While Li Chang'an and his companions were chatting casually, the team from Godwind Academy made their entrance. Yet the moment everyone saw their lineup, all the Heaven Dou Empire academies—except Li Chang'an—were thrown into chaos.
Among the Godwind Academy team members, four faces had changed. And shockingly, those four were from Blazing Academy.
The academies from the Star Luo Empire seemed indifferent, but the Heaven Dou side erupted in uproar.
Why were Blazing Academy's members appearing under Godwind Academy's banner?
The commotion below did not affect the battle above. On the arena, Huo Wu stood calmly at the rear while Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wushuang took the front. When all seven members revealed their soul rings, their opponents' hearts sank.
Every one of them was above Rank 40, full-fledged Spirit Ancestors. The match was a one-sided massacre. Huo Wu didn't even need to use her Fire Ring—victory came easily.
Li Chang'an explained evenly, "They likely exploited a loophole in the rules. Teams can't replace members midway through the tournament, but the regulations don't forbid registered participants from changing academies before the finals. There's no explicit clause against it."
He continued softly, "Since Huo Wu and her teammates were already registered for the finals, as long as Spirit Hall approved, switching sides wasn't impossible."
Except for Crimson Rose Academy, every other Heaven Dou team—including Shrek Academy—filed complaints with Spirit Hall.
Though the opponents were all strong, it made no difference to Crimson Rose Academy. After all, Hu Liena had just broken through Rank 60—she simply hadn't yet found time to obtain her sixth soul ring.
Before long, Flender and the other academy leaders returned, faces dark. Spirit Hall's reply was short and sharp:
"The decision is within the bounds of the rules. The committee will not intervene."
The Heaven Dou Empire's officials also remained silent. Godwind Academy, even strengthened, still represented the Heaven Dou side. Their success wouldn't harm national interests—if anything, it could enhance the empire's prestige.
At least on the surface, relations among the two empires and Spirit Hall remained "harmonious." No one would risk offending Spirit Hall over such a minor technicality.
Soon, the first two rounds concluded, and the Top Ten teams of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament were decided.
As the third round approached, tensions rose sharply.
Godwind Academy and the second-place team from the Star Luo qualifiers received byes.
That meant Crimson Rose Academy would finally face their first match of the finals.
And their luck had clearly run out—because their opponent was none other than the Star Luo Royal Academy, one of the three seeded teams, personally selected by the Star Luo Empire.
But that wasn't even the biggest surprise. Another match would pit Spirit Hall Academy against the Heaven Dou Royal Academy—two seed teams clashing head-on.
It was a powerful statement: the finals were fair. No team, not even the seed academies, would be spared true combat.
These two matches became the absolute focus of the tournament.
Half an hour before the fight, the Top Ten teams had already entered the arena for warm-up and final preparations.
Zhu Zhuqing, her face slightly tense, whispered to Li Chang'an,
"Changsheng, my sister Zhu Zhuyun and Davis will definitely compete. They're both over Rank 40 now, and their Martial Soul Fusion Technique packs real power."
"Don't worry," Li Chang'an said, gently patting her hand. "If it comes to that, we'll use our fusion technique too."
Only then did Zhu Zhuqing remember that she and Li Chang'an shared a perfectly compatible fusion skill. The thought softened her expression, a faint blush warming her cool demeanor.
For this match, Ning Rongrong did not enter. Instead, Ye Lingling took the field. Li Chang'an feared that if he got carried away, his attacks might accidentally obliterate the opponents.
Standing at the center, flanked by six radiant women, Li Chang'an instantly drew every gaze in the stadium. Countless male spirit masters clenched their fists in envy.
Each of the six women beside him was a peerless beauty on her own—yet all surrounded one man. It was enough to make any spectator's blood boil with jealousy.
On the opposite side, seven Star Luo Academy members stepped onto the platform.
At their head was a tall man with golden hair cascading down his back. His eyes glimmered with amethyst light, not twin pupils, but radiant nonetheless. His face bore a striking resemblance to Dai Mubai's, though he was even taller and broader. His relaxed smile carried the unmistakable arrogance of a born leader.
Beside him stood a tall, voluptuous young woman—her skin like polished jade, her smile confident, and her hand resting familiarly on his arm. Her resemblance to Zhu Zhuqing was uncanny, even more than the brothers Dai Mubai and Davis resembled each other.
The difference was that this woman lacked Zhu Zhuqing's icy grace.
Li Chang'an immediately recognized the scene.
'So… after failing to win Zhu Zhuqing, Davis turned his attention to Zhu Zhuyun again. Typical.'
He wasn't sure if Davis would recognize him now, with his altered appearance and changed martial soul, but it hardly mattered.
Zhu Zhuyun and the others didn't dare underestimate Zhu Zhuqing this time—nor offend her. Everyone knew the man standing behind her was someone not to be provoked.
No words were exchanged, only curt nods. Yet the air was already thick with gunpowder.
The referee stepped forward between the two teams.
"Prepare for battle. You may now release your martial souls. Same rules as before—losers are immediately eliminated, winners advance to the Top Six.
Crimson Rose Academy vs. Star Luo Royal Academy—begin preparations!"
At that command, Li Chang'an and the others—except Hu Liena—released their martial souls simultaneously. Light flared across the arena. The fourth black soul ring on Zhu Zhuqing's body gleamed darkly, while Li Chang'an's dual rhythmic rings pulsed in harmony, radiating overwhelming power.
Across the field, the seven Star Luo members also unleashed their soul power. Davis and Zhu Zhuyun stood at the forefront, their energy surging like waves.
In an instant, two yellow and two purple soul rings appeared around each of them—four rings total.
Davis's White Tiger and Zhu Zhuyun's Nether Cat spirits shone fiercely. Judging from their aura, Davis had reached at least Rank 47, and Zhu Zhuyun was no weaker than Rank 46.
They were, without question, the strongest opponents Crimson Rose Academy had faced so far.
Even more astonishing, of the five remaining team members behind them, four were Spirit Ancestors as well. That made six Rank 40+ members in one team—a staggering show of strength.
Aside from Spirit Hall Academy's earlier dominance and the combined might of Godwind and Blazing, the Star Luo Royal team now held the record for the most high-level fighters.
Their collective power rivaled that of the Godwind–Blazing fusion squad.
Unlike the noble-heavy Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Star Luo's team wasn't built on privilege—it was built on real power.
Even so, compared to the team standing opposite them… their so-called "luxury lineup" seemed faint.
Meanwhile, high above in the Pope's Palace, a breathtaking woman in lavender robes stood on the open balcony, the golden papal scepter in her hand.
Her gaze cut through distance as though the miles between meant nothing.
And when her eyes fell upon Li Chang'an, her fingers tightened sharply around the scepter.
"That bastard…" she hissed under her breath, fury flashing in her amethyst eyes.
"He dares return—and with so many girls at his side? This time, I swear, he won't be able to get out of bed for days!"