After Tang San and Feng Xiaotian left the stage, the match between Shrek and Godwind Academy continued.
Aside from Feng Xiaotian, the other members of Godwind Academy also possessed impressive offensive strength. Among all the academies in this tournament, their overall power was the highest.
Thus, they ultimately defeated Shrek Academy and secured the victory.
During this match, Tang San exposed his second martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer, causing Yu Xiaogang great concern.
To prevent the situation from escalating further, Yu Xiaogang made a decision on behalf of the students during the upcoming match against Tianshui Academy—he chose to forfeit.
Yu Xiaogang knew the young women of Tianshui Academy were not easy opponents. He didn't want Tang San to be forced into using the Clear Sky Hammer again and draw even more unwanted attention.
After the ranking battles concluded, the top five academies in the Heaven Dou division remained mostly unchanged from the qualifiers:
1st Place: Godwind Academy — 13 wins, 1 loss
2nd Place: Thunderclap Academy — 12 wins, 2 losses
3rd Place: Tianshui Academy — 12 wins, 2 losses
4th Place: Blazing Academy — 12 wins, 2 losses
5th Place: Shrek Academy — 11 wins, 3 losses
Although Shrek only ranked fifth, they still attracted significant attention.
The most discussed point among them, of course, was Tang San—the twin-spirit user and direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect.
The Clear Sky Sect had offended Spirit Hall and been hunted down, disappearing for years. No one expected another disciple wielding the Clear Sky Hammer to appear again. Naturally, this became a hot topic everywhere.
Furthermore, Shrek's team was the youngest among all participating academies, with immense potential.
Most eye-catching was Tang San—only fourteen years old, yet already at level forty-one, a twin-spirit genius.
As one of the judges, Spirit Hall's Platinum Bishop Salas had personally witnessed everything Tang San displayed on the battlefield.
Learning that Tang San possessed twin martial souls and was a direct heir of the Clear Sky Sect, Salas could no longer sit still.
Tang San belonged to the Clear Sky Sect—there was no way he would ever serve Spirit Hall.
A talent that could not be controlled… could only be eliminated.
Salas immediately sent a letter to Spirit City, reporting everything about Tang San.
A few days later.
Spirit Hall — Pope Palace
Bibi Dong examined the letter in her hand, an evil smile slowly rising on her lips.
"A boy surnamed Tang… possessing twin martial souls like me, and a direct heir of the Clear Sky Sect. Interesting."
She then ordered the attendants to summon Yue Guan and Gui Mei.
Soon, the vast Popo Palace held only three people: Bibi Dong, Yue Guan, and Gui Mei.
"In this year's Soul Master Tournament, a rare genius has appeared. He's only fourteen, yet his soul power has already broken through level forty—earlier than Yan, Xie Yue, or Na'er. Even more unexpected, he possesses the twin spirits of Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer."
Hearing this, Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged stunned looks.
Among the young soul masters they had witnessed, Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena were already exceptional—yet someone had surpassed even them.
And this youth was a direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei recalled following the former Pope Qian Xunji in hunting the ten-thousand-year soul beast who had transformed into human form—the Blue Silver Emperor. They had fought Tang Hao, been defeated, and Qian Xunji had been fatally wounded.
Not long after, they participated in purging the Clear Sky Sect but never found Tang Hao again.
Since then, the Clear Sky Sect had vanished for years. Yet now, a direct heir appeared on the tournament stage.
Possessing both Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer—both elders immediately connected the dots: this youth was very likely the son of Tang Hao and that ten-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor.
Gui Mei spoke coldly:
"Your Holiness, to think that sinful creature is still alive. A hybrid born of human and soul beast—it must be eradicated."
Bibi Dong smiled icily.
"Elder Gui Mei, you are correct. That young soul master is named Tang San, a member of Shrek Academy from Heaven Dou City. Those teams will come to Spirit City for the finals. The two of you will take some men and kill Tang San on the road. Remember—this is a secret mission. Do not reveal Spirit Hall's involvement."
"Yes, Your Holiness!"
"Go make arrangements. The sooner, the better."
"At once."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei accepted the order together and left the Papal Palace.
Sitting alone upon the Pope's throne, Bibi Dong's thoughts drifted to someone else, and a complicated emotion flickered across her face.
After Yue Guan and Gui Mei left, they began preparing their personnel. They did not return to their residence until dusk.
Upon entering, they saw Yan waiting.
"Yan, you're here."
"Teacher, were you busy today?"
"Yes. For the next ten or so days, I may not be in Spirit City. When I return, come see me."
"All right. Are you going on a secret mission?"
Yue Guan paused.
"…How did you know?"
"I guessed."
Yan knew the timeline well—Tang San and the others were currently on their way to Spirit City. Bibi Dong would definitely send the two elders to ambush him.
"Hmph, lucky guess. But I can't tell you what the mission is."
"I understand."
"The finals are approaching. Focus your mind and prepare yourself."
"I will."
Yan knew their mission was likely doomed to fail.
Tang San no longer had those top-tier immortal herbs to lure Yue Guan away, so Yue Guan would not miss the assassination opportunity—but Tang Hao had always been secretly protecting Tang San and would not let them succeed.
Furthermore, Dugu Bo, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo would not sit idly by.
Meanwhile—
The fifteen teams of the Heaven Dou Empire, led by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, set off for Spirit City to participate in the tournament finals.
Yu Xiaogang, however, did not travel together with Tang San and the others. Instead, he rushed ahead alone to Spirit City.
Using the elder token Bibi Dong had once given him, he passed unhindered through the defenses and entered the Papal Palace.
Bibi Dong remained seated high upon the Pope's throne.
Seeing her former lover again, her heart trembled, though she maintained a calm façade and spoke gently:
"Xiaogang, you've arrived."
"…Yes. How have you been?"
Seeing Bibi Dong again left Yu Xiaogang filled with complicated emotions.
Bibi Dong was still as beautiful as before—time had left no trace upon her.
Yet he, Yu Xiaogang, had become nothing more than an aging, fifty-year-old man.
"What could possibly be wrong? I rule Spirit Hall. I possess supreme honor and authority—even the two great empires must show restraint before me. Of course, a portion of what I have today… I owe to you."
Yu Xiaogang sighed softly.
"Twenty years, and you're still as beautiful as ever. Bibi Dong… I know the suffering you've endured, but back then, I had no choice."
"Yu Xiaogang, mind your manners. I am no longer that foolish girl. Address me as the Pope."
Bibi Dong's expression shifted sharply, her tone turning cold and intimidating.
Yu Xiaogang froze. He hadn't expected her to flip her attitude so quickly. He bowed respectfully:
"Your Holiness, I have come to request something."
"What is it? Speak."
Her icy demeanor pained Yu Xiaogang, but for Tang San's sake, he swallowed his pride and pleaded.
"Your Holiness… I wish to know how you overcame the ordeal of twin martial souls."
Bibi Dong scoffed disdainfully.
"Yu Xiaogang, you are already a crippled man. There is no need for you to know such important secrets."
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