The next morning, Lin Fan followed his team to the plaza where yesterday's matches had taken place.
They continued forward through a corridor, eventually reaching a large gate flanked by Spirit Hall guards on either side.
If the previous arena could be considered the outer hall, then what lay beyond this gate was the inner sanctum.
"This stage of the tournament is no small matter," Yu Xiaogang warned seriously.
"Losing teams aren't even allowed to spectate. Once you pass through these doors, you'll be facing the gates of the Pope's Hall directly. We'll be watching from the audience stands. Do your best."
"Understood," Tang San and the others replied in unison.
Following the others through the gate and corridor, Lin Fan found himself in a smaller plaza in front of the Pope's Hall. Compared to the outer arena, it was about two-thirds the size.
Across the square stood the tightly shut golden gates of the Pope's Hall. Above them loomed a platform bearing a majestic six-winged angel statue.
On the plaza, the Spirit Hall team was already assembled in formation, standing in a straight line.
The Shrek team lined up just beside them, less than two meters apart.
Yu Xiaogang and the teachers were led to the spectator platform.
As Lin Fan joined his teammates, several members of the Spirit Hall team—especially Hu Liena and her two companions—cast sharp gazes at him.
Their expressions were wary and serious, their stares lingering for over a minute.
Under Bibi Dong's warning, they dared not underestimate Lin Xuan.
"Teacher emphasized that Lin Xuan might be even stronger than we've assumed," Hu Liena muttered internally.
"The others aren't much of a threat, but the three of us must join forces to take him down."
She understood her teacher's personality. Calling her and her brother to the Pope's Hall personally for special instruction meant only one thing: Lin Xuan was no ordinary opponent.
They didn't look away until the Godwind team arrived.
"Her Holiness the Supreme Pontiff has arrived!"
From a platform to the right, a middle-aged man leaning on a large sword announced loudly.
Bibi Dong stepped onto the high platform above the gates of the Pope's Hall, flanked by Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo. Wearing her regal purple-gold crown and holding her scepter, she looked down upon them all with divine majesty.
"All hail the Supreme Pontiff!"
The soldiers, Spirit Hall team, and Godwind team all knelt in reverence.
The Shrek group, as expected, stood more casually. Shrek never emphasized formal etiquette, so Lin Fan and the others simply lowered their heads slightly.
"It's her..." Xiao Wu looked at Bibi Dong and clenched her fists in silence, unable to hide the hatred in her eyes.
"How dare you be disrespectful to Her Holiness!"
The middle-aged announcer pointed his sword toward the Shrek group in fury.
However, seeing Bibi Dong raise her hand calmly, the man withdrew his blade.
"Your Holiness," Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped forward and bowed,
"That young man over there is the only Soul King in this year's competition besides the Holy Maiden's team. His name is Lin Xuan."
"So, you're Swordshadow Douluo's nephew, Lin Xuan?" Bibi Dong asked as though she were meeting him for the first time.
"Yes, Your Holiness," Lin Fan replied, looking directly into her eyes.
"Very well. You do carry some of your uncle's bearing. That's rare," she said with a serene nod, radiating a completely different aura than during their private midnight meeting.
"Thank you for the praise, Your Holiness. I wouldn't dare compare myself to my uncle," Lin Fan replied modestly.
Not once did Bibi Dong glance at Yu Xiaogang on the viewing platform.
"Rise," she said simply, no longer engaging with Lin Fan.
"Swordshadow Douluo…?"
Fire Dance and the others were stunned.
"So Lin Xuan's uncle is a Titled Douluo? No wonder he reached the Soul King level so early—he has that kind of backing."
At that moment, Bibi Dong began her formal speech to all participants:
"Here at the Pope's Hall, what I wish to see most… is your true strength and talent."
"In the world of Soul Masters, there is only one victor. Only the champion of the Continental Elite Tournament will be granted the highest reward bestowed by Spirit Hall."
As she finished speaking, she raised her scepter high. The gem at its head glowed brightly—then, before everyone's eyes, three glowing soul bones appeared.
"Those lights… they're soul bones!"
"Three of them—actual soul bones!"
The contestants couldn't help but step forward slightly to get a closer look.
"A head bone… an arm bone… and a leg bone!"
Whispers and gasps filled the square. Yet with so many Titled Douluo present, no one dared to step out of line.
The soul bones were unchanged from the original: three spirit bones of over ten thousand years.
"Incredible! Spirit Hall is pulling out all the stops," Flender exclaimed.
Yu Xiaogang examined the attributes of the bones, then looked toward Hu Liena's trio and immediately understood.
The Spiritual Wisdom Skull, the Flameburst Arm Bone, and the Swift Wind Leg Bone—prepared for them.
Among them, the Spiritual Wisdom Skull was especially rare, reaching 50,000 years in age. The older a soul bone, the more powerful its effects, just like with spirit rings.
"From the former Pontiff, Qian Xunji," Ghost Douluo said as he began introducing the origins of the bones.
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened. When Ghost Douluo spoke of the Spiritual Wisdom Skull, a glint of bitterness flashed in his eyes.
If not for Qian Xunji interfering… the woman up there would have been mine long ago, he thought, clenching his fist.
"There can be only one winner," Bibi Dong said, pointing toward the soul bones.
"So these three soul bones will be awarded to the final champion. I hope you all give your best."
"Very well. All teams, please head to the viewing platform. In a moment, one representative from each team will draw lots to determine the matchups," Chrysanthemum Douluo announced.
Lin Fan followed his teammates along the side of the Pope's Hall and up onto the observation platform, joining Flender and the others.
"Soul bones… three of them! And one's fire-elemental—that's perfect for me!"
Ma Hongjun was visibly thrilled, his cheeks flushing with excitement.
"Yeah, well, only if you win the championship," Oscar said, crushing his dreams without hesitation.
"Hehe, with Lin Xuan here, it's a guaranteed sweep. That title is already in the bag," Ma Hongjun retorted confidently.
"It won't be that easy," Yu Xiaogang said grimly.
"The fact that Spirit Hall is still offering such a grand prize, despite knowing Lin Xuan's strength, shows how confident they are in their team."
"It's true," Lin Fan added.
"I'm just one Soul King. They have three—and a Martial Soul Fusion Technique. You guys won't be able to help much."
Soon after, the host Hoss called for the drawing of lots to determine matchups.
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward and announced,
"For the fifth round—the individual competition—Shrek Academy voluntarily enters the loser's bracket."
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed subtly upon hearing this.