The Glory of the Sun and Moon in the Peerless Tang Sect

"Huff—, huff—" His soul power and mental energy were exhausted, and his chest heaved violently, but a hint of joy appeared in his eyes. Compared to the beginning, the power of his punch had clearly increased.

Just then, four figures appeared in his line of sight.

Facing the blinding sunset, Dai Luoli instinctively squinted. Only when he saw Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian walking ahead did he quickly and happily step forward.

"Brother Yu, Sister Ning."

After being taught by Yu Tianhuang for some time, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Dai Luoli has undergone a complete transformation. His initial admiration for Yu Tianhuang has been replaced by an indescribable gratitude and respect.

At least, Yu Tianhuang held a far higher place in his heart than his two older brothers, Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin.

Tang Ya chuckled, her long, black hair, tied in a ponytail, swaying back and forth as she teased Dai Luoli, "I didn't realize you were such a big fan of Tianhuang."

Tang Ya's appearance wasn't as stunning as Jiang Nannan's, but she possessed a kind of ethereal beauty, as if she embodied the essence of heaven and earth, and her charming smile was incredibly infectious. In the White Tiger Duke's mansion, Dai Luoli had met many beautiful maids, but none could compare to Tang Ya.

Now that Tang Ya was teasing him, Dai Luoli looked away, embarrassed, her face flushed.

Bei Bei sighed softly, his gaze unfocused. For some reason, the sight of Dai Luoli reminded him of Huo Yuhao from back then. Only now, Huo Yuhao's aura was increasingly sinister, and his mind seemed to be twisted. He still vividly remembered Huo Yuhao's crazed and distorted expression.

Over the past period, he had tried to privately counsel Huo Yuhao, but Huo Yuhao would never open up to him. All he could see in Huo Yuhao's eyes was prejudice and distrust.

Xu Zihuang put his right hand on Dai Luoli's shoulder.

"Luo Li, let me introduce you. This is Senior Brother Bei and Senior Sister Xiao Ya."

"Brother Bei, Sister Xiaoya, hello." Dai Luoli greeted Bei Bei and Tang Ya politely, and then introduced himself with a hint of excitement.

"My name is Dai Luoli."

Leaving aside Tang Ya, the previous Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament was held in Star Luo City. Bei Bei represented Shrek Academy in the competition. Looking at Bei Bei's face, Dai Luoli quickly recalled him.

Although Bei Bei's performance was not as dazzling and impressive as Xu Zihuang's, it was still something he admired immensely.

"Xiaoya and I both heard about your situation from Tianhuang," Beibei said with a slight smile.

"Actually, we came here specifically to find you."

"Looking for me?" Dai Luoli looked at Beibei in surprise.

Xu Zihuang chimed in at the opportune moment, "Luo Li, you should know that the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament is coming soon. The rules for this tournament have changed, allowing sects from across the continent to participate, and it has been renamed the All-Continent Youth Soul Master Tournament. Senior Brother Bei and Senior Sister Xiaoya will represent the Tang Sect in this year's All-Continent Youth Soul Master Tournament. However, the Tang Sect is still short one person to form a seven-person team, so I brought them to you."

"Brother Yu, do you mean you want me to represent the Tang Clan in the competition?" Dai Luoli instantly understood the meaning behind Yu Tianhuang's words.

Tang Ya explained with a smile, "Little Brother Dai, we're not trying to force you to join the Tang Sect. We just want you to temporarily represent the Tang Sect in this year's All-Continent Youth Soul Master Competition. This is all within the rules. After the competition, the Tang Sect won't impose any restrictions on you. Of course, the most important thing is your personal wish."

"I've only just broken through to the Soul Master level, can I do it?" Dai Luoli's eyes were burning, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her words, and she lowered her head.

He was naturally eager to participate in the Continental Youth Soul Master Tournament, a prestigious event renowned throughout the continent. As a Soul Master at such a young age, who wouldn't want to be the center of attention, admired and respected? Moreover, a good performance in the tournament might significantly improve his father, Duke Dai Hao's, impression of him. Furthermore, he could also use this Continental Youth Soul Master Tournament to hone his skills.

This can be described as a win-win situation.

The only obstacle for him was his lack of confidence in his own strength. Although Xu Zihuang had unlocked the potential of his martial soul, making him an outstanding talent even within Shrek Academy's inner court, he was currently surrounded by elite young soul masters—the inner court disciples of Shrek Academy. This prevented him from having a clear understanding of his own transformation.

Bei Bei chuckled and comforted her, "Luo Li, your understanding is skewed. On the continent, very few Soul Masters break through to the Five-Ring Soul King realm before the age of twenty. That even includes the Soul Masters from the Sun Moon Empire who use drugs to forcibly enhance their cultivation. The Four-Ring Soul Grandmaster is the mainstream among the contestants. In the last All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament, some of the team captains were only at the Four-Ring Soul Grandmaster level."

Hearing Beibei's words, Dai Luoli regained some confidence. After a moment of silence, she nodded firmly.

“Brother Bei, I am willing to represent the Tang Sect in this year’s All-Continent Youth Soul Master Competition.”

"Okay!" Tang Ya and Bei Bei responded at the same time. They looked at each other and saw the smile in each other's eyes.

In this way, regardless of their actual strength, the seven-person team on the surface is complete. Excluding Huo Yuhao, who possesses the cultivation of a Soul Master, and Dai Luoli, who possesses the cultivation of a Soul Sect Master, the remaining five include three Soul Emperors, two Soul Kings, and He Caitou, who is also a Level 7 Soul Master. With such a formidable lineup, achieving a high ranking should be no problem at all.

Next, Xu Zihuang and his group of five went to the dining hall in the center of Seagod Island. They discussed some details while eating. Bei Bei, in return, learned that Dai Luoli was cultivating a method of fusing spiritual and soul power, and gave Dai Luoli a lot of helpful advice.

Geniuses like Xu Zihuang cannot be judged by ordinary standards. Bei Bei, on the other hand, rose to power through a methodical learning process under the guidance of Master Mu, and the insights he gained from this experience are more suitable for Dai Luoli.

And that is indeed the case.

After dinner, having gained many insights, Dai Luoli couldn't wait to return to her loft and begin her evening meditation practice.

Xu Zihuang and his three companions also dispersed. Their holiday was over, and instead of returning to Shrek City, they chose to stay on Poseidon Island.

As night falls, the misty fog rising around Poseidon Island adds a touch of ethereal beauty.

On the grassy shore of the lake, Ning Tian spread out a blanket made of soul beast fur. She sat in the center of the blanket, letting Xu Zihuang's head rest on her long, shapely thighs.

The fresh scent of grass mingled with Ning Tian's subtle body fragrance, lingering in Xu Zihuang's nostrils. His neck felt incredibly supple, soft, and warm to the touch.

Ning Tian quietly combed Xu Zihuang's hair, a faint smile on his lips, enjoying the tranquility and warmth between them.

Waves lapped against the shore, and clear, sparkling lake water flowed through the gaps between the pebbles, making a crisp, melodious splashing sound, like the murmur of a clear spring.

"By the way, Tianhuang. I have some news about the light-attribute soul beast power crystals that I had collected before. But they don't seem to meet your requirements."

"There's nothing I can do, my requirements are indeed a bit demanding." Xu Zihuang opened his eyes and looked up at Ning Tian, ​​a helpless expression on his face.

"The Seven Star Flame Sword is inlaid with the power crystal of a 100,000-year-old fire-attribute soul beast. The power crystal of an ordinary light-attribute soul beast cannot maintain the balance, and may even cause this level 7 melee soul tool to collapse from the inside. The ideal situation is to inlay another 100,000-year-old light-attribute soul beast's power crystal."

Ning Tian seemed to have thought of something and suddenly said, "Tianhuang, Elder Mu's martial soul is the Holy Dragon of Light. He must have experience hunting 100,000-year-old light-attribute soul beasts. Why don't we find an opportunity to ask Elder Xuan together?"

Ning Tian's words were like a wake-up call.

Perhaps subconsciously, Xu Zihuang didn't want to owe Elder Mu any more favors, and only then did he realize that he had overlooked this point.

He chuckled to himself, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips. Despite his unwavering resolve, he was subconsciously avoiding certain things.

Xu Zihuang sat up, smiled gently, and reached out his right hand to pull Ning Tian into his arms.

"You really did remind me."

"So, how are you going to reward me?"

Ning Tianmou smiled and leaned close to Xu Zihuang's face.

Light and shadow overlap, and atmosphere blends.

But during this process, Xu Zihuang's eyebrows twitched slightly.

In the woods not far behind them, a pair of beautiful eyes stared intently at the two of them.

The owner of those beautiful eyes was none other than Wang Qiu'er.

This afternoon she saw Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian, ​​and for some reason she didn't know, she unconsciously followed them.

Complex emotions churned in her pinkish-blue eyes, her delicate brows furrowed. She had seen Xu Zihuang's memories and knew that Xu Zihuang purely wanted to use Ning Tian. But seeing Xu Zihuang's appearance, it didn't seem feigned.

And this person was her destined calamity.

The following morning, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, and Jiang Nannan all gave Elder Xuan a positive reply, agreeing to represent the Tang Sect in this year's Continental Youth Soul Master Competition.

Thus, Elder Xuan instructed Yan Shaozhe to make arrangements for the Shrek Academy team.

When Xu Zihuang received the message from Elder Xuan, ended his cultivation, and walked out of the Sea God Pavilion, there were already quite a few people standing in the open space in front of the Sea God Pavilion.

Opposite Elder Xuan, Yan Shaozhe, Cai Meier, and Zhang Lexuan stood a row of students. Among them were not only inner court disciples but also several outer court students. Xu Zihuang recognized all of them.

Ning Tian was prominently listed among them.

The rest are Wang Qiu'er, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Xie Huanyue, Wu Feng, Nanmen Yun'er, Xiao Xiao, Cao Jinxuan, Zhou Sichen, Lan Susu, and Lan Luoluo. There are twelve people in total, or thirteen if you include Xu Zihuang.

Xu Zihuang bowed to Elder Xuan and the others, then joined the group.

Xiao Xiao, Xie Huanyue, Nanmen Yun'er, Lan Susu and the Lan Luoluo sisters all smiled at Xu Zihuang, while Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan winked at each other.

Wang Qiu'er, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, and Wu Feng, however, looked somewhat stiff. Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu were simply acting out of character; they wouldn't harbor any hostility towards Xu Zihuang at this moment. But it was uncertain whether Wang Qiu'er or Wu Feng would react the same way.

Elder Xuan nodded slightly.

"Shao Zhe, now that everyone's here, let's begin."

"Yes, Elder Xuan," Yan Shaozhe said respectfully as he stepped forward.

"The rules for this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament have changed. There will be sect representative teams participating, and it has been renamed the All-Continent Youth Soul Master Tournament. Bei Bei and his team will represent the Tang Sect, while you thirteen will represent the academy as regular members and substitute members, respectively. I hope you can live up to the academy's expectations and achieve good results."

"The new team is led by Yu Tianhuang as captain and Wang Qiu'er as vice captain. The main team members are Ning Tian, ​​Dai Huabin, Nanmen Yun'er, Xie Huanyue, and Wu Feng. The substitute team members are Xiao Xiao, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, Zhu Lu, Lan Susu, and Lan Luoluo. Due to the special nature of this competition, the academy will no longer send reserve team members from lower grades."

"As for the other five substitutes, apart from Xiao Xiao, this competition is essentially an extended inner court assessment for you. Your qualifications to enter the inner court will be determined based on your performance in the Continental Youth Soul Master Competition."

Upon hearing Yan Shaozhe's announcement, apart from Xu Zihuang, Ning Tian, ​​who knew beforehand, and Wang Qiu'er, who usually didn't show much emotion, the expressions of the remaining ten people all changed in different ways.

Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, Lan Susu, and Lan Luoluo were initially puzzled by the special permission granted to enter Poseidon Island, but now they finally understand the reason behind it.

To be able to represent Shrek Academy in this competition is such an honor. But along with the excitement comes nervousness.

Using their performance in the Continental Youth Soul Master Competition as a benchmark, the pressure is undoubtedly enormous.

The others focused their attention on Wang Qiu'er.

They had no recollection of Wang Qiu'er; she seemed to have only recently entered the inner academy. Yet, this person had somehow surpassed Ning Tian and Dai Huabin to be appointed as the vice-captain of the Shrek Academy team.

Dai Huabin's face turned ashen. He could accept being subordinate to Yu Tianhuang, after all, Yu Tianhuang's talent was on a completely different level from his own. But what right did Wang Qiu'er have?

However, he has matured over the years and no longer raises questions at this time. Because if he did so now, it would be tantamount to challenging Yan Shaozhe's authority.

Yan Shaozhe said in a deep voice, "Now I will tell you the specific competition rules. Due to the introduction of sect teams, the number of participating teams in this new competition will increase dramatically, and the competition will be unprecedentedly fierce. Because there are too many participating teams, we will directly adopt a knockout system until the top 32 are determined. The top 32 will be divided into four groups, and the top two from each group will advance to the top eight. From the preliminary rounds, group stage, to the final stage, all the competition rules are the same, which is individual knockout plus team competition."

"Each match will consist of seven players from each side. Once the rosters are finalized, they cannot be changed after the match begins. The first round will be an individual elimination tournament, where each side sends one player to defeat their opponent and continue fighting until they lose. Players can also automatically forfeit during the match. One point is awarded for each victory. After the individual elimination tournament, a seven-on-seven team match will be held. Both sides will still field the same seven players from the individual elimination tournament. If one side has fewer players due to injury, all remaining players will participate. The winning team in the team match will receive five points. At the end of the match, the team with the higher tiebreaker score wins."

"It sounds complicated, but simply put, this new format places more emphasis on individual fighting ability. If you can get all the points in the individual elimination rounds, you can even win without a team battle. If one side has already won three games, then they can directly request a team battle to decide the winner, because the three points from the individual elimination rounds plus the five points from the team battles will definitely be higher than the seven points from winning the individual elimination rounds. Therefore, tactical planning becomes an important part of it."

"To help everyone get familiar with the new competition format, and to test your individual strengths and abilities so as to develop teamwork, you should first go to the outer court's Soul Battle Zone to practice together. Soon after, Beibei will lead the Tang Sect team to compete against you."

“Le Xuan is the leader of your team. She will also be in charge of your training and team cohesion for the two months leading up to the start of the All-Continent Youth Soul Master Tournament.” After saying this, Yan Shaozhe gestured to Zhang Le Xuan and said, “Le Xuan, take them to the Soul Battle Zone.”

"Yes."

Zhang Lexuan led everyone away, but Yan Shaozhe was still a little uneasy and looked at Elder Xuan.

"Elder Xuan, is it really a good idea for us to just hand everything over to Le Xuan like this?"

Elder Xuan took a swig of wine from his gourd and said irritably, "With Tianhuang here, what are you still worried about? Besides, Lexuan will take over your job sooner or later, so it's good for her to get familiar with this kind of thing as soon as possible."

Chapter 367 Clash with Wang Qiu'er and the Golden Dragon's Terror Claw

A large ferry had already docked next to Poseidon Island.

Led by Zhang Lexuan, the group boarded the ferry and headed towards the outer courtyard. The Soul Battle Zone had a larger area, making it easier to unleash their abilities.

Apart from Zhang Lexuan, the group of thirteen people gathered in twos and threes. Although they all knew each other, their relationships varied in closeness.

Wang Qiu'er gazed indifferently at the clear waters of the Sea God Lake ahead. Her stunningly beautiful face gave off a cold feeling, like ancient ice, making it impossible to discern her thoughts.

Dai Huabin was standing not far behind Wang Qiu'er, his eyes burning with intensity.

He had been watching from the shore during the Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event. Witnessing Yu Tianhuang's terrifying strength firsthand made him realize once again the vast gap between them. However, he was not discouraged by this; instead, he became even more determined to catch up with Yu Tianhuang.