The preliminary knockout rounds moved at a breakneck pace, with several matches played each day.
The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy's very first match was against the Dragon Slaughter Sect. Xu Yanli didn't even bother stepping into the stands. He leaned against the railing, twirling the Jade Carving Knife between his fingers as he chatted idly with Lezheng Ling.
"Your Highness, the Dragon Slaughter Sect's leader was talking tough in the waiting area just now. He said he'd show those people from the Sun Moon Empire what a true Dragon Slaughter Martial Soul looks like." Lezheng Ling leaned closer and lowered his voice, unable to hide his amusement.
Xu Yanli raised an eyebrow but said nothing. His gaze swept across the arena, cool and detached.
On the field, Gu Yuena and the other five had already taken their positions.
The seven members of the Dragon Slaughter Sect, on the other hand, were brimming with fighting spirit. At their head stood a burly man with a full beard. The moment he released his Martial Soul, a Dragon Slaughter Blade appeared in his grasp. Six Soul Rings lit up in an instant—two yellow, three purple, and one black. He was a genuine peak Soul Emperor, radiating menace from head to toe.
The Dragon Slaughter Sect disciples in the stands immediately began shouting at the top of their lungs, their cheers deafening.
"Long live the sect leader! Teach these people from the Sun Moon Empire a good lesson!"
"What's the Sun Moon Empire worth? Our Dragon Slaughter Blades are made to counter dragon Martial Souls!"
At that last remark, Xu Yanli's lips curled ever so slightly. His eyes remained utterly calm.
*Heh. A bunch of lousy Martial Souls, and they still dare call themselves dragon slayers. They don't even know that this