Pope Hall, Council Hall.
Pope Bibi Dong sat solemnly on the main seat, with Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo standing respectfully on either side. In front of her stood the seven players representing Spirit Hall Academy.
At the forefront were Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena.
While the Emperor Team discussed their final tactics, Spirit Hall was also making their preparations.
"Did you all understand what I just said?" Bibi Dong asked calmly.
"Understood, Your Holiness" the seven replied respectfully. Though they were known as the Golden Generation, none dared show even a hint of arrogance before Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong's voice grew colder "Today, Jun Tianlin fought fiercely against the true form of the Clear Sky Hammer's spirit. Although victorious, he must be feeling the aftermath. In tomorrow's match, his threat will be greatly reduced. As long as you follow the original plan and restrict him further, defeating the Emperor Team with the help of the demon spirit will not be difficult. As for the others, if you engage them with full strength, none of them, not even the Soul King Gu Ran, will pose a real threat."
"Yes!" the seven replied in unison.
Ghost Douluo Gui Mei's deep, ominous voice echoed from Bibi Dong's side. "You should be clear about what this match means. It's not just your chance to become famous, but also determines the ownership of the three spirit bones. As the organizer, Spirit Hall cannot reclaim the spirit bones if we lose. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and numerous prestigious academies watching, failure is not an option. These spirit bones are a reward for you, but also a burden. If you lose, you know the consequences."
At these chilling words, all seven players shuddered. They knew Ghost Douluo's cruelty all too well. Losing would mean a fate worse than death.
Thus, both academies spent a heavy, restless night preparing for the battle.
The next morning, after breakfast, the Emperor Team gathered at the hotel entrance. Qin Ming addressed them solemnly
"Although I trust in your strength, remember: if something becomes impossible, prioritize your safety."
"Yes, Teacher Qin! We will claim victory for the Emperor Team!"
"Very good. Let's go." Qin Ming led his strongest team towards the battlefield.
The morning sun bathed the Pope's Palace in a golden hue, intensifying the heavy atmosphere. As the eleven members of the Emperor Team ascended the stone steps, the very air grew solemn.
Pope Bibi Dong, Ning Fengzhi, and several Titled Douluo had already taken their seats. The three spirit bones gleamed faintly on a red brocade plate, radiating a soft halo.
The Spirit Hall Academy team stood silently, a sharp, cold killing intent pressing toward the Emperor Team like an invisible blade. Despite this heavy pressure, the Emperor Team climbed steadily and fearlessly. Could they be intimidated by Spirit Hall Academy? Even before the match began, the confrontation had already ignited.
"The finals of the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Competition! Both teams, prepare yourselves! The match will commence in a quarter of an hour!" announced the referee.
The Spirit Hall deployed their strongest formation: the Golden Generation, alongside the Golden Scepter.
However, the Emperor Team's lineup was unexpected.
Vice Captain Dugu Yan was absent, as were Oslo and Yufeng, the two agility attack spirit masters.
Apart from Yu Tianheng, Gu Ran, and Jun Tianlin standing at the front, only the Shi brothers stood guard before Huanyin and Ye Lingling.
The audience buzzed in disbelief. This was certainly not Emperor Team's strongest lineup. What use could Huanyin, merely at level 40, have in such a decisive match? Was it worth sidelining Dugu Yan, who could unleash a martial soul fusion skill with Yu Tianheng?
Moreover, there was no agility attacker. How would they cut into Spirit Hall's backline?
After all, Spirit Hall's support wasn't a second-rate existence like Star Luo's. The Golden Scepter was comparable to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!
"What arrogance from the Emperor Team. Do they think we're the same as their previous opponents?" Yan sneered.
"Calm down, Yan. Since the Emperor Team has chosen to give up, we'll gladly help them lose" Xie Yue said coldly.
Then, the Golden Generation released their spirits simultaneously—two yellow, two purple, and one black ring each. Three Soul Kings stood among them, with Hu Liena's spirit power approaching level 55. The others, all spirit masters above level 46, showcased Spirit Hall Academy's terrifying might.
"Give up?" Yu Tianheng shouted. "Before you say that, you'd better take a good look first! Brothers, open your spirits!"
The Emperor Team followed, unveiling their spirits. Gu Ran and Yu Tianheng bore the same two yellow, two purple, one black ring setup. But Jun Tianlin's spirit rings blazed more dazzlingly: one yellow, two purple, two black.
They too had three Soul Kings, yet appeared even more radiant and awe-inspiring than Spirit Hall Academy.
"Impossible! Yu Tianheng just broke through to level 50 two days ago. He didn't even leave Spirit City! Where did he get a ten-thousand-year spirit ring?" the audience exclaimed.
Even Spirit Hall Academy was stunned.
"Stay calm" Hu Liena commanded. "It doesn't matter where Yu Tianheng obtained his spirit ring. He's a novice Soul King. His spirit power still lags far behind ours."
As expected of Bibi Dong's personal disciple—even in the face of three enemy Soul Kings, she maintained her composure.
While others were surprised by Yu Tianheng, the titled figures on the platform were utterly shaken by Jun Tianlin.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and even Bibi Dong had realized during Jun Tianlin's battle with Tang San that his true strength was not merely level 52, as Saras claimed. Despite Tianlin's best efforts to mask his power, those above level 95 could not be completely deceived.
Today, Jun Tianlin unleashed his full strength without any concealment.
His spirit power had already reached the peak of level 58, nearly breaking through to level 59.
Such monstrous talent was far superior to the so-called Golden Generation.
The Golden Generation was nearly six years older than him. If Jun Tianlin continued on his current path, by their age, he would likely reach the realm of Soul Saint.
A deep sense of frustration and helplessness gripped Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.
They had believed themselves peerless talents who would dominate an era.
Yet the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had produced a more terrifying genius—someone capable of suppressing their entire generation.
They could only lament: they were born in the wrong era.