The championship prize was three Soul Bones. Soul Bones were rare resources, no matter which faction they belonged to!
Shrek Academy had Tang San, but he had missed out on the Immortal Herbs and Xiao Wu. They were no longer a threat.
The Star Luo Empire's team was renowned for its iron-blooded style and powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill, but they were no threat either.
The main concern was Spirit Hall's Golden Generation: Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan. As far as he knew, all three had already broken through level fifty!
They were Soul King-level opponents! No matter how well Yu Tianheng and the others worked together, they would have little chance against such an overwhelming gap in rank and strength.
In the original story, Shrek Academy had only managed to win by relying on the Immortal Herbs and all the opportunities Tang San had accumulated.
The Heaven Dou Royal Academy of today had no chance against them.
The championship meant more than just glory. It also represented three extremely high-quality Soul Bone rewards!
That was an irresistible temptation for any Soul Master, and Lin Yi was no exception, even though he possessed Triple Martial Souls...
And he had one enormous advantage that no one knew about: he was only fifteen years old! He fully met the tournament's requirement that competitors be under twenty-five.
With his strength as a level sixty-eight Soul Emperor, he could practically sweep aside every opponent if he competed. Even against Spirit Hall's team, he could lead the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to a secure victory.
But the risks were just as great.
If he revealed his true age and that astounding level sixty-eight Soul Power, the entire Soul Master World would be shaken.
Ordinary factions might only be shocked, but Spirit Hall... How would they view a genius so young, yet possessing such terrifying strength?
Especially since this genius came from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects! Would they try to recruit him? Or... eliminate him?
Lin Yi had never hesitated to assume the worst of Spirit Hall. He knew how domineering and ambitious the organization was. A genius they couldn't bring under their control was better eliminated sooner rather than later.
If he stepped into the limelight too soon, he could bring disaster upon himself. Competing for the championship carried enormous risks.
After thinking it over again and again, Lin Yi still couldn't make up his mind. He decided to contact the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
This matter was far too important. He needed to hear the opinions of Sect Master Ning Fengzhi and his teacher, Sword Douluo. He also needed to learn about the sect's current situation and whether it could become his steadfast backing.
Through the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's secret contact point in Heaven Dou City, he sent a confidential letter to Sect Master Ning Fengzhi, detailing his situation, concerns, and thoughts about competing.
To his surprise, a response came very quickly.
Just two days later, a familiar and immense presence descended upon the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, appearing directly at his residence.
The visitor was tall, with a somewhat sinister face. Yet at that moment, he wore an unmistakably triumphant expression. The space around him subtly warped, and his aura carried even greater weight and power than before. It was Bone Douluo, Gu Rong!
"Senior Gu Rong? Why did you come in person?" Lin Yi asked in surprise. He hadn't expected Bone Douluo himself to come.
"Haha, young Lin, I heard you've run into a problem?" Gu Rong swept his hand out, setting up a Soul Power soundproof barrier, then sat down casually with a hearty laugh. His usual gloomy air was nowhere to be seen.
Lin Yi could clearly sense that Gu Rong's aura was far stronger than before. He had evidently stabilized his level ninety-six cultivation completely, and might even have improved further.
"Congratulations on your breakthrough, Senior," Lin Yi said, cupping his hands.
"Thanks to you! It's all thanks to your Immortal Herb!" Gu Rong clapped Lin Yi on the shoulder. His blow was so forceful that, had Lin Yi not been so physically robust, it might have knocked him apart. "Fengzhi asked me to tell you that you can pursue those Soul Bones without any reservations. Go ahead and do whatever you want! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will take responsibility for anything that happens."
He let his smile fade and grew serious. "You're right to worry that Spirit Hall might cause trouble.
"But things are different now! After taking the Aromatic Silk Beauty, Fengzhi's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Not only did he break through the bottleneck at level eighty, he also obtained his Eighth Soul Ring. He's now a level eighty-two Soul Douluo! With his full support, even a Titled Douluo's combat strength can rise by a whole level!"
He paused, his voice carrying a note of pride and anticipation. "And your teacher felt the pressure, too. After helping him hunt down Soul Beasts, he announced that he was going into seclusion!
"When he emerges, there's a good chance he'll have reached level ninety-seven! Then our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will have two Super Douluo. Add Fengzhi's support with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and we'll have the confidence to face Spirit Hall head-on!
"Don't worry. During the finals, the Sect Master, your teacher, and I will all be there to back you up."
Lin Yi was deeply shaken. Ning Fengzhi had reached level eighty-two, while Sword Douluo was aiming for level ninety-seven!
If word of this got out, it would be enough to change the balance of power among the continent's top factions!
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had indeed undergone a qualitative leap in strength!
Gu Rong looked at Lin Yi, his eyes flashing. "Fengzhi asked me to tell you: if something's worth fighting for, fight for it; if it's worth taking, take it! Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples no longer need to cower in fear!
"Your talent is one of the sect's greatest hopes for the future. The sect is your strongest backing!
"If Spirit Hall really dares to discard all shame and attack a junior like you, then let them try. We'll see if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's sword is sharp enough!"
His words were firm and domineering! They showed just how confident the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had become with its newfound strength—and how determined it was to protect its own.
Most of Lin Yi's worries vanished at once. With such powerful support from the sect, he truly had no need to worry too much about Spirit Hall's threat.
At least in public, Spirit Hall would never dare to secretly attack a direct descendant of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, a sect now boasting two Super Douluo and an evolved Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"I understand." Lin Yi drew a deep breath, a look of resolve flashing in his eyes. "In that case, I, Lin Yi, will claim this tournament's championship and those three Soul Bones!"
"Good! That's more like it!" Gu Rong laughed heartily. "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on things in secret throughout the tournament. I won't let anything happen to you. Go on and turn the whole thing upside down!"
With the sect's firm support and promise, Lin Yi no longer had any reservations.
After seeing Bone Douluo off, he immediately went to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Academic Affairs Office and formally registered under his real identity—Lin Yi, fifteen years old, level sixty-eight, support-type Soul Emperor. He joined the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team as a substitute and its ultimate secret weapon!
The news sent shockwaves through the upper ranks of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy! A fifteen-year-old Soul Emperor?
It was practically a myth! Only then did the three chief administrators, including Meng Shenji, finally understand why Sword Douluo and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect valued this young man so highly. They immediately classified Lin Yi's real information as top secret, allowing only a select few to know...
Before you continue