Chapter 152: Dai Yao: Huyan Li, You Have Quite a Strength
"Our strength? How could it be that the Platinum Bishop Salas has noticed us? This is terrible—now we'll be targeted by other teams!"
Dai Yuan let out a loud cry, speaking in distress.
Luo Ling, Luo Feng, and Dou Yu were equally terrified. However, Feng Qianli seemed to have realized something and glanced sideways at Dai Yao, who remained calm, and said:
"Salas' unusual behavior… it might have something to do with Dai Yao."
Dai Yao smiled and nodded, standing like a resilient pine tree amidst the diverse and meaningful gazes from all directions. His demeanor was calm and unshaken.
"What a handsome young man!"
Many in the audience couldn't help but silently admire him.
The current Dai Yao was no longer the skinny child he once was in the Cold Palace. His entire presence radiated masculinity and confidence, and his appearance stood out as one of the best among all the competing Soul Masters.
On the VIP seats, President Jackson was questioned by the heads of the surrounding academies, but he didn't offer any explanation, instead calmly stroking his beard and smiling faintly.
"Once the match starts, all doubts will vanish."
Ning Fengzhi, who was also watching Dai Yao, thought to himself, "Salas holds Oakland in such high regard? Although Dai Yao is far stronger than his peers, with only him alone, it would be difficult for them to achieve good results in the tournament."
"Back when Dai Yao first joined the sect, he broke through the 40th-level barrier. Could it be…"
Suddenly, Ning Fengzhi recalled that Dai Yao's third soul ring was 6,000 years old, and his fourth soul ring wasn't…
His pupils constricted sharply, and even his usual elegant composure seemed to falter. "If this is the case, Dai Yao's strength… is likely beyond estimation!"
Amidst the astonished murmurs of the crowd, Salas turned and returned to the VIP seats, looking at the Snow Night Emperor. He slightly bowed and spoke:
"Your Majesty, since the opponent of the Tiandou Royal Academy is an unknown academy, the match may not be that exciting. How about we swap it to the Oakland team facing the Elephant Armor Academy instead?"
Since there was only one match today, Salas suggested advancing Oakland's match to become the opening match of the tournament.
The opening match was traditionally the time when top-tier academies faced off. A close battle between equally matched teams was always the most eye-catching.
Elephant Armor Academy, one of the Five Elemental Academies, specialized in defense and was a prestigious powerhouse. Their martial soul, the Diamond Mammoth, boasted extraordinary defensive capabilities.
None of the other academies wanted to face them.
While Oakland Academy was not well known in the past, Salas himself had publicly declared that he considered their team promising. Now everyone was keenly interested in Oakland Academy's strength.
Upon hearing Salas' suggestion, the Snow Night Emperor hesitated for a moment. He glanced at the Tiandou Royal Academy's second team and shook his head.
Although he wanted to see the Tiandou Royal Academy win and strengthen the royal family's prestige, he also didn't want to go against the audience's expectations.
"Your Majesty, how about watching a battle between dragons and tigers?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled gently, offering a suggestion.
"Since that's the case, let's swap today's opening match to Oakland versus Elephant Armor Academy!" After thinking for a moment, the Snow Night Emperor sighed and agreed.
The Snow Night Emperor's voice echoed through the soul guide device, and the atmosphere in the Soul Fighting Arena, with a capacity of 80,000, became electrified. Salas and Huyan Zhen exchanged glances and both smiled, though the meanings behind their smiles were different.
"Please, other academies, exit the arena. Oakland Academy and Elephant Armor Academy, please prepare. The match will begin shortly!"
As the other academies slowly exited, only the teams from Oakland and Elephant Armor Academy remained on the arena.
"What should we do? Are we really going to use our full team in the first match?"
Dai Yuan said anxiously.
For Oakland, their full lineup consisted of four Soul Kings, which was on par with Elephant Armor Academy. However, if they used all their forces now, the other teams would definitely prepare countermeasures, which would be very dangerous for Oakland, who were hoping to advance further.
With the match about to begin, President Jackson entered the match area, ready to offer guidance to the children.
He wore a confident smile, as if he already knew the outcome, and instructed:
"No, for this match, Dugu Yan doesn't need to participate. Replace him with Luo Feng."
"What? But with only three Soul Kings, won't we be at a disadvantage against Elephant Armor Academy?"
Jackson waved his hand dismissively. He had full confidence in Dai Yao.
...
A moment later, the match officially began.
As the members of Elephant Armor Academy stepped onto the arena, the 80,000 spectators collectively gasped. Are these even humans?
When the seven members of Elephant Armor Academy stepped onto the central stage, the entire Soul Fighting Platform seemed to shake with each of their steps. Their muscles were bulging, resembling seven towering mountains of flesh.
All were dressed in black, with imposing figures. Standing before Oakland's team, they towered over them.
Their weight was terrifying—each one weighed over 300 pounds, and the largest among them weighed at least 500 pounds!
The one in the center, a particularly burly man, stomped forward, and the entire Soul Fighting Platform trembled violently. His fierce gaze scanned Oakland's team.
"Elephant Armor Academy, team leader, Huyan Li. Level 40 Defensive Soul King!"
"Who is Dai Yao?"
Huyan Li's voice was deep and gruff, his flesh rippling with each word.
Upon hearing Huyan Li's words, Feng Qianli's expression turned wary as he moved to protect Dai Yao, preparing to face Huyan Li himself in this match.
"O—Oakland Academy, team leader, Feng Qianli, Level 41 Assault Soul King. Please, advise me."
Huyan Li sneered. "What? Dai Yao, the cowardly turtle, too afraid to show his face?"
At these words, the entire Oakland team glared at Huyan Li, especially Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, whose eyes seemed to burn with fury.
Dai Yao nodded at Feng Qianli and then strode forward, walking boldly towards Huyan Li under the watchful eyes of all.
Huyan Li was too tall, and Dai Yao had to look up at him.
"So you are Dai Yao?"
"Yes," Dai Yao replied, calm and composed.
A cruel smile appeared on Huyan Li's face, and his eyes gleamed with malice. "Someone asked me to deliver a message: I should teach you a lesson. So tell me, are you ready to lose a hand or a foot?"
Before Dai Yao could respond, the referee intervened immediately to prevent any further conflict.
Dai Yao, still smiling coldly, said, "We'll see who proves their worth in the match!"
"Let's see if your strength is as tough as your mouth!" Huyan Li retorted.
The audience erupted into cheers. As spectators, they were eager to see the intense rivalry unfold—Huyan Li and Dai Yao clearly had some history.
"Oh haha, these young men are full of energy!" The Snow Night Emperor laughed heartily as he watched the two, reminded of his own aging body.
Ning Fengzhi, smiling slightly, watched with great interest. He was eager to see how powerful Dai Yao had become.
In the rest area of Chihuo Academy...
Seeing the tension between Dai Yao and Huyan Li, one girl's delicate hand clenched tightly, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.
"Such a pity… I was hoping to teach Dai Yao a lesson in the first match," she said softly.
Beside her, Huo Wushuang stepped forward:
"It looks like they're in for some hardship. Even we couldn't easily defeat Elephant Armor Academy."
"Sister, don't worry. Ever since you lost to Dai Yao last time, we've all seen your hard work. Good things take time; we'll eventually face Oakland Academy."
...
At Shrek Academy's rest area…
Hearing that they wouldn't be facing Tiandou Royal Academy, Fatty and Oscar seemed deflated, their energy completely drained.
They had been sharpening their blades, ready to take down the Tiandou Royal Academy's second team to avenge the humiliation they had suffered there.
"How could the heavens be so blind? Letting those guys escape this time!" Fatty groaned, lying on the stone steps.
"We don't have a match today. It's a good opportunity to observe our competitors."
"Elephant Armor Academy is one of the Five Elemental Academies; their strength is unquestionable. What we need to be cautious of is Oakland Academy. Since Platinum Bishop Salas has taken an interest in them, their strength cannot be underestimated."
Tang San chuckled, saying, "Indeed. Since we parted ways in the Star Dou Forest, I'm curious how my younger brother's strength has grown."
Remembering how Dai Yao had defeated Dai Mubai without even using his martial soul, a dark cloud passed over everyone's minds.
...
"All players, salute!" The referee shouted.
Dai Yao and Huyan Li stared at each other, and it felt like sparks flew between them. All fourteen of the contestants performed a formal salute. The tension in the air thickened instantly.
"Round 1: Oakland Academy versus Elephant Armor Academy—begin!" The match started!
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