"Damn it!"
Dai Mubai's knuckles cracked audibly, his entire body teetering on the edge of rage.
"I swear, if I ever trust the dean again, then I'm a f*cking idiot!"
Ma Hongjun and Oscar also cursed loudly.
The mocking laughter from the audience, as well as the master of ceremonies' intentional or unintentional condescension, naturally did not escape their ears.
However—
Circumstances were stronger than people.
They couldn't just start arguing with the emcee. Doing so might get them thrown out and disqualified.
Moreover, what the emcee said was, unfortunately, true...
So, they could only direct their attention toward the ridicule from the audience.
As for Ning Rongrong, they really couldn't bring themselves to like her. Of course, if Qian Renxue had brought this matter up—having Ning Rongrong join Qianyu Academy's team—it wouldn't have been a big deal to them; they would've agreed as well.
Raising their eyes, they noticed Ning Fengzhi's rather unpleasant expression.
Even now, among the three of them, only Dai Mubai had barely broken through to the four-ring Soul Ancestor level. Ma Hongjun and Oscar were still just three-ring Soul Elders, and even quite far from reaching the fourth ring.
[External Spirit Bone] —
At this moment—
Ning Fengzhi, being 'Xue Qinghe' teacher, and representing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, was supporting 'Xue Qinghe' in inheriting the throne.
Even though Qianyu Academy kept a low profile, it was still located in Heaven Dou City; there was no way for all their information to remain completely hidden.
[Spirit Rings] —
[Spirit Bones] —
Just like how Qianyu Academy remained Qianyu Academy.
How could they possibly know Shrek true strength?
[Seventh Spirit Ring] 100,000 years, translucent white, Time Element Control / True Form of Elemental Spirit, 100% Time Element Affinity
However—
Even though many in the audience were soul masters, most of them were weak in terms of strength.
[Spirit Ornament: Spirit's Dream] 100,000 years, Absorption, Dream of the Spirits
But when Dai Mubai and the others heard that name, their bodies suddenly trembled.
Zhu Zhuqing was in Qianyu Academy.
The front rows of the audience suddenly went silent.
To the point that—
This was also an ability he mastered as his spiritual power progressed, and something made possible with the support of "Eternal."
Soon after, Li Yu noticed a gaze falling upon him.
This wasn't surprising at all.
Yes.
They hadn't even asked Li Yu for his opinion—they just directly stated he wouldn't be participating in the tournament. Such discretion!
[Third Spirit Ring] 100,000 years, red, Poison Element Control, 100% Poison Element Affinity[Fifth Spirit Ring] 100,000 years, red, Lightning Element Control, 100% Lightning Element Affinity
So—
[First Spirit Ring] 100,000 years, red, Water Element Control, 100% Water Element Affinity[Second Spirit Ring] 100,000 years, red, Fire Element Control, 100% Fire Element Affinity
After all, 'Xue Qinghe' was just a hopeless romantic…
Li Yu smiled politely at Ning Fengzhi, whose expression finally improved a little.
[Dark Demon Spirit Guardian] 100,000 years, Dark Demon Spirit
But still...
[Martial Soul: Elemental Spirit (Divine Level)]
[Eternal Spirit Skull] 100,000 years, Eternal, Spirit Vision
They returned to their academy's designated spot and watched Qianyu Academy make their entrance.
As a result of this development, Prince Xue Xing cast a smug glance toward both Li Yu and 'Xue Qinghe'.
Of course, given his current strength, he didn't actually need to do this.
As the proud daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong was absent from all competing teams. For Ning Fengzhi, both as sect leader and as her father, this naturally put him in a bad mood.
A wave of crimson killing intent suddenly burst forth from his body.
Despite Ning Fengzhi being in a foul mood and being the speaker, and even though the first-round matchups had already been drawn, there was no trace of targeting Qianyu Academy.
There simply weren't that many soul masters.
Obviously—
Ma Hongjun and the others laughed sheepishly.
But in truth—
Ning Rongrong had probably caused no small amount of trouble back in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect...
The emcee barely introduced Qianyu Academy, not even mentioning their name change.
'Xue Qinghe' smiled faintly, while Li Yu was briefly stunned before realizing what was happening.
[Spirit Schedule: 6/10]
Instead, Shrek Academy once again faced off against Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Team One.
His attention returned to the unseen panel before him—
Ma Hongjun and the others immediately started flattering, eyes full of envy.
Ning Fengzhi had not-so-subtly suggested to 'Xue Qinghe' several times that, if Li Yu were to participate in the tournament, he should bring Ning Rongrong along.
But Li Yu didn't care.
"???"
[Sixth Spirit Ring] 100,000 years, silver-gray, Space Element Control, 100% Space Element Affinity
His eyes narrowed slightly as he pulled his consciousness back, refocusing on the scene below.
[Spirit Wings] 100,000 years, Elemental Storm
Qianyu Academy had fewer participants than Shrek Academy—only seven members.
Not to mention, the Shrek group had even caused a stir at Qianyu Academy once before.
And now—
Among them, only Tang San remained silent, eyes filled with murderous intent.
Especially with someone so young already reaching the Soul Ancestor level.
What's more, there were still 126,000 years of free allocation time remaining!
"The final team to enter the arena: Qianyu Academy!"
But the result needed no further explanation.
Qianyu Academy's opponent for the first round of the preliminaries was Qing Tian Academy. He had never heard of this academy before, but presumed their strength wasn't anything notable.
In the end, while a four-ring Soul Ancestor wasn't powerful by soul master standards, they certainly couldn't be considered weak on the continent.
And Prince Xue Xing and the others didn't react at all, as if they had known this would happen for a long time.
[Free Allocation Duration: 126,000 years]
Ning Rongrong was not present in any of the competing teams!
[Fourth Spirit Ring] 100,000 years, red, Life Element Control, 100% Life Element Affinity
The battle had already begun...
Did Prince Xue Xing think he'd replace someone in Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Team One later and participate?
"It's worth noting that one member of Qianyu Academy was originally from Shrek Academy. The exact reason for their transfer is unknown, but we look forward to their performance in the upcoming matches!"
Li Yu squinted his eyes slightly.
At this moment, the emcee's voice rang out again:
After Dai Mubai and the others cursed one after another, his brow furrowed, and a sudden wave of aura surged from him.
If he wanted to, he could disguise the colors of his spirit rings.
From the main platform, Li Yu and 'Xue Qinghe' naturally glanced over.
In theory, 'Xue Qinghe' couldn't exactly refuse.
[Level: 77]
But Tang San gave no response.
...
They had all been frightened by the aura released from Tang San.
Of all the people Li Yu knew, only Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Wang Changzhi were here.
On the other hand, Tang San was already a level-47 Soul Ancestor, which made them jealous.
Ning Fengzhi's plans had clearly failed.
Li Yu could basically guess why Ning Fengzhi was in a bad mood.
As for why Prince Xue Xing still thought he was only a four-ring Soul Ancestor, it was naturally because he had deliberately concealed his true strength.
Could it be...
After more than four months of refinement—
Prince Xue Xing and the others had never linked him with either 'Xue Qinghe' or Li Yu.
[Spirit Bone: Void Element Left Leg] 100,000 years, Rift, Blink
But clearly—
[Dark Demon Spirit Torso Bone] 100,000 years, Rage of the Dark Spirit Elf
Li Yu's soul power level had already reached 77, with all of his spirit rings and bones being at the 100,000-year level.
Still—
"You're the best, Little San!"
Li Yu's eyes flashed with a strange emotion.