Champion!!!

"No."

Lin Tian raised his right hand.

The Soul Bone turned into a stream of dark golden light and merged directly into his arm.

In the next instant, dark golden energy spread from his right arm throughout his body.

A heavy pressure struck his muscles and bones at the same time.

The Nine Nether Beast raised its wolf head.

Destruction Power suppressed the lingering ferocity within the Soul Bone.

The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus scattered Azure Divine Light.

Life energy slowly flowed along Lin Tian's meridians.

Hu Liena circulated her Soul Power and poured her strength into Lin Tian's left hand.

"What do you need me to do?"

"Maintain your Soul Power."

"Alright."

She closed her eyes.

Their Soul Power met in their palms.

The dark golden patterns on Lin Tian's right arm gradually stabilized.

The Soul Bone's energy merged into his muscles, bones, and meridians.

Half an hour later.

All the dark golden light withdrew.

Lin Tian opened his eyes.

A layer of fine dark golden patterns had appeared over his right arm.

He raised his hand and clenched it.

The air gave a faint crack.

Hu Liena immediately moved closer.

"Did it work?"

"Mm."

"Did your Soul Power increase?"

"There was no change at level fifty-six."

"And that still counts as an increase in strength?"

"The Soul Bone strengthened my right arm."

Lin Tian raised his hand.

Dark golden claws sprang out from between his fingers.

Cold light flowed over the five claw blades.

Hu Liena glanced at them, then reached out and touched his wrist.

"Don't use that hand in future matches."

"Why?"

"It's too frightening."

"Are you afraid of me?"

"I'm afraid you'll hurt one of our own."

She withdrew her hand, then picked up a piece of soul beast meat and held it to Lin Tian's lips.

"Eat first."

Lin Tian opened his mouth and took a bite.

Hu Liena watched him eat, satisfaction appearing in her eyes.

"I want to absorb Whale Rubber tonight too."

"Alright."

"You have to help me."

"Mm."

"And hold me."

Lin Tian looked at her.

Hu Liena did not avoid his gaze.

"You can't hold me while I'm cultivating."

"What about after I finish cultivating?"

"You can."

"It's a deal."

She took out a piece of Whale Rubber.

Lin Tian raised his hand, and Azure Divine Light fell behind her shoulder.

Hu Liena put the Whale Rubber into her mouth.

Rich energy entered her meridians.

She immediately circulated her Soul Power according to the method Lin Tian had taught her.

Soul Power continuously gathered from the surroundings.

The aura of level fifty-two gradually grew stronger.

Lin Tian continued maintaining the Life Divine Light.

A faint flush rose to Hu Liena's cheeks.

The hair at her forehead was dampened by sweat and clung beside her brows and eyes.

A quarter of an hour later.

The energy within her body finally stabilized completely.

"I feel like my Soul Power has increased a little more."

"Keep cultivating."

"Aren't you going to praise me?"

"You did well."

Hu Liena opened her eyes.

She lifted her face and looked seriously at Lin Tian.

"Say it again."

"You did well."

Only then did she smile.

"I'll remember that."

Hu Liena withdrew her Soul Power and leaned forward.

She wrapped her arms around Lin Tian's waist and pressed her face against his chest.

"Now you can hold me."

Lin Tian supported her waist.

"You've finished cultivating?"

"I have."

"Are you going to continue?"

"I'll continue tomorrow."

She tightened her arms.

"Tonight, hold me for a while first."

Lin Tian did not push her away.

Only the light of the Soul Power lamps remained in the cultivation room.

Hu Liena leaned in his embrace, her fingers lightly tracing across his collar.

"After the finals, are you really going to Slaughter City with me?"

"Bibi Dong has already arranged it."

"It's very dangerous there."

"I'll protect you."

Hu Liena lifted her face.

"Will you only protect me?"

"You're my teammate."

"And a friend."

"Mm."

Hu Liena's eyes brightened.

"Then can I be something else too?"

Lin Tian did not answer.

She did not press him further.

Hu Liena leaned back against his chest.

"When I reach level fifty-six, tell me then."

"You're still four levels away."

"I'll catch up."

"It will take quite some time."

"Then I'll hold you a little longer every day."

"That has nothing to do with Soul Power."

"I know."

Hu Liena lifted her face and lightly touched the corner of Lin Tian's lips.

"This is my own cultivation method."

Half a month later.

Spirit City.

The finals officially began.

Spirit Hall Academy's first opponent was Star Luo Imperial Academy.

Before the match began.

Three raised platforms opened at the same time.

Pope Bibi Dong sat upon the central throne.

Qian Daoliu stood at the front of the Worship Hall viewing platform.

Xue Qinghe sat in the Heaven Dou Empire's VIP seating area.

All three of their gazes fell upon Lin Tian on the Soul Battle Platform.

"He's already level fifty-six."

Ning Fengzhi looked at Xue Qinghe.

"Qinghe, with a captain like this at Spirit Hall Academy, there's no suspense over the championship."

"The finals aren't over yet."

Xue Qinghe raised her teacup.

"However, I also believe he'll win."

Ning Fengzhi turned his head.

"You've always had great confidence in him."

"He has never disappointed me."

On the other side of the Soul Battle Platform.

The seven members of Star Luo Imperial Academy stepped onto the stage together.

Dai Weisi stood at the front.

He wore black battle armor, with the White Tiger Martial Soul condensing behind him.

Zhu Zhuyun stood beside him.

The aura of the Hell Spirit Cat echoed with Dai Weisi's.

Dai Weisi looked at Lin Tian.

"You're the captain of Spirit Hall Academy?"

"That's me."

"Star Luo Imperial Academy won't surrender as easily as those teams from the Heaven Dou Division."

"You can try."

The referee raised an arm.

"The match begins!"

Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun charged forward at the same time.

White Tiger claws and Hell Spirit blades descended from both sides.

Lin Tian did not retreat.

The Nine Nether Beast stepped out from behind him.

Five black Soul Rings rose at once.

An aura of destruction enveloped the Soul Battle Platform.

Dai Weisi's White Tiger Martial Soul faltered.

Zhu Zhuyun's speed slowed as well.

Lin Tian raised his right arm.

Dark gold claws sliced through the air.

The White Tiger's protective Soul Power and the Hell Spirit Cat's defense shattered at the same time.

Dai Weisi was sent reeling back by a single claw strike.

Zhu Zhuyun, meanwhile, was bound around the waist by vines released from the Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus and sent straight off the Soul Battle Platform.

Dai Weisi raised his head.

His fourth Soul Ring lit up.

"White Tiger Meteor Shower!"

A vast number of white orbs descended from the sky.

Lin Tian raised his left hand.

The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus bloomed.

Azure lotus leaves covered the air above.

Every white orb collided with the lotus leaves and shattered in succession.

Lin Tian stepped through the sky full of light and arrived before Dai Weisi.

Dark gold claws swept across his chest.

Dai Weisi's protective Soul Power vanished on the spot.

Lin Tian brought down his palm.

Dai Weisi crashed to one knee against the stone floor.

His White Tiger Martial Soul was suppressed by the Nine Nether Beast and could not condense again.

"You lost."

Dai Weisi clenched his teeth.

"Star Luo Imperial Academy has not surrendered."

"Your teammates have all lost their ability to fight."

Dai Weisi turned to look.

The remaining members of Star Luo Imperial Academy had all been forced off the Soul Battle Platform by Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.

Zhu Zhuyun stood below the platform, her expression grave.

She and Dai Weisi had not even used their Martial Soul Fusion Skill before the match ended.

The referee walked over to Dai Weisi.

"Does Star Luo Imperial Academy surrender?"

Dai Weisi lowered his head.

"We surrender."

The referee raised an arm.

"The match is over!"

"The winner is Spirit Hall Academy!"

The stands erupted in cheers.

Bibi Dong watched Lin Tian at the center of the Soul Battle Platform, her gaze lingering on his five black Soul Rings.

"This year's championship already belongs to Spirit Hall Academy."

Qian Daoliu nodded as well.

"Lin Tian did not disappoint."

Xue Qinghe set down her teacup.

"He still only used two Martial Souls."

The second match of the finals.

Spirit Hall Academy versus the joint team formed by Godwind Academy and Blazing Fire Academy.

Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu stepped onto the stage together.

Wind wings unfurled.

Flames rose.

Their Soul Powers linked together, making their strength even greater than before.

Huo Wu stood behind Feng Xiaotian.

She raised both hands.

A blazing white fireball rapidly condensed.

"This time, I won't disperse ahead of time."

"Huo Wu's Blazing Sun!"

The enormous fireball descended from the sky.

Lin Tian raised his right arm.

His dark gold claws swept forward.

Five streaks of dark gold claw light crossed through the air.

The fireball was torn apart directly down the middle.

Feng Xiaotian charged out under cover of the firelight.

Thirty-Six Gale Demon Wolf Slashes fell in rapid succession.

Lin Tian raised a hand and caught his wrist.

The accumulated force stopped on the spot.

"Your soul skill is still the same."

Feng Xiaotian did not answer.

Lin Tian lashed out with a kick.

Feng Xiaotian flew sideways and landed outside the Soul Battle Platform.

Huo Wu withdrew her Soul Power.

She looked at Lin Tian for a moment before directly raising her hand.

"I surrender."

The referee immediately announced the result.

"Spirit Hall Academy wins!"

Hu Liena walked to Lin Tian's side.

She did not look at Huo Wu, merely hooking her arm through Lin Tian's.

Huo Wu stood beneath the platform.

"Lin Tian."

"Mm."

"I can stabilize Huo Wu's Blazing Sun now."

"Its power has increased."

"But it still can't hurt you."

"Keep training."

Huo Wu glanced at the hands Hu Liena and Lin Tian held together.

"One day, I'll make you use a soul skill."

Hu Liena lifted her chin.

"Catch up to me first."

Huo Wu did not respond.

She turned and left the Soul Battle Platform.

Lin Tian led the members of Spirit Hall Academy toward the exit.

Hu Liena pressed close to his side.

"She still wants to challenge you."

"She wants to become stronger."

"So do I."

"So you'll be training tonight?"

"Yes."

"Then take me with you."

"Mm."

Only then was Hu Liena satisfied.

She leaned against Lin Tian's shoulder and followed him into the passageway.

The final match of the finals.

Spirit Hall Academy versus Star Luo Imperial Academy.

The area around the Soul Battle Platform was packed with spectators.

Every gaze was fixed on the two teams.

The referee stood at the center.

"The match begins!"

Star Luo Imperial Academy no longer attacked separately.

Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun released all their Soul Power at once.

The White Tiger and Hell Spirit Cat met in midair.

A massive white pillar of light shot into the sky.

An enormous Hell White Tiger appeared above the Soul Battle Platform.

The pressure of a Soul Sage spread outward.

The audience fell briefly silent.

Hu Liena and the others' expressions turned solemn at once.

Lin Tian raised his head.

Five black Soul Rings rose beneath his feet.

The Nine Nether Beast stepped out of the void.

Its nine giant tails spread open.

The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus bloomed at his left.

On one side was the Hell White Tiger.

On the other were the Nine Nether Beast and the Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus.

The two forces collided above the Soul Battle Platform.

The Hell White Tiger opened its mouth and spat out a white beam of light.

Lin Tian stepped forward.

His fifth black Soul Ring lit up.

"Fifth Soul Skill, Dark Gold Soul-Destroying Claw."

Dark gold claws condensed over Lin Tian's right arm.

Pitch-black Destruction Power pressed into the claw light.

Lin Tian raised his hand and swung it forward.

Five streaks of dark gold claw light crossed outward.

The white beam was torn apart down the middle.

The claw light continued forward.

Five cracks appeared across the Hell White Tiger's body.

Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun were struck at the same time.

Their Martial Soul Fusion Skill collapsed on the spot.

Their bodies fell from the air.

Lin Tian waved his hand.

Azure vines surged up from the ground and sent the two of them off the Soul Battle Platform.

The remaining members of Star Luo Imperial Academy immediately launched their attacks.

Xie Yue's two Moon Blades flew out at the same time.

Yan's flames spread forward along the stone floor.

Hu Liena unleashed Sky Fox Enchantment.

Pink light descended upon the Star Luo Imperial Academy team.

The seven-person formation instantly scattered.

Several members left the Soul Battle Platform one after another.

The last person stood at the edge of the platform.

He glanced at Lin Tian and voluntarily withdrew his Martial Soul.

"Star Luo Imperial Academy surrenders."

The referee stepped forward.

He swept his gaze across the Soul Battle Platform.

The outcome between the two teams had already been decided.

The referee raised an arm.

"The match is over!"

"The winners are Spirit Hall Academy!"

"Spirit Hall Academy has won the championship of this Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament!"

Cheers erupted from every direction.

The seven members of Spirit Hall Academy stood at the center of the Soul Battle Platform.

Hu Liena came to Lin Tian's side.

Her eyes were filled with joy.

"Champions."

"We did it."

Xie Yue put away his Moon Blade.

"From the Heaven Dou Division to the finals, we remained undefeated the entire way."

Yan raised both arms.

"This time, the entire continent will remember Spirit Hall Academy."

Lin Tian said nothing.

He lifted his gaze toward Bibi Dong on the elevated platform.

Bibi Dong had already risen to her feet.

Her Pope's robe spread beneath the sunlight.

She lightly raised the scepter in her hand.

Three Soul Bones were lifted into the air by red Soul Power.

"The rewards for this tournament's champions are three Soul Bones."

"The Spirit-Concentrating Wisdom Skull, the Explosive Burning Flame Right Arm Bone, and the Gale Slashing Left Leg Bone."

Everyone's gazes fell upon the three Soul Bones at once.

Bibi Dong looked at Lin Tian.

"Lin Tian, captain of Spirit Hall Academy, you may choose one first."

Lin Tian stepped forward.

"The Wisdom Skull goes to Hu Liena."

Hu Liena froze for a moment.

"For me?"

"Your martial soul is suited to it."

"What about yours?"

"The other two aren't suitable for me."

Bibi Dong looked at Lin Tian.

"Are you certain?"

"I am."

Hu Liena accepted the Wisdom Skull as it floated toward her.

She did not put it away immediately.

"Why give it to me?"

"You're a spiritual-type Soul Master."

"Is that the only reason?"

"It's enough."

Hu Liena looked at Lin Tian.

She walked before him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

The entire audience's attention converged on them.

Hu Liena did not step back.

"Then I'll become even stronger in the future."

"Mm."

"And I'll continue standing by your side."

"Alright."

She raised her face and lightly touched her lips to the corner of Lin Tian's mouth.

"This is the champion's reward."

Bibi Dong watched the two of them without stopping them.

Qian Daoliu stood in the direction of the Worship Hall and likewise said nothing.

Xue Qinghe sat on the viewing platform, her fingers lightly tapping the table.

She watched the black-and-gold figure at the center of the Soul Battle Platform, a smile appearing in her eyes.

"Congratulations, Lin Tian."

Lin Tian raised his head.

"Thanks."

The referee raised an arm again.

"The champions of this Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament are Spirit Hall Academy!"

The cheers continued for a long time.

Five black Soul Rings slowly revolved behind Lin Tian.

The Nine Nether Beast raised its wolf head.

The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus scattered Azure Divine Light.

Lin Tian stood at the center of the Soul Battle Platform.

All the members of Spirit Hall Academy stood behind him.

On this day.

Spirit Hall Academy claimed the championship.

Lin Tian's name spread throughout all of Spirit City.