The audience didn't know much about Shrek Academy. In the first two rounds of the tournament, they hadn't even competed—advancing through a bye straight to the third round. Their strength remained a mystery to most.
Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Emperor Team, on the other hand, was well-known. As a seeded team representing the Heaven Dou Empire, they were expected to be formidable.
Still, this was Spirit Hall's home ground. The crowd overwhelmingly supported Spirit Hall Academy and stars like Hu Liena. Unfortunately, Spirit Hall Academy's match had already concluded, leaving the spectators somewhat disappointed.
Their attention quickly turned to the new match as Dai Mubai and the Emperor Team stepped onto the stage. Surprisingly, instead of starting the battle, both sides exchanged pleasantries.
"Dai Mubai," Yu Tianheng began solemnly, his expression resolute, "I know that the current Emperor Team isn't your match, and perhaps not even your own match. But we still want to try—to see if it's as hopeless as it was a year and a half ago."
His voice carried a tinge of sadness as his gaze flickered to Dugu Yan, then back to Dai Mubai.
Since Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling left, the Emperor Team had added two new members, selected from previously eliminated candidates. While they were strong, they fell far short of their predecessors.
"Yu Tianheng, if that's what you want, I'll grant your wish," Dai Mubai replied with a faint smile. Then, turning to his team, he added, "Zhuqing, Yan, you two should step down."
The crowd: "???"
This is a match, not a joke! You're going to take on the whole Emperor Team by yourself? Are you overconfident, or just stupid?
The crowd erupted in chatter. A match that had initially seemed straightforward was now shrouded in suspense. Would this golden-haired youth be humiliated, or would he pull off an incredible feat?
Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, and the others stepped off the stage without hesitation, voluntarily disqualifying themselves.
Only Tang San stood his ground, looking visibly perplexed.
"What do you mean by this, Dai Mubai?" he asked. "I want to win and prove myself! Why are you having everyone step down? How am I supposed to shine if I'm not on the stage?"
Dai Mubai raised an eyebrow but remained unfazed.
"My oversight. I didn't consider your feelings," he said thoughtfully.
Tang San was taken aback. Dai Mubai, admitting fault? Is this a joke?
But Dai Mubai's next words nearly made him faint from anger.
"Tang San, you fight Yu Tianheng and his team first. I'll step in after you're eliminated."
The arena fell silent. The tension in the air was palpable as the crowd processed Dai Mubai's audacious remark.
Tang San: "..."
Yu Tianheng and the Emperor Team: "..."
They all knew that when Dai Mubai said something, he meant it. If he declared that he wouldn't act until Tang San was defeated, he would follow through.
Yu Tianheng and his teammates exchanged glances. This was their chance.
While Tang San might drain some of their energy, it was far better than facing all four Shrek Soul Kings at once. If they could take down Tang San first, they might even have a shot at defeating Dai Mubai.
Without hesitation, they released their martial souls, determined to seize this opportunity.
The Emperor Team was composed entirely of Soul Ancestors, making Tang San's task of facing them alone exceedingly difficult.
As Yu Tianheng and his teammates charged forward, Tang San realized his predicament.
He briefly considered scolding Dai Mubai after the match but quickly saw the potential in the situation.
If I can defeat the Emperor Team on my own, the name "Tang San" will resound across the Douluo Continent!
While it was a risky and challenging task, it was also an unparalleled opportunity. Perhaps he should even thank Dai Mubai for creating such a stage.
Summoning his Clear Sky Hammer, Tang San held it firmly in his left hand. Four purple soul rings rose from beneath him, stunning the audience.
"Gasp!"
The sight of the Clear Sky Hammer and its four millennium rings drew collective breaths of shock from the crowd.
"The Clear Sky Hammer? And four millennium soul rings? Impossible! How can someone absorb a millennium ring for their first soul skill?"
"Even Tang Hao, the legendary Douluo, never managed that with his first ring!"
"Could this Tang San be a twin martial soul user? Otherwise, how could he achieve such a feat at his age?"
"That's possible. But if that's the case, using his second martial soul this way wastes most of the advantages of a twin martial soul setup."
"True. What a shame. I would have loved to see a Clear Sky Hammer with nine ten-thousand-year rings. Such potential, squandered…"
While some lamented the perceived waste of talent, others couldn't hide their schadenfreude. The thought of the world's most powerful tool spirit being "wasted" brought them immense satisfaction.
The Clear Sky Hammer was unforgettable to the older generation. Fourteen years ago, the Clear Sky Clan had gone into seclusion, but its legacy remained fresh in their minds. Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo of this generation, had once killed a Spirit Hall Pope.
Though the true story was known to few, the legend of Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Hammer still reverberated across the land.
Dragging his Clear Sky Hammer, Tang San charged toward Yu Tianheng, planning to use the hammer's momentum to land a devastating blow.
"Clear Sky Hammer versus Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—this is going to be amazing!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
The contest between these two legendary martial souls—one the mightiest tool spirit, the other the mightiest beast spirit—was a clash for the ages.
Yu Tianheng, however, cared little for such titles. He and his team chose pragmatism over honor, attacking Tang San en masse.
Winning matters more than some lofty duel of legends.
His only goal was to defeat Dai Mubai, and Tang San was just an obstacle along the way.
"First Soul Skill: Thunder Dragon Claw!"
Yu Tianheng unleashed his attack without hesitation. Simultaneously, Yu Feng and Oslo activated their offensive skills.
Even the team's defensive members, the Shi brothers, threw their Black Tortoise Shields at Tang San. For the moment their shields were gone, their defenses would weaken—but surely Tang San alone couldn't turn the tide…
(End of Chapter)