As the second round of the finals concluded, Flender once again went to the tournament committee to draw lots for the next match.
"Dean, please don't draw New Godwind Academy," Oscar said nervously.
"Yeah, please, Dean!" Ma Hongjun echoed, thinking back to the taunts from Huo Wu and the others before their last match.
"Scared now, are you? Then I have to draw them just to see your faces," Flender joked as he walked into the committee room.
But when he returned, his expression was unusually serious.
"Dean, why do you look like that? Don't tell me… we drew New Godwind?" Ning Rongrong teased.
"No," Flender said gravely. "It's worse. We drew the Star Luo Royal Academy's seed team."
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a complicated glance at the words Star Luo Empire's seed team.
"Yeah… worse than Godwind," Yu Xiaogang said, frowning. "At least with Godwind, we've seen their strengths and weaknesses. But with the Star Luo team, we barely have any intel—no clear data on their soul power levels, martial spirits, or techniques."
"Their strength should not be underestimated," Tang San nodded.
"For the rest of you, it might just be a test of skills," Zhu Zhuqing added coldly, "but for me and Dai Mubai… this is a battle of life and death."
"Let's discuss it back at the hotel," Yu Xiaogang said, sensing the weight in their words.
Back at the inn, as everyone was returning to their rooms, Zhu Zhuqing stopped Lin Fan just before he could enter.
Dai Mubai paused at his door, watching the interaction closely.
"What is it?" Lin Fan asked coldly.
"For the sake of your uncle's disciple… can you promise to go all out tomorrow?" Zhu Zhuqing asked quietly.
"I always go all out," Lin Fan replied, just as cold.
"No," she pressed, "I mean truly—no holding back at all."
Zhu Zhuqing was certain Lin Fan still had three soul skills he had never revealed. How could he claim he was going all out?
"I told you—I never hold back," Lin Fan repeated. "If I lose, my entire trial fails. And trust me… if I fail, my outcome will be far worse than yours."
He turned and went back to bed.
"Worse than death?" Zhu Zhuqing muttered in disbelief.
"Could his clan's standards be stricter than ours?" Dai Mubai asked, equally puzzled.
"You think if Lin Xuan leads us to victory, it'll count as his first family trial?" he asked her.
"Probably," she nodded. "He's relying on his team, sure—but that still proves leadership and judgment."
Zhu Zhuqing then looked at Dai Mubai.
"Are you sure about this? You realize that once we step into the ring together, it means your first royal trial has officially begun."
"I have no choice," he said with a bitter smile. "As the prince, with no crown prince named, I'll eventually have to face Davis either way. But you… If you truly want to break the engagement, maybe they'll spare you."
Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists.
"Break it? Absolutely. I'll never accept a womanizer like you. But I'm not stepping into that ring for you. I'm doing it for myself—to prove I'm more than what they think."
"Then let's make this our final fight side by side," Dai Mubai said. "Give it your all. I hope you defeat your sister. Good luck."
"Good luck to you, too."
The next morning, the arena announcer, He Si, declared loudly:
"Welcome, everyone, to the third round of the finals! First match: Shrek Academy vs. the Star Luo Royal Academy's seed team!"
Yu Xiaogang quickly assigned the team:
"Lin Xuan, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Tang San, Oscar, Ning Rongrong—you seven are up."
Since Ma Hongjun was only level 36 and hadn't consumed any immortal grass, he couldn't compete in this crucial match. Oscar and Rongrong, as support, were irreplaceable.
"Got it, Master."
As Lin Fan and the others walked up to the stage, the Star Luo team stood in a straight line. At the front, Davis walked out lazily, even yawning.
"Mumbai, I didn't expect you to make it to the finals. You're only making it harder for yourself," Davis scoffed.
"Don't pretend you haven't been trying to crush me for years," Dai Mubai replied coldly. "We're opponents now—nothing more."
"Oh? You've grown bolder, little brother. Didn't expect you to talk back. The playboy's grown fangs, huh?" Davis laughed mockingly.
Lin Fan ignored their bickering and looked up toward the high platform.
Beneath the towering golden angel statue stood Bibi Dong, accompanied by a younger girl.
Flanking them were the two Titled Douluo, Chrysanthemum and Ghost.
"Teacher, that's him—the Soul King from Shrek Academy, Lin Xuan," Hu Liena whispered.
"Mhm," Bibi Dong nodded without elaborating.
"She's come in person for this match?" Lin Fan thought. "What is she planning? Watching me this closely?"
He turned to glance at Xue Qinghe, who stood with Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo—but Qinghe's eyes were fixed on Bibi Dong and Hu Liena.
"Hmph, always doting on her little disciple," Qian Renxue, disguised as Qinghe, sneered internally. "But the Spirit Hall's future belongs to me."
Snapping out of his thoughts, Lin Fan saw Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing still arguing with their siblings.
"This is an arena, not your living room," Lin Fan interrupted sharply. "Cut the crap. I'm busy."
Mubai, your teammate's got an attitude, Davis raised an eyebrow.
Yeah, he always does, Dai Mubai replied with a shrug.
Both sides ready—Begin! He Si announced.
You brat, you want to die early? Fine, I'll grant your wish! Davis growled.
But his expression changed as Lin Fan activated his spirit, and his rings appeared.
A Soul King?! No wonder you're so cocky, Davis exclaimed.
Too late to notice now, Dai Mubai said with a smirk.
This is our fight—why drag in an outsider? Davis growled.
Enough talk. Rongrong—buff, Lin Fan commanded coldly.
Alrighty! Seven Treasures, Amplify: Strength! Speed! Spirit! Ning Rongrong quickly cast her buffs, all directed at Lin Fan.
Third soul skill—White Tiger Vajra Transformation! Davis shouted, getting serious.
"First soul skill—Annihilation Strike!"
Whoosh—!!
A massive, blood-red arc of sword energy slashed across the stage, wide enough to blanket the entire arena.
Splurt!
All of Davis's teammates froze in terror, blood spurting from their mouths.
You— Davis stammered before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.
W-What?!
The Star Luo Royal Seed Team… was defeated in a single strike?!