In the second match of the quarterfinals, Clear Sky Sect faced off against Star Luo National Academy, and Clear Sky Sect advanced powerfully.
With this, two of the four teams in the semifinals of this tournament had already been decided.
In the rest area, the remaining seven teams began to exit in an orderly manner. Leading the way, as always, were the members of Shrek's team; this had silently become an unspoken rule.
As for the audience in the stands, in order to secure better positions for watching the two remaining matches in the afternoon, many people chose to stay in their seats and rest.
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen led the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy team into the exiting crowd, their expressions different from each other.
"There was no mercy, no holding back; it's simply that you weren't qualified for me to even consider you an opponent." Yu Tianhuang's words kept echoing in his mind.
After seeing the strength Yu Tianhuang displayed when he annihilated that group of evil soul masters today, Xiao Hongchen smiled bitterly and shook his head. The feeling of defeat in his heart actually lessened somewhat. Because from the very beginning, their talent had never been on the same level.
And in the future, the gap between them would only grow larger. Yu Tianhuang was destined to become an existence far beyond his reach.
He had no choice but to admit his defeat and face his own mediocrity.
Of course, this "mediocrity" was only when compared to Yu Tianhuang.
As for Meng Hongchen, she kept frequently casting her gaze toward Xu Zihuang at the very front of the exiting group. Her pretty face was charming like cherry blossoms, her eyes filled with spring-like affection. She felt that Yu Tianhuang attracted her at every moment.
In her eyes, Yu Tianhuang was perfection itself. Especially the proud, aloof demeanor he showed when provoking Zhongli Wu earlier made her heart tremble.
At that moment, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy team was walking next to the Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy team. Suddenly, led by their captain, the team from Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy cut across several other teams and blocked Shrek's path.
Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and the rest of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy members instinctively looked over.
Although there were all kinds of competition between Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy, the top two academies in the Sun Moon Empire, they were both from the Sun Moon Empire's capital after all, and usually had frequent exchanges. This made the members of both teams very familiar with each other.
Very quickly, Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy's unusual behavior attracted the attention of the entire audience.
"Hey!"
The captain of Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy stood directly in front of Xu Zihuang. This captain had very delicate features, skin so fair it could practically belong to a girl. But in terms of height, he was even shorter than Xiao Xiao, the smallest member of Shrek's team. His head only reached Xu Zihuang's chest.
Right now, this captain of Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy was looking up at him. Raising her small face, she crossed her arms in front of her chest and stared at Xu Zihuang with bright, burning eyes.
Xu Zihuang stopped walking and looked over indifferently.
Of course, he knew the true identity of this captain from the Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy.
Xu Tianzhen, Xu Tianran's biological younger sister, is the only direct-line princess of the current Sun Moon Empire imperial family. By blood relation, Xu Tianzhen was actually his older cousin, two years his senior.
Back when he lived in the Sun Moon Empire palace, he had often come into contact with Xu Tianzhen. Although not as close as he was with He Caitou, Xu Tianzhen had still left a deep impression on him.
Combining memories from his previous life, Xu Zihuang knew that Xu Tianzhen's innocence and naivety were indeed genuine, but her rebellious behavior wasn't necessarily completely natural. The reasons behind showing such behavior actually carried a deeper meaning.
She was powerless to stop the dark and filthy struggles within the Sun Moon Empire imperial family, so she wanted to go study at Shrek Academy to escape from it all. It was only because of the tense relationship between the Sun Moon Empire and the original Douluo Continent that she had never been able to fulfill her wish.
Xu Zihuang didn't have much malice toward Xu Tianzhen. But she was still Xu Tianran's biological sister.
When the time came that he possessed the strength and capital for revenge, would he truly be able to avoid directing his hatred toward her?
He never considered himself a saint of noble character. At his current stage, he still couldn't give a definite answer.
Under everyone's gaze, Xu Tianzhen removed her hair tie. Her bound black long hair cascaded down, falling softly over her fragrant shoulders. Crossing her arms again, she deliberately squeezed, making her already decently sized chest appear even more prominent.
"A girl?!" Everyone suddenly understood.
Hehe, are you captivated by this princess?
Seeing Xu Zihuang's momentarily dazed expression, Xu Tianzhen smiled smugly.
The other six members of Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy behind her all darkened in expression, feeling extremely helpless toward their carefree captain.
Xu Tianzhen's behavior was partly due to her naturally playful personality, and partly because she had developed an extremely strong interest in Xu Zihuang. There was also an inexplicable sense of intimacy she couldn't quite explain, one that came from the closeness of blood.
But before Xu Tianzhen could say anything, Xu Zihuang expressionlessly walked past her.
The atmosphere at the scene instantly became extremely awkward. The embarrassment was visible to the naked eye.
On Shrek's side, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, and the others could barely keep straight faces and covered their mouths, snickering quietly. They quickly followed behind Xu Zihuang and left.
"Captain, they've already walked far away," one of the young men from Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy gently poked Xu Tianzhen's shoulder and whispered a reminder.
This young man was named Lu Jun, second only to Xu Tianzhen in strength within the Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy's team.
"I saw it! I'm not blind!" Xu Tianzhen came back to her senses and glared at Lu Jun angrily and embarrassedly. Then, as if suddenly thinking of something, she swung her hand toward Lu Jun.
"By the way, why did you touch me just now? Are you trying to take advantage of me?"
Lu Jun barely managed to dodge Xu Tianzhen's slap, looking so aggrieved he was about to cry.
"Big Sis, how would I dare take advantage of you?! I was just trying to remind you! Everyone is watching. We're currently representing the academy's face."
"That makes sense." Xu Tianzhen nodded deeply in agreement, but then, without warning, another slap came flying.
"But what does that have to do with you taking advantage of me?"
So you completely didn't understand a word I said?
Lu Jun felt so depressed that he almost spat blood. The other team members quickly scattered.
On the rostrum, Xu Tianran, who was preparing to leave, noticed the situation over there, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help twitching.
This was too embarrassing. Fortunately, Xu Tianzhen's identity as a princess of the Sun Moon Empire imperial family had never been publicly announced.
Ju Zi, who was pushing Xu Tianran's wheelchair, also turned her attention in that direction, watching until Xu Zihuang's figure completely disappeared.
After Shrek's team returned to Suite No.1 on the top floor of Mingyue Hotel, under Zhang Lexuan's instructions, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.
With Yu Tianhuang present, the championship of this tournament was already without any suspense.
As always, Zhang Lexuan didn't question Xu Zihuang about his golden seventh soul ring. Her words and actions showed absolute trust in him.
On the other side, as soon as Xu Zihuang brought Ning Tian into his room, he saw Ye Guyi sitting on the living room sofa.
Ning Tian, who had certain thoughts in mind, then realized she had overlooked Ye Guyi's presence. Her pretty face blushed slightly as she walked over and sat down next to Ye Guyi.
"Guyi-jie—"
Ye Guyi, who had already noticed Ning Tian's little thoughts long ago, smiled and gently stroked Ning Tian's hair.
"How did Tianhuang perform in the match?"
Hearing Ye Guyi ask this, Ning Tian immediately became excited and described all the details of the match completely, including how Xu Zihuang revealed his seven-ring Soul Saint cultivation to provoke Zhongli Wu.
Yu Tianhuang's excellence only made her feel sincere pride from the bottom of her heart.
Although Ye Guyi wasn't surprised by the result and was very confident in Xu Zihuang's strength, she hadn't expected this particular situation. When she raised her head and met Xu Zihuang's gaze, the two instantly understood each other's thoughts.
While the three were talking, the pre-ordered lunch was also delivered by the dedicated maid.
Taking advantage of the meal, Xu Zihuang told Ning Tian almost everything about Tian Meng and soul spirits.
While speaking, he released the Thunder Beast that had successfully fused with him.
When he originally fused with the Thunder Prison Vine, its cultivation hadn't reached a hundred thousand years yet. Later, it consumed a huge amount of its original power to break through the hundred-thousand-year bottleneck, which was why it didn't provide an additional increase in soul power rank.
But the Thunder Beast was a genuine hundred-thousand-year soul beast. Not only did it give him a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and a hundred-thousand-year left leg bone, it also allowed his soul power to break through the bottleneck and rise two more levels, reaching rank 73.
However, the Thunder Beast seemed to be quite special. Even after becoming Xu Zihuang's soul spirit, it didn't transform into human form and maintained its original appearance.
The entirely brilliant golden Thunder Beast had completely turned into an energy body. At this moment, it was sitting on Xu Zihuang's shoulder, happily wagging its tail.
"Squeak squeak squeak—"
With a thought, the energy-form Thunder Beast turned into specks of light again and merged back into Xu Zihuang's body.
Xu Zihuang softly explained to Ning Tian: "This soul spirit fusion method can only form a contract when both parties are truly willing. Within the limits of a soul master's physical condition and mental power, the stronger the soul beast's cultivation and the more complete its spiritual sense is preserved, the higher the success rate of fusion. My situation is quite special. For other soul masters, successfully fusing a soul spirit isn't that easy. This soul spirit fusion method still needs more experimentation."
"But if I help soul masters form the contract with soul beasts, the success rate should increase greatly."
During lunch, all three drank a little wine. Ning Tian's face was flushed with alcohol, her water-blue eyes wide as she stared at Xu Zihuang.
To put it bluntly, this soul spirit fusion method was enough to change the entire pattern of the continent. The fact that Yu Tianhuang was willing to tell her everything without reservation, this sense of trust and importance, filled her heart with thick sweetness.
"Ning Tian, you're an auxiliary system soul master. Soul spirits will give you an even greater boost. In the future, if you encounter a suitable soul beast, let Tianhuang help you complete the fusion," Ye Guyi said with an unchanging smile, pouring another cup of the clear, sweet, pale purple fruit wine for Ning Tian.
"You've seen it yourself, soul spirits can retain a certain degree of their combat power from when they were alive. With a soul spirit, at the very least, you'll be able to protect yourself."
"Mn!" Ning Tian sweetly agreed. At the same time, she also realized the harshest condition of this soul spirit fusion method: the soul beast must willingly form a contract with the soul master.
Soul beasts and soul masters are natural enemies. How difficult would it be to achieve that?
Xu Zihuang stretched out his index finger and flicked the golden sun earring on his left ear, smiling as he continued:
"As for this golden sun earring, it's actually the million-year soul beast Tian Meng that I mentioned."
As soon as he finished speaking, the golden sun earring with its ten strange golden patterns suddenly burst with light, then transformed into a miniature version of an iceworm.
This iceworm was only six or seven inches long, as thick as a finger, its body like pale golden crystal, clear and translucent. With its slight wriggling, it even carried a faint refreshing fragrance.
Disturbed from its peaceful nap by Xu Zihuang, the Tian Meng showed no trace of displeasure. Instead, it spoke excitedly:
"How is it? Big brother's million-year soul ring is pretty good, right?"
It had been waiting to properly boast in front of Xu Zihuang for a while, but unfortunately, Xu Zihuang had been busy rushing to the competition venue to save the situation earlier.
Xu Zihuang had crossed dozens of kilometers from the center of Mingdu and appeared directly on the competition stage; that was precisely the power of his seventh soul ring's Martial Soul True Body.
Only then did Tian Meng notice the stunned Ning Tian. It straightened its body and chuckled:
"We've watched you and Tianhuang grow together step by step. You can call me Big Brother Tian Meng just like Tianhuang does."
Although Tian Meng was usually muddle-headed, at this moment, it didn't slip up and reveal Xu Zihuang's real name.
"Just call it Tian Meng," Xu Zihuang said, extending his slender index finger and lightly tapping the head of the iceworm that was trying to take advantage of the situation.
Tian Meng grumbled in dissatisfaction but didn't insist.
"Hello, Tian Meng." Ning Tian blinked and politely greeted the Tian Meng.
With this, the last trace of doubt in her heart disappeared. Being able to speak human language was the symbol of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
Truly, the continent was full of wonders. Such a seemingly weak iceworm could actually cultivate to this level.
Unaware of what Ning Tian was thinking, Tian Meng continued wriggling happily on Xu Zihuang's shoulder. Ever since fusing with his spiritual sea, it had rarely had the chance to move about in the outside world like this.
But at that moment, it seemed to sense something. Its gaze fell on the crystal cup in front of Ning Tian, filled with pale purple fruit wine.
Tian Meng raised its head in a daze and happened to meet Ye Guyi's meaningful look. Its round body instantly shrank. It no longer wanted to stay outside and directly returned to Xu Zihuang's spiritual sea.
"Um… Tianhuang. If there's nothing else, big brother will go back to sleep first."
Its tone had clearly become much more hurried.
This kind of plot was all too familiar to it. Every time this happened, Ning Tian would fall asleep, and all of its perception would be blocked by Xu Zihuang for a long period.
It was better to be tactful and go back on its own.
However, Ning Tian had already drunk quite a lot, her eyes somewhat dazed, and she didn't notice the change in Tian Meng's tone.
Moments later, Ning Tian's consciousness became completely hazy. She raised her jade arm to lightly touch her forehead, looking extremely delicate and charming.
Xu Zihuang raised his head and met Ye Guyi's gaze. After a moment of silence, he helplessly, yet familiarly, stood up with Ning Tian in his arms and walked toward the bedroom.
Ye Guyi silently followed behind Xu Zihuang, her demeanor elegant and noble, though the charm in her eyes was impossible to hide.
The door closed. It wasn't until the sun tilted toward the west that the two finally came out of the room one after another.
Xu Zihuang sat on the sofa and said quietly:
"Sister Lingyi, maybe we shouldn't do this anymore in the future."
Ye Guyi toyed with her slightly messy golden hair, then gave Xu Zihuang a faint glance.
"So you've gotten tired of me so quickly?"
"No, it's just…" Xu Zihuang's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly denied it.
"You think it's unfair to her?"
Ye Guyi finished the sentence he wanted to say. Her clear eyes were as cool and limpid as moonlight reflected on a spring.
"Then do you think it was fair to me when she took you away from me?"
Xu Zihuang fell silent once again. Of course, he understood the meaning behind Ye Guyi's words.
"I'm sorry, Sister Lingyi."
But Ye Guyi showed a smile once more. She leaned against Xu Zihuang's shoulder and changed the subject.
"Use that ability of yours to look at this afternoon's matches."
"Mn." Xu Zihuang took a deep breath, understanding her intention and not dwelling on the previous topic. He then raised his hand to cover his right eye.
At the same time, in the void above the competition stage in the eastern suburbs of Mingdu, a huge, brilliant golden eye appeared. Everything happening on the stage was clearly reflected within it.
Yet no one in the entire audience could sense the existence of this golden eye, as if it had perfectly concealed itself within the cracks of space.
This was the brand-new innate ability Xu Zihuang obtained after breaking through to Soul Saint: Void Pupil. It was a weakened version of his Martial Soul True Body ability "Void", allowing him to observe the surrounding situation in detail within the range his spiritual power could reach.
And correspondingly, his left eye possessed the weakened version of the Martial Soul True Body ability "Future Vision", Foresight. When deliberately activated, he could see scenes that would occur within the next three seconds.
Void Pupil and Foresight, although inferior to Void and Future Vision, had the advantage of being usable in the normal state. The only drawback was that both abilities consumed quite a lot of soul power.
However, for someone who had already condensed a soul core, such soul power consumption was negligible.
These golden eyes were truly worthy of being called a divinely favored Martial Soul.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are 40 early chapters available on Patreon
[email protected]/facficmax10--------(@→a)