Feigning Weakness to Lure the Enemy, Turning the Tables

Feng Ling, Huo Yuhao, Tang Wulin, Nangong Wan, Scorpion Tiger Douluo, Masked Douluo, Myriad Souls Douluo, Abomination Douluo, Netherworld Douluo, Nether Thunder Douluo, Zhongli Tian, Zhongli Di, Zhongli Ren...

All the Holy Spirit Cult's experts mobilized, each leading their subordinate evil soul masters to forcibly take away every member of the twenty-six teams eliminated on the first day of the tournament and throw them into water prisons.

Though those who had put up a show of resistance before being dragged into the water prisons wore looks of shock and fury, there was a faint, imperceptible calmness hidden in their eyes. Without exception, all their gazes seemed to ultimately fall upon Huo Yuhao.

The next day.

The Ming Yue Hotel remained bustling with crowds as usual. Not a single person noticed that the members of twenty-six teams had quietly vanished the previous night.

Because there were so many participating teams, Tang Sect's first match, which had drawn little attention, did not officially begin until that morning.

Tang Sect's opponent was Earth Dragon Sect. Nan Qiqqiu was Earth Dragon Sect's captain and the daughter of its sect master, Nan Shuishui.

To conceal their true strength, Bei Bei sent the Soul Emperor-level He Caitou into battle against Earth Dragon Sect, whose members were only Soul Kings.

He Caitou was originally an auxiliary-system soul master capable of continuously restoring his own soul power. In addition, milk bottles were allowed in this tournament. By himself, He Caitou easily achieved a one-versus-seven victory.

Like a Transformer rooted firmly to the ground, the massive fixed soul cannon on his shoulder rang out with a series of metallic clanks as dense, fierce artillery fire poured down upon his opponents.

Although Nan Qiqqiu possessed the Annihilation attribute, the gap in soul power meant she could never break through He Caitou's Class 7 soul tool Invincible Shield. In the end, she fell beneath He Caitou's overwhelming firepower.

Xu Tianran, seated high upon the main platform in the VIP area, could not help but praise He Caitou's practiced, effortless use of soul tools. "That seemingly insignificant Tang Sect is truly hiding some remarkable talents."

A trace of coldness flashed through Xu Tianran's eyes. He felt an inexplicable familiarity from He Caitou.

Jing Hongchen explained, "The members of this Tang Sect were the ones who represented Shrek Academy in the previous tournament."

Xu Tianran chuckled. "How interesting. As expected, once sects were allowed to participate, everyone took the bait."

Zhongli Wu, seated nearby, immediately smiled. "No matter what tricks anyone tries, Holy Spirit Sect will certainly claim the championship."

Xu Tianran returned the courtesy. "Then I shall rely on you, Imperial Preceptor."

Yet a sudden flash of killing intent crossed Xu Tianran's eyes. It was his instinctive disgust toward evil soul masters.

If you were not still useful to me, how could I possibly tolerate your existence? Once my Sun Moon Empire unifies the Douluo Continent, I will certainly wipe out your Holy Spirit Cult in one stroke.

With that thought, Xu Tianran continued watching the match with a chill on his face.

Before they realized it, noon had arrived, and the final match of the morning was about to begin. This match pitted Holy Spirit Sect against Tiandu Academy of the Dou Ling Empire.

Huo Yuhao, who was watching from the spectator stands, suddenly said to Tang Wulin beside him, "Wulin, I'm leaving for a while. I'll be back soon."

Tang Wulin immediately understood and nodded. "I'm a little hungry. Brother Yuhao, you have to hurry back."

Huo Yuhao rubbed Tang Wulin's cheek and laughed. "Got it, little glutton."

He then activated his Simulation Soul Skill, having his spiritual clone simulate himself and remain beside Tang Wulin. The Masked Douluo in the distance did not notice anything unusual.

Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao concealed himself with his Simulation Soul Skill and swiftly made his way onto the competition stage.

The Holy Spirit Sect member entering the match released black mist to block the spectators' view. In truth, he intended to use an insect swarm to devour his opponent's brain matter, soul power, and life force.

In the pitch-black mist, Tiandu Academy's captain sensed the icy aura and desperately swung his Half-Moon Slash. Yet it was like casting mud into the sea, a futile struggle.

The hidden Huo Yuhao chanted an obscure spell, summoned the Gate of the Undead, and forcibly sent the evil soul master into the Undead Demi-Plane through chains.

"If I hadn't helped you, you'd probably be a corpse by now. You should surrender quickly. Tonight, remember to act according to my instructions. Afterward, I'll rescue you and help you leave the Sun Moon Empire safely."

Upon hearing that familiar voice from their encounter at the hotel, Tiandu Academy's captain immediately clasped his hands in salute. "Thank you for saving me!"

For the first time, he truly experienced the sense of crisis that came with facing death. Huo Yuhao's rescue made him trust Huo Yuhao even more.

To all the spectators, the illusion created by Huo Yuhao's Mental Interference Domain made it appear that the captain had exhausted the last trace of his soul power and unleashed his strongest attack. Like a blazing sun, it actually reduced the Holy Spirit Sect member to ashes.

Just as Holy Spirit Sect was preparing to send out its second member, Tiandu Academy's captain suddenly took the initiative to surrender. "Our Tiandu Academy withdraws from this life-and-death tournament."

The spectators all believed that Tiandu Academy's captain regretted accidentally killing his opponent. They had not truly witnessed the terror of Holy Spirit Sect.

Zhongli Wu frowned deeply. "That little nobody could not possibly defeat the insect swarm. Who interfered behind the scenes?"

After Huo Yuhao returned to Tang Wulin's side, he immediately took Tang Wulin to lunch.

"Starving, huh? Try this king crab. There's so much crab meat inside."

Huo Yuhao cracked open the huge crab shell and patiently picked out every bit of crab meat, placing it all into Tang Wulin's bowl.

Tang Wulin wolfed down the crab meat and rice, mumbling through his mouthful, "Brother Yuhao, you have to compensate me properly."

As Huo Yuhao placed stir-fried eggs with chives into Tang Wulin's bowl and fed him pineapple juice, he smiled and replied, "Then we won't watch the matches this afternoon. We'll rest at the hotel and compensate you properly."

Tang Wulin narrowed his eyes and gave a wicked smile. "Brother Yuhao, go get me a few more grilled oysters. I suddenly really want some."

Huo Yuhao smiled helplessly. "I really can't do anything about you."

So Huo Yuhao went back to the hotel restaurant's buffet counter and returned with three plates of grilled oysters, feeding them to Tang Wulin one by one.

Tang Wulin slurped them down, one after another, savoring the soft, springy, succulent grilled oysters that melted in his mouth.

Some people might not understand the fishy taste of oysters, but with barbecue seasoning added, grilled oysters truly had a unique flavor.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Huo Yuhao used a wet wipe to clean the grease from the corners of Tang Wulin's mouth. Then, in perfect unspoken understanding, they held hands and returned to their hotel room together.

Tang Wulin's stamina truly was extraordinary. Huo Yuhao was nearly unable to withstand Tang Wulin's fierce advances from behind. It felt as though Huo Yuhao had gone through a world war, and in the end, he collapsed weakly onto the bed.

Tang Wulin conscientiously massaged Huo Yuhao's waist and pounded his back, helping him relax his muscles and bones. In the end, the two lay together and gradually drifted into a beautiful sleep.

After another two days of intense matches, the first round of the preliminary elimination stage concluded smoothly. Of the original 167 teams, only eighty-four remained, fifty-six of which came from sects.

Today marked the second round of the preliminary elimination stage. The first match of this round would be Shrek Academy against Heavenly Armor Sect of the Dou Ling Empire.