As the first unit on the front line—
They had already exceeded expectations by launching the first wave and throwing out two Class 9 soul-guided cannon shells. Now that the battle wasn't particularly intense, and with the princess and her consort among them, there was no need to let them take any more risks.
"The walls of Mingdu are actually this invisible protective shield. It's one-way: attacks can go out from the inside without obstruction, but any attack from the outside gets blocked. Most of the shockwaves from those Class 9 soul-guided shells earlier were stopped by these walls,"
Xing Yi patted the dust off his pants, pulled out a cigarette, and leaned against a dirt wall.
As the cigarette lit up, the flickering flame briefly illuminated the surroundings and Huo Yuhao's face, casting alternating shadows.
"Captain, is the reason we're not participating in the follow-up battles... because of me? You're a Class 8 soul engineer—there's no reason for you to be idle. Or... are you protecting me?"
Huo Yuhao asked softly.
Xing Yi paused, then nodded slightly.
"Yes. But don't overthink it. You're a genius. That last battle proved it. You can precisely guide soul tools, scout the surroundings... Any regiment would treat you like a precious gem, giving you top-tier training."
As he said that, he patted the boy's shoulder.
"Those bastards out there will all end up buried outside Mingdu, nourishing the flowers and grass for us... heh heh..."
RUMBLE!
"They're here!"
—At the residential area of Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy—
Fan Yu looked excited, though also a bit puzzled.
"Weren't they supposed to sneak in? What's with all this commotion?"
But he quickly shook his head.
"Whatever. The grudge I have from those bastards humiliating me today... I'll settle all of it!"
"Everyone get ready. Wait for the academy to pick us up,"
He signaled the Shrek students to gather around him and pulled out a soul-guided cannon, aiming at the sky.
Whoosh!
A pale-purple shell shot out, arced across the sky, and exploded high above, leaving a distinct mark.
"Teacher…"
Dai Huabin hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Tang San still hasn't come back…"
Fan Yu frowned deeply.
This kid… always making people worry.
After a brief pause, he waved his hand.
"Forget it. Don't go looking for him. If he comes back in time, we'll take him along. If not… the academy can't jeopardize the greater mission for one person."
Dai Huabin nodded slightly and stepped aside.
He looked toward the distant sky.
I've done all I can. What happens next… depends on your fate.
Outside Mingdu, the battle was earthshaking.
Yet inside the venue, things remained lively and energetic. Not even the faintest sound of battle reached them—almost as if sealed away by an invisible barrier.
—High in the viewing stands—
Unlike the oblivious students, many powerful figures—Jing Hongchen, Yu Yanlong, Gai Du, Nan Shuishui, and others—had become solemn.
They all turned to look at Xu Cheng, whose expression remained calm.
"They actually came!"
And exactly at the predicted time and under the expected circumstances!
"Their target is Mingde Hall. They'll come straight for us."
Xu Cheng smiled faintly.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves."
He stood slowly, calmly glancing toward the sky.
Behind him followed the Super Douluo, as well as numerous Class 9 soul engineers of Mingde Hall.
Meanwhile, figures like Elder Kong and Xu Jiangnian were lying in wait across various corners of the academy—ready to strike when the enemy arrived.
"You're not participating in the Academy Tournament anymore?"
Jing Hongchen suddenly muttered.
"..."
Xu Cheng's mouth twitched.
Me? The Academy Tournament?
Do I look like that's appropriate?
"Of course I am," Xu Cheng said suddenly, with a grin.
"But my opponent isn't a student of the academy…"
"People always say I have a false reputation. I've never bothered to prove myself. But today, I'll use the blood of those powerhouses from the old continent to prove my strength."
He suddenly recalled being crowned Crown Prince, and added the self-reference:
"…of this Palace."
"Whoosh!"
With a ghostly arc, several thick, black vines were sliced apart, scattering fragments and leaves all over the battle stage.
"Not bad, Xiaoya! Your Tang Sect techniques, combined with this elusive Dark Blue Silver Grass… even I can barely handle it!"
Na Na appeared with her tall, lithe figure, twin daggers dancing like sparrows at her fingertips. She smiled.
"Your speed's gotten scary. Even after cultivating the Purple Demon Eyes, I can barely track you."
Tang Ya flipped her long ponytail playfully and giggled.
Though she was closer to A'Meng, she also had a favorable view of Na Na—Xu Cheng's former secretary, now managing a major part of the Holy Spirit Church's forces. Under her control, the church had few lawless thugs and treated civilians kindly.
"I surrender!"
Na Na raised her hand.
Both were at Soul King level, but Tang Ya's Dark Blue Silver Grass was a nightmare to face. Even a touch could ruin someone. And lately, for some unknown reason, her Tang Sect techniques had improved dramatically. Her mastery of hidden weapons was frightening.
Na Na understood clearly—many of those hidden weapons were fatal. In a life-or-death match, she would've died horribly.
"Alright, sixth match of the Mingde Hall Academy Tournament—Tang Ya wins!"
Jing Hongchen appeared on stage, smiling as he announced the result.
This kind of outcome let the students see their real strength while avoiding injuries—a win-win situation.
In the stands—
Yu Tianlong smacked his lips.
He looked emotional. Before coming to the Sun Moon Empire, he had always been quite proud.
After all, in the same realm and age group, no one had ever beaten him. He was even hailed as the Dragon Gate's greatest genius in a hundred years.
But that pride was shattered the moment he met Xue Ling'er.
Now, seeing so many prodigies emerge one after another—each stronger than the last—his mental resolve had started to crumble.
Fortunately, under his father's encouraging gaze, he pulled himself back together.
His eyes now burned with determination.
You're all strong! But I'm not weak either!
In this era full of peerless talents… I want to see what the summit truly feels like!
"Next match, Xu Cheng!"
As Jing Hongchen's voice echoed through the venue—
The crowd first fell silent, then erupted like thunder, the cheers deafening.
This living legend of the Sun Moon Empire… was finally stepping onto the stage?
Even Yu Tianlong's eyes lit up with awe.
He had decided—this man would be his lifelong benchmark!
Even if Xu Cheng was a mountain he could never surpass—he'd still aim for it!
Xu Cheng's figure appeared above the arena, but he didn't land.
"Everyone, within the academy, I have no worthy opponents. Not even among the faculty. So today… my opponent is not among the students."
He smiled—bright, sincere… though what he said was outrageous.
Yu Tianlong stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
How can someone be this full of themselves?
Yet… he instinctively felt like it might be true.
Because Xu Cheng had looked up at the sky.
What was once a clear, cloudless sky… was now filled with countless figures, sealing off the entire arena.
A colossal mecha, who-knows-when it arrived, floated in the air.
"Everyone—my enemy is all the old continent!"
Xu Cheng stepped into the mecha's cockpit.
Under Yu Tianlong's stunned gaze, the mighty mecha lifted its longsword and soared into the sky, toward the encircling figures.
Following him, countless figures rose from the ground, soaring into the heavens behind him.
Shining like the sun itself.
This scene made Yu Tianlong's scalp tingle—and it was burned into his memory forever.
(End of Chapter)