A String of Sevens?
When Yuhao stepped onto the competition stage, almost all the spectators in the arena, as well as the academy representatives observing the match, subconsciously shifted their gazes toward him.
Although Yuhao had not participated in the first round of the round-robin stage,
in the first battle of the knockout phase, he had already shocked everyone by defeating an entire seven-man team alone with a single move. That scene was far too astonishing—there was absolutely no way anyone present could have forgotten it.
Now, Yuhao was the very first to take the stage in the individual battle segment, and such an appearance naturally drew unprecedented attention from the crowd.
"It's that guy again. Last time, he single-handedly defeated seven opponents. Don't tell me he's planning to repeat a string of sevens?"
"That shouldn't be possible. He must have relied on some kind of large-scale mental-type soul skill last time."
"A soul skill that powerful must consume an enormous amount of soul power. Even if his second and third soul rings are ten-thousand-year soul rings, he's still only a Soul Elder. There's no way he can use that kind of ability seven times in a row. Cultivating soul skills like that isn't realistic."
...
Yuhao paid absolutely no attention to the gazes or the discussions around him. At this moment, he only wanted to have a smooth and satisfying battle to vent the surging power in his body that felt as though it was about to overflow.
However, when his eyes landed on the opponent who stepped onto the stage opposite him, a subtle expression suddenly appeared on his face.
"Tsk tsk… looks like we're acquaintances again."
Seeing the familiar figure of Fei Yuyan, Yuhao couldn't help but click his tongue softly.
That's right—Noumenon Academy's opponent in this round was none other than Qianling Academy.
To be honest, when Qianling Academy first learned that its opponent was Noumenon Academy, the team had seriously considered forfeiting the match.
However, after careful investigation, the team leader of Qianling Academy discovered that Yuhao had not appeared in Noumenon Academy's lineup during the earlier matches. Because of that, he decided to take a gamble and proceed with the competition.
Even though Noumenon Academy still had a sixth-ring Soul Emperor on the field,
in the eyes of Qianling Academy, Yuhao—a mere three-ring Soul Elder—was far more oppressive and terrifying than that sixth-ring Soul Emperor.
What they never expected was that when the actual match arrived, Yuhao would return to the stage.
At this point, retreating was no longer an option. Not only would it be impossible under the rules, but it would also be unbearably humiliating.
Thus, for the sake of their academy's reputation and honor, the members of Qianling Academy decided to fight while prioritizing their own safety.
...
Looking at Fei Yuyan, whose hands and feet were trembling slightly from nervousness, Yuhao took the initiative to speak.
"I told you before—we'd meet again."
"Uh… y-yes, that's right."
Faced with Yuhao's calm and proactive greeting, Fei Yuyan—already tense—became even more flustered, her voice carrying an obvious tremor.
"Thank you… for saving my life last time."
Yuhao waved his hand casually and replied in a relaxed tone,
"It was nothing. Just a small effort."
While the two were speaking, the referee stepped between them.
"Save the pleasantries for later. The match begins now."
As soon as the referee's words fell, Fei Yuyan took a deep breath, and the hesitation in her eyes was replaced by determination.
She knew very well that she was no match for Yuhao.
But as a student of Qianling Academy, she still had a responsibility to fulfill.
Boom!
A blazing red tiger engulfed in flames appeared behind her, and four soul rings rose beneath her feet.
At this moment, Fei Yuyan had fully entered her combat state.
Yet, Yuhao on the opposite side remained completely motionless. He didn't even release his martial soul.
This scene caused a flicker of confusion to appear in Fei Yuyan's eyes, but she did not hesitate any longer. After all, the gap in strength between the two was like a chasm.
Whoosh—
Fei Yuyan lit up two of her soul rings. A pair of fiery wings sprouted from the Blazing Tiger's back, and the crimson flames covering its body transformed into blue-white flames of higher temperature.
Roar!
After activating her soul skills, the Blazing Tiger let out an earth-shaking roar and charged straight toward Yuhao.
Only then did Yuhao finally move.
He gently tapped the ground with his toes, and an explosive burst of air erupted beneath his feet.
Boom!
In the next instant, Yuhao's figure shot forward like a cannonball.
In the blink of an eye, he had already appeared in front of the Blazing Tiger.
Because his speed was far too fast, the Blazing Tiger didn't even have time to react before Yuhao's fist had already landed.
Bang!
With a dull, explosive sound, Yuhao smashed the Blazing Tiger apart with a single punch.
The Blazing Tiger, originally formed from condensed martial soul energy, instantly collapsed and turned back into scattered soul power, which returned to Fei Yuyan's body.
However, the violent shattering of her martial soul caused severe backlash. Fei Yuyan's face turned pale as she spat out a mouthful of blood with a "puff," and her body immediately lost strength, collapsing unconscious onto the stage.
From the start to the end of the match, the total time taken was less than three breaths.
The spectators hadn't even managed to put the popcorn in their mouths before the battle was already over.
"That's it… it ended just like that?"
"Damn it! Is that guy a Soul Emperor or a Soul Sage?!"
...
The audience erupted in shock and awe at the terrifying strength Yuhao had displayed.
Yet what they didn't know was that the academy teams observing the match were even more shaken.
Over at Shrek Academy, Yan Shaozhe's face was filled with disbelief as he repeatedly shook his head.
"This… this is impossible. How could he possibly do this?"
Yan Shaozhe wasn't shocked that Yuhao defeated Fei Yuyan in one move. What truly astonished him was that Yuhao hadn't used any soul skills at all during that punch—nor had he even released his martial soul.
There wasn't even the slightest fluctuation of soul power.
In other words, that blow had been delivered purely through physical strength.
It wasn't that a soul master couldn't accomplish such a feat, but normally only a seventh-ring Soul Saint—specifically a powerful assault- or defense-type battle soul master—could destroy a Soul Ancestor's martial soul manifestation with nothing but raw physical force.
Yet Yuhao was merely a three-ring Soul Elder.
It wasn't just Yan Shaozhe who was stunned. Even within Noumenon Academy, quiet gasps of disbelief echoed one after another.
Even the Noumenon Sect, which specialized in cultivating the Noumenon Martial Spirit and emphasized physical strength, could not comprehend the terrifying power of Yuhao's body and could only sigh inwardly in amazement.
"As expected of the Young Sect Master."
After all, this was far from the first time Yuhao had delivered such a shocking surprise.
...
Back in the competition arena, after Fei Yuyan was carried off the stage, the second contestant from Qianling Academy stepped forward.
Unfortunately, this person was even weaker than Fei Yuyan. Yuhao still did not release his martial soul or use any combat techniques. With another simple, straightforward punch, he sent the opponent flying off the stage.
Then came the third person… the fourth person…
All the way until An Lengye—the sixth contestant—finally appeared, forcing Yuhao to release his martial soul.
Even so, a single soul impact was enough. An Lengye followed the same fate as the others and fell unconscious on the spot.
Watching Yuhao effortlessly achieve six consecutive victories, the audience realized that he was only one step away from completing a full string of sevens, and the atmosphere instantly erupted.
"A string of sevens! A string of sevens!"
"Just one more! One more!"
...
No matter where they were, people always admired absolute strength.
Moreover, Yuhao's current fighting style appeared almost completely harmless and consumption-free. It was clear to everyone that completing a series of seven victories was practically inevitable.
Under this immense pressure, the final and strongest member of Qianling Academy—the team captain, Shen Ce—finally stepped onto the stage.
Facing such an overwhelming opponent, Shen Ce showed no fear or nervousness. Instead, his eyes burned with pure fighting spirit.
He stopped in front of Yuhao and shouted loudly,
"Bring it on!"
As his voice fell, a sharp spear appeared in Shen Ce's hand.
Yuhao noticed Shen Ce's state and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly.
"Interesting."
He had originally thought that Shen Ce would be completely suppressed by his earlier displays of power, unable to even unleash a fraction of his true strength.
But judging from Shen Ce's current aura, this man might actually surpass his usual limits.
Unfortunately, in the face of absolute strength, even such an outburst would change nothing.
No matter how extraordinary Shen Ce's performance might be, victory was still an impossible dream.