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

"Shrek Academy, Upper Division." She drew a spot in the upper division.

Tang Wutong followed closely behind, completing the draw with an equally indifferent expression.

"Haotian Sect, Upper Half".

Upon hearing this result, the expressions of the Shrek Academy team members all changed slightly.

This draw means that if they successfully advance to the semifinals, they will face off against the Haotian Sect.

There's no need to continue the draw for the upper and lower halves of the bracket, since the remaining Tianlong Sect and Xuemo Sect are definitely in the lower half.

"The draw for the quarterfinals will now take place. Shrek Academy will have priority in drawing the lots."

Wang Qiu'er stepped forward again, her expression and movements unchanged. However, when she pulled out the card, her gaze froze instantly.

The official standing next to Wang Qiu'er seemed to know some secrets. His eyes flickered for a moment before he announced loudly.

"Shrek Team's opponent in the quarterfinals is Holy Spirit Team."

The Shrek Academy team's expressions grew even more grim. A quarterfinal match against the Holy Spirit Team, followed by a semifinal match against the Clear Sky Sect—this schedule was nothing short of hellish.

Zhang Lexuan, who was at the very back of the group, also had a solemn expression on her face.

The second group to draw lots was Haotian Sect.

At this point, the remaining three teams in the lower bracket truly became tense. After all, no one wanted to be grouped with Shrek Academy, Clear Sky Sect, or Holy Spirit Team in the same bracket.

"The Haotian Sect's opponent in the quarterfinals is... Xingluo National Academy."

Xu Jiujiu also came today. As the team leader of Xingluo National Academy, she, like Zhang Lexuan, stood at the very back of the group.

However, she remained quite calm upon hearing the result. She hadn't held out much hope for this competition. Facing the Haotian Sect in the quarterfinals was better than facing the evil soul masters of the Holy Spirit Team. A dignified exit was a good option. Besides, this wasn't her main purpose in leading the team to Mingdu for the competition.

"The Snow Demon Sect will now draw lots."

"The Snow Demon Sect's opponent is... the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy."

Vina gave a polite, faint smile, showing no unusual emotion despite facing the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy in the quarterfinals. She handed the card back to the official who presided over the draw ceremony and returned to the Snow Demon Sect's team.

With the strength of their Body Sect, they certainly wouldn't be afraid of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

As for the last match of the quarterfinals, it will naturally be Tianlongmen versus Mingdu Soul Master Academy.

"Alright, the draw is complete. The quarterfinals will be held the day after tomorrow. The upper bracket matches will be in the morning, and the lower bracket matches will be in the afternoon. Please prepare yourselves. As the competition reaches its final stage, every match is crucial. I hope you can give it your all and achieve good results." After the draw ceremony, the officials left.

The eight teams then headed out of the banquet hall.

Vina and Muxue broke away from the group and came to Zhang Lexuan's side.

Vina's Snow Lotus Martial Soul not only heals wounds, but also has an excellent nourishing effect on those with weak bodies. It is undoubtedly a top-tier healing-type Martial Soul.

Every morning, Vina would go to Suite Number One, where the Shrek Academy and Tang Sect members resided, to nourish Jiang Nannan's body. Today, however, she was delayed because of the lottery ceremony.

"Sister Zhang, I didn't expect you to encounter the Holy Spirit Team in the quarterfinals," Vina asked Zhang Lexuan softly.

"Has Tianhuang not finished his cultivation yet?"

Anyone with eyes could sense the deep concern in Vina's tone. Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan, who were lagging behind the Shrek Academy group, exchanged knowing glances.

Zhang Lexuan wasn't in a very good mood at the moment, and simply shook her head slightly.

She was now in a difficult position, considering whether to interrupt Yu Tianhuang's deep meditation prematurely. Without Yu Tianhuang's presence, the Shrek team would inevitably suffer casualties against the Holy Spirit team.

Vina understood and didn't ask any further questions, following Zhang Lexuan back to Suite No. 1 on the top floor.

As time passed, the quarterfinals were fast approaching. Only the eight teams that would participate in the quarterfinals remained at the Mingyue Hotel.

This world is so cruel; any team that has been eliminated must move out of the Mingyue Hotel.

The Tang Clan was the only exception.

This made the enormous Mingyue Hotel appear empty. This emptiness was filled with a sense of oppression.

On the eve of the quarterfinals, Xu Zihuang, who was deeply meditating in his room, suddenly opened his luminous purple eyes. Those eyes seemed to be able to see through all the beauty and desolation of the world.

Breakthrough, level 70!

Chapter 396 Shrek vs. the Holy Spirit

"Click—" The door opened, and a bright beam of soul-guided light swept across, adding a little light to the dim room.

Ye Guyi and Ning Tian stood at the door with their backs to the light source, their hair enveloped in a faint golden glow.

The Thunder Beast perched on Ning Tian's fragrant shoulder, its plump body wriggling and emitting joyful cries. It then leaped up and landed on Xu Zihuang's shoulder.

"Squeak!"

Only then did Xu Zihuang notice that the Thunder Beast's originally bright yellow fur had turned into a dazzling gold. Its entire body had a translucent texture, making it exceptionally mystical.

"What is this?" Xu Zihuang's gaze sharpened, and he instantly understood something.

The Thunder Beast successfully broke through to the 100,000-year realm, its lightning attribute energy saturated, making its body exist between a physical entity and an energy body. It was precisely because of this special situation that he did not perceive the changes that had occurred to the Thunder Beast at the first moment.

At this moment, Ye Guyi and Ning Tian both approached Xu Zihuang with smiles on their faces.

Ning Tian asked Xu Zihuang softly, "Tianhuang, has it broken through to the 100,000-year realm? It stayed at the hotel for a nap a few days ago, and when it woke up, it looked like this."

"It has indeed made a breakthrough." Xu Zihuang nodded solemnly.

"It seems that the Thunder Beast, like the Thunderous Hell Vine, has some special characteristics. It can break through 100,000 years of cultivation without having to undergo a tribulation of lightning."

"How are you doing?" Ye Guyi was more concerned about the gains Xu Zihuang had made during this deep meditation. After all, all their subsequent plans depended on Xu Zihuang breaking through level 70 and possessing the ability of a Martial Soul True Body.

Upon hearing Ye Guyi's words, Ning Tian also raised his head again to look at Xu Zihuang.

Under the two women's concerned gazes, Xu Zihuang smiled and said, "I've also successfully broken through to level 70. Where is the competition at now?"

"Tomorrow is the quarterfinals. Our Shrek Academy's match is the first one this morning, against the Holy Spirit Team." Ning Tian smiled sweetly as she looked at Xu Zihuang. If Yu Tianhuang could play in the quarterfinals, the shadow cast by the Holy Spirit Team would naturally be swept away. She never doubted Yu Tianhuang's abilities.

"I'll go inform Senior Sister first. If Senior Sister knows that you, Tianhuang, have finished your cultivation and successfully broken through, she won't be troubled anymore."

Xu Zihuang nodded slightly.

"I should have no problem playing in tomorrow's match, but I might be delayed by other matters. Ning Tian, ​​why don't you just ask Senior Sister to come over? I happen to have some things I want to discuss with her."

"Hmm!" Ning Tian responded softly, and walked out of the room with light steps. The crisp sound of his footsteps echoed here for a long time.

Only Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi remained in the room. Their gazes met in mid-air, both remaining silent, creating an somewhat eerie atmosphere.

"Squeak!" The Thunder Beast seemed to sense the change in atmosphere and wisely jumped off Xu Zihuang's shoulder and darted away.

Ye Guyi's lips curved into a mysterious smile as she reached out her jade-like hand to gently stroke Xu Zihuang's cheek, her face close to his.

The two were about the same height, so she hardly needed to make any extra movements.

Ye Guyi, who usually presented a cold and noble demeanor to outsiders, now had a seductive look in her eyes. Her golden eyes even held an almost morbid pleasure.

"Ning Tian and Senior Sister will be here soon." Xu Zihuang's expression stiffened, but he could only respond to Ye Guyi now, his lips still tinged with the moist and sweet taste that belonged only to Ye Guyi.

Their brows touched, and Ye Guyi looked at Xu Zihuang with a smile, saying half seriously and half jokingly, "So you'd better hurry up."

Xu Zihuang couldn't help but feel ashamed. No matter how fast he tried to manage his time, there were some things he just couldn't do.

Fortunately, Ye Guyi did not actually ask him to complete those things now; the two were simply immersed in this brief moment of pleasure.

When Ning Tian brought Zhang Lexuan to the room, Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi were already sitting on the sofa in the living room.

There was no need for excessive formalities among them. With her dignified and elegant posture, Ye Guyi poured Zhang Lexuan and Ning Tian each a cup of steaming hot, fragrant black tea.

Zhang Lexuan sat down next to Ye Guyi, while Ning Tian leaned against Xu Zihuang.

Xu Zihuang greeted Zhang Lexuan with a gentle smile.

"Senior Sister."

"Ning Tian just told me everything," Zhang Lexuan said with a gentle smile. "Tianhuang, is there anything you need to do after your breakthrough?"

With Yu Tianhuang in charge, Zhang Lexuan no longer needed to worry about casualties within the Shrek Academy team. Having spent so many years together, she knew very well just how astonishing Yu Tianhuang's talent and strength were. Even Yan Feng, whom Bei Bei struggled to handle, was no match for Yu Tianhuang.

Now that Yu Tianhuang has finished his cultivation, the pressure she has been under these past few days can finally be relieved. It's clear she feels much more relaxed.

Xu Zihuang got straight to the point.

"Senior Sister, to be honest, I plan to take this opportunity to continue fusing with my soul spirit."

"Soul fusion?!" Not only Zhang Lexuan, but even Ning Tian stared wide-eyed in surprise.

"Yes, Senior Sister." As he replied, Xu Zihuang glanced sideways at the Thunder Beast lying on the table in front of him.

Zhang Lexuan gave Xu Zihuang a deep look but didn't press him further. She knew Yu Tianhuang harbored many secrets. Compared to Elder Xuan and Yan Shaozhe, she always maintained a calm and composed attitude towards Yu Tianhuang.

In her view, Yu Tianhuang was destined to inherit the position of the Sea God Pavilion Master and lead the academy to its peak. Confirming this was enough; she wouldn't delve into anything else.

Ultimately, this was all based on Zhang Lexuan's absolute trust in Xu Zihuang.

"Tianhuang, how confident are you?"

"Absolutely." Xu Zihuang gave an affirmative answer without hesitation. He had discussed the matter of fusing soul spirits with the Thunder Beast a long time ago.

With a little perception, Xu Zihuang knew that thunder beasts that had broken through to the 100,000-year level were actually more difficult to control the raging and turbulent thunder attribute energy within their bodies. The fact that their bodies had transformed into semi-energy bodies was the best proof of this.

The Thunder Beast possesses intelligence comparable to that of humans. To survive, it must remain constantly by Xu Zihuang's side. Becoming Xu Zihuang's soul not only allows it to survive in a different, unique form, but also completely eliminates the risk of self-destruction.

Over this period of time, Xu Zihuang and the Thunder Beast had developed a basic level of trust, and with successful precedents like the Silver-Scaled White Whale and the Thunderous Hell Vine, it wasn't difficult for the Thunder Beast to weigh the pros and cons and make such a choice.

As for the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm, it goes without saying. It couldn't wait to form a contract with Xu Zihuang and become a soul spirit.

Xu Zihuang's only concern was that fusing with the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm and the Thunder Beast in one night might be a bit rushed. With his current level of spiritual power, fusing with a 100,000-year-old soul spirit was no problem. When he fused with the Thunderous Hell Vine, it only took him less than half an hour.

However, the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm is different; it is a million-year-old soul spirit, so fusing it will definitely take much longer.

However, based on his previous experience fusing with the Thunderous Hell Vine, and comparing the spiritual and soul power of the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm, Xu Zihuang estimated that he would most likely complete the fusion before daytime tomorrow, and at the latest be able to make it to the Shrek Academy competition. He asked Ning Tian to call Zhang Lexuan over just in case.

If something goes wrong during the integration process and it takes a while, then Wang Qiu'er will need to step in temporarily.

Although Xu Zihuang was confident enough to deal with the evil soul masters of the Holy Spirit Team even without fusing with the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm and the Thunder Beast, considering that this was the territory of the Sun Moon Empire, he could be more at ease if he controlled these powers sooner.

Simply put, he put his own interests above the so-called glory of Shrek Academy. His original intention has never changed.

Xu Zihuang naturally couldn't tell Zhang Lexuan his truest thoughts; he only expressed some considerations regarding the time issue.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Lexuan raised one of the most crucial questions.

"With Qiu'er's strength, she can indeed handle one or two evil soul masters, but the rules of this competition stipulate that both teams must enter the waiting area before the competition to be eligible to participate. If Tianhuang, you don't make it in time, the academy will have to face the competition with the original lineup."

"Senior Sister, I had already considered this beforehand," Xu Zihuang said with a calm smile.