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After the Shrek Academy team emerged victorious, the next match was between the Spirit Hall Academy team and the Blazing Academy team.
This was the main event, as this generation of the Spirit Hall Academy team boasted three members known as the "Golden Generation." Leading them was Hu Liena, the disciple of the current Pope.
However, what made things interesting was that Blazing Academy forfeited right from the start. No one got to see Hu Liena and her Golden Generation in action.
On the other hand, Tang San's Tian Dou Imperial Team faced a major issue. They were set to face the newly merged Shen Feng (Godwind) Academy, which combined forces from both Blazing Academy and Shen Feng Academy.
Why? Feng Xiaotian wanted to defeat Tang San after their previous draw left him dissatisfied. Meanwhile, Huo Wu felt irritated by Tang San's earlier outburst at the gates of Wuhun City and wanted to teach him a lesson.
Due to Li Luochen's influence, all members of the Shrek Academy team—though geniuses with pride—were not arrogant or condescending.
When interacting with peers, the Shrek Academy team displayed excellent manners and etiquette. At least eighty percent of the participants found conversing with them pleasant.
Li Luochen's philosophy was simple: just because you're a genius doesn't mean you need to be arrogant. Being a genius is merely the first step on the path to becoming strong. If you don't grow into your potential, then being a genius means nothing.
Arrogance is something only the truly strong deserve. If you're weak, even having the title of "genius" won't change the fact that you're still weak.
Take someone like Li Luochen, for example. He had fully matured into one of the continent's top powerhouses, earning the right to be arrogant.
What about Yan? Wasn't he a genius too? Yes, but he was reduced to a broken shell after being struck down by Li Luochen. A fallen genius!
If Yan couldn't overcome the shadow of Li Luochen and rise again, he'd remain useless forever. But if he managed to recover and rebuild himself, perhaps he could push his limits and reach the level of a ninety-eight-rank Super Douluo.
As for why Tang San didn't have his mindset shattered by Li Luochen? You can call Tang San flawed or petty, but you can't call him weak. With a mental age nearing forty, Tang San had enough resilience to handle pressure.
The reason he lost his composure against Tian Shui Academy was because Tang San inherently looked down on the natives of Douluo Continent. Believing himself reborn with memories and techniques from his past life, he considered himself superior. Having risen as a genius, his ego had grown inflated, making the sudden blow harder to handle.
Nevertheless, his arrogance remained intact. With his twin spirit weapons, he believed that once he rose to prominence, no opponent would stand in his way. His full ten-thousand-year soul ring-equipped Hao Tian Hammer was unmatched.
Moreover, Tang San was driven by vengeance. He sought to avenge his parents and destroy the Spirit Hall. He couldn't afford to fall, not even due to setbacks!
Thus, Tang San's resolve remained unshaken, and he wasn't broken by Li Luochen. The main reason was that Li Luochen held back, fearing he might accidentally kill Tang San and spoil the fun.
"Quarterfinals, begin!
Shen Feng Academy vs. Tian Dou Imperial Academy!
The match starts!"
The Tian Dou Imperial Team fielded their strongest lineup, thanks to the pressure of the Advanced Soul Master Tournament and the treatment they received for their hidden injuries at the expense of the Tian Dou Imperial Family.
Tang San's soul power had now reached forty-five levels. Equipped with the external soul bone, the Eight Spider Spears (dropped from a six-thousand-year beast in Sunset Forest), and his twin spirit weapons, Tang San was confident in his ability to fight at the Soul King level.
All his teammates had also reached the Soul Elder level, with the weakest member, Ru Si Yi, barely surpassing forty levels. The Education Committee personally arranged for her to hunt a four-thousand-year soul beast.
Additionally, Tang San now possessed a secret weapon. Confident in his ability to sweep through the competition, he believed he could defeat both Shrek Academy and Spirit Hall Academy.
On Shen Feng Academy's side, Feng Xiaotian stood at the forefront, flanked by Huo Wushuang and supported by Huo Wu and two auxiliary-type soul masters from Blazing Academy.
"Feng Xiaotian, ascend!"
Huo Wu shouted, and Feng Xiaotian spread his Gale Wings, soaring into the air!
"Third Soul Skill: Meteor Rain! ×2"
The two fire-attribute auxiliary soul masters began amplifying Feng Xiaotian's power while Huo Wu initiated soul ring fusion, channeling her soul power into Feng Xiaotian.
This was a dual-person fusion skill, amplified by the two auxiliary soul masters. With Huo Wu's support, Feng Xiaotian's aura surged to the level of a Soul Emperor. Wind fueled fire, and fire rode the wind.
This was the new strategy developed by Shen Feng Academy, originally intended to counter Shrek Academy and Spirit Hall Academy. Now, facing the formidable Tian Dou Imperial Team, they had no choice but to deploy it.
Watching the scene unfold, Tang San grew extremely tense. He knew Feng Xiaotian's strength well. Their previous one-on-one duel had ended in a draw, thanks only to Tang San's twin spirit weapons giving him an edge.
Facing Feng Xiaotian now, Tang San knew he was no match!
"Tian Dou Team! Seven-in-One Fusion!"
Tang San roared, and the rest of the Tian Dou team lined up, channeling their soul power into Tang San. Instantly, Tang San felt the surge of his teammates' energy.
This was the knowledge imparted to Tang San by Yu Xiaogang—the Seven-in-One Fusion Technique, derived from the Golden Triangle's Three-in-One Spirit Fusion Technique.
It was purely a stroke of luck, but Tang San had actually succeeded in experimenting with it. The Seven-in-One Fusion Technique unleashed immense power.
This was Tang San's trump card.
With that, Tang San pulled out his Hao Tian Hammer, channeling the combined soul power of the seven teammates into it.
Feng Xiaotian naturally noticed Tang San's Seven-in-One Fusion Technique. He immediately decided to target Ru Si Yi, the auxiliary soul master who was the linchpin stabilizing the fusion.
"Gale Wolf Thirty-Six Consecutive Slashes!"
Ru Si Yi's face turned pale, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
Without the secret techniques of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect, stabilizing the fusion rings and the Seven-in-One Fusion Technique was laughable. In the original timeline, the technique worked perfectly because of Ning Rongrong's presence.
But now, Ning Rongrong was safely with Shrek Academy, and Ning Fengzhi had no connection to Tang San. Replicating the fusion technique from the original timeline was nearly impossible.
Tang San, of course, noticed Feng Xiaotian's movements. His Purple Demon Eyes, capable of microscopic precision, locked onto Feng Xiaotian as he hurled the Hao Tian Hammer!
The hammer didn't spin—it shot straight forward. As it left his hand, a thunderous roar erupted from the Hao Tian Hammer. The once-small hammer expanded explosively mid-air, its head swelling to the size of a water barrel within moments.
Intricate patterns gleamed under the sunlight as terrifying energy radiated outward, enveloped in dense black light. It trailed a black flame-like tail across the sky.
*BOOM!*
The black Hao Tian Hammer collided violently with Feng Xiaotian, whose body glowed white-hot, in mid-air. The deafening sound of shattering echoed throughout Wu Hun City.
The destruction began with his wings. Feng Xiaotian's right wing disintegrated instantly, followed by his glowing white armor, which shattered into countless points of light.
Feng Xiaotian screamed as the tremendous force sent him flying. Just as he was about to be thrown out of the arena—
Flender suddenly appeared, intercepting Feng Xiaotian's trajectory and catching him before he could leave the field.
"Cough… thank you, Your Eminence!"
Feng Xiaotian, still semi-conscious, managed to mutter his thanks before passing out.
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