The moment the command was shouted, Xie Yue's Martial Soul fusion technique burst into full motion.
"Full Moon!"
His figure spun like a whirlwind, body and twin moon blades vanishing in an instant. Only a massive white disc remained in front of Lu Yuan, glowing radiantly like a perfect full moon.
He knew—if he didn't strike decisively now, he might never even get the chance.
"Chichichichi…"
The blazing white disc rotated at terrifying speed, colliding with the Sword Qi swirling around Lu Yuan. Sharp, ear-piercing screeches rang out as blade energy clashed against the condensed moonlight.
"The second spirit ability—Break Through the Air!"
With a slash, nine arcs of Sword Qi shot out from Lu Yuan's blade, slicing into the spinning full moon. Sparks erupted in the air like a thunderous fireworks display.
"Ding! Dong!"
Under the violent collision, the shining disc trembled, then was blasted aside. Its light faded in an instant.
Hu Liena and Xie Yue both crashed hard to the ground, their Martial Soul fusion technique breaking apart under the backlash of Lu Yuan's strike. Their limbs trembled violently; they could no longer sustain the move.
Even as they fell, a thin line of Sword Qi whipped forward from the tip of Lu Yuan's blade. Like a serpent, it swirled in a circle above Xie Yue's head before extending neatly to his throat.
"Gulp…"
Xie Yue's body stiffened. Cold sweat poured down his back. He dared not so much as twitch.
Damn it! If he moved even a little, his head might drop to the ground in the next second!
"Sis… Sister!" he called out desperately. "You know him, don't you? Tell him not to be impulsive!"
He glanced with panic toward Hu Liena, while at the same time his heart grew cold. Lu Yuan's drunken posture was terrifying enough, but paired with his monstrous strength, wasn't this simply asking for death?
The tournament rules forbade killing, yes. But would a drunk care about rules?
What if he just cut his head off for fun? That would be too tragic a way to go!
"Lu Yuan, we surrender!" Hu Liena shouted hurriedly, her voice taut with fear. Sword Qi gleamed dangerously close to her brother's throat, and she didn't dare test Lu Yuan's patience.
Besides, the moment Lu Yuan single-handedly dealt with their three strongest outside support members, the match had already been lost.
"Surrender?"
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, swaying slightly as his Sword Qi held its deadly place. Then, with the faintest thought, he dispersed the energy. The red mist that had been surrounding the arena also faded away.
The outcome was undeniable.
The Martial Soul Temple Academy team had lost.
"The Tiandou Royal Academy team wins!" the referee declared loudly.
The announcement was met with silence. Nobody was surprised now—this had almost become routine.
"Ahhh…" Qin Ming yawned lazily from the audience stands. "So easy. Another victory without breaking a sweat. Might as well clock out after this."
…
That night, inside Tiandou Royal Academy's quarters.
"Boom boom…"
Loud knocks came from the door.
Zhu Zhuqing opened it, only to find Davis standing there, struggling to hold two large wine jars.
The moment he saw her, Davis' face stiffened. "Lu—uh, Sister-in-law!" he corrected himself quickly, forcing a smile.
By now, Zhu Zhuqing had long severed ties with Dai Mubai. Yet ever since Lu Yuan entered her world, things between them had become… ambiguous. How far that relationship had progressed, Davis didn't dare ask. Still, calling her "sister-in-law" felt safe enough.
"Is Brother Lu Yuan inside?" asked Davis, glancing at Zhu Zhuqing's slightly flushed cheeks. His mind immediately jumped to conclusions—sharing drinks with Lu Yuan, no doubt.
Before he could dwell on it further, a fist suddenly slammed into his shoulder.
"Ow! What the—?!" Davis staggered backwards, clutching his arm. He looked up in bewilderment at Lu Yuan, who had appeared behind Zhu Zhuqing.
Why did I get punched just for knocking on the door? He was even carrying good wine!
"Brother Lu Yuan," Davis said quickly, forcing a smile despite the pain, "I brought these jars especially for you. Finest tribute wine. Can I come in and talk?"
Lu Yuan frowned impatiently. "Talk then. What do you really want?"
"I…" Davis's face hardened, anger flashing in his eyes. He placed the two jars carefully on the table as if they were treasures. "After two days, we'll face off again. Brother Lu Yuan, I want you to help me cripple that bastard Dai Mubai."
The bitterness in his voice was palpable. Today's match had ended in humiliation. Though Dai Mubai had been beaten bloody, the final result was his team's victory. If word of it reached the Star Luo Empire, Davis' prestige would plummet.
And he couldn't allow that.
Seeing Lu Yuan remain silent, Davis hurried to turn his pleas toward Zhu Zhuqing. "Sister-in-law, talk to him for me! That bastard Dai Mubai…"
But Zhu Zhuqing cut him off coldly. "Dai Mubai has nothing to do with me anymore. That's your business, not mine."
Lu Yuan crossed his arms. "Just two jars of wine, and you want me to risk myself for you?" His voice carried clear disdain.
"These aren't ordinary wines," Davis said quickly, almost panicked. He launched into a hurried explanation of their origins—rare tributes only accessible to him thanks to his position as prince of the Star Luo Empire.
Lu Yuan uncorked one jar, curiosity getting the better of him. A single sip later, his eyes widened.
[Ding! Host is delighted. Sixth spirit ability age +1000.]
"Ha! Now that's good wine!" Lu Yuan grinned. "All right, brat—you weren't lying."
Davis seized his chance. "Brother Lu Yuan, if you get the chance in Martial Soul City, just kill Dai Mubai for me. Beat him into the dirt. Better yet, dead!"
But Lu Yuan slammed the jar down, angry. "What? You expect me to lose hundreds more jars of fine wine because of you? Killing Dai Mubai would get me disqualified instantly. I'm not throwing away my qualification just for your grudge!"
His words left Davis speechless. Clearly, timing was bad. Davis could only grit his teeth and curse silently. Blood loss. If Brother Lu Yuan was in a better mood, maybe it would've worked.
…
The tournament entered its final stage.
Only three academies remained: Tiandou Royal Academy, Shrek Academy, and Tianshui Academy.
Few had expected Shrek Academy to claw its way here. With only two Soul Sects, they relied entirely on Tang San's twin Martial Souls and his Clear Sky Sect heritage. Against all odds, they'd survived.
Tianshui Academy's advancement was thanks solely to their leader, Shui Bing'er. She was now a Soul King—after consuming the immortal herb gifted by Lu Yuan, she had successfully broken through. Out of gratitude, she had even sought him out, giving him a kiss as thanks.
And now—before the Pope's Palace itself—the finals were about to begin.
Early in the morning, the three surviving teams gathered outside the Palace gates.
The massive golden doors creaked open. Pope Bibi Dong emerged, draped in a magnificent purple-gold dress, every step exuding authority.
"His Holiness the Pope!" shouted the herald.
"Long live, long live, long live!" echoed the Temple Knights, their voices reverberating across Martial Soul City.
Bibi Dong's sharp gaze swept across the gathered students. Then her eyes lingered briefly on one figure—Lu Yuan, leaning lazily against the shoulder of the girl beside him.
The moment he raised his head, her gaze snapped away instantly.
She knew too well what kind of trouble he could stir. If he dared speak something outrageous here, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"This competition's champion reward…" Bibi Dong announced as she lifted her scepter.
Three dazzling lights blossomed in the air, expanding until three glowing soul bones materialized, floating before everyone.
Gasps of awe erupted across the audience. Soul bones—so rare, so priceless—they blinded the eyes of every soul master present.
The referee re-explained the rules for the finals, then drew lots.
"The first match," he declared, "Tiandou Royal Academy versus Shrek Academy!"
The two teams stood ready.
But before Lu Yuan even stepped fully onto the stage, Yu Xiaogang raised his hand decisively.
"Referee, Shrek Academy abstains!"
The decision stunned everyone. Yet Yu Xiaogang remained firm. Facing Lu Yuan, they had no chance whatsoever. Why throw away their chance at second place?
Next, Shui Bing'er slowly rose. "Referee, Tianshui Academy also abstains."
Her choice shocked many as well, but Lu Yuan knew. Shui Bing'er trusted him. She knew that if the match proceeded formally, he would carve a path for Tianshui to take second place anyway. But she didn't wish for such pity.
Qin Ming slapped his thigh with a laugh. "Well, that settles it!"
The tournament's conclusion had already been decided.
--
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