Douluo Dalu II: The Peerless Tang Sect

Chapter 368 Dream of the Mortal World: You actually hit me! I hate you!

Last night's turmoil did not affect today's competition. Or rather, it was because the Sun Moon Empire's officials, led by Xu Tianran, did not care about last night's unrest. In Xu Tianran's view, it was just a desperate struggle by a few people. As for his rescued younger brother, to be honest, he wished that his foolish brother would rebel. Otherwise, how could he legitimately eliminate dissidents?

Today marks the start of the first round of the finals, the quarterfinals. The eight teams that made it to the finals are already waiting in their respective rest areas, and the draw for the matches has already taken place.

The first match in the morning is between Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy and Holy Spirit Sect. The second match in the morning is between Shrek Academy and Heavenly Dragon Sect. The first match in the afternoon is between Snow Demon Sect and Proud Sword Sect. The second match in the afternoon is between Tang Sect and Mingdu Soul Master Academy.

Yes, all the quarterfinal matches will be completed today, directly determining the top four. The second round of the finals and the semifinals will be held the day after tomorrow. As for the final round of the finals, the championship match will be held three days after the semifinals.

It's too early to talk about the finals. Let's focus on the current matches. The first match is between the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy and the Holy Spirit Sect. It's nominally a civil war within the Sun Moon Empire. This match shows that there was no inside story in this draw, otherwise such an internally destructive showdown would never have happened.

The competition garnered significant attention from all participating teams, as it not only determined the first semi-final spot but also marked the Holy Spirit Sect team's first encounter with a truly formidable opponent. They had surrendered to Shrek Academy in the group stage, but this quarter-final meant there was no possibility of surrender. Therefore, everyone was eager to see if this evil spirit master team would maintain its ruthless nature when facing a truly strong team.

Of course, most people hope that the Sun and Moon team can eliminate the Holy Spirit Sect team. Even if they are confident in their own strength, it is only natural that they do not want to fight the Holy Spirit Sect. Just like normal people would subconsciously avoid madmen, especially since the Holy Spirit Sect is the kind of madmen who don't care about their own lives but can still take the lives of others.

On the arena, Chief Referee Zheng Zhan was already in place, his expression somewhat sullen. Although he strongly disapproved of the Holy Spirit Sect, they were, after all, a team from the Sun Moon Empire. Now, however, they were about to engage in an internal war with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, which was truly frustrating. Lost in thought, he announced, "The first match of the quarterfinals, Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy versus Holy Spirit Sect, the first round of the individual elimination tournament, both players are in position!"

Hearing Zheng Zhan's words, the scene quieted down, and the Sun Moon Team and the Holy Spirit Sect Team each sent out a player.

"Wu Fei, safety first!" In the Sun and Moon team's rest area, Xiao Hongchen solemnly instructed his teammates who were about to take the stage. He knew a thing or two about the Holy Spirit Sect, so he wasn't entirely confident about this match.

"Don't worry, Captain!" said the young man named Wu Fei with a smile.

The contestants from both sides took to the stage. The contestant from the Holy Spirit Sect was a short young man. He simply flashed and landed on the stage like a leaf, looking light and weightless, which drew attention.

On the podium, Xu Tianran looked at the two teams about to face off on the stage and couldn't help but sigh. He really hadn't expected this to happen. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy and the Holy Spirit Cult were his right and left hands, and now his left and right hands were fighting each other. Although it was just a competition, if they really got angry and things got unpleasant, it would cause trouble for his great cause of unification.

"Grand Preceptor, Master of the Red Dust Hall, this is truly frustrating!" he said, which eased the somewhat tense atmosphere on the platform.

"Hehehe, Your Highness, my disciples will be careful in dealing with the students of the Red Dust Hall Master." The black-robed Grand Preceptor said with a smile. His words made Jing Hongchen's eyebrows twitch involuntarily, even though his face was solemn. If it weren't for the inappropriate occasion, Jing Hongchen would probably have already lost his temper.

But for now, he could only force a smile and say, "Then I must thank the Imperial Preceptor on behalf of my students!"

"Hahaha, you're welcome!" The black-robed national advisor always wore a smile, a smile that sent chills down one's spine.

"Gentlemen, let's watch the game," Orange said, noticing the tension in their words. The two then calmed down and focused on the match.

Xu Tianran's face remained smiling, as if he didn't care at all about the conversation between the black-robed national teacher and Jing Hongchen.

"Brother, who do you think will win, the Holy Spirit Sect or the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy?" Jiang Nannan asked.

"It's hard to say," Zhu Ziyang said. "However, I'm more optimistic about the Holy Spirit Sect. After all, they're a bunch of reckless lunatics. Xiao Hongchen and his group are more than capable of dealing with ordinary people, but against the Holy Spirit Sect, tsk tsk, I don't think they'll be able to handle it. You should all pay close attention to this match. As students of Shrek Academy, you'll inevitably have to face evil soul masters in the future. The reactions of the Sun Moon Team players in this match are something you should reflect on and learn from, understand?"

"Yes!" everyone responded.

On the arena, the battle between the two teams was about to erupt after the announcement of their names.

Wu Fei of the Sun and Moon Team immediately released his Martial Soul and Soul Guidance Device. His Martial Soul was a spear, surrounded by five Soul Rings: two yellow, two purple, and one black. He was covered by an extremely fine Soul Guidance Armor that covered his entire body, leaving only his eyes exposed. He was truly armed to the teeth. Wu Fei's Soul Guidance Armor was a Level 6 Soul Guidance Device. Combined with his Red Tassel Spear Martial Soul, his combat power was comparable to that of a high-level Soul Emperor.

The Holy Spirit Sect's contestant, named Jili, immediately released his Martial Soul. His short body swelled up, and blue scales instantly covered his entire body. A pale blue aura surrounded him, and his upper body became exceptionally strong, while his lower body became even shorter. His entire form became bizarre, and his head turned into an inverted triangle shape with protruding lips and teeth, revealing sharp fangs, making him look extremely ugly.

Jili's martial soul was extremely strange; at least Wu Fei couldn't figure out what it was. But that didn't hinder his attack. Even if his opponent's martial soul was strange, he was still just a Soul King, while Wu Fei was capable of fighting against a Soul Emperor. So, Wu Fei attacked directly, releasing his first and second soul skills simultaneously. The red-tasseled spear in his hand glowed with a faint soul light. Clad in armor, Wu Fei strode forward, charging forward and thrusting out the red-tasseled spear, creating gusts of wind. It was not to be underestimated.

Facing Wu Fei's attack, Jili was not afraid at all. After a strange smile appeared on his face, he advanced instead of retreating. His short legs were not slow. In a few steps, he made contact with the tip of Wu Fei's spear. With a raised hand, his thick arm, which was disproportionate to his legs, blocked the red-tasseled spear. Then, Jili was seen hugging the spear shaft and quickly approaching Wu Fei.

Wu Fei retreated, not wanting Jili to get close. He quickly retreated while exerting force with both hands, intending to throw Jili, who was holding the gun barrel, away. However, Jili's steps were unusually steady, and Wu Fei's retreat did not slow down his approach at all.

Seeing that Jili was less than half a meter away from him, Wu Fei knew he couldn't let him get any closer. So without hesitation, he suddenly activated his fifth soul skill, and his armor also glowed at the same time. His strength increased several times in a short period of time, and he began to swing his spear rapidly, trying to throw Jili away.

Jili was indeed thrown away, but not by Wu Fei. Instead, he used Wu Fei's force to throw himself into the air. He was thrown more than ten meters high. His actions made Wu Fei hesitate, and the spear in his hand stopped moving involuntarily. It was this hesitation that gave Jili the opportunity to seize the moment.

In mid-air, Jili's eyes flashed with golden light, and then it immediately adjusted its direction, lowered its head, and rushed towards Wu Fei. It quickly closed in on Wu Fei again and launched an attack. A purplish-black tongue sprouted from its mouth, like an arrow, and suddenly stabbed towards Wu Fei's raised eyebrows.

This was the first time Wu Fei had ever seen such a bizarre attack method, but that didn't stop him from defending himself. He instinctively raised his arm to block in front of him, and then, tragedy struck.

A spirit ring lit up behind Jili, and his tongue became like an extremely sharp weapon, instantly piercing through the spirit guide armor on Wu Fei's arm, through Wu Fei's arm, through the armor on Wu Fei's head, and straight into Wu Fei's brow. Then, a chilling sucking sound rang out.

Everything happened so fast that the chief referee Zheng Zhan on the stage, the members of the Sun and Moon team below the stage, Xu Tianran and Jing Hongchen on the dais, the contestants in the rest area, and the thousands of spectators in the audience had no time to react.

"Stop!" By the time Zheng Zhan intervened, Jili had already retreated to the edge of the ring, looking completely satisfied, while Wu Fei, inside that chilling hole, still had traces of blood.

"Damn it!" Jing Hongchen on the platform instantly exploded. Ignoring the proper etiquette between ruler and subject, he jumped up, pointing furiously at the black-robed imperial advisor beside Xu Tianran, and said hatefully, "Is this what you call being careful? I'm not finished with you today!"

As Jing Hongchen spoke, his aura grew stronger.

"Master Hongchen!" Just then, Xu Tianran's cold voice rang in Jing Hongchen's ears. In an instant, the anger in Jing Hongchen's heart was extinguished as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over it.

"Your Highness, I...I..." Jing Hongchen's face showed fear, and he felt a lingering fear in his heart. He immediately tried to explain, but Xu Tianran raised his hand to stop him.

"Master, please don't worry about it. It was indeed the Grand Preceptor's fault, and I will have him apologize to you. Also, the Empire will provide double compensation to the family of the deceased student," Xu Tianran said, his voice sounding so gentle. "However, there is no need for this match to continue."

"...Yes, I understand!" Jing Hongchen closed his eyes unwillingly, and spoke after a long while.

Jing Hongchen immediately stepped down from the platform. Watching his departing figure, Xu Tianran and Ju Zi both seemed thoughtful, while the black-robed Grand Preceptor acted as if nothing had happened, even saying, "Your Highness, some subordinates shouldn't be spoiled too much, otherwise they'll easily become arrogant!"

"Hehe, what the Grand Preceptor says makes sense." Xu Tianran smiled, but his other hand gripped the wooden handrail tightly, revealing the turmoil in his heart.

Meanwhile, Jing Hongchen appeared in the rest area of ​​the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy and stopped the team members who were furious and wanted to go on stage to avenge Wu Fei.

"Grandpa, why do we have to admit defeat? Is Ah Fei's sacrifice just going to be in vain?"

Xiao Hongchen was nearly losing his temper. He was extremely resentful, especially in the current situation. They were the victims, yet they were being forced to back down. What kind of logic was that? Was it simply because the other party was the Imperial Advisor's man? Or a malevolent spirit master? Xiao Hongchen was furious. He shouted, "Is it just because of that damned Imperial Advisor and that useless Crown Prince?"

"Slap!" Jing Hongchen slapped Xiao Hongchen across the face, angrily shouting, "What nonsense are you spouting? Go back to your cell and stay there! You're not allowed to come out without my permission!"

"Grandpa, why did you hit my brother?!" Meng Hongchen was startled by Jing Hongchen's slap, and then shouted back at Jing Hongchen with great dissatisfaction, "I think what my brother said is right!"

"Slap!" Another slap landed on Meng Hongchen's delicate face, stunning her. Jing Hongchen, somewhat regretful, still said, "You too, go back and lock yourself up with your brother!"

"You hit me!" Meng Hongchen stared at her grandfather in disbelief, tears streaming down her face. An indescribable sadness and pain filled her expression. She cried out, "Waaaaah~ You actually hit me! I hate you! Waaaaah~"

Meng Hongchen ran out of the arena crying, while Xiao Hongchen, having been jolted awake by Jing Hongchen's slap, immediately chased after his sister as she ran away. The other members of the Sun and Moon team trembled and followed Xiao Hongchen out of the arena.

No one was thinking about the unresolved grudge or the surrender without a fight anymore. The captain and the leader had both been slapped for this. Everyone in Sun Moon Academy knew that the leader was the apple of the Red Dust Hall Master's eye. For more than ten years, he had never even scolded her, let alone hit her. But this time, he actually did it. Hmm, we can't think about it anymore!

Jing Hongchen stood there, looking at Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen who had disappeared without a trace. He seemed to have aged decades. His heart was weary. He was questioning whether his decision was right or wrong.

A moment later, he reaffirmed his decision, turned around and walked onto the stage, took Wu Fei's body down, and told Zheng Zhan that the Sun and Moon team had decided to concede defeat.

"Sect Master Hongchen..." Zheng Zhan wanted to say something more, but Jing Hongchen had already walked away. Helpless, he could only announce, "Since the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy concedes defeat in this match, the Holy Spirit Sect wins!"

"Wow!" The scene erupted in uproar, with all the audience members showing an incredulous reaction.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Jing Hongchen truly lives up to his title as the head of Mingde Hall. He's flexible and adaptable, quite a character!" Zhu Ziyang wasn't surprised by the decision of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. The Shrek Academy students had all witnessed what happened in the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy's rest area, including the conflict between the three generations of grandfather and grandson.

Regarding Xiao Hongchen's angry outburst at Xu Tianran, Zhu Ziyang could only say, "This young man is really brave. Isn't he just dancing in Xu Tianran's minefield?" Therefore, he could understand Xiao Hongchen's behavior, but could Xiao Hongchen really swallow this insult?

The audience had no idea what was happening in the rest area. All they knew was that the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy had actually conceded defeat again, and this time it was after one person had died. This was a disgrace to the Sun Moon Empire's number one academy!

So, the audience criticized them fiercely, but nobody really cared.

Next up is the match between Shrek Academy and Tianlongmen.

(End of this chapter)