smile flashed in the eyes of Xie Yue and Yan as they surged forward. Xie Yue, holding his crescent blades, transformed into a blood-red streak of light, aiming straight for the vital points of the dazed Dai Mubai. Yan became a fiery meteor, bringing with him a terrifying heat as he targeted Ye Yin in the center of the formation. Their tactic was simple and deadly: Hu Liena would control the field, while the two attack-type Spirit Kings would instantly annihilate the enemy's core.
Ye Yin, who had maintained his slight smile and appeared to be charmed along with the others, let his smile widen. His fourth spirit ring suddenly lit up. It was his Mental Curse.
He targeted Hu Liena. The curse was designed to twist her own power against her. When she cast a mental charm ability, it would generate an intense backlash of pleasure, causing the caster to uncontrollably fall in love with the charmed target.
Hu Liena, who was focusing all her power on maintaining her Heavenly Fox Phantom, suddenly trembled.
An indescribable and extreme pleasure, like a bolt of lightning, shot through her entire body. The sensation came so fiercely and so unexpectedly that she had no time to react.
"Mmm…"
A short gasp, mixed with astonishment and an uncontrollable, alluring moan, involuntarily escaped from her lips. Her charm domain instantly collapsed.
Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others snapped back to their senses, breaking out in a cold sweat as they realized how close they had just been to defeat.