allendalepharm Chapter 119 The Beginning of the Ultimate Showdown
Chapter 119 The Beginning of the Ultimate Showdown
Chapter 119 The Beginning of the Ultimate Showdown
Shaking his head, recalling the joyful faces of the little ones when they received their rewards during the day, Xuanzi chuckled and took a big, satisfying bite of the roast chicken in his hand.
With his not-so-strong detection ability, especially in the air where earth element was scarce, he naturally wouldn't be able to sense Ye Xishui's soul power disguise, nor could he see through the Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao's famous technique, the Silent Dark Domain.
Unbeknownst to him, a silver moon had already quietly locked onto him high in the night sky.
Inside the Star Luo Palace, after visiting Xu Jiujiu, Xu Jiawei respectfully took his leave from an elderly man dressed in fine clothes whose age was almost impossible to discern. He then handed a stack of documents to an elderly man of about sixty years old standing beside him.
"Your Majesty Shattered Star, your spatial power is very well concealed. Find a suitable opportunity tomorrow and have you deliver this information to Shrek Academy."
Shattered Star Douluo hesitated, realizing that it would be quite shameful for him, a level 95 Super Douluo and one of the strongest elders of Star Luo, to do such a thing.
Xu Jiawei gave a bitter smile: "I never intended to act this way, but things have come to this point. With such a prodigy emerging from the Sun Moon Academy, Shrek Academy cannot afford to suffer a crushing defeat. Otherwise, if Shrek Academy's millennia-long glory becomes a stepping stone for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, it will be even more difficult to unite the hearts and minds of the Soul Master community, which originally belonged to the Three Kingdoms."
Shattered Star Douluo sighed, finally accepted the information, and disappeared in a streak of purple light.
Standing alone amidst the bright lights, Xu Jiawei gazed out the window at the pitch-black night and let out a long, drawn-out sigh.
The night did not shroud Xingluo City for long. As the first rays of dawn rose again, the semi-final individual elimination round of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament began.
The Star Luo National Academy chose to forfeit. Six of their seven main players were beaten so badly by Kong Tianxu that they couldn't get out of bed. The worst off was the Giant Winged Vulture Soul Master, whose wings were torn apart by Kong Tianxu, which severely damaged his Soul Master essence.
Only Xu Jiujiu, who had failed miserably and lost all will to fight, was left with no point in continuing to embarrass himself.
After Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy took the lead in entering the finals, Shrek Academy completely overwhelmed the remnants of Imperial Academy with an even stronger performance than during the team battle. Master Ma even discovered that, apart from Ma Xiaotao and the other three main players, each of them had improved by one or two levels on average.
In response to the overall improvement of Shrek Academy's strength, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy held intense discussions and finally formulated corresponding final battle tactics.
The highly anticipated final arrived as scheduled.
As the capital and largest city of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City has been in a state of unprecedented congestion for several days, with every street crowded with people.
From the moment the semi-finals concluded, long queues formed outside Xingluo Square. Some people even queued for two days and two nights without sleep, just to witness the grand finale of this continent-wide advanced soul master academy battle tournament. This might be a legend they would recount again and again in their lives.
Moreover, although this final is divided into team battles, individual elimination battles, and 2-2-3 tactics, all of them will be completed within one day.
Such a dense schedule of top-level matches is incredibly exciting! No matter how tough it is, it's worth the wait.
To maintain order in the capital, the Star Luo Empire urgently deployed 10,000 elite troops into the city, and all shops extended their opening hours. Faced with the sudden surge in the influx of people, the empire also urgently allocated various supplies from surrounding major cities. For a time, the prosperity of Star Luo City reached an unprecedented peak.
Undoubtedly, the economic benefits this tournament brought to the Star Luo Empire are immeasurable. It's no wonder that while various empires vied to host the tournament, they ultimately had to compromise and agree that each country would host it in turn.
The two finalists, Shrek Academy and Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, undoubtedly represent the strongest fighting force of the younger generation on the continent today. The anticipation for this final is therefore immense.
However, due to Kong Tianxu's overwhelming strength in the previous match, Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy held a significant advantage in the odds on the underground black market, firmly beating Shrek Academy 7 to 3.
However, no one would consider Shrek Academy to be an easy opponent.
After all, there were rumors that Kong Tianxu, the strongest member of the Sun and Moon team, was seriously injured and unable to fight. And all the students of Shrek Academy are full of amazing potential. No one can say for sure what kind of combat power they will show in the competition or whether they have any hidden tricks up their sleeves.
Before the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament was reformed and sects could participate, Shrek Academy did encounter some difficult matches, but they all ultimately emerged victorious.
Therefore, it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious.
The weather was not good today; the sky was overcast and a thin mist shrouded Xingluo City. Occasionally, a light drizzle fell, adding a touch of chill to this magnificent capital.
However, even the deepest chill could not dampen the enthusiasm of people from all directions. For the finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament were about to begin! A clash of titans was about to unfold.
At this moment, the two teams about to engage in their final showdown are marching towards Xingluo Square. Soldiers line the route, blocking the crowds who are cheering their names. Many people who were unable to enter Xingluo Square gather on both sides of the passageway, eager to admire the two teams up close.
Meng Hongchen walked in the middle of the Sun and Moon team, occasionally looking up at the sky. A hint of joy finally appeared on her previously somewhat somber face. As the controller of the Ice Toad Poison, this humid weather, with rain possible at any moment, was undoubtedly extremely advantageous to her.
However, the other members of the Sun and Moon team still looked somewhat solemn. The onlookers also noticed that only six members of the Sun and Moon team had come, and the figure they were most concerned about, Kong Tianxu, was not present.
Ma Xiaotao undoubtedly noticed it too, and her worry was practically written all over her face.
She went to Kong Tianxu's room last night, but couldn't sense that familiar presence. Afraid of disturbing Kong Tianxu, she didn't knock on the door, but just silently said some things from her heart at the door.
Beibei thought she was just a little nervous, so she smiled and raised her right arm, saying, "Senior Sister Ma, it seems Junior Brother was right. Something went wrong with Kong Tianxu in the competition against the Star Luo National Soul Master Academy. He hasn't shown up yet, and I'm afraid he won't be able to participate in the finals. Besides, didn't the academy provide us with a secret weapon?"
Even so, he himself couldn't hide his worry and nervousness. After all, Kong Tianxu had achieved too many incredible results in previous competitions.
Before they finally defeated the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy and won the championship, their opponents were always the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.
"It's alright," Ma Xiaotao forced a smile, "I believe the people on the other side of Riyue are just as nervous."
Upon hearing this, the Shrek Academy members immediately looked in the direction of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. Sure enough, Xiao Hongchen and the others also wore somewhat unnatural expressions.
Even Xu Tianzhen's face was tense at this moment. She occasionally glanced at the Shrek Academy members walking alongside them on the red carpet that had just been laid out the night before, her eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit and desire.
Everyone is a little too nervous about the upcoming final, but this is something that is completely unavoidable.
In comparison, the tension among the Shrek Academy students was even more intense. This was the furthest they had ever come from winning the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament!
Their opponents are incredibly strong, while the Shrek team is incomplete. Now, with their strongest player unexpectedly absent, they have a perfect opportunity for revenge and to defend their honor.
Whether it was the heavy burden of winning the championship or the hidden worry about Kong Tianxu's possible sudden appearance, both weighed heavily on the hearts of the Shrek team.
Only Cain maintained his indifferent and aloof expression, showing no reaction to Xu Sanshi's icy gaze, with only a barely perceptible trace of worry lingering in his eyes.
She didn't have the same strong desire to win the championship as the other members of the Sun and Moon team. She just did her best since Kong Tianxu had asked her to do it. That was all.
However, several days have passed, and I still don't know Tianxu's whereabouts.
Xu Tianzhen gently patted her hand and gave her an encouraging look. Cain nodded slightly and walked into the rest area with the Sun and Moon team.
On the distant city wall, Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire, accompanied by his civil and military officials, had arrived to show respect to the two teams about to compete in the final.
Huo Yuhao was calm and composed. Wang Yan had spoken with him and Wang Dong alone the previous night, talking with them for a long time before leaving, during which he also revealed some of his own trump cards.
He was absolutely confident about the outcome of the match, regardless of whether Kong Tianxu appeared or not.
In truth, he secretly hoped for Kong Tianxu's appearance. The sight of such self-important geniuses as Kong Tianxu and Dai Huabin, who had been born with an easy life, being defeated by him through hard work and perseverance, would surely be quite amusing.
Just then, a deep male voice came from the city wall, interrupting his reverie.
"Silence! The competition is about to begin. Please allow Your Majesty to speak."
The speaker was a middle-aged man in his thirties, clad in golden armor but without a helmet, revealing his handsome features. His eyes were deep-set, each with two gleaming pupils in their azure irises. His face was slightly thin, yet he exuded a metallic aura, a resolute and iron-willed presence. He stood beside Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire.
He did not use a megaphone, yet his voice carried far and wide, his powerful and resounding aura of iron and blood spreading down from the city wall.
"Kill! Kill! Kill—!" All the soldiers maintaining order raised their weapons simultaneously, their shouts shaking the heavens and the earth. In an instant, the entire Xingluo Square was filled with a chilling atmosphere.
The soldiers' eyes were filled with fanaticism; at this moment, they saw only their commander atop the city wall. Duke Baihu's prestige within the army, in some ways, even surpassed that of the emperor!
Xu Jiawei showed no displeasure and maintained his smile. The entire audience fell silent in the tense atmosphere.
In the entire Star Luo Empire, there is only one person who could make Xu Jiawei hold his nose and willingly play a supporting role in public—
Duke of the White Tiger, Dai Hao.
Yes, the White Tiger Duke, who guards the western border of the empire, has returned before this final. Not only because it is the final of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament, but also because his eldest son is involved.
Xu Jiujiu was also standing beside them, to Xu Jiawei's left. Her gaze was fixed on the direction of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy's rest area, as if searching for something, but ultimately finding nothing.
Xu Jiawei glanced at Xuanzi, who had appeared at some point behind Shrek Academy's rest area, his eyes narrowing slightly. He smiled and began to warm up the atmosphere: "—As is customary, the winner of this year's finals will receive three soul bones and a reward of one million gold soul coins. I have already selected ten soul bones from the Imperial Treasury for the final champion to choose from. —"
"Without further ado, I invite you all to join me in witnessing this duel that will surely be recorded in history!"
'
As soon as Xu Jiawei finished speaking, a beam of light flashed from the city wall and instantly appeared in the center of the competition stage.
It was none other than Huang Jinxu, the Heavenly Fiend Douluo.
Huang Jinxu clearly recognized Xuanzi as well, and was momentarily flustered upon seeing him. However, he quickly regained his composure and announced in a deep voice, "I, Huang Jinxu, will serve as the referee for the final of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament. I will now announce the rules for the final."
Although both teams were already familiar with the rules, the procedure still needed to be followed.
"The finals consist of a team competition, an individual elimination round, and a best-of-three format. In the team competition, each side will field seven players. After the team competition, each side has one opportunity to substitute players, but only once. In the subsequent individual elimination rounds and the 2-2-3 format, each side can only field the same seven players and cannot make any substitutions. The side that wins both rounds will be the champion."
After the final rules were announced, the atmosphere in the entire Xingluo Square suddenly became tense. Hundreds of thousands of people remained silent, holding their breath and staring intently, not wanting to miss any change on the field.
"Keep going, Dream!"
Xiao Hongchen took a deep breath, said something to his sister, and then strode confidently toward the competition stage.
Cain did not rush to set off, but glanced at Ma Rulong and whispered, "Senior, remember Tianxu's arrangements."
"I understand." Ma Rulong nodded emphatically.
On the other side, Shrek Academy's actions were exactly the same, except that Wang Yan patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder, his eyes gleaming with admiration.
A minute passed quickly. Both sides had taken their positions on the competition stage. On Shrek's side, Ma Xiaotao led the team, with all three main players—Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, and Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and He Caitou—who were the most skilled in the reserve team, all present. Only Huo Yuhao, trailing behind, looked extremely out of place.
Ma Rulong and Xiao Hongchen exchanged a glance, thinking to themselves, "Just as I thought."
However, everyone's attention was completely drawn to the lineup of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. They were still the same six people, but Kong Tianxu, who always walked at the forefront in every team battle, did not appear.
Is he really not coming to participate?
The previously quiet crowd suddenly erupted into a cacophony of discussion.
Although the other members of the Sun and Moon Team are also very strong, in previous battles, they have been completely overshadowed by Kong Tianxu. Only Cain's strange movement technique has left a relatively deep impression on the audience.
And now, the strongest member of the Sun and Moon team isn't showing up?
The highly anticipated showdown will undoubtedly be greatly diminished in terms of entertainment value!
On the city wall, Xu Jiawei whispered to Duke Dai Hao of the White Tiger beside him, "Brother, it seems that today's champion will still belong to Shrek Academy. That kid directly suffered the direct impact of my Star Crown lineage and was probably seriously injured. He couldn't even come to the competition."
Dai Hao's gaze sharpened: "That's a pity. I wanted to see the majestic and imposing figure of this supreme dragon of the sun and moon."
His tone remained calm, but the steely, ruthless aura honed by years of battlefield experience still subtly revealed a certain emotion.
"Don't worry, my dear brother, there will be a chance."
Xu Jiawei smiled and patted his broad shoulder, then looked down at the competition stage, where the team members from both sides were already standing in two rows.
Xu Jiawei's eyes flickered: "Perhaps, I'll have to trouble you then, my brother."
Ma Xiaotao narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp and fixed on Ma Rulong, the acting captain. Her eyes seemed to burn with a fiery intensity.
Ma Rulong's gaze was deep and serious. Although Dai Yueheng, who was also a Soul Emperor, did not pose much of a threat to him, Ma Xiaotao's eyes inexplicably gave him a sense of oppression.
Both teams slowly retreated, and Xiao Hongchen, who had been quite tense, suddenly revealed excitement in his eyes. He was a competitive player, and the more nervous he was, the stronger his fighting power became.
Moreover, his previous battle against Star Luo failed to fully demonstrate his strength, and this final stage against Shrek Academy is the perfect opportunity for him to showcase himself to the world.
Gradually, both teams approached the edge of the playing area. On Shrek Academy's side, everyone had a cigar in their mouths, except for Ma Xiaotao.
Both were highly focused. Just as they reached the edge of the arena, Huang Jinxu, the Heavenly Fiend Douluo, shouted, "The match begins!"
The first battle to determine the ultimate champion of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament has finally begun!
The instant Huang Jinxu shouted "Start!", both sides' formations changed simultaneously, and a surprising scene unfolded.
For reasons unknown, the Sun and Moon Team's six members simultaneously converged towards the center, forming a neat line.
Ma Rulong, who was at the forefront, immediately released a soul tool.
It was a shield no bigger than a plate. The metal shield flashed and a layer of yellow light spread out, turning into a light shield with a diameter of two meters. It not only protected him, but also enveloped all his teammates behind him.
Shrek Academy launched an immediate attack, with Ma Xiaotao leading the charge, followed closely by Dai Yueheng and Bei Bei.
Ling Luochen had already grasped the ice staff in her hand. The staff, held high above her head, emitted a dense icy mist that completely enveloped Xu Sanshi, herself, Huo Yuhao, and He Caitou.
This icy mist is spreading to both sides at an astonishing speed, forming a huge arc that subtly restrains the opponent.
The four of them completely disappeared into the icy mist, while a strong light from a soul tool began to gather on He Caitou's body.
Fourth Soul Skill: Icy Mist and Chill.
On the other side, the Sun and Moon Team stood calmly in place, while Xiao Hongchen and Lan Xiu were surrounded by flashing cannons that blasted towards the direction from which the Shrek team was charging.
Anyone with eyes can see the intention behind the Sun and Moon Team's move—it's clearly a precaution against Xu Sanshi's Xuanming Replacement.
The Xuanming Displacement Soul Skill has played a crucial role countless times in Shrek Academy's past team battles.
However, the Sun and Moon team's formation was somewhat strange. In what seemed to be an impenetrable defense, there were occasional, barely perceptible gaps due to Xiao Hongchen and Lan Xiu constantly releasing new soul tools.
Meng Hongchen's figure often appears in these gaps.
When the Shrek Academy members caught sight of Meng Hongchen, knowing smiles appeared on their faces, tinged with a mix of understanding and disdain.
Looking at Xu Lingwei, who stood on the high platform with a flat face, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but recall the conversation he overheard between Wang Yan and all the team members yesterday.
"Laughing at the Mortal World, a five-ring Soul King, with the Martial Soul being the Three-Legged Golden Toad, and a level-five Soul Master."
.
"Meng Hongchen, a five-ring Soul King, with the Martial Soul: Zhu Qingbing Toad, and a level five Soul Master."
"Lan Xiu, a four-ring Soul Master, a level four Soul Master, specializes in deflecting rays using Soul Guidance Devices."
"This is information about several key members of the Sun Moon Emperor Soul Instructor Academy that the academy found through special channels. Based on the information we have so far, and according to Elder Qi Xuan's investigation, Kong Tingxu is probably really not going to play. So, Meng Hongchen's Zhu Qing Ice Toad Poison might be their backup plan against us."
Wang Yan glanced around at the tense crowd, then smiled easily and said, "But we have Yu Hao's ultimate ice. They want to use poison, so we'll do the opposite, strike first, and take her down."
Teacher Wang is indeed a wise and insightful judge!