Chapter 123: Elephant Armor Academy Eliminated

Chapter 123: Elephant Armor Academy Eliminated

"Ali!"

Just as the crowd was cheering for Huo Wu's victory, on the grandstand, Huyan Zhen, the head of the Elephant Armor Clan, was fuming. Seeing his chosen successor gravely injured, he shattered the armrest of his chair with a loud bang, and an overwhelming killing intent surged toward Huo Wu like a tidal wave.

In the original story, Huyan Zhen didn't attend the promotion matches because the Elephant Armor Academy hadn't advanced past the preliminaries, and naturally, he wouldn't waste his time. However, due to Xiao Yu's butterfly effect—taking Huo Wu away, which weakened the power of Blazing Fire Academy—Elephant Armor Academy had gotten lucky. As such, it was only natural for Huyan Zhen to come and watch the performance of his clan's disciples, especially his grandson Huyan Li, whom he had chosen as his successor.

As the head of one of the seven great clans, even though his clan had close ties with the Spirit Hall, practically becoming their lapdog, Emperor Xue Ye still arranged a seat for Huyan Zhen on the grandstand, right beside Platinum Bishop Salas.

After using her fourth soul skill by fusing her soul rings, Huo Wu was already extremely weak. The Soul Douluo-level pressure bearing down on her felt like a mountain, causing her blood to churn uncontrollably. She opened her mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"How dare you!"

Xuanwu was the first to sense Huyan Zhen's killing intent and pressure. In a flash, he appeared in front of Huo Wu, unleashing his own Soul Douluo-level soul power. Not only did he dispel Huyan Zhen's killing intent, but he also countered it back.

Huyan Zhen would only reach level 89 ten years later during the Battle of Jialing Pass. By that time, the Elephant Armor Clan had risen to the top of the new seven great clans under the Spirit Hall's backing. To make the title of the strongest clan's head more credible, the Spirit Hall had spared no resources on Huyan Zhen.

At present, Huyan Zhen's soul power was only between levels 85 and 86, so it was no surprise that he was outmatched by the level 88 Xuanwu.

"Another Soul Douluo!"

Seeing the unfamiliar Xuanwu, Ning Fengzhi's pupils contracted. The fact that Xuanwu could overpower Huyan Zhen in a clash of soul power meant that Xuanwu's strength was above Huyan Zhen's, perhaps even close to that of a Title Douluo.

Just how many powerful figures did Nine Stars Palace have?

Xiao Yu arrived at the platform a step later than Xuanwu and quickly scooped the nearly collapsing Huo Wu into his arms. Glaring at Huyan Zhen, he said angrily, "Clan Master Huyan, as the leader of a great clan, how can you openly attack a junior who has exhausted all her soul power? Don't you feel ashamed?"

He then turned to Emperor Xue Ye, saying, "Your Majesty, Huyan Zhen has blatantly attacked a contestant. Are you going to turn a blind eye to this?"

Emperor Xue Ye's face darkened. Huyan Zhen's actions were undoubtedly a slap in the face to the Heaven Dou imperial family. If he didn't give Nine Stars Palace a proper explanation, what authority would the royal family have in the future?

With a grim expression, Emperor Xue Ye turned to Huyan Zhen, his tone laced with anger. "Clan Master Huyan, don't you owe me an explanation?"

Huyan Zhen, shocked by Xuanwu's counterattack, was inwardly surprised. The man across from him was stronger than he had expected. But he had the backing of the Spirit Hall, and Platinum Bishop Salas was seated right beside him. Snorting coldly, he said, "That girl went too far. Ali is my successor, and seeing him injured like this, I lost my temper. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu's eyes gleamed with cold fury as he retorted, "On the battlefield, soul skills have no eyes. Huyan Li's attack was equally powerful, and Huo Wu only responded with all her strength. What, would you only be satisfied if she stood still and let herself be hit by his soul skill?"

"And what do you propose?"

Huyan Zhen took two steps forward, moving to the edge of the platform, and roared in anger.

Xiao Yu pointed at the injured Huo Wu in his arms and said coldly, "Apologize! And as for your violation of the rules, the committee will handle that."

"You want me to apologize to a little girl?"

Huyan Zhen laughed angrily. "Do you know who I am? I refuse to apologize! What can you do about it?"

"Then try me!"

Killing intent seeped into Xiao Yu's voice.

"Enough!"

At that moment, Platinum Bishop Salas slammed his hand on the armrest and stood up, stepping to Huyan Zhen's side. "Clan Master Huyan acted out of love for his grandson. His actions were inappropriate, but let this be the last time!"

Salas was promoted after Bibi Dong became the Pope, making him part of the Pope's direct faction. In the Spirit Hall, the one with the most knowledge about Nine Stars Palace's strength was Qian Renxue. Due to the strange relationship between this mother and daughter, Qian Renxue wasn't inclined to report every little detail to Bibi Dong unless Nine Stars Palace explicitly showed hostility toward the Spirit Hall.

Lacking a deep understanding of Nine Stars Palace's strength, Salas chose to side with the Elephant Armor Clan, which had long pledged its loyalty to the Spirit Hall.

"What a convenient 'this won't happen again!'"

Xiao Yu sneered upon hearing Salas' words. "Platinum Bishop, your light comment really is fair!"

Idiot!

Disguised as Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue inwardly cursed. Salas was showing his bias too obviously, offending Nine Stars Palace in the process. Worse, with so many students and teachers from soul master academies watching, his actions would tarnish the reputation of the Spirit Hall if word spread. What kind of fools had Bibi Dong promoted?

Had Salas not been of lower rank and unaware of Qian Renxue's true identity, she would have already reprimanded him.

Ning Fengzhi, however, was eager for a rift between Nine Stars Palace and the Spirit Hall. The deeper the conflict, the better. He immediately fanned the flames, saying, "Bishop Salas, while the Elephant Armor Clan may be close to the Spirit Hall, to openly show favoritism in front of so many is quite unfair. What does this say about Nine Stars Palace? And in a promotion match, no less, where attacking a contestant is a direct affront to His Majesty's authority."

"Indeed!"

With Ning Fengzhi backing him, Emperor Xue Ye straightened up, his dragon-like aura surging. "Clan Master Huyan has blatantly attacked a contestant. Such behavior is a severe violation of the Soul Master Tournament's rules. I hereby disqualify Elephant Armor Academy from the competition!"

"You—"

Huyan Zhen was furious. Such a decision trampled the reputation of the Elephant Armor Clan underfoot.

Salas' face darkened, and just as he was about to speak, he noticed that behind Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo had appeared, quietly standing with a predatory gaze fixed on both him and Huyan Zhen.

Even if the two of them worked together, they were no match for Bone Douluo. Silenced by the pressure, Huyan Zhen waved his hand angrily and prepared to leave.

"Clan Master Huyan, you haven't apologized yet!"

At that moment, Xiao Yu's voice rang out.

Humiliated and unwilling to deal with Xiao Yu, Huyan Zhen turned to leave. But Gu Rong blocked his way, saying, "Huyan Zhen, apologize! You're an old man bullying a young girl. Aren't you ashamed?"

(End of chapter)

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