Spirit Hall Academy Team vs. Shrek Academy Team

It wasn't just Tang San.

The other six members of Shrek glared like fire, their eyes filled with the conviction that they would win and the fury of those seeking revenge.

The brief clash on the streets of Spirit Hall had ended with both sides parting on bad terms. It seemed to have no serious consequences, yet it had stirred up the emotions of some onlookers.

The finals of the Soul Master Elite Tournament had yet to begin, but the two favorites, the Spirit Hall Academy Team and the Shrek Academy Team, were already at daggers drawn. Their real showdown was bound to be spectacular.

Now there would be a show worth watching.

The finals of this year's Soul Master Elite Tournament might even be the most thrilling yet.

At that moment, among the crowd,

the members of Five Elements Academy watched the Shrek Academy group return to their hotel.

Feng Xiaotian rubbed his chin in surprise and muttered, "That's strange. I don't remember seeing those two in the Spirit Hall Academy Team roster. Are they substitutes?"

"Or they could be secret weapons." Huo Wu's gaze seemed to linger on Huo Yuhao's retreating figure.

Feng Xiaotian glanced at her in confusion. "Huh?"

"Are you stupid?"

Huo Wu looked at him speechlessly. "Those Spirit Hall guards were all Soul King level, weren't they? Yet they knelt and bowed to that Huo Yuhao. Do you think the guards were fools?"

Feng Xiaotian frowned. "Of course not."

Huo Wu shot him an exasperated look. "Exactly, so..."

Feng Xiaotian raised an eyebrow. "So Huo Yuhao must be someone important."

Everyone noticed different things.

Some saw the mystery surrounding Huo Yuhao. Others saw something else entirely.

Shui Yue'er, the boy-crazy girl from Skywater Academy, had kept her eyes on Huo Yuhao's face from start to finish. Even after he had left, she said dreamily to Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu beside her, "That Huo Yuhao... he's so handsome! Even more handsome than Tang San!"

"Yue'er!"

Shui Bing'er shook her head and chided her softly, "There you go again."

"Exactly," Xue Wu added. "The tournament is already over for us. Our teachers asked us to stay, not so you could stare at handsome boys, but to watch for news about the Spirit Transferring Hall that Spirit Hall is about to open to the public!"

"I know~"

Shui Yue'er's cheeks reddened. She stuck out her tongue and fell silent.

The three girls exchanged a glance. In truth, they too were starting to look forward to tomorrow's championship match between Spirit Hall Academy and Shrek Academy. They wondered who would take the crown.

The night passed without incident.

The Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament had finally reached its championship match, and this year's final was personally presided over by Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall.

The dozen or so teams in the final stage, along with Soul Masters from all walks of life who had come for the spectacle, were allowed in to watch.

Spirit Hall had erected a temporary VIP stand on the north side of the square, facing south. It also served as the judges' stand. Besides Xue Qinghe, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, and a few others in the front row, the leaders of several sects had also been invited.

The aim was to build momentum for Spirit Hall.

Bibi Dong was in an excellent mood.

Wang Qiu'er had brought back news yesterday: the Soul Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest had agreed to the Spirit Transferring Plan. The details still needed to be discussed by both sides, but the Spirit Transferring Hall was now a certainty.

There was more good news. Huo Yuhao's Hundred Solutions to Hidden Weapons and Soul Cannon Blueprint had indeed caught the interest of Lou Gao, the master craftsman of Gengxin City. As long as Spirit Hall provided the designs, the blacksmiths were willing to handle their development and manufacture.

Bibi Dong had also heeded Huo Yuhao's advice: if she wanted to bring all those blacksmiths into the fold, she had to give them enough freedom and status.

Fortunately, Bibi Dong knew how to win people over. The blacksmiths of Gengxin City could no longer be viewed as they once had been. They were Spirit Hall's secret weapon for the future.

With a sweep of her hand, Bibi Dong granted Lou Gao the title of Spirit Hall Honorary Elder and bestowed a Pope Token upon him. For matters concerning the manufacture of Soul Tools, he could call on any of Spirit Hall's Soul Masters below the rank of elder.

Lou Gao had spent the first half of his life being oppressed by Soul Masters. He had never been able to stand so tall. As the Soul Tool plan was secretly put into motion, the blacksmiths of the Gengxin City Blacksmith Association saw their standing rise with the tide as well. They willingly set to work forging Spirit Hall's future.

And so, after half a lifetime of torment, Bibi Dong felt genuine happiness for the first time today. For the first time, she also felt the ease of living for herself. If the Spirit Hall Academy Team won the championship too, Spirit Hall's future would be unstoppable.

At that moment,

as the tournament judge, a Platinum Bishop, made his announcement, the Spirit Hall Academy Team and the Shrek Academy Team arrived at the preparation area one after the other.

While Shrek Academy's dung-green uniforms drew plenty of attention, the Spirit Hall Academy Team wore white. Their spotless uniforms were striking in their own right, embroidered with six emblems symbolizing Spirit Hall. They stood in stark contrast to Shrek Academy's dung green.

The Spirit Hall Academy Team really had changed its lineup?

"Li Kai and Xu Yu have been replaced. It's those two!"

Almost instantly, every eye turned toward Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu'er in the Spirit Hall Academy Team's preparation area.

They really had been keeping an ace up their sleeve.

Bibi Dong, what are you up to?

You've turned Spirit Hall upside down this past half month!

Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, sat in the stands and regarded Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu'er with surprise. Why hasn't Worship Hall sent me any information about those two?

Could even Grandfather and the others be unable to confirm their identities?

With that thought,

Qian Renxue took a deep breath, then smiled at Ning Fengzhi beside her. "Shrek Academy has been brilliant these past few days. No wonder you once took an interest in the team, Teacher. What do you think of this final?"

"Your Highness."

Ning Fengzhi nodded respectfully, then offered Qian Renxue his assessment with a smile. "In overall strength, the Shrek Academy Team falls far short of the Spirit Hall Academy Team. But when it comes to tactics and teamwork, Shrek has a clear edge under Grandmaster's guidance. Strength is only one part of a team battle. It cannot decide the outcome on its own."

"So you still favor Shrek Academy, Teacher?"

Qian Renxue nodded, her gaze never leaving Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu'er on the Spirit Hall Academy Team. "But Spirit Hall appears to have changed its lineup, and we know neither those two's strength nor what cards they have hidden."

"Don't worry. With Grandmaster there, you can put your faith in Shrek Academy."

Ning Fengzhi smiled with practiced grace. "Spirit Hall Academy may have two Soul Kings, but Shrek has Tang San. He holds too many secrets and hidden cards. I still favor Shrek Academy."

At those words,

Qian Renxue frowned slightly. Deep down, she still hoped the Spirit Hall Academy Team would win.

Would they?

In the Shrek Academy Team's preparation area,

Grandmaster had finished laying out the Shrek Seven Devils' tactics. He straightened his back and looked up at Bibi Dong on the raised platform, his eyes flashing with proud indifference.

The Shrek Seven Devils stacked their hands together. Dai Mubai roared, "Our goal is..."

"The Champion!!!"

The Shrek Seven Devils shouted as one.

Champion?!

In Spirit Hall Academy's preparation area,

Huo Yuhao watched the Spirit Hall Academy Team with a faint smile. The First-Generation Shrek Seven Devils sure are confident. Then again, things have gone so smoothly for them all this way. They've never really suffered a setback, have they?