20+ Advance chapters on Patreon
Ning Tian needed no introduction, his prowess was evident as he directly defeated Xie Yue and Charm Demon head-on. Zhu Zhuqing, too, showcased her strength by taking down Yan, a Spirit King.
Ye Lingling's critical role was undeniable; by dispelling Charm Demon's red mist and instantly healing the injuries of the Shi brothers and Yufeng, she proved her worth. Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was equally indispensable.
But the greatest credit belonged to Ning Tian. Had he not severely wounded Hu Liena and defeated Charm Demon at the outset, Charm Demon alone could have swept the entire Heaven Dou Imperial Academy main team.
With this match concluded, the champion's identity was all but certain. The third round of the competition ended, leaving only six teams standing in the tournament.
Shockingly, two of the three seeded teams were eliminated that day. Meanwhile, the Heaven Dou Empire marched forward triumphantly, with both its main and secondary teams advancing to the finals.
This should have been a moment of unparalleled pride for the empire, but fate had other plans. In an utterly humiliating turn of events, Tang San suffered an explosive bout of diarrhea in front of representatives from the two empires and the Spirit Hall.
It stained the reputation of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and the empire with shame. Yet, as the saying goes, there's no harm without comparison.
At the critical moment, Ning Tian and his Heaven Dou Imperial Academy main team turned the tide. Their decisive victory over the Spirit Hall Academy team, the frontrunner for the championship averted total disgrace.
Without this win, this edition of the Heaven Dou Empire and its academy would have been a laughingstock. In fact, many high-ranking officials from the Heaven Dou Empire began to regret recognizing the Shrek team as the academy's secondary team.
As the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament reached this stage, it was nearing its climax. In the eyes of the world, the champion was undoubtedly the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy main team.
Ning Tian, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling stood out, revealing the true potential of soul masters. If their real ages were known, the shock would be even greater.
After dinner, the participating academies returned to their rooms to rest, all except the Shrek team. Everyone but Xiao Wu gathered in Tang San's room, sitting in heavy silence.
The silence was interrupted only by the occasional flush from the bathroom. Moments later, as the sound of rushing water signaled the end of his ordeal, Tang San emerged, clad in fresh clothes.
His face was dark as he scanned the room, noticing Xiao Wu's absence. "Where's Xiao Wu?" he asked, his voice low and tense.
"She wasn't feeling well and went back to her room to rest," Dai Mubai replied.
"Who won today, Spirit Hall Academy or Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?" Tang San asked, not specifying the main team.
He had never accepted his role as part of the secondary team. At this, the Shrek team fell silent again, their heads bowed, faces etched with worry.
Seeing their reaction, Tang San already knew the answer. Anger surged within him, mingling with a sense of helplessness.
Ning Tian was simply too powerful, overwhelmingly so in every way. Without his hidden weapons, Tang San felt utterly countered, his twin martial souls rendered useless.
After a pause, Flender sighed and said, "Ning Tian and his team are unstoppable now. Even the Spirit Hall Academy fell to them."
"I think I should head outside Spirit City first and consult with Xiaogang," Flender added. This suggestion sparked immediate dissent, especially from Tang San.
Still fuming from his earlier embarrassment, Tang San was so enraged that he half-wanted to storm out of Spirit City.
Instead, he said curtly, "No need to bother the teacher. I already have a plan."
His words instantly captured everyone's attention. Dai Mubai's eyes gleamed as he leaned forward. "Third Brother, what's your plan?" he asked eagerly.
After all, Dai Mubai was on the verge of exile and desperate to boost his strength. If they could secure the three soul bones offered by the Spirit Hall, his standing in Shrek would surely guarantee him one.
…..
Meanwhile, in Xiao Wu's room, Ning Tian was having sex with her.
After a long night, they finally paused, lying together naked.
"Xiao Wu, for the upcoming matches, remember…" Ning Tian began, his tone insistent. Xiao Wu grabbed his sensitive spot, cutting him off with an exasperated huff.
"I know, I know! The Acacia Broken Heart Red is secure, it won't fall off. I won't go all out in the matches; I'll just coast through," she said.
Ning Tian pressed on. "If you're caught by the Spirit Hall or—" Xiao Wu interrupted again, reciting his instructions swiftly.
"If my identity is exposed and the Spirit Hall catches me, I won't do anything stupid, you'll save me. If Tang Hao grabs me, I'll play along. Either way, no reckless moves," she replied.
Satisfied, Ning Tian relaxed. He'd been very cautious about her.
The last thing he wanted was for her to do something drastic like sacrifice herself. Now, he waited to see how Tang Hao and his son would navigate the deadly trap he'd indirectly set.
Facing a level 99 Bibi Dong at full strength, with Tang Hao already half-dead, how could they possibly survive? Unless the shameless God of Asura intervened, their fate was sealed.
...
The next morning, the fourth round of the competition began. By now, the champion was all but confirmed: the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy main team.
Only the second and third places remained in question. The team formed by seven Spirit Ancestors from Blazing Academy and Godwind Academy was formidable, after all.
The draw had lost its suspense, no one had expected two seeded teams, including the Spirit Hall Academy, to fall. If another clash between strong teams led to an elimination, this tournament would feel incomplete.
Thus, after negotiations between the Spirit Hall and Heaven Dou Empire representatives, they arranged the matchups. The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy main team, secondary team, and Godwind Academy would face weaker opponents in the fourth round.
The Star Luo Empire representative objected but couldn't defy both powers at once, so he grudgingly acquiesced. The formal draw proceeded as a formality, and the outcome was predictable.
A day passed in a blur. At dawn, the top three teams ascended Pope's Mountain, gathering in the square before the Pope's Hall.
Apart from the Spirit Hall Academy, the eliminated teams had departed. They lacked the privilege to witness this final stage.
Even for the Spirit Hall Academy, only the Golden Generation remained to observe; a perk of being the host.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━━━━━
patreon.com/DUKE3500 for advance chapters for all the novels i translate for 2$