"We... surrender."
The voice was quiet, yet in the silent Soul Fighting Arena, it carried clearly to everyone's ears.
The referee froze for a moment. He looked at Dai Yaoheng, then at the other members of Shrek Academy. They all hung their heads in silence, not one of them objecting.
The referee took a deep breath, raised his right hand, and announced loudly, "Shrek Academy surrenders!"
"The final match of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament is over. The winners are the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy!"
In the stands, the competitors from the Sun Moon Empire erupted at once. Cheers, applause, and whistles blended together, shaking the entire Soul Fighting Arena.
Most of all, there were curses—abuse and resentment directed at Shrek Academy.
Everyone had wanted Shrek Academy to lose, but no one had wanted them to lose in a clash with the Sun Moon Empire.
But the Angel...
had reminded many ancient families of that distant existence from ten thousand years ago.
Xu Yanli could clearly feel Faith Force streaming in from all around them, though it was tinged with unwillingness and resentment.
Xu Yanli put away his Light Blade and Martial Soul Avatar. The Twelve-Winged Holy Wings slowly folded together and disappeared behind him.
He turned and looked at his teammates.
Huo Yuhao was bursting with excitement, yet his eyes were red. He looked up at Dai Hao, his fists clenched.
Xiao Hongchen was grinning broadly, laughing so hard that tears streamed from his eyes.
Meng Hongchen's lips curved upward, her mismatched eyes full of laughter. Ji Juechen sheathed his sword, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a rare, faint smile. Shen Muqing covered her face, tears trickling through her fingers.
Zhao Tiesheng hung his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Xu