All the matches for the day had ended, and the various teams dispersed.
However, at this moment, each remaining team felt a mix of emotions, especially Shrek and the Spirit Hall.
Shrek's Grandmaster, after seeing Tianlin's performance today, had made up his mind. Even though he was reluctant to teach the theory of Martial Soul variant fusion to Ning Rongrong, he now had no choice. Without the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill, they simply wouldn't be able to match Sword Prince.
As for the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, they had thought that after four years of hard training, their strength was already close to or even surpassing Tianlin. Today, Tianlin showed them that this was just wishful thinking. Compared to four years ago, the gap between them hadn't narrowed at all; in fact, it had only grown wider.
Under Tianlin's pressure, they had to put aside their pride and cooperate sincerely with the other four teammates they'd previously looked down upon. Otherwise, if they lost, losing their reputation would be a small matter—the three soul bones being taken would be a much bigger problem.
Back then, when Bibi Dong privately gave the Wisdom Skull to Hu Liena, it already caused dissatisfaction among the Worship Hall and the Elder Hall. But since Hu Liena was her personal disciple, they couldn't very well ask her to dig out a soul bone she had already fused. The matter was left unresolved.
But such things could not happen again. Now, even if Bibi Dong wanted to give the Golden Generation more soul bones, she couldn't make that decision alone. Fortunately, the elders all agreed that as long as the three of them could win the championship and bring glory to the Spirit Hall, giving each of them another soul bone as a reward would be fine.
In other words, the three soul bones for the champions were already prepared for them. If they couldn't hold onto them, they would never be able to lift their heads in Spirit Hall.
"This competition must be won, even if I have to risk everything!" Hu Liena kept reminding herself.
Although Xie Yue was the captain of the Spirit Hall team, it was actually her, as the control-type spirit master, who was the real core.
Seeing Hu Liena's stubborn and unwilling-to-lose expression, Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction. She hadn't watched the match today, but from Yue Guan's description, she could more or less deduce how strong Jun Tianlin was.
"Strength isn't scary; what's scary is fear. Nana and the others are by no means without hope of victory. This tournament is a test for them. As long as they overcome the inner demon that is Jun Tianlin, their strength will see great improvement in a short time," Bibi Dong murmured while sitting in the Pope's seat.
She didn't consider Tianlin a threat. In her mind, no matter how talented he was, he was still just a Soul King, far beneath her, and no threat to Spirit Hall—just a stepping stone for the Golden Generation.
Once the soul-hunting operation began, not only Jun Tianlin, but the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would disappear.
At this time, Tianlin had no idea all the academies were discussing him. He was preparing to head back to the hotel to rest with the rest of the Emperor Battle team.
Unexpectedly, just as they left the competition venue, they saw two groups of people arguing ahead.
"Zhuqing, won't you come back with your sister? Do you think staying at Shrek will let you compete with me, or are you just hiding from the family's pursuit?" This was a mature woman's voice, slightly seductive. She called herself Zhu Zhuqing's sister, so she must be Zhu Zhuyun.
There was also a rough male voice: "Mubai, you too. You've played around enough these past years. After the tournament, come back with your big brother."
He was Dai Weisi. These two seemed very concerned about their younger siblings, but even without the ability to sense others' intentions, Tianlin could hear the malice in their voices.
"Zhu Zhuyun, stop pretending. The tournament isn't over yet. I might not lose to you," Zhu Zhuqing retorted stubbornly. She always persevered and would never give up hope of survival until the very end.
"Dai Weisi, the next matchups haven't been decided yet. We might not even face each other!" Dai Mubai, on the other hand, sounded very timid facing his brother, because he had no confidence at all—his brother's strength far surpassed his own.
Five years ago, when he just left home, he was level 25, and Dai Weisi was level 33—a gap of eight levels. Now, meeting again, he was level 41, and Dai Weisi was level 49—still an eight-level gap. That meant the gap between them hadn't shrunk at all; in fact, it had grown.
The higher the level, the greater the gap between each level—this was common sense.
But this was only natural. While Dai Mubai wasted away each day, his brother trained diligently, afraid his little brother might catch up. If it weren't for Dai Mubai's slightly better talent, the gap would be even wider by now.
Seeing him like this, Dai Weisi sneered, "So what if we don't face each other? Unless you defeat me in a fair fight, the family rules won't change. If you give up early and come back with me, at least I can guarantee you won't die. After all, you're my only brother."
Dai Weisi showed his last bit of familial affection. When he said "won't die," he meant stripping him of his soul power and banishing him to a desolate place to live out his days. For a soul master, that was worse than death.
"As for you, Zhuqing, I can even let you remain a soul master. After all, the future Star Luo emperor doesn't just need an empress—he needs concubines, too."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression changed. Dai Weisi already had her sister, yet he still coveted her.
"You're just going to watch me be humiliated?" Zhu Zhuqing looked at Dai Mubai, unwilling to accept it.
"I—" Dai Mubai was just as unwilling. After all, Zhu Zhuqing was his fiancée. But he couldn't beat Dai Weisi; he couldn't even protect himself, let alone stand up for her.
Before he could say anything, a little witch couldn't stand it any longer. "Hey, you're Dai Mubai's brother, right? Zhuqing is your sister-in-law! How can you say such things? Shameless!"
Ning Rongrong didn't care what Dai Weisi's status was. After all, it was public knowledge that her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan supported the Heaven Dou Empire. The two sides were open enemies, so she didn't mind offending Dai Weisi a little more.
"You're the little witch from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan? I've heard of you. But this is the Star Luo royal family's internal matter. It's not your place, as the second sect's young miss, to interfere!" Dai Weisi glared at Ning Rongrong, threatening, "You'd best mind your own business. If you anger me, I don't care who you are."
"Heh, would you dare say that in front of my Sword Brother? Bullying a support-type soul master—what kind of ability is that? Useless! Only know how to bully women, you evil-eyed kitty!" Ning Rongrong retorted. When it came to sharp tongues, who could beat this little witch?
Only she would dare call the Star Luo royal family's Evil Eye White Tiger martial soul an evil-eyed kitty.