Tournament Begins, Overwhelming Strength!

Yu Tianheng and the others did not stop their cultivation either.

After much coordination, the overall strength of the Imperial Fighting Team had risen significantly.

Tang Chen remained the core of the team.

Yet he rarely participated in ordinary soul fights in person anymore.

Only when he encountered opponents truly worth fighting would he step onto the Soul Arena Platform.

Two years passed just like that.

At the back mountain of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Tang Chen sat cross-legged on a piece of bluestone.

His white robe had already been replaced by the silver academy uniform.

His black hair was tied behind his head, and a golden token hung at his waist.

Soul power flowed slowly along his meridians.

The next moment.

An overbearing aura diffused from within his body.

Six soul rings appeared simultaneously at his feet.

Black.

Black.

Black.

Black.

Red.

Red.

Four Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings and two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings orbited around Tang Chen's sides.

Surrounding leaves were pulled by the soul power, suspending themselves in mid-air one after another.

Tang Chen opened his eyes.

His soul power had already reached level sixty-three.

A Soul Emperor.

He raised his palm.

The Destruction Scepter condensed from the center of his palm.

The six soul rings revolved slowly along with it.

A soul ring configuration of four blacks and two reds was enough to make any soul master tremble.

Yet Tang Chen merely glanced at it before pulling his martial soul back into his body.

Not enough yet.

A footstep approached from behind.

Zhu Zhuqing arrived beside the bluestone.

She had grown much taller, her black tight-fitting attire conforming to her figure, and the belt at her waist pulling in her slender waist.

Her long hair hung down her back, and a few strands of hair fell against the side of her shoulders.

She looked at Tang Chen.

"You broke through?"

"Level sixty-three."

Joy increased within Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.

"You are even faster than the highest-level Soul Emperor in the academy's records."

Tang Chen stood up.

"What about your soul power?"

"Level thirty-eight."

Zhu Zhuqing extended her right hand.

The Hell Spirit Cat manifested behind her.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple.

Four soul rings rose simultaneously.

"I have already obtained my fourth soul ring."

Tang Chen looked toward that purple soul ring.

"What is the soul skill?"

"Hellish Shadow Clone,"

Zhu Zhuqing said, "It can split out two shadows to simultaneously launch attacks with the main body in a short period of time."

"It suits you."

"I think so too."

She withdrew her martial soul and walked to Tang Chen's side.

"What about Dugu Yan?"

"She is already level forty-three."

"Yu Tianheng is level forty-five."

"Shi Mo and Shi Mo are both level forty-one, and Ye Lingling is level forty."

Tang Chen nodded.

The overall strength of the Imperial Fighting Team far surpassed that of two years ago.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy also began preparing teams for the upcoming Douluo Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.

This time, the academy no longer had only the Imperial Fighting Team.

After the main team roster was confirmed by the Education Committee, Tang Chen, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, and Ye Lingling were all selected.

The substitute members had also been determined.

The academy prepared unified uniforms for them.

Tang Chen stood in the courtyard, lowering his head to look at the golden token in his hand.

This was the token Xue Qinghe had handed to him back then.

Two years had passed, and the Crown Prince's Palace still sent cultivation resources and soul beast information every month.

Xue Qinghe had also personally come to the academy several times.

It was just that the time the two spent meeting was not long.

She would inquire about Tang Chen's cultivation progress and would also bring information gathered by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

Tang Chen had never done anything for the imperial family.

Xue Qinghe had never brought up recruitment again either.

The two sides always maintained a proper distance.

On this day.

New flags were hung in front of the academy's main campus area.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy teachers walked back and forth.

Academy registration was about to begin.

The Douluo Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament was about to officially start right away.

Dugu Yan wore a brand-new emerald-green team uniform, standing at Tang Chen's side.

She raised her hand to tidy the collar of Tang Chen's chest.

"The team uniform is worn very neatly."

"Your collar is crooked."

Tang Chen lowered his head to look at her fingers.

After Dugu Yan smoothed out the lapel, she did not immediately step back.

Zhu Zhuqing walked over from nearby.

She glanced at Dugu Yan's hand, which was lingering on Tang Chen's chest.

Dugu Yan also saw her.

The gazes of the two briefly intersected.

Zhu Zhuqing walked to Tang Chen's other side, reaching out to pull his sleeve.

"The Education Committee told us to gather."

"We'll go over now."

Tang Chen nodded.

He led the two toward the main campus area.

In the distance, Yu Tianheng and the Shi brothers were already waiting there.

Ye Lingling carried the exclusive insignia of the Nine-Heart Begonia martial soul, standing quietly at the rear of the team.

Everyone wore unified team uniforms.

A silver swan pattern fell upon their chests.

Tang Chen walked to the center of the team.

The aura of six soul rings slowly settled inside the body.

The Soul Master tournament was about to begin.

Heaven Dou City.

The main arena of the Soul Master tournament.

The vast Soul Arena Platform was surrounded by spectator stands.

The flags of various high-level Soul Master academies fluttered in the wind.

The participating teams entered the grounds one after another.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy was at the front of the formation.

Tang Chen wore a silver team uniform, the swan pattern on his chest gleaming in the sunlight.

The aura of six soul rings settled within his body.

Yu Tianheng walked on his left.

Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing were positioned at the rear of the team.

Shi Mo and Shi Mo were responsible for frontal defense.

Ye Lingling followed quietly at the very end.

The opponent for the first match is Blazing Fire Academy.

Yu Tianheng looked at Tang Chen.

Blazing Fire Academy specializes in fire-attribute martial souls.

Captain Huo Wushuang, rank forty-three soul power.

Huo Wu, rank forty-four.

The rest of the members are mostly between rank thirty-eight and forty-one.

Tang Chen nodded.

According to the original formation.

Shi Mo and Shi Mo are responsible for blocking the front.

Tianheng, you and Zhu Qing break through from the flanks.

Dugu Yan suppresses the back row.

Lingling is in charge of healing.

Yu Tianheng immediately acknowledged the order.

Understood.

Zhu Zhuqing stood beside Tang Chen.

Today she wore the uniform academy outfit, her long black hair tied behind her head, and the silver belt at her waist gathering to form a neat figure.

Are you planning to make a move yourself?

For the first match, I will stand at the front.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at his profile.

Blazing Fire Academy's flames might consume your soul power.

Tang Chen raised his hand and straightened a strand of hair that had been blown into disorder by the autumn breeze.

This bit of fire is not yet worth consuming much of my soul power.

Zhu Zhuqing pressed her lips together.

She did not try to persuade him further, only letting her fingers rest on Tang Chen's cuff as she lightly straightened the folds of his uniform team wear.

Then don't stay too far from me.

Okay.

Not far away.

The team from Blazing Fire Academy had already entered the arena.

The man in the lead was tall with a resolute face.

His shoulders were broad, and the red team uniform was embroidered with a flame pattern.

He was precisely the captain of Blazing Fire Academy, Huo Wushuang.

Huo Wushuang looked toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

His gaze lingered on Tang Chen for a moment before falling upon Yu Tianheng.

So that is your captain this year?

Yu Tianheng said, "Tang Chen."

Huo Wushuang nodded.

I heard he possesses sixty-third-rank soul power.

It seems Heaven Dou Royal Academy has changed its core this year.

Dugu Yan stepped forward.

It's good that you know.

Huo Wu stood beside Huo Wushuang.

She wore a red short skirt, and the belt at her waist outlined a slender waist.

A head of fiery red long hair draped behind her shoulders, and her brows and eyes carried a trace of swagger.

To encounter a sixty-third-rank Soul Emperor in the very first match of the Soul Master tournament.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy's luck cannot be considered good.

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at her.

The match has not yet begun.

Who wins and who loses—it is too early to draw conclusions now.

Huo Wu raised her chin.

Then we'll see on the stage.

The presiding teacher walked to the center of the Soul Arena Platform.

"This match is between Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Blazing Fire Academy."

"Both teams, take the stage."

Tang Chen led the team up onto the Soul Arena Platform.

The seven members of Blazing Fire Academy mounted the stage simultaneously.

The two teams stood separated by several dozen meters.

The presiding teacher raised his palm.

"During the match, you must not inflict fatal injuries."

"Once a surrender is declared, the other party must cease attacking."

"Now, let the match begin!"

As the words fell.

Three soul rings rose simultaneously from beneath Huo Wushuang's feet.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple.

A crimson giant dragon materialized behind him.

A scorching aura spread outward, and the temperature on the Soul Arena Platform rose rapidly.

Huo Wu raised both hands.

Four soul rings encircled her body.

Two yellow, two purple.

Vast waves of red light surged forth from within her body.

The remaining members of Blazing Fire Academy released their martial souls simultaneously.

Flames linked together across the Soul Arena Platform.

The supporting soul masters on the opposite side made their move first.

Two flashes of fire landed on Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu.

The soul power of the two rose concurrently.

Tang Chen stood at the very front of the formation.

He did not release his martial soul immediately.

Shi Mo, Shi Mo.

Block Huo Wushuang.

Tianheng, prepare for a flanking assault.

Dugu Yan, seal off the back row first.

Understood!

The Shi brothers moved forward together.

The Black Tortoise Shell appeared on both of their arms.

Heavy carapaces overlapped, blocking the front of the team.

Huo Wushuang let out a sharp shout.

His scarlet dragon martial soul lunged forward abruptly.

He threw punches at the Shi brothers simultaneously.

Two turtle shells pushed forward.

Boom!

Crimson soul power crashed against the Black Tortoise Shell.

Shi Mo and Shi Mo took half a step back at the same time.

Shattered stones flew from beneath their feet.

Yu Tianheng seized the opportunity.

Blue lightning covered his right arm.

He rushed out from the side, dragon claws pointing straight at the two team members in front of Huo Wu.

Zhu Zhuqing followed closely behind.

A black figure swept along the edge of the Soul Arena Platform.

The sharp claws of the Hell Spirit Cat sliced open the flames, directly closing in on the rear of Blazing Fire Academy.

Huo Wu raised her hand.

A large swath of flames condensed in front of her.

"Huo Wu Shining Sun!"

The firelight rose into mid-air.

A huge crimson sphere of light rapidly expanded.

Scorching energy dropped from above.

Dugu Yan raised her palm.

A turquoise poisonous mist spread along the ground.

After the flames made contact with the poisonous mist, the temperature dropped rapidly.

The two forces clashed against each other in the center of the Soul Arena Platform.

Huo Wu's expression shifted slightly.

"What kind of poison is this?"

"You don't need to know."

Dugu Yan's five fingers moved gently.

The poisonous mist split into two trails, bypassing the frontal battlefield and sealing the retreat routes on both sides of Blazing Fire Academy.

Huo Wushuang broke through the defense line of the Shi brothers.

His fists burned with crimson flames, heading straight for Tang Chen.

Tang Chen raised his right hand.

Purplish-black light emerged from his palm.

The Destruction Scepter slowly condensed.

Six soul rings rose accordingly.

Black.

Black.

Black.

Black.

Red.

Red.

Four Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings and two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings appeared at the same time.

The discussions around the Soul Arena Platform completely stopped at this moment.

Huo Wushuang's footsteps also paused for a moment.

Tang Chen gripped the Destruction Scepter.

The first black soul ring suddenly lit up.

"Destruction Judgment."

A purplish-black beam of light rushed out from the top of the scepter.

Huo Wushuang crossed his arms.

The power of the Red Dragon Martial Soul gathered entirely onto his chest.

The next moment.

The purplish-black beam of light pierced through the flames.

The crimson soul power split from the middle.

Huo Wushuang's body was hit head-on, his entire person flying backward.

He crashed into the soul power barrier on the edge of the Soul Arena Platform.

Bang!

The red dragon projection behind him shattered on the spot.

After Huo Wushuang landed, his knees touched the ground.

His arms lost strength, and a large area of scorched marks was left on the team uniform across his chest.

The officiating teacher immediately looked at him.

"Can you continue?"

Huo Wushuang raised his head.

Tang Chen stood in place, the purplish-black light on the Destruction Scepter still flowing.

"I concede."

Huo Wu's expression changed.

"Captain!"

Tang Chen did not linger.

He raised his scepter, and the second black soul ring lit up.

"Myriad Annihilation Return to Void."

A black sphere of light condensed at the top of the scepter.

The moment the sphere of light appeared, all the surrounding flames tilted toward the center.

The members of Blazing Fire Academy felt a pulling force at the same time.

The flames they released continuously broke free from control and flew toward the black sphere of light.

Huo Wu immediately urged her soul power.

"Everyone, scatter!"

The members of Blazing Fire Academy retreated in all directions.

Tang Chen took a step forward.

The black sphere of light moved accordingly.

All flames that approached the sphere of light disappeared within it.

A Blazing Fire Academy member attempted to bypass from the side.

Zhu Zhuqing had already appeared in front of him.

The Hell Spirit Cat's sharp claws swiped past.

That member raised his arm to block, his body directly colliding toward the boundary line.

Yu Tianheng rushed out from the other side.

The Thunder Dragon Claw dropped heavily, jolting a fire-attribute soul master back several steps.

Shi Mo and Shi Mo pushed forward simultaneously.

Two turtle shells pressed down on the frontal space.

The formation of Blazing Fire Academy was rapidly split apart.

Huo Wu raised both hands.

Her fourth soul ring lit up.

The surrounding flames converged into a crimson long line, crashing toward the black sphere of light.

"Huo Wu Flowing Flame!"

The crimson flames entered the black sphere of light.

A wave rippled across the surface of the sphere.

The destructive power continuously devoured the flames, and the black light subsequently became even deeper.

Huo Wu's complexion gradually turned pale.

Mobilizing her whole-body soul power, she wanted to pull the flames away from the black sphere of light.

Tang Chen raised his palm.

"Withdraw."

The black sphere of light suddenly surged forward.

The crimson long line was severed from the middle.

The flames turned into large patches of light spots, rapidly dissipating.

Huo Wu suffered soul power backlash, her body stepping back.

Her heels already touched the edge of the soul arena platform.

Tang Chen did not continue his attack.

"Surrender."

Huo Wu looked ahead.

Tang Chen's six soul rings remained intact.

From the start of the match until now, he had only used two soul skills.

The flames of Blazing Fire Academy had already been completely suppressed.

Huo Wu raised her palm.

"We surrender."

The hosting teacher immediately announced.

"Huo Wu of Blazing Fire Academy, incapacitated, eliminated!"

Huo Wu withdrew her martial soul.

At the exact same moment.

Zhu Zhuqing forced a Blazing Fire Academy member outside the boundary line.

Yu Tianheng's thunder dragon claw struck another person's shoulder.

The Shi brothers joined forces to block the final attack-type soul master, pushing him off the field.

The hosting teacher announced the results in succession.

"Three members of Blazing Fire Academy out of bounds!"

"Two members of Blazing Fire Academy incapacitated!"

Ye Lingling raised the Nine-Heart Begonia.

Pale white specks of light fell upon Yu Tianheng and the Shi brothers.

The scrapes on their bodies quickly recovered.

Dugu Yan withdrew her poisonous mist.

She arrived at Tang Chen's side, raising a hand to pat the dust off his team uniform.

"You rushed to the very front alone again."

"The match ended quickly."

"That still doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself."

Dugu Yan glanced at the destruction scepter in his hand.

"You only used two soul skills just now."

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing walked over from the other side.

She looked at Tang Chen.

"Uninjured?"

"None."

Zhu Zhuqing reached out to straighten the collar at his chest.

Her fingertips lingered beside the silver swan pattern, then gently smoothed away the wrinkles blown open by soul power.

"The first match ended just like this."