บท 157: Chapter 157: Two Teams Surrendered Successively
At night, an unusual atmosphere swept through the window.
Su Cheng's expression twitched slightly.
He immediately flashed out of the window.
Sure enough, Qian Renxue's tall figure was silently standing not far away on the street corner.
He quickly approached her and immediately felt a significant change in her aura, much stronger than before.
Clearly, Qian Renxue had successfully absorbed the hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
Not only that, her current state appeared very harmonious, without the slightest hint of previous discordance.
"How's your soul?" Su Cheng asked in a low voice.
This was his most pressing concern at the moment.
The power boost from the soul ring was secondary; the crucial issue was whether the hundred-thousand-year soul ring could harmonize the conflicts within her twin souls.
"It's completely resolved, and there are even some unexpected gains," Qian Renxue said, her eyes shimmering as she looked at Su Cheng with a smile.
"What gains?" Su Cheng was taken aback. If it made her so happy, the effect must be extraordinary. However, he couldn't guess the specifics; he was only slightly knowledgeable about souls compared to ordinary people, thanks to his understanding of martial souls and his past research on A Yin's soul state.
Regarding the essence of the soul, he couldn't even touch the basics.
"In a couple of days, you'll find out, and she's fully awake now," Qian Renxue said, changing the subject.
"That's good," Su Cheng replied pensively. "But it's not a long-term solution. Don't be too happy too soon, saying things like 'completely resolved.' As your strength increases, the 'anchor' needed to reconcile your conflicting souls must also be continually strengthened."
After all, the hundred-thousand-year soul ring was just a temporary fix. It might even exacerbate the hidden dangers in Qian Renxue's soul as she grew stronger. As her cultivation improved, her twin souls would inevitably strengthen, but the soul ring itself would struggle to keep up, leading to soul erosion.
This was merely a stopgap measure.
And trying to mitigate this situation by ceasing cultivation was unrealistic and foolish. Even if Qian Renxue stopped cultivating her body, her innate talent would cause her to naturally absorb scattered soul power from the world and continue to advance in cultivation.
If she halted her progress, not only would her path be completely blocked, but her morale would also be continually eroded, causing even greater damage to her soul.
However, at least for now, they had overcome the immediate challenge.
There were still the eighth and ninth soul rings ahead. It could be said that there wouldn't be any major issues until reaching the pinnacle of the Douluo Continent's realm.
Despite Su Cheng's warning, Qian Renxue seemed indifferent, waving it off casually.
"It's fine; you're here. Just let me know when you figure out a solution."
With that, she handed him a soul bone. "This is for you."
The soul bone emitted a faint red light, and it was the left arm bone of Xiao Wu's hundred-thousand-year soul bone.
As Qian Renxue's spoils of war, this soul bone held no interest for Su Cheng. She needed soul rings, not soul bones.
Moreover, Bibi Dong still had other clues to hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, and the death of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast guaranteed a soul bone.
Her ambition was vast.
For Bibi Dong, obtaining a corresponding soul bone perfectly matched to her own soul ring would be the best choice for the future.
Su Cheng glanced at the soul bone but didn't reach out to take it, shaking his head. "I don't need it."
He no longer needed to rely on such things to enhance his strength and foundation. Even the right leg bone of the Blue Silver Emperor had been completely assimilated, so there was no need to unnecessarily absorb this new soul bone that didn't match his attributes and could potentially harm him.
Qian Renxue ignored his refusal and directly stuffed it into his hand. "I have the Angelic Set, and I don't need this. Besides, there are also three soul bones from the championship reward. You deal with this one yourself."
Her ability to kill Xiao Wu this time and obtain the hundred-thousand-year soul ring was entirely due to Su Cheng's credit.
Although she didn't want to be polite with him, she didn't want to take advantage either, let alone appear greedy.
Su Cheng was somewhat surprised by her confidence. He raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Are you so confident that you can win the championship? Do you not know my strength?"
"Heh," Qian Renxue sneered but didn't refute him, seeming disdainful of his words.
Then her expression turned cold as she stared at Su Cheng. "What's the situation with that woman?"
She gestured slightly to the side where a faint presence was hidden.
Although extremely concealed, it obviously couldn't escape the notice of both of them.
Su Cheng finally exhaled slowly.
He knew that Qian Renxue's rush to this place at this time was obviously not just to tell him that she had successfully absorbed the soul ring or to give him a soul bone.
These matters didn't need to be urgently discussed.
The main reason she came here was probably for Ah Yin.
"She..." Su Cheng didn't hide anything and simply recounted Tang San's background, Tang Hao and Ah Yin's story, and the circumstances of controlling Ah Yin through a fortuitous encounter.
He also mentioned the unexpected incident during the day and their parting ways.
After listening carefully, Qian Renxue glanced at him suspiciously.
"It seems she doesn't resent you?" she remarked.
"Indeed," Su Cheng nodded.
Then he added, "But that's normal. In fact, I haven't done anything to her. I took her soul bone, but I also resurrected her. Consider it a balance of grievances."
"In that case, let her disappear forever. If you're reluctant to do it, I can take care of her for you," Qian Renxue said, her killing intent palpable.
"Don't be so hostile. It's not a matter of reluctance. I've already explained it to her, and she'll leave," Su Cheng replied, his gaze shifting towards the direction she indicated.
"She's probably still here because she doesn't know where to go next."
Qian Renxue remained silent for a while, scrutinizing Su Cheng with a slightly hesitant expression.
Seeing his calm demeanor, she nodded slightly.
In the room where Shrek Academy was located, the atmosphere was extremely heavy.
Tang San left the team, and Xiao Wu died.
Various pieces of bad news happened almost simultaneously, making it impossible for anyone to easily accept.
What made it even more difficult was that their current situation couldn't be explained or shared with others.
In mainland, Tang Hao, also known as Haotian Douluo, has a glorious reputation, but he's also notorious. He is the culprit behind the death of the previous Pope. For ordinary soul masters, the Martial Soul Hall holds a lofty position, so Tang Hao, who killed the Pope, naturally became a symbol of rebellion. Even the Haotian Sect was implicated, leading to years of seclusion.
Tang San, as his son, naturally bears the consequences. There's nothing more to say about Xiao Wu's death. Soul beasts are the enemies of humans, a consensus in the soul master world, and humanoid soul beasts are no exception. Moreover, because humanoid soul beasts are all hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, their reputation is even worse.
In addition to this, whether to continue participating in the subsequent matches is also a serious issue. In fact, they want to participate. At this moment, with the team ranking in the top three, the championship is within reach, but this is just one reason. The Martial Soul Hall publicly killed Xiao Wu, drove away Tang Hao and Tang San, leading to the current situation where the two main culprits are in the other two teams. How could they be willing to give up easily?
Looking back at the Shrek Academy team, Tang San is the son of a criminal, and another member is a humanoid soul beast. As a result, their entire academy has become a laughingstock in the soul master world.
If they could win the championship in the subsequent matches, not only would they embarrass the Martial Soul Hall, but they might also have the opportunity to further improve their reputation. This would bring many benefits.
Yu Xiaogang values reputation, Liu Erlong seeks revenge, and Flender cares about the academy. At this moment, compared to those team members, the few teachers leading the team are even more eager for the honor of winning the championship.
However, do they have a chance to win?
Ignoring their actual strength for now, there is a very difficult problem right in front of them: their team members are insufficient.
Tomorrow's semifinals have the same format as the preliminary rounds, with individual elimination matches, but instead of two teams competing, three teams will participate together.
Although this is not the final battle for the championship, it is still significant. Winning means not only entering the top two, but also being able to wait and participate in the final battle on the last day.
The competition format involves team members taking turns to compete, with the order determined by drawing lots. Undoubtedly, the last person to compete will have a significant advantage and can clean up the mess after the first two have exhausted themselves.
But aside from luck in the draw, they now only have seven team members: Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Tai Long, Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, and Jiang Zhu. Among them, Oscar and Jiang Zhu are food system and auxiliary system soul masters, respectively, and cannot participate in single combat.
In a situation where their strength is already inferior, how should they cope with a five-member team facing seven opponents? Not to mention that the Martial Soul Hall team has also obtained hundred-thousand-year soul ring and a Hundred-thousand-year soul bone.
Even if the soul ring cannot be absorbed by that Soul Emperor, what about the soul bone? You see, a hundred-thousand-year soul bone has two extremely powerful soul bone abilities.
As they looked at each other with solemn expressions, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly spoke up: "I have an idea."
The next day, the three teams lined up once again on the white marble square in front of the Pope's palace, just like yesterday. However, this time, the leader of the Martial Soul Hall team had once again reverted to Qian Renxue.
Su Cheng glanced at the direction of the Shrek team, furrowing his brows inwardly.
Last night, he took the time to meet Zhu Zhuqing, not only to confirm her situation but also to persuade her to withdraw from the competition. He didn't expect her to still show up for the match for some reason.
Looking at the various expressions of the team members in front of him, Bibi Dong remained calm, as if yesterday's upheavals had never happened.
"This morning, each of your three teams will have seven members participating in the individual elimination matches. Now, you can send out your first team member," she announced.
As her words fell, a row of golden chairs was placed in front of the Pope's palace doors.
At Bibi Dong's signal, she sat in the center, with Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Du Gu Bo sitting on her left, and two elders, Ju Douluo Yue Guan and Gui Douluo Gui Mei, sitting on her right.
Just as the referee, the red-robed bishop, was about to step forward, Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke up, "Please wait before the match starts."
The referee furrowed his brows, about to rebuke, but was stopped by Bibi Dong raising her hand.
She looked at Yu Xiaogang and said calmly, "State your reason."
Yu Xiaogang stared back at her with a cold expression. "My reason is that Shrek Academy is forfeiting the first half of the final and voluntarily entering the afternoon's loser's bracket final."
Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned by his words. "Why?" she asked.
Yu Xiaogang replied, "There is no 'why.' I believe that conceding should be our prerogative."
Though his tone was calm, it caused a stir.
His words, tone, and attitude were akin to defying the Pope. Yesterday's actions by Shrek Academy, the mixed composition of its members, had already raised many doubts about the academy's situation. Now, with this turn of events, even though Yu Xiaogang held an elder badge, many spectators couldn't help but furrow their brows.
But Bibi Dong didn't mind, merely nodding slightly. "You're right. It's your prerogative."
Upon hearing her calm response, Yu Xiaogang was momentarily surprised.
He had spoken out impulsively because the current situation reminded him of the series of events that occurred yesterday. He recalled the desperate look of his proud disciple, Xiao Wu's sudden demise, and Tang Hao's helpless departure. In the heat of the moment, he couldn't help but speak out.
In fact, he already regretted it a little after saying it. If they were stripped of their right to compete because of this, or if the Martial Soul Hall used it as an excuse to accuse or take away his elder badge, wouldn't it be counterproductive?
What he said just now could have been explained in other ways.
Moreover, even if Bibi Dong didn't mind, what would the countless soul masters who admired the Pope think?
He, a soul master of less than thirtieth rank, without any self-protection ability, how would he cope with what comes next?
At present, Shrek Academy is already in a precarious situation, and Flender and Liu Erlong may be too busy to handle everything. Even with his elder badge, would he truly be safe?
As for conceding, it was a plan they had discussed last night.
In the first round of the competition, with their current team members' strength, they have no chance of winning a spot in the winners' group. It's better to give up, wait for an opportunity, and fight against the team that has consumed its soul power after the battle in the afternoon. This way, their chances of winning would be greater.
At this moment, Su Cheng, who was watching, also breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want to waste any more time competing for the optional second place with Qian Renxue's team. After all, tomorrow would be the real showdown, and it was pointless to have an early individual match.
He was about to speak up and announce their surrender to enter the loser's bracket when another voice spoke up first.
"We also forfeit."
Su Cheng was startled and quickly turned his head, only to see Qian Renxue smiling and looking at the Shrek team members, her thoughts unclear.
Not just him, even Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned, not understanding what Qian Renxue meant.
This sudden turn of events caught many off guard. Su Cheng's Tian Dou Royal Academy team unexpectedly won without a fight and advanced to the final showdown tomorrow.
Without even playing a single match, the first half of the final competition was already over.
Only then did Zhu Zhuqing raise her head, glanced coldly at Qian Renxue, then left without further ado, along with the other teachers and teammates, preparing for the afternoon's loser's bracket match.
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