With the qualifiers over, mentors and students from the academies that hadn't advanced began leaving to return home. Among the teams that had qualified for the promotion round were Four Elements Academy and Elephant Armored Academy. Since Shrek Academy had won the qualifiers, Jiang Huai took Dai Mubai and Gu Yue to collect the first-place prize.
Emperor Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Salas approached the teams facing off against one another. Xue Ye loudly announced that the top three finishers in the tournament would be granted noble titles by the Heaven Dou Empire.
Salas objected, clearly displeased. Emperor Xue Ye shot back with authority. Ning Fengzhi had also wanted to persuade them with words, but decided not to argue with the two old men.
Soon, Jiang Huai and the other team captains had received the promotion-round rules. Everyone left the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena to prepare for the next round.
The promotion round would begin in a week, giving every team plenty of time to prepare.
Jiang Yi, who had been watching from the shadows, also left. She had to take word of Jiang Huai revealing his Martial Soul back to the Jiang Kingdom.
In the royal palace of the Jiang Kingdom.
Jiang Liuyu frowned as he read the information Jiang Yi had brought back. He was deeply worried that Jiang Huai might be hunted by Spirit Hall and other sects because of his Martial Soul.
The Sword Sect, the kingdom's guardian sect, had been in seclusion for a long time. He didn't want to call on them to emerge and help.
That meant Jiang Liuyu might go in person to protect his son. Seeing the look on her father's face, Jiang Yi asked worriedly whether they should bring the Sword Sect out of seclusion.
After all, Jiang Liuyu was not only the ruler of the Jiang Kingdom, but also the current leader of the Sword Sect and one of the youngest Titled Douluo on the continent.
Just then, the Sword Sect's great elder arrived at the Imperial Study in the palace. His name was Jiang Longyuan. He was Jiang Liuyu's father and Jiang Yi's grandfather.
As soon as Jiang Longyuan entered, he asked his son what was going on. Jiang Liuyu told him about Jiang Huai.
Jiang Longyuan slapped the armrest of his chair. "Are you out of your mind? You said you'd bring him back after the Spirit Master Tournament was over. What would it look like if you went now?"
"Dad!" Jiang Liuyu replied. "The child revealed his Martial Soul during the qualifiers. Spirit Hall has probably already heard about it."
At that, Jiang Longyuan suddenly released the terrifying pressure of a ninety-seventh-level expert. Fierce sword energy surged within it.
"Spirit Hall? If they dare touch my grandson, I'll make them answer for it."
"Dad, don't act rashly," Jiang Liuyu urged.
Jiang Longyuan drew in his aura. "Spirit Hall may have a place of inheritance, but so does our Sword Sect. We've gone into seclusion, but don't think we're pushovers."
A week later...
The academy teams that had qualified through the qualifiers began arriving at the Heaven Dou Royal Hunting Park.
The grounds included a training area where soldiers practiced combat, making it an ideal venue for the promotion round.
Every team made its way inside. Jiang Huai and the others discussed their tactics in their tent.
Since Shrek Academy had won the qualifiers, they would compete in the opening match. Their first opponent was the Barak Academy team.
After discussing things, they settled on Xiao Wu for the first round, Dai Mubai for the second, and Tang San for the third. Jiang Huai was confident and told them to take turns fighting: if they could keep going, they should; if they couldn't, they should withdraw in time.
The group headed to the competition grounds. As soon as they arrived, a contemptuous voice reached everyone's ears.
"Well, well! Who do we have here? It's Flender and his little Shrek Academy minnows."
Jiang Huai shot back, "How did they let a dog in here? This is the promotion-round venue for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament. It's full of people, so why is there an extra dog?"
Flender and the others burst out laughing. Ma Hongjun laughed so hard that tears came to his eyes.
"Luofuji, you're only a Soul Ancestor," Flender said. "Show an eighty-second-level Soul Douluo some respect."
After speaking, Flender released the pressure of his eighty-two levels of Soul Power. Luofuji wasn't intimidated. Instead, he continued taunting him. "So what if you're level eighty-two? The members of the Barak Royal Family include three Soul Saints. You really think you're somebody?"
Jiang Huai continued, "Only useless people rely on their family background. We're strong because we're strong."
Luofuji angrily pointed at Jiang Huai. "You! Do you dare fight me one-on-one?"
"That's enough!"
Salas appeared between the two groups. "Who gave you permission to cause trouble here? This is your one warning. Do it again, and you'll be disqualified!"
Luofuji immediately bowed and scraped as he slunk away like a dog. Jiang Huai didn't take Salas seriously; he simply led his teammates to the waiting area to get ready.
Soon, the host who had presided over the qualifiers' opening ceremony appeared. He rode a floating hoverboard into the center of the competition grounds.
There was no opening ceremony this time. The matches would begin immediately.
"Today's first match is Shrek Academy versus Barak Academy. Let's welcome both teams to the field!"
The host delivered his announcement with great enthusiasm. Jiang Huai felt embarrassed for him, since no one here applauded.
Xiao Wu told Jiang Huai and the others she was heading out, then stepped onto the field. Luofuji walked up with a vicious look, ready to fight.
After the host announced the names and details of the competitors, the match began.
Luofuji released his Soul Rings, and Xiao Wu casually did the same.
The moment Luofuji threw a punch, Xiao Wu unleashed her second Soul Skill.
"Second Soul Skill: Charm."
Luofuji's eyes turned pink, and his expression went slack and foolish, like a lecherous idiot.
Xiao Wu's lips curled up. "First Soul Skill: Waist Attack. Third Soul Skill: Teleportation."
She used both skills at once. Her soft techniques combined with Waist Attack and Teleportation, forming a simplified version of the Explosive Kill Eight-Stage Throw.
Xiao Wu's whip-like kick sent Luofuji into the air. Then she kicked him in the waist and beat him mercilessly, leaving him completely unable to fight back. He didn't even manage a token defense.
When Xiao Wu grew tired, she grabbed Luofuji by the head and flung him straight into the Barak Academy spectator stands.
Nearly every bone in Luofuji's body had been shattered, and he had fallen unconscious.
The Barak Academy team rushed forward, furiously surrounding Xiao Wu. Jiang Huai, Gu Yue, and Dai Mubai—the three strongest members of the Shrek Team—appeared behind her at the same time and released the pressure of their Martial Souls.
Sword intent manifested around Jiang Huai, and the phantom of an ancient black-and-gold sword appeared behind him. A silver giant dragon appeared behind Gu Yue, its pressure making the air tremble. Behind Dai Mubai appeared the Evil Eye White Tiger, radiating killing intent.
The three of them had immense Soul Power. Combined, it rivaled that of a Titled Douluo. The Barak Academy team members who had rushed over faltered, but with Auerbai still there, they didn't dare retreat.
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