Finals Opponent: Spirit Hall Academy

News of Spirit Hall Academy effortlessly advancing to the finals spread through all of Heaven Dou City as if it had grown wings, pushing the tournament atmosphere to its peak.

In streets and alleys, taverns and teahouses, everyone was fervently discussing the coming ultimate showdown.

"Imperial Fighting Team versus Spirit Hall! Now this is a true battle at the pinnacle!"

"Nine Cauldrons Douluo Zhang Bufan against the Golden Generation's three Soul Kings! Just thinking about that lineup gets my blood pumping!"

"Do you think Zhang Bufan can still settle it with one finger like before?"

"Hard to say! The Golden Generation is nothing like Shrek, especially Hu Liena. Her charm ability is absurdly terrifying! Even watching her matches from far away, I felt my heart race!"

"And their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, 'Bewitching Charm'! That's a domain-type skill! No matter how strong Zhang Bufan is, how much power can he use after being weakened by a domain?"

"I'm backing Spirit Hall! Their foundation runs deep, and the Golden Generation has earned its reputation!"

"I'm betting on Zhang Bufan! That guy is practically a bug! You can't judge him by common sense!"

All kinds of discussions, speculation, and even betting pools quietly sprang up. Most people believed this would be a fiercely contested battle between evenly matched opponents. After all, the strength displayed by Spirit Hall's Golden Generation was equally despair-inducing.

In the Imperial Fighting Team's resting area, the atmosphere was more solemn than before. After watching Spirit Hall Academy's match, even Yu Feng and the others, who had the most confidence in Zhang Bufan, could not help feeling uneasy.

"That Hu Liena... her charm seems even stronger than the reports said," Osler said with lingering fear. "Even through the Soul Guidance Screen, I felt a little dizzy."

Ye Lingling said softly, "My Nine Heart Begonia may not be able to completely resist that kind of mental control."

Yu Tianheng frowned tightly and looked at Zhang Bufan, who remained as calm as ever. "Bufan, are you really confident about Hu Liena's charm and their Martial Soul Fusion Skill? We need a more specific plan."

Zhang Bufan was holding a small mirror, tidying his already neat hair. Without even looking up, he said, "A plan? Didn't we already agree on one? You guys shout 666, and I'll go up there and basic attack."

Yu Tianheng: "..." I'll endure!

Dugu Yan could not help speaking up. "Zhang Bufan, this isn't the time for jokes! Spirit Hall Academy isn't like our previous opponents!"

Zhang Bufan finally put down the mirror. He glanced at her and said lazily, "I know. So?"

Dugu Yan choked on his attitude. "You!"

"Enough, Yan'er." Yu Tianheng stopped Dugu Yan before she could explode. Taking a deep breath, he said to Zhang Bufan, "Bufan, I believe in your strength. But the finals are extremely important. At the very least, we need to know how you plan to deal with Hu Liena's charm. If she and Xie Yue use their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, how will you break it? And what can the rest of us do?"

Seeing the serious look in Yu Tianheng's eyes, Zhang Bufan knew that this captain was sincerely thinking of the team. He could not keep brushing him off.

He stood and walked to the resting room's window, watching the sky gradually darken outside and the brightly lit Martial Soul Holy Hall atop distant Pope Mountain. A faint curve rose at the corner of his lips.

"Charm?" He chuckled. "Just a petty trick of the mind. Before my Divine Sense, it is like a firefly before the bright moon—utterly insignificant."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone. He still looked lazy, but deep within his eyes, Chaos Light seemed to flow, carrying an absolute confidence that put them at ease.

"As for the Martial Soul Fusion Skill..." He paused, amusement entering his tone. "A domain-type skill sounds pretty impressive. Unfortunately, they don't know that on my turf, every domain is beneath me."

He did not release any Soul Power, but an invisible, intangible aura that seemed to stand above all things naturally seeped out. Yu Tianheng and the others instantly felt their breathing halt, as if they were facing not a person, but a vast and unfathomable starry universe!

That aura vanished in a flash. Zhang Bufan returned to his harmless appearance and said with a grin, "So just put your worries to rest. On the day of the finals, eat, drink, and watch me perform."

Everyone looked at one another. Although Zhang Bufan had spoken lightly, they could all tell that the aura from just now had not been an illusion. This guy seemed to have hidden cards they could not comprehend.

Yu Tianheng looked deeply at Zhang Bufan, then finally nodded. "Good! In that case, we'll cooperate with you with everything we have! The finals are in your hands!"

He chose to trust without reservation the teammate who had created miracles time and again.

Meanwhile, within Spirit Hall Academy's exclusive luxurious resting area.

Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan stood side by side, listening as a Black Robe Bishop reported on the Imperial Fighting Team, especially Zhang Bufan.

"To summarize, Zhang Bufan's age is unknown and likely far exceeds his appearance. His strength is unfathomable. To date, he has not used his Martial Soul Avatar or revealed his Soul Rings. His attack methods are strange, his physical strength is suspected to have reached the level of a Titled Douluo, his Soul Power control is extraordinarily precise, his defensive methods are unknown, and he is suspected to possess extremely strong mental resistance..."

As they listened to the Bishop's report, all three of their expressions grew solemn.

"Without using his Martial Soul, he shattered the Clear Sky Hammer phantom and Seven-in-One with one finger..." Xie Yue rubbed the Moon Blade in his hand, his gaze sharp. "Is this guy really only a Soul Ancestor?"

Yan snorted, Flame aura churning around him. "Who cares what he is! Before absolute strength, all those flashy tricks are useless! In the finals, I'll personally smash that irritating face of his!" He was clearly extremely displeased by Zhang Bufan "teasing" Hu Liena, at least in his view, as well as his arrogant attitude.

Hu Liena said nothing. A strange light flickered in her soul-stealing fox eyes. She recalled Zhang Bufan's various performances in the arena—his composure, his strength, and the bearing of someone who seemed to regard all heroes under heaven as nothing...

"He is very special." Hu Liena's red lips parted slightly, her voice carrying a languid magnetism. "Not just because of his strength. There is something about him... something I cannot see through."

She looked at Xie Yue and Yan, her tone turning serious. "Brother, Yan, when the finals arrive, we cannot be careless in the slightest. This man is the strongest enemy we have encountered since our debut. If anything goes wrong, use 'Bewitching Charm' immediately. Do not give him any chance."

Xie Yue nodded. "Understood."

Though Yan was unhappy, he understood the severity of the situation and gave a muffled response.

Deep within Pope's Palace, atop the lofty papal throne.

Bibi Dong gripped her scepter, her gaze seeming to pierce through layers of walls and see the bustling Heaven Dou City. Her face showed no expression, but a cold glint flashed deep within her eyes.

"Zhang Bufan... Nine Cauldrons Douluo..." she murmured. "No matter where you come from, if you dare obstruct Spirit Hall's path, there is only one road for you... destruction."

"Nana, Xie Yue, Yan, do not disappoint your teacher."

On the eve of the finals, undercurrents surged.

Everyone could feel the oppressive atmosphere of an approaching storm enveloping all of Heaven Dou City.

Would Zhang Bufan continue his undefeated legend and claim the championship?

Or would Spirit Hall's Golden Generation defend their glory and prove who truly ruled the younger generation?

The answer would finally be revealed after tomorrow's sun rose.