Soul Land: Raiden Shogun Is My Martial Soul

Chapter 230: Breaking Through Again – Preliminaries and Advancement Rounds Conclude

The preliminary rounds of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament lasted for nearly a month before finally coming to an end.

With Tang San's "dominant" return, even without utilizing his Clear Sky Hammer martial soul, he led Royal Fighting Team Two into the top five with just his Blue Silver Grass martial soul and an impressive 48th-level spirit power.

Results of the Preliminary Rounds:

Godwind Academy: 27 wins, 1 loss (to Blazing Fire Academy), securing first place.

Thunder Academy: 27 wins, 1 loss (to Godwind Academy), placing second due to their loss against Godwind.

Tianshui Academy: 26 wins, 2 losses (to Godwind Academy and Thunder Academy), ranked third.

Blazing Fire Academy: 26 wins, 2 losses (to Thunder Academy and Tianshui Academy), ranked fourth due to losing to Tianshui Academy.

Heaven Dou Imperial Academy: 24 wins, 4 losses (to the Four Elements Academies).

During Tang San's brief absence, Royal Fighting Team Two faced Tianshui and Thunder Academy, avoiding direct confrontation. Upon his return, the team went on an unstoppable winning streak, although their opponents were mostly lesser-known academies.

"Tang San, it seems I underestimated you. Without you, our Team Two might not have made it to the finals!" exclaimed the delighted instructor leading Royal Fighting Team Two.

Reaching the advancement rounds, essentially the finals, guaranteed their place in the final tournament, regardless of performance. Hearing this, Tang San said nothing but couldn't hide the grin spreading to his ears.

How could he not feel proud?

Youth is meant for boldness and ambition!

Tang San had sacrificed future potential to gain spirit rings early for this very moment.

"After these battles, I've mastered my abilities and reached level 49. With the upcoming break and advancement rounds, I might even reach level 50."

"Kong, when I reach level 50, I won't just qualify to fight you—I will defeat you!"

With this thought, Tang San dismissed the instructor and refocused his energy. Why waste time with Team Two? His real target was always Team One, or more precisely, Kong.

"I'm heading back to cultivate and aim for Soul King level."

"Of course, Tang San! Go for it!" The instructor did not dare to stop him. Genius had its quirks, and as long as Tang San brought glory to the team and academy, nothing else mattered.

"Who would've thought Royal Fighting Team Two could make it to the finals? This year's tournament is shaping up to be quite interesting."

"It's just Tang San," scoffed someone from Blazing Fire Academy. "We're not afraid of him, are we?"

"Of course not!"

Blazing Fire Academy had a natural advantage against Tang San, and they were confident in their odds.

"Neither is Thunder Academy!"

Yu Tianxin cast a thoughtful glance at Feng Xiaotian. If not for hiding my spirit bone, that match would've been ours.

The preliminary rounds didn't matter much; losing was fine. But in the advancement rounds, Thunder Academy would make Godwind Academy realize the true power of the world's strongest beast martial soul.

After the preliminary rounds, all teams were given a break. A month-long competition had left everyone physically and mentally exhausted. Starting the advancement rounds immediately would prevent teams from performing at their best.

Moreover, competitors from other kingdoms and duchies needed time to travel to Heaven Dou City and rest before the next stage.

Time flew by, and soon, the advancement rounds concluded.

As a seeded team, Royal Fighting Team One was exempt from participating in the advancement rounds.

The rules for the advancement rounds were straightforward: a 1v1 format where each team fielded seven members. However, only one participant from each side could compete at a time. Once a competitor lost, the next member from their team would step in, continuing until all members of one team were eliminated.

This format was a true test of individual strength.

One notable event during the advancement rounds was Tang San revealing his twin martial souls.

"So that's why! No wonder Tang San was able to advance several levels so quickly during the competition. He must have been adding spirit rings to his second martial soul!"

The crowd collectively gasped in shock, with some furrowing their brows.

"The Clear Sky Hammer!"

Tang San… surname Tang…

It all made sense now!

"Tang San has prematurely added spirit rings to his second martial soul. While this limits his future potential, he is still a threat. Even four additional purple spirit rings are not something soul masters of the same level can contend with."

Salas gave Tang San a deep, calculating look, though his thoughts remained unreadable.

With his second martial soul revealed, Tang San faced no real opposition in the advancement rounds. Some teams even chose to forfeit outright, unable to imagine standing against him.

Even among his own teammates, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun exchanged strange glances, astonished to learn that Tang San possessed twin martial souls.

"And so what?"

Twin martial souls might be impressive, but with both of Tang San's martial souls already equipped with spirit rings, his spirit power level was still lower than Yan's. Could anyone really take Tang San seriously as a competitor?

Qian Renxue sneered coldly. "The advantage of twin martial souls? Tang San has thrown it all away, effectively severing his own future!"

"Still, this simplifies things—one less hidden threat to deal with."

Of course, given the enmity between the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Clan, someone like Tang San was best eliminated in the cradle.

After some investigation, Qian Renxue discovered that Tang San was none other than Tang Hao's son, which only widened her grin.

"Tang Hao has been dead for so long, slain by Kong. And yet, Tang San, his son, still walks openly under everyone's noses.

It seems Tang Hao's death is still unknown to him."

Elsewhere, Dugu Yan broke into triumphant laughter.

"Finally! I've reached level 63!"

Just as Dugu Yan was reveling in her achievement, Kong also made a breakthrough.

"Level 78—not bad!"

Kong had spent this time focused on cultivating with his spirit core or training in remote, desolate areas, tempering his body through heavenly lightning. Not long after his recent breakthrough, he had advanced once again.

Dugu Yan: "…"

Can you give me a break?

Frustrated but unwilling to admit defeat, Dugu Yan sat down cross-legged to continue cultivating. I refuse to believe I can't keep up with Kong's pace!

Ye Lingling, watching from the sidelines, quietly thought to herself, What about me, still stuck without a breakthrough? Did I say something wrong?

After the preliminary and advancement rounds concluded, the teams rested for three days before setting out for Spirit City.

The journey was led by "Crown Prince Xue Qinghe," accompanied by 500 Royal Knights to escort the sixteen teams.

To be honest, the Royal Knights were more for show than actual protection. If danger truly arose, it was uncertain who would be protecting whom.

The academies advancing to the finals were home to top-tier talent, with their deans being either high-level Soul Saints or Soul Douluo-class powerhouses. The contestants themselves were prodigies of the younger generation. In the face of danger, the Royal Knights would likely be of little help.

(End of Chapter)

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