Thunderous cheers echoed across the arena plaza for a long time. The Heaven Dou Royal Team's crushing victory over Blackrock Academy in its opening match had set the entire crowd ablaze.
Lin Chen led his team off the arena, countless gazes following him every step of the way. Some held admiration, others awe, while those from various factions concealed scrutiny and apprehension. The dean and senior staff of Heaven Dou Royal Academy beamed, their eyes growing ever more approving as they watched Lin Chen. With such a genius anchoring their team, the academy had a real chance of winning this tournament.
"Lin Chen, your Iceheart Domain was incredible! You froze the whole arena. Blackrock Academy didn't even get a chance to fight back!" His teammates gathered around him, their voices brimming with excitement and admiration. Some might previously have harbored doubts about his appointment as captain, but now they accepted him wholeheartedly.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in Yue Huaxi's hand slowly faded, joy sparkling in her eyes. "With the Iceheart Domain suppressing our opponents, our upcoming matches will be much easier."
Su Qingyuan said softly, "But our opponents will only get stronger from here. We can't let our guard down."
Lin Chen nodded slightly, his expression as calm as ever. "It was only a group-stage match. Nothing worth celebrating. The real hard battles are still ahead."
He looked straight toward the Spirit Hall Team's preparation area, his gaze meeting Xie Yue's icy stare across the distance. Invisible sparks of gunpowder instantly filled the air. A disdainful sneer curled Xie Yue's lips before he turned and walked toward the center of the arena.
The next match was the Spirit Hall Team versus the Wind Spirit Academy Team!
The entire crowd's attention instantly shifted from the Heaven Dou Royal Team to the Spirit Hall Team. As the Golden Generation that Spirit Hall had poured its resources into nurturing, their strength was already renowned throughout the Soul Master World. Everyone wanted to witness firsthand just how powerful this team, hailed as the pinnacle of young Soul Masters, truly was.
Every member of the Wind Spirit Academy Team wore a grave expression, as though confronting a formidable enemy. They knew all too well how terrifying the Spirit Hall Golden Generation was. Despite the fear filling their hearts, they could only steel themselves and enter the arena. Lasting a few more exchanges was their only goal now.
"Begin!"
The instant the referee finished speaking, the Spirit Hall Team sprang into action, every Soul Ring around them lighting up at once!
Their captain, Xie Yue, was a level thirty-nine Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder. Two yellow Soul Rings and one purple ring stood in orderly formation as he drew his curved blades, their gleam chilling and his Soul Power surging violently. Beside him stood Hu Liena, a level thirty-eight control-type Battle Soul Elder. Her Fox Tail Martial Soul unfurled as bewitching Soul Power quietly spread, her alluring eyes ensnaring the soul. Even the weakest of their remaining five teammates was level thirty-six, each wielding powerful Soul Skills and working in perfect coordination.
By contrast, the strongest member of the Wind Spirit Academy Team was only level thirty-five. The gulf between their cultivation levels was plain to see.
"Wind Spirit Shield, defend!" the Wind Spirit Academy captain roared through gritted teeth. The entire team instantly activated their defensive Soul Skills, layering wind blades and Soul Power shields in an attempt to withstand Spirit Hall's assault.
Yet in the very next second, everyone present witnessed the terrifying strength of the Golden Generation.
"First Soul Skill, Moon Blade Slash!"
Xie Yue flashed forward at blinding speed, leaving several afterimages in the air. His first yellow ring flared brilliantly, and razor-sharp blade energy tore through the sky, slashing straight toward the Wind Spirit Shield.
Bang!
With a deafening crash, the seemingly sturdy Wind Spirit Shield shattered like paper. The attack's remaining force pressed straight toward the Wind Spirit Academy members without weakening.
"Second Soul Skill, Bewitching Eyes!"
Hu Liena followed close behind, her alluring eyes shifting as pink, bewitching Soul Power swept across the arena. The Wind Spirit Academy members' gazes instantly went blank, their movements stopping dead. Completely enthralled, they lost all ability to resist.
The other Spirit Hall members showed no mercy. Their Soul Skills erupted together, violent Soul Power sweeping across the arena in an instant.
In just three breaths, every member of the Wind Spirit Academy Team lay on the ground, unable to fight. They had not even withstood a single complete combination of their opponents' Soul Skills!
An instant defeat!
An utterly crushing instant defeat!
Deathly silence gripped the arena. Hundreds of thousands of spectators stared, dumbfounded, forgetting even to breathe.
Everyone knew the Spirit Hall Team was strong, but no one had expected strength on this scale. Against Wind Spirit Academy, another academy at the pinnacle of the second tier, they had wasted neither time nor effort, winning through sheer, overwhelming power. Their combat prowess far surpassed every other team at their level.
On the elevated platform, the royal family members of both great empires grew solemn. The strength of the Spirit Hall Golden Generation had exceeded their expectations. Such a terrifying force of young talents would surely become a thorn buried deep in both empires' hearts.
In Heaven Dou Royal Academy's preparation area, every team member's expression turned exceptionally serious.
"They're so strong... Their teamwork and individual strength are both terrifying."
"So this is the strength of the Spirit Hall Golden Generation? They're more than just one tier above Blackrock Academy!"
Lin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly as he silently assessed them.
With Xie Yue's explosive power, Hu Liena's bewitching control, and the entire team's seamless coordination, the Spirit Hall Team's overall combat prowess could be called the pinnacle of this tournament. They were far more troublesome than he had anticipated. In particular, the faint harmony between those two's Soul Power fluctuations clearly indicated that they were preparing a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Once unleashed, its might would surely shatter heaven and earth.
"They're certainly strong, but they aren't invincible," Lin Chen said in a low voice, steadying the team's nerves. "Their advantage lies in their overwhelming cultivation levels. Their weakness is their arrogance. If we seize the right opportunity and use the Iceheart Domain to restrict their Soul Power, we have a chance to win."
Hearing Lin Chen's composed words, his teammates felt much of their tension dissipate. They nodded and rallied their spirits.
Meanwhile, in Shrek's preparation area, Yu Xiaogang's brows were tightly furrowed, his expression exceedingly grave. "The Spirit Hall Golden Generation is even stronger than our intelligence suggested. Their Soul Power reserves and Soul Skill combinations are practically flawless. Even if the Shrek Seven Devils give it everything they have, they'll struggle to contend with them."
Tang San clenched his fists, driving his Purple Demon Eye to its utmost as he stared fixedly at Xie Yue and Hu Liena in the center of the arena. Apprehension and resentment mingled in his heart. He had thought his talent was already peerless, but after seeing the Spirit Hall Golden Generation and comparing himself to Lin Chen, who stood far ahead, he finally understood the gap between himself and the very greatest geniuses.
In the arena, the referee stood stunned for a moment before announcing loudly, "The winner of this match is the Spirit Hall Team!"
Only then did a wave of mixed discussion erupt throughout the crowd. There was shock, fear, and anticipation for the clash between Lin Chen and the Spirit Hall Team.
Xie Yue and Hu Liena led the Spirit Hall Team off the arena with their heads held high. Arrogance never left their faces, and they did not spare the fallen Wind Spirit Academy members so much as a glance, as though winning this match had been a trivial chore.
As they passed the Heaven Dou Royal Team's preparation area, Xie Yue stopped and turned toward Lin Chen, his tone cold and contemptuous. "Lin Chen, don't think winning one worthless match gives you the right to look down on everyone. You and your team wouldn't withstand a single blow from us."
Hu Liena added with an alluring smile, her delicate voice carrying bone-chilling killing intent, "Handsome, I hope you can hold out until the day you face us. Don't get eliminated too early. That would be no fun at all."
Faced with their blatant provocation, every member of the Heaven Dou Royal Team burned with anger. Soul Power surged around them as they moved to step forward and confront the pair.
Lin Chen raised a hand to stop them and stepped forward slowly, looking at Xie Yue and Hu Liena with an indifferent gaze. White and green Soul Power quietly flowed around him, his presence yielding nothing to theirs. "In the arena, strength does the talking. Winning a war of words means nothing. I look forward to facing you. When that day comes, I hope you don't lose too disgracefully."
His calm words carried a confidence that looked down upon all challengers, instantly turning Xie Yue's face livid.
"Fine. Very fine!" Xie Yue laughed in his fury. "Let's see whether your domain can withstand my Moon Blade! In the tournament finals, I'll personally trample you beneath my feet!"
With that, Xie Yue swept his sleeve and strode away. Hu Liena gave Lin Chen a long look, bewitchment and killing intent entwined in her eyes, before following him.
The needle-point-against-blade-edge confrontation instantly sent the surrounding atmosphere plummeting to freezing point.
Lin Chen returned to the preparation area, his expression as calm as before. "You've all seen Spirit Hall's strength and ambition. From now on, we must give every match our all. We can't afford a single mistake."
"Yes!"
They answered in unison, their fighting spirit fully ignited.
Meanwhile, the tournament committee announced the schedule for the remaining group-stage matches. The Heaven Dou Royal Team's upcoming opponents were all elite academies within the Heaven Dou Empire, while the Spirit Hall Team marched triumphantly onward, sweeping aside its opponents with overwhelming force. The two teams had become the tournament's most closely watched favorites for the championship.
Over the next two days, the tournament raged like a fire in full blaze.
Lin Chen led the Heaven Dou Royal Team to victory after victory. In every match, he controlled the battlefield with his Iceheart Domain and coordinated with his teammates to secure a swift win, never giving their opponents a chance. With an undefeated record, they stormed into the Quarterfinals.
The Spirit Hall Team likewise remained undefeated, crushing its opponents in moments every match, its edge fully exposed and its arrogance unbridled.
Like two dazzling stars, the teams shone against each other in the Soul Master Tournament's arena. Everyone knew a clash between them was inevitable. That day would surely bring the tournament's ultimate showdown.
At dusk, once all the day's matches had ended, Lin Chen was preparing to return to the academy with Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi to rest when someone blocked their path.
The newcomer wore blue-green robes and carried himself with gentle refinement. He was none other than Dai Weisi, captain of the Star Luo Empire Royal Team.
"Brother Lin Chen, I've long heard of your reputation." Dai Weisi cupped his hands in greeting, his tone sincere. "The Spirit Hall Golden Generation is far too overbearing. If we meet in the arena later, I hope we can join forces to keep Spirit Hall in check."
Lin Chen's brows lifted slightly as understanding dawned on him.
The Star Luo Team had long been at odds with Spirit Hall. Dai Weisi was clearly seeking an alliance in advance so they could face Spirit Hall's threat together.
Lin Chen nodded slightly and said evenly, "In the arena, we each rely on our own abilities. But where Spirit Hall is concerned, our goals align."
Delight appeared on Dai Weisi's face at Lin Chen's response. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he turned and left.
Watching Dai Weisi's retreating figure, Lin Chen's gaze grew deep.
With the tournament's Quarterfinals approaching, the various factions were beginning to form alliances in secret, making the situation ever more complicated.
But whatever lay ahead, he feared nothing.
He clenched his fists, feeling the surging power of life and Iceheart Power within him as fighting spirit rose in his heart.
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