"Next, let's welcome the teams from Elephant Armor Academy and Wuji Academy to the stage!
Both teams have achieved ten consecutive victories—who will claim the win this time?"
"Let's look forward to a spectacular showdown between Wuji Academy and Elephant Armor Academy!"
The event commentator's voice rang out through the arena speakers.
"Sect Master Huyan, it's time for your Elephant Armor Academy to face off against Wuji Academy."
Said Salas, his eyes focused on the arena, his tone devoid of emotion.
"Wuji Academy may be strong," replied Huyan Zhen, "but our Elephant Armor Academy is just as confident in our victory!"
Huyan Zhen — also known as Sky Elephant — was an 87th-level Defense-type Soul Douluo and the Sect Master of the Elephant Armor Sect (as shown in the manga).
He had long served under Platinum Bishop Salas of the Spirit Hall.
Huyan Zhen's confidence came from Elephant Armor Academy's legendary defensive strength.
They believed they could hold out long enough to turn the tide, especially with his grandson Huyan Li's fourth soul skill, which combined both defense and offense.
Additionally, they were armed with a gift from Spirit Hall — a powerful artifact.
With such an advantage, what did Wuji Academy amount to?
"Sect Master Huyan, don't let me down—
more importantly, don't let His Holiness the Pope down," Salas added coldly, turning to look at Huyan Zhen.
"Rest assured, Bishop! A'Li is the finest disciple our sect has produced in generations. As my grandson, his talent exceeds even mine at the same age.
And with the Pope's gift in hand, we will not lose."
"Heh… then let's see what the young sect heir can do."
Salas patted Huyan Zhen's shoulder.
"Remember… His Holiness has no patience for failure."
Salas's tone was subtle, but the threat was unmistakable.
"Hmph... Spirit Hall… Elephant Armor Sect…"
Emperor Xue Ye narrowed his eyes as he watched Salas and Huyan Zhen stand side by side.
Their open display of unity was nothing short of a public declaration of allegiance.
"Your Majesty," someone beside him said quietly,
"The Elephant Armor Sect has been cozy with Spirit Hall for quite some time."
Emperor Xue Ye closed his eyes, visibly weary.
This wasn't the first such alliance he had witnessed, and it wore on him.
Because of political interests and the overwhelming power of Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire had no choice but to submit for now.
As long as Spirit Hall remained a sanctuary for Soul Masters — and didn't aim to unify the continent — they posed no direct threat to the empire's sovereignty.
This was the balance:
Spirit Hall could be the No.1 force in the Soul Master world.
But only the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires could be the true rulers of the continent.
If Spirit Hall ever tried to cross that line, the two great empires would no longer back down.
On the battlefield, Huyan Li stood at the front of Elephant Armor's formation.
Seeing Dugu Yan leading Wuji Academy's team, he sneered:
"Seriously? Wuji Academy sent a woman to fight us? Hahahahaha!"
"Where's Feng Xiaotian? Let him come out!"
Indeed, Feng Xiaotian was not present in this round's lineup.
Wuji Academy's team consisted of:
Team Leader: Dugu Yan
Soul Ancestors: Oscar, Yang Tai, Niu Tian
Soul Elders: Qiu Wuji, Li Mengqi, Ye Qingling
Oscar and the others were well aware they were just there to assist.
When faced with Huyan Li's mocking taunts, Dugu Yan said nothing.
Her elegant and icy demeanor remained undisturbed as she simply stared at the Elephant Armor Academy.
But Oscar and the rest looked at the opposing team with expressions of pity.
The audience might not know Dugu Yan, but they certainly did.
The Poison Queen — Dugu Yan.
Only around Yun Yibai did she ever show her softer, more feminine side.
"Looks like the contestants can't wait to get started," the announcer called.
"Let the match between Wuji Academy and Elephant Armor Academy… begin!"
"Since he won't show, don't blame me for not going easy on you."
"Elephant Armor Academy, crush these Wuji Academy insects!"
In an instant, the soul marks of Elephant Armor's team appeared, their soul rings rising.
"Charge!"
Their formation mirrored the North Star constellation, known for its balanced offense and defense.
But what responded to their charge was a single black soul ring glowing on Dugu Yan's body.
"Impossible!!"
Huyan Zhen jumped from his seat, visibly shaken, completely forgetting that Salas sat directly in front of him.
His eyes locked onto Dugu Yan:
She had five soul rings — two yellow, two purple, and one black!
Even Salas's eyes darkened in surprise.
He hadn't expected any academy outside of Spirit Hall to field a Soul King-level student.
The audience erupted in shock.
"A Soul King! Wuji Academy has a Soul King-level contestant!"
"This is the first Soul King to appear in the Heaven Dou division of the tournament!"
The announcer's voice trembled with excitement, his words sending shockwaves through the crowd.
"Fourth Soul Skill — Frost Serpent Toxin!"
Dugu Yan's fourth soul ring flashed. A chilling aura spread from her body, and a thick cloud of toxic mist surged toward Elephant Armor Academy's team.
"Defend yourselves! Don't let the poison seep in!"
Huyan Li shouted.
The Elephant Armor students quickly deployed their defensive skills, attempting to block the toxic mist.
But Dugu Yan's eyes flashed with a ghostly green-blue glow.
"Third Soul Skill — Bi-Phosphor Venom Ring!"
A green poison ring expanded around the Elephant Armor team. Not only did this enhance the Frost Serpent Toxin's potency, but it also accelerated its spread, causing the toxins to invade even faster.
Within moments, the defensive formations of Elephant Armor Academy began to falter — their movements slowing as the poison took hold.
"A'Li, use your fourth soul skill! Now!"
Huyan Zhen's expression shifted.
He could see clearly — the poison had already infiltrated their bodies.
There was only one chance left: have Huyan Li activate his fourth soul skill, pooling the entire team's strength to resist the poison or delay its spread.
Huyan Li's fourth ring lit up.
"Berserk Fusion!"
This skill allowed him to absorb the soul power of multiple teammates who shared the same Diamond Mammoth Martial Soul, transforming himself into a giant of overwhelming strength, with power near that of a high-rank Soul Emperor.
"It's an absorption-type soul skill?!"
"Huyan Li just absorbed the power of six other Diamond Mammoth Soul Masters — his power has surpassed the Soul Emperor level!"
Feng Xiaotian watched seriously from the stands.
But Yun Yibai simply smirked:
"No need to worry. Sure, he absorbed their power — but he also absorbed… their poison."
"Holy crap! Look at that giant!"
"Elephant Armor Academy had a move like this? Worth the ticket!"
"This match is insane — a Soul King with a ten-thousand-year ring vs. a giant from a fusion soul skill!"
The audience roared with excitement.
A Soul King appearance, a fusion giant, and lethal poison in the air — this was the kind of battle they lived for.