Chapter 203: The First Match of the Advancement Tournament – Plant Academy vs. One-Man Sweep
The Royal Hunting Grounds.
After presenting their credentials, the elite Royal Knights allowed entry to the Oakland Team and dispatched fifty fully armed knights to escort them deeper into the grounds.
Crossing a small hill, an expansive plain unfolded before them. The open field, filled with the fragrance of grass and trees, created a tranquil atmosphere that eased their moods.
Dai Yao scanned the area and noticed that the teams from various duchies and kingdoms had already arrived. Upon seeing the newcomers, some people showed curiosity, while others revealed faint hostility.
As prodigies of their respective nations, they believed they were on par with the Heaven Dou Empire's geniuses and were eager to prove themselves.
"Let's go. Let's allocate the rooms first," Jackson instructed.
The accommodations consisted of military-style tents, with each team receiving five rooms. Jackson quickly assigned the rooms: two for the four girls, two for the four boys, and one for himself and Feng Qianli.
As the sun set, the other four qualifying teams from the Heaven Dou Empire gradually arrived.
Oakland Team greeted them all, but the responses varied. Godwind Academy and Blazing Fire Academy were indifferent, while Shrek Academy displayed outright hostility. Surprisingly, Oakland's closest allies turned out to be Tianshui Academy.
"Tianshui Academy has so many beauties, yet they all seem to favor Dai Yao!" Da Yuanyi commented helplessly.
"Oh? Do you want a share too?" Luo Ling's sinister voice came from behind him.
Dai Yao could feel the icy glare on his back and quickly distanced himself from Shui Bing'er and the others.
"I didn't believe it before, but now I see how true it is—'the grass always looks greener on the other side,'" Dugu Yan remarked, feigning sorrow and self-pity.
Zhu Zhuqing covered her mouth with a light laugh, her shimmering eyes glancing at Dai Yao without a word.
Feeling helpless, Dai Yao wrapped an arm around Dugu Yan's waist, lowering his head to meet her emerald-green gaze. He chuckled and whispered, "I think the flowers at home are still the most beautiful."
Dugu Yan blushed, rendered speechless by his warm breath.
"What happened to your feisty attitude earlier?" Dai Yao teased with a mock sternness.
"High attack, low defense," Dai Yao thought to himself, holding Dugu Yan close.
Everyone burst into laughter. Da Yuanyi joked, "Dai Yao, it seems only you can handle Sister Yan."
"Oh? Do you want to try my poison?" Dugu Yan leaned on Dai Yao's shoulder, her emerald eyes sweeping over Da Yuanyi, who immediately felt a chill down his spine and frantically waved his hands in denial.
"No, no," he stammered. Despite being a Soul Elder, Da Yuanyi knew he had no chance against Dugu Yan and vividly remembered the torment he had suffered during their last encounter.
This lighthearted scene was just a small episode for the Oakland Team, but it had a different impact on the other teams.
Not only were Tianshui Academy's beauties close to Dai Yao, but Oakland's stunning female members appeared even more intimate, sparking envy among the male soul masters from various teams.
Meanwhile, the shrewder ones began viewing Dai Yao with caution. Anyone who could win the favor of so many remarkable women was undoubtedly no ordinary soul master.
The Advancement Tournament
The next day, the tournament took place at the Royal Knights' grand training field. Fifteen teams participated in the round-robin tournament, with each team competing in fourteen matches. One team would sit out each day, while seven matches took place daily.
The rules were simple: Each team sent seven members to compete in individual matches. A contestant would continue fighting until they were defeated, and the opposing team's next member would take the stage. The match ended when one team's seven members were all defeated.
The first match was between Blazing Fire Academy and Faraibia Academy.
"It's a sure win," Feng Qianli remarked, shaking his head.
Blazing Fire Academy, a veteran powerhouse of the Heaven Dou Empire, faced an obscure academy. Unsurprisingly, the outcome was one-sided. Fire Wushuang defeated three opponents in a row before falling due to exhaustion.
"Fire Wushuang is impressive, managing to beat three people without rest," Dai Yao commented earnestly, drawing exasperated looks from his teammates.
Fire Dance, the second to step up, leveraged her control-type skills to defeat the remaining four opponents, single-handedly securing the victory.
As Fire Dance stood victorious, her beauty captivated many onlookers. However, her fiery gaze soon locked onto Dai Yao. Extending her finger, she pointed at him provocatively.
Dai Yao chuckled, unbothered by her challenge. He could sense her significant improvement over the past month.
The third match featured Tianshui Academy against Exotic Beast Academy.
Tianshui Academy's mesmerizing team drew cheers from the crowd. A Tianshui soul master defeated three opponents, and Shui Bing'er swept the remaining four with elegance befitting an ice goddess.
However, like Fire Dance before her, Shui Bing'er's attention fell on Dai Yao, and she mimicked Fire Dance's taunting gesture.
The Oakland Team, observing from the sidelines, became the center of envy and intrigue. The male soul masters' jealousy only grew as they noticed Dai Yao surrounded by Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and Feng Wutong—three beauties even more dazzling than Shui Bing'er and Fire Dance.
Meanwhile, the nearby Plant Academy team sneered.
"Are they here to compete or flaunt their status as nobles?" one member jeered, their jealousy apparent.
"That guy's just some rich playboy riding on his connections," another remarked dismissively.
Little did they know, they would soon face Dai Yao and the Oakland Team on the battlefield.
The girls from the Botanical Academy burst into laughter, casting disdainful glances at the group from Oakland.
Originally, Oakland's group had intended to mock Dai Yao, but their expressions turned icy in an instant.
Dugu Yan swayed her snake-like waist, throwing a flirtatious glance at the students from the Botanical Academy as she chuckled lightly:
"You lot don't even qualify to cling to my man's coattails!"
"You!"
The captain of the Botanical Academy glared at Dugu Yan, gritting her teeth in fury.
"At least we're not as shameless as you!"
Dugu Yan laughed softly, not paying them any further attention.
The academies that had previously faced Oakland couldn't help but feel pity for the Botanical Academy. After all, Thunder Academy, which once offended Dai Yao, had been mercilessly injured by him. It seemed unlikely that the Botanical Academy would fare any better.
The animosity between the two sides didn't subside—it only grew fiercer, as both vowed to settle the score in the Soul Battle Arena.
"Captain, I want to go first."
Feng Wutong's phoenix-like eyes burned with anger as she spoke, catching Feng Qianli's attention.
"Alright."
Feng Qianli nodded with a smile. The Botanical Academy's earlier attitude had also made him angry.
"Wutong, give them a good lesson for us," Luo Feng and the others encouraged her.
Feng Wutong nodded firmly.
In the next round, Oakland faced off against the Botanical Academy.
"I'm thirsty," Dai Yao muttered, suddenly feeling parched. As he was about to search for water, Feng Wutong had already stepped forward, presenting him with a cup of warm water with both hands.
"Thanks."
"It's my duty," Feng Wutong replied with a smile.
Meanwhile, the members of the Botanical Academy were already on the Soul Battle Arena, preparing for their match. When they saw their opponent leisurely serving tea to that man, they trembled with rage.
"Are you going to fight or not?!" Dai Yao urged them to hurry up as Feng Wutong gracefully finished serving him tea before leaping onto the stage.
"Well, well," sneered a Soul Elder from the Botanical Academy. "A genius Soul Master competing in the promotion matches, and yet she acts like someone else's servant?"
"So what if I am?"
The softness in Feng Wutong's demeanor disappeared the moment she stepped onto the stage. Her phoenix-like eyes lifted slightly, exuding a chilling aura that sent shivers through the Soul Elder.
"I'll make you pay for what you said," Feng Wutong said coldly.
Insults directed at her were inconsequential. Insulting Dai Yao, however, crossed a line she could not tolerate.
"Let's see what you've got!"
The battle between the two sides attracted countless spectators. At the referee's signal, both sides simultaneously activated their martial spirits.
In an instant, a white flame surged from Feng Wutong's body, transforming into a noble bird. Two yellow rings and two purple soul rings—a perfectly balanced combination—rose around her.
It wasn't just the Soul Elder who was shocked. Among the spectators, teams from Shrek and the three elemental academies were also taken aback.
During previous matches, they had witnessed Feng Wutong's terrifying abilities—how she, as a Soul Elder, could go toe-to-toe with a Soul Ancestor thanks to the sheer strength of her martial spirit. Yet within a month, she had advanced to the rank of Soul Ancestor herself, a leap that made her potential even more daunting.
For teams unfamiliar with her reputation, the overwhelming aura she exuded left them wide-eyed. Her noble and untouchable presence, combined with her stunning beauty and alluring figure, captivated the audience.
Ignoring her opponent's reaction, Feng Wutong unleashed her Zhuque Domain the moment her martial spirit activated. The temperature around her soared, the arena environment shifting dramatically.
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exchanged astonished glances.
"A domain?"
Chen Xin's expression grew serious. "To think Oakland has another prodigy capable of wielding a domain. Her talent is extraordinary."
Ning Fengzhi's eyes flickered thoughtfully. Zhu Zhuqing had a domain, and now Feng Wutong did too. Both shared something in common—they stayed by Dai Yao's side. This connection only deepened his suspicions.
Even Salas, observing from afar, couldn't hide his excitement. The prodigies around Dai Yao were on par with the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall!
Feng Wutong's first soul ring glowed brilliantly. A scorching white flame shot forward like a beam.
The Soul Elder from the Botanical Academy hastily summoned dense vines to form a shield. However, the seemingly sturdy barrier turned to ash in an instant, and the flame continued unabated, engulfing the Soul Elder completely.
One move—instant defeat.
Silence fell over the arena.
Everyone stared in stunned disbelief at Feng Wutong. If her beauty had mesmerized them earlier, her strength now left them in awe.
Even though both fighters had full soul power and an elemental advantage was involved, the sheer dominance of Feng Wutong's Zhuque martial spirit was undeniable.
"Next," Feng Wutong's icy voice shattered the silence.
Furious, the members of the Botanical Academy leaped onto the stage, one after another, seeking vengeance. Yet each met the same fate—consumed by the same blazing fire.
In mere moments, Feng Wutong had defeated six opponents, using only her first soul skill. A single thought dominated the crowd: would this tournament witness the legendary one-against-seven?
The captain of the Botanical Academy clenched her teeth. To lose all seven rounds would bring unimaginable disgrace to her academy. Even a draw would be better than total annihilation.
Three breaths later, the captain was hurled from the stage.
Collapsing onto the ground, she struggled to rise, staring at Feng Wutong in disbelief.
"How is this possible? My martial spirit is Crimson Flame Thorns! It's resistant to fire. Why couldn't I block your attacks?"
Feng Wutong, having unleashed her first three soul skills simultaneously to secure her victory, was slightly winded. She glanced coldly at the defeated captain, offering no response.
Zhuque's divine flames were no ordinary fire—mere resistance wasn't enough to withstand them.
The Soul Battle Arena fell into an eerie silence. A one-against-seven had been achieved on the very first day of the promotion matches, shocking every academy from the Heaven Dou Empire.
Under the gazes of the crowd, Feng Wutong stepped down from the stage and returned to Dai Yao's side. The cold and regal expression on her face melted into a gentle smile as she stood quietly behind him, resembling a humble servant.
Witnessing this, countless hearts shattered.
The goddess who had performed the impossible was nothing more than a servant by Dai Yao's side?!
Unmoved by the envious stares, Dai Yao sipped his tea and remarked casually:
"Not bad. Still warm."
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