It didn't take long before the first match of the morning ended, and the teams for the second match took the stage.
Following the entrance passage and stepping into the soul tool light beams projected from the Grand Soul Arena's dome, Mu Yang led Blazing Academy's six main members onto the central battle stage amid the cheers of the audience.
Blazing Academy versus Divine Wind Academy—both teams had competitors at the five-ring Soul King level. If their match wasn't placed on the central battle stage, it simply wouldn't make sense.
VIP Section.
"Dean Huo, I have a question—would it be convenient for you to clarify something for me?"
Glancing at the seven members of Blazing Academy who had stepped onto the central battle stage, Ning Fengzhi turned to Huo Lie, who was seated two seats away, and asked.
"Master Ning, feel free to ask. If it's something I can answer, I certainly won't keep it from you."
Huo Lie smiled as he responded.
"Dean Huo, I'm quite curious—considering that they are all five-ring Soul Masters, why is the captain of Blazing Academy's team the food-type Mu Yang, rather than the power-attack-type Huo Wushuang or the control-type Huo Wu?"
Ning Fengzhi asked, puzzled.
Hearing this, Chen Xin, Emperor Xue Ye, Dugu Bo, and even most of the distinguished guests in the VIP section turned their attention to Huo Lie.
Among them, Qian Renxue was particularly intrigued.
They were all baffled—why would Blazing Academy appoint a food-type Soul Master as their team captain?
"Haha, the position of team captain was elected by the young ones themselves—the academy did not interfere."
Huo Lie laughed it off without directly revealing that Mu Yang had earned the captaincy through his own combat strength.
After all, none of the people present were his own, and Huo Lie had no intention of exposing Mu Yang's true strength. If word got out, it could attract even more hostility.
In fact, if he hadn't recently advanced to Rank 95 Titled Douluo, and if his profound cultivation method and soul core hadn't pushed his strength to the level of a Rank 96 Titled Douluo, he might not have even allowed Mu Yang, Huo Wu, and Huo Wushuang to participate in the Soul Master Tournament.
Similarly, Shui Yanyu had once shared this concern.
After all, even if they performed outstandingly in the Soul Master Tournament, it wouldn't bring much tangible benefit to the Elemental Academies.
Talented Soul Masters who were willing to join the Elemental Academies wouldn't be dissuaded just because the academy failed to achieve a high ranking, while those who had no intention of joining wouldn't suddenly change their minds just because the academy performed well.
At their level, their position was already at the ceiling—whether they performed slightly better or worse wouldn't change much.
On the contrary, if Mu Yang and the others participated, they would inevitably attract malice from various forces. The assassination attempt plotted by the Heaven Dou Soul Hall the other day was a prime example.
However, since it had been a long time since the academy last won the Soul Master Tournament championship, and since the young ones enjoyed the excitement while also possessing strong capabilities, Huo Lie and Shui Yanyu ultimately decided to let Mu Yang, Shui Bing'er, and the others compete in this year's Soul Master Tournament.
Three Titled Douluo—moreover, ones who maintained a neutral stance—were present. As long as they remained cautious and did not leave any openings, they would at least be able to protect a few juniors without any issues.
It was not uncommon for geniuses in the Soul Master world to die from assassinations. However, most of those who perished were talented Soul Masters of civilian origin.
For geniuses with strong backgrounds, those who wished to strike at them had to first consider whether they could withstand the consequences of retaliation.
In this regard, the now-deceased Salas had set a great example for the world.
With Salas as a warning, the early demise rate of talented Soul Masters on the continent should decrease over the next few years.
As for why Salas dared to order the assassination despite knowing that Mu Yang had three Titled Douluo backing him?
Perhaps in Salas's view, as long as the job was clean and no evidence was left behind, Blazing Academy and Sky Water Academy would not dare to openly challenge the Spirit Hall.
Central Battle Stage.
With both teams ready, the referee announced loudly, "Preliminary Round, Sixth Match—Blazing Academy versus Divine Wind Academy! Both teams, salute and release your martial souls! The match will officially begin in one minute!"
After both teams saluted, soul power flared up—beast souls possessed their hosts, weapon souls manifested, and the arena shone with yellow, purple, and black soul rings.
Just by looking at the number and colors of the soul rings, the audience could already gauge the strength of the two teams.
Blazing Academy had three Soul Kings and four Soul Ancestors, totaling thirty-one soul rings. Divine Wind Academy had one Soul King and six Soul Ancestors, totaling twenty-nine soul rings.
Not only was Divine Wind Academy at a disadvantage in terms of total soul rings, but their soul ring ages were also clearly inferior.
Mu Yang, Huo Wu, and Huo Wushuang of Blazing Academy all had ten-thousand-year fourth and fifth soul rings.
And that was after Mu Yang deliberately disguised his soul ring colors—otherwise, Blazing Academy would have had seven ten-thousand-year soul rings.
In contrast, Divine Wind Academy's sole Soul King, Feng Xiaotian, had a fourth soul ring that exceeded the conventional optimal ratio limit. However, due to the lack of methods to effectively enhance spiritual power, his fourth soul ring had not reached the ten-thousand-year mark. It was merely a deep purple with a hint of black, still falling short of ten thousand years.
Yet, what puzzled the audience was Blazing Academy's bizarre battle formation.
It was understandable for the team's food-type Soul Master and two support members to stand at the rear near the edge of the arena, but why were the three power-attack and agility-attack Soul Masters also positioned in the back? Even more strangely, their control-type Soul Master was standing alone at the front, more than ten meters away from the rest of the team.
Seeing Blazing Academy's formation, Feng Xiaotian inwardly thought, Old pal, you're the real deal, and felt immense gratitude toward Mu Yang.
Feng Xiaotian: This match is in the bag!
At that moment, he was already fantasizing about his future life with his goddess, even contemplating what names to give their children.
"Match, begin!"
The one-minute preparation time quickly passed. After announcing the start of the match, the referee swiftly retreated from the arena, leaving the stage to both teams.
"Go, Sister Huo Wu! It's all up to you!"
At the very start, Mu Yang, acting as the cheerleader, gave a command to Huo Wu before stepping forward to shield Huo Wushuang and the other four.
"Third Soul Skill—Repelling Fire Ring!"
Ignoring Mu Yang's playful words, Huo Wu's gaze locked onto Divine Wind Academy. Her third soul ring gleamed as soul power surged, and a dazzling ring of fire instantly erupted.
The third soul skill, Repelling Fire Ring, had no offensive power. However, it could push all opponents within its range outward. The specific repelling distance and the ability to differentiate between allies and enemies depended on the user's strength and control.
The skill's area of effect spanned a diameter of sixty to seventy meters with a height of three meters. Given that the Soul Master Tournament's battle stage was only thirty meters in diameter, this move was practically a map-wide attack.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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