Don't Act Tough Without Strength

Qian Renxue also nodded. "Consider it our first meeting, Mr. Lan Yu."

Qian Daoliu continued to introduce the other elders to Lan Yu.

Second Elder Golden Crocodile Douluo, Third Elder Qingluan Douluo, Fourth Elder Xiongzhi Douluo, Fifth Elder Guangling Douluo, Sixth Elder Qianjun Douluo, and Seventh Elder Xiangmo Douluo.

These six Spirit Hall elders stared at Lan Yu all at once, the pressure suffocating. Anyone else would certainly have been unable to maintain composure under their gazes.

However, Lan Yu completely ignored the pressure they brought, instead casually saying, "Grand Elder, can the probing end here?"

Called out to his face by Lan Yu, Qian Daoliu lost a bit of face, and Golden Crocodile Douluo angrily snapped, "Brat, do not push your luck."

"What? Flustered and exasperated? I merely stated a fact. Can't take the heat?"

"You..."

"Golden Crocodile!"

"Big Brother..."

"You all step back."

Qian Daoliu spoke. The few elders were just about to leave when they heard Lan Yu speak up.

"Don't leave yet. Listen to me tell a story. Once upon a time, there was an organization called the Church of Light. It worshipped the God of Light, represented righteousness and light, and ruled a world with this philosophy.

"But as time passed, the Church of Light began to degenerate. More and more high-ranking officials began to covet pleasure and indulgence, even establishing a tribunal to define those who opposed them as heretics and put them on trial.

"Those who still possessed faith were forced to leave in order to preserve the purity of their own beliefs.

"In the end, the God of Light found someone righteous at heart, helped him grow, and ultimately overthrew the Church of Light...

"Is this the end? No! This is merely the beginning of yet another cycle..."

"What do you mean by saying this?"

Qian Renxue frowned, looking at Lan Yu.

"What it means depends on how you understand it. Everyone's understanding is different. This is merely a well-intentioned reminder."

Lan Yu looked at Qian Daoliu again. Qian Daoliu also wore a thoughtful expression.

"Grand Elder, it's getting late, so I won't disturb you any longer. I hope we won't become enemies in the future."

Having said that, Lan Yu turned and left the Elder Hall.

After Lan Yu left, Golden Crocodile Douluo wore a very displeased expression.

"Big Brother, that brat..."

"No one is allowed to cause trouble for him. All of you, step down."

Dismissing the others, Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Renxue. "Xiaoxue, what do you think?"

"Me? I don't know... The story he told clearly insinuates Spirit Hall. Has the current Spirit Hall truly reached such a deplorable state?"

"Sigh..."

Qian Daoliu let out a deep sigh. During all these years that Bibi Dong held the Pope's authority, Spirit Hall seemingly developed very well, but corruption was also visibly apparent. It was impossible that Qian Daoliu didn't know.

Yet he simply let it be, holing up in the Elder Hall day after day to pray to the Angel God statue.

He was the Grand Elder. No one had ever dared to criticize his actions, and for that reason, he didn't feel like he had done anything wrong.

But now, Lan Yu not only pointed out the fact that few people in Spirit Hall worshipped the Angel God, but he also used a story to hint at Spirit Hall's end.

This forced Qian Daoliu to seriously reflect upon himself—to wonder if he truly lived up to Spirit Hall and the Angel God.

The answer he obtained after reflection made even Qian Daoliu's heart run cold.

His indulgence might ultimately reduce him entirely into a sinner against Spirit Hall.

"Xiaoxue, do you still intend to proceed with that Usurpation Plan?"

"I... I... I don't know, Grandfather. My mind is a bit chaotic right now."

"Sigh... Think it over carefully. I need to think deeply as well."

Lan Yu returned to the hotel and found that Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had already returned.

"You're back so early?"

"We ran into two unappetizing fellows, so we came back."

"We ran into Dai Davis and my older sister Zhu Zhuyun. They said some unpleasant things."

"Zhu Zhuyun, huh? If you hadn't brought her up, I almost would have forgotten about her. Her mission wasn't accomplished very well at all."

"Huh? Is that Zhu Zhuyun also a follower of the Sage of Fungi?"

"Consider her one. If we happen to run into Star Luo Royal Academy during the Grand Finals, stand on no ceremony. Teach them a good lesson."

"Hehe, I'll definitely make them taste my might."

In the blink of an eye, the opening of the Grand Finals arrived. Bibi Dong, the Pope, stood on the high platform, and standing right beside her was someone representing the Elder Hall, Golden Crocodile Douluo.

At this moment, the entire audience knelt on one knee to pay respects to the Pope, Bibi Dong.

The Botanical Academy side was stopped by Lan Yu. Since the Botanical Academy were now followers of the Sage Lord of Fungi, naturally they could not perform such a grand kowtow to Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong and Golden Crocodile Douluo both looked in the direction of the Botanical Academy, yet said nothing.

The Shrek Academy side was quite steadfast as well, showing no intention of bowing to Bibi Dong.

Yet they were not so lucky. Golden Crocodile Douluo instantly erupted, a terrifying oppressive force bearing down upon everyone in Shrek Academy.

Everyone was forced to half-kneel under the pressure, and Yu Xiaogang was even more miserable, directly sprawling flat on the ground like a dead dog, inviting mockery.

It truly lived up to that saying: having the strength to act cool makes you a badass, while lacking the strength to act cool makes you a jackass.

Bibi Dong looked at Golden Crocodile Douluo and transmitted her voice, "Don't go too far!"

"Bibi Dong, you too should recognize your identity, or else I wouldn't mind crushing him to death."

Bibi Dong was full of blazing anger and had no mood to speak. She announced the start of the tournament and returned to the Pope Palace.

Lan Yu glanced at Yu Xiaogang, who looked like a dead dog, and then glanced at the departing Bibi Dong.

Sure enough, a brain-dead simp is beyond saving.

For the tournament format of the Soul Master Tournament Grand Finals, the first round had the three seed teams receive a bye, while the remaining 30 teams drew lots to determine their opponents.

The opponent drawn by the Botanical Academy was Longkui Academy. In the original plot line, Longkui Academy's opponent was New Gale Academy, and they lost miserably.

Yet now, New Gale Academy had still appeared, and Lan Yu thought to himself, Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian—could these two still be unconvinced by their defeat and want to challenge me again?

Thinking of this, Lan Yu merely smiled. Even if it was New Gale Academy, they posed not the slightest threat to the Botanical Academy.

The match began. The Botanical Academy was led onto the stage by Yao Zi, with Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong also present. Lan Yu had no intention of going up.

Longkui Academy was also foul-mouthed, actually mocking the Botanical Academy team for being entirely female. The outcome was naturally self-evident.

"Sisters, beat them fiercely for me! Hit their mouths first, so they don't even have a chance to surrender."

"Alright!"

All seven members of Longkui Academy were beaten into pig heads. Just as Yao Zi said, the Botanical Academy team rushed over and first crooked the opponents' mouths, preventing them from even shouting out words of surrender.

The remaining time was spent being beaten from start to finish, without even a shred of opportunity to counterattack.

In the end, the referee couldn't bear to watch any longer, stepping in to stop the Botanical Academy and declare Longkui Academy eliminated.

This also made people from the other academies shudder inwardly, thinking, The Botanical Academy is a bunch of violent women!