Two days later, at dawn.
The Seven Treasure Team had fully assembled, each of them energized and focused.
Niu Zhen's life remained uncertain as he continued receiving emergency treatment, so Feng Tao would once again step in as the substitute.
Aside from Chen Feng, nearly every team member had visible or hidden bandages wrapped around their bodies. Fortunately, the injuries to Ning Rongrong and Oscar were relatively minor.
In the past two days, with the two support-type soul masters constantly helping everyone recover and restore their soul power, the team had finally caught its breath. Although they hadn't fully returned to peak condition, they were in far better shape than they had been two days prior.
Chen Feng stood at the forefront of the team. This would be his first and final appearance in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament, and this time, he stood not only as a participant but as captain.
"Let's move out."
No extra words were needed. With his posture straight like a steel spear, Chen Feng led the team forward with steady, powerful steps.
In the shadows, Sword Douluo quietly guarded them from both sides.
As Chen Feng and Sword Douluo briefly met eyes, they gave each other the faintest nod of acknowledgment.
Even though it was early in the morning, both sides of the street were already lined with silent onlookers—soul masters from all corners of the continent.
Today was the Grand Finals of the Elite Tournament. Both competing teams represented the pinnacle of soul master talent under the age of twenty-five. It was no surprise that the event had drawn massive attention.
Heads held high, the seven members of the Seven Treasure Team stepped out from their residence. Under the escort of the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial guard, they marched straight toward the Pope's Palace.
Each step from Chen Feng felt heavy with meaning—solid, unwavering.
The sunlight bathed the Pope's Palace in golden radiance, casting it in a divine aura as though the heavens themselves had blessed this showdown. Everyone present stood solemn.
At the top of the viewing platform sat Pope Bibi Dong, Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo, and the duo of Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo—three full-titled Douluos.
Off to the side, three soul bones, the grand prize of the tournament, rested quietly atop a red silk tray, glowing softly.
The members of Spirit Hall's Academy Team stood in formation, cold and aloof. When they saw the Seven Treasure Team arrive, their killing intent surged, sharp as blades, oppressive as a storm.
"Hmph."
Chen Feng, however, showed no fear.
Without even activating his Killing God Domain, an even colder and more suffocating aura burst forth from him like a tidal wave, drowning the opposing team in a chilling surge of murderous energy.
In an instant, all seven members of Spirit Hall's team shuddered, their faces pale. It was as if they had swallowed bitter herbs—unable to protest, unable to breathe.
Though the battle hadn't officially begun, the psychological warfare was already in full swing.
But matching killing intent with Chen Feng? That was pure folly.
This was someone who had survived Slaughter City, someone who had been crowned with the title of "Killing God." How could these pampered academy elites even begin to understand his aura?
Compared to Chen Feng's oppressive might, their so-called "killing intent" was no more than a child waving a toy sword in front of a warrior.
From the Pope's platform, a sharp gaze locked onto him.
Chen Feng looked up and met Bibi Dong's eyes directly.
Calm and composed, he gave the Pope a small nod and then turned to lead his team onto the stage as if completely unbothered by her lingering stare.
Both teams took their positions.
The fourteen soul masters stood facing one another. No one spoke, but the tension in the air crackled with an invisible fury. Sparks seemed ready to ignite at any moment.
At that moment, every pair of eyes across the entire arena was fixed on the battlefield.
Even those as powerful as Pope Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo had their full attention focused on the field.
Xie Yue, team leader of Spirit Hall Academy, sneered as he glared at the Seven Treasure Team.
"What's this? You're stepping onto the stage still injured? Swords and spears have no eyes. Don't blame us if you lose your lives out there."
Chen Feng stood tall at the very front, answering with a cold smile and an even more arrogant posture.
He held up three fingers and declared:
"Three minutes. Within three minutes, I'll have all of you on the ground.
If it takes longer than that…
I'll end my life on the spot."
"You arrogant bastard!"
Xie Yue's face twisted in rage, grinding his teeth. He was used to looking down on others—being mocked like this in front of a crowd was something he couldn't endure.
"Unleash your spirits!"
With a furious shout, Spirit Hall's team exploded into action.
At the front, Xie Yue and two others released their spirit rings: two yellow, two purple, and one black.
Perfect ring configuration—all three were Spirit Kings, over Rank 50, the very first such appearances in this year's tournament.
Even more shocking was their age: not a single one of them was over twenty-five.
The remaining four, though not Spirit Kings, also revealed rings in the best configuration: two yellow, two purple.
Each of their eyes burned with determination as surging soul power burst from their bodies and formed a crushing wall of force that surged toward the Seven Treasure Team.
At almost the same moment, the Seven Treasure Team began to act.
Other than Chen Feng, all six teammates activated their spirit rings.
Their formation was unusual: Chen Feng stood boldly in front, with Yang Dianfeng (Dragonmark Soul-Breaking Spear) and Yu Tianlong (Flame Sacred Dragon) flanking him on either side.
The remaining four—including the support team—stood at the rear, not even seeming like they planned to join the battle directly.
Zheng!
A sharp sound pierced the air—not from a sword unsheathed, but from sheer sword intent.
Without even summoning his Seven Kill Sword, Chen Feng's aura alone split the opposing wind wall in two, cleanly slicing it down the middle.
And then, something even more shocking occurred.
In Chen Feng's hand appeared a Seven Kill Sword unlike any from memory, laced with deep red patterns along its body. The sword radiated a chilling, dominating aura.
But the true bombshell was this—
Chen Feng's spirit rings appeared:
Purple, Purple, Purple, Black, Black… Red!
Six dazzling rings, each one a crushing force.
And the final one—blood red.
The mark of a 100,000-year soul ring!
The moment this ring appeared, the atmosphere flipped completely.
Everyone watching—from the crowd to the VIP seats—felt their breath catch in their throats. A suffocating pressure swept through the entire arena like an avalanche.
Even Pope Bibi Dong, sitting loftily above all others, couldn't keep her composure.
The Titled Douluo seated beside her rose to their feet, stunned speechless by the sight of that blazing red sixth ring.
"The sixth soul ring… is a 100,000-year soul ring?"
This revelation shattered everything they thought they knew.
In the Heaven Dou Empire's official seating area, the members of Shrek Academy—even though they had already been eliminated—were allowed to watch as guests.
At that moment, the Grandmaster, Flender, and even Tang San were completely dumbfounded.
None of them could believe what they were seeing.
"Impossible."
That was the only thought echoing in their minds.
But while others froze in disbelief, the Seven Treasure Team wasted no time.
Ning Rongrong and Oscar's soul rings lit up simultaneously, instantly casting powerful buffs onto Chen Feng, Yu Tianlong, and Yang Dianfeng—amplifying their strength and preparing for the clash ahead.