"Hongjun is really lucky, he drew a very auspicious lot for us!"

Flander's furrowed brow relaxed a little upon seeing the result of the bye.

Yu Xiaogang nodded in agreement, but he didn't relax.

Qin Ming also understood that this did not mean that their academy had an advantage.

If they receive a bye in the first round of individual matches, the first matches will be between the members of Spirit Hall Academy and Shenfeng Academy. This will give them a good opportunity to observe the strength of Spirit Hall Academy, preventing the competition from being entirely unpredictable.

The three colleges moved to the stands to prepare for the game.

Flander, standing on the central viewing platform, surveyed the stands where the Spirit Hall Academy was located not far away, his heart heavy: "Of the three academies, the Spirit Hall Academy undoubtedly has the greatest advantage. A team with all members being Soul Kings is just a difference of seven ten-thousand-year soul rings and seven soul skills... Even if the new Divine Wind Academy, which has incorporated Huo Wu and the others, were to defeat this team with all members being Soul Kings, it would probably be very difficult."

Of all the publicly known information, all that is known is that the team members who participated in the preliminary and qualifying rounds were all at the Soul King level. As for those who did not participate, such as Qian Yuelong, Shrek Academy can only conclude that her strength must also be at the Soul King level.

"And their Martial Soul Fusion Technique... Before, they defeated the Heaven Dou Royal Academy with just one move, without even seeing how they did it. It was terrifying." Qin Ming's expression was not relaxed at all. "Now, the last official member who has not yet shown his face has returned to this terrifyingly powerful team. We still don't know what tactics they will use."

Yu Xiaogang looked intently at Qian Yuelong, who was chatting and laughing as if they were on a picnic and showed no sign of tension. He said in a low voice, "I think their tactics, from beginning to end, have only one thing—deterrence!"

As she spoke the last two words, Qian Yuelong, seemingly aware of the several gazes directed at her, glanced at them casually, a slight smile playing on her lips. When the look in the other person's eyes changed, she nonchalantly looked away and continued chatting with her companions.

Kamikaze Academy, on another stand, racked their brains trying to figure out the order of appearance.

The Spirit Hall Academy, on the other hand, seemed much more relaxed.

"Yuelong, who do you think should start for our team?" Hu Liena asked with a smile.

Wei Ming, the teacher in charge of their team, stood outside the circle of the group with his arms crossed. It was clear that he did not intend to interfere with the children's order of appearance.

At this point in the competition, there's no longer any need to hide the full strength of the team.

However, no one, including Xu Yu, a support-type Soul Master, felt any tension.

Even though the current team of Shenfeng Academy has four fire-attribute soul masters who were transferred from Chihuo Academy.

“I’ll go. Since the qualifiers, we’ve only had one official member on the field each time, and I’ve only played once so far.” Yan stretched his wrist and volunteered to fight.

Qian Yuelong nodded happily: "Since you're so enthusiastic, then Yan, you go ahead. Try to take down seven teams in one go! But remember what I told you in my letter before, for teams with unclear stances, you can hold back for now, who knows, they might become allies in the future."

Yan patted his chest: "Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Just wait and see me take down seven opponents at once!"

"Time's up! Now, please welcome the first player from each academy to the stage!"

The referee's voice, imbued with soul power, spread outwards.

Having finally decided on the order of appearance, Huo Wushuang took a deep breath and, with the encouraging gazes of Feng Xiaotian and the others, stepped onto the stage.

"Both sides, prepare!"

Fine scales grew on Huo Wushuang's bare arms, rising up intensely and transforming into a layer of dark red energy that covered Huo Wushuang's body.

Huo Wushuang, with a three-inch-long horn growing from his forehead, was full of fighting spirit. Two yellow and two purple spirit rings rose from his feet. He focused his attention on Yan, who had not even released his martial spirit and spirit rings.

Seeing this, Sun Chuantao's lips twitched and he said, "Yan is really arrogant. He actually thought of fighting the captain of Blazing Fire just because he doesn't have a martial spirit. The captain is a Soul Master, after all."

"He's trying to make a name for himself." Hu Liena resisted the urge to facepalm.

Their companion actually has a pretty good personality, but for some reason, he always likes to show off in front of her.

Xie Yue glanced silently at his younger sister, Qian Yuelong, as he explained the information to her:

"Yue Long, he is Huo Wushuang, a level 42 offensive-type Soul Master. His Martial Soul is a One-Horned Fire Tyrannosaurus. His Martial Soul attribute is half similar to Yan's, also belonging to the fire element."

Qian Yuelong nodded to indicate that she understood.

Xu Yu asked curiously, "Yuelong, why don't you continue analyzing the upcoming battle?"

In the past, when the team held competitions in the academy, Yuelong would always be there to provide some analysis.

Qian Yuelong's gaze remained calm: "For known results, no analysis is needed; just look with your own eyes."

Xu Yu silently shut his mouth and looked down at the two people below who had already started fighting.

With a layer of dark red scales covering his skin, Huo Wushuang roared, his heart filled with anger at being slighted by Yan, who didn't even release his martial soul or soul rings.

Driven by his passion, he didn't use any soul skills, but instead swung his fiery fists and relentlessly slammed them down on Yan.

A dull thud that made your teeth ache came from the arena.

Huo Wushuang angrily swung his fist, but each time it was precisely dodged by Yan, who was agile and had unpredictable footwork. Yan was so slippery that he didn't seem like a power-attack type Soul Master, but rather like an agility-attack type.

Tang San, watching from the stands, looked solemn.

Although it was different from the Ghost Shadow Step, he still saw the shadows of all the special movement techniques he had practiced in his previous life in that Soul Master named Yan.

It resembles the moves of other schools, yet it incorporates many different techniques.

Tang San, who had overcome the limitations of control-type soul masters by relying on the Tang Sect's mental techniques and secret manuals, asked Yu Xiaogang and the others beside him in a low voice if this was a movement technique secret manual unique to the Spirit Hall, but they all gave him the answer that they did not know.

On the battle stage, Huo Wushuang, transformed into a true raging dragon, roared, "Stop looking down on me! Activate your Martial Soul! If you're so capable, let's have a fair fight using Soul Skills!"

Yan chuckled twice, deflecting Huo Wushuang's punch. A glint of light flashed in his dark red eyes: "Fine, since you're so eager for me to awaken my Martial Soul, then prepare to face an even more scorching baptism of flames!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yan's aura deepened, and the even more intense heat distorted the space around him.

The floor, made of a special material, began to tremble, as if it were a sign of an impending volcanic eruption.

Incredibly hot flames erupted from the ground. Even Huo Wushuang, who was also a fire-attribute soul master, felt his heart skip a beat when he felt the temperature, which was several times hotter than his own flames.

"That's impossible!"

Yu Xiaogang shouted out in a hoarse, incredulous voice.

One lap, two laps, three laps, four laps, five laps.

The dazzling spirit rings—two yellow, one purple, and two black—were reflected in the eyes of every spirit master watching the battle arena.

Tang San's dark eyes reflected Yan, who was surrounded by five dazzling spirit rings. Like his teacher Yu Xiaogang, he stood there frozen like a stone statue, staring intently at the scene.

"Another... perpetual fourth ring..."

Ning Fengzhi's soft murmur was carried by the wind to the ears of others.