"Team Chen Junting is victorious."
As the referee's voice rang out, the oppressive killing intent surrounding the Lan sisters receded, and the blood-red "Kill" character dissolving into thin air.
Chen Junting walked slowly toward them.
"Are you alright?"
Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo instinctively shook their heads.
But as awareness returned, their eyes fell upon the deep furrows carved into the ground by that ominous character—and the chilling memory of being engulfed by that killing aura flooded back.
Their gazes toward Chen Junting turned haunted, trembling with unease.
"They're fine—but I'm the one who suffered," Qin Lan said with a wry smile as Gao Ming helped him to his feet. He'd intended to disrupt the twins' fusion skill, only to be ensnared by it instead—and then caught in his own captain's killing aura during the rescue.
"You did well enough," Chen Junting said, sheathing his Seven Kill Sword and offering a faint, encouraging smirk. "At least you remembered to interrupt their fusion skill. You just missed the timing."
"Alright, Captain—stop teasing me already," Qin Lan sighed, exasperated.
The trio then approached Huang Chutian and the Lan sisters. They found the twins mostly unharmed—aside from severe soul power depletion and backlash from their forcibly broken fusion skill. Huang Chutian's injuries, though bloody, had been treated by a healing-type soul master and were already healing well, thanks to Chen Junting's restraint and the referee's timely intervention.
With that, Team Chen Junting advanced to the Top 8.
From the highest spectator stand, Dean Yan Shaozhe surveyed all eight arenas below. Still reeling from the fallout of Zhou Yi's incident, he'd carved out precious time from his overwhelming schedule to observe the matches in person.
His attention, however, remained fixed on the four teams led by Soul Masters.
Team Chen Junting—having finished their match early—naturally drew his notice. He turned slightly toward Du Weilun.
"Weilun, that's Chen Junting of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, isn't it?"
Du Weilun gave a slight nod. "That's him." He added with a sigh, "Even a fusion skill from two Soul Grandmasters couldn't force him to reveal his full strength. Truly…"
Before he could finish, Yan Shaozhe chuckled softly.
"The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has good fortune. With Chen Junting's talent, his admission into the Inner Sect is all but guaranteed. Even Bowen and Zihan fell just short back in their day."
Du Weilun smiled but said nothing—though inwardly, memories stirred. Ning Bowen and Yang Zihan had been his classmates. After graduation, he'd stayed at the academy, while Ning Bowen married Yang Zihan and became the sect master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
"Weilun," Yan Shaozhe continued, shifting his gaze to the other Top 16 teams, "which other promising talents do we have this year?"
Du Weilun instantly understood. As Dean of the Outer Sect's Martial Soul Department, his discernment was as sharp as his strength. After days of observation, he had a clear grasp of every freshman's potential.
"Xie Huanyue, a Soul Master, boasts exceptional defense. Though his martial soul's potential falls slightly short of Xu Sanshi's in the sixth grade, his cultivation talent is actually superior. Cao Jinxuan of Class Ten possesses the Time-Flowing Bell—a martial soul with the exceedingly rare time attribute. Unfortunately, time-attribute soul beasts are nearly extinct, forcing him to settle for suboptimal soul rings, which will limit his growth. And then there's…"
One by one, Du Weilun named the standout newcomers.
Yan Shaozhe listened, nodding in agreement.
"If the students you mentioned reach the semifinals, grant them Core Disciple or Provisional Core Disciple status."
"Yes, Headmaster."
As the matches progressed, the Top 8 teams were soon finalized.
The Round of 16 had come to a close.
By afternoon, the quarterfinals began—the battle for the final four spots.
Fortunately, in previous rounds, none of the four Soul Master-led teams had faced each other. But in this round of eight, that changed.
"Team Xie Huanyue is up against Team Dai Huabin."
Qin Lan watched the two squads enter Arena One, curiosity flickering in his eyes. He turned to Gao Ming—who was trying (and failing) to stay inconspicuous—and asked, "Who do you think will win?"
"Are you serious?" Gao Ming rolled his eyes. "Dai Huabin's team has a fusion skill! If they unleash it, I wouldn't be surprised if they treat Xie Huanyue like a training ball."
"That's true," Qin Lan conceded with a nod. Aside from their captain, he doubted any freshman could deal with the Netherworld White Tiger, which had been passed down for tens of thousands of years.
"Enough chatter," Chen Junting chided quietly before stepping forward to draw lots.
Luck was on their side—they avoided an intra-sect matchup. Even better, their opponents were clearly weaker than Huang Chutian's team in both strength and experience.
Their victory was effortless.
Team Chen Junting advanced to the semifinals.
As for the others…
Team Huo Yuhao fought as if deliberately concealing their strength, enduring a grueling battle—but ultimately prevailed.
Team Ning Tian faced off against Team Zhou Sichen. Under the terrifying amplification of Ning Tian's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, the Level 27 Wu Feng became a powerhouse Attack Soul Grandmaster. Crimson dragonfire roared from her palms, paired with razor-sharp claws—unstoppable! With Nanmen Yun'er's support, Team Zhou Sichen crumbled instantly, becoming mere stepping stones to Ning Tian's semifinal berth.
The last match—Team Xie Huanyue versus Team Dai Huabin—ended as Gao Ming predicted, though not without surprise: Xie Huanyue's trio never forced Dai Huabin's team to reveal their ultimate trump card—the Netherworld White Tiger.
Qin Lan and the others found that somewhat disappointing.
Chen Junting said nothing, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
Dai Huabin may be arrogant, boastful, and consumed by jealousy—but his strength is undeniable. Pity…
"Senior Junting!"
Outside the arena, the group soon reunited. Huo Yuhao arrived with Dugu Xin and Wang Dong—and immediately proposed a celebration dinner.
"Oh? Dinner?"
"Yes! Dinner!" Before Huo Yuhao could explain, Wu Feng cut in eagerly. Wang Dong nodded vigorously beside her. Clearly, the two had orchestrated this.
Wu Feng declared proudly, "We all made the semifinals! Out of four teams, three are from Class Nine! Isn't that worth celebrating?"
"It certainly is," Chen Junting agreed, smiling at their enthusiasm.
Ning Tian suggested hosting a banquet in Shrek City that evening—but Wu Feng and Wang Dong immediately objected. "Cooking ourselves is better for gatherings like this!"
"I see," Chen Junting teased. "You're just craving Yuhao's grilled fish."
He glanced toward the spectator stands.
"Xiao Tian, go invite Teacher Mujin."
"Alright," Ning Tian nodded. She knew Mujin likely wouldn't come—but an invitation was still proper.
------------------------------------------------------
Double Chapters Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)