Just as Feng Xiaotian was about to unleash his full power.
He was unaware that outside the arena, not only had Huo Wu arrived with the Blazing Academy as he had informed earlier, but other participating teams like Tianshui Academy and Thunder Academy were also closely watching this battle.
At this moment, they all looked at the massive structure Li Xun had set up in the arena, their expressions extremely grave.
"Captain, will Feng Xiaotian win?" Huo Wu frowned as she observed the situation in the arena.
She wasn't particularly worried about Feng Xiaotian, but even though the Blazing Academy had an advantage against plant-type Martial Souls, if Li Xun was too strong, it wouldn't bode well for their Blazing team either.
"I can't see what's happening inside, so it's hard to judge," Huo Wushuang shook her head. He had heard about the self-created Soul Skill Feng Xiaotian had been diligently researching over the years.
But facing Li Xun, whose strength far surpassed theirs, it was uncertain what results Feng Xiaotian's Soul Skill could achieve.
"He won't win."
As the two were talking, a cool voice came from behind them. Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang turned to see Shui Bing'er from Tianshui Academy approaching.
"The result isn't out yet, how do you know he won't win?" Huo Wu asked, somewhat displeased.
Shui Bing'er calmly walked up to them and looked at the towering pillars formed by the thick vines: "As a strong attack type, Feng Xiaotian didn't launch a direct assault but instead gave Li Xun time to set up the battlefield. Moreover, since he hasn't broken through after so long, it's likely his attacks haven't exceeded the threshold of those plants to cause effective damage."
"I suggest their team leader concede early. If they get caught in that massive structure, even if Li Xun doesn't kill them according to the rules, they won't be able to participate in the next matches."
Through Perception Feedback.
Every move of Feng Xiaotian and his team was within Li Xun's sight. Seeing Feng Xiaotian charging up and swiftly cutting through the vines, Li Xun nodded.
It must be said that Feng Xiaotian was indeed talented, but such talent was somewhat wasted at this age. The golden years should be prioritized for cultivation; considering other pursuits could wait until Soul Power could no longer increase or when one reached their level cap.
What Feng Xiaotian didn't know was that unless he could quickly break out, the more plants he cut down, the faster they would lose. The spiraling vines wouldn't be hindered by the fallen ones but would instead accelerate the compression of space.
But now, he had no chance left.
At this moment, the spiraling vines occasionally bulged with huge knots, all Feng Xiaotian's own doing.
"Rise."
With a clap of his hands, Li Xun summoned dozens more vines from the ground, spiraling upward to reinforce the damaged sections.
With so many reinforcements, the intertwined vines instantly thickened, now resembling a colossal divine tree from the outside.
Feng Xiaotian and the other six members of his team hovered in mid-air, watching the space continue to shrink, each feeling a chill of fear.
"Captain, let's concede. I'm afraid the outside world won't know what's happening to us in here!" Hearing the loud creaking sounds of the vines twisting together, one team member shivered and shouted unnaturally.
"Yes, Captain! If we get caught in something like that, we'll be torn to shreds!"
"..."
The others nodded in agreement, their gazes turning to Feng Xiaotian.
Huo Wu and the others were surely watching from outside. If I just admit defeat like this...
Feng Xiaotian clenched his fists tightly. He had imagined losing, but he never thought it would be so one-sided, without even seeing his opponent face-to-face.
Feeling the earnest looks from his teammates, Feng Xiaotian hesitated for a moment before sighing and shouting to the outside, "We concede!"
As soon as his voice rang out, the swirling vines around them came to a halt, then began to spin in the opposite direction, shrinking and gradually sinking back into the ground.
"Heavenly Dou Royal Team versus Divine Wind Team, Heavenly Dou wins."
As the referee announced the result, the arena erupted in cheers, with many calling out Li Xun's name.
Although Li Xun hadn't competed recently, most of the audience still remembered his performance during the preliminaries. Seeing him secure another victory, they applauded enthusiastically.
Feeling the crowd's energy, Li Xun smiled and bowed to the audience in all directions, placing a hand over his chest.
"I lost."
Feng Xiaotian was somewhat disheartened, but he still maintained the demeanor befitting a genius.
"Your talent is remarkable, but you've been distracted by trivial matters, which has hindered your cultivation. That's a waste."
Li Xun looked at Feng Xiaotian. "That self-created Soul Skill of yours doesn't bring you much at this stage."
"Heh, but isn't it already too late?" Feng Xiaotian glanced at Huo Wu and the others, letting out a bitter laugh.
He had sensed something was off when he saw Li Xun's five Spirit Rings, but his pride and the arrogance of a genius wouldn't let him back down.
"You're still in one piece, with all your limbs intact. How is it too late?"
Hearing Feng Xiaotian's words, Li Xun chuckled, waved at him, and turned to walk off the stage. Before leaving, he glanced at the Shrek Academy Team, who were still struggling hard. "If you let this defeat silence you, then it truly will be too late."
"And if you ever want to challenge me again, you can find me at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. But I don't do free sparring."
As the match ended, the participating students in the audience began to disperse, leaving only Huo Wu and the Tianshui Academy members.
"What should we do, Eldest Sister?" Shui Yue'er asked, looking at Shui Bing'er.
"Plant-based abilities fear fire and ice. We have a chance," Shui Bing'er said, watching Li Xun walk off the field and then glancing at the massive scars left on the battlefield. "If it really comes to it, we'll have to reveal our trump card early."
"Young Master, our people have sent word that Yu Xiaogang hired a carriage a few days ago, heading in the direction of Spirit City." As soon as Li Xun returned to the new office in Heavenly Dou City, he ran into Aunt Xue, who was coming his way.
Unless there was a specific reason, Yu Xiaogang wouldn't easily go to Spirit City.
Could it be that Yu Xiaogang is trying to force his way into a cushy position now? Tang San is so fragile—did he decide to switch paths after I beat him up? Where did Yu Xiaogang get the money to hire a carriage?
A series of questions flashed through Li Xun's mind, but he quickly regained his composure and, with a playful expression, took out the Papal Token and began to toy with it.
Now that the Papal Token is in my hands, how will Yu Xiaogang enter Spirit Hall? By showing his face?
Wait, Yu Yuanzhen has recently arrived in Heavenly Dou City. Although he's keeping a low profile, someone of his stature entering my territory—how could I not know?
If Yu Xiaogang were holding Yu Yuanzhen's token, Li Xun sat on the chair, continuously tapping the armrest with the token, his thoughts racing in his mind.
Before long, he suddenly stood up.
"Not good, there's a loophole!" Li Xun frowned, pacing back and forth in the room.
There would come a day when Tang San would inevitably use the Clear Sky Hammer, and if Qian Renxue discovered this, she would surely suspect whether the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School knew about it.
If there was anyone on the entire continent who harbored the most hatred towards Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Sect at this stage, it would undoubtedly be Qian Renxue. Qiandao Liu and Bibidong were merely putting on a show of formality.
After all, the latter two knew the true cause of Qian Xunji's death.