He was not, on the surface, a particularly important figure within the delegation — the delegation head was someone else. But in reality, only the internal leadership knew that all of the delegation's actions had to be reported to this vice-chairman. He was the true leader. And that fact was known only to a very few.
Cai Yue'er shook her head.
"This child is difficult to evaluate. Shouldn't you understand him better than we do?"
Tang Bingyao fell silent.
Wu Zhangkong stood further back, his eyes fixed intently on a screen to the side. The image there was clearer than looking directly through the glass of the private box.
Martial Soul: White Tiger!
There was also a faint golden hue in Dai Yueyan's pupils. Five purple soul rings rose from beneath his feet, and a powerful aura burst forth from his body. Strangely, those five purple rings all glowed with a pale golden-white sheen. No one knew exactly why. His cultivation was close to the Soul Emperor level, marking him as an outstanding figure among the younger generation. Aside from the uniquely gifted Long Yue, he had never suffered a defeat.
The Star Luo Empire had always revered personal martial strength. That was one of the key reasons he had risen above the many princes. And coupled with his power was a calm, rational mind — which was why Dai Tianling had such high expectations for him.
The distance between the two rapidly closed. Though they couldn't compare to agility-type soul masters, their difference lay elsewhere: with every step forward, their momentum surged. By the time they were about to collide, it felt like two mountains crashing into one another.
Boom!
The two figures slammed into each other violently, purple-gold and platinum light erupting simultaneously.
As expected, Dai Yueyan was blasted backward.
"I get it now!" Light flashed in Dai Yueyan's eyes, and gratitude welled up toward Gu You.
They continued flashing and colliding. Dai Yueyan no longer used soul skills — his tiger claws danced as he engaged Gu You directly.
Shockwaves burst outward with every collision, and neither side gained the advantage. They were evenly matched.
"Careful!" Dai Yueyan roared. His second soul ring lit up, and he opened his mouth, firing a beam of white light straight toward Gu You's face.
Second Soul Skill — White Tiger Raging Light Wave!
"I've already been holding back — how can you still tell me to be careful?" Gu You laughed.
He raised his dragon claw to shield his face. The blast exploded, and his body was knocked backward.
Dai Yueyan's third soul ring lit up. His body surged taller, his black-and-white fur turning golden, his eyes blazing with golden light. A faint king-shaped symbol appeared on his forehead.
Third Soul Skill — White Tiger Vajra Transformation!
Compared to earlier matches, this battle was much slower and steadier. Even ordinary spectators could clearly see what was happening.
A dragon's roar erupted from Gu You, and his five blood-energy soul rings gleamed brilliantly.
He activated his soul rings!
The crowd erupted in shock — their prince was simply too powerful!
Dai Yueyan roared, his fifth soul ring blazing. A black-and-white radiance surged up from beneath him and enveloped his body. A gigantic tiger projection appeared behind him. His fur returned to black and white, but his body expanded again — towering over three meters tall, with six-foot-long claws and an aura as deep and terrifying as an abyss.
Fifth Soul Skill — White Tiger Demon God Transformation!
This was the White Tiger's ultimate form. With White Tiger Barrier, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, and White Tiger Demon God Transformation layered together, Dai Yueyan's physical strength had reached a horrifying level.
Even against Long Yue, he could once hold his ground with these three skills.
Then another furious dragon roar sounded. Behind Gu You appeared a massive dragon head phantom with blood-red eyes. It roared ferociously at Dai Yueyan.
It felt as though a colossal ship had smashed straight into him.
Dai Yueyan was blasted downward.
So this is the gap?
Looks like I really have to go all out — at least I won't lose quite so miserably.
Dai Yueyan smiled. Light shot from his body and wrapped back around him as a suit of white armor with black patterns descended and fused with him.
One-Word Battle Armor — Tiger!
His aura surged again. His claw bases were reinforced by white metal, glowing with a dark golden sheen.
"This farce… should end now."
Gu You clenched his fist. Power condensed. A terrifying sovereign aura radiated outward.
Go!
He punched.
A thunderous sonic boom tore through the air toward Dai Yueyan.
On the platform, Dai Tianling unconsciously pressed his hands to the table.
En Ci beside him suddenly changed expression. "Not good."
A figure instantly rushed into the arena, blocking Gu You's punch. The figure staggered back more than ten steps before stabilizing.
It was an elderly man — the arena's guardian, now shining with eight soul rings.
"Who told you to interfere?!" Dai Yueyan roared.
The old man froze.
From his perspective, he had acted correctly. That punch might have been fatal.
With the guardian's intervention, the outcome was decided.
"I concede." Dai Yueyan gave Gu You a deep look, snorted, and left.
The stadium erupted into chaos.
Curses, angry shouts, and denial filled the air.
Monster Academy had only one person in the top eight — Long Yue.
The round of sixteen had ended.
The top eight were decided.
(End of Chapter)