Their semifinal opponents were a team from First Class—three Soul Grandmasters, just like them, with a nearly identical team composition.
Both sides stepped onto the stage. After one minute of preparation to release their Martial Souls, the match officially began.
Shi Yu immediately activated his second Soul Ring. The weakest member on the opposing side grew nervous. All three of them had released their Soul Rings, certain that Shi Yu's "Displacement" would target the weakest once again.
After all, in every previous battle, Shi Yu had swapped their weakest with his team's strongest.
But this time, they were wrong.Shi Yu's target was the strongest among them—the Meteor Moon-Slaying Saber Soul Grandmaster.
And instead of Dai Huabin being swapped, Shi Yu displaced himself.
The Saber Soul Grandmaster was caught completely off guard—this was not what he had prepared for.
"Roar!" Dai Huabin had already released his third Soul Skill, lying in wait.
Zhu Lu followed with her second Soul Skill. Both pounced at once, launching a prepared, full-force attack.
Though the Saber Soul Grandmaster's strength rivaled Dai Huabin's, being suddenly dropped into this ambush left him defenseless. He was struck heavily in the very first exchange.
"Pfft!" Blood sprayed as Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu's attacks landed. His condition deteriorated instantly. With their follow-up strikes raining down, he had no chance to recover.
Meanwhile, Shi Yu, who had swapped himself into the enemy's side, faced the two tool-type Soul Grandmasters. His Eight Spider Lances unfurled like sharp, venomous blades.
This external Soul Bone had long been revealed, so he no longer concealed it. The spider legs writhed with frightening agility, intercepting all incoming attacks.
Each strike forced the two opponents back. Everyone knew by now—the Eight Spider Lances were laced with deadly poison. Even a Soul Grandmaster could collapse if struck once. Their fear was evident.
Shi Yu pressed his advantage relentlessly. With the combined force of his spatial powers and the spider lances, he overwhelmed them two-on-one.
With the Saber Soul Grandmaster crushed on one side and Shi Yu dominating on the other, the outcome was sealed.
Their team triumphed, advancing smoothly into the finals.
The other semifinal would decide their opponent. Shi Yu already knew who it would be—Huo Yuhao's team.
As expected, Huo Yuhao's side won, earning their place in the finals.
"Fated rivals, huh," Shi Yu thought.
He was referring not only to the bitter enmity between Huo Yuhao and Dai Huabin, but also to his own subtle friction with Yuhao.
Their clash wasn't deep-rooted—Shi Yu merely disliked how Yuhao had once supported Xu Sanshi with Spirit Detection and Sharing. But even that slight was enough to make him unwilling to lose.
Especially with Tang San's daughter, Wang Dong, on their team—Shi Yu had even less desire to fall here.
In the original storyline, Yuhao's team had defeated Dai Huabin's group. But this time… the outcome might not be the same.
The day of the finals arrived.
The arena was expanded for the occasion, giving the combatants more space to unleash their power. A sea of spectators filled the surroundings—all first-years eager to witness who would claim the championship.
The atmosphere boiled over.
"First Class! First Class! Extraordinary Class, must win!" shouted Yuhao's supporters, waving banners with pride.
"Fifth Class is the strongest!" roared Shi Yu's side, their momentum rising to match. Confidence surged among them—they firmly believed Shi Yu, Dai Huabin, and Zhu Lu would not lose.
This wasn't just a duel of two teams. It was the ultimate showdown between First Class and Fifth Class, with the honor of their entire cohorts on the line.
Both teams entered the stage, six against six, eyes locking like blades. Sparks flew in the silent tension.
Especially Huo Yuhao. His gaze never left Dai Huabin, his determination sharper than steel.
I can lose to anyone, but never to you, he swore to himself.
For him, Dai Huabin wasn't just a rival. He was the son of the woman Yuhao hated most in the world. Childhood grudges, bullying, and blood-deep hatred fused together—Yuhao simply could not allow defeat here.
Dai Huabin, however, frowned in confusion. Why was Yuhao glaring at him as though he had murdered his parents? He didn't understand.
Shi Yu did. Watching quietly, he grasped the truth of their animosity. He could empathize with Yuhao's resolve—but that didn't mean he would go easy. This was a test of strength, and grievances outside the arena had no place here.
"Get ready!"
The referee for this grand final was none other than Du Weilun, director of the Outer Courtyard's Education Department. His voice boomed, and both sides summoned their Martial Souls.
Among Yuhao's teammates, the most dazzling by far was Wang Dong.
Her Goddess of Light Butterfly Martial Soul unfurled its radiant wings—holy, beautiful, and untouchable. She had one yellow ring and one purple ring, her Soul Power at level twenty-nine, not yet at the threshold of Soul Elder, but already capable of challenging Soul Saints.
Just her Martial Soul alone, a top-tier—perhaps even super-tier—existence, was enough to transcend her rank.
Beside her stood the petite Xiao Xiao. Slender and adorable, she looked more like a little sister than a combatant. But the Martial Soul she released—the Three Lives Soul Suppressing Cauldron—was a powerful tool soul, accompanied by two yellow Soul Rings. She too was a Soul Grandmaster.
Then came Huo Yuhao himself.
Unlike the others, no martial projection manifested behind him. Only his eyes shifted subtly, carrying an unearthly gleam.
His lone Soul Ring appeared—white. A ten-year Soul Ring.
The crowd gasped. Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu smirked in open disdain.
How could a mere ten-year ring possibly compare here?
Even the audience, and those who had previously lost to Yuhao's team, looked down on him, assuming he was only coasting thanks to Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao.
Only Shi Yu knew the truth.
He understood Yuhao's hidden strength—his Spirit Detection, his silent support, and above all, the terrifying potential of his Soul Fusion Skill with Wang Dong.
That alone made him the most dangerous person on the field.