Douluo Dalu II: The Peerless Tang Sect

Chapter 367 The Top Eight are here!

The group stage is still ongoing, but the competition is already halfway through, and the qualification situation for each group is very clear.

Shrek Academy took the lead in the first group, securing their place in the next round with a perfect record of five wins. Holy Spirit Sect followed closely behind, also with a perfect record of five wins. However, everyone knew that only one of these two teams, Shrek Academy and Holy Spirit Sect, could advance to the quarterfinals with a perfect record. Their match would be the last game of the group stage on the final day, making it the grand finale of the group stage.

The teams with the best chance of advancing from the second group are Tang Sect and Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. Tang Sect currently boasts a perfect record, while Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy has four wins out of five matches. The other teams in the group basically have no chance. The teams with a chance of advancing from the third group are two sect teams, Proud Sword Sect and Heavenly Dragon Sect.

As for the fourth group, that's interesting. It's the Snow Demon Sect and the Mingdu Soul Master Academy. The Snow Demon Sect needs no introduction; it's just a disguised version of the Body Sect. The Mingdu Soul Master Academy, on the other hand, is the second-best academy in the Sun Moon Empire, second only to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. They had never participated in previous Soul Master Competitions, but this year, it's said that a once-in-a-millennium genius student has emerged, so they've specially participated in this year's competition.

Well, Mingdu Soul Master Academy is a pure aristocratic school. Only the sons of nobles and dignitaries above the rank of Earl of the Sun Moon Empire can enroll. The geniuses they rely on have never appeared in the competition. The reason they have been able to get to where they are today is entirely due to their approachable and down-to-earth nature. The strength of their students is not outstanding.

Soon, the final day of the group stage arrived, and everyone's attention was focused on today's last match, including Zhu Ziyang and the rest of the Shrek Academy team.

In the Shrek Academy rest area, Zhu Ziyang, his eyes filled with murderous intent, gave instructions to Qian Lingyi, who was about to take the stage. In this match against the Holy Spirit Sect, Qian Lingyi, possessing the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, was undoubtedly the best choice. The Six-Winged Angel was absolutely the most effective martial soul against evil spirit masters, without exception. Back in the ancient times of the Douluo Continent, the first owner of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul was the one who, after suppressing the evil spirit masters rampaging across the continent, gathered the faith of the people and ascended to godhood.

Now, although the position of the Angel God has been shattered and it no longer has the glory of the past, Qian Lingyi can completely follow the path that her ancestors once walked. In fact, it will be easier for her. And facing the Holy Spirit Sect is naturally her starting point.

Zhu Ziyang had only one requirement for Qian Lingyi: leave no survivors!

Zhu Ziyang would show no mercy to a sect like the Holy Spirit Sect, a standard evil soul master sect. Putting aside the Holy Spirit Sect's cruel actions in the recent competition, just considering their true identities, they were doomed to die. Moreover, Zhu Ziyang was planning to use them to stage a grand show!

However, to Zhu Ziyang's disappointment, the Holy Spirit Sect actually announced their withdrawal from the match and conceded defeat. Regardless of their reasons, Zhu Ziyang's plans would inevitably have to be postponed, which was a pity.

"What a pity. Well, let you guys keep jumping around for a few more days then," Zhu Ziyang said with a regretful sigh.

With the Holy Spirit Sect's surrender, the 14-day group stage officially came to an end, and the eight teams that advanced were determined. The first and second place teams from each group advanced, while the other teams were eliminated.

The eight teams that made it to the finals of this competition are Shrek Academy, Holy Spirit Sect, Tang Sect, Sun Moon Soul Master Academy, Snow Demon Sect, Mingdu Soul Master Academy, Proud Sword Sect, and Heavenly Dragon Sect.

After the group stage, the eight teams will have three days of rest. Three days later, the first round of the finals and the quarterfinals will officially begin, lasting one day. The group draw will also be held on-site that morning.

-

That evening, Zhu Ziyang appeared alone at a hotel in Mingdu, where he met three people: Zhang Lexuan, Old Song, and Xu Jianwei.

"Sister Lexuan!" Zhu Ziyang called out with a smile.

"Ziyang, we're here." Zhang Lexuan said with a gentle smile.

"I was wondering yesterday when you guys would arrive, and then I received your message today. We really are on the same wavelength," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile.

"There were a lot of things to do at the military camp, so it took a little longer." Zhang Lexuan smiled happily upon hearing Zhu Ziyang's words, then explained, "But don't worry, we've taken care of everything and arranged everything. We can start anytime!"

"That's wonderful!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but step forward and grasp Zhang Lexuan's hand, saying affectionately, "Thank you for your hard work, Sister Lexuan."

"It's not hard work, I did it voluntarily." Zhang Lexuan squinted at Zhu Ziyang's words, but then smiled and said, "Let's discuss the next steps."

"Okay!" Zhu Ziyang nodded, then looked at Xu Jianwei and said, "Elder Xu, I'm sure Sister Lexuan has already told you about our plan, right?"

"Yes!" Xu Jianwei nodded and said, "Whatever your request, I will do my best to help you."

"Good, with your words, our next plan will proceed smoothly." Zhu Ziyang's eyes gleamed as he said, "Assassinating Xu Tianran is easy, but quelling the anger of the Sun Moon Empire's people over the assassination of their emperor is difficult, which will hinder our subsequent actions. Therefore, while both are assassinations, an assassination from an enemy force will provoke public anger and unity, while an assassination from within will lead to public uncertainty and unrest. The former is detrimental to the Moon Vein's power grab, while the latter is the method we should choose."

"So... Ziyang, what you mean is..." Zhang Lexuan's pretty face showed a thoughtful expression, her gaze fixed intently on Zhu Ziyang.

"Sister Lexuan should understand what I mean," Zhu Ziyang chuckled and said, "If we assassinate Xu Tianran in the name of that Second Prince, then this won't be an assassination, but a palace coup!"

"!" Old Song and Xu Jianwei's eyes lit up simultaneously. They clearly realized the benefits of doing this. Xu Jianwei said, "In this way, not only can this assassination be attributed to fratricide, but the turmoil that has plagued the Japanese military in recent years can also be laid bare to the public, significantly reducing their prestige among the people!"

"More importantly, it can extricate our Shrek Academy from this assassination attempt, and the presence of the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Star Luo Empire will also be greatly reduced, which can delay the outbreak of war and buy time for Le Xuan," Elder Song also said.

"So what we need to do now is rescue Xu Tianci first, and then we can proceed with the next step of the plan," Zhang Lexuan said, revealing the most crucial step in the plan.

"That's right, that's why I came to find you." Zhu Ziyang nodded and said, "The Second Prince Xu Tianci is being held captive in the Sun and Moon Palace, but we need you to provide information on his exact location."

"No problem!" Xu Jianwei nodded and said, "We were prepared for this."

As she spoke, Xu Jianwei took out a map and handed it to Zhu Ziyang, saying, "This is a city defense map of Mingdu. It marks the locations where Xu Tianran imprisons other members of the Sun Pulse, as well as the location of the old emperor."

"Understood!" Zhu Ziyang took the map, glanced at it, and said, "Then let's act tonight, lest something unexpected happen. Sister Lexuan, you come with me to rescue Xu Tianci. Elder Song, Elder Xu, you two make some noise outside Mingdu, preferably enough for Xu Tianran to find out."

"Okay!" Old Song and Xu Jianwei replied, and then began to take action.

"Sister Lexuan, let's go too!" Zhu Ziyang said, then took Zhang Lexuan's small hand, his eyes flashed, and the two disappeared instantly.

-

Outside the palace of the Sun Moon Empire, in a secluded corner, a flash of silver light appeared, followed by two figures, none other than Zhu Ziyang and Zhang Lexuan.

"Sister Lexuan, let's go in and prepare for battle!" Zhu Ziyang said cautiously.

"Always ready!" Zhang Lexuan said.

Without hesitation, the two of them flipped over and entered the palace. Shortly after they entered the palace, sirens suddenly blared throughout the city of Mingdu, and the city became lively.

The two men in the palace exchanged a glance, and Zhu Ziyang said, "It seems that Elder Song and Elder Xu have already taken action. Let's hurry."

Due to the unrest in Mingdu City, the palace had strengthened its defenses. The two encountered more than one patrolling guard. However, since they were both Title Douluo, they consciously concealed their movements. Unless both were Title Douluo or someone with strong mental power, it would be difficult for them to be discovered.

Soon, they found Xu Tianci, who was being held captive. He was guarded by two Soul Saints and four Soul Emperors. With a wave of his hand, Zhu Ziyang froze the six of them into ice blocks. However, Zhu Ziyang did not take their lives, as he still needed them to deliver a message to Xu Tianran.

Xu Tianran is probably still speculating about the cause of the turmoil in Mingdu City. Soon, he will figure everything out, hehe.

Zhu Ziyang and Zhang Lexuan took the somewhat deranged Xu Tianci away from the palace and reunited with Xu Jianwei and Elder Song. All they had to do was wait for the final of the Soul Master Competition, when the grand show would begin.

(End of this chapter)