Qian Renxue Guards the Way

Facing Xue Ye's question, Ning Fengzhi forced a calm smile to hide his inner embarrassment.

He had originally thought most highly of the Shrek Team, believing that with a genius youth like Tang San, they could go even further.

Reaching the Soul Ancestor level at fourteen was indeed rare, with limitless potential.

But when he saw Shui Bing'er and her teammates' martial souls and Soul Rings, it felt as though something had struck Ning Fengzhi's heart. Alongside his shock came a trace of pain.

Luckily, he had not told Xue Ye yesterday that the Shrek Team was his favorite. Otherwise, he would have been slapped in the face now.

"Your Majesty, I said before that the final champion of this Soul Master Tournament will belong to the Empire."

Xue Ye was even more delighted.

"Sect Master Ning, so you already knew about the Skywater Academy Team's strength. This is the fourth Soul Master Tournament, yet our Heaven Dou Empire has never had a participating student at the Soul King level. Moreover, the Skywater Team's overall strength is exceptional; nearly all of them are Soul Masters at the Soul Ancestor level or above. Good! This is truly wonderful!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Let us enjoy the match."

"Mm, there are still two more rounds ahead. Perhaps even more outstanding young Soul Masters will emerge."

Ning Fengzhi nodded with a smile but offered no further response.

Platinum Archbishop Salas, seated on Xue Ye's other side, looked somewhat grim.

He simply could not believe that the Skywater Academy Team possessed such strength.

One Battle Soul King, five Battle Soul Ancestors, and one Battle Soul Elder, all with the same elemental attribute. With such a lineup, they would be more than capable of placing in the top three at the Finals.

However, this lineup was still insufficient to threaten the luxurious roster of the Spirit Hall Academy Team, which had three Battle Soul Kings and four Battle Soul Ancestors above Level 45.

"Hmph! The championship will definitely belong to Spirit Hall Academy!"

Elsewhere.

Tang San and the others from Shrek were all stunned when they saw Shui Bing'er and the Skywater Team's martial souls and Soul Rings.

Oscar's jaw dropped in shock.

"What is going on?! She's actually reached the Soul King level!"

"Yeah! And there are five Battle Soul Ancestors on the team."

Ma Hongjun rubbed his eyes and examined them carefully.

"What's with these Skywater Beauties? Isn't this a little ridiculous?"

Dai Mubai glanced at the silent Tang San beside him and said softly,

"Third Brother, it seems your intuition was right. The Skywater Academy Team's strength truly cannot be underestimated."

Tang San nodded slightly and looked toward Xiao Han, who was watching the match.

"What's even more frightening is that the strongest person on their team has yet to fight."

"So there are at least two Battle Soul Kings on their team?"

"That's right. Also, that support master has not fought either. With her support, the Skywater Team's overall strength will become even more terrifying."

Ma Hongjun sighed.

"I never expected this year's Skywater Team to be so strong. It seems there is another stumbling block on our road to the championship."

Tang San's gaze suddenly sharpened.

When facing stronger opponents, they could lose anything but confidence.

"No team can stop us from winning the championship. Spirit Hall has three Battle Soul Kings and four Battle Soul Ancestors above Level 45, yet we do not fear that challenge. Let alone the Skywater Team, with their single elemental attribute."

Dai Mubai agreed,

"Third Brother is right. Before we encounter them, we have no way to learn about the Spirit Hall Academy Team, but we can learn about the Skywater Academy Team by watching their matches. So what if their levels are higher? Defeating the strong while weak is the Shrek Seven Devils' specialty. As long as we find their weaknesses and openings, we can still defeat them."

"Well said, Boss Dai!"

The Shrek Seven Devils were brimming with confidence, feeling like they had it in them again.

In an inconspicuous corner of the spectator stands.

Yu Xiaogang frowned deeply and sighed inwardly, Is this year's Skywater Academy Team really this strong? That person has not even taken the field yet. If we encounter them, I'm afraid...

A minute had already passed. On the central arena, the Skywater Team had not launched an attack.

None of their opponents from the Cangnan Academy Team had surpassed Level 40, and every one of them was shivering from the cold.

Or perhaps from fear.

Suddenly, Cangnan Academy's team leader raised a white flag and shouted,

"Referee, our Cangnan Academy concedes!"

An uproar broke out among the audience.

They had originally wanted to watch a spectacular one-sided beating, but they had not expected the opponent to surrender before the fight even began.

Still, it was indeed a wise decision.

Facing such a powerful Skywater Team, it would have been strange if Cangnan Academy had not been crushed.

Compared with the Shrek Team's domination of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team yesterday, their opponent surrendering without a fight under the Skywater Team's intimidation was even more memorable.

Xiao Han stood beside Lin Zhiruo and smiled.

"Mom, I was right, wasn't I? This way, any team that isn't strong enough will obediently surrender like Cangnan Academy when they see us. There probably won't be many teams that dare to confront us head-on."

"Stop being so smug. Do you know why I didn't send you out?"

"I'm guessing it's because you were afraid I'd shine too brightly and draw Dugu Bo's attention."

"Mm, it's good that you understand."

Xiao Han smiled dismissively.

"Mom, paper can't wrap up fire. Even if I don't make a move in the Preliminary Round, I'll still appear in the Advancement Round and the Finals. He'll find out about my strength sooner or later. But how could he know it has anything to do with absorbing Immortal Herbs? He doesn't understand Immortal Herbs at all."

"What you say seems reasonable, but it is still best to be cautious."

"Mom, since you're so worried, I should find myself a helper."

"What helper? Are you referring to the Crown Prince?"

"Mm. He's my only connection in Heaven Dou City."

Xiao Han knew that although Dugu Bo did not recognize those Immortal Herbs, Tang San did.

However, those Immortal Herbs had already been absorbed into their bodies. Tang San did not possess spiritual power like Yue Guan's and would be unable to sense them.

The Skywater Team's formidable overall strength would inevitably arouse Tang San's suspicions.

Tang San was a vile person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He might tell Dugu Bo about his suspicions.

Dugu Bo was ruthless and vicious. Even without conclusive evidence, he would still kill.

For safety's sake, Xiao Han still needed to find Qian Renxue and ask her to send someone to protect them in secret.

After the match ended, Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wushuang came to find Xiao Han.

Feng Xiaotian sighed.

"Your Skywater Team is simply too strong. Two Battle Soul Kings haven't even taken the field today. It seems that even if Divine Wind and Blazing Fire don't want to surrender, we have no choice."

Xiao Han smiled.

"Brothers, you flatter us."

Huo Wushuang said,

"Since you're this strong, go win the championship. Let them see the strength of our Element Academies."

"Alright. With the support of our brother academies, we will definitely achieve the final victory."

Divine Wind and Blazing Fire voluntarily withdrew from the competition. Among the remaining capable teams, the only ones likely to dare challenge Skywater Academy were Thunder and Shrek Academy.