Yun Ming pressed down on the somewhat agitated Oscar and said in a deep voice.
"Calm down! The amplification hasn't broken; Ning Rongrong is fine."
Following Yun Ming's reminder, Oscar glanced at the amplification light still shimmering on Dugu Yan's body, then turned his head to stare intently at the area shrouded in dust and smoke on the plaza.
A gust of wind blew past, and the Lion Soul Elder had already vanished without a trace.
Seeing that the Lion Soul Elder was in mortal danger, the Cardinal intervened to save him and carried him away from the battlefield.
Ning Rongrong also reappeared before everyone. The image of the eccentric, noble, and ethereal young lady was gone; now, Ning Rongrong was covered in dust and grime, her green dress torn by several wounds from the explosive debris, especially a gash over ten centimeters long at her waist.
Seeing Ning Rongrong's condition, the Empire team members were subconsciously distracted.
Seeing Ning Rongrong injured, the siblings Xie Yue and Huliena tried to break through the blockade of Feng Xiaotian and Dugu Yan to complete their Martial Soul Fusion Skill. However, Feng Xiaotian noticed in time and, at the cost of taking a blade to his chest, forcibly blocked Xie Yue. Dugu Yan also unleashed a 'Hell Dragon Claw' to seal the path, stopping Huliena. The siblings still failed to shake off their entanglement.
Gong Ming's offensive paused, and he arrived at Ning Rongrong's side. Before he could even ask, Ning Rongrong covered the wound at her waist with one hand, endured the pain, and spoke first.
"Finish the battle quickly!"
Seeing Ning Rongrong's green clothes stained with blood and her pained expression, Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi felt immense heartache.
However, the fact that she could still endure the pain and continue to support her teammates in their attack made Ning Fengzhi feel deeply gratified.
If it were the Ning Rongrong of the past, she would likely have become a quitter at the slightest bump or scrape. Now that she could endure the pain and persist in the battle, the training of the past year had not been in vain; she had grown!
It was just that Chen Xin could barely hold back, his Sword Intent stirring restlessly, but seeing Ning Rongrong's serious expression, he ultimately held it in.
Seeing that Ning Rongrong was in a bad state, the Empire Team increased their offensive.
The heavily injured Feng Xiaotian disregarded his condition to forcibly drag down Xie Yue; Yang Yi and Dugu Yan also worked hard to hold off their respective opponents.
Subsequently, Niu Bi and Gong Ming first joined forces to send away the remaining Battle Soul Ancestor, took down the opponent's Support System soul master, and then took over the battle between Yang Yi and Yan, freeing Yang Yi to help Dugu Yan take down Huliena.
Huliena wanted to seduce Yang Yi, only to find that Yang Yi ignored her entirely. With no woman in one's heart, the spear becomes naturally divine. It was impossible for a Fox Spirit like Huliena to corrupt his state of mind!
With the addition of the unromantic Yang Yi, Huliena soon fell.
Seeing that the opponent's Martial Soul Fusion Skill was ruined, Ning Rongrong could no longer resist the rapid consumption of her soul power and the dizziness caused by blood loss, and she fainted to the ground.
Finally, Xie Yue and Yan erupted with all their power to launch a final battle against the remaining six members of the Empire Team. After defeating Feng Xiaotian, Niu Bi, and exhausting Ye Qingyin's soul power, Xie Yue and Yan were defeated by the remaining three members of the Empire Team.
Martial Soul Hall Academy team, defeated!
Seeing that the victory that should have been in their grasp had turned into such a scene, Bibi Dong found it hard to accept and remained silent for a time.
Seeing Bibi Dong's rare loss of composure, Xue Qinghe did not shy away from provoking her. Xue Qinghe looked at the volatile Bibi Dong with a smile and said.
"Respected Pope Your Majesty, it seems the final winner of this tournament has been decided. Will you not announce the results?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, who was accompanying the viewing, wanted to roar "How bold!" to see who dared to speak to the Pope so suddenly, but then he realized the person speaking was Xue Qinghe. Hmm~ he didn't hear anything.
Bibi Dong glanced sideways at 'Xue Qinghe' and, noticing the hidden mockery in the eyes of this dead girl, her face turned even darker.
However, she was, after all, a generation of great masters of Martial Soul Hall. After weighing the pros and cons, she stood up decisively and announced.
"I announce."
"The final champion of this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is."
"Heaven Dou Empire, Empire Academy representative team!"
Upon receiving confirmation, the remaining three members of the Empire Team also collapsed to the ground.
As Bibi Dong's voice fell, Ya Li immediately took action to heal their wounds.
With her Wish Angel Spirit possessed, the two yellow soul rings and one purple soul ring on her body began to light up in succession.
The pure white, sacred soul power in the young girl's hands began to condense rapidly, eventually forming a holy scepter.
Ya Li's second soul skill 'Holy Spirit Scepter', first soul skill 'Holy Light Illumination', and fourth soul skill 'Light of All Living Things' were activated in sequence.
A sacred, warm halo of light surged out, shining on everyone from both teams, shimmering with a peculiar brilliance.
Under the shroud of the holy light, everyone's wounds began to close at an astonishing speed. Regardless of internal injuries, external injuries, or burns, everything except for Dugu Yan's dragon poison was recovering rapidly.
After receiving treatment, Dugu Yan immediately provided the antidote to the Golden Generation.
Ning Rongrong's injuries recovered, and she soon woke up. Seeing that the other team members had gathered around her, she said weakly.
"Did we win?"
Ye Qingyin nodded vigorously, her tone excited.
"Yes, we won. We defeated the Martial Soul Hall Academy team. We are the champions."
Hearing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Ning Rongrong's face. The honor of being champion itself was not very important to her, but she felt that this experience of accomplishing a great feat together with her partners was very important.
The three members of the Golden Generation, who had just awakened, felt a bitter taste in their hearts as they watched the cheering Empire team. What kind of geniuses were they? Soul Kings around the age of twenty! Yet, they ended up with such a result.
Bibi Dong swept a glance at them and waved her hand casually. The tray containing the Spirit Bone flew toward Yun Ming in full view of everyone.
"This is the championship reward for this tournament, and also a commendation for your wisdom and courage. Accept it!"
Yun Ming took the tray and responded calmly.
"Many thanks, Pope."
Hearing Yun Ming's indifferent reply, Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes and announced.
"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament has officially concluded."
As the words fell, Bibi Dong turned and left; she did not want to see Qian Renxue mocking her with her eyes any longer.
With Bibi Dong gone, the Attendant announced the dismissal.
Yun Ming returned to the side of the Empire team members and spoke up.
"Let's go, we'll talk when we get back."
The group nodded and exited the arena in an orderly fashion.
Empire Team Residence
After Yun Ming and Ya Li followed the Empire team to the hotel conference hall where they were staying, Yun Ming looked at the group, whose faces were still glowing with the joy of victory, and smiled.
"Congratulations to you all for winning the championship of the Soul Master Competition through your own hard work."
Hearing this, the Empire team members responded in a flurry of voices.
Dugu Yan corrected him earnestly.
"Captain, it's not 'you all,' it's 'us.' You played a part in us winning the championship too."
Feng Xiaotian also nodded in agreement.
"That's right! If it weren't for you training us, I definitely wouldn't have been able to block that Xie Yue. So, this championship belongs to all of us."
Gong Ming chimed in as well.
"Exactly. Captain, we are a team, and you are a part of it."
"..."
Aside from Yang Yi, who was being stubborn as usual, everyone else expressed similar sentiments.
Hearing their heartwarming words, Yun Ming couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth curl up slightly. This feeling of youthful spirit was truly wonderful! Yun Ming smiled gently.
"I misspoke; congratulations to us on winning the championship!"
"But at the same time, as your captain and instructor during this period, I am very satisfied with everyone's cultivation results."
Having received Yun Ming's recognition, Feng Xiaotian, Oscar, and the others were all very happy, and even Yang Yi's expression softened a fraction.
As he spoke, Yun Ming took out the Spirit Bone rewards from the tournament. The Empire team members felt the immense soul power contained within the three Spirit Bones, and their eyes couldn't help but light up. Seeing their expressions, Yun Ming didn't say much more and went straight to the point.
"These three Spirit Bones are our spoils of war; let's divide them up now."
Just as Yun Ming was about to ask what everyone had in mind, Gong Ming and Ye Qingyin stepped forward one after another.
Gong Ming: "Captain, I don't want a Spirit Bone. I come from an ordinary background, and something like a Spirit Bone is too dangerous for me."
Ye Qingyin: "I don't want one either; these Spirit Bones don't really suit me."
Seeing the two of them being humble, Oscar also spoke up with an indifferent air.
"Boss, I didn't even get on the field, so I don't want a Spirit Bone either. It's not appropriate."
Others wanted to say something, but Yun Ming stopped them.
"Alright, that's enough."
"Since the Spirit Bones have been given to us, we have to arrange them somehow. But since you are all being so humble, I will make the arrangements directly."
Without waiting for their reply, Yun Ming made his decisions.
"This Rapid Advance Wind-Chasing Left Leg can significantly increase the owner's speed. The suitable candidates are Xiaotian and Gong Ming. Tell me what you two think."
Feng Xiaotian didn't need to be mentioned; a speed-type Spirit Bone was a perfect fit for his Martial Soul, and it would also improve his physical fitness. For Gong Ming, as an Archer, having a Spirit Bone that could increase speed would be of huge benefit to his self-detonation and his ability to kite enemies, providing him with all-around improvements.
The two looked at each other, and Feng Xiaotian spoke first.
"Give it to Gong Ming! He needs it more than I do."
Gong Ming was surprised that he was even being considered for this Spirit Bone. In terms of talent, Feng Xiaotian was visibly higher than him, and in terms of contribution, Feng Xiaotian had always been the main combatant, putting in more effort and playing a more critical role. He had assumed he wouldn't get a Spirit Bone at all.
But Yun Ming had still given him the opportunity, which moved him. And Feng Xiaotian's concession made him tear up; what a great teammate! But thinking of his own background, Gong Ming shook his head and refused.
"Captain, give it to Xiaotian. This Spirit Bone might be more of a curse than a blessing for me."
Gong Ming's previous reason wasn't a joke; even the grandson of a Lower Four Sects master would have to be wary of being killed for his Spirit Bone. For a young man like him with no backing, holding onto such an item was genuinely dangerous.
Yun Ming looked at the two of them and smiled slightly. This kind of brotherhood that could resist the temptation of a Spirit Bone was quite beautiful. Thinking of this, Yun Ming decided to give them a choice that would satisfy both.
"I actually have another method that will allow both of you to safely obtain a Spirit Bone."
The two were stunned. How could one Spirit Bone be given to two people?
Seeing their confusion, Yun Ming took out a golden torso bone. Indeed, it was the gift Qian Daoliu had given him upon their first meeting: the King Kong Baboon Torso Bone.
Yun Ming looked at them and continued.
"Gong Ming, you can join my Breaking Clan or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. With the protection of a powerful faction, you won't have to worry about outsiders coveting your Spirit Bone."
"As for this Spirit Bone in my hand, it is also a top-tier Spirit Bone and is my private property. Feng Xiaotian, if you are willing to join my Breaking Clan, I will give this Spirit Bone to you."
Ning Rongrong also spoke up at the right moment.
"That works! My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect welcomes Brother Gong to join."
Gong Ming's eyes lit up upon hearing this. That's right! He was no longer the person he used to be; he now knew two big shots, and he could seek their protection! Having figured out the crux of the matter, Gong Ming immediately responded.
"I agree! I will join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Because the main family of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was of the Support System, their attitude toward external Soul Masters had always been quite good. Plus, with the young miss looking out for him, his future looked bright!
Yun Ming nodded and turned to ask Feng Xiaotian.
"What about you? What do you think?"
Feeling the incomparably violent Soul Power contained within the torso bone that Yun Ming had brought out, Feng Xiaotian's eyes burned with heat. It was such a high-quality torso bone, and it was a perfect fit for him; he really didn't want to miss out. However, joining the Breaking Clan didn't seem impossible either. Although his father held a high and powerful position at Godwind Academy, he wasn't exactly a scion of a major family! Joining another family was perfectly acceptable.
Feng Xiaotian also nodded in agreement.
"I agree as well. I am willing to join the Breaking Clan."
Seeing that both of them had agreed, Yun Ming nodded in satisfaction and handed the two Spirit Bones to them respectively.
"Absorb them now, so as to avoid any complications later."
The two nodded, walked to the side, and sat cross-legged to begin absorbing the Spirit Bones.
Yun Ming made this decision because he felt that Feng Xiaotian's talent and character were both quite good, and his Martial Soul was well-suited for the Spirit Bone skill 'Berserk' attached to this bone, which was why he had made the proposal.
Having settled one Spirit Bone, Yun Ming began to distribute the second one.
"This Spirit Gathering Wisdom Skull is more suitable for Rongrong and Qingyin. Let's give this Spirit Bone to Qingyin. As for the safety issue, just like Gong Ming, you can choose to join either of our two families."
Yun Ming didn't dwell on it and directly decided on the ownership. Afterward, he turned his head to look at Ning Rongrong.
"Rongrong, my grandfather still has a head Spirit Bone that is even more suitable for you. I have looked into that Spirit Bone skill, and it is absolutely a top-tier soul skill. If I give that Spirit Bone to you, what do you think?"
The Spirit Bone Yun Ming spoke of was the Illusion Wisdom Skull that belonged to Ning Rongrong in the original timeline. The effect of the 'Space of Illusion' skill was extremely powerful; it increased the Spiritual Power of allies by twenty percent while simultaneously establishing a mental network that allowed them to communicate thoughts instantly. As for enemies, it would produce a hallucinatory effect, not only causing them to lose their sense of direction but also weakening their Spiritual Power through the constant hallucinatory effects.
It was absolutely a top-tier skill among Support System soul skills.
Ning Rongrong, who had initially felt a bit regretful, immediately agreed upon hearing that Yun Ming had one more suitable for her. She knew that Yun Ming had an extraordinary eye for things, and if that Spirit Bone skill was so highly regarded by him, it must be excellent.
Seeing that Ning Rongrong also had one, Ye Qingyin did not decline and decided to join the Breaking Clan.
After arranging the other Spirit Bones, Yun Ming looked at the last one that was useless to them and made arrangements.
"As for this final Bursting Burning Flame Right Arm, it is suitable for a fire-type Soul Master, which we don't have here. Later, I will find someone to trade it for a Spirit Bone that suits us before making a final decision."
As for who to trade with, Yun Ming had already thought it through. As the son-in-law of the Elder Hall, trading for a Spirit Bone suitable for Niu Bi with the First Elder should be quite easy!
As for the three people on his side who didn't receive a Spirit Bone arrangement—Oscar, Yang Yi, and Dugu Yan—it was easy to handle. Oscar's reward was hard to find, but Yang Yi and Dugu Yan were not lacking in Spirit Bones. This time, after wiping out the Clear Sky Sect, they had obtained more than ten Spirit Bones suitable for the Power Attack System, so he just needed to pick two for them.
Everyone was happy to agree after hearing Yun Ming's arrangements.
At night, Xue Qinghe booked the hotel banquet hall to hold a grand Championship Celebration Banquet to celebrate Heaven Dou's successful victory (and successfully causing trouble for Mother, attracting her attention). All personnel accompanying the Heaven Dou side and the participating academies came to attend.
After Yun Ming accompanied Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi for a round of drinks, he left the banquet hall halfway through, wanting to find some peace and quiet, but he unexpectedly discovered someone who looked somewhat melancholy and lost.
Seeing that the person was focused on thinking about a problem and occasionally revealed a troubled expression, Yun Ming stepped forward and asked.
"What's wrong?"
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader