As the red-cloaked cardinal presiding over the match once again announced the start of the battle, Yan roared in fury, clenched his fists, and charged directly toward Ye Yu.
"Second Spirit Ability: Granite Armor!"
With the illumination of his second Spirit Ring, a layer of stone armor—appearing like molten golden magma—surged violently from Yan's body, instantly forming a thick granite battle suit that fully encased him.
"Third Spirit Ability: Infernal Flames!"
"Fourth Spirit Ability: Magma Surge!"
"Fifth Spirit Ability: Scorching Sandstorm!"
From Ye Yu's earlier battle with Xie Yue, Yan had clearly realized one thing—this opponent's strength was no joke. Even with an attribute advantage, he could not afford to underestimate him!
So the moment the battle began, he unleashed his full power. With a series of angry roars, he activated multiple Spirit Abilities in rapid succession.
Under the effects of his Third Spirit Ability, crimson pillars of flame erupted from beneath Ye Yu's feet and the surrounding area. Simultaneously, a massive wave of magma surged toward Ye Yu, while a storm of golden flames—like a raging sandstorm—formed behind Yan and swept forward with a howl.
As he closed the distance, Yan's lips curled into a confident and smug smile.
Both were Spirit Kings, but Ye Yu's Martial Soul was a plant-based one.
While his own Martial Soul, the Flame Lord, possessed top-tier fire and earth dual attributes.
That meant Ye Yu's Martial Soul should be hard-countered by his own.
With a full-coverage onslaught—above, below, and all around—Ye Yu had nowhere to run. That blue crystal tree Martial Soul of his would soon be scorched and eroded away by flames and magma.
Sure, Ye Yu had displayed impressive close-combat strength against Xie Yue…
But Yan was both an offense- and defense-type Spirit Master. Even if Ye Yu used that strange self-created Spirit Ability to trap him, there was no way he'd be taken down instantly!
As long as he could drag it out…
In this hellish field of flame and molten rock, Ye Yu was doomed to lose!
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
One massive explosion after another.
Although Ye Yu could theoretically ignore elemental damage from fire thanks to his unique Martial Soul traits, he instinctively sidestepped the first incoming pillar of infernal flame from beneath him.
Not because he feared injury—but because…
His clothes weren't fireproof!
And in front of the massive crowd surrounding the Dueling Platform, he had no desire to streak.
But the surging magma wave and sweeping sandstorm of golden fire? That was unavoidable.
Still, Ye Yu's response was swift and effective.
With a flicker of thought, the roots of his Blue Silver Jade Tree Martial Soul, spread across the Dueling Platform, surged up and rapidly intertwined around him—forming a completely sealed Blue Silver Prison.
"What?!"
Seeing his Magma Surge and Scorching Sandstorm swallow the cage whole—only for it to emerge entirely unscathed—Yan's expression twisted in disbelief.
Impossible!
That's impossible!
This guy's Martial Soul is a plant-type. It should be hard-countered by his fire attributes!
How could it possibly withstand his magma and flame-based attacks without a scratch?
Although Spirit Hall had gathered intelligence on Ye Yu...
And Yan had seen how Ye Yu's Martial Soul could seemingly nullify or resist ice-type attacks—as witnessed during his match against Tianshui Team in the qualifiers...
In the match against Blazing Fire Team, Ye Yu hadn't needed to act. Zhu Zhuqing, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo'er had handled everything.
So Ye Yu's immunity to fire attributes under extreme conditions had never been revealed—until now.
Which is why Yan was utterly shocked that his fire-based Spirit Abilities had absolutely no effect.
And while his attacks were blocked—
Ye Yu, having constructed his impenetrable Blue Silver Prison to deflect the blast, now controlled the roots of his Martial Soul once more.
They rapidly extended across the arena—wrapping tightly around Yan and binding him in place.
No matter how he struggled, he couldn't break free.
The next instant, Ye Yu dispersed the surrounding cage and vanished—reappearing in front of Yan as a flash of lightning.
BAM!
One powerful kick struck Yan squarely in the abdomen.
CRACK! — The granite armor covering his body shattered on the spot.
The sheer force caved in Yan's stomach. His entire body curled up like a cooked shrimp, eyes bulging from pain.
With a spray of blood, the towering, muscular Spirit Master was launched backward—flying off the Dueling Platform and crashing hard into the railings at the plaza's edge.
He groaned on the ground, unable to move—convinced his spine had snapped in half.
"Useless!!"
Off to the side, Hu Liena crossed her arms angrily, her charming yet fiery expression full of dissatisfaction.
She had planned to follow Yan and challenge Ye Yu herself—to avenge her brother Xie Yue.
But before she could act, Xie Yue—now fully healed by their team's support-type Spirit Master—stopped her firmly.
"Nana, we concede!"
Though unwilling, Xie Yue sighed bitterly.
"What?!" Hu Liena protested furiously.
"Even if you go up, it won't change anything," Xie Yue said solemnly. "We'd only be exposing your abilities, which will hurt us in the team battle later."
He added with a heavy tone, "Nana, your spiritual-type Spirit Abilities are indeed powerful—some enemies can't even stand before your charm. But Ye Yu isn't one of them."
Recalling his own battle, Xie Yue's gaze darkened.
"The self-created Spirit Ability he used on me included spiritual attacks. I could sense it—his mental strength is terrifying."
"Your charm might not work on him at all."
"It's better to save your full strength for our team battles against Godwind Team and Heaven Dou Imperial Team—catch them off guard instead!"
Previously, during matches against other teams, even just the Spirit Ancestor-level members of Spirit Hall's team had been enough to secure victory.
So this was Hu Liena's, Yan's, and Xie Yue's first real test.
"Nana, do it for the team!"
Xie Yue placed both hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes seriously.
"…Alright then."
Though still bitter, Hu Liena understood the logic.
"We concede!"
With that, Xie Yue turned to the Red-cloaked Cardinal and announced their surrender.
And just like that, Ye Yu, leading Heaven Dou Imperial Team, claimed victory in the first half of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament Finals.
After a one-day break—
On the third day, the Godwind Team vs. Spirit Hall Team group battle commenced to determine the second finalist.
Though Godwind Team had the advantage of full-team flight capability, the Spirit Hall Team's advantage remained insurmountable.
Especially since Yan's Fifth Spirit Ability: Scorching Sandstorm, was an area-of-effect skill. Even airborne, Godwind Team couldn't escape its range without leaving the arena boundary.
In the end, Spirit Hall Team emerged victorious, securing their place in the final match.
Another day passed.
And so, the final round of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament—the second half of the Grand Finals to determine the champion—officially began.