Yu Xiaogang took a step forward, but Yu Tianxin stepped back, keeping his distance.
"Uncle, even if you are my elder, don't forget that Tianheng is essentially ruined now and is no longer in the running for clan heir. Frankly, you're a nobody now—our family won't listen to you!"
"Even as clan leader, favoritism would only lead to public outrage."
Yu Tianxin's mind was clear: Tianheng was finished, and Yu Yuan was out of time to train a new successor. The elders would never agree to it.
Su Ming watched their exchange in silence, pleased with Yu Tianxin's response. It showed that he cared for the family and had the qualities of a capable heir. Once the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was reorganized, Yu Luomian, the current public leader, would eventually retire, and Yu Tianxin seemed like a good successor.
Hiding in the shadows, Tang Hao pondered Su Ming's skills, wondering if he could somehow convince Su Ming to make Xiao San's right leg disappear temporarily. Though it would cost him some spirit power, it would be worth it to extract the hundred-year-old spirit bone. He began planning how to get Su Ming to "willingly" help. Should he threaten Su Ming's female friends? Although Su Ming was powerful enough to rival a Titled Douluo, his friends weren't so lucky, and Dugu Bo couldn't protect them all.
Watching from a distance, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo thought, There are two of us too, you know!
If Bibi Dong knew Tang Hao's thoughts, she would dismiss them—thinking he was underestimating the Spirit Hall.
Meanwhile, Su Ming turned his attention back to Yu Tianheng, refining his techniques a little.
Thump!
Yu Tianheng's heart raced as he watched Su Ming approach again.
"Su... Su Ming, we can talk this through! You said you'd restore me—don't go back on your word and start doing... that again!"
"Hmm? Didn't I just fulfill that? I restored you, didn't I? But I never promised it wouldn't disappear again! Be my test subject so I can practice this soul technique." Su Ming smirked.
"You all saw that my technique wasn't yet seamless; I'm just curious how fast I can perform the conversion."
Yu Tianheng thought, Curious, my foot! This is my body! You're using me for practice!
The crowd was beginning to feel pity for Yu Tianheng—of all the people to provoke, why did he choose Su Ming, a complete devil?
"From Life to Destruction—Life Conversion!"
"From Death to Rebirth—Destruction Conversion!"
With these alternating moves, Su Ming systematically reduced every part of Yu Tianheng's body, sparing only his torso and head, and then restored them repeatedly.
Yu Tianheng's spirit power dropped to thirty-five levels, rendering his fourth spirit ring gray and unusable. Worse, he seemed completely broken by Su Ming's cruel treatment.
"Argh! Just kill me! Su Ming, do you have the guts to kill me? Do it, if you can!" Yu Tianheng yelled, despair clear in his voice.
Su Ming shook his head, slightly surprised at the effect his actions had on Yu Tianheng.
The audience murmured among themselves, "Don't you think Su Ming's gone too far? If he wants to kill him, he should just do it instead of torturing him."
"Speak for yourself," came a retort. "You wouldn't understand until you've experienced his pain."
"Exactly. The Spirit Master Tournament forbids killing, so letting Tianheng die would give Thunder Academy an easy path to victory. They don't stand a chance against the Spirit Hall!"
"True, but still… isn't this too much?"
"Pfft, in chaotic times, people like you would be the first to be eliminated."
Satisfied with his progress, Su Ming decided it was time to stop. He glanced at Yu Tianheng, who seemed on the verge of a breakdown, then turned to Bibi Dong, addressing her respectfully.
"Your Holiness, I have a question."
Bibi Dong was intrigued. "Go on."
"Your Holiness, as you can see, Yu Tianheng wants to die. Perhaps I could grant him a swift end, as he's asked. The crowd here can all testify that it's his request," Su Ming suggested with feigned hesitation.
The crowd collectively rolled their eyes, thinking, Would you really just grant him what he wants?
Su Ming: Well, he's insisting!
Bibi Dong's lips twitched, her expression conveying, Are you serious?
"Well, the rules of this competition are clear. If you really have the guts, end him—then Thunder Academy can advance. Are you not interested in the prize of the three spirit bones?"
Yu Tianheng's wild expression hinted at hidden sanity as he taunted, "Rules are rules, kill me, and Thunder Academy advances. I doubt you'd want to throw away your chance at those spirit bones!"
His tactic was to provoke Su Ming; he couldn't believe Su Ming would actually kill him.
Unfortunately, Yu Tianheng never thought that Su Ming and the Spirit Hall actually had a good relationship.
Su Ming was very confident that Bibi Dong would definitely do something.
Although it is said that opponents cannot be killed during the Soul Master Competition, there is still room for maneuver. It all depends on what Bibi Dong does next!
Bibi Dong pondered for a moment, then said calmly: "The rules of the Soul Master Competition were set by the Spirit Hall and the two empires. With so many people present, I can't let you kill this member of the Thunder Academy, but..."
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Bibi Dong continued, "However, if Yu Tianheng is no longer part of Thunder Academy, and if two-thirds of those present support you in eliminating him, I, as the Pope, will have no choice but to respect the majority's wishes."
Yu Tianheng: What???
He stared blankly at Bibi Dong, dumbfounded. Shouldn't the Pope simply deny Su Ming's request outright? And yet, she's actually providing a way to make it happen?
Su Ming raised an eyebrow, contemplating Bibi Dong's proposal. No longer part of Thunder Academy, huh? How should I make this happen?
Suddenly, Su Ming turned to Yu Xiaogang in Thunder Academy's rest area, an idea forming. "Yu Xiaogang, announce that Yu Tianheng is expelled from Thunder Academy, and I'll agree to restore that for you. How about it?"
Su Ming's words whispered in Yu Xiaogang's ear like the tempting words of a devil.
Yu Xiaogang thought it over: After the competition, Yu Tianheng's survival is questionable anyway. Why not exchange his life for my happiness?
"Alright! Su Ming, I hope you'll keep your word!" Yu Xiaogang turned to Yu Tianheng. "Tianheng, you're already on the verge of madness, and your survival after the tournament is uncertain. Sacrifice yourself for my happiness!"
Then, addressing the audience, he declared, "As Thunder Academy's team leader, I hereby announce that Yu Tianheng is expelled from Thunder Academy!"
Someone in the crowd questioned, "You're just a team leader. Do you have that authority?"
Yu Xiaogang immediately took out a badge. "Look, this is the Thunder Academy principal's emblem. In unexpected situations, I have the authority to act on the principal's behalf!"
The crowd: Wow. This Yu Xiaogang is really something.
Su Ming wasted no time. With a flick of his soul skill, Yu Xiaogang's "issue" was "restored"—though Su Ming limited it to a mere centimeter of flesh without any functionality.
Ignoring the stares, Yu Xiaogang turned away and discreetly checked. It's back! Finally!
Unaware of the truth, Yu Xiaogang was moved to tears, oblivious to the realization that awaited him. Meanwhile, Yu Tianheng, stunned by his uncle's betrayal, stood silent. Uncle, I didn't expect this from you! I went to great lengths to play mad, and you really thought I was crazy?
No way Su Ming can get two-thirds of the crowd's support. There are too many people here, after all!
Standing in the center of the arena, Su Ming addressed the crowd, "To all academies gathered here, please cast your votes. If you're willing to give me, Su Ming, this support, please vote for me. As for the spirit masters and citizens outside the academies, I hope you'll follow your hearts. Thank you."
"Oh, one more thing. I am also from a humble background. Yu Tianheng wanted to kill me simply because I possess something he desired. Is it fair for commoners to be condemned to die?"
"No, it's not. Although not every commoner can change their fate, I have a chance now for revenge. To those like me, I ask for your support."
"If I achieve any standing in the future, I will not forget my roots. 'If poor, look after yourself; if successful, help the world.' I swear that if I gain power, I will do my best for all of you."
The speech moved the commoners in the crowd, and every one of them raised a hand in support. They made up half of those present.
Su Ming, knowing this was part appeal, also felt genuine in his words. If he reached a position of influence, he did want to help others in his situation.
"I, Blazing Academy, support!" Fire Dance declared without hesitation. Her loyalty to Su Ming, combined with her knowledge of his hardships, left no question in her mind.
"We, Tianshui Academy, support!" Shui Yue'er's relationship with Su Ming meant her academy's support was unsurprising.
"I, Star Luo Royal Academy, support!" Dai Weisi suddenly announced, surprising Su Ming slightly. The two had only cleared up misunderstandings between him and the Zhu sisters, but he still chose to stand with him.
"I, Botany Academy, support!"
"I, Beast Academy, support!"
As time passed, nearly ninety-eight percent of the academies voiced their support for Su Ming. The remaining ones were either hostile to Heaven Dou Academy or chose to remain neutral, but it didn't matter—those in favor far exceeded two-thirds.
Seeing the overwhelming support, Bibi Dong declared, "Very well, the minority obeys the majority. Su Ming, do as you wish; Spirit Hall will not interfere."
Bibi Dong couldn't help but recognize Su Ming's charismatic appeal. If he were to join Spirit Hall in the future, his influence might bring better lives to the commoners.
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