Chapter 45 Royal Hunting Grounds, the Qualifying Rounds Begin! A "One-Man Kill Against Seven" Under the Grim Reaper's Scythe
Three days later, at dawn.
The Royal Hunting Grounds of the Heavenly Dou Empire.
This is a vast primeval forest located a hundred miles outside Heaven Dou City. Normally, it is the royal family's exclusive hunting and recreational area, as well as the training base for the Royal Knights. Today, however, it has become the battlefield for the qualifying rounds of the Continental Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament.
Gone is the clamor of hundreds of thousands of spectators from the qualifiers; instead, there is a chilling and ruthless atmosphere. Only the fifteen teams that qualified from the qualifiers, along with high-ranking officials of the Empire and envoys from the Spirit Hall, are allowed to come here.
"Thump, thump, thump!" The resounding hoofbeats shook the earth. The road leading to the central camp of the hunting grounds was lined with fully armed royal knights. They wore heavy silver armor, held long spears, and had cold, piercing gazes. This knightly order of fifty thousand soul masters, even just standing still, exuded a palpable aura of iron-blooded power that would make ordinary soul masters' legs go weak.
"Is this the foundation of the Heaven Dou Empire? Such a powerful aura." In the All-Round Team, Ye Shaotian pushed up his sunglasses. Although he said it was strong, his face showed an indifferent expression.
"This is a show of force," Ye Feng, who was walking at the front, said calmly. Today, he was wearing a custom-made black and gold team uniform, with a seemingly ordinary black umbrella on his back. He strolled leisurely, as if he were walking in his own backyard rather than in a military camp filled with murderous intent.
As expected, when the full-time team reached the camp gate, the knights on both sides suddenly shouted in unison, "Halt—!!!"
This roar, carrying the spirit and energy of 50,000 people, crashed into the members of the all-star team with a tangible sonic boom. An ordinary team would likely have been thrown into disarray by this force, with some members even falling to the ground in fright. This was not only a test, but also a demonstration of the royal family's authority over these talented soul masters.
The academy teams following behind (such as Shrek Academy and Thunder Academy) all changed their expressions slightly and began to circulate their soul power to resist.
However, the full-time team, which was at the center of the storm, didn't even have their clothes ruffled.
"So noisy." Ye Feng stopped and slightly raised his eyelids. In that instant, his pupils turned into a deep, dark gold. He didn't use any soul skills, but simply released his will as a top expert in the City of Slaughter (although he hadn't been there yet, the setting had a similar aura) or in his previous life.
"roll."
There was only one word. The sound wasn't loud, but it was like a heavy hammer, striking precisely into the depths of the soul of everyone present.
Boom—!!! An invisible aura of dominance (mental pressure) suddenly erupted from Ye Feng. The iron-blooded killing intent formed by the 50,000 knights was actually forcefully repelled by Ye Feng's sheer power in that instant!
"Neigh—neigh!" The hundreds of warhorses at the front were startled, rearing up and neighing in terror. The once orderly formation instantly descended into chaos.
On the high platform, Emperor Xueye, who was preparing to watch the spectacle, trembled slightly in his teacup. Beside him, an elderly man in a long crimson robe and a platinum crown suddenly opened his eyes. Salas, the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall.
"Such domineering mental power." Salas stared intently at the boy below. "This child must not be allowed to live."
Entering the camp.
After this little incident, no one dared to underestimate this team anymore. The full-time team was placed in the most central and best-equipped area of the camp.
"Captain, that was so cool!" As soon as they entered the tent, Leng Qianqian excitedly clung to Ye Feng. "Look, those knights' faces have turned green!"
"Keep it down, keep it down." Ye Feng pulled her down and looked at the others in the tent. "You all know the rules of the qualifying rounds, right?"
"Hmm." Shui Bing'er nodded. Her demeanor was becoming increasingly composed, quite like that of a vice-captain. "The qualifying rounds are an individual elimination system (a round-robin tournament). Each team sends seven players. The winners stay on the field, and the losers are eliminated, until all seven players on one side are eliminated." "This format no longer tests teamwork, but rather... the ultimate fighting power of an individual."
"That's right." Ye Feng walked to the tactics board and picked up a pen. "In the qualifiers, we demonstrated team control and explosive power. So in the qualifying rounds, what we need to demonstrate is—absolute dominance." He glanced at everyone, and finally, a proud smile appeared on his lips. "The first match, no tactics needed. I'll go alone."
"Alone?!" Everyone was shocked. Although they knew Ye Feng was strong, his opponents in the qualifying rounds were all elites from various countries. Could he possibly have enough soul power to fight seven opponents in a row?
"Don't worry." Ye Feng looked outside the tent, his gaze seemingly piercing through the void, towards the team's base in the Kingdom of Barak. "I'll show Salas what...despair really is."
...
The qualifying rounds officially began the following day.
In the center of the Royal Hunting Grounds was a vast training ground. There were no cheers from the audience, only the cold stares of the various teams and the scrutinizing gazes of the important figures on the high platform.
"Match 1: All-Star Team VS Barak Academy!"
The Kingdom of Barak is known for its fierce and valiant people, and their battle styles are also famous for their brutality. The captain of Barak Academy is a burly man with a Violent Demonic Bear as his martial soul, a level 44 Power Attack type Battle Soul Master.
"A full-time team?" Captain Barak grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth as he looked at Ye Feng, who was walking onto the field alone. "Kid, where are the rest of you? Did you wet your pants from yesterday's hoofbeats?"
Ye Feng, with one hand in his pocket and the other holding the Thousand Chance Umbrella, ignored him and turned to look at the referee. "Can we start now? I'm in a hurry to eat lunch."
"Arrogant brat! I'll crush your bones one by one!" Captain Barak roared, his martial spirit activating, causing him to swell up and pounce on Ye Feng with a stench.
In the spectator stands. Blazing Fire Academy area. Huo Wu stared intently at the arena, her palms sweating. "That bastard, putting on an act again… But what exactly is this 'second martial soul' he said he was going to demonstrate?"
Feng Xiaotian leaned closer from behind: "Sister Huowu, you have to trust Boss. Since Boss dares to take on seven opponents at once, he must be confident." Huowu rolled her eyes at him: "Who's your sister? Shut up and watch the match."
Center of the field.
Facing the charging, ferocious demonic bear, Ye Feng finally moved. He didn't deploy his umbrella shield, nor did he use his battle spear. He simply swung the Thousand Manifestations Umbrella sharply in his hand.
"Click-click-click—!!!" A chilling mechanical transformation sound rang out. The originally straight umbrella suddenly bent, and after the canopy closed, it did not disappear, but unfolded layer by layer like a folding fan, transforming into a huge, pitch-black, cold-glowing... scythe.
The scythe was at least two meters long, its blade curved like a crescent moon, shimmering with an eerie purple light. A dense aura of death instantly filled the entire area.
"Thousand Chance Umbrella - Exorcist Form - War Scythe!" (To intimidate the Spirit Hall, Ye Feng specially imitated a form similar to the Grim Reaper and infused it with the tearing properties of the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear Soul Bone.)
"That's... what kind of martial spirit?!" Salas suddenly stood up on the high platform. A scythe? A weapon martial spirit? But why is that aura so evil and domineering?
"Death...is descending." Ye Feng murmured. His figure vanished instantly.
"Soul Bone Skill: Dark Gold Terror Claw - Tear!" This strike was attached to the war scythe.
Whoosh! A black, crescent-shaped blade of light ripped through the void. Captain Barak's protective soul power was as fragile as paper, instantly sliced through. "Ah—!!!" he screamed in agony as a huge gash was torn open in his chest armor and flesh, sending him flying backward and crashing heavily out of the arena.
One move. Instant kill.
The entire arena fell silent. Ye Feng stood in the center of the arena, wielding a massive black battle scythe, his black hair flowing freely without wind, like a reaper from hell. He raised the scythe and pointed it at the Barak Academy's rest area. "Next."
The ensuing match turned into a one-sided massacre. The remaining six members of Barak Academy, whether they were agility-based attackers, control-based attackers, or defense-based attackers, couldn't last more than three rounds against Ye Feng's unpredictable and ever-changing war scythe.
"Whirlwind Slash!" The giant scythe spun like a windmill, directly swatting away two agility-type Soul Masters who were trying to surround it.
"Soul Hook!" A chain suddenly shot out from the end of the scythe's handle, wrapped around the neck of the control-type Soul Master, pulled him over, and then kicked him unconscious.
Ten minutes. Just ten minutes. All seven main players from Barak Academy lay on the ground, their cries of agony echoing across the arena.
"Full-time team wins!" The referee's voice trembled as he announced the result.
"One...one against seven?" The other academy team members in the audience were dumbfounded. This is the promotion tournament? These are the elites from the various kingdoms? In front of Ye Feng, they are like children who have just learned to walk.
...
Post-match tunnel.
Ye Feng put away the Thousand Chance Umbrella and returned to his original appearance, though his face was slightly paler (he was faking it to appear weak). He was immediately surrounded by a group of people as soon as he reached the exit.
The first to rush over were Shui Bing'er and Dugu Yan. "Captain! You're being too reckless!" Shui Bing'er said angrily, taking out a handkerchief to wipe non-existent sweat from his forehead. "Is fighting seven people at once so enjoyable? What if you overdraw your soul power?"
"Exactly!" Dugu Yan complained, but her eyes were sparkling. "But... the way he held the sickle just now was so cool! He had a kind of mischievous vibe, I love it~"
Just then, Huo Wu walked over. She looked at Ye Feng with an extremely complex expression. Shock, confusion, and a hint of...fear. The Ye Feng who had just wielded the scythe was so cold and unfamiliar to her, yet that powerful aura fascinated her deeply.
"That's... your second martial soul?" Huo Wu's voice was a little hoarse. Because the Thousand Manifestations Umbrella had changed so much and its aura had completely changed, she really thought it was another kind of martial soul.
Ye Feng smiled mysteriously and whispered in her ear, "You could say that. It's specially designed to slay demons and monsters... or, to steal a girl's soul. How about it, scared yet?"
"Who...who's afraid!" Huo Wu puffed out her chest and said with forced bravado, "Since you won, then our agreement..."
"The agreement is valid, of course." Ye Feng interrupted her. "Let's come to the grove again tonight. This time I'll teach you something more profound." "You..." Huo Wu blushed, but surprisingly didn't refute him. She just stomped her foot and ran away.
Watching Huo Wu's departing figure, Teacher Mingyue approached. Her expression was serious as she handed Ye Feng an exquisite invitation. "You seemed to be having a lot of fun. However, trouble is brewing."
Ye Feng accepted the invitation. It bore the emblem of the Spirit Hall's six-winged angel. "Bishop Salas invites you to a meeting tonight."
Ye Feng looked at the invitation, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips. "A trap? Perfect, I'd like to see what this old man is up to."
That night, at the Spirit Hall's encampment.
The tent was brightly lit and incredibly luxurious. Bishop Salas sat in the main seat, surrounded by a feast of delicacies. But he didn't touch his chopsticks; his sinister eyes were fixed on Ye Feng, who had just entered.
"Ye Feng, sit down." Salaspi gestured to the seat opposite him with a forced smile.
Ye Feng didn't stand on ceremony, sitting down with an air of nonchalance and immediately picking up a chicken leg to gnaw on. "Your Excellency, did you invite me here just to treat me to a late-night snack? That's too much trouble."
"Let's not beat around the bush." Salas waved away his attendants, leaned forward, and released a faint aura of pressure at the level of a Soul Douluo. "Ye Feng, your talent is top-notch, even among the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall. That year... you were the one who killed him, weren't you?"
Ye Feng paused, then continued gnawing on his chicken leg. "Your Excellency, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. I'm just an ordinary student; how could I possibly have the ability to kill a Soul Saint?"
"Hmph, whether you killed him or not is irrelevant," Salas sneered. "What matters is that you have the potential. I value talent and want to show you a clear path." He took out a golden token from his robes and placed it on the table. "Join the Spirit Hall. Everything before will be forgiven. Moreover, I'll guarantee you a spot in the finals, and even... I can let you enter the Papal Palace for further studies." "Otherwise..." Salas's eyes flashed with murderous intent, "If a genius is an enemy, then he can only be a dead man."
The atmosphere froze instantly. Ye Feng put down the chicken leg in his hand and slowly wiped his hands. He picked up the token and weighed it in his hand. "Further studies at the Papal Palace? Sounds good."
Salas revealed a smug smile. No one could refuse the Spirit Hall's offer.
"What a pity." Ye Feng suddenly sighed, and with a sudden burst of strength, he crushed the Spirit Hall token, a symbol of glory, into a deformed shape!
"You!" Salas exclaimed in shock, slamming his hand on the table and standing up.
"Salas, aren't you mistaken about something?" Ye Feng stood up, his aura no longer restrained, the arrogance emanating from the depths of his soul startling Salas. "My path, Ye Feng's path, I will walk myself. I don't need anyone to interfere." "Besides..." Ye Feng threw the deformed token back onto the table, making a crisp sound. "Want to kill me? You're welcome to try. Let's see who dies first."
After saying that, Ye Feng turned and left, showing no respect to the Platinum Bishop.
"Damn it! Damn it!" Salas trembled with rage as he watched Ye Feng's departing figure, crushing the wine glass in his hand. "You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences! Ye Feng, you won't survive the finals!" He immediately summoned a trusted aide in black. "Send a message to the Papal City. An extremely dangerous target has been detected. Requesting... Elders Chrysanthemum and Oni to intercept and kill it!"
They stepped out of the tent.
Ye Feng took a deep breath of the cool night air, his eyes gradually turning cold. His confrontation just now wasn't reckless. He knew very well that the Spirit Hall would make its move sooner or later. Since that was the case, he might as well escalate the conflict and force them to reveal their weaknesses. Moreover… he touched his chest, where the Illusionary Wisdom Skull (the residual insights before Shui Bing'er's fusion) and the Thousand Manifestations Umbrella lay.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo... It's time to test the ultimate firepower of the Thousand Manifestations Umbrella."
"Captain!" Several beautiful figures were waiting under the shadows of the trees not far away. Shui Bing'er, Dugu Yan, Mingyue, and even Huo Wu were pretending to admire the scenery from a distance. They visibly breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Ye Feng emerge safely.
"How did it go? That old man didn't do anything to you, did he?" Dugu Yan asked nervously.
"It's nothing." Ye Feng put on a relaxed smile and walked over to put his arm around Dugu Yan and Shui Bing'er's shoulders. "It was just an old man living alone who invited me for tea. It was so boring, so I came back first."
He glanced at Huo Wu in the distance and blinked. "Alright, everyone go back and rest. Tomorrow we'll be watching the other academies' weaklings fight it out."
Although Ye Feng appeared relaxed, the astute Mingyue and Shui Bing'er both noticed the seriousness in his eyes. A storm was brewing. But this was precisely the path their full-time team had to take to reach the top of the continent.
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