Lin Yang distributed the Jade Bone Medicine, giving one bottle each to the three girls, Dugu Bo, and Ye Xuanyin, leaving two bottles for himself.
Since the Jade Bone Medicine was only effective on the first dose, Lin Yang had no intention of keeping the remaining two bottles.
If the opportunity arose, using them would maximize the benefits.
As time passed, the Advanced Soul Master Tournament officially began, and the entire Heaven Dou City was enveloped in a festive atmosphere.
Even ordinary citizens could watch the matches by paying a small ticket fee.
To let the reserve team members get used to the competition atmosphere in advance, Qin Ming naturally suggested that they go to the venue to watch the matches.
Upon arriving at the competition venue, Lin Yang glanced at the participant list. It was almost exactly the same as he remembered.
Five Elements Academy, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Blue Tyrant Academy, Azure Light Academy, and others.
He wasn't sure whether the participating teams were underestimating the prize money this year or whether the new generation had not yet fully matured.
The overall level of the participating teams this year was quite ordinary!
Of course, this was only when compared to the teams that would participate in the next tournament.
What was noteworthy was that the next generation would not only be the "Golden Generation" of the Spirit Hall, but also the "Golden Generation" of all major powers and academies.
Spirit Hall's Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan not only possessed spirit fusion skills but had all reached the Soul King level.
Feng Xiaotian and Shui Bing'er of the Five Elements Academy: one had a mutated martial soul and innate full soul power, while the other possessed the top-grade ice-type beast martial soul, the Ice Phoenix.
If Shrek Academy continued competing along its original path, they would also need to add the Clear Sky Hammer and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Only then would the competition truly become intense.
Among the current participants, some had already reached level 40 soul masters, but they were still slightly lacking.
After watching two matches, Lin Yang stopped paying attention.
Later, he heard Xiao Wu mention that the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team had performed terribly. They failed to even pass the preliminaries and were eliminated in the first round.
Emperor Xue Ye's expression instantly darkened.
The second team was nothing more than a group of rich kids who had joined the tournament for fame. Failing to even pass the preliminaries—was this a journey for fame or for humiliation?
The five teams that advanced from the preliminaries were: Blazing Fire, Thunder, Divine Wind, Heavenly Water, and Azure Radiance Academy.
The first four academies were fine. They were top-tier advanced soul master training schools within the Heaven Dou system. Even if they were arrogant, they would not look down on Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Azure Radiance was a second-rate academy. While not very well-known, it had its own unique teachings regarding spiritual and gem-type martial souls.
After encountering the Elephant Academy, they successfully stunned the brute-force mammoths by using large-scale illusions and spiritual attacks.
Once the preliminaries ended, the knockout stage began. This was the stage where individual contestants could display their potential and combat strength.
In the final rounds, the three teams that had already secured spots also began their matches.
The Heaven Dou team's roster was made public. It consisted of seven members: four soul masters and three soul venerables, all with the best possible soul ring configurations.
The team leader with the highest soul power had already reached level 44. The support-type soul master on the team possessed the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda as their martial soul.
With the addition of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, the remaining two soul masters could be considered Soul Sages, albeit with some difficulty.
The Star Luo Empire's team was also quite powerful, but without the Netherworld White Tiger combination this time, their overall strength was slightly inferior to the Heaven Dou Empire.
The overall strength of both imperial teams was already considered top-tier among all academies.
Compared to the Spirit Hall's team, however, they immediately appeared lacking.
When the Spirit Hall members revealed their soul rings, the entire venue erupted in cheers.
The captain standing at the center of the team was none other than a five-ring Soul King.
The remaining six were equally impressive—all four-ring soul masters with top-grade soul ring configurations.
Just by standing there, they became the center of attention and made the other academies feel the gap.
Truly impressive!
Lin Yang sat in the spectator seats, his gaze fixed on that powerful figure.
This Soul King was precisely the one who had come for the ten-thousand-year soul bone.
What Lin Yang considered useless food was seen as a precious treasure by others.
In the following matches, aside from forfeits, no academy could match the Spirit Hall.
In most cases, people simply chose to concede.
Although the Heaven Dou team did not face the Spirit Hall directly, their morale had clearly collapsed. They themselves felt there was no hope of victory.
At that moment, one of the three members of the Education Committee, Meng Shenji, suddenly approached Lin Yang.
"Chief Meng?"
Meng Shenji nodded at Lin Yang, his eyes filled with unconcealable admiration.
"Lin Yang, I've watched your growth these past few years. Your humility and low-key attitude are truly admirable."
"Thank you for the praise," Lin Yang said modestly, then asked, "May I know why you're looking for me…?"
Meng Shenji's expression turned solemn as he spoke in a low voice, "His Majesty wishes to see you."
Emperor Xue Ye?
Lin Yang's mind spun. Could it be that in this critical moment, he had come to see him because of the tournament?
"Lin Yang, you should prepare yourself mentally."
It sounded like a casual remark, but Lin Yang understood Meng Shenji's meaning. He didn't ask further and simply nodded.
"Understood."
Afterward, the two of them headed together to the academy's Education Committee building and entered the same reception room.
Upon entering, Lin Yang saw a dignified old man sitting in the main seat.
His hair and beard were snow-white, and he wore no crown, yet his aura and bearing were unmistakable.
This was the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Ye.
Meng Shenji stepped forward and bowed in greeting.
"Your Majesty, Lin Yang has arrived."
Emperor Xue Ye looked at Lin Yang and observed him carefully. A faint trace of admiration and expectation appeared in his eyes.
"Are you Lin Yang?"
Lin Yang stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said, "This student Lin Yang greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Xue Ye waved his hand.
"No need for formalities, Lin Yang. The reason I summoned you so urgently today was to see for myself what kind of genius could be simultaneously recognized by all three Education Committee members and granted early promotion."
He paused for a moment before asking,
"What is your current cultivation level?"
Lin Yang: "Your Majesty, I have just broken through to level 48."
Level 48...
Emperor Xue Ye's eyes momentarily lost focus, but he quickly regained his composure.
Level 48 at eleven years old?
As the ruler of a nation, concealing his emotions was a basic quality. He suppressed his shock and openly expressed his praise.
"Well done. You truly are a young genius."
"I am honored by Your Majesty's praise!"
Seeing Lin Yang's calm and humble demeanor, Emperor Xue Ye's admiration deepened. He straightened his expression and got to the main topic.
"Lin Yang, you must have seen the situation of the Heaven Dou Team 1 in the tournament. Their chances of winning the championship are extremely low."
Saying "low" was already an understatement. Given the team's current state, even reaching the top three would be a miracle.
Lin Yang lowered his eyelids and remained silent.
"You are young, but your strength surpasses anyone on the Heaven Dou team," Emperor Xue Ye said in a low voice.
"Therefore, I would like you to participate in the final battles."
Lin Yang looked up in surprise and asked, "Didn't you say the competition spots have already been decided?"
"There's no need to worry about that," Emperor Xue Ye waved his hand.
"Since this event is being held within our Heaven Dou territory, it is still possible to find substitute candidates."
Emperor Xue Ye's tone became serious.
"You don't need to feel pressured. Even if you lose, no one will blame you. Everyone knows the next tournament will be held in your home territory."
"But even if we lose, we cannot let the Spirit Hall win so easily."
"If…" Emperor Xue Ye's gaze sharpened, carrying a hint of temptation.
"If you can lead the team to victory, that ancient soul bone will belong to you."