The Final Match of the Preliminaries, Tianshui Academy vs. Shrek Academy

With the conclusion of the preliminaries, the instructors of the academies that failed to qualify began to lead their students away. The teams that advanced to the promotion tournament included the Four Elements Academy, the Elephant Armored Academy, and others. Since Shrek Academy was the champion of the preliminaries, Jiang Huai took Dai Mubai and Gu Yue to collect the first-place reward.

Emperor Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Salas approached the various teams. Emperor Xue Ye loudly announced that those who placed in the top three of the tournament would be granted titles within the Heaven Dou Empire.

Salas retorted with some dissatisfaction, but Emperor Xue Ye countered him with an imposing air. Although Ning Fengzhi also wanted to use his words to win them over, he ultimately gave up, not wanting to argue with the two old men.

Soon, after Jiang Huai and the other team captains finished receiving the rules for the promotion tournament, everyone left the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena to prepare for the upcoming matches.

The promotion tournament was set to begin in one week, giving all teams ample time to prepare for the matches ahead.

Jiang Yi, who had been watching from the shadows, also departed, as she needed to bring the news of Jiang Huai exposing his spirit back to the Jiang Kingdom.

Inside the Jiang Kingdom palace.

Jiang Liuyu frowned as he looked at the information Jiang Yi brought back. He was deeply worried that Jiang Huai would be hunted down by Spirit Hall and other sects because of his spirit.

The Sword Sect, the state-protecting sect, had not emerged into the world for a long time, and he did not want to force them to intervene.

This meant that Jiang Liuyu might have to go personally to protect his son's safety. Seeing her father's expression, Jiang Yi asked with concern whether they should let the Sword Sect emerge.

After all, Jiang Liuyu was not only the ruler of the Jiang Kingdom but also the current Sect Master of the Sword Sect and one of the youngest Title Douluo on the entire continent.

At this moment, the Great Elder of the Sword Sect arrived at the royal study. The Great Elder was named 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, and Jiang Liuyu explained the situation regarding Jiang Huai.

Jiang Longyuan slapped his chair and said, "Are you being reckless? We already agreed to bring him back once the Spirit Master Tournament ended, so what is the point of you going now?"

Jiang Liuyu replied, "Dad! That child exposed his spirit during the preliminaries; Spirit Hall has likely already learned of this."

Upon hearing this, a terrifying pressure of a level ninety-seven powerhouse suddenly erupted from Jiang Longyuan, the pressure laced with fierce sword intent.

"Spirit Hall... if they dare to touch my grandson, I will go and demand an explanation."

Jiang Liuyu said, "Dad! Don't be impulsive."

Jiang Longyuan retracted his aura and said, "They have their Spirit Hall heritage grounds, and we have ours in the Sword Sect. Just because we have been in seclusion, don't think the Sword Sect is made of clay."

One week later...

All the academy teams that passed the preliminaries began to arrive at the Heaven Dou Royal Hunting Park one after another.

There were grounds here where soldiers practiced combat, which were perfect for use as the venue for the promotion tournament.

As all the teams began to enter, Jiang Huai and the others prepared their tactics inside their tent.

Since Shrek Academy was the champion of the preliminaries, their first match was scheduled immediately. Shrek was set to face the Balak Academy team.

After discussing it, they decided on the order: Xiao Wu first, Dai Mubai second, and Tang San third. Jiang Huai confidently told them to take turns; if they could win, they should continue, and if they couldn't, they should cut their losses.

With that, they entered the competition arena. As soon as they stepped in, a disdainful voice reached everyone's ears.

"Oh! Who do I see? If it isn't Flender, and the little minnows of Shrek."

Jiang Huai retorted aggressively, "Why is a dog allowed in here? This is the promotion tournament for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament. It's full of people, so how did a dog get in?"

Hearing this, Flender and the others burst into laughter, and Ma Hongjun even laughed until he shed tears.

Flender said, "Luofuji, you are only a Spirit Ancestor now; show some respect when speaking to a Spirit Douluo."

After Flender finished speaking, he released the pressure of his level eighty-two spirit power. Luofuji was not afraid of Flender and continued to provoke him, "So what if you're level eighty-two? We have three Spirit Saints among the members of the Balak Royal Family. Do you really think you're someone important?"

Jiang Huai continued, "Only losers rely on their family background, unlike us—the strongest among the strong."

Luofuji pointed at Jiang Huai in a rage and said, "You! Do you dare to fight me one-on-one?"

"Enough!"

Salas appeared between the two parties and said, "Who gave you permission to cause trouble here? This is your first warning; if it happens again, you will be disqualified!"

Hearing this, Luofuji immediately acted like a dog, bowing and scraping as he left. Jiang Huai did not take Salas seriously and instead led his teammates to the waiting area to prepare.

Soon, the host who presided over the opening ceremony of the preliminaries appeared, gliding into the center of the arena on a floating board.

There was no opening ceremony this time; the matches began directly.

"The first match of the day is Shrek Academy versus Balak Academy. Will both teams please enter the arena!"

The host spoke with great passion, though Jiang Huai felt embarrassed for him because no one was applauding.

Xiao Wu said a few words to Jiang Huai and the others before stepping onto the stage. Luofuji walked up with a sinister expression, ready for the match.

After the host announced the names and information of the participants, the match officially began.

Luofuji released his spirit rings, and Xiao Wu casually released hers as well.

Soon, the moment Luofuji threw a punch, Xiao Wu released her second spirit skill.

"Second spirit skill: Charm."

Luofuji's eyes turned pink, and the expression on his face became as dazed as a fanatic.

Xiao Wu curled her lips and said, "First spirit skill: Waist Attack. Third spirit skill: Teleportation."

Using both skills simultaneously, her soft-style techniques combined with the Waist Attack and Teleportation to form a simplified version of the Explosive Kill Eight-Stage Throw.

Xiao Wu used her braid to wrap around Luofuji and pull him into the air, then kicked him in the waist. After that, Luofuji was beaten mercilessly without any ability to fight back; he didn't even manage to put up a symbolic defense.

After Xiao Wu grew tired of hitting him, she grabbed Luofuji by the head and threw him directly into the Balak Academy's spectator area.

Almost all the bones in Luofuji's body were shattered, and he had fallen into a coma.

The members of the Balak Academy team rushed forward, surrounding Xiao Wu in anger. Jiang Huai, Gu Yue, and Dai Mubai—the three strongest members of Shrek Academy—appeared behind Xiao Wu simultaneously, releasing their spirit pressure.

Sword intent radiated from Jiang Huai, with the phantom of an ancient black-gold sword appearing behind him. A silver dragon appeared behind Gu Yue, its pressure trembling the air, while a murderous Evil Eye White Tiger manifested behind Dai Mubai.

The combined spirit power of the three was so dense that it rivaled that of a Title Douluo, scaring the charging Balak Academy members into hesitation. However, with Auerbai still present, they dared not retreat.