Shrek Takes the Championship!

The night passed just like that.

The next day.

At the center of Spirit City, the finals of the Continental Soul Master Elite Tournament continued under the eyes of the masses.

This time.

The Shrek team faced a challenge from a formidable opponent, Star Luo Royal Academy.

Once the matches drew to a close.

Led by the Spirit Hall Team, Shrek Academy and New Godwind Academy advanced to the final round.

Then, after only a single day of rest, the grand finals began.

Brilliant sunshine spilled over the earth. Beneath its rays, the Pope's Palace atop the mountain in Spirit City gleamed in gold and splendor, like an abode of immortals.

Before the Pope's Palace, two rows of palace knights stretched from its entrance all the way down the mountain. Their shining silver armor and heavy knightly swords lent Pope Mountain an even greater air of majesty.

Early that morning.

The three teams that had reached the finals, along with the distinguished spectators, had already gathered before the palace.

They stood quietly in the square. Those who had made it to the end and gained entry to the secluded Pope's Palace were undoubtedly young powerhouses of this continent.

And so.

Whether it was Shrek Academy, New Godwind Academy, or even the Spirit Hall Team, all their faces bore the confidence of victors.

The enormous palace doors slowly opened, and Qian Chenming, the Pope, attended the grand finals as promised.

A procession emerged from a side entrance of the Pope's Palace. There were twelve of them in all, Red Cardinals whose status ranked just below that of Platinum Bishops, and they slowly approached.

They walked up to the entrance of the Pope's Palace and stood to either side, six on each side.

Next.

Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo led the way.

Qian Chenming came last.

This time, the Six Great Enshrined were not present.

Still, that did nothing to diminish the Spirit Hall's imposing presence, enough to overawe the world.

Amid the cries rising from every direction, after the worshipful bows.

Qian Chenming swept his gaze across the crowd. With a thought, three objects appeared at the center of the square.

They were three different objects, all small and shaped like bones: a Right Arm Bone, a Skull, and a Left Leg Bone.

They shimmered with fiery red, pale blue, and dark green light, respectively.

They were unmistakably three Soul Bones.

The three Soul Bones floated quietly before the Pope's Palace. Sunlight passed through them, casting colorful patterns of light and shadow on the ground.

For a moment.

Across the vast square before the Pope's Palace, everyone's eyes converged on them and lit up.

In an age when Soul Bones were exceedingly rare, the worth of three Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones was beyond question.

Ning Fengzhi stood on the viewing platform, his gaze fixed firmly on the pale blue Skull.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect excelled at support. To him, a mental-type Skull was worth far more than a thousand troops and ten thousand horses.

Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes as well. A faint aura emanated from the dark green Left Leg Bone, resonating with his poison arts.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, but he said nothing.

"What lavish generosity."

Flender spoke under his breath, his gaze sweeping over the three Soul Bones before finally settling on Qian Chenming.

As expected of the Spirit Hall, which could distribute Gold Soul Coins to Soul Masters throughout the world.

Always so lavish when it came to giving gifts.

At that moment.

Qian Chenming stood atop the high steps before the palace, looking down over the entire gathering.

Dressed in magnificent, brilliant gold papal robes, he spoke calmly:

"Three Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones. As I am sure you can all see, both their quality and age are exceptional."

He paused, his gaze passing over the three teams in turn.

"The Spirit Hall never treats true powerhouses poorly. Let the capable claim them. The ultimate victor of today's finals will receive full ownership of all three Soul Bones."

As his words fell, the square went silent for an instant.

Then an irrepressible stir rose from every direction.

"All three go to the champion?"

"Such extravagance... the Spirit Hall truly has wealth to spare."

"It looks like this battle is destined to be a fight to the death."

The Shrek team exchanged glances.

Dai Mubai clenched his fists, and Zhu Zhuqing's feline pupils contracted slightly.

On New Godwind Academy's side, a fierce fighting spirit flashed through Feng Xiaotian's eyes.

He licked his lips, shifting his gaze from the Soul Bones to Tang San as the corners of his mouth slowly curved upward.

"Tang San," he said, his voice quiet but provocative, "I lost to you last time. This time, I'll take it all back with interest."

Tang San turned his head and glanced at him without responding.

He merely clenched his fists lightly.

Up on the platform.

Qian Chenming took in everyone's reactions, the corners of his lips curving upward slightly.

He said nothing more, merely raising a hand before turning toward the elevated viewing platform in front of the Pope's Palace and settling into the gilded chair at its center.

Then.

The grand finals officially began.

Wary of the Spirit Hall Team's abilities, Shrek Academy forfeited the individual matches under Yu Xiaogang's instructions, choosing to enter the losers' bracket directly.

New Godwind Academy, intent on defeating Tang San and taking revenge, did not linger either.

They likewise chose to forfeit and enter the losers' bracket.

And so.

The battle between Shrek Academy and New Godwind began first before the Pope's Palace.

After a long battle.

Relying on the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill and the Clear Sky Hammer's Tool Soul True Body unleashed by Tang San.

Shrek Academy claimed victory without shedding blood.

"Is this really Shrek Academy? Last time, they barely scraped through with a costly victory, but this time they simply crushed them!"

"The Clear Sky Hammer truly deserves its title as the world's greatest tool martial soul."

"Seven different people actually managed to use a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. This team is simply astonishing!"

Amid the endless discussion.

Even Ning Fengzhi, Sword and Bone Douluo, Dugu Bo, and the others found Shrek Academy's performance unbelievable.

This team was improving far too quickly.

Next.

Came the final championship match.

After a day of rest, outside the still-resplendent Pope's Palace, the Spirit Hall Team, led by the Golden Generation, faced Shrek Academy, fresh and rested against their weary opponents.

From the very beginning, both sides fought until heaven and earth seemed shrouded in darkness.

In the end.

The exhausted Tang San successfully subdued Hu Yuena and Xie Yue with the poison carried on the spikes of his External Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances.

As for Yan, left alone on the field, he was defeated by Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

At that very moment.

Outside the vast Pope's Palace, everyone clearly understood where the match was heading.

The Spirit Hall had actually lost...

The bishops and knights alike found it utterly unbelievable.

Up on the high platform, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo showed clear disappointment.

The Golden Iron Triangle, Ning Fengzhi, and the others all displayed the admiration and delight befitting the occasion.

Dugu Bo even cast a provocative look toward the high platform. "Your esteemed Holiness, I must remind you that they have already been afflicted with a deadly poison. If this drags on any longer, I fear your Golden Generation will be wiped out."

At this.

A rare trace of disdain appeared in Qian Chenming's otherwise unruffled expression. "Is that so?"

Then he slowly spoke: "Divine Envoy Domain!"