The arena for the qualifying rounds was larger than that for the preliminary rounds. The bluestone slabs on the stage gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and the stands around it were filled with spectators who had come from both great empires.
Teams from the Heaven Dou Division and Star Luo Division stood on either side of the arena, their colorful uniforms contrasting sharply in the morning light.
Godwind Academy's first-round opponent was a team from the Star Luo Empire. They advanced as the fourth-place team in the Star Luo Division. The team did not have any Soul King, and the highest-level captain was only level 43.
When the captain drew Godwind Academy, his expression wasn't good, but he wasn't too discouraged either—after all, Godwind Academy had a perfect record of 27 wins in the Heaven Dou Division, and it wouldn't be easy for anyone to beat him. He comforted his team members, saying, "Just go for it."
In the Godwind Academy Battle Zone, only one person emerged: Lu Hanxiao, level 47.
When Lu Hanxiao stepped onto the arena, the opposing Star Luo Empire captain was still whispering with his teammates about tactics. He looked up and saw that Godwind Academy had only sent one person out. He was stunned for a moment, then realized that Godwind Academy only planned to send one person.
" Godwind Academy, first member, Lu Hanxiao," the referee confirmed. "Where are the other six?"
"Let's start with one." Feng Lingtian sat in the front row of the Godwind Academy rest area, his tone calm. "If it's not enough, we'll get another one."
"If it's not enough, we'll get another one." This is said politely, but everyone understands the subtext—there's a high probability that it won't need to be replaced.
Captain Star Luo Empire's face finally darkened. Their intention to defeat seven opponents single-handedly was too obvious; Godwind Academy hadn't taken them seriously at all.
He gritted his teeth and sent out the fastest Agility Attack System member of the team, intending to strike first.
The moment the referee's whistle blew, the Star Luo Empire team members flashed, their Martial Soul Possession, and they transformed into gray shadows, rushing straight towards Lu Hanxiao.
His Martial Soul is the Shadow Wolf, a common Agility Attack System Beast Martial Soul in the Star Luo Empire, and its speed is considered outstanding among its peers.
Then a white shadow swept past him.
There was no sound of collision, no roar of Soul Skill erupting.
After Lu Hanxiao's Snowy Owl Martial Soul possessed him, it made almost no extra sound.
His figure drew an arc in the air, white Soul Power condensing into a sharp blade at his toes, and he kicked the Shadow Wolf Soul Master in the back of the neck. The movement was crisp and clean, as if he had practiced it countless times.
The Shadow Wolf Soul Master didn't even have a chance to turn around before he flew sideways off the stage and crashed heavily to the ground. The referee hesitated for a moment before raising his hand. " Godwind Academy wins!"
An uproar erupted in the stands. A one-hit kill; the opponent didn't even have time to unleash their Soul Skill.
Captain Star Luo Empire's face went from ashen to deathly pale. He gritted his teeth and sent out his second team member— Defense System.
This time, we don't need to win; we just need to stall for time. Lu Hanxiao is Agility Attack System, fast but with limited attack power. As long as we defend against his surprise attacks and wear him down, we'll have another chance later.
The Defense System Soul Master released his Martial Soul, his entire body covered in earth-yellow rock armor, and he firmly planted himself in the center of the arena. His tactics were clear: do not take the initiative to attack, but stay in place and wait for Lu Hanxiao to attack.
Lu Hanxiao did indeed launch an attack. The Snowy Owl Martial Soul changed direction three times in the air, leaving an afterimage in the blind spot of the Rock Armor Soul Master with each change of direction.
When the Rock Armor Soul Master finally located him, Lu Hanxiao had already appeared behind him.
Lu Hanxiao used his Second Soul Skill — Cold Feather Thrust —and his white Soul Power transformed into several sharp feather blades that pierced through the gaps in the rock armor.
The Defense System Soul Master grunted and knelt on one knee. His rock armor blocked most of the damage, but the chilling aura from the feather blades seeped in, causing his muscles to stiffen for a moment. He tried to stand up, Lu Hanxiao didn't give him the chance, kicking him off the stage.
" Godwind Academy wins!"
The third. The fourth. The fifth.
Lu Hanxiao's movements did not slow down in the slightest due to exhaustion. The characteristics of the Snowy Owl Martial Soul were brought to their fullest potential in him—silent, high-speed, and precise.
He didn't engage in prolonged fights; every move he made went straight for the vital points, and once he landed a successful strike, he immediately created distance. One by one, the Star Luo Empire team members were eliminated, and the situation became increasingly chaotic and disorganized.
The sixth team member was even attacked from the side by Lu Hanxiao while he was releasing his Soul Skill, and was knocked away along with his Soul Skill.
In the end, only Captain Star Luo Empire remained on the arena.
He was the highest-ranking of the seven, at level 43, Martial Soul was the Iron Spine Bear, Power Attack System.
He looked at Lu Hanxiao on the stage, took a deep breath, and then released his Martial Soul, concentrating all his Soul Power in his right arm.
He knew he had no chance of winning, but as captain, he couldn't just give up without even fighting.
Lu Hanxiao looked at him but didn't move.
The Iron Spine Bear Soul Master roared, his right arm swelling to a full size as he charged straight at Lu Hanxiao. This was his strongest attack, and his last gamble with all his Soul Power.
Lu Hanxiao's figure disappeared from his sight.
The next second, a whip kick swept across his side, sending the Iron Spine Bear Soul Master flying. He crashed heavily onto the bluestone slab at the edge of the arena, sliding two meters before coming to a stop.
Lu Hanxiao stood still, his breathing perfectly steady.
The referee raised his hand, his voice even more solemn than before. " Godwind Academy —wins! One Godwind Academy member has cleared the round in this competition."
The uproar in the stands turned into astonishment. One man defeating seven teams in a row—on a stage of this caliber in the qualifying rounds, one person had defeated an entire team.
Although the opponent was just a mid-tier Star Luo Empire team without Soul King, the fact that Lu Hanxiao could do this at least shows that his personal strength far surpasses that of his peers.
In the Godwind Academy rest area, Feng Lingtian leaned back in his chair, his expression unchanged. Feng Xiaotian sat beside him, not even lifting his eyelids. The other Godwind Academy team members also showed no particular reaction—as if they had expected this to happen.
But in the stands of the Star Luo Division opposite, several Star Luo Empire teams that hadn't yet taken the field turned their heads. They looked in the direction of the Godwind Academy, their gazes lingering on Lu Hanxiao for a long time. They then scanned the Godwind Academy rest area, trying to figure out who the real core player was among the players who hadn't yet played.
When Lu Hanxiao stepped off the stage, Captain Star Luo Empire was being helped up from the ground by his teammates. His competition uniform was covered in dust, and his right hand was still trembling slightly.
As the two passed each other, Lu Hanxiao paused, turned his head to look at him, and nodded slightly.
Captain Star Luo Empire paused for a moment, then nodded.
As Captain Star Luo Empire watched Lu Hanxiao walk back to the Godwind Academy rest area, he suddenly felt less embarrassed. It wasn't because they were weak, but because Godwind Academy was too strong.
He single-handedly dominated the entire team, and even had the energy to nod and acknowledge them afterward. This composure leaves no room for criticism.
The referee noticed the low spirits of the Star Luo Empire team. Before announcing the start of the next match, he walked to the Star Luo Empire rest area and said to the dejected Star Luo Empire players, "Don't be too disappointed."
The qualifying rounds are different from the preliminary rounds. The preliminary rounds are team battles, and the outcome depends on overall cooperation. The qualifying rounds are like a relay race, with one person after another taking the stage, and each person has a chance to turn the tide.
You lost this match, but there are still ten more to go. Send someone else to lead the charge in the next match; maybe you can go on a three-game winning streak or even a four-game winning streak and make up for all the points you lost today. Don't let one loss defeat you."
Captain Star Luo Empire looked up at the referee. The referee nodded slightly to him, then turned and returned to the referee's table.
Captain Star Luo Empire took a deep breath, clenched his fist, and the team members behind him slowly raised their heads.
In the Godwind Academy rest area, Feng Lingtian witnessed this scene. He heard the referee's words clearly; the round-robin points system was not unexpected for him.
With twelve teams and eleven matches, Godwind Academy has already secured its first victory. For the next ten matches, apart from the Star Luo Empire powerhouse team with Soul King, the team can rotate Shi Yan, Zhong Yue, Ji Ning, and Lu Hanxiao to take turns winning.
Lu Hanxiao's 1v7 victory was certainly disrespectful to his opponents, but at least it achieved its goal.
All opponents witnessed and were intimidated by the Godwind Academy's strength. However, to avoid embarrassing them, it would be best to refrain from fighting like this again.
Feng Xiaotian sat with his eyes closed, resting. Feng Lingtian glanced at his brother, then at Su Mei'er and Su Ran sitting in the back row. The three aces sat quietly, like three ordinary spectators.
He looked away and leaned back in his chair.
Kamikaze hasn't played a single one of his trump cards yet.