Douro Continent

Chapter 417 The Origins of the Netherworld White Tiger (Part 1)

The Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies has now reached its final stage, but it has also reached a fever pitch. Those who remain are undoubtedly the strongest among the young Soul Masters.

The Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall, in particular, showed people the true potential that a Spirit Master can achieve.

Of course, this is under the premise that no one knows the true age of all the Shrek Seven Devils.

After dinner, the students of Shrek Academy all returned to their rooms to rest.

The Spirit Hall has made excellent arrangements for accommodations. Everyone has a private room. Tomorrow's opponent will be determined by a draw before the match. But regardless of who we face, maintaining peak performance is always a good idea.

Just as Tang San was about to begin meditating, there was a knock on the door.

"Who?" he asked, somewhat surprised. Everyone had just returned to their rooms; who could it be? Xiao Wu?

"Me," a deep voice told Tang San the answer.

Tang San opened the door and saw Dai Mubai, whose face was still somewhat pale. "Mubai, why didn't you rest and recover your soul power? Why did you come here?"

Dai Mubai sighed softly, "I want to talk to you."

"Come in." Tang San ushered Dai Mubai into his room.

Entering the room, Dai Mubai sat down on the sofa. His expression was much calmer now. After Tang San closed the door, Dai Mubai sighed and said, "Little San, thank you."

Tang San smiled slightly and said, "Even if you're going to thank someone, you should thank everyone. It was everyone's joint effort that led to this victory. Besides, do we brothers need to say thank you?"

Dai Mubai leaned back on the sofa with a relieved smile and said, "Little San, have you already guessed something?"

Tang San maintained his smile. "What do you think, Your Highness? Aside from the royal family, I really can't think of any other family where the internal competition is so fierce, even to the point of brothers killing each other. The family succession you're referring to must be the throne, right?"

Dai Mubai sighed, "Are you testing me? There's nothing to hide between brothers like us. That's right, I am the third prince of the Star Luo Empire. The one we defeated today, Davis, is my eldest brother. His strength, talent, and age make him the first in line to inherit the throne. Actually, what Zhu Qing said today was a bit of an exaggeration. If I had lost the competition, I might not necessarily have died, but my soul power would definitely have been crippled, and I would have been exiled to a remote place to live out my days in confinement."

Tang San frowned slightly. "What's the difference between that and death? Is the royal family really that cruel?"

A cold smile played on Dai Mubai's lips as he said, "You're not royalty, you don't understand the complexities involved. Do you know the balance of power between the two great empires on the continent?"

Tang San shook his head blankly; he had never cared about politics.

Dai Mubai sneered, "If it weren't for the Spirit Hall's interference, this world might have already been ours. In terms of national strength and military power, our Star Luo Empire is far superior to the Heaven Dou Empire. Although we also have several kingdoms within our borders, they don't have the decentralized imperial power of the Heaven Dou Empire. This stems from our royal family's unique competitive system. Although this system is cruel, every emperor who grows up through it is outstanding, something the Heaven Dou Empire cannot match. The Heaven Dou Empire's only advantage is the presence of the three upper sects within its borders. Among the three upper sects, although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and your Clear Sky Sect never participate in political struggles, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has always supported the Heaven Dou Empire. Furthermore, the Spirit Hall stands between the two empires. Otherwise, war might have already broken out. Only in recent years has the Heaven Dou Empire's development accelerated somewhat. Meanwhile, some problems have arisen within our Star Luo Empire. The balance of power between the two empires is beginning to shift towards equilibrium again."

Tang San said, "Isn't this what the Spirit Hall most wants to see?"

Dai Mubai curled his lip. "Of course. For an entity like the Spirit Hall, maintaining a balance between the two empires is most advantageous. The number of spirit masters controlled by the Spirit Hall is simply terrifying. Even the two empires combined don't have as many. But if the two empires were to merge into one powerful unified empire, the Spirit Hall would ultimately be unable to survive. After all, no centralized imperial power would allow such an organization to exist."

Tang San asked with some surprise, "Even if the two great empires unite, can they really defeat the Spirit Hall? Don't they have a large number of Spirit Masters? On the battlefield, having an overwhelming number of Spirit Masters should be able to directly determine the victory of a war, right?"

Dai Mubai smiled slightly and said, "In terms of talent, I am not as good as you, but in terms of political struggle, you are not as knowledgeable as I am. The Spirit Hall can never become the ruler of the continent. Although they control the Spirit Masters, that's all they control. There are millions of people on the continent. All the Spirit Masters come from the two great empires. Although the Spirit Hall can command them, it can never make them betray their country. Therefore, no matter how you look at it, the Spirit Hall can only continue to expand its influence, but it can never become the ruler."

Tang San suddenly realized that he had never imagined that there was such a complicated relationship involved.

Dai Mubai stood up, walked up to Tang San, grabbed his shoulder, and stared intently at him with his wicked eyes. "Little San, you've now attracted the attention of the Spirit Hall. They won't let you go. With the Spirit Hall's attention on you, you'll find it difficult to move an inch on the continent in the future. Sect Master Ning can protect you for a while, but he can't stay with you forever. Unless you join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."

Tang San nodded silently; he understood what Dai Mubai was saying.

Dai Mubai continued, "After this competition ends, we will officially graduate. Zhu Qing and I will return to the Star Luo Empire. Come with us, and take Xiao Wu with you. Now I have the qualifications to officially compete with my elder brother for the throne. In the Star Luo Empire, the royal family is much more powerful than in the Heaven Dou Empire, and the Spirit Hall doesn't dare to push too hard. I really don't want to see news of your death one day."

Dai Mubai's eyes were filled with sincere light. If it were anyone else, they might have thought that he was recruiting Tang San for his own sake, but Tang San could tell that Dai Mubai was saying this entirely to protect him, and had no other intentions.

"Brother, thank you. No matter what the future holds, you'll always be my brother. But I need to think about this matter further. I can't make a hasty decision. I need to hear our teacher's advice. As you know, our cultivation as Soul Masters is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. Going to the Star Luo Empire, I'm afraid..."

Dai Mubai said decisively, "There's nothing to be afraid of. Once we're on my territory, what kind of cultivation environment do you need? Can't your elder brother provide it for you? We brothers will join forces. If I become emperor in the future, you will be my commander-in-chief and imperial strategist. I can see that Xue Qinghe has always wanted to recruit you. But listen to your elder brother: the power of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family is too decentralized. Even if he becomes emperor, it won't be easy for him to achieve great things. But in the Star Luo Empire, as long as I become emperor, then I will have the final say in the affairs of the royal family."

Tang San said, "Boss, I can't agree to this right now. I understand what you mean. If I really have to choose which side to align with in the future, your side will definitely be my first choice. If you ever encounter difficulties or need me, just say the word, and no matter how far away, Tang San will be there."

Dai Mubai didn't offer any further words of persuasion. The two clapped their right palms together. Although they didn't actually make a vow, it was equivalent to a pledge between them, even more effective than any other vow.

The fourth round of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament began after a day's rest.

Surprisingly, after the devastation of the previous round, this round has become normal.

The final six teams were matched up by drawing lots.

Among them, the Spirit Hall Academy team, Shrek Academy team, and Shenfeng Academy team, which are significantly stronger, did not draw the other two teams. Each of the three strong teams drew an opponent that was not very strong.

This brought the fourth round of competition to a close without any suspense, with the final three being none other than the three strongest competitors. At this point, the final battle had begun.

The three major battle teams are basically intact.

The finals are just around the corner. They are all one step away from the ultimate championship.

The bright sunlight shone down on the earth, and under its rays, the Papal Palace appeared even more magnificent, like a divine abode.

In front of the Papal Palace, two rows of paladin knights lined up from the entrance to the foot of the mountain. Their bright silver armor and heavy swords made the entire Papal Mountain even more majestic.

The eliminated teams have all left, not even allowed to watch the final day of battle. Only the truly strong young warriors are qualified to step onto this square in front of the Papal Palace.

Early in the morning, the three teams that had advanced to the final three were already waiting quietly in front of the Papal Palace. Teachers from the three academies were not allowed to stand in the square and could only wait on the perimeter.

All twenty-one finalists stood quietly in the square, waiting for the final moment to arrive.

(End of this chapter)