Quarterfinals

Several more days passed, and the other seven teams besides Huo Yuhao's had been selected. The quarterfinals were about to begin, drawing the attention of quite a few teachers and students.

The first match was Wang Dong's team against Tang Yin's. As the only two teams among the final eight without a Soul Elder, their efforts had not gone unnoticed by the academy.

However, no one favored Wang Dong's team in this match. Their opponents were simply too strong. By combining the Tang Sect Techniques with his Soul Skills, Tang Yin kept them firmly suppressed.

In the end, Wang Dong had no choice but to unleash his secret weapon, instantly drawing gasps from the crowd. Flying in the air, he held the light element in one hand and the lightning element in the other, then fused the two elements and fired them at Tang Yin.

After an explosion, Tang Yin could be seen protecting himself with several layers of Blue Silver Grass, having blocked the attack.

"We surrender!"

Wang Dong fell to the ground. He had already exhausted his Soul Power. Seeing that his attack had been blocked, he could only concede helplessly.

The academy teachers on the platform nodded in satisfaction. His opponents were too strong, so his defeat was only natural, but his battle strategy and resolve had not lost. Moreover, that final move had made everyone's eyes light up.

Tang Yin, who had won the match, was bewildered. Since when could his daughter use the lightning element?

Some upper-year students had also come to watch the matches.

Tang Ya looked at Tang Yin enviously. "I never expected Tang Yin to master our Tang Sect Techniques so well this quickly!"

"Yes, the Tang Sect Techniques suit him very well."

"Wang Dong was pretty good too. That last move-he's already learned how to turn the light element into the lightning element. Have you learned it too?"

"Yes, though I'm not very proficient yet." Then Bei Bei changed the subject, turning toward the burly man in black beside him.

"Next time, I'll be able to string Xu Sanshi up and beat him."

"What do you mean by that, Bei Bei?!" The burly man immediately turned and glared furiously at Bei Bei.

"Exactly what I said," Bei Bei replied with a smile.

"I..."

"Quiet!" Jiang Nannan, who stood beside Tang Ya, gave Xu Sanshi a look of disgust before turning back to watch the matches.

Xu Sanshi did not say another word.

At this, the corners of Bei Bei's and Tang Ya's mouths twitched. They could not understand exactly what was going on between those two either, but one was willing to strike and the other willing to take the blows, so there was nothing they could say.

The second match was Xu Yang's team against Ning Tian's.

There was no suspense in this match either. Despite the enhancement from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Xu Yang's team still defeated their opponents easily. Even Ning Tian's display of impressive swordsmanship drew little attention.

The third match took place in the afternoon, and it was Huo Yuhao's team's turn. Quite a few people immediately perked up. This was a team with two Soul Elders! Everyone knew this team had been given a direct pass into the final eight and was a favorite to win the championship.

Gu Qiu'er walked onto the stage alone, while Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena merely watched from below. Everyone grew puzzled. Did they not understand the rules?

The referee looked at Gu Qiu'er, then at the two below the stage, and said hesitantly, "This is a team match. You two should come onto the stage to compete as well."

"We know the rules. For this match, I'll be the only one fighting."

Gu Qiu'er's calm voice set the entire venue buzzing.

"Her alone? So what if she's a Soul Elder? Her opponents have a Soul Elder too."

"Does getting a free pass into the final eight make her this arrogant?"

"Looks like she's overreaching. Hehe, it'll be entertaining if she loses."

However, quite a few people did not mock her, such as Tang Yin and Xu Yang. They knew very well that this Emperor Auspicious Beast could fight opponents one or two ranks above her!

Gu Qiu'er's opponents did not underestimate her either. In fact, by this stage, practically everyone's information had been thoroughly uncovered. Yet there was almost no information about Huo Yuhao's trio. Only their Martial Souls had been discovered; as for their Soul Skills, there was a complete blank.

The opposing team was led by a fat boy whose height and waist measurement were both 170 centimeters. The two teammates beside him looked petite by comparison.

"Take your positions. Both sides, release your Martial Souls."

Only then did everyone see that Gu Qiu'er's configuration was actually purple, purple, and black! No wonder she dared to do this!

"Begin."

The instant the words fell, Gu Qiu'er charged at her opponents. When she came within about two meters of them, her figure suddenly moved like a phantom. Before her opponents could react, two thuds rang out, and she kicked the two small, thin opponents out of the ring.

Cold sweat immediately ran down the remaining fat boy. He had never expected his opponent to be this strong. She had not even used a Soul Skill!

Without pausing, Gu Qiu'er smashed a fist into him, sending waves rippling through his fat.

"It's useless. My Martial Soul is the Rubber Elephant. It specifically counters strength-type Soul Masters like you."

Although the fat boy was shocked, his Martial Soul countered his opponent, after all. There was still hope!

Gu Qiu'er ignored him. Opening her fist into a palm, she struck the fat boy again. This time, no waves rippled.

"Ah!" The fat boy immediately cried out in pain, his gaze toward Gu Qiu'er now filled with terror. She had actually transmitted her force straight into his body!

Without attacking again, Gu Qiu'er withdrew her Martial Soul and said flatly, "Go down yourself."

The fat boy nodded gratefully and jumped out of the ring of his own accord.

"Golden Dragon Girl!"

"Golden Dragon Girl!"

The students present were all thrilled. Although they had not really understood much of what happened in this match, they all knew how strong the other team was!

To defeat her opponents so easily-one could imagine just how powerful this Golden Dragon Girl was! They had heard that cry of pain!

"Good grief." Below the stage, Xu Sanshi swallowed. "Is she really a new student? This is ridiculous!" He did not think he could beat Gu Qiu'er.

This time, Jiang Nannan said nothing. Her expression was grave, as were Bei Bei's and Tang Ya's. In the end, Tang Ya broke the silence.

"I never imagined Qiu'er was this strong."

In their minds, Gu Qiu'er had always been the little girlfriend trailing behind Huo Yuhao, a lively young girl who was a little fond of food. But what they saw today made them realize how wrong they had been.

Tang Yin, who was also watching the match, wore a grave expression. Damn it, how did this beast become so strong?! It must be that bitch, the Silver Dragon King!

In the spectator stands, the members of the Martial Soul Department all grew excited. The Golden Dragon! And that configuration-this is a fine prospect for our Martial Soul Department!

The members of the Soul Tool Department who knew Gu Qiu'er were also surprised, though they were quite used to the Martial Soul Department's attitude. Although they too wanted to keep Gu Qiu'er in the Soul Tool Department, a moment's thought made it clear that this was impossible.

Dai Huabin's team won the final match.

Although their opponents possessed the Martial Soul Fusion Skill Heavenly Net, that was no longer a secret.

In the end, Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Hell White Tiger, tore Heavenly Net straight apart. The twin sisters immediately fell unconscious, and their remaining teammate could only surrender.

However, Dai Huabin, who had been provoked, did not stop. Before the tiger's claw could fall, the referee blocked it and gave Dai Huabin a warning.

Dai Huabin offered a disdainful apology, then looked provocatively toward Huo Yuhao's trio.

Huo Yuhao ignored him and left with the two girls. Just a dead man. Not worth getting angry over.

Zhang Lexuan, who knew about Huo Yuhao's past, frowned at the sight. She did not know what Huo Yuhao intended to do either.

That night, in Dormitory 108.

"What a shame we didn't get to fight you. I never expected Qiu'er to be this strong!"

Wang Dong regretted not getting to give Huo Yuhao a "surprise," while also marveling at Gu Qiu'er's strength.

Huo Yuhao ignored him, merely looking at the Culture Dish in his hand.

"What have you been doing these past few days? You've been so secretive."

"Nothing." Huo Yuhao revealed a charming smile.

Wang Dong, who had been staring at his profile, blushed. Then he said:

"If you face Tang Yin's team tomorrow, could you give him a beating for me?"

"Isn't he in your class? Did you have a falling-out?"

"No. I don't know why, but I really hate him. And I can feel it-the way he looks at me sometimes is disgusting!"

"All right." Huo Yuhao agreed. It was not just for Wang Dong's sake. He remembered that there was something very off about how Tang Yin acted around him. I'll investigate him, then.