Finals Begin!

Spirit City, Central Soul Plaza.

This place was completely different from Tiandou City's Grand Soul Arena.

There was none of the noisy commercial atmosphere, nor were there any exaggerated cheering performances.

The entire plaza was solemn and dignified, paved with white stone and surrounded by Spirit Hall flags. On a raised platform in the distance stood the majestic Pope Palace, as if looking down upon all the contestants.

Today, the Finals of the Entire Continent High-Level Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament officially began.

The Promoted Teams from the two great empires of Tiandou and Xingluo entered one after another.

Shrek Academy stood among the teams from the Heaven Dou Division.

Their green Team Uniforms remained eye-catching—perhaps even painfully so.

Ma Hongjun said in a low voice:

"I'm saying, Dean, we've made it to the Finals. Can't we change clothes?"

Flender adjusted his glasses, his expression utterly serious.

"What do you know? This is called having character."

Oscar's mouth twitched.

"Dean, are you sure it's not because no one bought the ad space?"

Flender glared at him.

Dai Mubai looked ahead and said quietly:

"Enough."

Everyone followed his gaze.

The Spirit Hall Academy Team had appeared.

Unlike the other academies, they did not emerge from an ordinary passage. Instead, they slowly descended from the main steps beneath the Pope Palace.

Hu Liena walked at the front.

She wore a platinum Team Uniform, her long hair cascading down her back. Her brows and eyes were alluring without losing their nobility, as though she had been born beneath the spotlight.

Xie Yue stood behind her to the left, his expression cold and stern. His hands hung naturally at his sides, yet he gave off a blade-like sense of danger.

Yan stood to the right, broad and tall, his Flame aura restrained. As his gaze swept over the various academies, he made no effort to hide his fighting spirit.

Half a step behind the three of them, Gu Changsheng slowly approached.

He wore a platinum Team Uniform, his temperament gentle and his expression calm.

He did not even look like the most aggressive member of the Spirit Hall Team.

Yet none of Shrek dared to underestimate him.

Tang San's gaze fell on Gu Changsheng at once.

The "acquaintance" Xiao Wu had mentioned that night, the observer in Tiandou City's Spectator Area, Spirit Hall's tactical core who had secretly analyzed Shrek.

This man was undoubtedly dangerous.

Yu Xiaogang stood behind the Shrek team and said in a low voice:

"Remember, the person in the Spirit Hall Team you must not overlook most is not Hu Liena, Xie Yue, or Yan."

Tang San took over.

"It's Gu Changsheng."

Yu Xiaogang nodded.

"He is a Mental Attribute control Spirit Master and exceptionally skilled at tactical deduction. Once you fall into his rhythm, you'll be at a severe disadvantage."

Dai Mubai frowned.

"His Soul Power level should be lower than those three from the Golden Generation, shouldn't it?"

Yu Xiaogang said gravely:

"On the battlefield, the one with the highest Soul Power is not necessarily the most dangerous."

Tang San nodded.

"Teacher, I understand."

Xiao Wu stood beside Tang San, but her eyes could not help drifting toward Gu Changsheng.

Gu Changsheng seemed to sense her gaze and glanced sideways.

Their eyes met briefly.

Xiao Wu immediately looked away.

Hu Liena stood before Gu Changsheng, but from the corner of her eye, she saw the entire exchange clearly.

The corners of her lips lifted slightly.

"Junior Brother, Shrek seems very interested in you."

Gu Changsheng replied calmly:

"We're very interested in them too."

Hu Liena gave a soft snort and lightly tapped a finger as she said:

"You know that's not what I mean."

Gu Changsheng chose to remain silent.

Yan muttered quietly:

"Why do I feel like things are already getting weird before the match has even started?"

Xie Yue said flatly:

"Shut up."

Yan said, "I..."

On the raised platform, Salas, Ning Fengzhi, Xue Qinghe, and the others sat on either side.

Higher above, Bibi Dong slowly appeared.

She wore a purple-gold Pontifex robe and held a Scepter, her presence noble and imposing.

The moment she appeared, the entire venue fell silent.

All Spirit Hall Spirit Masters bowed at once.

"Greetings, His Holiness the Pope!"

The teams from the various academies also bowed one after another.

The Shrek members did the same, though when Tang San lowered his head, a nearly imperceptible change flickered in his eyes.

Bibi Dong's gaze swept across the plaza.

When she saw Tang San, an almost undetectable strange glint flashed deep in her eyes.

Blue Silver Grass truly was a very interesting Martial Soul!

For some reason, she seemed to sense a familiar feeling...

At last, her gaze fell upon the Spirit Hall Team, especially Gu Changsheng.

Gu Changsheng was slightly lowering his head when Bibi Dong spoke indifferently, her voice carrying across the plaza.

"The Finals of the Entire Continent High-Level Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament begin today."

"Those who can stand here are all outstanding among the younger generation of Spirit Masters."

"But there can only be one champion!"

She raised the Scepter in her hand and continued domineeringly:

"The ultimate winner of this tournament will receive three Spirit Bones provided by Spirit Hall."

The moment her words fell, the entire venue erupted.

Three Spirit Bones!

Even though the academies had long heard the rumors, hearing the Pontifex announce it personally still shook everyone to the core.

The expressions of the Shrek members changed slightly as well.

Ning Rongrong said softly:

"Three Spirit Bones... Spirit Hall is really going all out."

Oscar swallowed.

"With a reward like that, who wouldn't want it?"

Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up.

"Fatty feels his fighting spirit burning already."

Tang San looked at the Spirit Bones on the raised platform, his gaze calm.

He knew that while Spirit Bones were precious, the true meaning of this tournament went far beyond the rewards.

Within the Spirit Hall Team, Yan grinned.

"The Spirit Bones were ours to begin with."

Hu Liena said calmly:

"Don't get careless."

A cold gleam flickered in Xie Yue's eyes.

Gu Changsheng looked at the three Spirit Bones, fully aware of one thing.

In the original story, these three Spirit Bones had made the final clash between Spirit Hall and Shrek even more intense.

But in this life, he would never allow the same outcome to repeat itself.

Soon afterward, the drawing of lots began.

As a Seeded Team, the Spirit Hall Academy Team received a bye in the first round.

The other academies drew their opponents one after another.

Shrek Academy's first-round opponent was a High-Level Spirit Master Academy from the Star Luo Division.

They were not weak, but they were far from the best.

After looking over the bracket, Tang San remained calm.

"We'll fight normally in the first round and avoid revealing too many trump cards."

Yu Xiaogang nodded.

"Correct. The Spirit Hall Team is watching. They will continue analyzing you."

Xiao Wu could not help glancing at Gu Changsheng in the distance.

"They analyzed us long ago."

Tang San's eyes shifted slightly at those words, but he did not press her further.

The match soon began, and Shrek Academy took the stage!

Compared to their youthful immaturity during the preliminaries, they had grown far more seasoned.

Tang San stood at the center of the team as Blue Silver Grass quietly spread outward.

Dai Mubai used White Tiger Possession, his Power Assault aura unfolding.

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing stood on either side, ready to break through at any moment.

Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda shone brilliantly.

"Seven Treasures Famous, first: Strength!"

"Second: Speed!"

The enhancements descended, and Shrek's momentum surged.

The Xingluo Academy on the opposite side attempted a forceful assault, only to be restricted layer upon layer by Tang San's Blue Silver Grass.

In a matter of moments, the battle fell into Shrek's rhythm.

Gu Changsheng stood in the Spectator Area, the Myriad Heaven Book appearing in his palm as its pages slowly turned...

Seeing this, Hu Liena asked in confusion:

"Did you notice something?"

Gu Changsheng said:

"They're holding back."

Yan immediately frowned, saying in disbelief:

"They're fighting like this and still holding back?"

"Yes."

Gu Changsheng's gaze settled on Tang San.

"Tang San hasn't gone all out. Xiao Wu hasn't fully unleashed her close-range burst either, and Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai are deliberately restraining their coordination."

Xie Yue said flatly:

"They're guarding against us."

Gu Changsheng nodded.

"So this match has little reference value."

Even so, Shrek won cleanly.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Tang San had completely cut apart the enemy formation. Zhu Zhuqing forced the Support System members out of the arena, while Dai Mubai crushed the Power Assault System head-on.

The referee announced:

"Shrek Academy, victory!"

Applause rose from the stands.

As Shrek withdrew from the arena, Xiao Wu could not help looking toward Spirit Hall's Spectator Area again.

This time, Gu Changsheng did not avoid her gaze.

He merely looked at her calmly.

As if reminding her.

The Finals had already begun.

Sooner or later, they would stand on the same arena.

Xiao Wu lightly bit her lip and turned to follow Tang San.

The first day of matches continued.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Godwind Academy, Thunder Academy, and the other teams took the stage in succession.

The Spirit Hall Team had yet to make a move.

But every team knew that the mountain truly hanging over their heads had not yet stirred.

That evening.

Spirit Hall Team Training Ground.

Yan finally could not hold back any longer.

"How much longer are we going to have byes?"

Xie Yue replied blandly:

"Seeded Teams receive a bye in the first round. We'll naturally take the field afterward."

Yan clenched his fists.

"I've spent all day watching matches. My hands are itching."

Hu Liena looked at Gu Changsheng.

"If we take the field next round, how do you plan to fight?"

Gu Changsheng closed the Myriad Heaven Book.

"That depends on the opponent."

Yan immediately asked:

"What if it's an ordinary academy?"

Gu Changsheng answered calmly:

"Thirty breaths. Finished."

Yan's eyes lit up.

"Now that's more like it!"

Hu Liena chuckled softly.

"Junior Brother, are you planning to give everyone a warning?"

Gu Changsheng looked toward the distant Pope Palace.

"The Spirit Hall Team has waited long enough."

"Our first move cannot be ordinary."

A sharp glint flashed through Xie Yue's eyes.

"Then we'll beat them until they remember us."

The next day.

The results of the second-round draw were announced.

When the name of the Spirit Hall Academy Team appeared on the matchup list, the entire plaza fell silent for a moment.

Their opponent was Yunluo Senior Spirit Master Academy from the Star Luo Division.

A formidable team composed entirely of Soul Sects.

In any other bracket, they would have been strong enough to contend for the top ranks.

But when they drew the Spirit Hall Academy Team, their captain's expression instantly turned ugly.

Yan grinned.

"It's finally our turn."

Gu Changsheng raised his eyes, his voice calm.

"Follow Tactic One."

Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan nodded at the same time.

The Spirit Hall Team was finally about to officially take the field!