The advancement tournament proceeded quickly, with each round being a one-on-one match, so it didn't take long to determine the winners.
A few days later, the teams still maintaining undefeated records were the classic powerhouses: Emperor Battle Team, Godwind, Skywater, and others.
In addition, there was also a Botany Academy. This academy wasn't particularly strong overall, but they were special—being made up entirely of control system soul masters.
They didn't have flashy offensive techniques, but they could control their opponents, making it impossible for even the strongest power-attackers to exert force. No matter how powerful the soul master, it was hard to withstand such battles repeatedly. As a result, many opponents ended up losing to these girls.
Today, the Emperor Battle Team was facing them.
The match followed immediately after the battle between Shrek and Exotic Beast Academy. As the name suggests, most members of Exotic Beast Academy were beast soul soul masters. Meng Yiran originally came from this academy, but because she had a tool martial soul, she didn't fit in and decisively chose to leave.
Exotic Beast Academy seemed to regard her as a traitor, putting in extra effort against Shrek.
Unlike Botany Academy, Exotic Beast Academy was all about power attack and defense types, but they were thoroughly countered by Tang San's control system. Normally, if Tang San was playing, he could easily take out several of them in a row. However, Tianlin noticed something odd: Shrek's lineup was missing two crucial members—not only was Tang San absent, but Oscar was also missing.
Tianlin asked Yu Tianheng, "Tianheng, do you know where Tang San and Oscar went? They're not even participating in the advancement tournament?"
"They left a few days ago with the academy's teacher Zhao Wuji. Oh right, one of your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Soul Sages also went with them and hasn't returned yet," Yu Tianheng replied.
Hearing this, Tianlin pondered. For both of them, who were originally at level 39, to suddenly disappear during the advancement tournament, there could only be one reason.
"Looks like, due to the continuous battles, both Oscar and Tang San have broken through to level 40," Tianlin judged. That was the only explanation he could think of. Since the advancement tournament didn't eliminate teams, losing a few matches wasn't a big deal. It was better to take this opportunity to help Tang San and Oscar hunt for good soul rings, so they could fully adapt to the Soul Ancestor realm before the finals.
Uncle Ning also sent a Soul Sage to accompany them, probably to help Oscar find an ideal soul ring—which definitely wouldn't be for amplification purposes.
"Dai Mubai wins!"
At this moment, the referee announced from below.
Shrek was already in a dominant position. Dai Mubai took out three opponents in a row. Even without Tang San, with Exotic Beast Academy's strength, it was hard for them to gain any advantage.
After all, in the original story, Meng Yiran was only level 37 and still became vice-captain, showing that this academy wasn't very strong. The only reason they passed the qualifiers was because their division didn't have strong opponents like the Five Element Academies.
After fighting three people in a row, Dai Mubai began gasping heavily. Having lost the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, his soul power and strength were much less than in the original story—not to mention his Invincible Vajra Body. Being able to one-versus-three was thanks to his excellent martial soul.
The Evil-Eyed White Tiger was one of the few beast martial souls able to rival the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
In the fourth match, the captain of Exotic Beast Academy took the stage—their only Soul Ancestor, level 42, with the martial soul of Mighty Bull, a powerful attack-type beast martial soul.
Although not as strong as the White Tiger, it wasn't far off. In Dai Mubai's current condition, he was no match; he couldn't even maintain White Tiger Vajra Transformation and quickly lost.
Next up was the agility attack system soul master, Zhu Zhuqing.
The Mighty Bull wasn't fast, so Zhu Zhuqing planned to use her agility for hit-and-run tactics. Unfortunately, her soul power lagged behind the Exotic Beast Academy captain's by a wide margin, so she couldn't win quickly.
Once the captain adapted to all of Zhu Zhuqing's attacks, he immediately counterattacked.
The Exotic Beast Academy captain activated his third soul ring, and after blocking one of Zhu Zhuqing's surprise attacks, he cast a layer of red light over her.
Then, he used his strongest fourth soul skill to assault Zhu Zhuqing. Though she retreated quickly, it was as if she was locked on—no matter where she ran, he chased her relentlessly.
"This third soul skill seems to be a lock-on type. Under its effect, the captain's attacks won't stop until he hits Zhu Zhuqing. The outcome is decided," Tianlin sighed.
Strength has its limits. Continuous sprinting drained Zhu Zhuqing's stamina far more than usual. Besides, in terms of endurance, she couldn't compare to a power-attack Soul Ancestor. In the end, as her speed slowed, the captain charged and knocked her directly out of the arena.
Tianlin's senses were sharp; he seemed to hear a cracking sound.
"Her rib broke, and likely her internal organs are injured too. Such a savage attack."
This wasn't entirely the Exotic Beast Academy captain's fault. His third soul skill didn't just lock on—it also drove him into a berserk state, like a bull seeing red. He couldn't control himself.
"Zhuqing!" Ning Rongrong, on the sidelines, rushed over to help her up. Though their relationship wasn't as close as in the original, they weren't on bad terms. As a teammates, Ning Rongrong was still very concerned.
"Cough, cough!" As soon as Zhu Zhuqing was helped up, she coughed up blood. With injuries like this, without proper treatment, she probably wouldn't be able to compete in the finals.
Tianlin glanced at Dai Mubai. Although his expression looked a little worried, he didn't move at all. Tianlin frowned. "This guy, isn't Zhu Zhuqing his fiancée? Yet he does nothing."
"Of course, he doesn't care. According to my intel, when Dai Mubai was in Heaven Dou City unless Shrek had a match, he'd stay at Meixiang Brothel, calling several girls at once for fun. He couldn't care less about his fiancée," Oslo explained.
Meixiang Brothel was the most luxurious brothel in Heaven Dou City, far grander than those in Suoto City. After all, it catered to the wealthy and powerful, so it's no wonder Dai Mubai was so addicted.
Qin Ming looked helplessly at Oslo. Sending this guy and Tianheng to gather intel was his biggest mistake. What Tianheng brought back was information; what Oslo brought back was gossip.
Dugu Yan was furious when she heard this. "What a scumbag! His fiancée is right beside him, yet he openly indulges in such places. If it were Tianheng, I'd have melted him into poison long ago!"
Yu Tianheng broke into a cold sweat, trembling behind Tianlin. In this world, the only one Dugu Yan definitely wouldn't attack was Tianlin; only behind him could Tianheng feel a bit of safety.
Tianlin looked at Yu Tianheng with disdain. "You've never even been there. What are you so scared of?"
"This Dai Mubai has completely given up," Tianlin sighed. It seemed that, having lost the immortal herb, he believed he could never beat Dai Weisi, so he'd already resigned himself to fate. Now, he only wanted to enjoy life as much as possible before his death day arrived.
However, Tianlin felt that Zhu Zhuqing hadn't given up at all. In battle, even against a stronger opponent, she never retreated—her determined eyes were moving.
"She's a good girl. What a pity!"