Chapter 201: The Brave Heaven Dou First Team
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The next day.
Spirit City—at the Grand Spirit Arena.
In the circular stands, all fifty thousand seats had long since been filled to capacity. Spectators from all corners of the continent waved flags in their hands; shouts and cheers rose and fell in waves, converging into a massive, deafening roar.
Today was the Grand Finals.
The Spirit Hall Academy Team versus the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team.
On one side stood a formidable team backed by the presence of a Titled Douluo and a Spirit Saint—a squad that had stormed into the finals with a flawless winning streak, compelling every single opponent—with the sole exception of Shui Academy—to concede defeat.
On the other side stood the tournament’s greatest dark horse—a team that had battled its way into the finals by defeating powerful adversaries such as the Star Luo Royal Academy, relying on the sudden surge in Dugu Yan’s strength and Ye Lingling’s heaven-defying healing abilities.
Everyone was eagerly anticipating this clash of titans.
Although most people knew that the Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s chances of victory were slim—for when facing a Titled Douluo, any tactic or team coordination is ultimately futile...
Yet, does the true allure of competitive sport not lie precisely in that one-in-ten-thousand possibility?
What if?
What if that Titled Douluo happens to be having an off day?
What if they manage to pull off a miracle?
In the stands, countless pairs of eyes were locked intently upon the arena floor.
In the VIP section, Qian Renxue sat poised in the center seat.
Today, she once again wore a long gown of white and gold, crowned with an angelic diadem. Her golden hair cascaded down her back, shimmering with a soft halo-like glow under the sunlight. A faint smile graced her lips, and her demeanor remained utterly composed—as if none of the events unfolding before her had anything to do with her.
Jiang Bai sat beside her, leisurely sipping his tea.
His posture suggested he wasn’t watching a momentous competition at all, but rather simply basking in the sun in his own backyard.
"Xiao Bai," Qian Renxue spoke up suddenly, "how do you think the Heaven Dou Royal Academy will choose to fight?"
Jiang Bai glanced at her, the corners of his lips curving upward slightly: "How are they going to fight?"
He gave a light chuckle: "How else? It will be nothing more than a token skirmish, followed by a concession."
"Facing Li’er, they have no other choice."
Qian Renxue nodded: "True enough."
She paused, her gaze resting upon that golden figure: "However, given Sister Li’er’s personality, she’s bound to have a lot of fun."
Jiang Bai smiled but offered no reply.
Qian Renxue’s gaze drifted toward the resting area of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team, a thoughtful glint flashing within her eyes.
...
At the edge of the arena.
Jiang Li’er stood there, her long golden hair tied high in a ponytail, shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight. Her crimson eyes sparkled with eagerness, and a smile of anticipation played upon her lips.
Surely, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team ought to be somewhat interesting today?
She had heard that Dugu Yan possessed the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Spirit; she was a Level 49 Soul Sect—just a hair’s breadth away from becoming a Soul King.
Then there was Yu Tianheng, wielder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit—also a Level 43 Soul Sect of the Power Attack System.
Surely... they would be able to keep her entertained for a little while?
Jiang Li’er grinned broadly, revealing two rows of pearly-white teeth.
That smile was as radiant as the sun itself.
...
The Heaven Dou Royal Academy team emerged from the passageway on the opposite side.
Seven figures filed into the arena in succession.
Leading the group was a woman with purple hair.
Dugu Yan.
Today, as always, she wore a form-fitting blue-and-white miniskirt that accentuated her curvaceous figure. Her short, deep-purple hair gave her an air of spirited confidence; her beautiful black eyes swept across the arena before finally coming to rest upon Jiang Li’er.
A flicker of complex emotion crossed her gaze.
A Titled Douluo...
A Titled Douluo at the age of twenty...
She thought to herself, a trace of bitterness rising in her heart.
She had cultivated for so many years, believing her talent to be exceptional. A Level 49 Soul Sect—just one step away from becoming a Soul King—she was already considered a standout among her peers.
But compared to the person standing before her now...
What did she amount to?
Behind her, the six remaining figures took their positions in turn. Yu Tianheng—his neat, short black hair stood erect like steel needles; his figure was lean, and his features were stern. He rarely showed emotion on his face—as if his facial muscles were rigid—yet within his eyes, a burning fighting spirit blazed.
Yu Feng—slender in build, with a refined and handsome countenance.
Ao Siluo—burly in stature, with dark, bronzed skin.
Shi Mo and Shi Mo—the twin brothers of the Black Tortoise clan; they looked absolutely identical and were men of few words.
And finally, Ye Lingling—the one forever veiled in black gauze, appearing as if she were completely cut off from the rest of the world.
The seven of them stood in a single line, facing the Spirit Hall Academy team.
The referee stood at the edge of the arena, raising the flag held in his hand.
"The Grand Finals..."
His voice reverberated throughout the entire Soul Fighting Arena: "Begin!"
"Boom—!!!"
The entire venue instantly erupted!
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy! Let’s go!"
"Spirit Hall! Victory is ours!"
The shouts and cheers were absolutely deafening!
Yet, the seven members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy remained motionless.
They simply stood there in silence, as if they hadn’t even heard the referee’s command.
Gradually, the clamor of the crowd began to subside.
The spectators exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what was happening.
At that very moment, Yu Tianheng took a step forward.
He took a deep breath, then bowed slightly.
"Your Excellency, the Golden Dragon."
His voice rang out with exceptional clarity amidst the noisy arena: "Please forgive our presumption!"
The entire venue fell silent in an instant!
A deathly silence!
After that brief, deathlike stillness...
"Boom—!!!"
The crowd exploded once more!
"What?! Does he mean they’re actually going to fight?!"
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy—well done! Keep your spirits high; don’t lose face!"
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy actually has this much courage? They truly live up to their reputation as a team capable of fighting their way all the way to the Grand Finals!"
"Even if it turns out to be just a symbolic match—much like the one against Tian Shui Academy—it’s still a commendable move!"
Cheers and shouts rang out once again!
However, there were also quite a few people who merely looked on with disdain. "Hmph, they’re just a bunch of hot-headed youngsters. When facing a Titled Douluo, conceding is the only sensible choice."
"Exactly. If it were me, I’d concede too. What’s the point of holding out in a match you have zero chance of winning? Who are they trying to put on a show for?"
"Whether they fight or not, the result is the same—a loss. Why go out of their way to humiliate themselves?"
Voices of doubt and mockery were equally abundant.
But Yu Tianheng paid no heed to those voices.
He simply gazed quietly at Jiang Li’er, awaiting her response.
...
On the arena floor.
Jiang Li’er blinked.
Then, she smiled.
That smile was as radiant as the sunlight itself.
"Oh?"
Her voice was soft, yet it carried clearly into the ears of everyone present: "So, you guys actually want to have a go?"
Yu Tianheng nodded, speaking with solemnity: "For Your Excellency to have reached the pinnacle of Soul Masters at such a tender age is truly the mark of an unparalleled prodigy—a talent unmatched under the heavens..."
As she listened, Jiang Li’er’s eyes narrowed into crescent moons.
She nodded with a beaming smile, clearly relishing the flattery.
"If you’re that good with words, keep them coming! I’ll go a little easier on you later!"
The corner of Yu Tianheng’s mouth twitched slightly.
Nevertheless, he took a deep breath and declared in a grave tone: "We humbly request Your Excellency’s guidance!"
In truth, he had his own calculations in mind.
Two days prior, when debating whether to concede immediately or put up a fight, Dugu Yan had proposed the former, arguing that there was no need to invite humiliation.
However, Yu Tianheng had pondered the matter at length and ultimately decided to put up a symbolic fight.
For one thing, he was the heir to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—the grandson of the Thunder Douluo, Yu Yuanzhen. He also had a cousin, Yu Tianxin, who was vying with him for the position of clan patriarch.
In the current tournament, the performance of the Thunder Academy—led by Yu Tianxin—had been lackluster. If he, Yu Tianheng, could seize this opportunity to further bolster his public image, the matter of the clan succession might well be settled once and for all after this tournament concluded.