As Bibi Dong's voice fell, the arena erupted with thunderous applause and cheers.
The elimination round had officially begun!
At the same time, Ye Hao, dressed in luxurious attire, walked out from the Pope's Hall.
He glanced at the members of the Emperor Team, then turned his gaze to Shrek Academy.
The former looked at him with resentment and confusion, while the latter was filled with murderous intent, especially from Tang San, Liu Erlong, and Xiao Wu, who seemed as though they wanted to tear Ye Hao into a thousand pieces to vent their hatred.
Clap clap clap. Ye Hao clapped his hands, and the Death God's Heart on his hairpin suddenly flew out.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the Death God's Heart flew to an open area at the foot of the Spirit Hall's mountain. A dazzling purple light descended, and in an instant, a mountain-sized Titan Giant Ape appeared!
It was tightly bound by six purple chains, unable to move, and could only let out a weak, dazed roar.
The fact that the Spirit Hall had captured the Titan Giant Ape was known throughout the continent, so why was it being displayed today?
"Everyone," Bibi Dong spoke up.
"The elimination round of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament is about to begin. To celebrate this grand event, after discussing with the elders, we have decided!"
"We will use the blood of the Titan Giant Ape to officially kick off this elimination round, and we wish everyone the best of luck in showcasing their skills and achieving great results in this tournament."
Bibi Dong's words were clear: the Titan Giant Ape would be executed.
It must be noted that a hundred-thousand-year soul beast carries immense weight. The Titan Giant Ape before them was the ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest, a forbidden zone where no one dared to venture for years.
According to reliable sources, ever since the Spirit Hall captured the Titan Giant Ape, the other hundred-thousand-year soul beast in the Star Dou Great Forest, the Sky Azure Bull Python, had become enraged. Whether it was soul hunters entering the forest or ordinary humans passing by the forest's edge, none were spared from its attacks.
"The Pope is going to personally execute the Titan Giant Ape!"
"Holy cow! This is huge news!"
"No kidding! The Titan Giant Ape is the ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest. It's not something ordinary people can just see. Today, we're lucky enough not only to see it but also to witness its execution. This is an honor for us."
For a moment, everyone was abuzz with excitement.
However, on Shrek Academy's side, Xiao Wu's mind went blank when she heard the news that the Titan Giant Ape was about to be killed. Tears uncontrollably streamed down her face.
"Er Ming, don't worry. I won't just stand by and watch you die," Xiao Wu thought to herself.
She then grabbed Tang San's wrist and whispered, "Brother, you have to save Er Ming. He's the only family I have left in this world."
Faced with Xiao Wu's desperate plea, Tang San could only shake his head helplessly.
"Xiao Wu, it's not that I don't want to help you, but look down there..."
Following Tang San's gaze, Xiao Wu saw five Title Douluos surrounding the Titan Giant Ape, their soul rings gradually being released.
At some point, Bibi Dong had already appeared directly above the Titan Giant Ape. She had completed her Soul Devouring Spider Emperor transformation, her arms turning into dark green spider spears, with five black and two red soul rings beneath her feet.
"It's too late! Brother, I'm begging you, ask your father to intervene!" Xiao Wu cried, her tears flowing uncontrollably, her rabbit teeth almost grinding down from the stress.
Tang San could only shake his head helplessly under Xiao Wu's pleading gaze.
Seeing this, Xiao Wu knew that Er Ming was truly beyond saving.
"Great! That beast is finally going to die!"
At that moment, Ma Hongjun's shout broke Xiao Wu's somber mood.
"Yeah! Back in the Star Dou Great Forest, that beast nearly wiped out our entire Shrek Academy. Now it's finally going to die. I feel so relieved!" Dai Mubai vented his anger, recalling the events in the Star Dou Great Forest that he still couldn't forget.
The deep sense of helplessness he had felt back then had haunted him for a long time, but now, with the Titan Giant Ape about to be executed, he finally felt a sense of vindication.
Hearing her teammates' words, Xiao Wu, who had been holding back her emotions, suddenly exploded. With a look of hatred, she slowly stood up and pointed at Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, cursing them vehemently.
"I—"
"..."
"..."
The insults were too explicit, even going as far as cursing their ancestors for eighteen generations.
Everyone present was stunned. Xiao Wu, who usually looked pure and innocent, like a harmless girl, was now cursing with such ferocity.
Dai Mubai's face darkened, like a sleeping tiger about to awaken. As a prince of the Star Luo Empire, how could he allow himself to be humiliated like this?
Moreover, the other party had cursed his ancestors for eighteen generations, which was equivalent to insulting the entire Star Luo royal family.
On the opposite side of Shrek Academy, a golden-haired man who looked strikingly similar to Dai Mubai, but more mature, clenched his fists tightly as he watched Xiao Wu curse with such fervor.
"Dai Mubai, Dai Mubai, it's only been a few years since you left home, and you're letting a little girl curse our Star Luo royal family like this? You're truly unworthy of being a prince of the Star Luo Empire.
If Father finds out... it seems the throne will be mine."
Just as the man's lips curled into a slight smile...
Xiao Wu was suddenly punched into the air. Dai Mubai, his eyes red with rage, punched her repeatedly in the face, shouting, "You think you can curse me? Let's see you curse me now!"
"Blabbering non-stop, do you think I'm a paper tiger?"
With one punch from Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu spat out a mouthful of blood, mixed with several broken teeth, showing just how heavy Dai Mubai's punch was.
For a moment, everyone was stunned. Dai Mubai, the captain of Shrek Academy, had actually attacked a female teammate, and with such force.
But upon closer thought, the girl had brought it upon herself.
What did the death of the Titan Giant Ape have to do with her? Why did she have to act like a saint, worrying about things that were none of her business?
Dai Mubai had only said a few words, and they were the truth at that, yet the girl had gone mad, cursing him like a rabid dog.
Everyone has their pride, and Dai Mubai, as a prince of the Star Luo Empire, had his future at stake because of Xiao Wu's curses.
Moreover, the leader of the Star Luo Empire's representative team had a close relationship with Dai Mubai, and this incident could easily be used against him.
If Dai Mubai didn't show his stance now, he would likely be the first to face repercussions upon returning to the Star Luo Empire.
"Curse me now! Weren't you cursing me happily just now?" Dai Mubai stepped on Xiao Wu, showing no mercy.
At this moment, Dai Mubai was completely consumed by rage. Teammate camaraderie? To hell with that!
Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, the Spirit Hall officials, as the hosts, were about to step in, but Ye Hao stopped them.
"Let them fight. That rabbit brought this upon herself. We'll just sit back and enjoy the show," Ye Hao said with a smirk, crossing his arms and watching with interest.
Internal strife was a rare sight.
But this wasn't entirely Dai Mubai's fault. Only Tang San knew the true identity of that rabbit.
Seeing Xiao Wu beaten to a pulp, Tang San suddenly erupted. He pushed Dai Mubai away and carefully cradled Xiao Wu in his arms.
"Dai Mubai! You..." Tang San's eyes were bloodshot, a faint killing intent emanating from him. Anyone who hurt Xiao Wu would have to pay.
Dai Mubai sneered, "Do I also have a death sentence coming?"
"You..." Tang San was momentarily speechless, glaring at Dai Mubai as if he were a mortal enemy.
"You heard it too. Everyone here isn't deaf. That girl cursed me and Fatty so viciously. I know you usually spoil her, but that doesn't mean she can do whatever she wants."
Dai Mubai paused, then continued, "Did I say anything wrong? That Titan Giant Ape deserved to die. Did I say anything about her? Tell me!"
At this point, Tang San fell silent. Knowing he was in the wrong, he still put on an aggressive front.
"Dai Mubai! You call yourself a captain? Xiao Wu only said a few words, and you beat her like this. What right do you have to be captain?"
"Haha..." Dai Mubai laughed coldly. "I may not be a good person, but at least I have self-awareness.
Tang San, you've been indulging Xiao Wu for so long. Back then, when Fatty just ate some rabbit meat, she acted like she wanted to kill him. Now, just because I said the Titan Giant Ape deserved to die, she cursed me like crazy, even bringing my ancestors into it!"
Dai Mubai spoke through gritted teeth, his eyes burning with anger as he stared at Xiao Wu. If it weren't for the tournament, Xiao Wu would have already been killed by Dai Mubai.
This wasn't an empty threat. Dai Mubai was fully capable of doing it.
"Enough!"
Liu Erlong roared, unable to bear seeing her daughter beaten to such a state.
"Have you caused enough trouble already?" Liu Erlong pulled Xiao Wu into her arms. "Xiao Gang is already dead. I've had enough heartache. Shrek Academy can't afford this kind of scandal. Xiao Wu was wrong today, but Dai Mubai, you went too far. A few words would have been enough. Was it necessary to beat her so brutally?"
Dai Mubai shrugged helplessly. "Vice Dean Liu, I understand how you feel.
But you have to consider my position too. Some people keep saying you have a death sentence, he has a death sentence. If Xiao Wu had cursed me today and I didn't retaliate, what kind of man would I be?
Everyone has their pride. Some people don't even care about their dignity, but I, Dai Mubai, am better than that. If I had cursed Xiao Wu today, after the tournament, I'm sure someone would come after me for revenge.
Today, I'm laying it all out. Don't test someone's limits with your ignorance. Tang San may indulge you, but I won't. Push me too far, and I'll kill you too!"
With that, Dai Mubai stood up angrily and sat at the back of the team, ashamed to be associated with such people.
"What a man!" Ye Hao couldn't help but give Dai Mubai a thumbs up.
Tang San was furious. He glared at Dai Mubai with intense hatred, secretly adding him to his list of people who must die.
At that moment, Xiao Wu slowly regained consciousness. She instinctively looked down the mountain.
There, Bibi Dong, transformed into a green light, charged at the Titan Giant Ape. In the blink of an eye, the Titan Giant Ape was split in two, its massive head crashing to the ground, dead beyond dead.
Seeing this, Xiao Wu felt as if a knife had twisted in her heart. She tasted blood in her mouth and spat out another mouthful of blood before fainting once more.
"Hahaha..." Ye Hao laughed heartily, ignoring Tang San's murderous gaze. He spread his six-foot purple wings and flew down.
Shortly after the Titan Giant Ape's death, a bright red hundred-thousand-year soul ring appeared!
Everyone was stunned, their eyes filled with desire and greed. A hundred-thousand-year soul ring was the dream of every soul master.
But then they quickly dismissed the thought. With so many Title Douluos present, trying to take it would be like stealing from a tiger's mouth—suicidal!
Ye Hao approached the Titan Giant Ape's corpse, examined it for a moment, then transformed his arms into scythes and began cutting the beast into several pieces. Finally...
When Ye Hao pulled out a blood-red bone, the crowd erupted once more.
"A hundred-thousand-year... soul bone!"
Everyone gasped in shock!
A soul bone, and a hundred-thousand-year one at that! It was a priceless treasure!
Soul bones were already a sensitive topic, but this one, from the Titan Giant Ape, was a hundred-thousand-year soul bone.
Many people's eyes burned with envy, wishing they could snatch it away.
"A left leg bone from the Titan Giant Ape. Not bad, it'll do," Ye Hao said casually, holding the soul bone.
He then ordered, "Throw the Titan Giant Ape's corpse to the Evil Spirit Orca group. The flesh and blood of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast will be a great supplement for them."
Under the envious gazes of everyone, Ye Hao returned with the hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape left leg bone.
The saying goes, "A man's wealth is his own ruin." Ye Hao understood this well.
Noticing the many covetous looks around him, Ye Hao didn't care.
Ye Hao snorted disdainfully. "Only the weak would look at me like that. Let me tell you, I was the one who captured the Titan Giant Ape. If you want a soul bone, there's still the Sky Azure Bull Python in the Star Dou Great Forest. Go catch it!"
His words silenced the crowd. They could only watch helplessly as the hundred-thousand-year soul bone slipped through their fingers.
"Those who have no ability but still crave what others have are the most despicable."
With that, Ye Hao sat down cross-legged, placed the Titan Giant Ape left leg bone against his own left leg, and began circulating his soul power to absorb it.
The Death God's Heart returned to the top of Ye Hao's head, and streams of death energy flowed into the soul bone, helping Ye Hao absorb it faster.
"Ye Hao, you really deserve to die!" Tang San's face twisted in anger as he watched Ye Hao absorb the hundred-thousand-year soul bone. He couldn't accept it.
He, Tang San, had twin martial souls, was a transmigrator, and possessed hidden weapons, the Mysterious Heaven Technique, and many other secrets.
How could all the benefits go to Ye Hao?
Unfair!
I, Tang San, refuse to accept this!
Soon, with the help of the Death God's Heart, Ye Hao effortlessly completed the absorption of the Titan Giant Ape left leg bone.
"My soul power has reached level 57," Ye Hao clenched his fist, feeling delighted.
At the same time, Bibi Dong also completed the absorption of the Titan Giant Ape's hundred-thousand-year soul ring. She flashed to the front of the Pope's Hall, her aura becoming unfathomable, impossible to gauge.
The academies participating in the elimination round were all well-known across the continent. During the drawing of lots...
Shrek Academy was matched against the Star Luo Royal Academy. At that moment, Dai Mubai and the golden-haired man on the opposite side locked eyes. Perhaps this was fate.
Meanwhile, the Spirit Hall team was matched against the Emperor Team, which gave Ye Hao a headache. Well, he would personally send his former team home.
The members of the Emperor Team didn't look too happy either. They had just arrived, and their luck was so bad that they were matched against the team they least wanted to face.
Moreover, they would have to face their former teammate. How ironic.
...
At the same time, in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, far away in Heaven Dou City.
Emperor Xue Ye's face was filled with anguish, his complexion as dark as charcoal. Looking at the report brought by his spies, he was on the verge of collapse.
With trembling hands, he tore the secret report to shreds, completely disregarding the dignity of an emperor as he cursed in rage.
"Ye Hao! The Spirit Hall's young master! Well done! Spirit Hall, you've done well!"
"I was blind to think that Ye Hao could bring revival to our Heaven Dou Empire. I never expected he was just a pawn planted by the Spirit Hall."
"Ye Hao! I will kill him!"
Suddenly, Emperor Xue Ye's face stiffened, and blood spurted from his mouth like a fountain.
Seeing this, Prince Xue Xing rushed to support the emperor.
"Brother, don't scare me!"
No matter how much Prince Xue Xing called out, Emperor Xue Ye remained unresponsive. It seemed he had suffered a severe shock and was on the brink of death.
It was no wonder Emperor Xue Ye had such a reaction. He had seen Ye Hao as the hope for Heaven Dou Empire's revival.
Now, to learn that Ye Hao was the son of Pope Bibi Dong and the young master of the Spirit Hall—who could withstand such a blow?
...
Night fell quickly.
The first round of the elimination round would begin the next day. Ye Hao stood alone in the training ground, testing the power of the skills granted by the Titan Giant Ape left leg bone.
The hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape left leg bone granted Ye Hao two soul bone skills:
The first was Titan's Divine Strength, a charged attack capable of flattening a small mountain.
The second was Gravity Swamp, which could restrict an opponent's movements, rendering them temporarily immobile.
"Titan Giant Ape left leg bone skill: Gravity Swamp."
Ye Hao raised his left foot, and a powerful pressure instantly spread across the training ground. The training ground was filled with practice dummies.
As the pressure enveloped them, the dummies exploded into pieces.
As for Titan's Divine Strength, Ye Hao decided not to test it. If he accidentally destroyed the Pope's Hall, it would be awkward.
"It's so late, why aren't you asleep?" Bibi Dong walked over, having noticed the commotion in the training room.
"Mom, aren't you awake too?" Ye Hao smiled. "The battles start tomorrow, so I'm using this time to familiarize myself with the power of the Titan Giant Ape left leg bone."
"Oh? How's the soul bone's power?" Bibi Dong glanced at the shattered dummies and immediately understood.
"Not bad. The two skills from the hundred-thousand-year soul bone are quite powerful. Moreover, after absorbing the soul bone, my soul power has reached level 57."
"Level 57!" Bibi Dong's eyes lit up. "Keep it up."
"It's late. Go rest. Tomorrow, you'll be representing the Spirit Hall in the first match. I know you're under pressure, especially since you'll be facing your former teammates. It's impossible to say there's no emotional attachment."
"I understand, Mom. You should rest early too," Ye Hao nodded.
At that moment, Bibi Dong suddenly added, "I almost forgot to tell you. News came from Heaven Dou City.
Emperor Xue Ye was furious when he learned of your identity and even vomited blood. He had placed great hopes on you.
Now that he knows you're the Spirit Hall's young master, the old emperor can't take it anymore."
Ye Hao had anticipated Emperor Xue Ye's reaction.
Back in Heaven Dou City, Emperor Xue Ye had extended an olive branch to Ye Hao, but Ye Hao had always put him off, saying he would pledge allegiance after winning the tournament and bringing glory to Heaven Dou Empire.
But now, with things having reached this point, Emperor Xue Ye could only blame himself for misjudging Ye Hao and resent the Spirit Hall.
"I knew it. Mom, could you do me a favor?"
"Go on."
"Spread some rumors that I was the one who killed Emperor Xue Ye's three sons."
Bibi Dong was stunned. "Are you crazy? Your sister killed those three sons. Why are you taking the blame for her?"
"If I don't do this, my sister's undercover mission will be in danger," Ye Hao explained.
"Almost everyone in the Heaven Dou royal family knows that I have a close relationship with Xue Qinghe. Now that I'm the Spirit Hall's young master, my sister's position will become much more dangerous. Plus, her teacher, Ning Fengzhi, is no fool. There's too much that could be uncovered.
By taking the blame, I can clear my sister's name. It's a win-win."
After hearing Ye Hao's explanation, Bibi Dong nodded with a pained expression. "Child, you've suffered."
"It's fine," Ye Hao smiled bitterly. "The Heaven Dou royal family wants me dead anyway. Since we're already in deep, why not go deeper? When Emperor Xue Ye learns the truth about his sons' deaths, I think the shock might just finish him off.
By then, my sister can directly ascend the throne, saving us a lot of trouble."
The next morning, the first day of the elimination round began.
The first match was between Shrek Academy and the Star Luo Royal Academy. The two teams were at each other's throats from the start, the tension palpable.
The captains of both teams were of noble status. When the Shrek team learned from Dai Weisi, the captain of the Star Luo Royal Academy, about Dai Mubai's true identity, Tang San was momentarily stunned. He then erased Dai Mubai's name from his kill list, thinking he might be able to use him as a pawn...
Xiao Wu took to the stage with a swollen face, still seething from the beating she had received from Dai Mubai the previous day.
But what puzzled Xiao Wu the most was why Dai Weisi, the captain of the Star Luo Royal Academy, also targeted her from the start.
He attacked without hesitation, showing no regard for her being a girl, his punches landing squarely on her, leaving her defenseless.
This naturally infuriated Tang San. In the end, it was only after Tang San summoned his Clear Sky Hammer that they barely managed to win the match.
But poor Xiao Wu, her face was even more swollen than before.