Shadows Approaching, Spirit Hall Bares Its Fangs

After defeating Canghui Academy, Shrek Academy shot to fame in a single battle. The mockery and contempt they had once faced turned to astonishment and curiosity, and they could feel the burning gazes of those around them wherever they went. The Royal Hotel's attendants made a complete turnaround, bowing and scraping whenever they saw them, while students from other academies came one after another to show their goodwill.

"I never thought we'd have a day when people fawned over us." Oscar held a pile of Soul Master snacks sent by the other academies, grinning from ear to ear.

Xiao Wu, meanwhile, was surrounded by several female students peppering her with questions, mostly about the characteristics of Tang San's and Lin Ye's Martial Souls. It left her feeling both proud and a little awkward.

Dai Mubai remained as aloof as ever, though he trained even harder. Tai Long put all his effort into strength training, as if he meant to use up all the strength he had not exhausted in the match.

Tang San and Lin Ye, however, had little inclination to enjoy the attention. The icy gazes of Salas and the masked youth weighed on their hearts like two great boulders.

"Did you sense that masked youth?" Tang San stood by the window, looking at the distant Spirit Hall branch. "His Soul Power fluctuations were strange, cold and overbearing. He's much stronger than Yu Tianheng."

Lin Ye nodded, a faint golden glow curling around his fingertips. "That should be Xie Yue, the captain of Spirit Hall Academy's team. They say the Martial Soul Fusion Skill he uses with his sister Hu Liena, 'Demonic Moon,' is enough to make even a Soul Douluo wary."

"A Martial Soul Fusion Skill?" Tang San's gaze grew grave. "That's a Soul Skill that requires an extraordinary degree of coordination, and its power far surpasses that of ordinary Soul Skills."

"That's not all." Yu Xiaogang had appeared in the doorway at some point, holding a new intelligence report. "According to the information I received, every member of the team Spirit Hall Academy sent this time has Soul Power above level thirty-five. Xie Yue has even reached level forty-two. They're the favorites to win this tournament."

He paused and looked at the two of them. "More importantly, Salas is personally overseeing matters in Heaven Dou City. In name, he's here to supervise the tournament, but in truth... I'm afraid he's here for you."

Lin Ye and Tang San exchanged a glance, each seeing the wariness in the other's eyes.

"What are they planning?" Tang San asked. "Are they going to attack us during the tournament?"

"The tournament has rules. Spirit Hall won't make a move openly for the time being." Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "But we have to guard against their underhanded methods. For example... they could arrange an accident, or have other students target us in the coming matches."

"Despicable!" Xiao Wu had come in at some point. Hearing this, she stamped her feet in anger. "They're Spirit Hall, and they're using such low-down tricks!"

"In the face of absolute self-interest, rules and face aren't worth a penny." Flender also walked in, his expression serious. "The Three-Legged Golden Crow and Blue Silver Grass with Innate Full Soul Power-those two talents are enough to make Spirit Hall stop at nothing."

"Then what do we do?" Oscar asked, a little worried. "Why don't we withdraw from the tournament?"

"Withdraw?" Dai Mubai snorted. "Wouldn't that just let them laugh at us? Since when have we at Shrek ever been afraid?"

"Dai Mubai's right." Lin Ye clenched his fist, Golden Crow Fire dancing in his palm. "The more afraid we are, the more they'll demand a yard after taking an inch. We're not only going to stay in the tournament, we're going to win it! We'll show everyone we're not afraid of Spirit Hall!"

Tang San nodded. "Besides, withdrawing might not keep us safe. Rather than hiding and waiting, we should face them head-on. As long as we stand together, they might not succeed."

Flender looked at them with satisfaction. "Good! Those are my Shrek students! Starting today, double your training and stay on alert. Whatever you do, go together. No one is to act alone."

In the days that followed, Shrek Academy went on high alert. They trained by day and took turns keeping watch at night. Even when they went to the dining hall to eat, they stayed on guard, afraid someone might find an opening.

In the final match of the qualifiers, Shrek Academy faced an academy of average strength and won easily, advancing to the knockout rounds in first place in their group.

Their opponent in the knockout round was the second-place team from Group A-Godwind Academy. The academy specialized in speed, and all its students had wind-attribute Martial Souls. Its captain, Feng Xiaotian, had the Gale Demon Wolf Martial Soul and Soul Power as high as level forty-one. He was extremely fast and skilled at close-range surprise attacks.

"Godwind Academy's tactics are simple. They use their speed to attack fast and disrupt our rhythm," Yu Xiaogang explained before the match. "Tang San, spread your Blue Silver Grass as quickly as possible to restrict their speed. Lin Ye, your Golden Crow Fire can interfere with their vision and the circulation of their Soul Power. Dai Mubai, you're responsible for keeping Feng Xiaotian occupied. Xiao Wu, support him. Tai Long and Oscar, be ready to handle defense and supplies."

Once the match began, Godwind Academy surged forward like a tide, just as expected. Wind-attribute Soul Power whipped up howling gales that made it impossible to keep one's eyes open. Feng Xiaotian moved as fast as lightning, breaking through the defensive line in an instant and heading straight for Tang San.

"If you want to get to him, you'll have to get past me first!" Dai Mubai roared. His Nether Civet Martial Soul erupted with full force, and he clashed with Feng Xiaotian. Both moved at the height of speed, leaving only afterimages darting across the stage, their Soul Power colliding with a rapid-fire crackle.

Tang San seized the chance to activate his Blue Silver Grass. Countless blades grew tenaciously in the gale, soon covering more than half the arena like a giant net and slowing the other Godwind Academy students.

Lin Ye gathered Golden Crow Fire and turned it into a skyful of sparks that mingled with the gale. The golden sparks looked faint, but they carried a searing heat. When the Godwind Academy students breathed them in, the circulation of their Soul Power immediately grew sluggish, and they slowed down.

"Now!" Tang San shouted. The Blue Silver Cage abruptly tightened, trapping three Godwind Academy students inside.

Tai Long immediately charged forward and smashed both fists against the cage like heavy hammers. The resilience of the Blue Silver Grass, combined with Tai Long's strength, shook all three unconscious.

The sight distracted Feng Xiaotian. Dai Mubai seized the opening and struck him in the chest with a claw, sending him flying backward. With their captain gone, Godwind Academy fell apart completely and was soon defeated.

Shrek Academy won again, advancing smoothly to the final eight!

Thunderous cheers erupted from the stands. Even some nobles who had not thought much of them before could not help applauding.

Yet as the members of Shrek celebrated their victory, a chilling presence quietly enveloped them.

Lin Ye spun around. Salas and Xie Yue had appeared at the entrance to the competitors' passage at some point and were watching them coldly. Beside Xie Yue stood a shapely young woman with long purple hair and breathtaking beauty, though her eyes held a trace of allure and coldness. She was Xie Yue's sister, Hu Liena.

"A fine performance." A false smile curled the corners of Salas's lips. "Shrek Academy really is rather interesting."

Xie Yue said nothing. His icy eyes merely swept over Lin Ye and Tang San, as if assessing prey.

Hu Liena licked her lips, her gaze lingering on Tang San for a moment with a trace of curiosity and scrutiny. "It's truly surprising that Blue Silver Grass can be so strong."

"Our affairs are none of your concern." Tang San's voice was cold as Blue Silver Grass quietly gathered in his palm.

"Heh, they soon will be." Salas smiled and turned to leave. "I look forward to seeing you in the finals."

Xie Yue and Hu Liena followed close behind. As they left, Xie Yue glanced back at Lin Ye, a trace of killing intent flashing in his eyes.

Lin Ye's heart tightened. He could feel that Xie Yue's killing intent was stronger than last time, as if he could hardly wait to make a move.

"They definitely don't mean well." Xiao Wu held Tang San's arm, her face full of worry.

"The finals are in three days," Flender said gravely. "We must be doubly careful during those three days. I suspect they'll make a move before the finals."

After returning to the hotel, Flender immediately tightened security. Even Zhao Wuji personally stood guard at the entrance. Yu Xiaogang shut himself away, apparently studying something.

Early the next morning, startling news spread throughout Heaven Dou City-all of Canghui Academy's competing students had become idiots overnight!

The news fell like a bomb, causing an uproar among the academies taking part in the tournament. Although Canghui Academy had lost to Shrek, it was a long-established academy of considerable strength. That such a calamity had befallen it was truly chilling.

"Spirit Hall did it!" Tang San realized at once. "Canghui Academy's dean, Ye Zhiqiu, has long been at odds with Spirit Hall. They must have taken this opportunity to eliminate those who opposed them!"

"That's not all." Yu Xiaogang's expression was grave. "Although Canghui Academy's students aren't as strong as we are, several of them are quite talented. Spirit Hall wouldn't even spare them. As for us... I'm afraid they'll be even more ruthless."

Lin Ye clenched his fists. "They're warning us that if we don't obediently do as we're told, we'll end up just like Canghui Academy."

"We can't just sit here and wait for death!" A ruthless glint flashed in Dai Mubai's eyes. "Why don't we strike first and gain the upper hand?"

"No." Flender immediately rejected the idea. "Spirit Hall has enormous influence in Heaven Dou City. If we attack now, it would be like throwing an egg against a rock."

"Then what do we do?" Xiao Wu asked anxiously.

Yu Xiaogang pondered for a moment, then said, "There's only one way: improve our strength as quickly as possible and find a backer. The Heaven Dou Empire's royal family and Spirit Hall appear cordial but are at odds beneath the surface. If we can get their support, Spirit Hall won't dare move against us lightly."

"How do we contact the royal family?" Tang San asked.

"I have a way." A complicated look flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. "I have some prior acquaintance with Xue Qinghe, the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. I can go and see him."

Everyone was a little surprised. They had not expected Yu Xiaogang to know the crown prince.

"That's too dangerous," Lin Ye said. "Spirit Hall must be watching us. If you go to the crown prince now, you'll be exposing yourself to their view."

"It's all right." Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "They don't dare touch me for the time being. Besides, this is the safest course we have right now."

That afternoon, Yu Xiaogang left the hotel and headed for the palace.

After he left, the atmosphere grew even more oppressive. Everyone was weighed down with worries and found it hard to concentrate during training.

Toward evening, an uninvited guest suddenly arrived at the hotel: Yu Luomian, the dean of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Yu Luomian was an old man with white hair and a white beard, a dignified bearing, and unfathomable Soul Power. He was the patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and also Yu Xiaogang's older brother.

"My younger brother went to see the crown prince?" Yu Luomian got straight to the point, a trace of displeasure in his voice.

"Yes, Dean," Flender said with a nod.

Yu Luomian sighed. "He's still as stubborn as ever. Does he think he can stand up to Spirit Hall just by getting the crown prince as a backer? He's too naive." He looked at Lin Ye and Tang San. "You two are the Three-Legged Golden Crow and the Blue Silver Grass?"

Lin Ye and Tang San exchanged a glance and nodded.

"Fine talents." Yu Luomian looked them over. "But they've also brought a deadly calamity upon you. Spirit Hall's methods are far more cruel than you imagine."

"We're not afraid," Tang San said.

"Heh, your courage is admirable." Yu Luomian smiled. "But courage alone isn't enough. How about this? After the finals, if you're willing, you can join Heaven Dou Royal Academy. With the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the royal family backing you, Spirit Hall won't dare move against you lightly."

It was undoubtedly a tempting offer. Heaven Dou Royal Academy was one of the continent's top academies, rich in resources and backed by powerful connections. Studying there would greatly benefit their growth.

But Lin Ye and Tang San shook their heads almost at the same time.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Dean, but we belong to Shrek," Tang San said.

Lin Ye nodded as well. "We won't leave Shrek."

Yu Luomian was taken aback, then gave a rueful smile. "Just as stubborn as my younger brother, as expected. Very well, since your minds are made up, I won't force you. This is my token. If you run into danger, you can use it to call on Heaven Dou City's royal guards." He handed Tang San a golden token, then turned and left.

Looking at the token in his hand, Tang San and Lin Ye both had complicated feelings.

Night fell, but Yu Xiaogang still had not returned.

Lin Ye stood by the window, looking out at the pitch-black night sky, a strong sense of unease in his heart. He could feel a powerful presence approaching the hotel, cold and overbearing, with undisguised killing intent.

"They're here!" Lin Ye shouted. The illusory image of the Three-Legged Golden Crow unfurled behind him, its golden flames illuminating the room.

Almost at the same time, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass burst forth and enveloped the entire room. Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Tai Long, and Oscar also readied themselves for battle in an instant.

Outside the hotel, a black figure drifted over like a ghost. It was Xie Yue! Ten black-clad Soul Masters followed behind him, each emitting Soul Power fluctuations above level thirty.

"You brats from Shrek, come out and die!" Xie Yue's voice was bone-chilling, with a trace of a sinister laugh.

Spirit Hall had finally bared its fangs!