Chapter 148: The First Match

Shi Nian glanced coldly at both the Shrek and Emperor Battle teams, then left with the people from Blue Sunshine Academy. Watching Shi Nian's departing figure, both Flender and Qin Ming remained wary—clearly, Shi Nian's reputation on the continent was not a positive one.

"Brother Sword, do you know this Shi Nian? The teachers all seem very cautious around him," Ning Rongrong asked curiously.

Tianlin nodded, "I've heard of him. It's said that Shi Nian's martial soul is very unique, called 'Brutal Dream.' He can create a variety of illusions, confusing opponents to death within them. His abilities are strange in both offense and defense—even soul masters of equal rank are unwilling to fight him."

"Moreover, his personality is sinister and vengeful. He reached the peak of Soul Emperor level years ago, and by now he should have broken through to level seventy."

After Tianlin's explanation, everyone looked at each other in astonishment. Such a martial soul existed? Indeed, who would want to fight someone so strange and unpredictable?

But Tianlin remembered something—according to the original story, Shi Nian should have already obtained that ten-thousand-year gemstone-type Soul Bone of Illusory Realm by this time. That Soul Bone would eventually belong to Rongrong. Looks like he'd have to find a way to place an order for it, so to speak.

Tianlin possessed a million-year spiritual skull, plus an external soul bone for his eyes. Others might fear Shi Nian's illusions, but Tianlin was not afraid at all. In fact, to Tianlin, Shi Nian was less of a threat than a Soul King.

Still, even if you gave Shi Nian ten times the courage, he probably wouldn't dare lay a hand on the disciple of Sword Douluo. So, the one to initiate the order would have to be Tang San—though Tianlin planned to intercept midway.

"All right, the real opening ceremony is about to start. Let's head inside. Dean Flender, this way please." As a teacher at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Qin Ming had some privileges. He had already been here several times to observe the battlefield and was very familiar with it.

Tianlin and the others immediately followed their teacher. As he passed by Tang San, Tang San's expression turned a bit sour.

He couldn't see through Tianlin's strength, even with his Purple Demon Eye activated. This meant the gap between them had widened again.

Tang San was already thinking about his future ambitions: reclaiming the Clear Sky Sect, establishing the Tang Sect, and using the power of both sects to absorb the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. After all, he had already taken their money; he couldn't let the Tang Sect's hidden weapons always be controlled by others, even the most basic ones. Since the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had taken them, they would eventually have to either submit or be destroyed.

'It's fine. I have twin martial souls. He's only temporarily stronger than me. In terms of potential, I far surpass him.'

Remembering his master's advice, Tang San regained some confidence and strode forward to keep up with the others.

Inside, the huge and open plaza was surrounded by countless cheering and shouting spectators. At the center front of the field was a gold-backed rostrum, and behind it was the remodeled VIP area.

The wide field had a diameter of over 150 meters. The academies that had entered earlier were already lined up in neat formations in the center. As each academy entered, a dedicated announcer on the rostrum introduced them.

The Emperor Battle team's entrance drew cheers, while Shrek's drew laughter.

Tianlin looked toward the VIP seats. Seated in the very center was a dignified middle-aged man, his face somewhat aged but with an aura of supreme nobility. He wore a golden robe and a crown adorned with a dazzling diamond. Simply sitting there, it felt as if everything revolved around him.

Even Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect master; Gu Rong, the Titled Douluo; and Prince Xue Xing could only sit slightly lower beside him. This man's identity was self-evident—he was the Emperor of Heaven Dou, Emperor Xue Ye.

On Xue Ye's other side sat a mountain of flesh and a man in red robes. The mountain was Huyan Zhen, the Elephant Armored Sect master, who had arrived early for some reason. As for the red-robed man, Tianlin recognized the platinum crown and his attire—he was from the Spirit Hall, and not just any member but a high-ranking one: a Platinum Bishop.

In the Spirit Hall, aside from the Pope and Titled Douluo elders, the most exalted positions belonged to the four Platinum Bishops. This one should be Salas, the master of the Heaven Dou Temple, and a Soul Douluo above level eighty.

At this moment, Ning Fengzhi happened to look at Tianlin, and the two nodded slightly.

Next came a long, meaningless string of opening speeches, given in turn by Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi. After they finished and sat down, Xue Ye turned to Ning Fengzhi and asked, "Sect Master Ning, which team do you think is the strongest this time?"

"Naturally, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Emperor Battle team. As the Empire's face, I believe they will deliver an exciting performance." Ning Fengzhi gave Xue Ye plenty of face, and Xue Ye smiled with satisfaction.

Watching this, Gu Rong thought to himself, "That's right, the Emperor Battle team has the best chance to win, but that's mainly because of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. What does it have to do with you royals?"

Meanwhile, Salas smiled slightly—not a happy smile, but a mocking one. So what if the Emperor Battle Team is strong? In his eyes, only Jun Tianlin was worth noticing; the others were like ants before the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.

He knew that, motivated by humiliation years ago, the Golden Generation had trained extremely hard. They were now far beyond just having reached the Soul King level; their soul power was enough to outshine their peers.

Now, although the relationship between Spirit Hall and the two Empires was outwardly cordial, beneath the surface it was already irreconcilable. Right after Emperor Xue Ye's speech, Salas had openly begun recruiting geniuses from the academies. Spirit Hall's ambitions were becoming ever more blatant.

Back at the fighting arena, the host moved the program along, and soon it was time for the first match. Emperor Battle Team would be the first to compete, and their opponent was the Elephant Armored Academy—not Shrek, as in the original story.

Ning Fengzhi glanced at Salas and Huyan Zhen. No wonder Huyan Zhen arrived early—Spirit Hall had arranged this. Their aim wasn't to win, but to test Tianlin's current strength.

Rules, to the Spirit Hall, were just toys to be manipulated as they wished.

After all, for the Spirit Hall Academy, Tianlin was their only threat. Of course, they wanted to gather intelligence on him, so the Golden Generation could know themselves and their enemy. Even if the Elephant Armored Academy couldn't win, they could at least probe his strength.

"A battle between a veteran powerhouse and a title favorite right off the bat? Interesting." Flender said with interest as he took a seat. For him, this was also a good chance to gather information on the Emperor Battle Team.

Below the arena, Qin Ming was deep in thought. He saw that the Elephant Armored team was targeting Tianlin, but the Emperor Battle Team had more than just those seven members. He could easily bench Tianlin for this match, and even the other students could handle the Elephant Armored team.

At that moment, Tianlin suddenly said, "Teacher Qin, no need to hesitate. I'll go up. I think Spirit Hall has already guessed I've broken through to Soul King. There's no point hiding it."

"Besides, all the big sects here can see the Elephant Armored team is targeting me. If I don't go up, it would look like I'm avoiding battle, and I don't want to be labeled a coward."

Qin Ming nodded, "That's true. If you don't go, Spirit Hall will find some other way to force you to fight. We might as well show our hand. Go ahead and shock everyone. But remember—"

Tianlin interrupted Qin Ming's nagging, "Don't worry, Teacher Qin, I know what you want to say. I won't lose."

With that, Tianlin was the first to jump onto the arena, leaving Qin Ming shaking his head helplessly, "Actually, what I wanted to say was—Xiao Tian, go easy on them!"