Three-Ring Soul Elder

Without question, the highest ratings went to the seven-versus-seven ultimate team matches. The three-versus-three and five-versus-five matches drew somewhat less attention. The youth division matches drew even less interest, since most of the young Soul Masters had an average cultivation of only around two Soul Rings. With fewer Soul Skills, the matches were naturally less exciting.

Thus, the three-versus-three team matches were scheduled for the afternoon. The seven-versus-seven matches were naturally held in the evening, when viewership was at its peak. Spectators with the means would attend in person, while those less well-off watched the broadcasts on Soul Guidance television at home.

Tianhai Stadium, Private Box Seven.

The private boxes were reserved for VIPs. Facing the stadium was an enormous pane of glass through which they could directly watch the matches below. At the same time, it was also a Soul Guidance screen that could pull up any match for viewing, whether it was currently underway or had already concluded.

At that moment, two people stood before the glass in Private Box Seven. One wore white robes as pristine as snow, his long hair flowing freely. It was Wu Zhangkong.

Beside Wu Zhangkong stood a woman who appeared to be twenty-six or twenty-seven. She was exceptionally beautiful, with strange white hair cascading down her back. She wore a dark green tracksuit, and within her dark green eyes, auras of life and destruction flickered alternately.

Her white hair complemented Wu Zhangkong's white robes, making them look remarkably harmonious together.

"I only agreed to let them stir things up because your disciples were competing. What, aren't you worried at all?" The white-haired woman looked at Wu Zhangkong with a teasing smile.

Wu Zhangkong replied calmly, "Why would I be worried?"

The white-haired woman's brows rose. "It seems you have a great deal of confidence in your disciples. Don't tell me you think your teaching ability has surpassed the Academy's?"

Wu Zhangkong shook his head. "I passed the age of caring about winning and losing long ago. I had them enter the competition for more than just the outcome."

The white-haired woman shook her head, then asked, "By the way, what is the deal with that disciple of yours, Lin Xiuran? I remember that name..."

"He is her child," Wu Zhangkong answered flatly.

His voice was quiet, yet it was enough to set off stormy waves in the white-haired woman's heart.

After a long while, she stared blankly at Wu Zhangkong. "He really is Senior Sister's child?"

"I investigated. He is."

"No wonder you went to Eastsea City." The white-haired woman's gaze trembled as she hurriedly asked, "Then where is Senior Sister?"

Wu Zhangkong glanced at her and let out a soft sigh. "Senior Sister is gone."

The white-haired woman seemed struck by lightning. Her eyes were filled with disbelief. She would rather have believed that Senior Sister was still in the Holy Spirit Cult than accept that she had died.

Wu Zhangkong also gazed out the window, momentarily lost in thought. Something seemed to surface in his cold eyes, tinged with sorrow.

Shen Yi looked at Wu Zhangkong, her gaze shifting slightly. "Are you still not returning to the Academy? Senior Sister is gone. Teacher must be devastated."

Wu Zhangkong said nothing, merely continuing to stare silently into the distance.

Shen Yi sighed. "You are wrong. If you want to make amends, only you can do it. And that child—the best way to make it up to him would be to bring him back to Shrek Academy. The Academy will certainly compensate him. Besides, you are still alive. It is time to move on."

The five of them had already arrived at Tianhai Stadium and were preparing for the three-person team competition.

The three-person team was led by Lin Xiuran, Tang Wulin, and Guyue, while Xu Xiaoyan and Xie Xie served as substitutes.

They had advanced through the first two rounds with almost no effort. The strength of the three was obvious to all; they were simply on a crushing level.

These past two days had also greatly boosted their confidence. Their opponents in the first two matches had not been strong, so Lin Xiuran had not taken the field. Xie Xie had usually gone on as the substitute instead.

Guyue had withdrawn from the individual competition, while Xie Xie had been eliminated, leaving only Lin Xiuran still competing in the individual matches.

Therefore, unless their opponents were exceptionally strong, Lin Xiuran would generally not take the field, so he could be fully prepared for the individual competition.

After all, he never knew in which round he might run into Ye Xinglan. As a student of Shrek Academy, her strength could not be underestimated.

Lin Xiuran's schedule was packed today. After finishing the individual match in the morning, he still had the three-person team match in the afternoon.

That morning, while Lin Xiuran was waiting to compete, he spotted Ye Xinglan in the distance and immediately realized that she would be taking the field today.

And there was a good chance that her opponent would be him.

"It's her. She's here again!" Xie Xie frowned slightly.

Following Xie Xie's words, everyone looked toward Ye Xinglan, who was likewise staring coldly at them.

Xie Xie's heart skipped a beat. "Don't tell me she's competing against Brother Xiuran today. That can't be right. I remember the information on Brother Xiuran's opponent today. It wasn't her."

"Are you stupid? Switching competitors is no trouble for her, and that's exactly what she did in Wulin's match." Guyue mercilessly mocked Xie Xie.

Although Xie Xie hated hearing Guyue speak, he had to admit that she was right. Ye Xinglan had most likely come specifically for Xiuran.

Lin Xiuran's expression did not change. He did not even spare Ye Xinglan another glance, his calm eyes fixed only on the stage.

At some point, Ye Xinglan had already approached them. She gave Tang Wulin a faint glance before saying arrogantly to Lin Xiuran, "What, it isn't too late to surrender now. Otherwise, it would be rather unfortunate if you lost as miserably as he did."

Guyue's face darkened. "Don't go too far!"

Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Xu Xiaoyan stepped up behind Guyue as well, all of them staring at Ye Xinglan.

Lin Xiuran rose to his feet, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Let's test it on the stage."

"Don't regret it." Ye Xinglan snorted softly, turned, and walked directly toward the stage.

"Brother Xiuran, knock her flat." Xie Xie stretched out his fist and made a couple of gestures, looking rather comical.

After hesitating again and again, Xu Xiaoyan finally said, "Se... Brother Xiuran, good luck."

Guyue merely looked at him from the side, her expression calm.

Tang Wulin, meanwhile, gave him an enthusiastic smile.

Lin Xiuran slowly walked onto the stage, his gaze sweeping over Ye Xinglan, who was already standing across from him. The fighting intent between them seemed to erupt at that moment.

"Come!"

Ye Xinglan shouted softly. She raised her right hand, and two Soul Rings radiated beneath her feet—two hundred-year Soul Rings.

A longsword appeared in Ye Xinglan's hand. The entire blade was bright yellow, as though countless stars glittered across its surface. Its dazzling radiance was exceptionally eye-catching even in daylight. No powerful Soul Power erupted from her, but the instant the sword appeared, Ye Xinglan herself seemed to vanish. Her aura had completely fused with the sword.

Not to be outdone, Lin Xiuran lightly waved his hand. Three differently colored lights erupted from his body and directly enveloped him.

"Three rings! A Soul Elder!!"