Chapter 45: The Arena Ignites
At that moment—
the grand arena was overflowing with crowds from every corner of the continent.
Long lines of students, representing countless academies, stood proudly beneath colorful banners fluttering in the wind, while the sound of festive music filled the air.
Flags waved, cheers erupted—it was as if the entire world had gathered in this one place.
On the main stage stood the ruler of the Star Luo Empire, draped in a royal robe embroidered with gold and fur, his voice carrying both the weight of authority and the dignity of a king.
He lifted the microphone in his hand and spoke clearly, his voice echoing across the arena:
"I hope that all of you perform splendidly this month!"
Then, with greater force and passion, he continued:
"The Continental Spirit Master Academy Tournament is the grandest event across the entire continent!
I, the ruler of the Star Luo Empire, welcome every representative from every academy!"
He leaned forward slightly and gestured toward the massive gate at the end of the arena, as the audience held their breath in anticipation:
"Especially those who will step onto the stage now — the team ranked number one on the continent…The team that holds the ambition to become true champions!
Team Shrek Academy!"
The arena exploded with applause and cheers, banners rising high in every direction.
Amid the roaring excitement, the massive gate began to open slowly, accompanied by the deep grinding sound of shifting metal.
From within the dim light, three figures emerged, stepping forward with unwavering composure toward the center of the stage.
The lighting was cold — shades of blue and gray — giving the place a solemn, almost ceremonial atmosphere, more like a grand hall than an open arena.
Beams of light crossed from above, reflecting off the polished floor and casting a faint shimmer beneath the approaching figures' feet.
At the front walked a girl with long crimson hair, flowing behind her like a stream of silent flame.
The deep scarlet hue of her hair gave her presence a sharp edge as she strode forward with confident, steady steps.
Her gaze was straight ahead, shoulders back — every line of her posture radiating natural authority and composure.
Just behind her and slightly to the side was another young woman, her light blue chestnut hair glinting under the lights.
She seemed calmer than the first, but in her eyes burned a disciplined focus — as though she was carefully analyzing every corner of the arena.
On her right was a young man with deep blue hair that faded gently to soft pink at the tips.
The gradient in his hair caught the eye — from the cool blue at the roots to the warm pink at the ends — as if he embodied both frost and flame in a single breath.
His features were calm, refined; his gaze steady and confident, yet guarded.
Behind them stretched the vast arena, framed by cold gray walls and towering stands packed with spectators.
Spotlights crossed above, converging to illuminate their slow, deliberate advance.
Though the air was filled with thunderous noise, there was a strange stillness in that moment —the quiet that exists right before a storm breaks.
For a heartbeat, even time seemed to hold its breath.
The three stood facing the stage, their steps firm, their eyes unwavering.
And as the cheers continued to rise, the sight before them felt like the opening scene of a new legend — one that was just about to begin.
At that moment, the teams began to gather, marching in their lines.
And then—the crowd erupted.
"Impossible! Just the substitutes?"
"The opponents are sending out their main fighters first…"
"It's an elimination battle! Will they be okay!?"
"Only one team member advances…"
"What is Shrek Academy thinking? Are they trying to hold back their strength?"
"Dai Hao's son isn't here… Look! What's Shrek Academy's lineup?"
Tian Ling Advanced Soul Academy lineup: 3, 2, 1.
Both sides were allowed to use Soul Tools.
The air was thick with tension.
The stage was encircled by glowing crimson lights that pulsed like a warning.
At the center stood a young man, his hair — a striking blend of chestnut and deep blue — flowing wildly around his face.
His eyes gleamed with an unshakable resolve.
Crimson energy surged from his body like molten rivers, coiling around him, condensing into sharp, jagged extensions of pure force — a terrifying manifestation of newly awakened power.
He wore a uniform of deep blue and white, with blue and orange ribbons fluttering in the current of his aura.
Facing an unseen foe — whether before him or lurking beyond — he spoke, voice filled with unyielding pride:
"To face Shrek Academy… truly, that's your misfortune!"
Each word carried the weight of will and power.
Then, as the aura around him grew even more intense, his red armor flaring with heat, he declared with unshakable conviction:
"I won't hold back!"
His power surged.
The scene tightened on his face — youthful, sharp, eyes burning a deeper red.
Wings of energy burst behind him, and the red glow expanded outward, while his blue and orange sashes whipped violently in the storm of his spirit force.
With one final, ominous motion, he thrust his hand forward, unleashing a blinding surge of energy, shouting:
"Tremble!"
The crimson aura exploded outward from Huo Yuhao, forcing everyone nearby to stumble backward.
The eruption of his strength left the onlooking students frozen in pure terror.
All the other academy teams stood paralyzed, instinctively retreating without even realizing it.
But Huo Yuhao wasn't done yet.
Amid the chaos — as every eye focused on his blazing aura — he made a swift, deceptive move.
In that instant, he activated his fourth soul skill without anyone noticing.
He stepped forward with a confident, almost sinister smile, raising a finger to the corner of his eye, his pupils glowing with a fierce crimson light.
"Good… stay still and close together."
Then, in a voice that reverberated with eerie force, he shouted:
"Spiritual Interference!"
The effect was immediate — and devastating.
Panic and fear distorted the faces of his opponents as their minds buckled under the crushing mental pressure.
Within moments, their formation collapsed —Huo Yuhao had turned the chaos to his advantage, his psychic might forcing his enemies to yield before him.
The mental pressure alone made the opponents surrender!
In the next moment, the crimson aura surrounding Huo Yuhao faded away, revealing him and his teammate — the young man with dark blue hair that gradually lightened to soft pink at the tips — standing firmly side by side. Both of them exuded calm confidence, now enveloped by an aura far more intricate and profound than before.
From the stands, astonished shouts rose from the spectators who had just witnessed the end of the battle:
"Waaah!… Five students from Tian Bing Academy turned into golden statues! Wha— unbelievable!"
The aftermath of Huo Yuhao's power left a breathtaking mark on the ground — a glowing patch radiating pure golden light, casting a dazzling shimmer across the arena.
"Look at the floor! It's glowing completely… the battle left a golden imprintbehind!"
While most students stood frozen in awe, one girl with long red hair stared intently, analyzing the situation with sharp focus. She muttered quietly, commenting on Huo Yuhao's blue-haired companion's ability to withstand such overwhelming force:
"I was only able to protect myself because of my defensive Soul Tool…"
But before she could continue, her words stopped abruptly. The crowd's eyes widened in collective shock as they caught sight of something unbelievablehappening to Huo Yuhao himself.
"Another person… with six Soul Rings?! A— Spirit King?!"
The emergence of the Spirit King.
Terror began creeping into the eyes of the students, spreading slowly as they gazed at Huo Yuhao standing tall, radiating majestic power. But what they saw this time… surpassed anything they had ever imagined.
Before them, Huo Yuhao was surrounded by six crimson Soul Rings,blazing and rotating around him like living flames igniting the very air. The sight alone was enough to freeze their blood cold.
Then suddenly — without the slightest warning — the distance between him and two trembling students vanished.
He appeared before them like a phantom.
No one saw how he moved — it was too fast for the eye to follow. In an instant, he was there, the air around him trembling from the sheer intensity of his power. The students froze where they stood, their minds consumed by terror. They had already been frightened… but this sudden appearance pushed their fear to the absolute limit.
"They were already terrified… and then the space between them and Huo Yuhao disappeared completely."
At that critical moment, under the crushing weight of overwhelming fear, the two students instinctively unleashed a chaotic surge of defensive energy — a raw, uncontrolled reaction born purely from panic — sending their entire team spiraling into their weakest mental state.