Soul Land: Legend of Saint Seiya

Chapter 174: The Final Match

At dawn the next day, the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament final proceeded as scheduled.

Although the previous day's battle between Tang Hao and Qian Daoliu had caused severe damage to the arena, several elders suggested delaying the match by a day or two to allow for proper repairs. After all, the venue represented the face of the Spirit Hall. However, under Bibi Dong's firm decision, the finals were still held on this day.

Xiao Yu, who had taken a direct hit from Tang Hao's hammer the previous day, was severely injured. Qian Renxue had even scoured the treasury for rare treasures to treat his internal injuries. Bibi Dong reasoned that Xiao Yu's condition must be critical, so she refused to give him any recovery time. Seizing the opportunity while Xiao Yu was unable to compete, she pressed forward with the finals to secure the championship prize: three coveted spirit bones.

Qian Renxue, already equipped with a full set of angelic spirit bones, had no personal need for additional ones. Thus, her plan was to allocate these three spirit bones to the Golden Generation members, further strengthening them as originally intended.

But while ideals are often grand, reality can be uncooperative.

Though Xiao Yu did not appear on stage, neither did Bibi Dong's dutiful daughter, Qian Renxue. She was instead lounging in the Nine Stars Academy's resting area, leaning affectionately against Xiao Yu. This sight infuriated Bibi Dong to the point of gritting her teeth in rage, but she was helpless to act.

"Damn traitor!" she muttered.

Within the Spirit Hall team, Xie Yue, who had reclaimed his role as captain, glared at Qian Renxue sitting in the Nine Stars Academy's rest area. His eyes burned with a mixture of fury and heartache.

"Forget it, Xie Yue," Yan growled angrily. "A traitor like her might even stab us in the back if she got on the stage. Fortunately, Xiao Yu is too injured to compete, so this final match depends entirely on us."

"Indeed. The championship is destined to belong to the Spirit Hall!" Xie Yue declared. His steely gaze swept over his teammates, full of determination.

"Victory is ours!"

Under Xie Yue's lead, the Spirit Hall Academy team stepped onto the final stage with their original lineup.

The Nine Stars Academy team, meanwhile, was led by their vice-captain, Eden. The team consisted of control system spirit master Eden, power attack system spirit masters Yi Hui, Zi Long, and Cang Mo, agility attack system spirit masters Rong Dou and Yuna, and support system spirit master Ye Lingling.

"How odd," Hu Liena remarked with a frown, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes as she observed Nine Stars Academy's lineup. Aside from the two known power attack system Spirit Kings, the rest were unfamiliar faces. Notably absent were their previously studied members: the fire spirit master Huo Wu, the unicorn spirit user Xie Wu, the golden flood dragon spirit master Dugu Yan, the versatile spirit user Yao, and the support-and-control dual-role master Mi Yimei.

Hearing this, Yan sneered. "Liena, if Nine Stars Academy wants to act arrogant and hand victory to us, we might as well grant their wish."

Hu Liena furrowed her brows, annoyed by Yan's reckless arrogance. She lowered her voice. "We should still proceed with caution."

"The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament finals are about to begin! Both teams, prepare and release your spirits!" the referee announced.

In response, the seven members of the Spirit Hall team simultaneously unleashed their martial spirits. The Golden Generation trio stood in a reverse triangle formation at the forefront, their spirit rings glowing in the pattern of two yellow, two purple, and one black. Behind them, the four other team members, all equipped with optimal two yellow and two purple configurations, radiated spirit power exceeding level 45.

But when their gaze fell on the Nine Stars Academy team, they froze in shock.

The Nine Stars team had formed a 3-3-1 formation. Their three power attack system spirit masters—Yi Hui, Zi Long, and Cang Mo—lined up opposite the Golden Generation trio. As their martial spirits activated, five rings—two yellow, one purple, and two black—rose from each of them, surpassing the optimal configuration.

At the center of the second row stood vice-captain Eden. When his martial spirit activated, crackling lightning erupted around him, and an imposing deep blue figure materialized behind him.

Flanking him were the agility attack system spirit masters Rong Dou and Yuna. As Rong Dou's martial spirit activated, his body emitted a green glow, and a wolf's head appeared, visible to all. Yuna, on the other hand, was surrounded by a whirlwind as a massive blue eagle, several meters in length, spread its wings and soared into the air, circling above the arena.

Standing at the back was the support-type spirit master, Ye Lingling. With her hands clasped together as if in prayer, she summoned her martial spirit. A delicate, fragrant begonia flower appeared, radiating a faint, soothing fragrance. As she spread her hands apart, as if cradling the begonia, its petals and vines unfurled, cascading gracefully. The soft tendrils swayed in the breeze, their delicate blossoms like a veiled lady of elegance, exuding a subtle charm and captivating beauty.

The spirit rings that rose from these four—Ye Lingling, Yi Hui, Cang Mo, and Zi Long—were the same: two yellow, one purple, and two black. Five rings in total.

Seven Spirit Kings!

Nine Stars Academy had fielded seven Spirit Kings in the finals, each with spirit ring configurations surpassing the optimal setup.

For a moment, the entire arena was stunned.

Not just the Spirit Hall team members, but even spectators like Bibi Dong and Ning Fengzhi were left speechless.

"So, this is the foundation of Nine Stars Hall?"

Bibi Dong took a deep breath, her gaze shifting to the Nine Stars Academy rest area. There, Qian Renxue was looking at her with a provocative smile, her expression full of mockery. It was as if she was taunting Bibi Dong, silently saying: The Golden Generation you so carefully cultivated is nothing more than trash in the eyes of others.

"Referee, shouldn't the match begin now?"

The referee, who had also been stunned by the sight of Nine Stars Academy's lineup, hesitated. He gave the Spirit Hall team one last chance. If he announced the match immediately, the still-shocked Spirit Hall team would likely be defeated in an instant by Nine Stars Academy.

Prompted by Eden, the referee finally regained his composure. With a wave of his hand, he announced the start of the match. However, his gaze lingered on the Spirit Hall Academy team with concern. As a red-robed bishop from the Spirit Hall, his heart naturally leaned toward their victory.

But under the scrutiny of countless eyes, he had no choice but to remain impartial. After announcing the start of the match, he swiftly retreated from the arena.

"Brother!"

Hu Liena, snapping back to reality, called out to Xie Yue. The siblings locked eyes and nodded at each other. In the next moment, their martial spirits flared with dazzling red light. Together, they unleashed their spirit fusion technique, Demonic Charm. A crimson barrier materialized, spreading rapidly at a speed almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

Simultaneously, the Spirit Hall's support-type spirit master moved into action. His martial spirit was a radiant golden scepter, a tool spirit whose support abilities rivaled the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. However, due to limitations in bloodline propagation, it had never reached the same prominence.

His first and third spirit rings lit up, and two beams of golden light shot from his scepter. The golden rays quickly merged into the fusing forms of Xie Yue and Hu Liena, causing their aura to surge even further.

(Chapter End)

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