There would be no opening ceremony for the qualifying tournament; the competition would commence immediately the next day. This event was particularly unique.
First, the format had shifted from team battles to one-on-one duels. Second, the promotion match would not eliminate any teams. Even if a team lost all fourteen matches, they would still advance to the finals, though with a lower ranking.
This competition might seem inconsequential, but it was far from meaningless. It served as the most direct measure of a soul master's strength and was also the prime opportunity for major kingdoms and duchies to scout and recruit talented individuals.
Qin Ming quickly gathered the Emperor Team inside the military camp's assigned tents to discuss the upcoming match. Their first-round opponent had already been announced—it was Barak Academy.
It seemed Emperor Team was inadvertently taking the spotlight from Shrek. They had defeated Xiangjia in the preliminaries before Shrek had the chance and now faced Barak Academy in the qualifiers ahead of them as well.
"Barak Academy isn't particularly strong. They have only two Spirit Ancestors, Captain Luo Fuqi and Vice Captain Ao Bai, both at level 41. I plan to let—"
Before Qin Ming could finish arranging the lineup, Jun Tianlin stepped forward and asked "Teacher, may I take the lead tomorrow?"
"You want to fight?" Qin Ming was momentarily stunned. He wasn't sure why Jun Tianlin wanted to personally face Barak Academy. Did he intend to settle an old score with the Ao family? "Xiaotian, the past is behind you. Holding onto grievances will only hinder your progress."
Qin Ming's words made it clear that he had misunderstood Jun Tianlin's intent. Jun Tianlin had no interest in Ao Bai—his real target was Luo Fuqi.
"Don't worry, Teacher Qin. I won't use this match for personal revenge. That would be beneath me," Jun Tianlin reassured him.
"Alright then. That's all for today. Get some rest, everyone." Qin Ming nodded, satisfied with Jun Tianlin's response.
As the team settled into their tents, two unexpected guests arrived—Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe.
Jun Tianlin stepped forward to greet them "Uncle Ning, Brother Xue, what brings you here?"
Today, Xue Qinghe was dressed in ordinary aristocratic attire rather than his princely robes. Standing beside the refined and elegant Ning Fengzhi, he blended in seamlessly, exuding the demeanor of a typical noble rather than a distinguished figure. His ability to control his presence at will was truly remarkable.
Xue Qinghe smiled warmly "I came with my father to watch the qualifying matches, so I thought I'd visit you while I had the chance. How are you settling in? If this place is uncomfortable, I can have you moved elsewhere."
Jun Tianlin quickly shook his head "No need to trouble yourself, Brother Xue. Everything here is fine. I appreciate your concern."
"That's good to hear. Xiaotian, I can't stay long, as there's much to attend to at the palace. But I'll be cheering for you." Xue Qinghe smiled again before adding "I spoke to my father, and when the finals arrive, I'll personally escort you to Spirit City. I'll do my best to support you there."
Had Snake Spear Douluo been present, he would likely have struggled to maintain a neutral expression. While Xue Qinghe and the Pope were political rivals, they ultimately served the same faction. Yet here she was, openly expressing support for Emperor Team over the Spirit Hall Academy.
Ning Fengzhi offered a few parting words of caution "Don't be careless in the matches, Xiaotian." Then he and Xue Qinghe took their leave
The following morning, the promotion competition—designed to test the individual strength of elite soul masters—finally began.
Unlike the preliminaries, where multiple matches were held simultaneously, the promotion round featured a single competition venue: the Royal Knights' parade ground.
Fifteen teams were participating in this round-robin tournament, with one team having a bye each day. Each team would play fourteen matches, one per day, for a total of seven duels per match. All matches would take place in the same central venue.
The vast parade ground had been specially modified for the tournament. A competition area spanning 100 meters in diameter had been designated in the center, significantly larger than the arenas used in the preliminaries. This additional space allowed competitors to fully showcase their abilities.
On the northern side of the parade ground, a temporary VIP section faced south, serving as both the audience stand and the referee's area. Compared to the preliminaries, there were far fewer noble spectators present.
Many high-ranking aristocrats were absent. Only the front row of VIP seats was occupied by prominent figures, including Emperor Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Platinum Bishop Saras. Behind them, the stands were filled with military commanders, high-ranking officials from the Heaven Dou City Spirit Hall, and royal representatives from various duchies and kingdoms. Their presence underscored the significance of this tournament as a talent recruitment event.
After all, while team battles were often chaotic and difficult to analyze, the promotion matches provided a clear and direct display of each participant's individual strength. It was the perfect opportunity to assess potential recruits.
Unfortunately for auxiliary-type spirit masters, this format left them with little opportunity to contribute.
As the competition was about to begin, Emperor Xue Ye rose from his seat and spoke through a soul-guided amplification device "The promotion competition officially begins today and will continue for the next fourteen days. I hope each academy's representatives will give their best performance and embody the true spirit of a soul master."
As soon as he finished speaking, a thunderous chorus erupted from the audience "Long live, long live, long live!"
The Royal Knights raised their lances high, their armor clanging as they joined in the fervent cheers, displaying the grandeur of the empire.
The first match was about to begin. The first academy to step onto the field was Godwind Academy, facing an opponent known as Fabia Academy.
Surprisingly, the first contestant representing Godwind Academy was none other than Huo Wushuang, the official captain of Blazing Fire Academy. It appeared that, just as in the original storyline, Blazing Fire Academy had merged with Godwind Academy due to a loophole in the rules.
Though Blazing Fire Academy had been eliminated from the tournament, the regulations did not prohibit its students from transferring to a qualifying academy. As a result, their team had effectively re-entered the competition under Godwind Academy's banner.
With the fusion of these two formidable academies, Godwind Academy had suddenly become a powerhouse. Their lineup now consisted entirely of Spirit Ancestor-level soul masters. Other than the Spirit Hall Academy and the Emperor Team, no academy in the tournament could defeat them easily.