The Throne's pressure, undercurrents stirring!
Qian Renyu's voice carried far across the arena.
After saying these words, Qian Renyu gestured to the red-robed cardinal.
Normally, as the Pope of this generation, he would have made his appearance just as the final three matches were about to begin.
But this year's Spirit Master Tournament finals were anything but ordinary. After successfully taking the throne, Spirit Hall had not publicly announced the change of Pope.
People from all the major powers had gathered in Spirit City, and the talented young generation had arrived one after another.
Qian Renyu had been planning to seize this opportunity to tell all the powers that the sky over Spirit City had changed.
The red-robed cardinal took over the proceedings. Without lingering, Qian Renyu headed back behind the high platform.
Qian Renyu knew better than anyone what would happen at the Spirit Master Tournament. There was no point in staying to watch.
Everyone in the arena watched Qian Renyu leave, while the teams from the various academies began making their preparations.
They all looked eager to fight, each hoping to claim one of the top three spots.
Tang San said nothing. He stared again and again in the direction Qian Renyu had gone, his eyes growing darker by the moment.
Xiao Wu stood beside Tang San, gazing in the same direction as he was.
"Third Brother, why didn't that guy Qian Renyu stay to watch the matches? Doesn't he have it in for our Shrek Academy?" Xiao Wu asked, surprised.
Tang San furrowed his brows and pondered before saying, "He definitely has it in for us, but Qian Renyu didn't stay. He's probably certain that his Spirit Hall team will win!"
"So he doesn't think we can pose a threat to the Spirit Hall team at all. Naturally, he has no reason to stick around."
"In that case, we can just keep competing without a worry. When we make a stunning impression, we'll teach that guy that arrogance comes at a price!"
Tang San's voice was low and slightly hoarse.
As he explained, he gently patted Xiao Wu's shoulder.
Xiao Wu murmured in acknowledgment and leaned against Tang San's shoulder, asking nothing more.
Whatever Tang San said went. She never questioned him.
Not far away, Yue Guan glanced toward Tang San and the others with a strange expression.
As a mighty Title Douluo, he had heard every word of Tang San and Xiao Wu's quiet conversation.
After realizing how certain Tang San was, Yue Guan nearly lost control of his expression.
"That Tang San says His Holiness is arrogant. Does he not realize how arrogant he is himself?"
"He wants to make a stunning impression? Now that's real arrogance. At most, His Holiness is merely overconfident!"
"Never mind. They'll learn what true cruelty is when the final match begins!"
"But first, they'll have to make it to the final match!"
Muttering to himself, Yue Guan didn't go bother Tang San and the others. Instead, he briskly followed in the direction Qian Renyu had gone.
Before long, Yue Guan followed Qian Renyu to the Spirit Hall Academy's training grounds, where students practiced in a simulated environment.
"Have you taken care of Yan's arrangements?" Qian Renyu asked calmly.
Yue Guan hurriedly replied, "It's all arranged. I've already told Yan to come here and train as soon as the finals' opening ceremony is over!"
"Then we'll wait here a while."
Qian Renyu answered softly, his calm gaze resting on the simulated training grounds within Spirit Hall Academy.
A short while later, Yan left the Spirit Hall team and hurried over. Seeing Qian Renyu and Yue Guan waiting, he bowed and saluted.
"Yan pays his respects to Your Holiness the Pope and Elder Yue Guan!"
Yue Guan stepped aside and gestured for Yan to stand beside Qian Renyu.
Yan did exactly as instructed and stood quietly beside Qian Renyu. "Your Holiness, over the past three days, I've tried to control the Throne Projection you bestowed upon me."
"But after trying, I realized that the power of your Throne Projection is too strong. If I forced myself to use it, I'm afraid I'd lose all my abilities before I could even unleash its full power!"
Qian Renyu listened calmly, not at all surprised by Yan's answer.
If the Divine Throne Projection were so easy to control, it wouldn't be the projection of a Divine Throne.
What's more, the throne he possessed now was the Divine Throne of Doom and Slaughter.
The Divine Throne of Slaughter and Judgment—its power of slaughter could have reduced Yan to ashes outright. The fact that it hadn't was already an act of mercy.
"That was how it was before."
"Next, I'll personally control the Throne and put pressure on you."
"The Throne's power will be kept right at the edge of your limit. When you reach that point, you can try to adapt to it and gain control."
Qian Renyu replied flatly.
The moment he finished speaking, brilliant golden light appeared.
The Divine Throne of Doom and Slaughter took shape behind Qian Renyu.
Just as when he had bestowed the Throne Projection upon Yan, golden steps extended to Qian Renyu's feet.
Qian Renyu walked up and took his seat on the Divine Throne. One golden figure after another appeared in the air.
The golden figures all dropped to one knee before the Throne.
Seated on the Throne, Qian Renyu looked down at Yan, who was ready and waiting.
Yan understood what Qian Renyu meant. He took a deep breath and stood in the simulated training grounds as the surrounding environment changed.
Blazing flames erupted from every direction, while thunder rumbled beneath the cloud-covered sky.
At the same time, the golden light on the Throne gave Yan no time to react. An endless torrent of immense power burst forth from it.
"Ugh..."
Yan groaned. His upright body involuntarily hunched over.
Though he had made every preparation, the power Qian Renyu released by controlling the Throne himself struck him without warning.
Pain still shot through every part of his body.
Qian Renyu watched Yan with an impassive expression, continuing to control the Divine Throne of Doom and Slaughter.
Yan was still nowhere near his breaking point, so Qian Renyu naturally had no reason to stop pressuring him.
Yue Guan watched the whole thing unfold. Yan's face was contorted, his legs trembling, yet Qian Renyu showed no sign of easing the pressure.
After watching for a while, Yue Guan suddenly looked up at Qian Renyu on the Throne.
A flash of insight passed through his eyes.
He drew in a sharp breath, and suddenly everything became clear.
"His Holiness is willing to spend so much time on Yan. It seems he has a plan for all of this!"
"If nothing unexpected happens, something major should occur after the Spirit Master Tournament finals. Everything that happened before—and everything happening now—is just a prelude to what comes next!"
"Once the champion is decided, that may be the truly earth-shattering moment!"
"His Holiness is waiting—for the champion!"
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