Chapter 119: First Battle of the Spirit Hall Team
The lightning-fast conclusion of the battle once again proved the vast gap in strength between the two sides.
Facing the shield that Lu Yan held firmly before him, the contestants from Dragon Tide Academy were utterly helpless. No matter what methods they tried, they couldn't break through his defense.
One simple move, carried to the extreme, was enough to dominate everything—Royal Fighting Academy relied solely on Lu Yan's Iron Shield Charge to complete a clean one-versus-seven sweep.
Even though their opponents weren't particularly strong, Royal Fighting Academy's crushing victory still demonstrated to the audience the level a seeded team was supposed to have.
After watching their performance, everyone present grew even more eager to see the strength of the other two teams.
Once the opening match ended, the Star Luo Royal Academy team quietly made their way from the competitors' rest area to the edge of the arena.
The next match was theirs—against Oakland Academy.
Compared to Royal Fighting Academy's cautious approach, the Star Luo team appeared far more arrogant. They sent out all three of their substitute Soul Elders to participate in the opening match.
As the defending champions, regardless of their actual strength, they at least put on quite a show in terms of style.
In reality, those three substitutes didn't disappoint either.
Aside from Oakland Academy's captain, the trio crushed the remaining six members with unstoppable momentum.
Seeing this, Dai Moheng revealed a satisfied expression. This not only showcased the Star Luo team's strength but also conserved their core combat power for later matches.
They could see Heaven Dou's behind-the-scenes arrangements perfectly clearly.
The setup was indeed well done—but Dai Moheng overlooked one crucial point.
The audience in Heaven Dou City had no way of knowing whether the players you sent out were substitutes or not. Royal Fighting Academy ended their match with a one-versus-seven sweep, while Star Luo Royal Academy struggled visibly, already losing three members without securing victory.
Soft murmurs began spreading through the stands.
"Looks like the Star Luo team isn't that great either. They're no match for our Royal Fighting Academy."
"Exactly. Is this really the last tournament's champion? Seems like they just got lucky five years ago."
"Looks like this year's championship is a sure thing for Royal Fighting Academy. Star Luo's underperforming, and the Spirit Hall team is just a bunch of kids."
"Right, right—Royal Fighting Team, overall champions!"
...
Dai Moheng, who had just moments ago appeared as calm as someone fishing from a high perch, instantly snapped under the audience's chatter. "What do you mean the Star Luo team is trash? Do you even know I sent substitutes onto the stage?!"
Audience: Oh! You won, but it was a hard fight.
Grabbing Dai Moheng, who was about to rush onto the stage to confront the spectators, Zhu Yuwei shook her head helplessly.
"Moheng, don't be impulsive. If you act out, we'll lose our qualification to compete immediately."
"Hmph, these ignorant commoners do not understand my arrangements at all, and they dare to boast about the Royal Fighting Team being the champion. When we meet them, I will make them regret it."
No matter how furious he was, Dai Moheng could only swallow his anger. After all, this was someone else's home turf.
He shot a look toward the back of the team, and a tall, slender, lean man immediately responded and stepped onto the arena.
After the Star Luo Team sent out their first main lineup member, they quickly secured victory in the wheel battle. The group left the competition area with their noses practically in the air.
As they passed by the Spirit Hall team's rest area, Dai Moheng even shot a provocative glance at Lin Beiya.
Lin Beiya remained calm and unbothered, showing no intention of acknowledging that idiot at all. He simply turned around and started chatting with Ye Lüsu.
Being completely ignored, Dai Moheng ground his teeth until they crackled.
"Just you wait, damn brat."
With the organizer's reminder to enter the arena, Lin Beiya and the others finished preparing and headed toward the stage.
As the most controversial team in this tournament, the audience could finally get a clear look at the true depth of the Spirit Hall team.
"Look, those kids are coming out."
"Tch, the Spirit Hall team is done for this time. Just look at the size of the Elephant Armor Academy guys—then look at them."
...
According to their prior discussion, Qiu Tete would be the first to step onto the stage for this wheel battle.
The opponents weren't weak, and Lin Beiya didn't demand she sweep all seven by herself—doing her best would be enough.
Seeing that both competitors had taken their places, the referee announced the start of the match at just the right moment.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the first two seeded teams have both claimed victory with ease."
"And now, the final seeded team—the Spirit Hall Team—is about to make their appearance. Let us see what kind of spectacular battle this famous team will bring us!"
"Up next, Spirit Hall Team's Qiu Tete versus Elephant Armor Academy's Huyan Lei!"
The two stepped onto the arena, and their adorable height difference immediately caught everyone's attention, drawing bursts of laughter from the audience.
"Hahaha, doesn't this look like a dad beating up his daughter?"
"Hey, now that you say it… It really does!"
The originally excited Qiu Tete instantly had her pretty face turn pitch-black upon hearing this. When she looked at her opponent again, her eyes were already filled with killing intent.
Huyan Lei was a bit confused by her reaction, but that didn't stop him from trying to crush his opponent's morale first.
"Hahaha, little girl, how about you just concede? A dad beating his daughter really doesn't look too good!"
Huyan Lei was the captain of Elephant Armor Academy. Not known for their intelligence, they clearly planned to continue the same strategy used in the promotion rounds—seeing if they could rely on their strongest member to pull off a one-versus-seven sweep.
Unfortunately, his contempt for Qiu Tete would cost him dearly.
Ignoring his remarks entirely, Qiu Tete calmly announced her information.
"Qiu Tete. Martial Soul: Demon-Breaking Bow. Rank 45 Assault System Battle Soul Ancestor. Please advise."
"Hiss—"
Huyan Lei never imagined that this little girl, who looked barely ten years old, actually possessed higher soul power than him. In an instant, every trace of disdain in his heart vanished.
The disbelief in his eyes hadn't yet faded when Huyan Lei also performed the customary salute and announced his details.
"Huyan Lei. Martial Soul: Diamond Mammoth. Rank 43 Assault System Battle Soul Ancestor. Please advise."
As both Martial Souls were released simultaneously, waves of shocked cries erupted across the arena.
"You've got to be kidding me—that little girl is a Soul Ancestor?!"
"Damn… that's terrifying."
Both sides had identical soul ring configurations—two yellow and two purple—and both followed extreme builds. The difference was that Qiu Tete pursued extreme offense, while Huyan Lei specialized in extreme defense.
This was a clash of spear and shield.
Watching as a layer of crystal-clear armor enveloped Huyan Lei's body, Qiu Tete understood immediately that breaking through his defenses head-on would be no easy task.
As the signature martial soul of the Elephant Armor Sect, her instructors had mentioned it countless times during lessons. She was well aware of the Diamond Mammoth's terrifying defensive power.
Gripping the Demon-Breaking Bow, Qiu Tete quickly moved along the outer edge of the arena.
While running, she continuously fired arrows toward Huyan Lei, standing at the center.
Feeling the faint pricking pain on his skin, Huyan Lei's heart instantly settled.
He was certain now—his opponent couldn't break through his defense.
"Little girl, just give it up already. Hurry and concede. I don't want to get rough with a child."
Qiu Tete didn't respond. Instead, her gaze grew increasingly dangerous. She had long since grown sick of people mocking her height.
She drew the bowstring again and again, sending a relentless stream of arrows toward him without pause.
Meanwhile, Huyan Lei's expression became more and more mocking. In his eyes, her actions were nothing more than impotent rage—a pointless waste of stamina.
What he didn't realize was that countless black markings had already appeared across his skin.
Each of those black sigils had been left behind by her earlier arrows.
Several dozen seconds later, Huyan Lei's entire body was covered in these rune-like black marks, and a faint smile appeared in Qiu Tete's eyes.
"Keep mocking me, why don't you. Just wait."
"Second Soul Skill—Demon-Breaking Mark."
"First Soul Skill—Punishment."
—
End of Chapter