So, this is where you all were—on the third floor. I've been looking for you for ages.
Xiaogang!
Teacher!
As Yu Xiaogang stepped through the doorway, Liu Erlong and Tang San immediately called out to him with concern.
Xiaogang, what happened to your face? Tell me—who did this to you?Flender roared as soon as he noticed the bruises on Yu Xiaogang's face.
Yu Xiaogang glanced sideways at Flender and nearly rolled his eyes. As if telling you would help, like you could beat them anyway.
It's nothing. I just fell off my horse a few times on the way here, Yu Xiaogang replied calmly.
From the side, Lin Fan watched with an amused expression. Probably went to ask Bibi Dong about resolving the issue with Twin Martial Souls… and got his butt kicked.
Oh, I see, as long as you're okay. Your student Tang San was just worried about you, Flender said with a smile.
Xiaogang, do you want me to find a healing-type soul master to help? Liu Erlong asked with concern.
Erlong, I'm fine. I've already had some healing, Yu Xiaogang replied with a wave of his hand. Everyone looks tired. Let's let them rest first. In two days, we can meet to discuss the specifics of the finals.
Not wanting to elaborate on what happened, Yu Xiaogang quickly changed the topic.
Tang San, you all head back to your rooms and get some rest.
Alright.
That night, as soon as they returned to the room, Lin Fan immediately lay down to sleep.
Riding in a carriage was exhausting. It had nothing to do with cultivation—it was the constant bumping that wore him out. Lin Fan regretted not just flying here with a sword. That would've been way more comfortable.
Three days later, everyone gathered in the hotel lobby. After a headcount, they followed Prince Xue Qinghe toward Spirit Hall Headquarters.
So this is the Spirit Hall HQ? Towering above the clouds... that tallest structure in the center, is that the Hall of the Douluo? Oscar asked in awe.
Most Spirit Hall buildings across the continent shared a similar architectural style, only differing in size. But the main headquarters was an entirely different level. The design was grand, majestic, and imposing.
No idea. None of us has ever been inside the Spirit Hall headquarters. Even those who've been here probably only made it as far as the Pope's Palace, Flender explained, staring at the sprawling structure that dwarfed even the imperial palace in Heaven Dou City.
When they reached the front gates, they saw dozens of steps leading up to the entrance. The gates, however, were still closed, so everyone paused.
Before long, another large group approached from the opposite direction, carrying the Star Luo Empire's banner.
Lin Fan noticed that both Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had turned to look at the new arrivals.
At the front of the group was a team wearing the Royal Star Luo Academy emblem.
The ones leading are the Royal Star Luo Team, Yu Xiaogang said quietly.
The moment Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing saw the leaders of that team, their expressions hardened. It was like looking at older, more mature versions of themselves.
Davis, look what we have here, said Zhu Zhuyun, the agile attack-type soul master. She'd immediately sensed that someone was staring at her and turned toward the Shrek group.
Oh? My cowardly little brother made it to the finals, Davis smirked.
"And my disobedient little sister, too," Zhu Zhuyun said with a sultry grin.
But they both knew now wasn't the right time for confrontation, so they said nothing further.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing also retracted their gazes, keeping their emotions in check.
Soon after, the massive Spirit Hall gates swung open, and two rows of armored guards stepped out in formation.
At the center was a person in brilliant gold armor, with metallic finger armor, long hair, and a graceful yet strangely effeminate demeanor.
Chrysanthemum Douluo (Yue Guan) walked out, radiating power. Despite his elegance, something was unsettling about his mannerisms that made people uncomfortable.
Are both empires' academy teams present? If so, enter,Chrysanthemum Douluo said in his signature gender-ambiguous tone.
Just hearing it sent a shiver down Tang San's spine.
Ugh… I can't take it, he whispered, quickly averting his eyes.
Dean, is that a man or a woman? I'm getting goosebumps, Ma Hongjun whispered to Flender.
Shhh! That's Chrysanthemum Douluo, one of Spirit Hall's elders. Be careful what you say—ten lives wouldn't be enough to save you if he hears, Flender warned.
Ma Hongjun froze and mimed zipping his mouth, stepping quietly back into formation.
Let's go, Prince Xue Qinghe said, and the delegation began moving.
They passed through a long corridor—the first layer of the Spirit Hall's defensive structure. On the other side, the view opened up into a massive square courtyard.
Ahead were more steps, leading to another massive entrance.
The plaza alone was 500 square meters—easily enough space to serve as a battle arena for the tournament.
The Star Luo teams filed in as well, taking position on the opposite side.
Soon, a group exited from the front hall. Among them was a platinum-robed middle-aged man who took a position beside Chrysanthemum Douluo.
This is Hers, and he'll be presiding over the preliminaries, Chrysanthemum Douluo announced before turning and walking into the hall behind him.
Facing the gathered teams, Hers spoke calmly:
Welcome to Spirit Hall. Thank you for traveling so far to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament Finals.
"I am Hers, headmaster of Spirit Academy. I'm honored to have been chosen by Her Holiness, the Pope, to oversee this year's tournament."
After introducing himself, he began explaining the rules, mostly the same as before:
No outside interference, no lethal force, no using forbidden weapons, and so on.
Now that the rules are clear, we'll begin drawing lots to determine matchups. The matches will begin shortly.
Since Shrek Academy finished first in the qualifying rounds, they received a bye for the first round and didn't need to draw lots.
The finals were brutal, single elimination:
Lose once, and you're out. Win, and you keep advancing—until only one team remains.
Phew… that's a harsh format. Everyone, do your best. Don't let all your hard work at the academy go to waste. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to stand among the elite of your generation, Flender said, addressing the Shrek students.
Yes, Dean. We'll give it everything we've got, no matter how far we go, Tang San and the others replied with firm determination.
With the draw complete, Lin Fan and the Shrek team moved to the viewing platform.
Perhaps because it was only the beginning of the finals, Pope Bibi Dong herself did not appear publicly.