Watching Grandmaster, Qian Xun'an thought to himself, Yu Xiaogang really is a little clever. No wonder he managed to deceive that stupid woman, Bibi Dong!
Qian Xun'an raised his eyes slightly and said calmly, "All right."
Just then, the teacher leading Godwind Academy's team also stood up. He first bowed to Qian Xun'an, then smiled and said,
"Lord Adjudicator, Spirit Hall Academy Team is very strong. We admit that we're no match for them. Rather than weakening ourselves in a fight, we'd prefer to compete against Shrek Academy this afternoon for the other place in the final.
"So we're withdrawing from the individual matches as well."
Qian Xun'an nodded.
The referee then announced, "Since both Godwind Academy and Shrek Academy have withdrawn, Spirit Hall Academy Team advances to the final.
"Shrek Academy and Godwind Academy will compete for the remaining spot this afternoon!"
The three members of Spirit Hall Academy Team's Golden Generation wore confident smiles.
Yan immediately scoffed, "They're nothing but a bunch of cowards. They don't even have the guts to fight us. I don't know what Qian Xun'an is worried about!"
Beside him, Hu Liena said, "Neither team has a single Soul King. How can they possibly stand against us?"
Xie Yue watched the teams with an indifferent expression, then said icily, "No matter what, we have to win the final in style and really make Qian Xun'an eat his words!"
The three spoke among themselves, calling Qian Xun'an by name without the slightest respect.
The afternoon matches began.
Shrek Academy faced Godwind Academy.
As the Soul Master Tournament's chief official, Qian Xun'an was naturally present.
The teams from Shrek Academy and Godwind Academy both took their places on the arena.
Shrek Academy's members formed a circle.
Two people stood at the very center: Ning Rongrong and Oscar. The other five circled around them, moving rapidly.
Tang San, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, and Zhu Zhuqing moved in uncanny unison, as though following a special rhythm. The fluctuations of Soul Power around them also formed a distinct pattern, continuously flowing around their bodies.
Godwind Academy's seven immediately changed formation. They adopted a five-guarding-two strategy: two Support System Soul Masters backed Huo Wu, while three Power Attack System Soul Masters protected her.
The two most crucial figures among them were Feng Xiaotian, circling higher and higher in the air, and Huo Wu, who had gathered all her Soul Power through Ring Fusion.
"Shift!" Tang San shouted.
The Shrek Seven Devils changed formation. Their circle abruptly became a straight line. Tang San stood at the front, followed by Dai Mubai, then Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing.
Ning Rongrong and Oscar stood at the rear.
As the seven changed formation, the Soul Power they had just released and gathered suddenly twisted together into a single stream.
Just then, Oscar suddenly wrapped his arms around Ning Rongrong from behind. The pale red light radiating from his body turned pink and surged into Ning Rongrong.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda rose before Ning Rongrong. With a grave expression, she thrust both hands forward. Just like Huo Wu, all four of her Soul Rings lit up at once.
Four solid bands of nine-colored light burst from the pagoda's bottom four tiers and shot straight into Zhu Zhuqing, who stood before her.
Stimulated by the immense support Soul Power, Zhu Zhuqing raised both arms and placed her hands on Xiao Wu's shoulders.
A wondrous sight unfolded. The nine-colored light suddenly grew brighter, flowing from Zhu Zhuqing's hands into Xiao Wu. Zhu Zhuqing's entire body was now shrouded in a layer of nine-colored light.
Xiao Wu's situation was almost identical to Zhu Zhuqing's. As the dense nine-colored light continued to pass forward, it grew increasingly intense.
When the light reached Dai Mubai, he slammed both palms into Tang San's back. Tang San's body shuddered violently. No nine-colored light appeared around him; instead, an immense pressure surged from his body.
Qian Xun'an narrowed his eyes slightly and murmured, "So it's a Seven-in-One Fusion Skill."
"No wonder Xiao Xue said Shrek Academy would be difficult to deal with."
It wasn't an astonishing Seven-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Skill, but merely combining seven people's strengths to perform a skill was already an incredible feat.
"Looks like Godwind Academy is going to lose this match," Qian Xun'an said.
The match was fierce, but in the end, Shrek Academy claimed victory with the Shrek Seven Devils' Seven-in-One Fusion Skill, combined with Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul.
After watching the match, Qian Xun'an considered Spirit Hall Academy Team's chances and muttered to himself, "Spirit Hall Academy Team is stronger than Shrek Academy, but they're far too arrogant. They could very well lose.
"Looks like I'll need to keep a backup plan."
After all, Spirit Hall was the greatest Soul Master organization on the Douluo Continent. If its Soul Masters lost to another organization, Spirit Hall would be mocked.
This was Spirit Hall's honor. No matter what, Spirit Hall could not afford to lose.
After that, Qian Xun'an left.
Qian Xun'an sought out Qian Renxue again.
Qian Renxue quietly entered Qian Xun'an's Judgment Hall. She looked at him and immediately asked, "Uncle, did you want to see me about something?"
Qian Xun'an looked at her and said, "Xiao Xue, there's something I need your help with!"
"What is it?" Qian Renxue immediately asked.
Qian Xun'an looked at Qian Renxue calmly, then said, "Xiao Xue, I want you to represent Spirit Hall in tomorrow's final."
At his words, Qian Renxue stared at him in shock and quickly explained, "Uncle, I'm undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire. How can I compete?"
Qian Xun'an looked at her calmly. "You've seen how useless Spirit Hall Academy is.
"That so-called Golden Generation is nothing but a bunch of arrogant clowns. How could they possibly shoulder Spirit Hall's burden?
"And Shrek Academy can even use a Seven-in-One Fusion Skill. That's proof enough that they're strong. To make sure Spirit Hall wins, I need to keep a backup plan."
"But..." Qian Renxue seemed about to explain further.
Qian Xun'an immediately said, "Xiao Xue, I know what you're worried about. I've already made the arrangements for you."
"Come in," Qian Xun'an called.
A young man walked in from outside. He looked exactly like Xue Qinghe, the identity Qian Renxue used in disguise.
Qian Renxue stared at the "Xue Qinghe" before her in utter shock, then turned to Qian Xun'an. "H-How is this possible?"
Qian Xun'an calmly explained, "I possess a Soul Skill called Thousand Changes. It can alter my own voice, appearance, and form—or anyone else's, or even those of any object...
"So I found someone to take your place as 'Xue Qinghe' for one day. You'll have time to represent Spirit Hall and win this match for us."
Qian Xun'an continued, "Once my Soul Skill is activated, no one can undo it unless I do so myself.
"So no one will discover the truth. As for you, you'll compete under your identity as Qian Renxue, so no one will suspect a thing."
Seeing how perfectly Qian Xun'an had prepared everything, Qian Renxue looked at him and said, "All right. After all, this is for Spirit Hall's honor!"
Qian Xun'an smiled faintly and looked at Qian Renxue. "And you won't have to lead the fight. I've already arranged everything. When the time comes, just disguise yourself as a Support System Soul Master on the team.
"If Spirit Hall Academy can win, you won't need to fight.
"If those useless fools lose to Shrek Academy, you can step in then!"
Qian Renxue nodded. "All right."
The night passed quietly.
The next morning, the sun's rays poured down from the sky.
The Soul Master Tournament's final was officially underway.
Qian Xun'an arrived at the arena.
He sat in front of Pope Hall. To his surprise, Pope Bibi Dong had also come to watch the final.
Bibi Dong arrived at the arena with Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, then sat beside Qian Xun'an.
"Oh, Lord Adjudicator, so diligent—you're here at the arena so early?" Bibi Dong asked with a smile.
Qian Xun'an looked at Bibi Dong calmly. "For Spirit Hall's honor, I have to do my duty."
"But what brings Your Holiness here to watch the match today? Did you come to see Spirit Hall win, or to see your old flame?"
Qian Xun'an looked at Bibi Dong and asked with a cold laugh.
There were few people around, so only those present could hear them.
At his words, anger flashed across Bibi Dong's face. She looked at Qian Xun'an and said, "Qian Xun'an, what do you mean?"
Qian Xun'an looked at Bibi Dong calmly. "What, was I wrong? If you dared to do it, why are you afraid of people talking about it?"
Bibi Dong glared at Qian Xun'an angrily. But in a setting like this, she couldn't do anything, so she said, "I have only Spirit Hall in my heart!"
Qian Xun'an replied calmly, "The Soul Master Tournament is underway, so I won't argue with you for now. But I'll investigate everything you've done in the past.
"If I find that you've done anything that betrayed my elder brother or brought shame upon Spirit Hall, I won't let you get away with it!"
With that, Qian Xun'an turned to look ahead.
The teams from Shrek Academy and Spirit Hall Academy walked onto the arena.
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