Chapter 110: The Grand Finals Begin

As the Shrek Team defeated the New Divine Wind Team, it finally entered the final top three, while the other two teams are the Spirit Hall Team and the Star Luo Royal Academy Team, both of which are universally recognized as the strongest teams.

That the Shrek Team could beat the New Divine Wind Team is obvious tactical domination to any discerning observer; otherwise, given the Shrek Team's strength, winning would not be that easy, or rather would be very difficult.

Outsiders cast strange looks at Yu Xiaogang, Qin Ming and the others—some admiring, some respectful, and a hint of doubt; after all, it's the finals, and no team is willing to change its lineup lightly.

But the Shrek Team's captain and vice‑captain showed boldness, actually changing the lineup at this moment, abandoning two Soul Ancestors to select the never‑seen Ye Lingling.

Yu Xiaogang seemed to relish the attention, but Yang Xiong was rather indifferent; as he himself said, a New Divine Wind Academy that has lost its advantage is nothing, the truly tough opponents are the final two strong teams, and he wondered whether Yu Xiaogang could devise any tactics.

In any case, from the competition up to now, Yu Xiaogang has never proposed any Seven‑Way Martial Soul Fusion Technique, so the most dazzling moment from the original work is unlikely to appear again.

While everyone else was tense, Yang Xiong was taken out for a night of drinking by Feng Xiaotian, the sycophant, and even Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu, who had been by their side, did not appear.

The two seemed to have a mutual respect; Feng Xiaotian, in pursuit of love, acted recklessly, caring nothing about outsiders' opinions, whereas Yang Xiong was the opposite, calculating everything, handling matters cautiously, always looking ahead and behind.

Yang Xiong envied Feng Xiaotian's carefree nature and his daring love and hate, pursuing his goal without regard for anything.

As they drank more, it felt as if some inner doors opened; Yang Xiong teased that Feng Xiaotian, as a sycophant, had lost himself, while Feng Xiaotian retorted that Yang Xiong, at such a young age, thought too much and lacked youthful vigor.

The two praised each other and jabbed at each other, filling the air with laughter and chatter.

Three days flew by, and the final Grand Finals were finally about to begin; many people seemed unusually exhilarated, after all this was reputedly the most sacred place, yet Yu Xiaogang's eyes were blood‑red, as if he had been busy for days without sleep, likely pondering how to face the two strong teams.

Compared to the three teams, the Spirit Hall Team appeared unusually relaxed and excited, clearly having absolute confidence in their strength and full faith in the Pope's Palace.

The Star Luo Royal Academy, however, seemed unusually solemn, each member looking unruly, especially Dai Weisi, who seemed like a challenger.

Yang Xiong observed carefully: Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun indeed resembled Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing; Dai Weisi also had golden hair and a handsome face, as unruly as Dai Mubai, but with added composure and depth.

Zhu Zhuyun's figure was even more striking, lacking the childishness of Zhu Zhuqing, appearing more mature.

The Shrek Team members showed varied expressions: Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing seemed relatively nervous, Yu Tianheng also had a hint of unruliness, Tang San appeared comparatively calm, and the others carried a touch of fervor.

The three teams participating in the Grand Finals stood quietly at the entrance of the Pope's Palace, the venue for this final.

The scene was exceedingly solemn, even all the High-level Soul Masters were very quiet.

At that moment, the doors of the Pope's Palace opened, and eight red‑cloaked archbishops marched ahead, the leader shouting, "His Holiness the Pope has arrived."

Everyone from the Spirit Hall shouted, "Long live His Holiness the Pope!"

The voices roared like mountains and seas, shaking the entire Spirit City; it was clear everyone was respectful and equally fervent, and Yang Xiong felt a pang of unease, seeing this as reminiscent of the fanaticism of Blue Star cultists.

A few people emerged from the Pope's Palace, led by a woman holding a scepter and wearing a golden crown—Pope Bibidong.

Pope Bibidong was stunningly beautiful, but even more formidable was her terrifying aura, now exuding unparalleled majesty.

Behind Bibidong followed four individuals: Sword Douluo, Ning Fengzhi, Ju Douluo, and Gui Douluo.

Yang Xiong was very interested in Ju Gui Douluo; Ju Douluo's martial soul, the wondrous Sky‑Piercing Chrysanthemum, is a rare plant‑type Title Douluo, while Gui Douluo's whole body was jet‑black, exuding a dark aura that made him even more mysterious.

When the five appeared, everyone belonging to the Spirit Hall—whether Soul Grandmaster, palace guard knight, or even the archbishops—knelt on one knee and shouted, "Your Holiness the Pope!"

Even the original Spirit Hall Team knelt on one knee.

But neither the Star Luo Royal Academy Team nor the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Team knelt; the two teams now represent the Two Great Empires and have no subordinate relationship with the Spirit Hall.

The originally imposing Bibidong now seemed unusually gentle.

"Stand down!"

All personnel of the Spirit Hall instantly rose, looking very rhythmic.

Yang Xiong stared intently at Bibidong; whether in a past life or this one, he held various assessments of her: outstanding talent, great strength, ruthless methods, extraordinary brilliance…

But at this moment Yang Xiong could no longer think of all that, only feeling that she exerted immense pressure on him, like a poisonous snake, like an opium poppy—beautiful in appearance yet filled with lethal poison.

Bibidong appeared unusually calm, smiling as she looked at everyone present.

"From you I see the hope of Soul Grandmasters; I hope you demonstrate your talent and strength, and the ultimate victor will receive all the rewards."

Bibidong waved her hand, and three beams of light appeared before her, small in size but shaped like infant bones, each emitting an alluring glow.

Everyone present widened their eyes, even the top experts on site were filled with excitement.

These were soul bones—the three top-level soul bones awarded in the Soul Master Competition Finals; in that instant, everyone present began to boil with excitement.

Standing behind the Pope, Gui Douluo's specter, with his deep voice, said, "These three soul bones are the Wisdom Skull of Mental Consolidation, the Flaming Right Arm of Explosive Burning, and the Wind‑Chasing Left Leg of Rapid Advance. All three come from Ten‑thousand‑year Soul Beasts, the world's highest‑grade soul bones, especially the head soul bone, which is a masterpiece."

Yang Xiong's gaze turned grim at the three soul bones; it wasn't that he disliked treasures, but these bones were simply not easy to obtain, clearly prepared for the Golden Generation.

In the entire Grand Finals, the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, though present, clearly did not give their all, easily crushing the other teams, creating a stark power gap.

Especially the Martial Soul Fusion Technique Demon Charm formed by Xie Yue and Hu Liena, this move not only has mental attack but also extremely strong combat ability; even a low‑level Soul Emperor might not defeat it.

Over the years Yang Xiong has searched countless books but never found the appearance of the longing dew; even after cultivating the Purple Extreme Demon Eye, his spirit power only reached the Soul King Realm, and he is currently only a Level 39 Soul Lord.

As for Tang San, Yang Xiong thought his Purple Extreme Demon Eye level was similar to Tang San's, but his own primary martial soul should give him stronger spirit power than Tang San; he couldn't even handle the Red Mist, let alone others. The only possible hope on the arena might be Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun's Nether White Tiger.

While Yang Xiong was lost in thought, Bibidong spoke again.

"There can be only one ultimate champion; these three soul bones will be the reward for that champion. I hope your three teams give their all and claim the final victory."

"This morning is the individual elimination round, each of your three teams fields seven members; the final winner will gain the advantage and directly secure a spot in tomorrow's Grand Finals. The afternoon will be the losers' showdown. The competition now begins."

Everyone had long understood the rules; each of the three teams sent one member to draw lots, and the Shrek Team sent Shi Mo.

Regarding the morning's single‑person matches, everyone had their own considerations.

The Spirit Hall Team is the strongest, likely to take first place in the individual matches, since they have three Soul Kings and all other Soul Grandmasters are above Level 45.

The Star Luo Royal Academy, though formidable, has Dai Weisi at Level 49, but aside from Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, the others are only just at Level 42‑3, a huge gap.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Team's gap is even larger; the highest is Yu Tianheng at Level 43, the others at Level 41‑2, with an average spirit power gap approaching nine levels—a chasm impossible to cross.

Just as Shi Mo finished drawing lots and prepared to step onto the stage, Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke.

"Please hold the match for a moment; Shi Mo, you go back first."

Bibidong asked with some confusion, "What do you mean? Please state your reason."

Yu Xiaogang smiled coldly, "I have no other intention; our Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Team voluntarily forfeits the morning individual round and proceeds directly to the afternoon losers' bracket. I think giving up is our right."

Yu Xiaogang's words sounded unusually flat, yet also profoundly enigmatic.

However, after this was said, the Heaven Dou Empire's high officials, led by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, wore extremely displeased expressions; the Shrek Team represents the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the Heaven Dou Empire, and such a surrender without a fight embarrassed the entire empire.

In contrast, the members of the Star Luo Royal Academy Team turned ashen; if the Shrek Team conceded, the Star Luo Royal Academy would have to face the Spirit Hall Team alone, and even Dai Weisi, however arrogant, understood the gap—after all, it amounted to three Ten‑thousand‑year Spirit Rings.

Bibidong originally had a slightly surprised expression, but now suddenly nodded: "You're right, conceding is indeed your right; I was presumptuous, Elder Yu."

The others were also startled to hear that the team leader of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team turned out to be an elder of the Spirit Hall, which was rather amusing.

It should be known that elders of the Spirit Hall are basically Title Douluo, and the only elder who is not a Title Douluo is Ning Fengzhi, who is not only the Sect Leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect but also the continent's top Support Spirit Master.

Everyone looked at Yu Xiaogang with a strange gaze; in the eyes of the masters, it was clear at a glance that Yu Xiaogang was merely a Level 29 Great Soul Master, and although he had some reputation in the Soul Master World back then, that reputation was rather poor, at least somewhat despised by the major forces.

Bibidong said: "Since the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek team has already conceded, the match continues."

Everyone's eyes instantly turned to Davis; now the Shrek team clearly intended to wait it out, but as the Star Luo Empire is the continent's foremost power, if they were to concede easily, Davis would have a hard time reporting back home.

Davis's face turned ashen, and he simply sent a Soul Elder onto the field, resulting in an unambiguous crushing defeat.

After Davis dispatched two Soul Elders in succession, he decisively also conceded, partly to indicate insufficient strength, and also to preserve power; at least the nation's image could still be maintained.

(End of chapter)