The unexpected results of the Spirit Hall selection's semi-finals sparked heated discussion. Whether it was Zhan Ni's failure to reach the final stage or the fact that soul masters like Ming Tian and Yan had made it to the finals, it became the talk of the town.
What followed was even more anticipated: the arrival of the final competition. The three available spots would be decided by the participants who lasted the longest in the arena. Feng Si Ming, the biggest dark horse of the competition, was favored by everyone, who believed he would be the ultimate winner.
Along with the Spirit Hall selection finals came the auction of the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, as announced by Yan Wei during the opening ceremony. The auction would run concurrently with the arena matches, both held at the Yanling Auction House. Every time a contestant changed, an item would be auctioned off, culminating in the auction of the legendary Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone!
Due to this news, the undercurrents in Tianling City were surging, with many people secretly infiltrating the city, each with their own motives.
What Yan Wei and the others didn't know was that the original Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, which was truly impossible to absorb, had already been switched out. Their plan to use the soul bone as bait to deal with Yuan Tianxiong and others was on the verge of collapse.
On the other hand, to ensure Ming Tian's death during the competition, Yan Wei had set up a situation where Ming Tian was destined to lose. Ming Tian knew clearly that Yan Wei wouldn't let him go. During the competition, besides his hidden trump cards, he also had Meng Qianji and Du Huns secretly assisting him, ready to respond to any sudden changes.
Yan and Ming Tian, who had advanced to the finals, practiced and cultivated even more diligently before the finals began. Yan's only goal was to stand until the end and rightfully win a spot in the Spirit Hall!
After a few days, the Spirit Hall selection finals and the auction arrived as scheduled!
The Yanling Auction House had specially constructed a competition venue, inviting countless spectators and creating a lively atmosphere!
Qian Xunji, along with his subordinate Lordialla, and Qian Suoning, the branch master of the Spirit Hall in the southern part of Tianling City, also came to oversee the Spirit Hall selection finals.
Qian Xunji handed the finals over to Yan Wei to host, and the positions of Zhan Yaqing and Yuan Tianxiong were visibly lower than Yan Wei's.
Yan Wei finally understood the feeling of gaining power. He could now stand above Yuan Tianxiong and Zhan Yaqing, and his own child had even entered the final, making him feel incredibly proud and elated.
"Yan, Uncle Yan looks much younger today, and he's always smiling. He seems very happy."
Yuan Yun said to Yan, standing beside him.
"Haha, I haven't seen Father so happy in a long time. After all, the final and the auction are being held here at our home, which is a very honorable thing."
Yan was also happy, not only because he had advanced to the finals but also because he saw that his family was so highly regarded by the Spirit Hall.
But not everyone thought the same way. Behind Yan, Yan Qingwan and Ming Tian had grim and somewhat gloomy expressions.
"Are you sure they'll make a move after the competition? But the reinforcements from Seven Luo City haven't arrived yet. Can these people stand against the Spirit Hall?"
Yan Qingwan asked Ming Tian in a low voice.
"We can stall for time. Yan Wei will definitely collude with the people from the Spirit Hall to target me during the competition. If I can't hold on, exposing my soul bone skills is inevitable. If that happens, our plan to switch out the soul bone will definitely be exposed, including my identity. At that time, Qian Xunji might just tear off his mask and not care about anything else."
"Put it another way, when the soul bone is auctioned later, we can't hide what we've done. Once they discover the soul bone has been stolen, they will definitely vent their anger on the people of Tianling City. Now, with Teacher, Sect Master Du, and Uncle He Chen here, plus the Zhan family and the Yuan family, can't we deal with them?"
Ming Tian comforted Yan Qingwan.
While the two were talking, Meng Qianji and Du Huns, who were hiding in the shadows, were also observing the competition and Qian Xunji and the others.
"How is it? Are we making a move today?"
"It's not far off. But I didn't expect that Qian Suoning from the southern branch would also be here. It's an unexpected situation."
"What about this person?"
"He's probably a Soul Douluo, and his Martial Soul is likely from the Sacred Angel lineage."
"A Title Douluo, a Soul Douluo, plus Lordialla and a bunch of Spirit Hall lackeys..."
"What, are you scared, Old Du? You're the only one with your Main Body Martial Soul. If you're in trouble, you can go first, I understand."
"Scared? How could I be? I just want to see if my Heart Martial Soul is stronger, or if their Sacred Angel Martial Soul is more powerful. I'll take Qian Xunji!"
"Alright, alright, no one's fighting you for that. I just want to know if Zhi Lin from Seven Luo City has brought anyone here. Our lives and hopes depend on him..."
Meng Qianji muttered, his gaze somewhat unfocused, looking at Ming Tian, not knowing what he was thinking.
"Please be quiet, everyone. Hello, everyone. I am Yan Wei, the director of the Yanling Auction House. I am very pleased to once again host the final and a breathtaking auction. I am also very honored to see all of you esteemed guests, and I thank you for your presence. Now, let's invite the final contestants who have been selected through the semi-finals to enter the arena, and let us welcome these chosen ones!"
Yan Wei said happily, looking at the audience. The people below stopped their commotion. Yan happened to see his father's gaze fall on him, and he smiled confidently, making a gesture of victory.
"And also..."
"Alright! Ming Tian, what are you whispering about? We're about to enter the arena, and the competition is starting, hehe."
Yan put his hand on Ming Tian's shoulder, smiling.
"Ah? It's starting? Alright, let's go in."
Ming Tian had to end his secret conversation with Yan Qingwan and was pulled by Yan towards the arena.
"Hey, Ming Tian, you, be careful, and good luck."
Yan Qingwan said with concern, watching Ming Tian being pulled away by his brother.
"Mm, I will."
Ming Tian looked at Yan Qingwan, signaling her to not worry.
"Don't worry, little sister. If I and Ming Tian are in the arena, I'll let him win."
Yan said with a smile, and whispered to Ming Tian:
"Brother, you have to hold on for a few rounds. If you go first, you must hold on until I fight you."
"Mm! I will! Brother Yan, don't worry, I'll clear all the obstacles for you until the last match, when only the two of us are left, and we'll have a good match."
Ming Tian said with determination.
In fact, this was the deepest thought in his heart for this competition. Among the people who entered the finals, he and Yan were the weakest, but Yan had no trump cards, while his trump cards were enough for him to clear all the opponents for Yan. In the end, when facing Yan, he would admit defeat and leave.
"Brother Yan, this is the last thing I can do for you. After today, we may never see each other again, forever strangers..."
Ming Tian was thinking.
It wasn't just him who thought this way, but also Yan Qingwan.
Watching her brother and Ming Tian leave, watching their backs, her heart ached faintly. This was probably the last moment they would spend together. She had already made her choice. If Yan Wei didn't turn back, she could only sever ties with Yan and Yan Wei and leave.
"What's wrong? Worried about him?"
A cold voice came from Yan Qingwan's ear. Yan Qingwan turned around and saw Yuan Yu sitting beside her.
"No, not at all."
Yan Qingwan said insincerely.
"Seriously, you're still holding back with me."
Yuan Yu tapped Yan Qingwan's head and said:
"I already knew. I also spoke with my father before the competition. It seems that this end will not be ordinary."
Yuan Yu said coldly.
"Yes, it's going to change."
"I say, is it really okay for your brother to be kept in the dark? I feel like your brother is the most miserable one. His own father killed his own mother, and his sister severed ties with him because of it. How should he choose? What do you think he would do if he knew who to hate the most?"
"This... I haven't thought about it..."
Yan Qingwan shook her head in confusion.
"I hope that in the end, no one gets hurt too deeply."
Yuan Yu looked at the competition stage, the contestants had already taken their positions and were preparing on the side.
Yan Wei looked at Qian Xunji as if asking for instructions. Qian Xunji nodded at Yan Wei, and Yan Wei then said to the people present:
"I am honored to host the final match. I am sure everyone is clear about the rules of the finals. I will now draw lots. The two who are drawn will compete in the first arena match, and the winner will defend the arena, and then continue to draw lots, with the next person attacking the arena, and so on. The last person standing on the stage will be one of the people who takes up a spot in the Spirit Hall's selection. The remaining two spots will be decided by the number of arena defenses. The first and second place with the most defenses will also be selected!"
"At the same time, every time a contestant changes, we will auction an item, using this time to allow the contestants to recover their soul power. These items are rare treasures collected by our Yanling Auction House! When the last contestant attacks or succeeds in defending, we will auction the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone!"