The final showdown between Spirit Hall Academy, Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team, and Star Luo Royal Academy First Team—the three strongest academy teams on the continent—was, in everyone's eyes, destined to be the most exciting battle of the Elite Tournament.
Of course, many also felt there was one unavoidable variable: Spirit Hall Academy.
After all, Yin Zhang—the vice-captain—was an absolute monster. Endless spirit power, instant activation of terrifying soul skills. If things played out like his previous match, then frankly speaking, there wouldn't be much to watch at all.
The draw results were announced very quickly.
Once again, Spirit Hall Academy received a bye.
They would wait for the match between Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team and Star Luo Royal Academy First Team to conclude, and then face the winner in a final battle to determine the champion.
For most spectators, however, the result was already obvious.
The championship almost certainly belonged to Spirit Hall Academy.
After all, aside from Yin Zhang—the freak-level prodigy—and Zhou Wu, a Spirit King, Spirit Hall Academy also had another Spirit King as its captain… one who hadn't even taken the field yet.
It would be a complete and utter stomp.
Qiangu Yunying leaned weakly against Yin Zhang, her voice full of grievance.
"Xiao Zhang… do you think they're cheating? I just want to finish quickly. There's only one match left—if they surrender too, it'll feel like I didn't even come here."
Yin Zhang smiled helplessly and glanced at Zhou Wu and the others.
"How are you all feeling? Honestly, this championship feels way too easy."
Zhou Wu nodded seriously.
"I agree with Sister Yunying. Could Heaven Dou Royal Academy be manipulating the brackets on purpose, just to keep giving us byes?"
At that moment, Dugu Bo walked over and snorted.
"Be content. Getting a bye is mostly luck. Even if there was some manipulation, you're still the ones benefiting. If anything, Xiao Zhang—you need to tone it down in future matches. Play steady. Don't be so exaggerated."
Yin Zhang nodded slowly.
That lightning-fast victory against Thunder Academy last time had only happened because of a system selection prompt.
Next time, he'd wait it out and choose the "system" option properly—no more ending matches in under a minute.
---
Soon, the battle between Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team and Star Luo Royal Academy First Team began.
After watching for a while, the Spirit Hall Academy group returned to their lounge to wait.
By the time news came back, the result was clear.
Star Luo Royal Academy First Team had won.
At the critical moment, their captain and vice-captain unleashed a powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill—Hell White Tiger, forcibly turning defeat into victory.
Naturally, these two were not the same as Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun from history, nor were they like Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. They were neither imperial heirs nor direct descendants of the Zhu clan's main line.
Captain: Dai Yuqing, 24 years old
Martial Soul: White Tiger
Level 48 Assault-type Spirit Ancestor
Vice-Captain: Zhu Mengran, 23 years old
Martial Soul: Hell Civet
Level 46 Assault-type Spirit Ancestor
Dai Yuqing was indeed a member of the Star Luo royal family. Unlike the Heaven Dou imperial clan, which had very few blood members, Star Luo's royal family was vast, with many relatives holding key positions across the empire.
The Zhu clan was the same.
This abundance of bloodline compatibility was precisely why Star Luo could maintain its dominance—and why the Hell White Tiger fusion skill appeared far more frequently there than anywhere else on the continent.
---
The final match was scheduled for the afternoon.
Dai Yuqing stood at about 1.82 meters tall, handsome features framed by eyes that held both dominance and melancholy.
Beside him walked his fiancée, Zhu Mengran.
She wore a tight black bodysuit that perfectly outlined the signature Zhu-family figure. Her curves were bold and full, her steps light and soundless, long legs swaying gracefully as she walked.
"Mengran…" Dai Yuqing said with lingering fear. "Do you think we should surrender? What happened to Thunder Academy… Yu Huiming's fate is still fresh in my mind."
Zhu Mengran shuddered slightly, recalling the scene where Yin Zhang's three-hit soul skill—accompanied by a dragon's roar—had nearly torn Yu Huiming apart.
"I'm scared too," she admitted, patting her chest. "Yin Zhang definitely has a grudge against Yu Huiming… but I think he held back in the end."
She suddenly stopped and looked at Dai Yuqing.
"Yuqing… should we go see Yin Zhang?"
Dai Yuqing froze. "Go see him?"
Zhu Mengran nodded.
"We should find out exactly what he's capable of before deciding whether to fight or surrender. If we can still fight, we'll fight. But if surrendering is the only option, we need to know that too."
"Otherwise, surrendering without a word will reflect badly once word reaches the Empire."
Dai Yuqing nodded heavily.
"You're right. We've already achieved our goal—second place is more than respectable. First place belongs to Spirit Hall; with two Spirit Kings and that freak Yin Zhang, we can't compete."
"Let's go talk to him. If possible, we'll fight instead of surrendering."
"That way, when we return, my father can petition His Majesty to arrange a military position for me. Our future will be secure."
---
The two headed toward Spirit Hall Academy's lounge.
On the way, they encountered a familiar girl—Spirit Hall Academy's healing Spirit Ancestor with the Healing Egret martial soul.
Dai Yuqing smiled immediately.
"Hello, Zhou Yuanyuan. I'm Dai Yuqing, captain of Star Luo Royal Academy First Team. This is my fiancée, Zhu Mengran, our vice-captain."
Zhou Yuanyuan blinked in surprise.
"Hello. Is there something I can help you with?"
Zhu Mengran smiled gently.
"Yes. Our teams are about to face each other in the finals. We'd like to visit your captain and vice-captain for a proper conversation. Would that be alright?"
Conversation?
What was there to talk about?
Zhou Yuanyuan muttered inwardly—but still smiled.
"Of course. Follow me."
Dai Yuqing and Zhu Mengran exchanged a glance, a hint of excitement flashing in their eyes.
---
Splash—
The door opened slowly.
Dai Yuqing, Zhu Mengran, and Zhou Yuanyuan stepped inside, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
Upon spotting Dugu Bo, both Dai Yuqing and Zhu Mengran bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Dugu Bo nodded lightly, then glanced at Yin Zhang.
"Looks like they're here for you," he said calmly. "I'll step out and go see Yan Yan."
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