The next day.
Clear skies stretched over Mingdu.
At the heart of the city, the Royal Academy was gradually becoming lively.
The Soul Tool Trial Arena, the largest structure within the Royal Academy, capable of holding nearly ten thousand people, was already halfway full even though the competition wouldn't begin until 9 a.m.—and it was only around 7 now. At the entrance, faculty members dutifully checked identification badges. Only Royal Soul Tool students and Shrek exchange students were allowed to possess such ID badges.
These badges also provided certain discounts when shopping within the academy.
At the entrance of the trial arena, vendors had long gathered.
However, all the vendors were internal academy personnel, providing snacks and light food for students and teachers who might get hungry or didn't have time to buy proper meals.
"So many people~" Keke exclaimed in amazement as she held Juzi's hand and watched the never-ending stream of people entering the venue and the long line stretching far behind them.
"But honestly, someone like that guy wouldn't miss something like this. If it's him, there's no way he'd skip an event like this." Keke rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
"You mean… grilled fish?" Juzi replied with a strange expression.
"That's right. That guy's obsession with grilled fish borders on pathological. He doesn't even earn as much from selling it as he does from crafting soul tools, yet he still insists on selling grilled fish at the school gate every week. Such a waste of talent—it's honestly shameful!" Keke mumbled through puffed cheeks, her mouth full of snacks like a hamster.
"He went to the front lines," Xuan Ziwen said suddenly as he adjusted his glasses.
"Huh? Why go to the front lines out of nowhere? Even Juzi's back—doesn't that mean there's no war?" Keke raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"How could there be no war?" Xuan Ziwen shook his head, offering no further explanation.
As a researcher personally appointed by Xu Cheng to the Mingde Hall, he clearly knew some insider information.
The front lines… could very well be Mingdu itself.
"Alright, let's queue up properly and get inside early. If we get squeezed out, who knows how long we'll have to wait to get in again." Xuan Ziwen glanced at the massive, seemingly endless line behind them and clicked his tongue in astonishment.
"I don't get it~" Keke shrugged her teddy bear sleeves.
…
Soon after, dark clouds suddenly rolled over the arena's roof, causing the temperature inside to drop noticeably.
"Artificial weather manipulation. A Grade 9 soul tool. Nobody knows which senior made this useless thing back in the day, but off the battlefield, it's surprisingly useful, haha…" Jing Hongchen chuckled.
He sat high in the viewing stand, happily watching the scene below.
The sight of ten thousand people gathered was quite spectacular. Even though no one was shouting, the low murmurs created a noisy, lively atmosphere.
"But this also conveniently gathers all the students in one place under unified protection. I've set up four Grade 9 linked defensive soul tools around the Trial Arena. They function similarly to the linked defensive shields used in the last Star Luo Tournament, but their defense is stronger. Unless it's a peak attack from an Ultimate Douluo, breaking through is impossible."
"As for Mingde Hall, many critical facilities have already been relocated overnight. If worse comes to worst, we'll rebuild and use their money to do it…"
Jing Hongchen couldn't hide his smile.
The more damage caused by powerful enemies, the better—after all, wool comes from the sheep's back.
"…"
"The Shrek exchange students haven't shown up?" Xu Cheng scanned the crowd below.
"Nope. Not a single one came—except for Le Xuan, hehe." Jing Hongchen glanced at Zhang Le Xuan and sneered.
Zhang Le Xuan stood calmly beside Xu Cheng, her beautiful eyes revealing no emotion.
"Everyone else is here, right?"
Xu Cheng smiled.
"Yes. Except for a few on leave or out on assignments, every currently enrolled student of the Royal Academy is inside this Trial Arena." Lin Jiayi nodded slightly while flipping through data on a light screen.
"Then let's begin."
"Yes!"
…
Elsewhere in the Royal Academy—residential area.
"Where's Senior Sister? Have you been able to reach her?" Fan Yu frowned deeply. He had asked Mo Xuan last night to notify all exchange students, including Tang San, to skip the competition and gather in the dorms instead.
Now, Xu Sanshi, Beibei, and even Tang San had shown up—but the Soul Master Division's lead representative was the only one missing.
"Are you sure you informed Senior Sister?" Chu Qingtian asked, frowning.
"Yeah." Mo Xuan nodded helplessly.
He looked toward Fan Yu, who shook his head.
Zhang Le Xuan's betrayal was still under suspicion. Exposing her prematurely would only shake morale and push her completely to the enemy's side, so it couldn't be revealed yet.
"Then we wait." Fan Yu waved his hand.
They weren't fleeing for their lives yet—fleeing was just a side mission. The priority was to destroy the Sun Moon Empire's core: Mingde Hall and its students. So they had plenty of time.
Once the coalition's top powerhouses broke in, they could head straight for Zhang Le Xuan.
"Teacher, I need to go to the bathroom." Tang San clutched his stomach.
"Alright, just don't take too long." Fan Yu waved him off casually.
"Got it!"
Tang San then jogged off into the distance.
The fewer people who knew about his planned attack on the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the better. His teacher had already mentioned that a superior, Ultimate Douluo was watching over him. If they found out, he might have to hand over 60–70% of his spoils to the academy—something a money-grubber like him would never tolerate.
So this operation had to be completely covert.
"Hehehe… Ning Tian, I'll ruin everything you have!!" Tang San grinned viciously.
…
"Oblivion Light!"
At that moment, Nan Qiuqiu activated her pink transformation and turned into a Rouge Dragon. She resembled a magical girl launching a sparkle attack, dyeing the entire arena pink.
"Boom!"
"Immovable Elephant Art!"
Hu Yannan looked grave.
With a low shout, his third purple soul ring lit up, and a massive phantom of an elephant seemed to form before him.
This was his strongest move, capable of both offense and defense. Among Soul Elders, few could match him.
The pink beam struck the elephant phantom, erupting in a loud explosion.
A faint pink mist spread through the arena, along with a light rouge fragrance.
"Nan Qiuqiu wins! Current points: twelve!" the referee's voice rang out.
Everyone could see Nan Qiuqiu standing proudly in place, while Hu Yannan was kneeling on one knee, one fist propping him up, looking drained and weak.
"As expected of Oblivion Power… I lost…"
"Oblivion Power breaks down soul power attributes to achieve destructive effects. Hehe, I even went easy on you." Nan Qiuqiu grinned.
"You've won fair and square." Hu Yannan smiled bitterly and was helped offstage by Yu Tianlong.
"Hmph~"
Nan Qiuqiu sneakily glanced at the high platform.
There sat the Royal Academy's principal, her mother, the clan leader of the Tianlong Clan, and the sect master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—truly prominent figures. But one other figure…
That person met her gaze and smiled, nodding slightly. Her cheeks flushed pink, and she quickly turned away, humming a tune as if nothing had happened, skipping down from the stage.
(End of Chapter)