After a day, Su Yu's understanding of the Power of Destiny deepened.
...
Finally, it was the fourth day of the round robin tournament.
Today, the Sun and Moon Royal Team would have two matches.
"In the morning we have a match against the Xingluo Royal Academy, and in the afternoon it's against Douling Academy."
"The Xingluo Royal Academy match will be handled by Zhou Xinghao, and the Douling Academy one by Xiao Ping."
The Xingluo Empire is the most fiercely competitive against the Sun and Moon Empire, and it's also the country with the greatest investment in soul-guiding devices.
The soul-guiding device usage at Xingluo Royal Academy is already quite high, and with the soul-guided cannons supporting the soul masters in battle, Xiao Ping stands little chance of winning.
In contrast, as a turret, Zhou Xinghao can handle either the turret-like Xingluo Royal team members or opponents famous for their soul master abilities.
However, Su Yu didn't have high expectations for them to complete their tasks in these two battles.
Still, achieving a sweeping seven isn't impossible, one way is to draw a team match or a two-two-three, followed by individual matches.
Alternatively, conduct the team match and two-two-three first, maintain a one-to-one win-loss record across the two matches, then proceed to the third round individual match.
This strategy can weaken the opponent's strength to the greatest extent.
But by doing so, it would lose the essence of the task itself.
So Su Yu chose not to intervene.
At the drawing, he didn't use the Power of Destiny for assistance, but relied solely on luck.
The fact proved Zhou Xinghao's luck was quite good, the first match against Xingluo Royal Team was under the two-two-three format. However, when the referee announced the second match as a team match, Zhou Xinghao's expression stiffened.
Can't really lose a match on purpose just to complete this task, right?
While Su Yu was focusing intently on watching, an unexpected visitor arrived.
Scorpion Tiger Douluo, Zhang Peng.
"Su Yu?"
"Scorpion Tiger Douluo? Why, I don't think I have any connection with your Holy Spirit Sect, do I? What do you want from me?"
Zhang Peng looked at Su Yu with narrowed eyes, surprised at Su Yu's demeanor.
After all, he is a Super Douluo, and Su Yu should know about his identity as an Evil Soul Master.
But, having such an attitude against an Evil Soul Master is somewhat understandable.
While Zhang Peng approached Su Yu, Yan Shaozhe from the Shrek Rest Area closely monitored the situation.
He arrived in Mingdu later and didn't witness the initial elimination match, so he didn't see the color of Su Yu's Soul Ring back then.
However, upon reaching Mingdu, he learned from Fan Yu about some incidents during the early phases of the tournament.
Notably, Su Yu's Soul Ring color made him suspicious.
"Does he have any connection with the Holy Spirit Sect?"
Yan Shaozhe's actions hunting down Evil Soul Masters after entering the Sun and Moon Empire caused many adverse outcomes, but also revealed to him that the Holy Spirit Sect possessed the ability to enhance Soul Ring age.
Upon hearing that Su Yu's Soul Ring color had changed, he immediately thought of the Holy Spirit Sect.
Regarding the rewards from the Divine Examination, Yan Shaozhe did consider, but the odds were slim.
Seeing Zhang Peng heading towards Su Yu, Yan Shaozhe immediately focused his attention.
...
"Su Yu, your Ultimate Life Attribute is of great use to my Holy Spirit Sect, have you ever considered joining?"
"???"
Su Yu was puzzled, what was this Scorpion Tiger Douluo planning?
Inviting someone with Ultimate Life to their Holy Spirit Sect?
"Sorry, not interested."
Though not knowing what the Scorpion Tiger Douluo was up to or what his motive was, Su Yu did not hesitate to refuse.
Zhang Peng's smile faded, saying, "Your Soul Ring age has been enhanced, and aside from the legendary Divine Examination, only our Holy Spirit Sect seems to possess that capability. Whether or not you've undergone the Divine Examination, I don't know, but I'm aware that a major location of our sect was ravaged some time ago."
Su Yu immediately understood Zhang Peng's motive.
Because of the Soul Ring issue?
It seems Zhang Peng suspects me of the attack on the Soul Burial Valley.
Well, I did it in the first place, let him suspect, I wasn't wrongly accused anyway.
Su Yu appeared quite calm.
Zhang Peng carefully observed Su Yu's expression but found no clues, somewhat disappointed.
"I assume having tasted that feeling, you're quite fond of the sensation of swallowing spirits; our Holy Spirit Sect has a plethora of spirit reserves, just join us and with your talent, you'll certainly receive rewards from the Sect Leader. Of course, if you don't want to join now, it's no problem; the Holy Spirit Sect welcomes you anytime."
Having said that, Zhang Peng turned and left.
The surrounding people watched, seemingly intrigued by what they had just overheard.
"The 'spirit' they're talking about should be what I recognize as spirituality, an essential characteristic of Soul Rings, enhancing Soul Ring age essentially means enhancing spirituality of the Soul Ring.
The Holy Spirit Sect increases Soul Ring age by devouring external spirituality.
As for me, I nurture the spirituality of my Soul Ring naturally for enhancement."
Even with the gains from Soul Burial Valley, Su Yu only purified the Power of Faith, then used it to accelerate the nurturing of his Soul Ring's spirituality.
Though Su Yu described it simply, understanding it deeply was exceedingly difficult. Xiao Ping and others had a tough time imagining what spirituality really was. Even if Su Yu explained it as the fundamental characteristic of Soul Rings, what exactly was it?
Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and Xiao Ping managed to maintain calm, unlike others who were somewhat unsettled.
"Go back and inquire Su Yu about the nurturing of spirituality? Enhancing Soul Ring age can indeed be cultivated."
Previously, Su Yu's Soul Ring age enhancement was assumed by Mirror Hongchen, Kong Deming, and others as a fortunate encounter, not thoroughly investigated.
Su Yu considered that even if they obtained the methods to nurture spirituality, without conditions like his own, effective results might not be guaranteed.
After all, it requires special conditions, either Immortal Spirit Qi or utilizing the Power of Faith.
Though not fully understood, Su Yu's explanation resolved most of their doubts. At least it seemed clear that the Scorpion Tiger Douluo likely aimed to sow discord.
The Scorpion Tiger Douluo departed, but upon returning to the Holy Spirit Sect's rest area, his gaze still lingered on Su Yu's direction.
...
The match against Xingluo Royal Team ended soon, individual matches weren't necessary, and the Sun and Moon Royal Team didn't hold back much. Huo Yuhao, aside from assisting Zhou Xinghao with positioning in the two-two-three match, also participated in the team match. Under his Spiritual Detection Sharing, Xiao Ping and the others fought efficiently.
With his Level 69 Soul Emperor cultivation, Huo Yuhao's controlling ability wasn't on the same level as Xu Jiujiu's.
...
"Let's go back for now."
After the morning's battle ended, the Sun and Moon Royal Team returned to Mingde Hall.
Mirror Hongchen seemed concerned about Zhang Peng's conduct earlier in the day, questioning Su Yu upon returning to Mingde Hall.
"Did you really do the Soul Burial Valley attack?"
Mirror Hongchen vaguely received similar reports, a Titled Douluo of the Holy Spirit Sect's Soul Burial Valley in the Douluo Three Kingdoms was destroyed.
Unexpectedly, that Titled Douluo turned out to be Su Yu.
"Since they misjudged, they must not have seen you at the time nor found any useful clues. As for what Zhang Peng said today, it should be merely a probe, your response should dispel their doubts."
"Rather than focusing on the Soul Burial Valley, I suspect their main interest is in your method of enhancing Soul Ring age."
Reaching Level 99, one becomes increasingly perceptive to things beyond ordinary senses, accessing a higher plane, namely the information of divine legacy.
The notion that divine examinations can enhance Soul Ring age isn't a secret.
"They suspect I have a Divine Examination?"
Su Yu was speechless.
I do have a Divine Examination, albeit not a true one, just the Red Level Eight Examination.
"They probably suspect you have other methods to enhance Soul Ring age."
The Holy Spirit Sect already masters methods of spirit consumption and utilizing the Power of Faith to enhance Soul Ring age, obviously wouldn't think other methods don't exist.
They guessed too accurately!
Su Yu felt exasperated.