Chapter 74: The Collapse of the Golden Generation
Chen Xin also noticed something unusual happening on the stage. He leaned toward Ning Fengzhi and whispered something to him.
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.
Only now did he realize why that black-clad youth was so overwhelmingly powerful: he was clearly benefiting from the boost of soul bones, and likely more than just one.
When he looked toward Gui Mei again, a glint of greed flashed in his gaze.
Even with all his wealth, soul bones were something he could never simply buy.
At this moment, Hu Liena was biting her lip, her eyes filled with unwillingness.
She wanted to break free from that invisible restraint, but no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't move even an inch. She hated losing, treating failure as a form of humiliation.
Yet under her opponent's crushing suppression, she had no strength to resist.
A deep sense of defeat surfaced within her.
"Nana, you've lost. Step down."
Bibi Dong's cold, crisp voice echoed across the plaza. She had seen all of Hu Liena's attempts to resist. Continuing the fight served no purpose.
Gui Mei withdrew his overwhelming spiritual pressure. Hu Liena felt the binding force vanish instantly. Her body swayed, nearly collapsing to the ground.
After stabilizing herself, she shot a look at Gui Mei before turning away. She couldn't imagine just how terrifyingly powerful that black-clad youth's spiritual force truly was.
"Brother… I lost…"
Hu Liena walked over to Xie Yue, her face filled with unwillingness and disappointment.
Xie Yue comforted her gently:
"It's fine, Nana. He really is strong—you've already done your best."
"Let me deal with him!"
Yan, seeing the girl he loved so devastated, could no longer hold back. He wanted nothing more than to rush onto the stage immediately.
Xie Yue stopped him immediately.
"Yan, don't be impulsive. Follow the plan."
According to their arrangement, Yan was supposed to go last.
Yan glared at the black-clad youth standing proudly at the center of the arena, grinding his teeth. But in the end, he stepped back.
"Nana, don't be upset. The match isn't over yet—we won't lose to him!"
The fight continued.
On the stage, Gui Mei stood tall like an invincible war god. Four more members of the Spirit Hall Academy team went up one after another. Without exception, they were all defeated by Gui Mei's hands.
Bibi Dong's expression gradually darkened.
The Spirit Hall's Golden Generation represented the pinnacle of young soul masters, full of potential and expectation—especially Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena, three of the youngest recipients of the Purple Record Medal.
Yet before that youth, they were utterly powerless, even in a seven-on-one situation.
Now, only Yan has yet to make an appearance. If Yan also lost, both Bibi Dong and the Spirit Hall would lose all face. It would be a humiliation beyond measure!
Fortunately, Gui Mei had only defeated them and never once injured them. Every fight was conducted with restraint—just enough to determine victory, nothing more.
He hadn't even forced them to exhaust too much of their physical strength or soul power.
Because of that, even if they lost this match, they would still be in good condition for their afternoon battle against Shrek Academy.
If they defeated Shrek Academy, they could face Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Second Team again in tomorrow's finals—this time in a team battle against Wuming.
The championship was still within reach.
"Finally… It's my turn!"
Yan clenched his fists, the cracking of bones echoing sharply. He stared at the youth standing at the center of the plaza, flames burning fiercely within his eyes.
This battle—he could not lose.
He would fight for the honor of the Spirit Hall!
Xie Yue reminded him:
"Yan, his speed is extremely fast. Be careful, and stay calm."
"Got it."
Yan strode toward the center of the arena with unstoppable momentum. The crowd held their breath.
The result of this semifinal was about to be revealed, and everyone awaited it with anticipation.
Yan stopped before Gui Mei. His tall, muscular frame, fiery red hair, and flame-patterned markings caused the temperature around him to surge dramatically. A scorching wave of heat washed over the arena.
"Kid, you're strong. But I won't lose to you! The championship belongs to the Spirit Hall."
"Oh? Saying that after all six of your teammates were eliminated... You are confident, I'll give you that. But words alone won't decide victory—show me something real."
A faint smile tugged at Gui Mei's lips.
Among the Spirit Hall team, Yan possessed the highest combat strength. If not for wanting to impress Hu Liena, he could have defeated Xie Yue at any time.
Yan's martial soul—Flame Lord—was a dual-attribute fire-and-earth type, known for its extreme heat, powerful offense, and formidable defense. It was a top-tier martial soul specializing in both attack and defense.
Before the red-clad cardinal referee could even announce the start, Yan released his Flame Lord. Two yellow, two purple, and one black soul ring rose beneath him—five in total.
The moment the Flame Lord possessed him, a scorching aura erupted outward from Yan like a volcanic blast. His already burly body expanded further, muscles bulging like chiseled stone, brimming with explosive power. His fiery red hair whipped wildly, as if ablaze. The flame markings across his skin glowed brilliantly, surging with life. Heat distorted the air around him, ripples forming visibly to the naked eye.
The spectators felt an overwhelming wave of heat crash against them, as though standing at the mouth of a volcano.
"So this is the Flame Lord martial soul? That's insane!"
"That flame power looks even stronger than Fatty's evil fire!"
Even the Shrek group was shaken by Yan's sheer intensity.
Gui Mei stood across from Yan, calmly facing the incoming inferno—completely unfazed. He remained still, like an immovable mountain. No matter how fierce Yan's aura surged, he couldn't shake him in the slightest.
Yan's third soul ring suddenly lit up.
He activated his third soul skill—Hellfire.
Dark-red flames erupted violently from beneath his feet, sweeping toward Gui Mei like a torrent of hellfire.
In an instant, the searing flames engulfed Gui Mei. The roaring blaze crackled violently, as if it intended to consume everything.
But to everyone's shock, those seemingly world-devouring flames couldn't even get close to Gui Mei. He stood silently within the inferno, expression calm as still water.
Earlier, he had consumed the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, infusing its extreme cold into his soul power.
That icy energy now radiated from him, spreading outward. The surrounding air seemed to freeze, forming an invisible barrier that repelled the Hellfire entirely.
Yan felt that freezing aura, and his expression changed dramatically.
"How can his soul power be so cold?!"
He could clearly sense that the cold within his opponent's body far exceeded that of any ice-type soul master he had ever encountered.
"I will NOT lose to you!"
Yan's fifth soul ring flared—he was about to unleash his fifth soul skill, Crimson Sandstorm. This was a ten-thousand-year soul skill, fusing both fire and earth attributes—its destructive power immense.
Above Gui Mei's head, the previously calm air instantly grew violent. Sand surged wildly, molten flames threading through it, forming a massive crimson magma vortex in the blink of an eye. The vortex spun ferociously, emitting a deep, rumbling roar like a demon howling from the depths of hell, crashing downward toward Gui Mei.
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End of Chapter