In the upper half of the semifinals, Star Luo Imperial Academy faced Minghuang Advanced Academy.
Before the match had even begun, the entire arena was already packed.
The spectators crowded the stands, all waiting for this clash between powerhouses.
After all, Star Luo Imperial Academy was also one of the continent's top academies. Although it had been kept beneath Shrek Academy in recent years, its foundations and strength were absolutely not to be underestimated.
Minghuang Advanced Academy, meanwhile, was the biggest dark horse of this tournament.
With these two teams meeting, it should have been an exciting Soul Master showdown no matter how one looked at it.
Yet when the leaders of both sides stepped onto the stage, Star Luo Imperial Academy made a decision no one had expected.
"Star Luo Imperial Academy forfeits the individual elimination round."
Xu Jiujiu stood at the edge of the stage and spoke calmly to the referee.
The moment those words were spoken, the entire arena fell silent for an instant.
Then, deafening boos erupted from every direction.
"What the hell is this?"
"They don't even dare fight? Is this all the guts Star Luo Imperial Academy has?"
"Wasn't Star Luo Imperial Academy supposed to be a top academy too?"
The spectators in the stands cursed viciously.
They had bought tickets to see powerful opponents clash, not to watch one team surrender on its own initiative.
Xu Jiujiu showed no reaction to those voices.
She merely raised her head and looked at Ye Guyi on Minghuang Academy's side.
Ye Guyi wore a plain white combat outfit, her pale golden hair tied behind her head, the Heavenly Feather Sacred Sword hanging at her waist.
She simply stood there quietly as six Soul Rings slowly rose beneath her feet.
Two yellow, two purple, three black.
A