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"Damn it!"
Xiao Hongchen looked at the fighting platform, seeing only himself and his sister left, and immediately cursed out loud, turning to Meng Hongchen.
"Sister, let's make our final desperate attempt to end them."
Meng Hongchen hesitated slightly, "But our soul power..."
"We don't have much soul power left, but it's enough for one strike. Besides, after they just used that move, how much soul power could they possibly have left?" Xiao Hongchen, who had just been heavily struck, seemed to have regained his former arrogance at this moment. "The advantage is now ours!"
"Even if we might not have a chance to win the next two matches, we must still show them our strongest attack now! The glory of the Empire cannot be disgraced like this!"
As he spoke, all the soul guide devices on his body began to disintegrate. The soul guide devices themselves turned into metal powder, their core formations falling to the ground, while he himself embraced Meng Hongchen.
However, the ever-prepared Chen Junting would never let them succeed so easily. The moment blood-red light flashed in his eyes,
"Buzz—"
A sword hum trembled, instantly blanking Meng Hongchen's mind! Even when Xiao Hongchen embraced her, she showed no reaction.
"Sister!?"
An anxious Xiao Hongchen suddenly looked toward the Shrek members' direction. Before he could question them, several figures rushed over!
Attacks instantly covered the two of them!
Two long swords especially aimed directly at Meng Hongchen!
"Get away!"
With Xiao Hongchen's furious shout, a figure suddenly blocked in front of them, deflecting all the incoming attacks.
The newcomer was Elder Ma from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
Any member of the Sun Moon team could be injured, but not the Hongchen siblings!
Simultaneously, Huang Jinxu and the previous Sea Turtle Douluo also arrived at the center of the fighting platform, subtly protecting the six Shrek members behind them.
Then Huang Jinxu stepped forward, his expression emotionless as he said: "Is the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy trying to violate the tournament rules?"
"No."
Elder Ma looked at the miserable state of his students, couldn't help but sigh inwardly. With such injuries, how could they possibly recover in a short time? Even Meng Hongchen, who might have had a chance to turn things around through individual matches, had just been severely wounded by that young man with the Seven Kill Sword martial soul.
Moreover, the injury was to her spiritual sea. This type of injury required even longer recovery time than Ma Rulong and the others.
So this time, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy had lost!
Elder Ma closed his eyes, painfully making his decision.
"Finals, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy forfeits!"
These words made Xiao Hongchen's expression change drastically.
But having anticipated this, he remained silent at this moment.
After Heavenfiend Douluo Huang Jinxu confirmed it repeatedly, he took a deep breath and announced loudly: "Because the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy has forfeited, the ultimate champion of this All Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Fighting Tournament is—the Shrek Academy representative team!"
"Shrek!"
"Shrek!"
"..."
Amid the audience's cheers, the entire Star Luo Square instantly erupted in excitement! They had not only personally witnessed Shrek Academy win the championship, continuing their undefeated myth, but had also seen such an exhilarating scene in the team battle of the finals.
Even though the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's forfeiture meant the next two matches couldn't continue, the audience still felt this ticket was worth it.
Before leaving, Xiao Hongchen carried his sister, staring fiercely at Chen Junting, ignoring all other Shrek members. He said bitterly, "Just wait. In the next tournament, I will redeem my shame! Avenge my sister! Next time, it will be you lying on the ground!"
Chen Junting met his icy gaze.
"I'll be waiting for you."
But in the next tournament, he wouldn't be standing on Shrek Academy's side anymore.
Then, he turned and left with the team.
When they walked out of the competition venue, excited cheers greeted them. "Woo! We've won the championship again!"
The group that had been waiting in the rest area had already rushed to the waiting area to welcome Chen Junting and the others.
Girls gathered with girls to celebrate, boys conversed with boys. For example, Xu Sanshi put his arm around Chen Junting's neck, his words full of teasing.
"Junior brother, you really have no mercy for beautiful women. That Sun Moon team girl admired you so much, yet on stage you didn't hold back at all, directly knocking her out."
As he spoke, he made "tsk tsk" sounds with his mouth, lamenting the pity.
"Except for Xiao Tian, all other women I regard as ordinary women or beautiful skeletons—what concern are they to me? Moreover..."
Chen Junting spread his left palm that was crossed over his chest. "If I hadn't dealt with her, then after they used their martial soul fusion skill, it might have been us who suffered. And her martial soul is quite troublesome too."
"Her martial soul?"
Everyone nearby who heard this showed curious expressions.
Dai Yueheng stroked his chin. "Her martial soul... I only remember that when she activated her martial soul attachment, her long hair turned snow-white, her eyes turned blood-red..."
"She has two attributes."
Before Dai Yueheng could finish speaking, Ling Luochen, who had somehow appeared behind them, coldly interrupted, taking over the conversation. "She has both ice attribute and fire attribute."
"That kind of martial soul is quite amazing."
Bei Bei glanced at Ma Xiaotao not far away, then swept his gaze over Ling Luochen, recalling their usual disagreements. "To have two conflicting attributes merged into one body."
"You're absolutely right."
Chen Junting nodded slightly, explaining.
"Her martial soul is called Crimson-Eyed Ice Toad..."
...
With the end of the All Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Fighting Tournament, the month-long excitement in Star Luo City gradually returned to calm, as if nothing had happened, leaving only beautiful echoes.
As champions of this tournament, without any fanfare, Xu Jiawei took out ten soul bones of extraordinary quality from the imperial treasury, allowing Shrek Academy to choose freely.
Wang Yan, who was responsible for selecting the soul bones, seemed to have received Elder Song's instructions, deliberately choosing three soul bones with extremely distinct characteristics, suitable respectively for ice-attribute soul masters, agile attack system soul masters, and metal-attribute strong attack system soul masters.
This was clearly a cake-cutting maneuver.
As for the golden soul coin reward, the academy didn't take a single coin, instead waving their hands generously and distributing it on the spot to all competing team members. And to ensure everyone received equal amounts, the academy even contributed additional funds to cover the difference.
The next morning at dawn, under Elder Song's protection, the Shrek group quietly left Star Luo City together with the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect members, heading toward Shrek Academy.
...
Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
As the core of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, and one of the three major surface forces across two continents, the Mingde Hall was situated here.
The spacious hall was decorated entirely in metallic style, dominated by light golden tones. Not luxurious, but full of texture. A plaque hung high above the hall entrance, those three dark golden characters giving a sense of dominating authority.
"Hall Master."
Elder Ma, who had led the team in competition, his face full of guilt, bowed with clasped hands, not daring to straighten his waist.
"Elder Ma, no need for this. Stand up."
In the center chair on the inner side of the hall sat a man. He appeared to be only in his forties, short in stature but broad in build. In the simplest terms, he was short and fat.
Brownish-red long hair hung loose behind his head, and just looking at his face and features, there was a striking resemblance to Xiao Hongchen.
He was precisely the Mingde Hall Master, Jing Hongchen.
Also the grandfather of Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
"Hall Master, this time I failed as team leader. Please punish me."
But facing Jing Hongchen's comfort, Elder Ma didn't straighten up. Instead, he bowed even lower, sincerely seeking punishment.
After all, Meng Hongchen was still dispirited even now.
As team leader, he bore great responsibility.
"Enough. You're not at fault. Many times, coincidences happen that you alone cannot control. Meng is injured, but fortunately nothing serious. Otherwise..."
"Hmph—"
A cold snort revealed his anger!
Elder Ma dared not utter a word in response.
Who in the academy didn't know that these siblings were the Hall Master's lifeblood? If something really happened... even as a ninth-grade soul master, he feared the Hall Master would skin him alive.
After his anger subsided, Jing Hongchen also regained his composure.
He had already learned the specific details of this tournament from Elder Ma. Shrek's "combined-type soul guide devices" and their transformation had drawn Jing Hongchen's great attention.
"Shrek indeed cannot be underestimated. And from what I saw, they seem to have found a new path in soul engineering devices." Jing Hongchen slowly stood up, his black robe with golden patterns covering his round belly. "It seems we need to change our fixed impressions."
"Perhaps, I should send someone to Shrek."
"Shrek?"
Elder Ma raised his head, his tone surprised. "Hall Master..."
Jing Hongchen's voice was utterly calm. "Since Shrek has made changes, I believe they must also be eager for soul engineering technology. Coincidentally, I'm equally curious about their soul master cultivation techniques and this unique type of soul engineering device. So..."
"Elder Ma!"
"Yes!"
"In the academy's name, send a learning exchange invitation to Shrek. Both sides send exchange students to learn from each other for three years."
Jing Hongchen's gaze turned toward Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's direction, thinking inwardly: Xiao, Meng, Grandfather will absolutely not let you fall too far behind those Shrek people in soul master cultivation.
...
Noon, the scorching sun blazed.
Without cloud cover, the blazing sunlight from the sky shone directly down, leaving almost no one at Shrek Academy's east gate—only five figures stood there.
These five figures were precisely Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er, Cai Meier, Qian Duoduo, plus Fan Yu—these five people.
Such an arrangement was only to welcome the returning champions.
"They're back."
Yan Shaozhe, looking up at the distance, was the first to see tiny dot-like figures in the far sky.
Smiles immediately appeared on the five people's faces.
Soon, figures landed gracefully one after another.
"Elder Song."
Yan Shaozhe and the other four hurried forward, respectfully bowing to Elder Song, then looking at the three people who had arrived with them—Ning Bowen and the other two.
"Hall Master Ning, and two other seniors, welcome to Shrek. If you don't mind, please come in with us for a chat."
"Dean Yan is too polite."
Facing Yan Shaozhe's invitation, Ning Bowen chuckled lightly. "I've been away from the sect for some time and shouldn't linger outside too long. Since these children are the main characters, don't mind us."
"If that's the case, I won't press you to stay longer."
Amid everyone's farewells and sending-off gazes, Ning Bowen and the other three bid farewell to Chen Junting and the others, heading toward the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
However, before leaving, Ye Xuanji left instructions for Chen Junting. "Since you've decided to try that matter, the sect cannot stop you. But if you succeed, notify us immediately."
After they departed, Yan Shaozhe and the other four chatted briefly with the students, then announced a bombshell message.
"Given that you still swept through to win the championship after encountering difficulties, and faced the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy in the finals to decide everything in one battle—after the Sea God Pavilion meeting decided, your rewards will be distributed at the Sea God Pavilion on Sea God Island."
"Whoa—"
Yan Shaozhe's words instantly caused an uproar.
Not to mention the inner court students who hadn't expected this at all—even Chen Junting hadn't anticipated that this reward ceremony would be the same as in the original story when the academy participated with a depleted formation.
What was Elder Mu's thinking?
That previous excuse seemed rather forced. After all, Chen Junting didn't believe that after ascending to Sea God Island, they would only receive awards.
Just as he harbored doubts, everyone had already boarded the boat. After sailing for more than an hour, they passed through the mist, and Sea God Island's true appearance revealed itself before everyone.
Like a small mountain, pavilions and towers built upon it.
Peaceful, tranquil, like a paradise beyond the world.
Stepping onto the island, walking along the path, tall vegetation stood on both sides. Initially narrow, after walking dozens of steps, it suddenly opened up.
A three-story pavilion with no sense of grandeur or magnificence.
The building itself was brownish, entirely wooden, simple yet carrying a sense of vicissitude. If observed closely, one could see that the wood of this small building had a luster similar to oil.
But this very pavilion gave people a solemn feeling.
At the first floor of the pavilion, a black plaque hung above, bearing three gilded characters—"Sea God Pavilion"—marking its identity.
Yan Shaozhe stopped at the Sea God Pavilion door, bowing respectfully while saying respectfully: "Teacher, they've returned."
Hearing the word "teacher," most people were shocked!
But before their shock could fade, the Sea God Pavilion suddenly lit up without warning, brilliant golden light bursting forth instantly, pure light energy erupting simultaneously.
Rich yet gentle golden light floated down, enveloping everyone. The light energy nourished their bodies, instantly sweeping away all the fatigue from their journey.
Just as Huo Yuhao was still stunned, Chen Junting's voice sounded in his ear. "Seize the opportunity to meditate and cultivate."
Seeing Ning Tian and the others quickly entering meditation, Chen Junting also closed his eyes immediately, accepting the gift Elder Mu offered.
Feeling the rich natural energy and life energy, Chen Junting suddenly had a thought. The vast meaning he had comprehended from the Sea God's Light moved with his heart, resonating with the Golden Ancient Tree.
Before long, he suddenly captured a strand of vast meaning completely different from the Sea God's Light. If the vast meaning in the Sea God's Light came from the ocean's all-encompassing nature, then this strand of vast meaning came from the forest's myriad phenomena.
For a moment, everyone had their own insights.
Even Chen Junting's current cultivation broke through to Level 46.
As time passed bit by bit, everyone gradually woke from their meditation. They happily discovered that not only had their soul power increased, but their soul power and meridians had also been cleansed, becoming purer.
Just at this moment, an aged voice sounded.
"Come in, all of you."
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