After the match ended, Xia Yi returned to the Xingluo Hotel alone.
Nothing unexpected happened.
"So disappointing. No one even tried to make a move against me," Xia Yi said, showing a look of disappointment.
Were these people underestimating him?
Did they really think he had no chance of winning the doubles championship?
"They're probably all focused on targeting those geniuses who made a big impression today. Master only defeated a mere two-ring Soul Master, so naturally, no one sees you as a threat," Leng Yulai said, covering her mouth as she giggled.
"What do you think about Nanalie appearing in Xingluo City?" Xia Yi asked.
"The Holy Spirit Cult has likely sent Evil Soul Masters with less obvious abilities to participate in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament. There's no way they'd give up on the Demon Octupos King's soul spirit and soul bone so easily," Leng Yulai said, her expression turning serious. "Besides, no matter how many geniuses they kill this time, the Xingluo Empire will place part of the blame on Chen Xinjie. They won't pass up such a great opportunity."
Xia Yi nodded in agreement with Leng Yulai's assessment, but he still asked, "Do you think there's a possibility that this is actually a trap set by Chen Xinjie and the Xingluo Empire to lure the Holy Spirit Cult and the Green Skull Organization?"
"That, I can't say for sure. Now that the Holy Spirit Cult has made its move, the Green Skull Organization is likely here too. They need the Demonic Abyss King's soul spirit and soul bone even more than the Holy Spirit Cult does, so they won't give up easily. Gathering all these people together isn't easy. Regardless of whether Chen Xinjie is setting a trap or not, both the Xingluo Empire and Chen Xinjie would never let such a good opportunity slip by," Leng Yulai replied.
"Chen Xinjie is definitely scheming something. As for the Xingluo Empire, no matter what they think, they have no choice but to accept the current situation," Leng Yulai added.
Xia Yi was fine, but that didn't mean others were safe.
Shortly after he returned to the Xingluo Hotel, and once the other members of Shrek Academy had finished their matches, Yali led the Shrek Academy team back as well.
Except for Ye Xinglan, who had been eliminated, the entire team advanced to the next round.
However, as Yali was leading the Shrek Academy team back to the Xingluo Hotel—
A timed soul-guided bomb suddenly exploded in a residential house not far from the roadside.
Yali immediately flew over to check for any wounded.
But just as she was about to rescue an injured civilian, a Grade 6 fixed-installed soul-guided missile suddenly appeared above the heads of Shrek Academy's students.
Fortunately, Yali had prepared for such situations in advance and had set up an invincible Grade 8 protective shield.
Even so, the attack still startled her.
Shortly after Yali returned, officials from the Xingluo Empire arrived at the Xingluo Hotel.
They invited Yali and Leng Yulai to the Xingluo Control Center for an important discussion.
However, both Yali and Leng Yulai refused to go.
They knew exactly why Emperor Dai Tianling of the Xingluo Empire was summoning them.
Earlier today, Yali, Shrek Academy's Yuanen Yehui and Ye Xinglan, as well as Tang Wulin, had all revealed their strength.
Now, the students of Shrek Academy were in extreme danger.
At this moment, Yali had no intention of dividing her attention for the sake of the Xingluo Empire's problems.
She could help the Xingluo Empire, but only if she could first ensure the safety of the Shrek Academy students.
Inside the Xingluo Empire's palace, Emperor Dai Tianling furiously roared at his ministers, his eyes red with anger.
"Five! Five young One-Word Battle Armor Masters! They all had the potential to become Title Douluos or even Hyper Douluos! Do you understand how great this loss is to our empire?"
The ministers all hung their heads low, none daring to speak.
On the very first day of the tournament, five One-Word Battle Armor Masters—each under twenty years old—had been assassinated.
"General Wang, as the commander of the imperial city's defenses, explain this to me!" Dai Tianling turned his gaze to a tall, broad-shouldered minister with thick eyebrows and piercing eyes.
Wang Guodong, a Hyper Douluo, was responsible for the security of the entire Xingluo City, excluding the palace.
"Your Majesty, we've detected the presence of Ghostwood Douluo from the Green Skull Organization in Xingluo City. However, I suspect that not all of these attacks were orchestrated by the Green Skull Organization alone," Wang Guodong said with a troubled expression.
He could order people to keep a close watch on the Green Skull Organization, but what about the others?
The allure of the Demonic Abyss King's soul spirit and soul bone was simply too strong.
Many factions would stop at nothing to ensure their young elites won the doubles championship.
Today, five One-Word Battle Armor Masters had been assassinated in the solo matches.
Once the doubles match lineup was announced tomorrow, the chaos would only escalate.
"Do you have any solutions?" Dai Tianling asked.
"Your Majesty, the city's defense forces alone are insufficient. I humbly request that we seek the aid of soul masters, Tang Sect, the Spirit Pagoda, and the Douluo Continent Exchange Delegation's powerful members," Wang Guodong said as he knelt on one knee. "Only by doing this can we minimize our losses. Especially the Imperial Grandmaster—if he helps, his presence alone will deter many ill-intentioned individuals."
"The Grandmaster must focus on protecting Monster Academy's geniuses and ensuring the safety of the royal palace. He cannot be spared. As for Tang Sect, the Spirit Pagoda, and the Douluo Continent Exchange Delegation, I've already sent people to request their assistance," Dai Tianling responded without hesitation.
Monster Academy's Heavenly Kings were the top contenders for the championship.
Their situation was even more perilous than anyone else's.
Moreover, the Green Skull Organization was already in Xingluo City. No one knew how many powerful figures had snuck in alongside Ghostwood Douluo.
If they diverted the Grandmaster's protection to ordinary contestants, what would happen if the Green Skull Organization launched an all-out attack on the royal palace?
Compared to ordinary contestants—
The Green Skull Organization would undoubtedly be far more interested in targeting him, the emperor.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Wang Guodong reluctantly expressed his gratitude.
Even though he hadn't managed to secure the aid of Divine Realm Douluo En Ci—
The support of Tang Sect, the Spirit Pagoda, and the Douluo Continent Exchange Delegation's powerhouses would still ease much of his burden.
The Tang Sect and Spirit Pagoda leaders in Xingluo Empire were both Rank 98 Hyper Douluos.
Each had at least ten Title Douluos under their command.
Furthermore, the Douluo Continent Exchange Delegation included Rank 98 Four-Word Battle Armor Master Yali, along with Leng Yulai—who had disappeared for years, leaving her exact strength unknown.
With this lineup, even if the Green Skull Organization sent out all of their strongest members, they wouldn't dare act recklessly.
The first day was for solo matches. The second day, doubles matches.
To ensure the safety of the contestants, the Xingluo Empire decided to release the match lineup only one hour before the battles.
Matchups:
Douluo Continent Spirit Pagoda Representatives: Xia Yi & Gu Yue vs. Monster Academy: Hua Lantang & Ye Zhi.
Shrek Academy: Tang Wulin & Na'er vs. Monster Academy: Lin San & Teng Teng.
Wujin & Wu Siduo vs. Dai Yueyan & Su Mu.
"Damn it, the Xingluo Empire did this on purpose!" Leng Yulai said coldly.
In the crowded Xingluo Stadium, she refrained from calling Xia Yi 'Master' to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
If it had been just one matchup, it might have been a coincidence.
But three at once? That was no coincidence.
The Xingluo Empire was clearly trying to force Xia Yi to reveal his true strength and put him in danger.
"What a shame. Monster Academy lost three teams in the first round of the doubles matches," Xia Yi chuckled mischievously. "Trying to shift the trouble onto me? Not happening."
"You've got an idea, don't you?" Leng Yulai asked curiously.
"You'll find out soon enough," Xia Yi grinned.