The Finals

As time passed, the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament finally ushered in its most anticipated ultimate showdown—

Shrek Academy versus Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.

Due to the terrifying strength Ji Jing had displayed in previous battles, as well as that Battle Armor which had caused every soul engineer at the scene to doubt their life's work, the atmosphere on the side of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy was suppressed to the extreme.

Inside the exclusive lounge of Shrek Academy.

Ji Jing sat on a comfortable sofa and waved his hand, causing several metal badges emitting a faint blue halo to line up neatly on the tabletop.

These badges were crafted with exquisite workmanship, their surfaces engraved with extremely complex yet incredibly restrained array patterns.

"These are prepared for you."

Ji Jing pointed to the badges on the table and said calmly, "One for each of you, Level 7 defensive Soul Tool."

"Level 7?!"

Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and the others nearby instantly gasped.

One had to know, a Level 7 defensive Soul Tool was a life-saving divine object capable of withstanding a full-force strike from a Soul Saint-level powerhouse!

Yet the reserve team members present were not even Soul Kings, let alone capable of using such things.

"Ji Jing, this... we don't have enough soul power to drive a Level 7 Soul Tool."

Gongyang Mo couldn't help but say, his voice tinged with helplessness.

Ji Jing smiled slightly and said indifferently:

"Rest assured, since I brought them out, I naturally considered that. These Soul Tools are equipped with internal energy-storage Soul Tools. I have already filled them with energy, and there is no need to fear energy dissipation."

"You don't need to meet the cultivation requirements to drive them; you only need to trigger them with soul power, or simply press the switch on the side, and it will instantly release a defensive barrier and execute autonomously."

"In short, even an ordinary person could use it if they held it in their hand."

Hearing this, Dai Yueheng and Ma Xiaotao looked at each other, both seeing the shock in the other's eyes.

A Level 7 Soul Tool that could be driven without cultivation!

An energy-storage Soul Tool that didn't fear energy dissipation!

If this were to reach the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy across the way, even those Level 9 soul engineers would likely have their defenses broken.

One had to know, Soul Tools like Milk Bottles had not yet been popularized!

Energy-storage Soul Tools had always been the patent of the Sun Moon Empire.

Most importantly, the Milk Bottles of the Sun Moon Empire lacked sealing technology!

"Thanks, Ji Jing."

Dai Yueheng did not decline and was the first to pick one up.

With this thing, the safety coefficient of the Shrek team in the upcoming finals would reach a terrifying height.

Just as everyone was distributing the Soul Tools, an official from the tournament organizing committee delivered the final format for the finals.

Wang Yan walked quickly into the lounge:

"Everyone, pay attention. The format for the finals is out."

"Unlike before, the finals will be a best-of-three series combining team battles, individual elimination matches, and the two-two-three combat method. In other words, we must win two out of the three matches—team battle, individual battle, and the two-two-three method—to be considered the complete victors."

Hearing this format, the atmosphere in the lounge sank slightly.

Dai Yueheng looked at the Level 7 defensive Soul Tool in his hand, turned to look at the reserve team members sitting to the side, and finally cast his gaze toward Ji Jing.

"Ji Jing,"

Dai Yueheng said in a deep voice, "Since there are three matches in the finals, and we are holding such powerful defensive gear."

"In my opinion, we can appropriately let the reserve team go up for the individual battles and the two-two-three method to gain experience. After all, with you holding the line in the rear and these life-saving Soul Tools, there won't be any accidents."

Having said this, Dai Yueheng paused, as if remembering something, and smiled:

"By the way, there was a top-tier auction at the auction house a while ago. It's a pity you were in seclusion and didn't go. Huo Yuhao managed to get a pretty good soul bone there."

Upon hearing this, Ji Jing only smiled noncommittally, his eyes devoid of any ripples.

He naturally knew.

Huo Yuhao had obtained an Ice Jade Scorpion soul bone at that auction, which came with the divine skill Ice Explosion Technique.

He had no interest in such auctions or soul bones; if he had the time to waste, he would rather be meditating in his room.

However, Dai Yueheng's suggestion to let the reserve team gain experience did strike a chord with another of Ji Jing's thoughts.

His gaze swept over the reserve team and finally landed on Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao was undergoing the Eight Trials of Goodness.

In the current situation, if Xiao Xiao did not fight side-by-side with her teammates again and face strong enemies on the field, she would never pass her first trial of goodness.

If that happened, he would likely have to pull strings and cut her some slack.

For Ji Jing, who wished to nurture his companions, he naturally did not want Xiao Xiao's assessment to have any flaws.

"I agree."

Ji Jing pulled back his thoughts and spoke indifferently, "For the individual matches and the two-two-three format, let the reserve team gain some experience. As for the first team battle, our main squad will secure the opening victory to set the tone for the match."

Seeing Ji Jing make the final decision, Wang Yan and Dai Yueheng both breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good!"

Wang Yan immediately took out his tactical board, his expression turning solemn as he began to announce the roster for the team battle, "Then, the participants for the first team battle are confirmed—"

"Ji Jing, Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Gongyang Mo, Ling Luochen, Chen Zifeng, Xixi!"

The seven main members of Shrek Academy rose in unison.

At Star Luo Plaza, the cheers of one hundred thousand spectators crashed down like a surging tide.

Amidst this earth-shaking clamor, the members of both teams slowly stepped onto the massive Soul Fighting Arena.

On the side of Shrek Academy, led by Ji Jing, with Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and the others following closely behind, every person radiated terrifying fluctuations of soul power.

Standing opposite them were the seven main members of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.

The person at the lead was none other than the captain of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, Ma Rulong.

His martial soul was the Big-Headed Spirit Ape, and he was currently a six-ring Soul Emperor; at the same time, he was a genuine Level 7 Soul Tool master.

Standing beside Ma Rulong were two highly eye-catching young figures.

One had an arrogant expression; he was the five-ring Soul King who possessed the rare beast martial soul, the Three-Legged Golden Toad, Xiao Hongchen.

Standing next to Xiao Hongchen was Meng Hongchen.

Her martial soul was the extremely rare and highly venomous Vermilion Clear Ice Toad, and she was also a five-ring Soul King.

As for the other four members behind them, they were all at the Soul King level, and each carried various types of core Soul Tool equipment.

One Soul Emperor and six Soul Kings, equipped with all sorts of high-end, sophisticated Soul Tool gear—this was the foundation of the Sun Moon Empire representative team, and it was the reliance they had for challenging Shrek Academy.

"Both sides, step back and prepare for the match!"

The referee shouted in a deep voice, his powerful soul power fluctuations forming a barrier that separated the two teams.

Ma Rulong took a deep breath, cast a profound look at Ji Jing, and whispered to his teammates behind him: "Remember the tactics. That Ji Jing is a monster, but as long as we can use high-level Soul Tool gear to restrain him and concentrate our firepower to eliminate the others first, we have a chance! For the glory of the Sun Moon!"

"For the glory of the Sun Moon!"

On the other side, the Shrek team looked relaxed.

With Ji Jing present, this team battle was, in their eyes, nothing more than an exhibition match to declare their dominance.

Even without Ji Jing, the six of them, now restored to their perfect state, absolutely had the ability to tear the enemy team apart.

Ji Jing stood with his hands behind his back, watching the seven people opposite him who were braced for battle with a detached expression.

In his eyes, whether it was the six-ringed Ma Rulong or the so-called Peerless Duo, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, they were nothing more than ants that could be crushed with a flick of his hand.

"The match begins!"

As the referee gave the order, in an instant, soul power surged wildly across the Soul Fighting Arena!