Beside him, Xue Ye was also watching in the direction Spirit Hall Academy had left.
"Qinghe, do you know that captain?"
"I met him once before."
Xue Qinghe withdrew her gaze.
"He comes from Spirit Hall's Worship Hall. He is a disciple personally accepted by Qian Daoliu."
Xue Ye's expression changed slightly.
"Qian Daoliu's disciple?"
"That's right."
"Spirit Hall is actually willing to let someone like that participate in the tournament."
Xue Qinghe did not answer.
She knew very well that Lin Tian's appearance on the battlefield was not for an ordinary ranking.
Spirit Hall had voluntarily given up its direct qualification for the finals so that Lin Tian could lead the team and defeat every opponent head-on.
This tournament was destined to change because of Lin Tian's appearance.
At another Soul Battle Platform.
Shrek Academy's match had also ended.
Tang San stood in the center of the Soul Battle Platform.
Blue Silver Grass withdrew from the ground, leaving behind vast traces of vines.
Behind him, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Ning Rongrong stood in a row.
The members of the opposing academy had all left the field.
The referee announced Shrek Academy's victory.
Thunderous cheers erupted from the stands.
"Shrek won!"
"This team's coordination is incredible."
"That Blue Silver Grass Soul Master has powerful control abilities."
"And that White Tiger Soul Master's attacks are terrifying too."
Shrek Academy's reputation spread rapidly after the first match.
This previously unknown team had displayed combat strength far beyond that of ordinary academies.
Dai Mubai raised his head.
Listening to the discussions around him, a hint of pride appeared on his face.
"We won the first match so easily."
Ma Hongjun patted his belly.
"At this rate, we'll reach the finals soon."
Ning Rongrong put away the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"We can't let our guard down."
"Every team that can participate in this tournament has its own strengths."
Tang San nodded.
"Rongrong is right."
"Our opponents will only become stronger from here on."
Yu Xiaogang walked over from beneath the platform.
"You performed well just now."
"Especially you, Tang San. Your control over Blue Silver Grass has become even more proficient."
Tang San cupped his hands.
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher."
At that moment, a staff member responsible for delivering messages hurried over.
"Has Shrek Academy just finished its match?"
Flender looked at him.
"The match has ended."
"I've come to inform you of something."
The staff member paused for a moment.
"Spirit Hall Academy also just finished its first match."
"Their opponent was the Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team."
The smile on Dai Mubai's face gradually faded.
"What was the result?"
"Spirit Hall Academy won."
"Who made the move?"
"Spirit Hall Academy's captain."
"By himself?"
The staff member nodded.
"From beginning to end, Spirit Hall Academy's captain was the only one who released his martial soul."
"The other members did not make a move."
Everyone from Shrek fell silent at once.
Ma Hongjun opened his mouth.
"One person defeated Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
"That Lin Tian?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened.
"What is his current Soul Power Level?"
"His exact Soul Power Level is unknown,"
the staff member answered.
"But he released four Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings."
Tang San's expression changed.
"All of them were Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings?"
"The spectators saw it with their own eyes."
The staff member nodded.
"Moreover, he defeated Yu Tianheng with just one palm strike."
Tang San did not speak again.
However, Yu Xiaogang raised a hand.
"Spirit Hall was powerful to begin with."
"Their members have undergone years of training, so possessing such strength is nothing strange."
"As for Lin Tian, he merely happened to stand among Spirit Hall Academy's team."
"This victory cannot prove that all the credit belongs to him."
Flender looked at Yu Xiaogang.
"Master, that child has already grown up."
"He is not a child."
Yu Xiaogang's expression was unpleasant.
"He was merely lucky enough to gain favor."
"Without the Worship Hall's resources, he could not possibly have achieved what he has today."
Tang San clenched his fist.
He thought of those four black Soul Rings on the Soul Battle Platform, and his heart could not calm down.
Had Lin Tian already become this strong?
When they met in Starfall City two years ago, Lin Tian had only possessed level twenty Soul Power.
Two years later, he had become Spirit Hall Academy's captain and led the team to defeat Heaven Dou Royal Academy alone.
That rate of growth made Tang San feel pressured.
"Teacher."
Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang.
"If we encounter Spirit Hall Academy, how should we deal with Lin Tian?"
Yu Xiaogang fell silent for a moment.
"Do not confront him head-on."
"Tang San, you will be responsible for controlling the battlefield."
"As long as you restrict his movements, the others will be able to find an opportunity."
Tang San nodded.
"I understand."
After the current stage of the tournament ended, each team was granted some time to rest.
The spectators inside the Soul Battle Platform gradually dispersed.
Lin Tian returned to Spirit Hall Academy's resting area.
Hu Liena handed him the water she had prepared.
"You did not expend much just now. Why didn't you let us attack together?"
"There was no need."
Lin Tian accepted the water pouch.
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy's strength was not worthy of us going all out."
Yan sat off to the side.
"Captain, if Yu Tianheng heard you say that, he'd probably be so furious he'd spit blood."
"That is his problem."
Lin Tian placed the water pouch on the table.
Hu Liena looked at him.
"For the next match, are you still planning to fight alone?"
"We'll see who our opponent is first."
Lin Tian stood up.
Xie Yue raised his head.
"Captain, are you going to cultivate?"
"Mm."
Lin Tian returned to his room.
Night fell.
The lights outside the Soul Battle Platform went out one after another.
Inside the room, Lin Tian sat cross-legged on the bed.
Four black Soul Rings emerged from his body.
The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus hovered at his right.
The Nine Nether Beast coiled at his left.
Level forty-five Soul Power slowly circulated through his meridians.
Lin Tian closed his eyes and began absorbing the energy of heaven and earth around him.
His cultivation continued for two hours.
The room was extremely quiet.
Lin Tian suddenly opened his eyes.
An exceedingly faint aura swept past outside the window.
That aura was concealed deeply.
If Lin Tian's spiritual power had not far surpassed that of Soul Masters at the same level, he would not have been able to detect it at all.
He did not get up.
The lamp in the room continued to burn.
Lin Tian looked toward the window.
"Since you're here, there's no need to hide."
There was no response from outside the window.
That aura remained where it was.
Lin Tian raised a finger.
A streak of azure light gathered at his fingertip.
"Come out."
As his words fell, an elderly man slowly emerged from the darkness outside the window.
He did not open the window.
Yet his body passed directly through the wall and landed in the center of the room.
The old man wore a grayish-green robe.
His hair was dark green, and his face was covered in wrinkles.
A pair of eyes fell on Lin Tian, filled with obvious surprise.
"You actually knew I was here."
Lin Tian looked at him.
"I also know who you are."
The old man's gaze shifted slightly.
"You know me?"
Before you continue