Yang Yunhai immediately rose and strode into the arena.
Looking across, Spirit Hall Academy sent out Li Kai, a defense-type Soul Ancestor with a Black-Horned Boar martial soul—he had fought before. Shrek Academy, meanwhile, sent out the agility-attack soul master Jing Ling.
By procedure, before the individual elimination matches began, three representatives would draw lots to determine which two teams would fight first.
Yang Yunhai stepping out first… Bibi Dong was slightly surprised.
In this format, the first competitor would face the remaining two teams consecutively until they lost. Considering stamina, sending out the strongest member first was clearly unwise.
She truly had no idea about Yang Yunhai's arrangement, nor would she ask. Yang Yunhai was still Spirit Hall's man, Elder Chrysanthemum's disciple. Asking him to explain his entry order would be no different from ordering him to throw a fight—and as Pope, she couldn't lose face like that.
On the field, killing Tang San remained her only command.
'Blind arrogance.' On the other side, Yu Xiaogang wore an indifferent look, inwardly passing judgment.
"Xiaogang, should we…?" Liu Erlong's eyes brightened as she whispered.
Yu Xiaogang shook his head slightly. "If he gets injured from this, it would be a loss not worth taking. Our goal is the championship."
"Fine." Liu Erlong nodded, then sneered coldly.
"Hmph, let Spirit Hall and Heaven Dou Royal Academy tear at each other. If a few get crippled in the process, all the better."
'Bibi Dong, what will you do next?' Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly, his eyes flicking toward her.
He hardly needed to guess: Spirit Hall would no doubt draw the bye, letting Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Spirit Hall fight first, while Shrek could sit back and watch.
So his strategy was simple—just concede.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy represented the face of the Heaven Dou Empire. They could not concede easily. Spirit Hall could not back down either without losing face. Shrek, however, could concede freely—and by doing so, watch the other two powers clash.
Moreover, he worried that Spirit Hall's team and Yang Yunhai might deliberately target his disciples, perhaps even kill Tang San "by accident." With Yang Yunhai and three Soul Kings on their side, it was a real possibility.
And Bibi Dong had already made her intentions clear about killing Tang San.
Admittedly, Shrek was weaker in individual fights. Their strength lay in team battles.
So yes, conceding the individual matches was necessary—for safety, for strategy.
His thoughts were interrupted as the draw concluded.
First round: Shrek Academy drew the bye.
"?" Yu Xiaogang blinked in surprise. Things weren't as he imagined—Bibi Dong hadn't cheated.
'So she still followed the script, and Shrek really drew the bye?' Yang Yunhai glanced at Jing Ling.
The lots were laid openly on a tray—no chance to tamper. Shrek had simply drawn the bye fair and square.
It was impossible that Spirit Hall intentionally set themselves up to be attacked first.
"I forfeit." A Spirit Hall team member stepped forward, bowing slightly toward Bibi Dong.
'Bibi Dong, to ruin me, you'll even throw away Spirit Hall's face?' Yu Xiaogang's expression sank darkly. Beside him, Tang San frowned.
The teacher and student exchanged a glance, both showing anger.
Spirit Hall's team had chosen to concede. Even Yang Yunhai was taken aback.
As for him? He would never concede.
Whether Shrek or Spirit Hall, he intended to fight both.
If Bibi Dong wanted to hand Shrek an easy road, then he'd crush the Golden Generation here in the individual matches, fulfilling his promise to Elder Chrysanthemum to "vent his anger." He would eliminate Spirit Hall's team into the losers' bracket, forcing Bibi Dong to eat her own schemes—and then watch Spirit Hall battle the very Shrek team she had pampered.
Meanwhile, Heaven Dou Royal Academy would conserve strength for the finals.
For him, fewer team matches meant preserving his lineup's power. Exposing less of his own abilities now was the smarter play.
And as for injuries? He wasn't worried. With Ye Lingling and his Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone, he had more than enough confidence.
If Spirit Hall later fought Shrek, their Seven-in-One Fusion Skill would surely be revealed. He couldn't lose in either outcome. If Spirit Hall lost, it only showed their incompetence. If Tang San lived, it only proved the Golden Generation was useless.
The shame would fall solely on Bibi Dong.
"First match: Heaven Dou Royal Academy wins." The referee's voice rang out.
"Second match: Jing Ling of Shrek Academy versus Yang Yunhai of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Please prepare."
"Wait." Yu Xiaogang suddenly stood, eyes fixed on Bibi Dong.
The red-clothed bishop acting as referee glared—interrupting the match was one thing, but to openly lock eyes with the Pope was intolerable. He was about to shout when—
Bibi Dong lifted her hand. Smiling faintly, she said, "Speak your reason."
Yu Xiaogang sneered. "Our reason is simple—Shrek Academy forfeits the morning's matches and enters directly into the losers' bracket this afternoon. Jing Ling, return."
'Hmph, Bibi Dong, let's see if you dare to force us. One forfeit is tactics. Forfeiting entirely? That would mean Spirit Hall admits defeat before the Heaven Dou Empire.'
"Why?" Bibi Dong asked calmly.
"No reason." Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back, tilting his head upward, staring not at her but at the Douluo Hall behind her.
'What a pretentious act.' Yang Yunhai was astonished. Watching live, he felt almost impressed.
Utterly ignoring Bibi Dong, nose tilted high, eyes bypassing her entirely—this was blatant disrespect.
The Spirit Hall members nearby boiled with fury.
Only Elder Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo remained cold-eyed, merely watching Yu Xiaogang.
Then Bibi Dong rose slowly, nodded slightly, and said, "You are right. It is your right."
"My apologies, Elder Yu, for asking needlessly."
Yu Xiaogang froze. He hadn't spoken boldly because of their past relationship. He had already declared that bond severed. His outburst was born purely of anger.
But now he realized—she had just openly reaffirmed his status as Spirit Hall's Honorary Elder. She was protecting him.
His eyes flickered with confusion, with complexity.
Then pain touched his waist—Liu Erlong wrapped herself tightly around his arm, pressing close, her gaze provocatively locking with Bibi Dong's.
Yang Yunhai only glanced once before looking away. Meeting Elder Chrysanthemum's eyes, he sensed clear coldness. Ghost Douluo, expressionless, betrayed no reaction.
'This isn't disappointment anymore. Shishu has reached the point of complete disregard.' Yang Yunhai sighed inwardly.
'Bibi Dong, in terms of being love-brained, you rank third on the continent. Only Xiao Wu beats you—and she's still out there flirting after her mother died.'
'As for second place, that has to go to Liu Erlong—for clinging to Yu Xiaogang despite everything. I admit defeat there.'
Across the square, Bibi Dong's eyes flickered for a heartbeat before returning to calm. She turned to the referee.
"Since Shrek forfeits the morning rounds, the matches continue."
As Pope, she could not allow Spirit Hall to concede in front of Heaven Dou's representatives.
Her gaze shifted toward Yang Yunhai. He stood still, clearly ready to fight.
As his team's strongest, as the first to step forward, he could not concede. Representing Heaven Dou's royal face, it would be shameful—especially before Qian Renxue.
'This was why I came out first. To forfeit now would be true disgrace.' Yang Yunhai thought. He had foreseen this from the start.
Opposite him, Xie Yue strode into the arena.
The finals allowed flexible adjustments—each side could decide the next fighter based on the previous result.
"Are you wondering why I pulled us out of the individuals?" On the viewing platform, Yu Xiaogang swept his gaze across the students.
Seeing their attention, he continued, "Even I did not expect Spirit Hall to stoop to such despicable means in such a favorable position. Tang San, you must have seen it too. Explain it to them."
Tang San nodded, his tone heavy as he began to speak.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang's eyes turned cold as he watched Xie Yue stride toward the center of the stage. 'Bibi Dong, this time, I've won the tactical battle. I've secured the best outcome for my team.'
The referee signaled the combatants.
They glanced once at each other, then the referee declared loudly: "Begin!"
Every gaze turned toward the battlefield.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.