Three-Eyed Golden Lion

"Did it work?" Deep in the Star Dou Forest, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion blinked and stared at the black Soul Ring slowly rising from Huo Yuhao.

"Where did that little fox go? Have her come out so I can see."

Inside Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, the Illusory-Eyed Spirit Fox stared blankly at the two terrifying figures before her, unable to speak for a long while.

The Ice Empress's regal presence in particular left her trembling.

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm curled his lips into a wicked grin at the Illusory-Eyed Spirit Fox. He was about to speak when the Ice Empress shot him an icy look, and he snapped his mouth shut.

"Come on out, little fox. Di Tian and the others are waiting."

The Illusory-Eyed Spirit Fox nodded quickly and flew out as a streak of light.

The Scarlet King stared at the Illusory-Eyed Spirit Fox, whose appearance had hardly changed, his eyes full of astonishment.

"It really worked... So this is a Soul Spirit..."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion came closer and circled the Illusory-Eyed Spirit Fox, studying her with keen interest.

"That looks fun."

Then she ran to Huo Yuhao's feet and circled him several times, her eyes bright with curiosity.

Song Que raised an eyebrow. Something about the Three-Eyed Golden Lion felt off to him.

To be safe, he decided to speak up now.

Some things were better said sooner rather than later.

"Senior Di Tian, there's something I need to tell you," Song Que said softly, walking over to him.

Di Tian paused. "What is it?"

"It concerns the Three-Eyed Golden Lion." Song Que's expression turned serious.

Di Tian frowned, his face growing grave. "The Auspicious Beast? What are you trying to say?"

He raised a hand and cast a spiritual barrier around them.

Huo Yuhao, Du Busi, and the others looked over. Song Que quickly raised a hand to signal that everything was fine.

They looked away without asking questions.

Song Que drew a deep breath. "Senior Di Tian, someone may have tampered with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion."

"No... More precisely, a god may have tampered with her."

Di Tian's expression sharpened. "Explain."

Song Que glanced back at Huo Yuhao. "Yi Lao sent us a private message just now. He said there appears to be a unique fragment of divine consciousness sealed inside the Auspicious Beast. Did you know about it?"

Di Tian's pupils contracted. "Divine consciousness? How is that possible?"

"Yi Lao specializes in souls. His perception of them is exceptionally keen. He wouldn't be mistaken," Song Que said.

"According to him, that divine consciousness contains an incomplete soul. He'll need to examine it further to know more."

Di Tian fell silent for a moment before speaking. "To think such a thing could have happened... I'll investigate it myself."

Song Que nodded. "Then sorry for the trouble, Senior Di Tian. Please keep a close eye on the Auspicious Beast. I don't need to say anything more."

"I understand. Thank you for the warning." Di Tian nodded slightly.

He dropped the spiritual barrier, and they returned to the others.

Just then, the Auspicious Beast spoke up. "Di Tian, I want to go with them and see the human world."

Song Que raised an eyebrow. Di Tian's face turned cold at once.

"Don't be ridiculous. No."

The Auspicious Beast pouted. "Why not? Just have the Scarlet King come with me."

Di Tian refused flatly. "There's nothing to discuss. You can do as you please inside the Star Dou Forest, but you are absolutely not going to the human world. That's final."

The Auspicious Beast looked at him pitifully, but Di Tian would not budge.

Song Que hurriedly stepped in. "All right. We still have matters to handle in Star Luo City, so we need to get back."

"Senior Di Tian, we'll take our leave."

Di Tian nodded. "Go on. If you make progress with Soul Spirits and need our help, come to the Star Dou Forest and activate the dragon scale to notify me."

Song Que nodded, then turned to Huo Yuhao and the members of the Body Sect.

"Yuhao, Sect Master Du, let's go."

Du Busi nodded. "All right, let's move."

"Your match has probably already started. Old Jin and I will take you back first. The others can follow."

With that, the group turned and left.

Di Tian looked at the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's conflicted expression and sighed softly.

"Scarlet King, I'll take the Auspicious Beast to see our lord first. Follow us when you're ready."

The Scarlet King froze for a moment, then nodded.

At the Star Luo arena.

"Blood Wolf!"

Ye Wuqing and Yu Mengdi shouted together, their eyes blazing as they watched flames engulf Blood Wolf's left arm and leg.

"Ma Xiaotao! You're trying to kill him!"

"Referee, we protest!" Ye Wuqing shouted.

The referee, Huang Jinxu, frowned slightly and shook his head. "Ma Xiaotao's attack was within the rules. Injuries like this are unavoidable in a match. She hasn't violated any rules."

Ye Wuqing's face darkened, but there was nothing he could do.

He glared at Ma Xiaotao and was about to step forward when Bei Bei held him back.

"Don't act rashly. Let's forfeit this match."

Ye Wuqing swallowed his anger. "But..."

Bei Bei shook his head. "Get Blood Wolf, Sanshi, and the others treated first."

He looked at Xu Sanshi, half of whose body was charred black, then turned to Jiang Nannan, his voice cold.

"Jiang Nannan, when did you become so ruthless?"

"Xiao Ya held back because of your past friendship. But the moment you broke free, you attacked her from behind and joined Ma Xiaotao in trying to kill her."

"If Sanshi hadn't used Dark Nether Swap to block it in time, Xiao Ya would have burned to death."

Jiang Nannan went pale. "I... I didn't know it would turn out like this..."

Ma Xiaotao snorted. "Bei Bei, you're too naive."

"In the arena, it's kill or be killed. There's no room for mercy."

"Taking out one more opponent in the team match improves our chances in the individual matches. It's a standard tactic."

Bei Bei did not argue. He swept a cool glance over the Shrek team and turned away.

"Maybe you're right."

"I just never thought I'd hear those words from you."

Ma Xiaotao had no interest in saying more. She led her teammates off the stage.

"Shrek Academy wins this match!"

With the referee's loud announcement, the first match of the finals came to an end.

Half a day later, in a hotel meeting room in Star Luo City.

"How are they?" Tang Ya asked anxiously as Bei Bei, Ye Wuqing, and the others returned.

Bei Bei sighed. "Sanshi's all right. He's a defense-type soul master, and his injuries are minor."

"But Blood Wolf is badly hurt. He'll live, but from now on..."

Tang Ya's heart sank.

"I'm sorry. This is my fault. I shouldn't have held back."

Ye Wuqing shook his head. "It's not your fault. They were stronger than us to begin with."

"No one expected them to be so vicious when they already had such a huge advantage in the first match."

Bei Bei patted Tang Ya's shoulder to comfort her.

"It's all right. The competition isn't over yet."

As he finished speaking, the door opened.

Song Que entered with Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, his expression icy.

"That's right. The competition has only just begun. If they're willing to go straight for the kill, we don't need to show them any mercy from here on out."