Champion!
Seeing the frozen, lifeless expression on his son's face, Dai Hao staggered backward.
Even though he was the White Tiger Duke of the Star Luo Empire and a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse, he could not suppress the violent fury erupting from his heart when he personally witnessed his son die before his eyes.
"Ah! I'll kill you!"
Dai Hao roared toward the heavens. His martial soul instantly possessed him, and his body began to transform. Dense white fur spread across his skin as his physique expanded violently, taking on the form of a massive White Tiger.
The terrifying aura of a Titled Douluo erupted without restraint.
Completely blinded by rage, Dai Hao charged straight toward Yuhao with murderous intent.
"Stop!"
"Court death!"
Two voices rang out almost simultaneously.
Two figures appeared on the competition stage one after another, their speed astonishing.
The figure standing at the front wore an indifferent expression. With a single step, he blocked Dai Hao's path, forcibly halting the White Tiger Duke's advance.
He was the Protector Douluo of the Star Luo Empire—Shattering Star Douluo.
As a guardian who secretly protected Emperor Xu Jiawei, he rarely appeared in public, so very few people present recognized him.
Behind him, another powerful figure descended.
It was Jin Peng, the deputy sect master of the Noumenon Sect.
At this moment, Jin Peng's soul rings had already lit up. Brilliant golden light enveloped his chest as he entered full combat readiness. The oppressive aura of a high-level Titled Douluo spread across the arena.
His sharp gaze swept across the stage before finally landing on Xu Jiawei, who was seated at the center of the royal viewing platform.
"If even the rules of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition are not respected," Jin Peng said coldly, his voice amplified by soul power, "then there is no need for the Star Luo Empire to continue hosting this tournament."
His words were direct and carried unmistakable pressure.
Hearing this, Xu Jiawei's expression darkened considerably. As the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, he could not allow chaos to erupt in front of countless spectators.
"Brother Hao, stand down," Xu Jiawei commanded in a deep voice.
Dai Hao's breathing was heavy, his tiger eyes burning with fury.
After a few moments, he forcibly suppressed his transformation and reverted to human form.
However, he did not immediately step away.
His gaze remained fixed on Yuhao, filled with undisguised killing intent.
Seeing this, Jin Peng gave a cold snort. His body swelled slightly with soul power, and he shouted:
"What? Does the Star Luo Empire intend to declare war on the Noumenon Sect?"
The atmosphere instantly turned tense.
Xu Jiawei's voice became stern.
"Dai Hao!"
At the same time, Shattering Star Douluo also spoke in a low tone, "White Tiger Duke, accidents are inevitable in a competition of this level. Please consider the bigger picture."
Dai Hao said nothing further.
He slowly turned around.
But even as he walked away, his eyes never left Yuhao.
It was as if he wanted to engrave Yuhao's appearance into his very soul.
Yuhao naturally understood the meaning behind that gaze.
Yet he did not care.
Instead, he felt an indescribable irony.
After all, in terms of bloodline, his current body could be considered Dai Hao's own son.
As Dai Hao stepped down from the stage, Jin Peng and Shattering Star Douluo also withdrew.
The arena gradually returned to relative calm.
Yuhao turned to look at Tiansha Douluo and spoke calmly:
"Referee, is it time to announce the result?"
Tiansha Douluo seemed to have only just recovered from the shock. Hearing Yuhao's voice, he froze for a moment before realizing what had just occurred.
The Noumenon Academy had defeated Shrek Academy.
The thousand-year hegemony of Shrek Academy in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition had ended.
Looking at Yuhao's calm and composed expression—completely unaffected by Dai Hao's killing intent—Tiansha Douluo felt an inexplicable chill in his heart.
Reluctantly, yet formally, he announced:
"Noumenon Academy… victory!"
The entire arena erupted instantly.
Although many had speculated beforehand, when the result was officially declared, they still could not suppress their astonishment and excitement.
A new champion had emerged.
Even more shocking was the fact that Yuhao, a Soul King with a special twin martial soul and unprecedented soul rings, had directly defeated two Soul Emperors from Shrek Academy's main team.
He had not only defeated them—
He had killed one of them.
Such an achievement was unprecedented in the history of the tournament.
It was foreseeable that before long, the name Huo Yuhao—and the name of the Noumenon Sect—would resound across the entire Douluo Continent.
"That Huo Yuhao is terrifying. He actually defeated two Soul Emperors!"
"I still can't believe it. Is he really only at that level of cultivation?"
"If he one day becomes a Titled Douluo, what kind of monster will he become?"
...
Although the Noumenon Academy received cheers, the focus of nearly everyone present remained firmly on Yuhao.
Within the Noumenon Academy's resting area, shock filled every face.
Especially when they had witnessed the Snow Emperor descend and display the Emperor Sword, their understanding of "souls" had completely changed.
Long Aotian's eyes sparkled with longing.
"So this is the power of a soul…"
The others shared similar thoughts.
Zhenyue even muttered excitedly, "I must obtain a soul in the future."
...
On the other side, within Shrek Academy's area, the atmosphere was suffocating.
Watching Ma Xiaotao eliminated and Dai Yueheng dead, Yan Shaozhe felt as though all strength had left his body.
"I lost… we truly lost."
He could scarcely accept reality.
Then, slowly, he lifted his head and stared at Yuhao standing in the center of the stage, receiving the gaze of countless spectators.
A vicious glint flashed in his eyes.
"You must die."
Through this battle, Yan Shaozhe had completely realized the threat Yuhao posed.
If left unchecked, this young man would one day become an existence capable of shaking Shrek Academy's foundation.
A dangerous plan quietly began to take shape in his mind.
...
With the Noumenon Academy defeating Shrek Academy and claiming the championship, this five-year Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition officially came to an end.
In the following days, Yuhao and the members of the Noumenon Sect did not immediately leave Star Luo City. Instead, they attended the official award ceremony hosted by the Star Luo Empire.
Although Yuhao had killed Dai Yueheng, and a near-catastrophic conflict had erupted during the finals, the Star Luo Empire still honored its promise.
As the host nation, it maintained imperial dignity and presented the championship rewards as agreed.
Three soul bones.
Even within major powers, soul bones were priceless treasures.
Naturally, the Noumenon Sect had no reason to refuse.
Except for Yuhao, who remained indifferent, everyone else regarded them as extremely valuable.
Yuhao did not request any of the three soul bones and left the decision entirely to Jin Peng.
In the end, Bai Ting, Long Aotian, and Gu Tong each obtained one soul bone.
The absorption of a soul bone would significantly enhance a soul master's overall strength.
While Long Aotian and the others were filled with joy, they were also deeply grateful to Yuhao.
After all, it was no exaggeration to say that Yuhao alone had carried the Noumenon Sect to victory.
Without him, the Noumenon Sect would never have been able to seize the championship from Shrek Academy.
...
After the award ceremony concluded, the Noumenon Sect remained in Star Luo City for several more days to recuperate before preparing to depart.
However, the moment they exited their hotel, several suspicious figures scattered quietly into the surrounding streets.
They reported the Noumenon Sect's movements to different hidden forces.
In fact, from the day after the finals ended, these individuals had already begun monitoring the hotel.
Their goal was clear—to track the Noumenon Sect.
Notably, these spies dispersed in different directions, clearly belonging to multiple factions.
Yet the Noumenon Sect appeared unaware and proceeded calmly toward the city gates.
And just after they left Star Luo City—
The various forces that had received the intelligence began to mobilize.
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