Five days later.
The preliminary rounds of the Advanced Soul Master Tournament had concluded, and now, at last, the grand finals had arrived. The final battle was set to take place before the prestigious Spirit Hall.
For the past few days, Chen Xiaoming had remained in his room, adjusting to his sudden surge in strength.
Although the increase in power had been somewhat overwhelming, he had managed to gain a basic level of control over it. After five days of consolidation, he was finally ready to put it to use.
With a creak, the door to his room opened. Outside, Tang San, Flender, and the others had been waiting for quite some time.
Today marked the final battle, and it was about time for him to make an appearance.
Just in time to test his newfound strength.
"Let's go. I'll be personally overseeing today's match, so you all better win!"
Patting Dai Mubai and Tang San on the shoulders, Chen Xiaoming smiled lightly. He had grown rather fond of the Shrek Seven Devils.
"Haha! With Teacher Chen watching over us, victory is in the bag!"
Fatty Ma Hongjun laughed triumphantly, but before he could finish his sentence, Flender smacked him on the back of the head.
"Show some respect."
Since witnessing Chen Xiaoming's sheer power—especially after he had effortlessly annihilated Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo—Flender had been significantly more cautious around him.
"No worries, no worries. Fatty, what's wrong? Are you afraid you can't do it yourself and need me to cheat for you?"
Waving his hand dismissively, Chen Xiaoming remained relaxed and easygoing. He playfully leaned on Ma Hongjun's shoulder with a teasing grin.
Hearing the insinuation that he was incapable, Ma Hongjun immediately panicked. A man could not let such accusations stand! Just as he was about to defend himself, Oscar stepped in with a sly smile.
"Yes, exactly! Fatty's just not up to it. Teacher Chen, why don't you help him out?"
Chen Xiaoming's smile deepened, turning subtly mischievous as he shifted his gaze toward Oscar.
"Oh, Xiao Ao, have I been gone too long? Do you think you're getting bold now?"
Raising an eyebrow as if contemplating something, a flash of amusement flickered in his eyes.
"Oh, now that I think about it, back when I first arrived, wasn't there someone who stuck by Fatty's side all day long? Tsk tsk, quite the unsightly spectacle..."
The moment those words left his lips, Oscar felt a sharp pain at his waist. He barely suppressed a yelp and turned his head slightly to find Ning Rongrong glaring daggers at him, her face filled with indignation.
Oscar's heart sank. This was trouble. Big trouble. Why had he let his past slip his mind?
"Alright, let's go. Focus on the match. I won't be helping any of you."
Patting Ma Hongjun and Tang San's shoulders, Chen Xiaoming chuckled, feeling rather pleased after teasing Oscar.
The battle arena of Spirit Hall wasn't far away. Although Tang San and the others had sustained some injuries in previous battles, Chen Xiaoming had no intention of helping them.
There was simply no need. They were destined to win.
His real purpose in being here was to find someone to spar with, as well as to repay Tang San for the favor regarding the soul bone.
So, upon arriving at the arena, Chen Xiaoming casually found a place to sit and closed his eyes, resting.
Meanwhile, Flender and Grandmaster appeared slightly tense. As numerous elders and the Pope of Spirit Hall arrived, they could feel more than ten intense gazes locked onto them.
It wasn't difficult for them to guess who these gazes were fixed upon.
Still, after waiting anxiously for a long time, no one from Spirit Hall stepped forward to say anything. A small sigh of relief escaped the group.
Flender and Grandmaster exchanged glances, glancing at the resting Chen Xiaoming, marveling at his audacity.
After all, killing four Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall and then boldly appearing at their doorstep? Even the legendary Clear Sky Douluo wouldn't dare something so brazen.
From their seats above, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin also spotted Chen Xiaoming's arrival, exchanging wry smiles.
Coming to Spirit City was already bold enough, but showing up here of all places? Even Ning Fengzhi didn't know what to say anymore.
This was nothing less than a blatant slap to the face!
As he cast a glance at the expressionless Pope Bibi Dong, he found himself losing interest in the battle itself.
Instead, what truly mattered was what would happen after the tournament ended—how to deal with Chen Xiaoming and Spirit Hall.
As the battle commenced, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the Shrek Seven Devils fought fiercely against Spirit Hall's team. However, the difference in soul power was too great. Even with their impeccable teamwork, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and their Martial Soul Fusion Techniques, they failed to gain the upper hand.
Instead, as time dragged on and their trump cards were exhausted, their soul power endurance was exposed, and Spirit Hall gradually gained the advantage.
In a desperate final moment, Tang San activated his protagonist's destiny, unleashing the tenth form of the Tang Sect's hidden weapons—Batwing Rebound—to turn the tide and seize victory.
Yet, just as the Shrek Seven Devils were celebrating, Ning Fengzhi unintentionally caused disaster. As in the original story, his actions scattered the Yearning Heartbroken Red that concealed Xiao Wu's true aura.
In an instant, three sharp gazes locked onto Xiao Wu. Overwhelmed by the suffocating pressure, her face turned pale, and she instinctively retreated.
While Dai Mubai and the others were busy dividing up the spoils of victory, the true powerhouses in the arena had their sights set elsewhere.
After all, compared to a living, breathing hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast, a few soul bones meant nothing.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo exchanged glances before turning their attention toward Chen Xiaoming.
If anyone could save Xiao Wu at this moment, it was him.
Realization dawned on Ning Fengzhi as he turned to Tang San, who seemed to grasp the situation as well. The sect master sighed softly.
"As expected."
He said no more. This was Spirit City. Even with his strength and that of Sword Douluo, escaping unscathed was impossible.
As time passed, the Shrek Seven Devils finally finished distributing the soul bones.
From her high seat, Bibi Dong stood up, flanked by two elderly Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall.
"Since the rewards have been distributed, the tournament has officially concluded. Elders, take that girl."
Her voice was calm and composed as she raised her hand, pointing directly at Xiao Wu.
In an instant, Tang San moved, blocking Xiao Wu with his body. The others quickly followed, stepping in to shield her.
Dai Mubai and the others were filled with confusion, unaware of what was happening, while Grandmaster erupted in fury at Bibi Dong.
In the crucial moment, it was Ning Fengzhi who stepped in, managing to stall the two elders from Spirit Hall.
As arguments broke out among the elders, Tang San slowly turned, gazing deeply at Xiao Wu.
The two of them locked eyes. Lifting his hands, he gently cupped her delicate face and spoke words filled with boundless love and determination.
"Silly girl, so what if you're human? So what if you're a soul beast? All I know is that you are my sister. And the one I love."
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