Chapter 118 – Semifinals, Before the Pope’s Hall

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Yu Tianheng's two dragon arms launched relentless attacks against Tian Yao, but Tian Yao, his right hand glowing with golden light, blocked every strike with ease. The coiling thunder snakes crackled on contact with his golden-scaled arm, but they shattered immediately upon impact.

"Too weak, Yu Tianheng. You're no match for me!"

With a flick of his right hand, Tian Yao deflected Yu Tianheng's arms aside, then slammed a powerful palm strike directly onto Yu Tianheng's chest.

A sharp crack echoed out. Without the protection of dragon scales, Yu Tianheng's body was remarkably fragile. His chest caved in from the blow, a clear crocodile-shaped imprint marking the impact point as he staggered backwards.

Tian Yao did not pursue. She had declared earlier that she would defeat Yu Tianheng without moving from her spot. Before this crowd of elite spectators at the Grand Spirit Arena, she wouldn't go back on her word. She intended to crush the pride of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit right in front of the Spirit Arena's upper echelons.

Yu Tianheng, however, refused to surrender. His first spirit ring lit up beneath his feet. "First Spirit Ability—Thunderclap Dragon Claw!"

A claw-shaped strike, formed entirely from lightning, surged toward Tian Yao.

"Golden Crocodile Claw."

Tian Yao's first spirit ring also flared to life. Her right hand gleamed gold as her crocodile claw tripled in size. With one resounding slap, she shattered the Thunderclap Dragon Claw effortlessly. The strike didn't even generate an explosion—the lightning dissolved into dozens of tiny electric snakes that scattered across the arena floor.

"Is the gap between the Golden Crocodile King Spirit and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit... the same as the difference between my Evil Eye White Tiger Spirit and the Tyrant Dragon?" Dai Mubai couldn't help but shudder. While he was happy to see someone from Spirit Hall punishing a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Tian Yao's overwhelming power reminded him of his own past defeat at Yu Tianheng's hands at the Soto Grand Spirit Arena. If it were him facing Tian Yao... how would he even fight?

"Quiet, Mubai. No matter how powerful a spirit is, it has its weaknesses. The Golden Crocodile King Spirit does have formidable offense and defense, but its speed is nowhere near yours," Yu Xiaogang said through clenched fists, frustration written all over his face. If Yu Tianheng could just raise his rank a bit more and grow dragon wings, gaining the power of flight, he wouldn't need to fear the Golden Crocodile King.

"But Master, the Evil Eye White Tiger's attack power is lower than the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's. Even if I'm more agile, if Yu Tianheng can't even scratch her, how could I possibly fight her?" Dai Mubai protested. He had once respected Yu Xiaogang, but after he and Zhu Zhuqing were severely beaten and humiliated by Yu Tianxin, his patience for anyone from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had worn thin.

Yu Xiaogang fell silent, unable to answer.

Just then, Tang San murmured quietly, "If only Xiao Wu were here... Even if her Eight Stage Drop couldn't deal serious damage, at least she could throw someone out of the arena."

Thinking about why Xiao Wu couldn't compete in the finals with him, Tang San turned toward Spirit Hall, his gaze turning icy cold. Spirit Hall, wait for me. I will repay every single debt—the vengeance for my mother, Xiao Wu's mother, Da Ming, Er Ming, and even for stealing my external spirit bone. I, Tang San, will make you pay in full!

Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack, crack—the sound of a whip lashing mercilessly against the ground echoed through the arena.

On the stage, Tian Yao's second spirit ring lit up. Her crocodile tail extended to five meters, slamming down repeatedly with explosive force. Yu Tianheng dodged desperately, his two scaled arms now covered in blood.

"Yu Tianheng, are you still struggling? Out of respect for His Highness Ye, I've already gone easy on you."

Irritation was written all over Tian Yao's face. Yu Tianheng was far too stubborn. Anyone with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit, influenced by its nature, would never admit defeat until the bitter end.

"Third Spirit Ability—Thunder's Wrath!"

Yu Tianheng's third spirit ring lit up, followed immediately by his fourth. "The pride of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan must not be sullied. Do you dare face me with everything you've got in one final clash?"

Tian Yao raised an eyebrow, then broke into a grin. "Fine. Very well. If you wish to die, I'll grant your wish."

"Fourth Spirit Ability." Tian Yao's fourth ring shone brightly. Her entire body radiated golden light as the power of the Golden Crocodile King manifested into a massive, lifelike golden crocodile.

On Yu Tianheng's side, a beam of blue-purple light gathered, condensed, and compressed into pure blue. Countless arcs of lightning coiled together, shaping into a one-meter-long azure dragon.

"Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Strike!"

"Rampaging Golden Crocodile!"

The blue dragon and the golden crocodile lunged at each other simultaneously. In that moment, they seemed almost alive. The golden crocodile opened its massive jaws and bit down on the blue dragon's body, while the blue dragon coiled tightly around its opponent, tearing at the crocodile with its claws and fangs.

Flashes of golden and blue light exploded across the stage, followed by a deafening blast. Waves of energy rippled outward in all directions as the entire arena was engulfed in a blinding radiance.

Empowered by his third spirit ability, Thunder's Wrath, Yu Tianheng's lightning power was amplified by 100%, and his spirit power surged by 50%. With this enhancement, his fourth spirit ability barely matched the strength of Tian Yao's fourth ability.

As the aftermath faded, a small crater marked the spot where dragon and crocodile had clashed. On the left side of the crater, the Golden Crocodile King lay curled into a tight ball, its massive tail wrapped around its body for protection. On the other side, Yu Tianheng lay sprawled on the ground, covered in blood, his arms twisted at unnatural angles—clearly broken. His once-impressive Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team uniform was now nothing more than tattered rags.

"Victory to the Spirit Hall team!"

The referee's resounding voice echoed through the arena, marking the end of the match between two of the four seeded teams.

What followed were a few days of uneventful matches, and finally, the semifinals of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament were set to begin. The three finalist teams emerged: the Spirit Hall team, the Godwind Academy team, and the Shrek Academy team. The venue for the semifinals shifted to none other than the plaza before the Pope's Hall.

The nobles, wealthy merchants, spirit master clans, and defeated academies who had spent astronomical amounts of gold spirit coins to secure viewing spots had no access to this location. Though Qian Renhan (Bibi Dong) was eager to profit, she still had her limits. There was no way she would turn the Pope's Hall—her residence—into a tourist attraction where anyone with enough money could get a front-row seat.

Brilliant sunlight bathed the land, and under its rays, the Pope's Hall gleamed with resplendent splendor, like a celestial palace.

Before the Pope's Hall, two rows of fully armored Temple Knights stretched from the base of the mountain all the way to the gates of the hall. Their dazzling golden armor and heavy, razor-sharp golden lances added to the solemn and majestic atmosphere of the entire Pope's Mountain.

The Spirit Hall team, the Godwind Academy team, and the Shrek Academy team had all arrived early, waiting in front of the Pope's Hall. Standing quietly beside the Golden Iron Triangle trio were Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo. As for why they didn't emerge from within the Pope's Hall like in the original story to showcase their noble status—well, those who understood, understood.

Soon after, the side gate of the Pope's Hall creaked open, and twelve middle-aged men clad in red robes slowly emerged. These were the Red-Robed Cardinals, second in rank only to the Platinum Bishops. They walked in unison to the front of the Pope's Hall and split into two lines of six, standing to the left and right of the entrance.

"The Pope arrives!" At the head of the cardinals, one man's loud declaration was followed by a thunderous chorus, as the entire Spirit City echoed with three cries: 

"Long live! Long live! Long live!"

The chants reverberated from the base of the mountain to its peak and back again, deafening and persistent, echoing across the entire Spirit City. At that moment, nearly everyone in the city paused their work, raised both hands high into the air, and shouted in unison, "Long live His Holiness the Pope!"

The enormous gates of the hall, towering over ten meters high, slowly opened, and three figures stepped out. As the members of the Shrek team—excluding Tang San and Ning Rongrong—saw the leading figure among the three, a chill ran through all of them, including Ning Rongrong, whose body trembled uncontrollably.

"It's him... It's actually him... He's the Pope of Spirit Hall!"

At the same time, near the main gate of Spirit City, a well-disciplined troop of Spirit Hall's Palace Guardian Knights was marching steadily forward. This group surrounded an iron cage at its center. Inside the cage was a young girl, her hands and feet bound by iron chains, her face pale and weary, her expression haggard. Upon her head were a pair of rabbit ears.

Naturally, this girl was Xiao Wu.

(End of Chapter)