All Out

It had to be said that as this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament continued, Wang Yan's status within the team had increasingly gained the students' recognition through his vast knowledge and hard work.

"Next up is today's grand finale."

The image on the soul tool screen turned golden once more. As the golden light gradually faded, Princess Jiu Jiu reappeared on the screen—now wearing a long golden dress.

"Distinguished guests, you should be able to tell from Jiu Jiu's attire just how precious today's final item is. Frankly speaking, this is the only time in my life that I have ever seen such an item. In my view, its value is already beyond measure in money."

"I will not reveal this item's name just yet. First, let me introduce its effects to you. The Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone from earlier was already exceedingly rare and precious. But I dare say that today's final auction item is absolutely one of a kind. Its worth should not even be measured in money."

"It is a one-time consumable. Or rather, a type of medicine. And there is only one of it. Distinguished guests, please look." As she spoke, Princess Jiu Jiu gestured with her right hand, and the soul tool screen immediately changed. A white tray appeared on the display.

"Distinguished guests must be very curious about what exactly this is. When I first saw it, I could hardly believe it existed either. However, after countless rounds of research, we can now confirm its exact form. You should all know that within the world of soul beasts, there is such a phenomenon. When a soul beast's cultivation reaches one hundred thousand years, it faces a choice. If it chooses to continue cultivating, it must rely on its powerful innate talent to challenge a bottleneck that could very likely scatter its soul to the winds. Once it breaks through that bottleneck and enters the cultivation period between one hundred thousand and two hundred thousand years, we call it a super soul beast."

"However, after reaching one hundred thousand years of cultivation, not every soul beast chooses to walk that path of no return. They have another choice: to rebuild themselves as humans."

"This mass of airflow before your eyes is a one-hundred-thousand-year soul beast that, upon reaching its bottleneck, chose to rebuild itself as a human. During the transformation process, it was captured by a great expert and sealed within the Ninth-Level Soul Tool, the God Conferring Platform. In a sense, this mass of airflow can be considered an embryo that has yet to take shape while the soul beast is rebuilding itself as a human."

At Princess Jiu Jiu's words, the entire room fell silent. Everyone, including Wang Yan, had shock in their eyes.

If they had previously thought that Princess Jiu Jiu's description of this auction item was exaggerated, then—

Princess Jiu Jiu's introduction clearly was not over. She smiled and said, "Distinguished guests, there is no need for any unnecessary concern. If the fusion fails, then this soul beast will naturally die without question, and a soul ring and Soul Bone will certainly appear. I must remind you all that anyone wishing to attempt this fusion must possess the strength of an eight-ring Soul Douluo."

"Now, we will give all distinguished guests thirty minutes to rest and inspect the item. Thirty minutes later, our final major auction will begin. This auction house permits collateral-based exchanges, so do not miss this opportunity."

The God Conferring Platform on the screen rapidly enlarged. The faint golden light barrier became clearer as well. Upon close observation, one could indeed see that the mass of airflow sealed within the God Conferring Platform vaguely had the shape of a human, like a human infant.

Wang Yan sat on the sofa with a deep frown. There was no question about the allure of this supreme treasure, but although everyone from Shrek Academy had bright eyes, they could do nothing about it.

At this moment, Ma Xiaotao demonstrated the role of captain. She clapped her hands several times, drawing everyone's attention to herself.

"Enough, enough. It is not as though every good thing should belong to Shrek. This thing is great, sure, but its price is far too high. In my opinion, it is completely overpriced. With that much money, our academy might as well ask a few old monsters to capture a one-hundred-thousand-year soul beast. Besides, all of this is merely the auction house's side of the story. We still do not know the specifics. The auction price will certainly be based on the possibility of gaining a second martial soul after fusion, but what if the fusion fails? We should just watch the show."

Dai Yueheng seemed to have come to his senses as well. He nodded and said, "Xiaotao is right. Though such a treasure is something one can only encounter by chance, even if we encountered it, it is not something our finances could afford. What a pity."

"No. No matter what, I have to obtain this soul beast embryo." Ye Qingchen spoke up.

"Why?" Wang Yan looked at Ye Qingchen, who had originally been calm. Seeing such a drastic change in his attitude, he had to ask.

"I sensed a familiar aura from it. It concerns my missing memories, so I must obtain it!" Ye Qingchen's voice rose sharply.

"Qingchen, are you certain?" Wang Yan asked after thinking for a moment.

"Yes."

Thirty minutes was more than enough time for many people to handle many matters. The starting price for the one-hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo was as high as one hundred million Gold Soul Coins.

What followed could only be described as brutal bidding. At the beginning, three parties actually participated in the competition. The price continued rising and soon reached one hundred and thirty million Gold Soul Coins. Once it reached that figure, the pace of bidding began to slow. After all, this was not an amount that ordinary powers could produce.

At that moment, the number suddenly changed. "One hundred and fifty million!" One party had actually raised the bid by a full twenty million.

In VIP Room Number Two, a youth stood before the soul tool screen with his fists clenched. "Let's see who still dares compete with me this time."

More than a dozen people sat on the sofa behind him. Every one of them wore a different expression—envy, indifference, jealousy, dissatisfaction, and more.

A voice came from VIP Room Number Seven.

"Five hundred million! No matter who bids, I'll add another fifty million!" Ye Qingchen declared.

VIP Room Number One.

The Star Luo Emperor listened to the reports arriving one after another, and the smile on his face grew increasingly pronounced.

"Five hundred million, plus one promise. Not bad." With that, he slowly rose to his feet. The soul tool screen before him split open to both sides, and the emperor's figure vanished into the secret passage beyond.

The secret passages within every VIP room opened in turn, allowing the guests participating in the auction to leave in secret.

Their gains today had not been bad either: a Tyrant Tiger Soul Refining Blade and an entire set of Fixed Soul Cannon Shells. Wang Yan did not keep these items himself this time. Dai Yueheng had paid for the Tyrant Tiger Soul Refining Blade, so he naturally put the rare eighth-level Melee Soul Tool away himself. As for the complete set of sixth-level Fixed Soul Cannon Shells, Ye Qingchen gave them directly to He Caitou.

He Caitou carefully put away the twelve Fixed Soul Cannon Shells. His dark face had reddened somewhat with excitement. After Ye Qingchen obtained the soul beast embryo and explained the situation, the Ice Empress began watching over it with utmost seriousness.

"With Divine Power covering it, the Snow Empress will recover soon as well. It will not take much longer. Some of my wish has finally been fulfilled..."

Ding. The host has changed the fate of the Heavenly Snow Woman. Reward: Enhancement Points ×3. Would the host like to enhance?

"Enhance," Ye Qingchen thought silently.

Enhancement successful. Host's current enhancement level: 46+. Estimated strength: Level 1 God. Host, continue working hard and do not court death.

"A Level 1 God already? I'm not far from taking on the Divine Realm head-on." An almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Ye Qingchen's lips.

Morning. Clear skies. Rising sun. Star Luo Square.

After breakfast, they stood by the corridor windows and looked into the distance, clearly seeing the sea of people gathered in Star Luo Square. The swaying heads formed a vast black mass, and the clamorous noise could be heard simply by opening the hotel windows.

The round of sixteen to eight consisted of four matches each day and would be held over four days. Without question, Shrek Academy, as the previous tournament's champions, would once again be the first to take the stage. Their formidable opponent this round was the Dou Ling Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy, the Dou Ling Empire's number one academy, which possessed five Soul Kings.

However, it was quite a coincidence today. Just as they reached the stairs, the members of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy happened to emerge from their rooms as well. The two teams went downstairs together.

Another elderly man led the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. He smiled and nodded at Wang Yan, who returned the gesture. But things were far less amicable between the students of the two sides.

Xiao Hongchen spotted Ye Qingchen at once. His face carried the smile of a victor as he said with a smile, "You truly are remarkable."

Wang Dong stepped forward without the slightest hesitation and mocked, "Mister, who are you?"

"M-Mister?" Xiao Hongchen stared at Wang Dong in stunned disbelief, pointing at his own nose. "Are you calling me?"

Wang Dong wore an innocent expression. "Of course! Mister!"

Xiao Hongchen was not yet fifteen. Though he often wore an arrogant expression, he could hardly be called old. The short fuzz of a mustache above his lips was precisely the mark of adolescence.

"Me? Do I look that old?" Xiao Hongchen stared speechlessly at Wang Dong, whose large eyes were full of childish innocence.

Wang Dong nodded seriously. "Not bad. You're not that old. You must be a teacher from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, right, Uncle?"

"Don't call me Uncle." Xiao Hongchen felt like he was about to lose it.

His personality was usually extremely flamboyant, yet at this moment, aside from his younger sister Meng Hongchen, no one in the team actually came to his defense.

Meng Hongchen said reproachfully, "Little guy, look carefully. My brother is only fourteen this year, not even fifteen yet. He's no uncle."

Wang Dong turned toward Meng Hongchen, and his gaze changed instantly. It was a peculiar look containing thirty percent admiration, sixty percent affection, and ten percent yearning. "Big Sister, you're so beautiful!"

Meng Hongchen was stunned by his words. When Wang Dong had first enrolled, he had nearly drawn the attention of every girl in the year. His beautiful pink-blue eyes, pink-blue short hair casually falling over his forehead, flawless skin, and fair, tender face made him remarkably lethal to girls of nearly any age.

Meng Hongchen looked at the youth, who was about as tall as she was and so exceedingly handsome. Especially after being praised by him, her pretty face immediately flushed red. She murmured, "You're very handsome too."

Wang Dong smiled faintly. "So this uncle is your brother! Is he your biological brother? Why do the two of you not look alike at all? You were born to the same parents, but the difference is really huge."

"You bastard, are you looking for a beating?" Xiao Hongchen truly could not endure it any longer.

"Brother, why are you being so fierce?" Seeing Wang Dong's alarmed expression, Meng Hongchen could not help tugging her brother back.

"Meng, you can't be serious, can you?" Xiao Hongchen stared at his sister in disbelief.

Yet Wang Dong had already shot him a provocative look, then quickly followed Ye Qingchen out of the hotel. As he walked, he even waved at Meng Hongchen.

"I didn't expect you to know how to flirt with girls," Ye Qingchen said.

Wang Dong snorted. "What would you know? Ever since I was little, I don't even know how many women have liked me. Naturally, my methods for pursuing girls are endlessly varied. It's just a pity..."

"A pity about what?" Ye Qingchen asked casually. It's just a pity you're a girl.

Wang Dong glared at him. "Nothing. Do you know what the highest realm of pursuing girls is?"

Ye Qingchen shook his head.

With a solemn expression, Wang Dong said, "It's getting girls to pursue you on their own! Hahaha."

Xu Sanshi walked beside him and said quietly, "I think Wang Dong is really impressive! Looks like I should learn from him."

Bei Bei gave him a disdainful glance. "His methods for pursuing girls are built on his looks. Do you have something like looks?"

"You're the one full of shit," Xu Sanshi snapped. "The reason I can't win her over is because... Ow! Who kicked my ass?!" When he turned and saw Jiang Nannan's face filled with angry reproach, he slapped himself and said ingratiatingly, "I won't say it. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

The situation was rather peculiar at the moment. The members of Shrek Academy walked in front, while those from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy followed behind them.

The competition resting area had clearly become much quieter. The vast majority of participating teams had already been eliminated. The remaining sixteen teams were all representatives of the strongest academies on the continent. Four matches would be held today, followed by another four tomorrow. Then came the individual matches between the same opposing teams, which would likewise take two days. After all four days of competition, the Top 16-to-Top 8 matches would conclude. After each round of the Knockout Tournament, there would be one day of rest before the next matches began.

Both Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy would compete in today's four matches. However, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's match was in the afternoon, so they had not needed to come in the morning. Yet they had still followed along, clearly intending to see what kind of combat power Shrek Academy would unleash against the Dou Ling Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy, a team composed of five Soul Kings.

After entering the resting area and taking their seats, Wang Dong did not forget to flash the Xiao Hongchen siblings a smile.

Ye Qingchen lightly knocked Wang Dong on the head. "Stop playing around."

Wang Dong snorted. "Why? Are you jealous? Do you have your eye on that girl?"

Ye Qingchen remained silent.

Wang Dong gave a cold laugh. "Fine, I'm ignoring you. Get ready to fight."

The Knockout Tournament was split across two days, with the team battles taking place today. The winning side in a team battle could be said to have already stepped one foot through the gates of the top eight. The individual elimination matches would not be held until the day after tomorrow.

Wang Yan stood before everyone with a grave expression. "Follow the tactics we formulated. The Dou Ling Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy was willing to give up first place in their group, so they must have some objective or some special preparations. This is a match neither side can afford to lose. Therefore, no matter what, we cannot give our opponents even the slightest opportunity."

Seeing the trace of indifference in Ma Xiaotao's eyes, Wang Yan said in a deep voice, "Do not forget the consequences of your carelessness when facing the Death God Messenger."

At the mention of the Death God Messenger, who had inflicted severe losses upon the main team members, everyone's hearts tightened. Ma Xiaotao lifted her head and looked at him. Though her eyes still held some defiance, there was far less contempt in them.

As the match drew nearer, the atmosphere among the spectators grew increasingly fervent.

This was the Knockout Tournament, and moreover, the Top 16 knockout stage. Losing meant withdrawing from this tournament, while every victory would bring a major leap in ranking. Without question, every academy that had come to compete would give it everything they had under such circumstances.

"Top 16 to Top 8, first match: Shrek Academy versus Dou Ling Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy. Competitors from both sides, enter the preparation area and ready yourselves for the match."

The moment the referee's voice fell from the competition stage, the cheers of the audience rose wave after wave, instantly driving the atmosphere to its peak.

Led by Wang Yan, Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, Ye Qingchen, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong entered the preparation area together.

When the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy saw that Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng had joined today's lineup, they immediately became more vigilant. In the previous tournament, Dai Yueheng had appeared as the captain of the reserve team, but Ma Xiaotao had not participated.

Wang Yan looked at his team members. After pursing his lips, he said in a deep voice, "Shrek will win!"

"Victory!" The eight shouted in unison.

Wang Yan knew about the arrival of Xuan Zi, the Gluttonous Douluo. After arriving, Xuan Zi had sought him out and informed him of the Sea God Pavilion Meeting's decision. Wang Yan had not understood it at first, but as time passed, he had become increasingly convinced by the Sea God Pavilion's decision.

"Competitors from both sides, take the stage." The referee's voice pulled Wang Yan back from his thoughts.

Ma Xiaotao was the first to rise. She strode forward with her head held high, followed by Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, Bei Bei, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xu Sanshi. Ye Qingchen did not take the stage this time and instead watched from below.

On the other side, the competitors from the Dou Ling Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy also made their way onto the stage. In one respect, they resembled Shrek Academy: among their seven members were two female competitors.

Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng stood at the very front together. Among the Dou Ling Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy's competitors, the person standing in front was a young man who appeared to be around Dai Yueheng's age.

"Both sides retreat and prepare for the match." Today's referee appeared to be at least sixty years old, but compared to the previous referees, he carried himself with greater composure and dignity. His cultivation was clearly much deeper as well.

As both sides retreated, their formations had already begun to change.

On Shrek Academy's side, standing at the very front were naturally Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng. Behind them, spreading slightly to either side, were Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi. With the four forming an arc, standing at the center behind them was the control-type soul master, Ling Luochen. Behind Ling Luochen stood Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong in turn.

As they retreated, Huo Yuhao had already unleashed Spirit Detection Sharing, covering every teammate. In an instant, his Spirit Detection blanketed the entire competition stage. On the other side, the Dou Ling Team also formed up as they withdrew.

Seeing that both sides were in position, the referee gestured to each team captain before shouting, "The match begins!"

The soul masters on both sides released their Martial Souls at once. Ling Luochen did not immediately unleash a powerful move as she had in previous matches, merely summoning her ice staff. Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong cooperatively braced her from behind.

A dense Phoenix Flame surged from Ma Xiaotao's body in an instant. Two yellow, two purple, and two black soul rings emerged forcefully, and together with her Ultimate Fire, fully highlighted her overwhelming strength.

It was not only Ma Xiaotao. Dai Yueheng likewise radiated the aura of a Soul Emperor. With a low roar, he activated his White Tiger Martial Soul Avatar, his entire body swelling by a full size as his formidable presence showed no sign of falling behind.

Unlike Shrek Academy's calm composure, the Dou Ling Team acted as though they were pressed for time. After releasing their Martial Souls, three of the seven immediately unleashed Soul Skills.

On Shrek Academy's side, someone also released a Soul Skill while the enemy was building up their defenses. It was the defense-type battle soul master, Xu Sanshi.

Just as their opponents formed up, Ma Xiaotao gave a low shout. "Move."

Xu Sanshi stepped into the center of the circular formation instead, and immediately afterward, his fourth soul ring lit up with dazzling brilliance.

In the next instant, the Dou Ling Team's captain, the Purple Huang Bamboo assault-type battle Soul King Gu Zhujian, wore a blank and astonished expression as he swapped places with Xu Sanshi, appearing within the encirclement of Shrek Academy's other six members.

"Damn..." Gu Zhujian cursed, dumbfounded.

His appearance at that moment was truly rather strange. In both hands, he held a round piece of metal as large as a millstone.

Bei Bei smiled faintly. "Bringing us a gift? Thanks!" Though he said that, he struck out with a Thunder Dragon Claw.

Dai Yueheng's second Soul Skill, White Tiger Radiant Wave, and Ma Xiaotao's first Soul Skill, Phoenix Fireline, launched at the same time. Ling Luochen pointed her staff, freezing Gu Zhujian's feet to the ground.

As the captain of a top-four team from the previous tournament, Gu Zhujian was not so easily dealt with. Facing the combined assault, a mass of golden light flashed from his chest, and a golden barrier immediately enveloped his body.

Ling Luochen's Soul Skill freezing his legs took effect, but the attack Soul Skills of the other three assault-type battle soul masters were all blocked outside.

On the other side, Xu Sanshi had swapped positions with his opponent. At this moment, his teammates were all facing the place where he had previously stood. Each held a large, differently shaped piece of metal, closing in toward the spot where Gu Zhujian had been and Xu Sanshi now stood.

Xu Sanshi had come well prepared. The instant after Mystic Nether Shift activated, he released another Soul Skill.

The Mystic Tortoise Shell Shield smashed heavily into the ground, and a black halo instantly spread from it. The members of the Dou Ling Team were all gathered within its range and were immediately affected, sent staggering in all directions by the shock.

Xu Sanshi grinned, and black light flashed again as Mystic Nether Shift activated. In the next instant, Ma Xiaotao—her red hair blazing, her entire body radiating searing flames—replaced him, appearing in the heart of the Dou Ling Team's formation.

A clear phoenix cry resounded throughout the arena as blazing flames erupted in an instant. Enormous fiery wings unfurled alongside the glow of her third soul ring, and a ring of blazing scarlet fire spread outward. With a beat of those wings, her body shot fiercely into the air.

The unfortunate Dou Ling Team had focused all their defenses toward the front, while their opponent had now appeared in the center of their formation. Affected by Mystic Tremor, they had not even regained their footing before Ma Xiaotao's attack arrived.

The Dou Ling Team reacted swiftly as well. The six barely divided into three groups, with Chi Hengyu, Qian Yuan, and Han Ling'er in front and the other three behind them. Golden barriers identical to Gu Zhujian's lit up around all three people in front.

There was no longer any suspense in the battle that followed. Ma Xiaotao snorted coldly, and her pitch-black sixth soul ring shone. At once, even the protective barrier formed by the 108 soul masters surrounding the competition stage began to tremble violently. Great swaths of red light condensed within the barrier, and the temperature across the entire stage rose sharply.

Phoenix Meteor Shower, Ma Xiaotao's strongest attack Soul Skill, was already gathering in the sky. Under the effects of Phoenix Soaring Sky Strike, the six members of the Dou Ling Team could not even dodge, much less defend themselves.

The battle ended even faster than anyone had imagined. Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Meteor Shower ultimately did not fall, as the referee directly stopped her from releasing the Soul Skill. Shrek Academy claimed victory in this team battle with overwhelming superiority.

"This is Shrek—the Shrek that erupts with overwhelming power. Still, the Dou Ling Team was not bad either. Unfortunately, they met the wrong opponent." Star Luo Emperor gave this assessment.