Bibi Dong watched coldly as the students from the Seven Treasure Team and the Heaven Dou Imperial Team left the arena. She then turned her icy gaze toward Ning Fengzhi and said indifferently. "Clan Leader Ning, this batch of students under your wing is quite capable, though their conduct leaves much to be desired."
Hearing her pointed remark, Ning Fengzhi maintained his warm, gentle smile. "Your Holiness, it is only natural for young people to have their own way of doing things. Moreover, Spirit Hall Academy is simply too powerful; they acted as they did merely to preserve a shred of their dignity."
Ning Fengzhi was a master of the art of self-deprecation while subtly exalting others.
Bibi Dong said no more. She rose to leave. "Then we shall wait and see." As she departed, the two "Generals"—the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos—followed closely behind. Golden Crocodile Douluo had already left once Spirit Hall Academy conceded earlier. Now, only Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin remained in their seats.
Once the other experts were out of range, Chen Xin sent a sound transmission to Ning Fengzhi. "That girl is the bloodline of the previous Pope. Back when 'Old Bone' took Xiao Xuan to obtain his fourth soul ring, she had already broken through to the Soul Saint level. I fear they may have no chance at the championship this time."
Ning Fengzhi's wise eyes flickered. "It matters not. While the final rewards are indeed generous, it is a good thing for this final match to provide them with sufficient pressure." He paused, then his tone shifted. "Uncle Sword, do you really think Xiao Xuan and the others have no chance? Even you might not be fully aware of Xiao Xuan's current strength, right?"
Chen Xin pondered for a moment. "That brat is indeed capable of bringing about miracles. Let us see how he performs this time." The two then engaged in idle chat, which eventually circled back to the matter of Gu Xuan's future marriage prospects.
Ning Fengzhi rubbed his forehead helplessly. "That brat... now he's taken a liking to that girl from the Star Luo Empire's Zhu family. I really don't know how a man of Uncle Bone's temperament ended up with a grandson like Xiao Xuan!"
Chen Xin smiled and shook his head. "Fengzhi, let us not worry about the affairs of the young. As long as it does not affect Rongrong, let Xiao Xuan make his own decisions for the others. After all, who wasn't young and reckless once? Back in the day, didn't you also—"
"Ahem..." Hearing Chen Xin begin to bring up the past, Ning Fengzhi immediately cleared his throat. "Uncle Sword, let us not speak of the past. However, Xiao Xuan's eye for talent is quite good. That young lady from the Zhu family is only fourteen yet already a Soul Ancestor; her talent is indeed impressive."
At this point, Ning Fengzhi's brow furrowed slightly as he sighed. "However, that girl has a marriage contract with the Star Luo Imperial Family..."
Chen Xin replied indifferently. "The brat already came to me with that request. When the time comes, I shall personally make a trip there..."
Back in the waiting room, Gu Xuan was surrounded by five girls: Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Ning Rongrong, and Li Li. Zhu Zhuqing was there as well; she didn't want to be alone, so she had followed Gu Xuan and the others back.
Gu Xuan scanned the group. "Yan'er, Rongrong, do not be too reckless in this afternoon's match. Prioritize your own safety. That Qian Renxue is a Soul Saint; you might not be able to win."
Dugu Yan chuckled, her voice filled with confidence. "I certainly cannot beat a Soul Saint, but I can beat them until only the Soul Saint is left."
Gu Xuan smiled helplessly. Those words sounded incredibly familiar—it was the famous declaration of his father-in-law, Dugu Bo. While Dugu Bo might lose a duel against another Titled Douluo, he could effectively ensure you were the only person left standing on your side of the field.
Ning Rongrong and Li Li chimed in. "Exactly! Big Sister can go up and release her poison to incapacitate the rest of the Spirit Hall team, and then we can all swarm Qian Renxue. Even if she is a Soul Saint, she might not be able to handle all of us at once, right?"
Gu Xuan's spirit lifted instantly. Ning Rongrong and Li Li were right—with Dugu Yan's current strength, even Soul Kings like Xie Yue and Hu Liena wouldn't be able to withstand her poison. If she could take them out of the equation, the scales of victory would tilt toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Time flew by. The cool morning air was replaced by a faint heat as the sun hung high in the sky. The seven members of the Spirit Hall Academy team stood quietly to one side. In the square before the Pope's Palace, the two teams entering the loser's bracket finals stared each other down.
At the referee's announcement, both sides began to release their Martial Souls. The most eye-catching was undoubtedly the Spirit Hall side. Seven soul rings—two yellow, two purple, three black—rose around Qian Renxue. Two pairs of golden wings with a wingspan of over six meters unfurled from her back.
"Spirit Hall Academy, Qian Renxue. Martial Soul: Six-Winged Angel. Rank 74 Power Attack Type Soul Saint."
The moment she released her martial soul, she became the center of attention. Even many high-ranking Spirit Hall officials present were only at this level. Compared to Qian Renxue, Hu Liena, and Xie Yue seemed to lose their luster.
Then came the remaining members:
Li Kai: Martial Soul: Black-Horned Mountain Boar, Rank 47 Defense Type Soul Ancestor.
Zhang Ping: Martial Soul: Golden-Waisted Swift, Rank 46 Agility Attack Type Soul Ancestor.
Xu Yu: Martial Soul: Radiant Gold Scepter, Rank 45 Auxiliary Type Soul Ancestor.
Sun Chuantao: Martial Soul: Giant Ring Blade, Rank 48 Power Attack Type Soul Ancestor.
However, when Dugu Yan released her Martial Soul and rings, the crowd was shocked once again. "Dugu Yan. Martial Soul: Ancestor. Rank 54 Control Type Soul King."
As she released her martial soul, Dugu Yan's long, shapely legs transformed into a serpent's tail—the very reason she wore a cheongsam. Five rings rose around her: two yellow, one purple, and two black. A ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring was still a massive shock to everyone present.
Qian Renxue thought to herself. 'Is this why you won't use your Martial Soul? To hide the secret of your over-limit soul rings?'
On the podium, Bibi Dong wore a fake smile as she looked at Ning Fengzhi. "Clan Leader Ning, it seems the geniuses of your clan are truly extraordinary."
Ning Fengzhi smiled back faintly. "Your Holiness misunderstands. Dugu Yan is the granddaughter of the Poison Douluo; it was he who raised her."
After Dugu Yan, the rest of the team released their martial souls:
Ma Bao: Martial Soul: Blazing War Horse, Rank 49 Power Attack Type Soul Ancestor.
Yang Pojun: Martial Soul: Soul Breaking Spear, Rank 48 Power Attack Type Soul Ancestor.
Zuo Yan: Martial Soul: Phoenix God's Wings, Rank 46 Power Attack Type Soul Ancestor.
Li Li: Martial Soul: Man-Faced Demon Spider, Rank 45 Control Type Soul Ancestor.
Ning Rongrong: Martial Soul: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Rank 49 Auxiliary Type Soul Ancestor.
A Soul Saint was on a different level entirely; once they possessed their Martial Soul Avatar, their strength would receive a terrifying boost. The battle was about to begin!
(End of Chapter)
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