The finals arena—the match today was truly the center of everyone's attention.
After the match between Shrek and Thunderclap, the spotlight turned to the soul battle between the strongest school teams of the two great empires of this era. With both Jun Tianlin and Gu Ran abstaining from fighting, the two sides were perfectly matched, and no one could predict the outcome.
Yu Yuanzhen looked at Yu Tianheng, who walked at the front of the team, feeling a surge of pride in his heart. He knew that today was his grandson's stage to shine. Bearing the honor of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family, there was no way he would lose.
Because if he lost today, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family would lose all face. The world would say that Yu Tianheng only made it to the finals by riding on Jun Tianlin's coattails. Without Jun Tianlin, this third-generation clan heir was nothing.
The Emperor Battle Team walked onto the soul battle stage together, while on the Star Luo side, five members ascended first, standing on either side as they welcomed Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun onto the stage.
These two carried themselves with the air of those born to rule. Zhu Zhuyun, especially, had donned a striking black outfit today—truly worthy of being Zhu Zhuqing's elder sister. Her figure was even more dazzling than Zhu Zhuqing's.
"Putting on quite the show. Yet, when it comes to persecuting their younger siblings, do they have any of this poise?" Yu Tianheng scoffed.
"Don't get it twisted, Yu Tianheng. I never intended to persecute Mubai or Zhuqing. As for Mubai, although I have no choice but to cripple his martial soul and soul power under family pressure, I can at least spare his life and send him to a small city for protection. There, he can continue to live as a prince, indulging himself and enjoying a happy life," Dai Weisi said calmly.
"As for Zhuqing, I can completely let her go. After becoming my concubine, not only can she keep cultivating, but she'll also enjoy endless wealth and glory. The one truly pushing them to the edge is your good friend, Jun Tianlin."
"Shameless!" Yu Tianheng was enraged, but he wasn't so easily provoked. "The future you offer is no different from death. At least Xiao Tian can help them regain their dignity and freedom."
"I have an elder brother too. While we compete for the position of clan head, I know that if I'm ever in danger, he'll be the first to stand in front of me. Likewise, I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with him—because we're brothers."
He was, of course, talking about Yu Tianxin. In the Thunderclap Academy team, Tianxin was moved by his brother's words but wondered how he could ever keep his usual cool demeanor after such a sentimental speech in front of everyone.
"Heh." Yu Yuanzhen stroked his short beard with satisfaction. The healthy competition between Tianheng and Tianxin was exactly what he liked to see.
They worked hard together, improved together, and faced external threats united in life and death. With grandsons like these, how could the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family not prosper?
As for the Star Luo family's cutthroat competition, he looked down on it from the bottom of his heart. If someone doesn't care about their own family, how could they care about the countless commoners of their country?
Star Luo's military might was strong, and true, but their cruel competition meant they had no concept of benevolent rule. The royal family was tyrannical, and the people suffered as those below imitated those above.
"Hmph, all empty words. Only strength matters. Yu Tianheng, get ready to fight!" Dai Weisi, driven to anger, activated his Evil-Eyed White Tiger martial soul.
The referee stepped between the two teams. "Prepare for battle. The loser is eliminated, winner advances to the top three. Heaven Dou Imperial Academy vs. Star Luo Imperial Academy—get ready!"
As soon as the referee finished, all seven members of both teams were ready. Fourteen people entered the arena, each with two yellow and two purple soul rings—every single one a Soul Ancestor.
The strongest—Dai Weisi and Yu Tianheng—were both at the pinnacle of level forty-nine, half a step into the Soul King realm.
"Their support-type soul master has the Nine-Hearted Begonia. Take her out first, or we won't stand a chance," Dai Weisi ordered Zhu Zhuyun.
Zhu Zhuyun nodded and dashed at Ye Lingling from the side. At the same time, Star Luo's support-type soul master activated her soul skill.
Her martial soul was called Supreme Goodness Like Water—a poetic name, and a famous support-type martial soul in Star Luo.
"Third soul skill: Mighty Torrent!"
A Mighty Torrent buff raised all of Zhu Zhuyun's attributes, making her much faster in an instant.
Though this buff was not as strong as Ning Rongrong's, it was more comprehensive—raising all attributes by about 30%, far better than Oscar's 10% Excitement Sausage from the original.
However, it had a weakness: it could only assist one person at a time, unlike Ning Rongrong's team-wide support.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda's support status was not something just any martial soul could challenge.
"If you want to get to Lingling, you'll have to get through me first! First Soul Skill: Leopard Shadow Assault!" Oslo noticed Zhu Zhuyun's move and dashed toward her. A few movements later, he appeared in front of her.
Ye Lingling was his creditor—there was no way he'd let her be bullied.
"So fast!" Zhu Zhuyun was startled—she hadn't expected Oslo to match her speed, enhancement, and all. She could no longer attack Ye Lingling and was forced to duel Oslo instead. "Second Soul Skill: Nether Hundred Claws!"
Cat claws and leopard claws clashed at high speed, but no way could a cat outfight a leopard. Soon, Zhu Zhuyun was at a disadvantage.
"What's wrong, black-hearted kitty? Can't keep up? Then get off the stage! Third Soul Skill: Leopard Shadow Clone." Oslo prepared to use his third skill to decide the fight.
But at that moment, a mirror suddenly appeared, sucking Zhu Zhuyun in. When she reappeared, she was back at the Star Luo side.
"Sorry, the surprise attack failed," Zhu Zhuyun apologized to Dai Weisi.
"Forget it. I didn't expect their agility-type soul master to match you in both speed and attack," Dai Weisi replied, not blaming her. "If the sneak attack failed, then we'll just fight head-on."
"That mirror just now—that was the Mirror of Reflection, wasn't it? I didn't expect someone in the Star Luo Imperial Academy to have such a rare space-type martial soul," Tianlin said, arms crossed.
In his view, compared to Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, the soul master with the Mirror of Reflection was much harder to deal with. Against someone who could manipulate space, Yu Tianheng and the others didn't have Tianlin's spiritual power and would struggle to land a decisive physical blow.
"I don't care what space-type martial soul it is. Worst comes to worst, I'll just smash all your mirrors!" Yu Tianheng ordered loudly, "Everyone get ready—Emperor Battle Rampage, Assault Tactics!"