A heavy mood hung over Shrek Academy's quarters.
The Clear Sky Sect's people had taken Tang Yu's body away overnight. Tang Tian, who had lost an arm and a leg, lay in a room in the rear courtyard. Though he had survived, his days in the Soul Master World were essentially over.
The team that had arrived brimming with confidence had now lost a Soul Ancestor and a Soul King.
In the middle of the courtyard, Yu Xiaogang paced with his hands behind his back.
He stopped, swept his gaze over Tang San, Ning Chengjiu, Dai Mubai, and the others before him, and sighed.
"Making it to the Finals has already exceeded my expectations," Yu Xiaogang said in a low voice, trying to ease the burden on them.
"The results of the other semifinal are out as well. Spirit Hall crushed Three Elements Academy. Our opponent in the Finals will be Spirit Hall."
At the mention of Spirit Hall, Dai Mubai instinctively pressed his legs together, his face paling.
To simplify this year's format, no teams had been given byes, so the three-team round-robin of previous years had been eliminated.
The two remaining teams would now compete for first and second place.
"My advice is not to dwell on winning or losing," Yu Xiaogang told them.
"The Spirit Hall Team's strength at its peak is unfathomable. Never mind you—even Ning Rongrong, the Seven-Ring Soul Sage we saw today, would gain nothing against them."
"In tomorrow's Finals, just enjoy the competition. If things become impossible, surrender immediately. Keeping yourselves safe is what matters."
To Yu Xiaogang, sending Shrek's depleted lineup against the current Spirit Hall was like throwing an egg against a rock. Even taking second place would be a blessing from their ancestors.
Besides, he did not want Shrek to