Yu Xiaogang's expression was slightly unnatural. After clearing his throat a few times, he drew everyone's attention back to himself.
"Alright, let's discuss the rules."
At this moment, everyone's expressions turned serious—including Xiao Tianyang. After all, he had no intention of letting Miao Zhenshan explain the rules. That would only make things more confusing.
Besides, if Miao Zhenshan truly knew these details, why hadn't he mentioned them back in the Extreme North?
What was the point of asking now?
Wouldn't that just be a waste of effort?
So, Xiao Tianyang wisely kept silent and waited until they returned to the academy to hear Yu Xiaogang's explanation.
Even if he had only registered and didn't plan to participate, he was still a student of Shrek Academy—and the most outstanding one at that. It made no sense to exclude him.
Thus, even without Miao Zhenshan's suggestion, Xiao Tianyang had already intended to compete under Shrek Academy's banner.
But now, circumstances had changed. Though he was participating under a different identity to conceal his involvement, he still had the right to listen to Yu Xiaogang's explanation of the rules.
In summary, there were four main rules:
Recommended Teams: The Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and the Spirit Hall each had one recommended spot, totaling three teams that advanced directly to the finals.
Qualifiers: Each empire and principality had its own competition zone, collectively vying for the remaining fifteen qualifying spots.
Finals Seeding: The qualifiers' rankings determined the order of appearance in the finals.
Byes: In the first round of the finals, the three recommended teams received byes.
After the first round, half of the teams would be eliminated, leaving fifteen. Combined with the three byes, eighteen teams remained.
Then, two more teams would be randomly selected for byes, leaving sixteen teams to compete for eight spots. The two bye teams would rejoin, making ten in total.
This process repeated: another two byes, eight teams competing for four spots, plus the two bye teams, totaling six.
Finally, the last six teams would draw lots, and the championship would be decided through two matches: Team Battle and Group Arena
The last team standing would be crowned this year's champion!
There were also two implicit rules:
First: Participants could not use abilities unrelated to their martial souls or soul skills.
Second: Killing and fatal attacks were strictly prohibited.
However, these rules didn't affect Xiao Tianyang.
Even without his martial soul, no one at his level could defeat him in combat.
As for Cong Yunqie—if he took it to the stage, who could stop him?
Other abilities, such as physical techniques, were personal skills developed from martial soul foundations. As long as he didn't use weapons like Ebony and White Ivory or Tang San's hidden weapons, there was no issue.
Besides, these rules weren't strictly enforced.
On the Douluo Continent, martial souls were the foundation of power, and soul rings were its manifestation. Without them, how could one establish themselves?
Such restrictions mainly targeted those trying to cheat the system.
For true geniuses, even bringing a weapon onstage was overlooked—as long as they proved their worth, they would be recognized.
"We'll see the Whitebeard Team soon!" In the lounge, Ma Hongjun sprang to his feet excitedly—but then he froze.
"Why is there only one person?"
"Isn't it obvious? The other side wants to take on all seven alone," Oscar said, shrugging. "If you ask me, anyone who can stand beside that 'Edward' must have some real skill. As for the trash from Canghui Academy? Beating them won't be hard at all."
"True enough," Ma Hongjun agreed with a nod. "Hell, even I could take on seven of them."
"You?" Xiao Wu shot him a sidelong glance, curling her lips in disdain. "I'd say don't overestimate yourself. The last thing we need is for you to bite off more than you can chew and end up exhausted."
Ma Hongjun, indignant, dragged Oscar into the argument. Unfortunately for them, Xiao Wu was unbeatable in a war of words. If Tang San hadn't stepped in to mediate, things might've escalated into a fight.
Of course, the ones getting beaten would've been Ma Hongjun and Oscar.
Strength had nothing to do with it—Xiao Tianyang's presence alone ensured that. If Xiao Wu called for backup, the two would've been in real trouble.
Xiao Wu's attacks might leave bruises, but Xiao Tianyang's? Those could break bones.
Still, judging by her sharp tongue just now, Xiao Wu had clearly picked up some of Bubu's bad habits. Even Xiao Tianyang shook his head inwardly.
Then it hit him—he hadn't seen Bubu in a while.
In fact, since the day he'd sent Bubu out to deliver a letter, he'd only caught a glimpse of it once before it vanished.
"Don't tell me someone turned it into dog meat…" The thought was fleeting, of course. Just a joke. No matter how much Bubu loved wandering off, it was still one of the few beings in this world he truly trusted.
The other? Saber.
Not just because of their bond, but because she had been summoned by him. As long as their connection remained unbroken—whether by personal loyalty or the system's design—she would never betray him.
Most of his secrets were unknown to outsiders, but Saber knew almost all of them.
While they bantered, the arena outside was in an uproar.
Canghui Academy had sent seven fighters.
Whitebeard Academy? Just one.
Yet, despite the numbers, Canghui's team didn't dare act recklessly.
Memories of past humiliations held them back—but more than that, it was the crushing pressure radiating from Fei Xue.
It was like carrying a mountain. Their breaths grew labored; sweat poured down their faces.
Then, with the referee's signal, something even more terrifying happened.
Salas, seated in the VIP section, shot to his feet, his face a mask of shock.
"This age… and already a Soul King? But those soul rings—!"
Five glowing rings encircled Fei Xue: Yellow, Purple, Black, Black, Black.
This defied all known limits of what a human body could endure. It wasn't just breaking the rules—it was shattering them.
"How could such a genius remain hidden from the world…?" Ning Fengzhi murmured, frowning.
"The one on stage must be that man's disciple," Sword Douluo said gravely. "Only his sect can push the boundaries of soul ring absorption to such extremes."
"You mean Tyrant Body Douluo, Miao Zhenshan?" Ning Fengzhi's eyes widened. "But he's always scorned these competitions!"
"People change—especially when they meet the right person." Sword Douluo's gaze flicked meaningfully toward Xiao Tianyang.
Ning Fengzhi's breath hitched. "Wait. If Edward is with the Whitebeard Team, then—"
"Careful with your words," Sword Douluo cut in sharply. Then, said softly: "It's best not to speak that name aloud."
Ning Fengzhi exhaled. "You're right. I was reckless."
But another thought troubled him. "If this is true… wouldn't Spirit Hall know by now?"
"Not yet. Not for a while." Sword Douluo's voice was low. "Only us old-timers know of the Body Sect. Those self-important Spirit Hall priests don't venture out to forge bonds like we do—least of all with a madman like Miao Zhenshan."
Ning Fengzhi nodded, relieved.
…
The match began.
Though fear gnawed at them, Canghui's seven had no choice but to fight. Surrendering or being crushed without resistance would mean disgrace.
"Pathetic. Just like Senior Brother said—weak beyond belief." Behind her mask, Fei Xue's lips curled. Then, her third soul ring flashed.
"Third Soul Skill: Mental Shock."
Invisible ripples fanned out, sweeping over Canghui's team like a phantom tide. Instantly, their minds screamed—as if struck by a hammer. Clutching their heads, they crumpled to their knees.
"Too frail. You can't even handle this?" Her second ring lit up next.
"Second Soul Skill: Spirit Blade."
"Whoosh!"
Seven spectral daggers materialized—each plunging into a different mind.
The pain was unbearable. Within seconds, all seven collapsed, unconscious.
Total match time: under ten seconds.
If Shrek Academy's five-versus-seven victory had been a masterclass in tactics, this was a brutal lesson in absolute power.
Two soul skills—first control, then annihilation—executed flawlessly. The most terrifying part? The attacks were invisible.
Only Soul Saints and above could grasp what had happened. The rest of the audience sat in stunned silence.
"Such refined spiritual power… Her martial soul must be a rare variant," Salas mused. When it came to martial soul research, none surpassed Spirit Hall.
…
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