Because the conversation between both sides on the stage wasn't held in hushed tones, and everyone present was a Spirit Master—with hearing far surpassing that of normal people—the entire arena had heard it clearly.
The moment it was revealed that Zhu Zhuqing was not even fifteen years old, a wave of shocked murmurs swept through the crowd.
Those who had previously fought Zhu Zhuqing—or worse, lost to her—were all staring in disbelief.
Even though Thunderclap Academy had been eliminated in the second round, they had naturally come to watch the rest of the finals. When their captain Yu Tianxin learned that Zhu Zhuqing—the very one who had defeated him in the qualifiers—was still under fifteen, his entire expression froze in shock.
And he wasn't the only one. Over in the new Godwind Academy, Huo Wu had a similar reaction.
She simply couldn't believe it. Zhu Zhuqing, not even fifteen years old, had already reached the level of a Spirit Ancestor, and in the qualifier round had defeated Yu Tianxin—a powerful Rank 43 assault-type Spirit Master. To defeat someone with a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul... Did that mean Zhu Zhuqing was already Rank 44? Or even higher?
And she was four years younger than herself!
Her mind reeled. Were these people all monsters?
That thought brought her back to another person who had left an indelible impression on her—Lin Jie. She had always wanted to defeat him, but realized she had never actually asked how old he was. Could it be… that he was also under fifteen, like Zhu Zhuqing?
No way… right?
At that moment, the referee stepped between the two teams and announced:
"The match is about to begin. Both sides may now release their Martial Souls. Standard elimination rules apply—winner advances to the top six.
Star Luo Imperial Academy versus Shrek Academy. Prepare!"
The moment the referee's voice fell, Dai Mubai and Dai Weisi locked eyes in a fierce collision of will.
Zhu Zhuqing gave Zhu Zhuyun a flat glance, then looked away, seemingly unconcerned.
That indifference stung Zhu Zhuyun—her expression immediately darkened.
Dai Weisi, however, smiled. The calm in his eyes shifted to dominance as he opened his arms.
"Brothers, release your Martial Souls. Let's give them a surprise."
With his voice as the signal, the seven members of the Star Luo Imperial team erupted with Spirit Power. A wave of surging energy rippled outward.
Standing at the front, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun's Spirit Power fluctuations were the strongest by far. In the blink of an eye, four Spirit Rings appeared beneath both their feet: yellow, yellow, purple, purple—the optimal configuration for a Spirit Ancestor.
Dai Weisi's Martial Soul was the same as Dai Mubai's: White Tiger. Zhu Zhuyun's was the Hell Spirit Cat.
Following their lead, the five other team members released their Spirit Rings as well. What shocked the crowd was that four of those five were Spirit Ancestors, all with optimal Spirit Ring configurations. Only one was not yet Rank 40.
In total, the Star Luo team had six Spirit Ancestors—the highest number among all teams thus far, second only to the startling debut of the new Godwind Academy.
Judging from their Spirit Power alone, Dai Weisi had reached Rank 49, and Zhu Zhuyun was at Rank 47.
In terms of overall strength, the Star Luo Imperial team currently surpassed even the new Godwind Academy.
But just as the audience was beginning to recover from the shock, Shrek Academy's lineup unleashed their own Spirit Rings, sending a second wave of gasps through the stadium.
At the front, Dai Mubai and Tang San's Spirit Rings appeared—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—Spirit Power surging like wildfire.
But the most attention-grabbing was the young man standing calmly at the center—Lin Jie.
Yellow – Yellow – Purple – Black.
The fourth Spirit Ring—a ten-thousand-year black ring—shimmered around him.
The academies from the Heaven Dou Empire were not particularly surprised—they had seen this before. But the schools from the Star Luo Empire had never witnessed a fourth Spirit Ring at the ten-thousand-year level.
Gasps erupted across their stands.
But the surprises weren't over yet. Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, and Ning Rongrong all released their Spirit Rings as well—each one displaying the ideal yellow, yellow, purple, purple configuration.
Only Oscar, with three Spirit Rings, was still a Spirit Elder.
Shrek Academy had six Spirit Ancestors and one Spirit Elder—matching Star Luo Imperial's overall numbers. But unlike their opponents, Shrek had Lin Jie, and his ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring changed everything.
And they weren't hiding their Spirit Power, either. The oppressive pressure from their aura made it clear that every member of Shrek was a powerhouse.
Zhu Zhuyun's expression cracked as she stared at Zhu Zhuqing.
"F-Forty-five? Rank 45 Spirit Power?! That's not possible! When you left the clan, you were only in your twenties. How could you possibly grow this fast in just two years?!"
Before the finals had even begun, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun had taken note of Shrek Academy. As the first-place qualifier from the Heaven Dou Empire, they were aware of them—though they hadn't paid them much attention.
After all, talent being equal, their age should have made the difference. There was no way Zhu Zhuqing could catch up to them.
In their minds, they only had two real rivals: the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and Spirit Hall Academy.
But now, Shrek's explosive display of Spirit Power had rattled them to their core.
And with that shock came killing intent. These people were younger—and nearly as strong. If they were given just a bit more time, who knew who would claim the clan's inheritance?
Dai Weisi's gaze darkened. Murderous resolve filled his heart. In the long history of royal succession, how many had murdered their own brothers to claim the throne? This wouldn't be the first time.
Even if he had to violate tournament rules, he would eliminate Dai Mubai today.
Zhu Zhuqing smiled faintly as she watched her sister's shocked face.
"There's no such thing as impossible. It's just that your world is too small to understand mine."
At that moment, the referee raised his hand and declared:
"Battle, begin!"
The teams had already prepared their formations beforehand.
As the match was declared, Dai Weisi's Spirit Power surged, and he stamped hard on the ground, launching himself like a cannonball toward Dai Mubai and Tang San.
Even with Spirit Power slightly stronger than Lin Jie's, Dai Weisi showed no fear as he charged in.
The Star Luo formation consisted of two assault-type, three agility-type, and two support-type Spirit Masters.
As Dai Weisi led the charge, Zhu Zhuyun and another agility-type Spirit Master flanked Lin Jie from both sides. Three support-type lights instantly enveloped the trio—battle had fully commenced.
In Zhu Zhuyun's mind, Lin Jie, with his ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring, posed the greatest threat. Since their team lacked a control-type Spirit Master, their best bet was to remove the most dangerous opponent first.
Meanwhile, two others guarded the team's support members in the rear.
As Star Luo made their move, Shrek responded without hesitation.
"Rongrong—Spirit Power amplification!" Lin Jie called.
"On it!" Ning Rongrong replied.
A seven-colored light bloomed, instantly enveloping Dai Mubai and Tang San in front.
Seeing Dai Weisi charge, the two of them activated their Spirit Rings in unison. Dai Mubai confronted Dai Weisi head-on while Tang San took the flanking position, interfering and suppressing him with control-type abilities.
With Tang San at Rank 41, Dai Mubai at Rank 44, and Ning Rongrong's Spirit Power amplification layered on top, the two of them could indeed hold their own against Rank 49 Dai Weisi—at least for a while.
Lin Jie sensed the two fast-approaching figures aiming for him, but remained calm and motionless.
Zhu Zhuqing had already told him she would defeat her sister with her own hands.
As her partner, Lin Jie would respect her wish.
With her current Rank 45 Spirit Power, Zhu Zhuqing was only two levels behind Zhu Zhuyun—a gap she no longer feared.
"Rongrong, amplify," Lin Jie called again.
"Mm. Got it." Ning Rongrong nodded.
Her multi-tasking control had already reached the realm of Five Aperture Dispersed Heart, allowing precise control of Spirit Power. A radiant light enveloped Zhu Zhuqing.
She stepped forward, claws already unsheathed, and instantly vanished, leaving behind a ghostly afterimage as she leapt several meters in a blink.
Clang!
Sparks flew through the air as claws collided.
Zhu Zhuqing's blurred figure hovered midair, facing off against Zhu Zhuyun. Both were bathed in auras of support.
Clang! Clang!
Each clash sent shockwaves of energy across the battlefield.
Although Zhu Zhuyun had two more Spirit Power ranks, Zhu Zhuqing was not the weaker one.
Not only was she a top-tier agility-type Spirit Master in her own right—now, she had the unprecedented support of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda behind her.
Ning Rongrong's multitarget Spirit Power amplification were working perfectly, granting strength to Dai Mubai, Tang San, and Zhu Zhuqing simultaneously.
And for an agility-type Spirit Master, speed was everything. With Rongrong's 40% speed amplification, Zhu Zhuqing's already terrifying speed and attack power had climbed to new heights.
Zhu Zhuyun also had support-type amplification on her, but compared to Zhu Zhuqing's, the difference was clear.
In the blink of an eye, the sisters had already clashed dozens of times mid-air.
And now, with the advantage on her side, Zhu Zhuqing was preparing to land a decisive strike with her claws—