The Might of the First Battle, Xiao Wu's Jealousy...

The next morning, Central Soul Plaza in Spirit City.

Before the second round had even begun, the spectator stands were already full.

The most anticipated team today was neither Shrek nor Heaven Dou Royal Academy, much less the several strong teams from the Star Luo Empire.

It was the Spirit Hall Academy Team!

As one of the seeded teams in this tournament, they had received a bye in the first round and would not officially appear until today.

Everyone wanted to know just how strong the legendary Golden Generation of Spirit Hall truly was.

Shrek Academy had also arrived at the Spectator Area early.

Ma Hongjun crossed his arms and said in a low voice,

"Finally, it's their turn to make a move."

Oscar swallowed.

"I heard Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan are all Spirit Kings. How are we supposed to fight that?"

Dai Mubai's expression was grave.

"The real problem isn't just their Soul Power levels."

Tang San nodded, his gaze falling toward the Spirit Hall Team.

"And Gu Changsheng."

Yu Xiaogang stood beside them and said solemnly,

"Watch carefully. Spirit Hall Team's first battle certainly won't be ordinary."

Xiao Wu said nothing.

Her gaze crossed the crowd and settled on Spirit Hall's preparation area.

Gu Changsheng stood there, looking down as he flipped through the Myriad Heaven Book in his hand.

As if sensing her gaze, he slightly raised his head.

Their eyes met briefly.

Xiao Wu immediately looked away and gave a soft snort.

"Putting on airs."

Tang San glanced at her.

"Xiao Wu?"

Xiao Wu hurriedly said,

"I meant Spirit Hall. They're putting on airs."

Ma Hongjun wholeheartedly agreed.

"True enough. Even their entrance is more imposing than everyone else's."

On the other side of the Spectator Area.

Hu Liena looked at Gu Changsheng with a faint smile in her eyes.

"You saw her again?"

Gu Changsheng closed the book.

"I saw Shrek."

Hu Liena gave a soft hum.

"You'd better have."

Yan rolled his shoulders, faint flames rising from his body.

"You still have the mood to talk about this? I can barely wait any longer."

Xie Yue's expression remained indifferent.

"Don't act recklessly. Follow the strategy."

Yan curled his lip.

"Got it. We'll listen to junior brother."

Gu Changsheng raised his eyes and looked toward the opponents about to take the stage.

Yunluo Senior Spirit Master Academy.

A powerful team from the Star Luo Empire.

Every member was a Soul Sect. Their captain was level forty-six, with a Cloud Pattern Leopard Martial Soul and a specialty in high-speed assaults. There were also two Control System Spirit Masters on the team, so their overall strength was far from weak.

Against another opponent, they might even have had a chance to advance several more rounds.

Unfortunately, they had drawn Spirit Hall.

The referee announced loudly,

"The first match of the second round: Spirit Hall Academy Team versus Yunluo Senior Spirit Master Academy!"

The two teams took the stage simultaneously.

The seven members of Yunluo Academy all wore extremely solemn expressions.

They knew perfectly well that they were facing the strongest seeded team of this tournament.

Yunluo's captain took a deep breath and said in a low voice,

"Don't be afraid. No matter how strong Spirit Hall is, they only have seven people."

A teammate beside him gave a bitter smile.

"Captain, they have three Spirit Kings."

Yunluo's captain said heavily,

"Even so, we have to fight!"

On Spirit Hall's side, Hu Liena stood at the very front, looking alluring yet calm.

Xie Yue stood at her side, his hands hanging loosely. His Moon Blades had yet to appear, yet their sharpness already seemed to press toward them.

Yan crossed his arms and grinned.

Gu Changsheng stood slightly behind the other four, in the center.

He was not positioned at the front, yet he seemed to be the core of the entire team.

Tang San noticed this.

"He's in the command position."

Yu Xiaogang nodded.

"Spirit Hall's formation uses Gu Changsheng as its tactical center."

Dai Mubai slowly frowned.

"Isn't Hu Liena the captain?"

Yu Xiaogang said,

"A captain isn't necessarily the brain of the battlefield."

Tang San's gaze grew increasingly grave.

The referee raised a hand.

"Both sides, release your Martial Souls!"

The seven members of Yunluo Academy released their Martial Souls at once.

For a moment, leopard phantoms, vines, iron armor, and bird phantoms appeared one after another.

Four power attack and agility attack fighters, two control fighters, and one support fighter.

A complete lineup.

But the moment Spirit Hall's Soul Rings lit up, the atmosphere across the arena abruptly changed.

A Demon Fox Phantom emerged behind Hu Liena.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black.

A Spirit King!

Two Moon Blades appeared in Xie Yue's hands.

The same five rings.

Flames rose from Yan's body, blazing heat spreading outward as five Soul Rings pulsed beneath his feet.

As the three Spirit Kings released their pressure at once, the faces of Yunluo Academy's seven members immediately turned pale.

Then, the Myriad Heaven Book unfolded in Gu Changsheng's palm.

Four Soul Rings slowly rose.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple.

A four-ring Soul Sect!

Though his Soul Power level was lower than that of the three Golden Generation members, Tang San's pupils slightly contracted the moment his Martial Soul appeared.

His Mental Power was powerful!

The referee suddenly swung his hand down.

"Begin!"

Yunluo's captain did not hesitate. His First Soul Ring lit up.

"Spread out!"

The seven immediately scattered, clearly unwilling to be suppressed by Spirit Hall in a single wave.

The two Control System Spirit Masters attacked at the same time. Vines and gray mist rapidly spread toward Spirit Hall's side, attempting to restrict the Golden Generation's advance.

Gu Changsheng said only two words.

"Third on the left."

Xie Yue moved.

Without any unnecessary motion, he swept forward like a cold moon, cutting directly toward Yunluo's third member on the left.

That person was Yunluo Academy's support-type Spirit Master.

Yunluo's captain's expression changed.

"Stop him!"

The two agility attack Spirit Masters immediately rushed back to defend.

But at that moment, pink light flashed in Hu Liena's eyes.

First Soul Skill, Fox Charm.

The movements of the two agility attack Spirit Masters both faltered.

Even though it lasted only an instant, it was enough.

Xie Yue's Moon Blades swept across, cold light flashing past.

The support-type Spirit Master did not even have time to release a second wave of enhancement before being forced to the edge of the Soul Arena.

Yan burst into laughter.

"My turn!"

His Third Soul Ring lit up.

Blazing flames erupted from the ground, forcibly separating Yunluo Academy's three front-line members.

Gu Changsheng remained where he was, his gaze calm.

"Control on the right."

Hu Liena pressed forward.

She did not attack in haste. Instead, she spread the range of her Charm over the control-type Spirit Master on the right.

That control-type Spirit Master had intended to release a Soul Skill, only to suddenly see several Hu Liena figures appear before him. His movements immediately slowed by half a beat.

Gu Changsheng's Third Soul Ring lit up.

"Minor Thousand-Faced Phantom Realm."

The illusion did not cover the entire arena. It precisely engulfed only Yunluo Academy's two Control System Spirit Masters.

The battlefield in their eyes instantly shifted out of place.

The vines that had originally been aimed at Yan instead veered toward their own agility attack Spirit Master.

Yunluo's captain roared,

"Wake up!"

But it was already too late.

Yan threw a punch, and flames directly forced back the agility attack Spirit Master who had been mistakenly bound.

Xie Yue took the opportunity to turn, his Moon Blade stopping three inches before another team member's throat.

The referee immediately ruled that person unable to continue fighting.

Only a little over ten breaths had passed since the match began.

Yunluo Academy had already lost two members.

An uproar swept through the spectator stands.

"Too fast!"

"They haven't even truly used their full strength!"

In Shrek's Spectator Area, Dai Mubai's expression was heavy.

"Is this the pressure of three Spirit Kings?"

Tang San shook his head.

"It's not just the Spirit Kings."

He looked toward Gu Changsheng.

"Every response Yunluo Academy made was anticipated in advance."

Yu Xiaogang said solemnly,

"Gu Changsheng is dismantling their formation with the least possible expenditure."

Xiao Wu looked at Gu Changsheng on the arena, her expression somewhat complicated.

He was different from that night.

That night, he had been injured. He could be forced back. He could bleed.

But now that he stood on the field, he seemed like a completely different person.

Calm, precise, as if he held the entire match within the pages of a book.

On the Soul Arena, the Yunluo captain finally erupted.

The Fourth Soul Ring lit up.

"Cloud Leopard Swift Shadow!"

His figure instantly became an afterimage, bypassing Yan and Xie Yue as he lunged straight at Gu Changsheng.

He saw it clearly.

As long as he disrupted Gu Changsheng, Spirit Hall's rhythm would fall apart.

Yan's expression changed.

"Trying to sneak up on the back line?"

Xie Yue also prepared to turn back.

But Gu Changsheng did not retreat.

He merely raised his eyes to the approaching Yunluo captain.

"Correct judgment."

"Unfortunately, too slow."

The Fourth Soul Ring lit up.

"Myriad Heaven Mirror Body."

An identical reflection of Gu Changsheng appeared where he stood.

The Yunluo captain's claws tore through "Gu Changsheng's" chest, yet not a drop of blood splashed out.

The reflection shattered, turning into countless glowing specks like book pages.

The real Gu Changsheng had already shifted half a step aside, the Myriad Heaven Book opening in his hand.

Chains of pages shot out and wrapped around the Yunluo captain's wrist.

Hu Liena's voice sounded beside his ear.

"Where are you looking?"

Pink Light invaded his consciousness.

The Yunluo captain's gaze wavered.

The next instant, Yan's flaming fist had already stopped before his chest.

It did not truly strike him.

But the outcome had already been decided.

The referee immediately announced:

"Yunluo Academy's captain has lost the ability to fight!"

The remaining Yunluo team members looked ashen.

Their Support had left the field, their control had been broken, and their captain had been restrained.

There was no longer any point in continuing.

The Yunluo Deputy Captain spoke with difficulty:

"We surrender."

The referee announced loudly:

"Spirit Hall Academy Team wins!"

The entire venue fell silent for a moment.

Then applause and cries of astonishment surged like a tide.

From the start of the match to its end, only a little over twenty breaths had passed.

Forget thirty breaths—even half a minute had not passed.

Yan withdrew his Flame, looking somewhat unsatisfied.

"That's it?"

Xie Yue said flatly:

"How long did you want to fight?"

Yan curled his lip.

"I only threw one punch."

Hu Liena chuckled softly.

"That was enough. We achieved our objective."

Gu Changsheng closed the Myriad Heaven Book and looked toward where Yunluo Academy was leaving.

"They aren't weak."

Yan froze.

"They got beaten like that, and they're not weak?"

Gu Changsheng answered calmly:

"They simply ran into us."

His voice was not loud, but quite a few people nearby heard it.

For a moment, the gazes of the various academy teams toward the Spirit Hall Team changed.

This was not arrogance. It was fact!

In Shrek's Spectator Area.

Ma Hongjun fell silent for a moment before saying in a low voice:

"I take back what I said earlier."

Oscar asked:

"Which part?"

"They aren't just putting on a show."

Dai Mubai said gravely, more serious than ever:

"They really are strong."

Tang San watched Gu Changsheng, the past twenty-odd breaths replaying over and over in his mind.

They opened by eliminating the Support, Hu Liena used Charm to control their pace, Xie Yue cut in, and Yan used Flame to divide the battlefield.

Gu Changsheng's illusion disrupted their control, while his mirror body drew out their ambush.

There had not been a single unnecessary movement throughout the match.

This team was far too mature.

Yu Xiaogang said softly:

"Do you understand now?"

Tang San nodded.

"What truly makes them terrifying is their coordination."

Yu Xiaogang said:

"No. It is their command."

Tang San was silent for a moment.

"Gu Changsheng."

Xiao Wu could not help asking:

"Third Brother, if we run into them..."

Tang San looked at her, his tone firm.

"We won't lose."

Xiao Wu nodded.

But she knew clearly in her heart.

When that battle truly came, it would never be easy.

As the Spirit Hall Team left the field, Gu Changsheng passed in front of Shrek's Spectator Area.

Xiao Wu watched him and said quietly:

"Pretty impressive, huh?"

Gu Changsheng's steps paused slightly as he glanced sideways at her.

"Not bad."

Xiao Wu gave a soft snort.

"Don't get cocky. Shrek won't be afraid of you."

Gu Changsheng smiled faintly.

"I know."

Tang San stood beside Xiao Wu, his gaze calm yet appraising.

"Gu Changsheng."

Gu Changsheng looked at him.

For the first time, the two faced each other directly outside the Finals arena.

Tang San said:

"You are very strong."

Gu Changsheng nodded.

"You are not weak either."

Tang San's eyes narrowed slightly.

"If we meet, we will give it everything we have."

Gu Changsheng replied calmly:

"So will I."

The atmosphere became subtly strange for a moment.

Hu Liena walked to Gu Changsheng's side and cast Xiao Wu a seductive smile.

"Changsheng, it's time to go."

Hearing how naturally she addressed him, Xiao Wu's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Gu Changsheng nodded.

"Let's go."

The Spirit Hall group left.

Watching Hu Liena and Gu Changsheng walk away side by side, Xiao Wu could not help muttering under her breath:

"Why call him so affectionately..."

Tang San looked at her in confusion.

"Xiao Wu?"

Xiao Wu immediately said:

"Nothing! I was saying Spirit Hall is way too arrogant!"

Oscar stroked his chin and whispered to Ma Hongjun:

"Fatty, why do I feel like something's off with Xiao Wu?"

Ma Hongjun nodded seriously.

"I think so too."

Xiao Wu turned and glared at them.

The two immediately shut up.

Not far away, Hu Liena looked back, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

"Junior Brother, that little girl from Shrek seems quite unconvinced."

Gu Changsheng said:

"She has always hated losing."

Hu Liena narrowed her eyes slightly.

"You seem to know her well."

Gu Changsheng fell silent for a moment.

Yan could not help laughing.

The next moment, Hu Liena looked at him blandly.

Yan immediately became serious.

"I didn't hear anything."

Xie Yue walked ahead with an expressionless face.

"Childish."

Gu Changsheng ignored their teasing.

He looked back at the Soul Fighting Plaza.

Today's opening match was merely an announcement. Their true opponents had yet to arrive!

Tang San and Shrek—they would eventually meet on the battlefield.

And when that time came, the true victor would be decided.