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The schedule of the Soul Master Tournament was a bit complex, but also quite easy to understand. The entire competition was divided into the preliminary rounds, the advancement rounds, and the grand finals.
Aside from the three seeded teams, both the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire had to select the fifteen strongest teams within their territories. This selection process, which also served to evaluate the teams' overall capabilities, was what the preliminaries were for.
The advancement rounds, on the other hand, consisted of one-on-one duels between soul masters to rank the fifteen teams accordingly.
A more discreet purpose of the advancement round was to observe each individual team member's strength, so the two empires and Spirit Hall could recruit outstanding talents.
Back then, Tang San had been offered a position by the Pope of Spirit Hall—but he had refused.
Ultimately, the two empires and Spirit Hall would each send their qualified teams—thirty-three in total—to Spirit City for the grand finals, where they would compete for the championship title.
Originally, the prize for the champion of this Soul Master Tournament was supposed to be three ten-thousand-year soul bones. However, one of them—the Swift Wind Left Leg Bone—had already been given by Dai Weisi to Zhu Zhuqing. Whether Bibi Dong would still offer all three as promised remained to be seen.
"Hey, look! What kind of school uniform is that? That's so freaking ugly!"
"Poop-green uniforms with a giant turd-like symbol on the back—what kind of sick fetish is that? Don't tell me they like eating it!"
"Looking for a sponsor, huh? Hahaha, I'm dying! Do they think this is a joke?"
"Must be some third-rate dump of an academy. Not even worth mentioning."
"Third-rate dump? We're from Shrek Academy! And that design on our uniforms isn't poop—it's Shrek! Shrek! You uncultured peasants—don't speak nonsense if you don't know!"
"You little fatty, who are you calling a peasant? Want me to slap you?!"
Suddenly, a burst of angry shouting erupted behind them. Hearing the familiar voice of Ma Hongjun, Dai Weisi quickly turned around—and sure enough, he saw the figures of the Shrek Six Devils and the Golden Iron Triangle.
Aside from them, he also spotted a group of people dressed in blood-red uniforms—none other than their old rival, Canghui Academy.
Leading the Canghui team was an elderly man with white hair—Shi Nian. He was a Soul Sage with strength in the seventies. Due to the uniqueness of his martial soul, even some Soul Douluo didn't dare underestimate him.
Upon seeing Shi Nian, Dai Weisi thought to himself: Shi Nian... if I remember right, he has a ten-thousand-year Illusion Wisdom Skull Bone. I have to find a way to get my hands on that soul bone.
Getting the bone wouldn't be difficult—but the real question was, who should receive it? Zhu Zhuyun already had a head-type soul bone. Tang Yuehua and Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul attributes didn't quite suit it either. Looks like the only option was Anna.
The Illusion Wisdom Skull Bone was a soul bone that enhanced spiritual power, making it the perfect match for Anna's Evil Spirit Eye external soul bone.
Dai Weisi leaned over and planted a quick kiss on Tang Yuehua's cheek, then smiled and said, "Yuehua-jie, wait here for me. I'm going to check on my idiotic little brother and catch up with Rongrong."
"Alright," Tang Yuehua nodded gently. In truth, she also wanted to see her nephew, Tang San. Unfortunately, Tang Hao had asked her to stay away for now, worried she might disrupt his cultivation.
"Hmph, Canghui Academy? Just a bunch of nobodies. Out of all of you, the only one worthy of my attention is that chick. Am I right, Boss Dai?"
Ma Hongjun burst into loud laughter, even spitting phlegm onto one of the Canghui students' shoes, clearly showing he didn't take them seriously at all.
"That's right. Only that girl barely catches our eye. The rest of you... trash!"
"You—! You bastards!" One of the Canghui students couldn't hold back his rage and was about to attack Ma Hongjun. But just then, a cold, sharp voice rang out.
"Stop right there! This is the Heaven Dou Grand Spirit Arena, and this is the Soul Master Tournament. Fighting outside the arena is strictly forbidden. Do you want to be disqualified?"
"But Headmaster, they—"
"Shut your mouth!" Shi Nian snapped, then glanced menacingly at Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai. "Shrek Academy, is it? We'll remember this. Let's see if you're still so arrogant on the battlefield!"
With that threat, Shi Nian led the Canghui students away. The smirks on their faces made it clear—they already had some idea of what their headmaster had in mind.
"Tch, garbage is still garbage. They think throwing around a threat will scare us?"
Flender patted Ma Hongjun's shoulder and said, "Alright, Fatty, quit stirring up trouble."
"But Headmaster, you're the one who always says, 'Those who fear trouble are cowards!'"
"..."
Flender rolled his eyes. That's not how you use that quote! Picking fights with those weaker than you might be fine, but against someone stronger, you'd better learn to play nice.
In short—bully the weak, fear the strong. Intimidate the small and gang up on the few.
"Shi Nian is no pushover. Though he's only a Soul Sage, his martial soul is so unique that even Soul Douluo prefer to avoid conflict with him. And he's the type to hold grudges."
"So what? Boss Dai's dad is the Star Luo Emperor—a Title Douluo, no less. Does that old geezer really dare mess with us?"
Ma Hongjun didn't seem concerned. Ever since learning that Dai Mubai's father was a Title Douluo, his arrogance had only grown, and so had his brashness.
"If you guys go around causing trouble, I doubt Father will protect you. On the contrary, if you end up tarnishing the reputation of the Star Luo Empire, he might lock you up and give you a beating himself."
At those words, both Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai felt a chill run down their spines. They turned around and saw Dai Weisi standing behind them without them even realizing it—startling them badly.
Ever since Dai Weisi had nearly slit his throat in one strike, Ma Hongjun had been deeply terrified of him.
"Brother Dai!"
Seeing Dai Weisi approach, Ning Rongrong called out joyfully, "Brother Dai, long time no see! What brings you to the Heaven Dou Empire?"
"It's been a while, Rongrong—you've gotten even more beautiful," Dai Weisi said, ruffling her hair affectionately. "The Soul Master Tournament is about to start, so I came to check out my brother's progress and wander around the city a bit. Looks like you've made good use of your time—you're already level thirty-six."
After consuming the Prism Herb, Ning Rongrong's talent had significantly improved, and she was now a thirty-sixth level Soul Elder. Dai Weisi then looked at the others, assessing their strength.
Dai Mubai – Level 42, Power Attack System, Battle Soul Ancestor.
Oscar – Level 35, Food System, Battle Soul Elder.
Tang San – Level 41, Control System, Battle Soul Ancestor.
Ma Hongjun – Level 36, Power Attack System, Battle Soul Elder.
Xiao Wu – Level 37, Power Attack System, Battle Soul Elder.
Even without taking celestial herbs, Tang San had still reached level 41.
However, since he hadn't consumed Autumn Dew of Insight, his fourth soul ring was only at the five-thousand-year level, and his Blue Silver Grass didn't possess immunity to water and fire.
(End of Chapter)