Yang Pojun's soul power rank was 48. He wasn't the highest-ranked member of the Seven Treasure Team—that honor went to the Rank 54 Dugu Yan, followed by the Rank 49 Ma Bao. However, despite not being the highest in rank, his combat strength was arguably the best beneath Dugu Yan. Wielding the Soul Breaking Spear, he possessed a martial soul that knew no fear, even when facing a Soul King.
Using him to deal with Xie Yue was undoubtedly the best choice, as sending Dugu Yan out immediately would be overkill.
However, just as the match was about to begin, Qian Renxue spoke up. "Spirit Hall Academy concedes. We forfeit the first half of the Grand Finals and voluntarily enter this afternoon's losers' bracket final."
Xie Yue's brow furrowed instinctively as he turned back to look at Qian Renxue, though he dared not voice any dissatisfaction. The referee didn't speak immediately, instead looking toward Bibi Dong for guidance. Bibi Dong remained expressionless and did not stop her. Only then did the referee announce, "Spirit Hall Academy team withdraws. Next, the Heaven Dou Imperial Team may send a member to the stage for the challenge!"
But as soon as the referee finished, Dugu Yan of the Seven Treasure Team stood up and said softly, "Seven Treasure Team withdraws."
The members of Spirit Hall were instantly filled with righteous indignation. This was blatant targeting! Then again, the two teams had been targeting Spirit Hall from the very start, so this was merely a consistent tactical maneuver.
Dugu Yan looked at Qian Renxue, their gazes clashing in the air. Qian Renxue offered a faint smile, thinking to herself, 'Xiao Xuan, oh Xiao Xuan... I wonder what you'll think later when I've finished thrashing your fiancée?'
Beside her, Hu Liena couldn't help but ask, "Why did we concede? We have three Soul Kings, and with you..."
Qian Renxue cast a cold glance over. "You do not need to question my decisions. You only need to obey."
Hu Liena's face froze. She didn't understand why this esteemed lady was so cold toward her, but she truly lacked the courage to argue. At only twenty-four, this woman had already reached Rank 74; such terrifying talent made Hu Liena feel completely outclassed.
Watching Hu Liena's aggrieved expression, Qian Renxue sighed. Though this girl had stolen the maternal love that should have belonged to her, Qian Renxue had long since moved past that. So what if she didn't have a mother? She had her grandfather, and... and she had Gu Xuan. That was enough.
Having been undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire for years, that "brat" had been her only solace. Now, that little kid who used to be so "naughty" that he'd only ever think of burrowing into his "big brother's" embrace had grown up into a heroic young man...
Getting back on track, Qian Renxue said indifferently, "Do you understand Gu Xuan?"
Hu Liena blinked and looked toward her brother, Xie Yue, who had returned to the team. Both shook their heads.
Qian Renxue continued, "It doesn't matter if you don't. You saw his performance. You wouldn't even have a guaranteed victory against the Spirit Fusion Skill used by Feng Xiaotian, would you?"
The siblings nodded; they couldn't deny it.
"And yet," Qian Renxue went on, "Gu Xuan defeated them without even using his Martial Soul. You've seen his data; his martial soul is the Bone Dragon. In this world, only one other person possesses that. Do you think the direct descendant of a Super Douluo would have a weak Martial Soul? Since he can crush a Spirit Fusion Skill without it, how hard would it be for him to defeat you? There is no point in participating in this individual match. Everyone in the Seven Treasure and Imperial teams is a genius on par with you. Continuing would only drain your energy. It's better to conserve our strength and strike the enemy hard directly."
With that, she turned and walked away. Her voice drifted back as she vanished from sight. "Let Yan rest well. He doesn't need to participate in this afternoon's match, but I want to see him in perfect condition tomorrow."
Xie Yue and Hu Liena didn't object. Yan's condition was indeed poor; even if he took the stage now, he wouldn't be able to exert much strength. As for recovering by tomorrow, for the wealthy Spirit Hall, finding high-level healing soul masters was no trouble at all.
While the tournament in Spirit City was reaching its climax, the Shrek Academy group returning to the Heaven Dou Empire was currently engaged in a grueling battle.
Ordinarily, the teams from Heaven Dou wouldn't have left as early as those from Star Luo, since two of their teams were still competing. Usually, they would return to Heaven Dou City together to receive rewards before heading to their respective academies. However, because Tang San had broken through to Rank 50, Shrek chose to leave early to obtain his fifth soul ring.
Through constant combat, Tang San had finally mastered the power of the Clear Sky Hammer, pushing him to the Rank 50 threshold. The only regret was that Zhu Zhuqing hadn't left with them. After Shrek's tournament run ended, she chose to withdraw from the academy. This was a massive loss for Flender, as finding a replacement for a genius like her for the next tournament would be difficult.
Dai Mubai was equally furious. Without Zhu Zhuqing, he had lost his primary link to the Zhu Clan. The purpose of their political marriage was a bond, and with that bond broken, his path to the throne became much harder. But he consoled himself with the fact that he still had Tang San and his other partners.
At this moment, the Shrek group was once again surrounded by men in black. Since Bibi Dong had resolved to kill Tang San in the cradle, she wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away. Dragon Duke Meng Shu and Serpent Woman Chao Tianxiang had already unleashed their Spirit Fusion Skill, Serpent Dragon Joint Assault, while the Golden Triangle led by Yu Xiaogang had summoned the Golden Holy Dragon.
They had no choice. This time, Spirit Hall had sent two Titled Douluos: Devil Bear Douluo and Ghost Leopard Douluo. Both were Rank 95 powerhouses, the Elders most likely to eventually enter the Elders Hall. Having learned that Tang San was the son of Tang Hao and a twin martial soul user, Bibi Dong had specifically requested these two from the First Worship.
She had to "request" them because these two were closer to the High Worship than to her; they followed her tactical arrangements but didn't necessarily report to her directly. However, upon hearing of Tang San, the Golden Crocodile Douluo had agreed immediately. After all, if Tang Hao could kill the previous Pope, they could not allow Tang San to rise.
(End of Chapter)
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