Last night's unrest did not affect today's competition. Or rather, this was because the Sun Moon Empire officials, led by Xu Tianran, did not care about the disturbance.
In Xu Tianran's view, this was merely the death throes of a few individuals. As for his younger brother, who had been rescued, he honestly wished this foolish brother would raise an army and rebel.
Otherwise, how could he legitimately eliminate dissenters?
Today marked the first round of the finals, the quarterfinals. The eight teams were all waiting in their respective lounge areas, and the draw for the matches had already concluded.
The first match in the morning was between Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and Holy Spirit Sect. The second match in the morning was between Shrek Academy and Heaven Dragon Gate.
The first match in the afternoon was between Snow Demon Sect and Proud Sword Sect. The second match in the afternoon was between Tang Sect and Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy.
Yes, all quarterfinal matches would be completed today, directly determining the top four. The second round of the finals, the semifinals, would be held the day after tomorrow. As for the final round, the championship battle, it would take place on the third day after the semifinals.
It was too early to talk about the finals; let's shift our attention to the current matches. The first match was Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy against Holy Spirit Sect, nominally an internal conflict within the Sun Moon Empire.
This match showed that there was no manipulation in the draw; otherwise, such a self-consuming confrontation would be impossible.
The participating teams paid close attention to this match because it not only determined the first spot in the top four but also marked the Holy Spirit Sect Team's first encounter with a truly strong team.
They surrendered directly to Shrek Academy in the group stage, but this was the quarterfinals, with no possibility of surrender.
Therefore, everyone wanted to know if this Evil Soul Master team would maintain its brutal nature when facing a genuinely strong opponent.
Of course, most people hoped the Sun Moon Team would eliminate the Holy Spirit Sect Team. Even if they were confident in their own strength, it was only natural not to want to fight the Holy Spirit Sect.
It was like how normal people instinctively avoided lunatics, especially since the Holy Spirit Sect belonged to the type of lunatics who would risk their own lives to take others'.
On the arena, Chief Referee Zheng Zhan was already in position. His expression was a little gloomy.
Although he strongly disapproved of the Holy Spirit Sect, they were, after all, a team from the Sun Moon Empire. Yet, they were about to engage in an internal conflict with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
This was truly frustrating. His mind racing, he announced, "The first match of the quarterfinals, Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy versus Holy Spirit Sect! First round of individual elimination, both contestants take your positions!"
Listening to Zheng Zhan's words, the venue fell silent. The Sun Moon Team and the Holy Spirit Sect Team each sent out a contestant.
"Wu Fei, safety first!" In the Sun Moon Team's rest area, Xiao Hongchen gravely cautioned his teammate, who was about to enter the stage.
He knew a thing or two about the Holy Spirit Sect's background, so he wasn't entirely confident about this match.
"Don't worry, Captain!" the young man named Wu Fei said with a smile.
Both contestants ascended the stage. The Holy Spirit Sect's contestant was a short young man. With a mere flash, he landed on the stage like a leaf, appearing light and weightless, drawing attention.
On the rostrum, Xu Tianran sighed as he watched the two teams about to face off on the arena. He truly hadn't expected such a situation.
Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and the Holy Spirit Church were his right and left hands, yet now they were fighting.
Although it was just a competition, if they truly got heated and caused unpleasantness, it would create trouble for his grand unification endeavor.
"Imperial Preceptor, Hall Master Jing, this is truly frustrating!" he said, easing the somewhat tense atmosphere on the rostrum.
"Hehehe, Your Highness, my disciples will treat Hall Master Jing's students with care," the Black-Robed Imperial Teacher said with a laugh.
His words made the grim-faced Jing Hongchen's eyebrows twitch uncontrollably. If it weren't for the inappropriate setting, Jing Hongchen would have probably erupted long ago.
But at the moment, he could only force a smile and say, "Then I must thank Imperial Preceptor for my students!"
"Hahaha, you're welcome!" The Black-Robed Imperial Teacher's face always bore a smile, a chilling one.
"Both of you, watch the match," Ju Zi reminded them, hearing the veiled hostility in their words. Only then did they rein it in and focus on the match.
Xu Tianran's face remained perpetually smiling, as if he cared not at all about the Black-Robed Imperial Teacher and Jing Hongchen's conversation.
"Brother, who do you think will win between the Holy Spirit Sect and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?" Jiang Nannan asked.
"Hard to say," Zhu Ziyang replied, "However, I'm leaning towards the Holy Spirit Sect. After all, they're a bunch of suicidal lunatics.
Xiao Hongchen and his team are more than capable against ordinary opponents, but against the Holy Spirit Sect, tsk tsk, I don't think so.
All of you should pay close attention to this match. As Shrek Academy students, you will inevitably face Evil Soul Masters in the future.
The reactions of the Sun Moon Team's contestants in this match are worth reflecting on and learning from. Did you hear me?"
"Yes!" everyone responded.
On the arena, after the names were announced, the battle between the two teams was about to erupt.
Wu Fei of the Sun Moon Team immediately released his Spirit and spirit tool. His Spirit was a spear, encircled by five spirit rings: two yellow, two purple, and one black.
He was covered in an extremely refined spirit tool armor, which encased his entire body, leaving only his eyes exposed, truly armed to the teeth.
Wu Fei's spirit tool armor was a Level 6 spirit tool, and combined with his Red Tasseled Spear Spirit, his combat power was enough to rival a high-level Spirit Emperor.
The Holy Spirit Sect's contestant, named Jili, also immediately released his Spirit. His short body swelled, and blue scales instantly covered his entire being.
Pale blue air currents swirled around him. His upper body became exceptionally strong, while his lower body grew even shorter.
His entire form became grotesque. His head transformed into an inverted triangle, with protruding lips and teeth, revealing chilling fangs, making him appear exceptionally ugly.
Jili's Spirit was incredibly bizarre; at least, Wu Fei couldn't discern what Jili's Spirit was. But this didn't hinder his attack.
Even if the opponent's Spirit was strange, he was still just a Spirit King, while Wu Fei was capable of contending with a Spirit Emperor.
So, Wu Fei attacked directly. His first and second Spirit Abilities were released simultaneously. The Red Tasseled Spear in his hand glowed with a faint Spirit light.
Clad in armor, Wu Fei strode forward, charging, and thrust his Red Tasseled Spear, creating gusts of wind that were not to be underestimated.
Facing Wu Fei's attack, Jili showed no fear. After a strange smile appeared on his face, he advanced instead of retreating.
Despite his short legs, his speed was not slow. In a few steps, he made contact with Wu Fei's spear tip.
With a raised arm, his disproportionately thick arm parried the Red Tasseled Spear. Then, Jili pressed against the spear shaft, rapidly closing in on Wu Fei.
Wu Fei naturally retreated, not wanting Jili to get close. As he quickly backed away, he exerted force with both hands, intending to throw Jili, who was gripping the spear shaft, into the air.
However, Jili's footsteps were unusually steady, and Wu Fei's retreat did not slow his approach at all.
Seeing Jili's distance from him less than half a meter, Wu Fei knew he couldn't let him get any closer. So, without hesitation, his fifth Spirit Ability activated suddenly, and the armor on his body also glowed simultaneously.
His strength increased several times in a short period, and the long spear in his hand began to whip around rapidly, attempting to throw Jili away.
Jili was indeed thrown, but not by Wu Fei. Instead, he used Wu Fei's force to throw himself, soaring more than ten meters high.
His actions caused Wu Fei to hesitate, and the long spear in his hand involuntarily stopped. It was this hesitation that Jili seized as an opportunity.
Jili's eyes in mid-air flashed with golden light, and then he immediately adjusted his direction, head downwards, charging towards Wu Fei.
He quickly closed in on Wu Fei again and launched an attack. A purplish-black tongue emerged from his mouth, like an arrow, suddenly piercing towards Wu Fei's raised glabella.
Wu Fei had never seen such a bizarre attack method before, but this did not prevent him from defending. He instinctively raised his arm, blocking in front of him, and then, he met with tragedy.
A spirit ring lit up behind Jili. His tongue, like an incredibly sharp weapon, instantly pierced through the spirit tool armor on Wu Fei's arm, pierced through Wu Fei's arm, pierced through the armor on Wu Fei's head, and directly penetrated Wu Fei's glabella.
Then, a chilling sucking sound began.
Everything happened too fast, so much so that Chief Referee Zheng Zhan on the arena, the members of the Sun Moon Team below the arena, Xu Tianran and Jing Hongchen on the rostrum, the various contestants in the rest areas, and the tens of thousands of spectators in the stands, all failed to react.
"Stop!" By the time Zheng Zhan intervened to stop him, Jili had already retreated to the edge of the arena, his face filled with enjoyment.
As for Wu Fei, a chilling hole remained in his glabella, with traces of fresh blood.
"Bastard!" Jing Hongchen on the rostrum instantly exploded. Disregarding the etiquette between ruler and subject, he directly sprang up, furiously pointing at the Black-Robed Imperial Teacher beside Xu Tianran, and spat bitterly, "Is this what you call careful treatment? I'm not done with you today!"
As Jing Hongchen spoke, his aura had already risen.
"Hall Master Jing!" Just then, Xu Tianran's icy voice sounded in Jing Hongchen's ear. In an instant, the rage in Jing Hongchen's heart was extinguished as if doused with a basin of cold water.
"Your Highness, I, I..." Jing Hongchen's face showed panic, and a sense of lingering fear arose within him. He immediately began to explain, but Xu Tianran raised his hand to stop him.
"Hall Master need not worry. This matter is indeed the Imperial Preceptor's fault. I will have him apologize to you. Also, for the deceased student, the Empire will compensate his family twofold," Xu Tianran said, his voice sounding so gentle.
"However, there's no need for this match to continue."
"...Yes, I understand!" Jing Hongchen closed his eyes reluctantly, and only spoke after a long while.
Jing Hongchen immediately stepped down from the rostrum. Watching his retreating figure, Xu Tianran and Ju Zi both seemed lost in thought, while the Black-Robed Imperial Teacher acted as if nothing had happened, even saying, "Your Highness, some subordinates cannot be too spoiled, otherwise they easily become arrogant due to favor!"
"Haha, Imperial Preceptor is right," Xu Tianran said with a faint smile, but his other hand tightly gripped the wooden armrest, revealing his inner turmoil.
On the other side, Jing Hongchen appeared in the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's rest area, stopping the angry team members who wanted to go on stage to avenge Wu Fei.
"Grandpa, why should we forfeit? Did A-Fei just die in vain?"
Xiao Hongchen was on the verge of losing his composure. He was extremely unwilling, especially under the current circumstances. They were clearly the victims, yet they were being forced to back down. What kind of logic was this?
Was it just because the other party was the Imperial Preceptor's person? An Evil Soul Master? Xiao Hongchen was extremely displeased. He shouted, "Is it just because of that damn Imperial Preceptor and that useless Crown Prince?"
"Slap!" Jing Hongchen slapped Xiao Hongchen across the face, scolding, "What nonsense are you spouting? Go back and be confined! You are not allowed out without my permission!"
"Grandpa, why did you hit Brother!" Meng Hongchen was startled by Jing Hongchen's slap, then also shouted at Jing Hongchen with great displeasure, "I think what Brother said is not wrong!"
"Slap!" Another slap landed on Meng Hongchen's delicate pretty face, stunning her. Jing Hongchen felt some regret, but still said, "You too, go back and be confined with your brother!"
"You hit me!" Meng Hongchen looked at her grandfather in disbelief, tears streaming down her cheeks. An unspeakable sorrow and pain filled her face. She cried out, "Wah~ You actually hit me! I hate you! Wah-woo-woo-woo~"
Meng Hongchen cried and ran out of the arena. Xiao Hongchen had also been sobered by Jing Hongchen's slap. Seeing his sister run off, he immediately chased after her, while the other members of the Sun Moon Team shivered and followed Xiao Hongchen's footsteps, leaving the arena.
No one thought about the unavenged grudge or surrendering without a fight anymore. For this matter, both the captain and the big sister had been slapped!
Everyone in Sun Moon Academy knew that the big sister was Hall Master Jing's beloved. For over a decade, let alone being hit, she hadn't even been scolded.
To think this time she actually... Ugh, can't think about it anymore!
Jing Hongchen stood rooted to the spot, watching the vanished Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen. He seemed to have aged decades. His heart was weary, and he doubted whether his decision was right or wrong.
A moment later, he reaffirmed his conviction, turned, and walked onto the arena, carrying Wu Fei's body down, and informed Zheng Zhan of the Sun Moon Team's decision to forfeit.
"Hall Master Jing..." Zheng Zhan wanted to say something more, but Jing Hongchen had already walked away. Helpless, he could only announce, "Due to Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's forfeiture in this match, Holy Spirit Sect wins!"
"Whoa!" The scene immediately erupted in an uproar, and all the spectators reacted with disbelief.
"Tsk tsk tsk, Jing Hongchen is indeed the Hall Master of Mingde Hall. He knows when to bend and when to stand firm; he's a remarkable individual!"
Zhu Ziyang was not surprised by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's decision. What happened in the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's rest area earlier was witnessed by everyone from Shrek Academy, including the conflict between the grandfather and grandchildren.
Regarding Xiao Hongchen's furious cursing of Xu Tianran, Zhu Ziyang could only say that the young man was truly brave. Wasn't that dancing on Xu Tianran's minefield?
Therefore, he could understand Jing Hongchen's actions. However, could Jing Hongchen truly swallow this insult?
The audience didn't know what happened in the rest area. They only knew that Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy had forfeited again, and this time, they had forfeited after someone had died.
Wasn't this a huge blow to the prestige of the Sun Moon Empire's top academy?
So, the audience cursed fiercely, but no one cared.
Next up was the match between Shrek Academy and Heaven Dragon Gate.