That afternoon, the match between Shrek Academy and Godwind Academy officially began.
Thanks to Spirit Hall's behind-the-scenes maneuvering, the students from Blazing Academy and Godwind Academy had merged into one team, greatly boosting their strength. To outside observers, they seemed overwhelmingly likely to beat Shrek Academy.
However, the students and teachers from Shrek Academy remained composed. As Yu Xiaogang watched the Seven Monsters enter the arena, anticipation shone in his eyes.
This was the match that would truly put his Martial Soul Theory to the test.
The match began. Faced with the combined strength of Godwind Academy, Shrek Academy showed no sign of panic. The Seven Monsters lined up as they had practiced before the match. With Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and her Ring Fusion Talent, they merged their Soul Power into one and channeled it into Tang San at the front.
With the Seven Monsters' fused Soul Power reaching level seventy and above, and with his own Purple Demon Eye at the Mustard Seed Realm, Tang San directly unleashed the Clear Sky Hammer's Weapon Spirit True Body. He defeated Godwind Academy with ease, leaving everyone in the arena astonished.
"That's the Clear Sky Hammer's Weapon Spirit True Body! What incredible power. No wonder it's the continent's finest Weapon Spirit. Its reputation is well deserved!"
"Since the Clear Sky Sect announced it was sealing itself off, it's been nearly twenty years since anyone saw one in the Soul Master World. I never thought I'd see it here in Spirit City today. I wonder what Spirit Hall—"
"Shh, keep your voice down. Do you want to get yourself killed? If you ask me, the real highlight of this match was Shrek Academy's Seven-in-One Fusion Skill. Now that was a miracle!"
"Canghui Academy used a Seven-in-One Fusion Skill during the preliminaries, but those seven students had extremely similar Martial Souls, and all they did was fuse their Soul Skills together. But Shrek Academy used different Martial Souls to perform theirs—and fused the seven students' Soul Power as well. I've never heard of anything like it!"
"Heh, you don't know the whole story. Shrek Academy's Seven-in-One Fusion Skill was proposed more than twenty years ago. One of the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul Theory that caused a sensation in the Soul Master World back then was Martial Soul Heterogeneous Fusion. This is exactly what it described."
"You mean that Grandmaster from back then? Could he have some connection to Shrek Academy?"
"From what I've heard, that Grandmaster is at Shrek Academy now. He's even the teacher leading this team."
"I see..."
Word spread from one person to ten, then from ten to a hundred. The spectators in the Outer Stands began discussing the Grandmaster, turning their eyes toward Shrek Academy's Resting Area, eager to see him for themselves.
The teachers and students from the other academies inside the arena also turned toward Shrek Academy, all eyes settling on Yu Xiaogang.
Even the Titled Douluo seated at the front of the arena turned to look. These old monsters had seen plenty, but even they couldn't help marveling at Yu Xiaogang's theoretical achievements.
Bibi Dong, seated above them, also turned to look at Yu Xiaogang. Her seemingly placid eyes held admiration and pride, but when she noticed Liu Erlong beside him, her brow furrowed slightly.
Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, sat below. His gaze toward Yu Xiaogang was filled not only with admiration but also with solemn respect.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always favored the Heaven Dou Empire. During the preliminaries in Heaven Dou City, Ning Fengzhi had recommended Yu Xiaogang to the empire's Emperor, Xue Ye. Though Yu Xiaogang had been held in high regard at the time, he had never been considered a Strategic Level figure.
Now, the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill on display was proof enough that the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul Theory had been correct.
When the theory was first proposed, it caused a great sensation before anyone had proved it. Now that it had been confirmed, the sensation it would cause next was beyond imagining.
At the thought, Ning Fengzhi's gaze shifted. He began to see Yu Xiaogang as his equal, and resolved to send a message to Xue Ye as soon as the match ended, telling him what had happened and urging him to recruit Yu Xiaogang without delay.
Yu Xiaogang, the focus of everyone's attention, still stood perfectly straight. Only his eyes began to redden.
At last, his lifelong pursuit had been fulfilled. His Martial Soul Theory had finally been vindicated before the world. In that moment, the obsession in Yu Xiaogang's heart faded away.
Liu Erlong noticed the change in Yu Xiaogang's emotions, but said nothing. She simply smiled, took his arm, and stayed by his side.
Tang San soon withdrew his Weapon Spirit True Body, and the Seven Monsters left the battle platform and returned to the Resting Area.
Yu Xiaogang quickly composed himself. The people from Shrek Academy left the arena, returned to the hotel, and began preparing for the final the next day.
The following morning.
The audience had already filled the final arena in the Inner City. The two finalists, Shrek Academy and Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, stepped onto the platform, and the crowd erupted into excitement.
Yu Xiaogang stood at the edge of the arena. He wasn't worried about the outcome of the match. Instead, he and Liu Erlong watched Xiao Wu.
The match went as expected. Led by Tang San, the Shrek Seven Devils cleverly broke Spirit Hall's Golden Generation's Martial Soul Fusion Skill. In the end, Tang San used the Tang Sect's Hidden Weapon Techniques to deliver the decisive blow, defeating Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
Throughout the entire battle, Yu Xiaogang never took his eyes off Xiao Wu. Only when Bibi Dong rose from the Pope's Throne and announced Spirit Hall's surrender did he finally look away. The Lovesick Heartbreak Red in Xiao Wu's arms had remained fastened to her with a Cloth Band, never leaving her side.
Yu Xiaogang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Liu Erlong. The two of them shared a relieved smile.
Shrek Academy's victory took everyone in the arena by surprise. The many Elders of Spirit Hall wore cold expressions, but to preserve Spirit Hall's reputation, they still brought out the three Soul Bones promised before the match and presented them to the people from Shrek Academy as their reward.
The Seven Monsters distributed the Soul Bones to the people best suited to them. Tang San also took out Shi Nian's skull and handed it to Ning Rongrong. Everyone was delighted, and the crowd couldn't help admiring the bond between the Shrek Seven Devils.
But just then, a woman's voice rang out, cold and authoritative.
"Would the people of Shrek Academy be willing to join Spirit Hall?"
After speaking, Bibi Dong swept her gaze over the Shrek Seven Devils, then looked at Yu Xiaogang, a hint of stubbornness in her eyes.
"So your ambition finally consumed you, Bibi Dong."
Meeting Bibi Dong's gaze, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help sighing. He then turned to Liu Erlong and Flender.
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