The Golden Generation of Spirit Hall Academy—Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue—were watching as well. Longkui Academy was merely an average team; the Spirit Hall Academy Team could have crushed them too.
But what truly made Botanical Academy terrifying was that they had barely used any spirit abilities, relying solely on their physical strength.
Normally, this only happened when there was a vast disparity in Soul Power Levels between the two sides, but the Botanical Academy Team's Soul Power Levels were not particularly high.
Indeed, they were not that high—just Soul Ancestors above Level 45 across the board.
This left the Golden Generation, who had been brimming with confidence and believed the championship was theirs for the taking, somewhat uneasy.
"I heard Botanical Academy has a Six-Ring Spirit Emperor. Is it true that all six of his Soul Rings are red Hundred Thousand Years ones?"
"There really is a Six-Ring Spirit Emperor, but whether all his Soul Rings are red is unclear."
"Brother, Yan, can we still win?"
"We have our Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Even a Spirit Emperor isn't unbeatable. Nanna, don't be afraid."
"I'm not afraid. It remains to be seen who will come out on top."
After Botanical Academy's first-round match ended, they received a bye in the second round.
Lan Yu also checked on Shrek Academy. They had been lucky in the first round, drawing Blazing Flame Academy, who had forfeited, which was effectively a bye.
But once the second-round matchups were announced, Shrek Academy could no longer smile.
Shrek Academy's opponent in the second round was Star Luo Royal Academy.
Dai Mubai had the strongest reaction upon hearing the news.
With his current strength, he simply could not contend with Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun.
The two Soul Ancestors could wield their Martial Soul Fusion Skill with strength capable of rivaling a Soul King.
"Xiaogang, is this as far as Shrek Academy can go in this Soul Master Tournament?"
Flender looked toward Yu Xiaogang. Liu Erlong and the team members all looked at him as well.
"Not necessarily. We still have Little San."
"His Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul is indeed formidable, but he only has three rings right now. If he faces the Hell White Tiger head-on, he has no chance of winning."
Liu Erlong did not think highly of Tang San at all. Tang San felt uncomfortable hearing that, but he did not refute her. After all, it was the truth. But surrendering was out of the question.
"Teacher, leave it to me. No matter the outcome, we will finish this match."
Then Tang San said to Dai Mubai, "Boss Dai, we will do everything we can to help you too."
"Mm, thank you, everyone!"
In the blink of an eye, it was time for Shrek Academy to face Star Luo Royal Academy.
Lan Yu had specifically brought Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing over to watch the match.
On the field, Dai Weisi immediately began mocking Dai Mubai.
"Heh heh, Dai Mubai, what do you have left to fight me with? Even your fiancée ran off with someone else. You've completely disgraced the Star Luo royal family."
"Dai Weisi, shut your mouth! You despicable bastard."
"What? Humiliated into anger? Wasn't what I said the truth? Don't worry, your big brother will help you snatch that little Zhu Zhuqing back, hahaha..."
Dai Mubai clenched his fists tightly, his eyes seeming ready to spit fire.
"Boss Dai, don't let him provoke you."
"Exactly. If he goes and provokes that person, tsk tsk... he probably won't end well."
Hearing Oscar's teasing remark, Dai Mubai's eyes lit up. The trick of redirecting disaster toward someone else might actually work.
"Dai Weisi, if you can truly snatch that woman Zhu Zhuqing back, I'll admit you're capable. I can even concede voluntarily and withdraw completely from the competition for the throne."
"Oh? Dai Mubai, do you know what those words mean?"
"Of course I do!"
"Good..."
"Don't agree to him!"
Zhu Zhuyun interrupted Dai Weisi before he could finish.
"You can't afford to provoke the person behind Zhu Zhuqing now. He's setting a trap for you."
"Heh heh! What a joke. Who is there that I can't afford to provoke? Isn't it just a Botanical Academy?"
"Dai Weisi, listen to my advice. I would never harm you."
Dai Weisi completely ignored Zhu Zhuyun's warning. He insisted on capturing Zhu Zhuqing to prove himself.
Little did he know that Lan Yu had heard every word of their conversation.
"Those who bring calamity upon themselves cannot be saved!"
Lan Yu merely spat out those words coldly. If Dai Weisi truly dared to act, then Lan Yu would have no choice but to take action against the Star Luo Empire.
Soon after, the match began. Lan Yu also noticed Golden Crocodile Douluo was present, perhaps because of Tang San, guarding against someone.
On the field, Shrek Academy was being suppressed by Star Luo Royal Academy. Dai Mubai was no match for Dai Weisi at all, so Tang San could only switch to dealing with Dai Weisi while Dai Mubai went to face Zhu Zhuyun.
But Zhu Zhuyun was even less someone Dai Mubai could handle. She simply had not used her full strength all along.
"Dai Mubai, do you know that you brothers made the gravest mistake today?"
"I don't care about that. The Dai Clan's rules allow only one to survive. Second Spirit Ability: White Tiger Fierce Light Wave."
Zhu Zhuyun flashed aside to evade it, no longer willing to waste her breath.
Meanwhile, because of the gap in Soul Power Levels, even the Clear Sky Hammer could do nothing to Dai Weisi. Tang San actually put away his Clear Sky Hammer and summoned Blue Silver Grass instead.
"Blue Silver Grass? What use could a useless Martial Soul possibly have? Are you surrendering?"
"What use does it have? You'll find out soon enough. First Spirit Ability: Blue Silver Bind."
Vines shot toward Dai Weisi, seeking to bind him. Dai Weisi directly shredded them with his claws.
Fragments of vine scattered across the ground, though some vines did bind Dai Weisi for a moment before he tore them apart as well.
"So that's how it is. Elephant Armor Academy must have lost the same way."
Lan Yu saw Tang San's hidden method of cheating. It was still concealed weapons—fine needles moving along the vines through a special technique.
Once an opponent was bound, the needles would pierce their skin and poison them.
The poison had likely been specially formulated as well. The opponent would feel nothing at first, but as the battle continued, it would take effect, leaving them weaker and weaker.
It had to be said that Tang San was truly skilled at poisons and concealed weapons.
At that moment, Lan Yu silently transmitted his voice to Golden Crocodile Douluo through the Mycelium Network. "Second Worship, are you distracted? Someone is cheating right under your nose, and you haven't even noticed."
Golden Crocodile Douluo's aura abruptly changed upon hearing the voice transmission. His gaze carefully swept across everyone on the field.
"Watch Tang San's vines closely."
Lan Yu gave him a more precise hint, and Golden Crocodile Douluo finally noticed Tang San's little trick.
"Bold!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo suddenly shouted, leaping onto the field and interrupting the match. At the same time, he seized one of Tang San's vines.
Tang San's heart tightened. Has he discovered it? Impossible. I did it so discreetly that even a Titled Douluo couldn't have noticed.
The spectators had no idea what was happening and began discussing it among themselves.
Ning Rongrong leaned toward Lan Yu and asked, "Lan Yu, what's going on? What happened?"
"Someone was caught cheating. The real show is about to begin."
Before you continue