As the days passed, the tournament continued in full swing.
Flender and Ma Hongjun disappeared on the third day of the competition, only returning to the camp on the tenth day.
When Ma Hongjun returned, a cheerful grin never left his face, hinting that he had likely acquired a remarkable soul skill.
Other than Oscar, no one questioned Ma Hongjun about his prolonged absence.
Yet when Oscar did ask, Ma Hongjun merely smirked and remained tight-lipped.
Oscar: "…"
Seriously? He was the only one who cared enough to ask, yet the fatty wouldn't say a word!
Just then, Flender walked into the camp, looking distinctly uneasy.
Seeing his teacher's expression, Ma Hongjun quickly asked, "Teacher, what's wrong?"
Flender waved dismissively and explained, "It's not about me. It's the organizers' actions that seem strange."
"???"
"This year's tournament is hosted by Spirit Hall," Flender began. "To make things even more enticing, they've put up three soul bones, all over 10,000 years old, as championship prizes.
"But now that the elimination rounds are almost over, Spirit Hall has abruptly changed the finals' location… to Spirit City."
"I can't shake the feeling that something's off."
Flender furrowed his brow, his unease evident.
As the most likely team to win this year's tournament, Shrek Academy had reason to worry.
Spirit Hall suddenly moving the finals to their stronghold could mean they were unwilling to hand over the soul bones. If Spirit Hall's team lost, they might take action. What could Shrek do to resist?
Flender couldn't help but think this way—Spirit Hall's reputation wasn't exactly spotless.
Most of the group took Flender's words in stride, but Tang San visibly tensed.
His mind flashed back to Yu Xiaogang's warning before heading to Spirit City: No matter what, do not go to Spirit City until I return!
Yu Xiaogang had suspected Spirit Hall might target Tang San or his father, Tang Hao, and that they would manipulate the finals' location to do so.
Now that Spirit Hall had indeed changed the location, Tang San faced a dilemma.
Should he go… or not?
Tang San fell into deep thought, his fists clenching tightly.
Spirit Hall, Spirit Hall…
Tang San's mind burned with rage. Spirit Hall's repeated targeting of him and his father had crossed the line. One day, he vowed, he would destroy Spirit Hall.
Such a force had no place in this world!
Dai Mubai noticed Tang San's reaction and shared similar thoughts. He believed Spirit Hall might be planning to deal with Tang San directly.
"Without connections to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan or Dugu Bo, and with Tang Hao already dead at my hands, who will save him from Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo's ambush?" Dai Mubai mused inwardly.
"As the Child of Destiny, he shouldn't be so easily killed, right?"
Unbeknownst to Dai Mubai, the real reason for the finals' relocation had nothing to do with Tang San. It was all because Qian Daoliu wanted to meet him, Dai Mubai!
"Things will work themselves out," Dai Mubai said nonchalantly, his expression calm despite being the unwitting "culprit" behind the change.
Flender nodded thoughtfully. If things got dicey, they could always forfeit the soul bones.
"Right. It's just a change of location. Don't overthink it," Flender said, attempting to reassure himself.
The group exchanged exasperated looks. Flender seemed to be the one overthinking the most!
Feeling the weight of their stares, Flender blushed and quickly walked off. After all, the competition itself wasn't his responsibility; Dai Mubai was in charge. Flender, as the "mascot dean," merely handled draws and passed on information about opponents.
Shrek Academy predictably secured first place in the elimination rounds, advancing to the finals as the top team from the Heaven Dou Empire.
The finals featured 33 teams: one each from Heaven Dou, Star Luo, and Spirit Hall as guaranteed entries, and 30 others from the elimination rounds.
After a speech by Emperor Xue Ye, Crown Prince "Xue Qinghe" led a contingent of 500 Royal Knights to escort Heaven Dou's teams to Spirit City.
Though there was dissatisfaction about Spirit Hall changing the finals' location, the organizers were Spirit Hall themselves, leaving Heaven Dou and Star Luo royalty little room to object.
The 500 Royal Knights served more as a display of Heaven Dou Empire's prestige than actual protection.
After all, the knights' "general" was only a mid-level Soul Elder in his forties. Despite their formations and teamwork, their combat ability was limited.
In contrast, the participating teams comprised Soul Masters, with accompanying teachers who were Soul Emperors, Saints, and even Douluo-level powerhouses.
In a real conflict, it was unclear who would be protecting whom.
To ensure extra safety, Emperor Xue Ye discreetly enlisted Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo to protect the team.
With Ning Fengzhi came either Sword Douluo Chen Xin or Bone Douluo Gu Rong, as one of the two always accompanied him for protection.
After more than ten days of travel, the group neared Spirit City without incident.
This puzzled Dai Mubai. Had Bibi Dong actually listened to Yu Xiaogang's words and chosen not to target Tang San out of sentimentality?
Tang San, however, had ignored Yu Xiaogang's advice and continued with the group.
He had no intention of withdrawing from the finals. To do so would mean forfeiting the chance to make a name for himself, not to mention a 10,000-year soul bone.
He had already added a spirit ring to his second martial spirit for the tournament. How could he turn back now?
"I must win the championship," Tang San thought, his resolve firm. "I have no choice but to win. Forgive me, teacher. I'll have to break my promise again."
Just then, the group came to an abrupt halt at the front of the procession.
Dai Mubai immediately assumed an attack was imminent. Instead, to his surprise, Yu Xiaogang appeared!
"???"
"Xiao… Xiao San… You… you can't go to Spirit City!" Yu Xiaogang stammered as he limped toward them.
Yu Xiaogang looked utterly wretched. One of his legs was broken, the other seemed useless, and his clothes were tattered beyond repair.
(End of Chapter)