Ning Fengzhi's words left Flender and the others deep in thought.
Ning Sect Master, are you saying that Spirit Hall might try to harm Lin Xuan tonight to win tomorrow? Flender asked solemnly.
"It's not impossible," Snow Clearwater (Xue Qinghe) calmly analyzed. "Had Lin Xuan not revealed his martial soul domain, he wouldn't pose such a threat. But now that his strength is out in the open, if Spirit Hall were going to act, tonight would be their only opportunity."
"Exactly," Ning Fengzhi followed up. "That's why Qinghe and I have decided—we'll stay up all night and personally ensure Lin Xuan's safety. We can't let Spirit Hall pull any underhanded tricks."
Lin Fan glanced at Xue Qinghe and replied, "I doubt it. She manages the entire Spirit Hall; I believe her tolerance is greater than that."
"Besides, she knows my uncle. If not for anything else, she would at least show restraint out of respect for him."
Still, Lin Fan's heart stirred at their words.
"Perhaps this is the perfect chance to test whether Bibi Dong is beyond redemption."
If Bibi Dong were truly as paranoid and cruel as Ning Fengzhi suspected, and sent assassins after him tonight, then it would prove she had fallen too far.
In that case, Lin Fan could no longer afford to view her with the same loyalty.
But— if she didn't act against him, then perhaps there was still hope for her. A trace of kindness remained in her heart.
After considering it, Lin Fan silently made his decision—tonight would be the test.
"…Let's hope for the best," Snow Clearwater added quietly, though whether he was worried for Lin Xuan's safety or lamenting Bibi Dong's choices remained unclear.
"Speaking of your uncle… Brother Lin Fan, has he come out of seclusion yet?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
"He has," Lin Fan replied. "He arrived in Spirit City two days ago. But I'm not sure where he's staying right now."
"Then that's good. He's probably in the shadows, protecting you quietly," Ning Fengzhi nodded.
Back at the hotel, the mood was tense.
Xue Qinghe summoned the Royal Knights to surround Lin Fan's room.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo also moved into the room next door, staying close.
That night, within the Pope's Hall—
Bibi Dong sat high upon her throne. Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo stood at attention below her.
"Your Holiness," Ghost Douluo said respectfully, "the Holy Maiden has returned. Allow me to kill Lin Xuan tonight—to uphold Spirit Hall's honor."
"I'm willing to assist," Chrysanthemum Douluo added.
But Bibi Dong raised her left hand calmly. "I've already made myself clear this afternoon. If Lin Xuan can openly defeat Na'er and the others tomorrow, Spirit Hall will have no excuse."
"Losing a tournament doesn't tarnish our glory."
"And besides, you've seen what Lin Fan is capable of. Who's to say he isn't already hiding nearby?"
"Ning Fengzhi isn't foolish either. He's probably stationed Sword Douluo right next to Lin Xuan."
"Those two together… You may not even be able to defeat them. Not to mention Xue Qinghe's Royal Knights are also involved."
"Most importantly, if anything were to happen to Lin Xuan tonight, everyone would blame Spirit Hall. Even if we didn't do it, letting it happen under our noses would be the same as admitting guilt."
"So instead of attacking him… we should protect him. That is how we safeguard Spirit Hall's reputation."
Her voice firm and unshakable, Bibi Dong stood without realizing it, her presence overwhelming.
"Yes, Your Holiness. We were short-sighted," both elders said with guilt.
Meanwhile, Lin Fan remained seated in bed, meditating until midnight. Not a single disturbance occurred.
"It seems Bibi Dong isn't beyond redemption after all," he thought with relief.
"Maybe it's out of respect for my 'uncle'… but whatever the reason, she didn't send anyone."
He exhaled and lay down, feeling at peace.
"After half a year of waiting… tomorrow is finally the tournament finals. The task will soon be complete."
"I almost missed hearing the system chime," he joked internally, smiling faintly.
A quiet night passed without incident.
The next morning, at breakfast—
Flender sighed with emotion. "After months of trials, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament will finally come to an end today. At the start, I never imagined we would make it to the finals, facing Spirit Hall."
"Whether we win or lose today, this is Shrek Academy's greatest milestone."
"And we owe it all to Lin Xuan. As the headmaster, I sincerely thank you."
"Of course, everyone else has also shone brightly on the battlefield," he added.
Lin Fan responded coolly, "Headmaster, you flatter me."
"You're too modest," Dai Mubai chimed in. "Without your founding of Shrek Academy, none of us would have had a place to gather and grow."
At that moment, Xue Qinghe also stepped forward. "Allow me to thank Shrek Academy on behalf of the imperial family. You've fought bravely and upheld the empire's honor. No matter the result of today's final match, the empire will bestow upon Shrek Academy the title of Royal Academy."
"Upon your return, Shrek will be officially renamed as the Imperial Shrek Academy and will receive full support from the royal treasury."
Flender immediately bowed. "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Yu Xiaogang, calm as always, interjected, "Enough chatter. It's almost time."
In front of the Pope's Hall—
Host Hesse stood at the center of the square and loudly declared:
"Welcome, everyone, to the final match of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament! After months of competition, today, we will finally crown the strongest battle team!"
"First, please welcome the Shrek Academy Battle Team—a team that fought its way through the preliminaries to earn their place here!"
"Today's roster: Soul King Lin Xuan (Level 53), Soul Ancestor Zhu Zhuqing (Level 45), Soul Ancestor Xiao Wu (Level 42), Soul Ancestor Dai Mubai (Level 41), Support-Type Soul Exalted Ning Rongrong (Level 36), Soul Exalted Tai Long (Level 36), and Soul Exalted Tang San (Level 38)."
For this final match, Yu Xiaogang still allowed Tang San to participate—at least to complete the lineup.
"Go, Shrek!!" Oscar and Ma Hongjun shouted from the sidelines.
Now, please welcome the Spirit Hall Academy's Seed Team: Team leader Xie Yue (Level 52 Soul King), deputy leader Hu Liena (Level 51 Soul King), Yan (Level 52 Soul King), Zhang Ping (Level 47 Soul Ancestor), and three other Soul Ancestors at Levels 48, 46, and 47!
Hu Liena led her team into formation, forming a sharp triangular battle stance directly across from Lin Fan's team.
The total soul power of Spirit Hall's team is higher than Shrek's… but soul power isn't everything.
On one side, Spirit Hall has three Soul Kings and a powerful fusion technique. On the other hand, Shrek has a rare, innate martial soul domain user.
This will be one of the most thrilling matchups in tournament history.
Let us witness greatness.
Both teams, prepare—!
Martial Souls—activate!All fourteen contestants stepped forward onto the field, releasing their martial souls and summoning their soul rings.
Blood surged. Power crackled. The finals had officially begun.