A familiar voice sounded next to Tang San’s ear,
“Watch these three carefully.”
Tang San turned his head to look. At some point, Dugu Bo had already arrived at his side. Dugu Bo also attentively gazed at those three. Right now, the four other team members walking behind them had completely turned into props. But those four still clearly all possessed strength over the fortieth rank.
“These three are acclaimed by Spirit Hall as the three geniuses of the Golden Generation. The black haired youth furthest ahead is called Xie Yue[1], fifty second ranked power attack system Battle Spirit King, his spirit is Moon Blade[2], a tool Spirit Master. The red haired man behind him is called Yan[3], fifty second ranked flame attribute power attack system Battle Spirit king, his spirit is Flamelord[4]. The woman on Xie Yue’s other side is his little sister, called Hu Lena[5], fifty first ranked control system Battle Spirit King, her spirit is Fox[6]. Xie Yue and Hu Lena followed each of their parents’ names and inherited each of their parents’ spirits. Among the three, besides paying attention to the two power attack system Battle Spirit Kings, you must also pay particular attention to that Hu Lena. Hu Lena possesses extremely powerful charming capabilities, and her spirit abilities all rely mainly on charm.”
Listening to Dugu Bo, Tang San nodded silently, recording every word Dugu Bo said in his heart.
Grandmaster also silently listened to the side, but his gaze had already floated over behind the stage, to that lofty Supreme Pontiff Palace. ‘Bibi Dong, is this the subject you give me?’
With the referee’s declaration, the match began.
Despite Yu Tian-Heng’s fighting spirit being aroused by Tang San, as he saw the other side’s spirits comprehensively release, he still couldn’t help being sluggish.
Of Xie Yue’s trio standing furthest in front,each had two yellow, two purple, and one black, five flickering spirit rings. Moreover it was a peak spirit ring configuration. The three condensing their formidable pressure made Yu Tian-Heng’s aggressiveness immediately weaken somewhat.
The first to move of the Spirit Hall Academy team wasn’t captan Xie Yue furthest in front, but rather his little sister, Hu Lena.
With light steps, Hu Lena only seemed to make a turn before she already stood furthest in front, a faint smile appearing on her face. She seemed to have become beautiful along with releasing her spirit, and moreover a big bushy tail appeared behind her.
Faint red rays of light appeared from her body, looking at Yu Tian-Heng with light softly flashing in her eyes, the just preparing to unleash his spirit abilities Yu Tian-Heng came to a halt once again. But his combat experience was after all abundant, and he hastily shouted,
“Don’t look her in the eyes.”
“Not looking me in the eye won’t do what? Others call me Heavenly Fox.”
Hu Lena’s voice sounded somewhat rough, but that rough voice carried a kind of special charm. Ever since she stepped out and used that expression, until these words, not one of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team had actually moved.
A strange scene had appeared. Hu Lena’s five spirit rings flickered extremely rhythmically, first that black spirit ring, then followed by the fourth, third, second, directly until finally that yellow first spirit ring. As each spirit ring fluctuated, the red light over her body became richer, and Xie Yue behind her also moved.
Xie Yue’s Moon Blade wasn’t one blade, but two. Two blades, blood red all over, curved just like half moons, one Moon Blade held in each hand. Along with his body moving now, both his arms unfolded, and he unexpectedly body tackled his little sister’s back.
A screen of red light suddenly appeared, spreading. The instant Xie Yue and Hu Lena collided, that red light unexpectedly wrapped the two of them together. At the same time, that red light also erupted in a flash, spreading just like a sphere of light, covering close to half the stage. Naturally it also enveloped the seven opponents within.
“Spirit fusion ability?”
Tang San practically blurted out.
The other five Spirit Hall Academy team members, including Yan, apparently didn’t plan to do anything. Yan even withdrew a few steps, standing together with the other team members.
The red light flickered, and the originally two people had turned into one. A person with lightly floating long hair, and apparently indistinguishable gender.
Hair having turned red, this silhouette formed from Xie Yue and Hu Lena danced quietly. Two Moon Blades having doubled in size, cut with splendor like flowing rainbows.
Indeed, this was their spirit fusion ability, Charm Demon[7].
This Charm Demon ability was different from Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing’s Hell White Tiger.
Hell White Tiger specialized in attack, and this Charm Demon specialized in control. Within the range of the Charm Demon’s control, everyone’s senses were reduced by fifty percent, spirit power suppressed by fifty percent, and all actions slowed by fifty percent.
For Yu Tian-Heng and the others, within that intense red light, it became extremely difficult even to see their opponent.
The red light abruptly grew stronger, tremendous energy fluctuations blossoming momentarily. It was already basically impossible to see the situation inside from the outside.
Muffled grunts came unceasingly from behind the isolating red barrier. Figure after figure was thrown out from inside.
Scarlet blood burst forth along with the silhouettes being thrown out. Next to Tang San, Dugu Bo’s expression had already become extremely unsightly.
“They don’t want their opponents to see their strength clearly. Even though they used the spirit fusion ability, they’re only showing it off in front of you.”
Very soon, five of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team’s seven members had been thrown out. Only Yu Tian-Heng and Dugu Yan’s sharp hisses came from that red light barrier.
Along with the sharp hiss, a neither male nor female malicious voice echoed within the red barrier,
“Poison, in our domain, is just as ineffective. Dugu Yan, your poison still isn’t enough to affect me. Leave.”
Dugu Yan flew out with an explosive sound like a thunderclap. She didn’t have any scars or bruises, but blood was already spurting out wildly, the explosion directly throwing her off the stage.
Along with a final explosive sound, the red light screen finally retreated, and that hermaphrodite like figure returned to being two people.
Yu Tian-Heng stood across from them, and those two dragon formed arms trembled constantly.
“Out of consideration for your clan, we’ll spare your life.”
Xie Yue’s faint voice floated out. The Moon Blades in his hands swung lightly, and as if his body was pulled by a string, Yu Tian-Heng’s valiant figure loudly collapsed to the ground. The dragon scales on his arms scattered in all directions, blood splashing.
Slowly raising his Moon Blades, Xie Yue’s gaze floated over to the Shrek Academy team’s side, as if provoking them.
Tang San hardly feared meeting opponents, his pupils contracting, purple golden rays of light shot out.
Xie Yue’s eyes revealed a brief absentmindedness, his body swaying lightly once.
The purple golden radiance in Tang San’s eyes was only one flash. Xue Yue reacted very quickly, cold strict light flashing through his eyes, he raised his right hand and made a cutting motion across his throat, issuing a gesture of slaughter.
If Shrek Academy’s difficult victory over Star Luo Academy had shocked people, then the Spirit Hall Academy team’s main force appearing gave people an impression of overwhelming superiority. Confronting another seeded team, they actually only needed two people, defeating their opponents by relying on one spirit fusion ability. What kind of gap in strength was this?
Nobody would doubt their strength again, and even fewer would ponder over it. Plenty of people had frozen expressions. At this moment, besides Shrek Academy, no other team held any hopes for victory.
The two highlight battles gave people e
ntirely different impressions. Shrek Academy’s display was admittedly eye catching, but with Spirit Hall revealing those three Spirit Kings, nobody was optimistic about them again.
But, the Shrek Seven Devils didn’t care, they cared about the victory today. This battle belonged to Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, and also to all of them.
When they returned to their residence, Dai Mubai had already woken up. He and Zhu Zhuqing were so excited they couldn’t calm down until nightfall.
The third round of matches had ended, and in the entire tournament only remained six teams. Two of the seeded teams had unexpectedly washed out in today’s matches, leaving only the Spirit Hall Academy team.
No need for doubt, among all the remaining six teams, the Spirit Hall Academy team’s strength counted as number one. Following closely behind, was the Shrek Academy team and the Godwind Academy team. Even though the other three teams had also broken through to the final six, they were little more than foils.
Tomorrow’s lot drawing would be very troublesome. Nobody wanted to be the first to face the Spirit Hall Academy team, that would mean running up against a wall.
* * *
[1] (邪月) “Evil Moon”
[2] (月刃) “Moon Edge”
[3] (焱) “Flames”
[4] (火焰领主)
[5] (胡列娜) The “hu” in her name is pronounced the same as the “hu” in Fox (狐).
[6] (狐狸)
[7] (妖魅) Either character can mean either charm/bewitch or demon/monster.
Chapter 124: Hell White Tiger’s History
Part 1 (TL by Bagelson)
By now the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament was considered reaching the end, and at the same time reaching white hot intensity. The ones capable of remaining behind were no doubt the most powerful of the young generation.
Especially Spirit Hall’s Golden Generation allowed people to truly see the potential Spirit Masters could reach.
Of course, this was under the condition that nobody knew the Shrek Seven Devils’ true age.
After dinner, the Shrek Academy students each returned to their rooms to rest.
Spirit Hall had arranged excellent residences. Each person had a room to themselves. The opponents in tomorrow’s match would be decided by lots, but no matter who they faced, they couldn’t go wrong by maintaining their peak condition.
Tang San was just preparing to meditate when a knock sounded at the door.
“Who?”
He asked somewhat astonished. Everyone had just returned to their rooms, who would come here? Xiao Wu?
“Me.”
A gloomy voice gave Tang San the answer.
Opening the door, Tang San saw the still somewhat pale Dai Mubai outside,
“Mubai, you should be resting and recovering your spirit power, why did you come here?”
Dai Mubai sighed lightly,
“I want to talk to you.”
“Come inside.”
Tang San let Dai Mubai into his room.
Walking into the room, Dai Mubai sat in a sofa to the side. His facial expression had already calmed a lot. As Tang San closed the door, Dai Mubai sighed, saying:
“Little San, thank you.”
Tang San smiled faintly, saying:
“If you say thanks, you should thank everyone. It was everyone’s joint efforts that gained us the victory today. What’s more, between us brothers, what’s the need for thanks?”
Dai Mubai relieved leaned back in the sofa, smiling:
“Little San, haven’t you already guessed something?”
Tang San still wore a smiling expression,
“You tell me? Your Highness. Besides the imperial family, I don’t know what clan would have such fierce internal struggles. Even having brothers killing each other. What you called ‘inheriting the clan’, should refer to the title of Emperor.”
Dai Mubai sighed,
“You found out? There’s no good hiding it between us brothers. That’s right, I’m Star Luo Empire’s third prince. Dai Weisi whom we beat today is my older brother. His strength, talent and age, all made him the first ranked heir. Actually, what Zhuqing said today was a bit exaggerated. If we lost, perhaps I wouldn’t die for certain, but my spirit power would definitely be crippled, and I’d be sent to some fringe region to live out the rest of my days.”
Tang San’s brows tightened slightly,
“How’s that different from death? Is the imperial family really so cruel?”
The corners of his mouth displaying a cold smile, Dai Mubai said:
“You aren’t a member of the imperial family. You don’t understand the complexities. The two great empires on the Continent, do you know how they differ in strength?”
Tang San blankly shook his head. He’d never had any concern for matters of politics.
Dai Mubai smiled coldly:
“If not for Spirit Hall blocking it, perhaps this world would already be ours. In national strength and military strength, our Star Luo Empire far exceeds the Heaven Dou Empire. Even if we also have several internal kingdoms, the imperial authority isn’t as scattered as in Heaven Dou Empire. And all this originates in this special method of competition in our imperial family. Even if it’s cruel, this way each generation’s regent has grown up to be outstanding in all ways. Heaven Dou Empire really can’t compare. Heaven Dou Empire’s only advantage is that it has the three upper sects within its borders. Among the three upper sects, even though the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and your Clear Sky School have never participated in political struggles, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has always supported Heaven Dou Empire. And then there’s Spirit Hall blocking between the two great empires. Otherwise, there might already have been a war. Until the last few years, Heaven Dou Empire’s development has been a bit faster, and some internal problems had appeared in Star Luo Empire. The strength ratio between the two great empires started to level out.”
Tang San said:
“This is what Spirit Hall wants to see the most?”
The corners of Dai Mubai’s mouth slanted,
“Of course. To an existence like Spirit Hall, balance between the two great empires is most beneficial to them. The number of Spirit Masters grasped by Spirit Hall is really too frightening. The two great empires added together aren’t equal to it. But if the two great empires became one, unified into one integrated powerful empire, then Spirit Hall wouldn’t be able to continue to exist. After all, no kind of centralized imperial power would allow this kind of organization to exist.”
Tang San somewhat astonished said:
“Even if the two great empires became one, don’t tell me it could deal with Spirit Hall? Don’t they have large numbers of Spirit Masters? On the battlefield, with overwhelming numbers of Spirit Masters, it should be possible to directly control the outcome.”
Dai Mubai smiled faintly, saying:
“I’m not your equal in talent, but your understanding of political battles isn’t equal to mine. It would be impossible for Spirit Hall to become the ruler of the Continent. Even though they hold Spirit Masters, all they hold is Spirit Masters. There are ten billion people on the continent. All Spirit Masters come from the two great empires. Even though Spirit Hall can conduct them, they can’t make them commit treason. As a result, no matter what angle you look at it from, Spirit Hall can only constantly expand their influence, it’s never been possible for them to rule.”
Tang San suddenly understood. He had never before thought that there would be such complex relationships involved.
Dai Mubai stood, stepping in front of Tang San and raising his hands to hold his shoulders, his evil eyes firmly locked on Tang San,
“Little San, by now you’ve already drawn the attention of Spirit Hall. They won’t let you off. With Spirit Hall’s attention on you, in the future you won’t be able to take a single step on the Continent. Even if school master Ning can protect you for a time, it’s impossible to always follow you.
Unless you join Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.”
Tang San nodded silently. Of course he understood what Dai Mubai was saying.
Dai Mubai continued:
“At the end of the tournament, we’ll also officially graduate. Me and Zhuqing will return to Star Luo Empire. Come with us. Bring Xiao Wu. I possess the qualifications to fight with my big brother over the throne now. In Star Luo Empire, the imperial family’s strength is more ferocious than in Heaven Dou Empire, and Spirit Hall also doesn’t dare be too forceful. I truly don’t want to some day see the news of your death.”
Dai Mubai’s eyes were brimming with a sincere light. If it was someone else, perhaps one might think he was doing it to recruit Tang San, but Tang San sensed that Dai Mubai’s words were completely for his protection, and without any other intentions.
“Big brother, thank you. No matter what the future is like, you’re my big brother. But I still need to think about this. I can’t decide rashly. I want to hear Teacher’s opinion. You also know that Spirit Master cultivation is like rowing a boat upstream. Going to Star Luo Empire, I’m afraid……”
Dai Mubai resolutely said:
“What’s there to fear, in my domain, whatever resources you need for cultivation, don’t tell me big brother can’t provide? With us brothers joining hands, if I sit on the throne in the future, you will be my commander in chief, my imperial chancellor. That Xue Qinghe has always wanted to recruit you, I’ve seen it. However, listen to your big brother, the authority of Heaven Dou Empire’s imperial family is too scattered. Even if he became regent, gaining any great achievements wouldn’t be easy. But in Star Luo Empire, as long as I sit on the throne, matters of the imperial household would be mine to decide alone.”
Tang San said:
“Boss, I still can’t promise you right now. I understand what you mean. If I really want to pick a side to join in the future, then your place would absolutely be the first choice. If you have any trouble in the future, if you need me, as long as you send word, no matter a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers, Tang San will be there.”
Dai Mubai didn’t try to persuade him further. The two bumped fists, and even though they didn’t truly pledge, this was already equivalent to an oath between them. Even more binding than any promise.
Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48 Page 220
