Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Chapter 57 Gambling Fight
Tang San led the Shrek Academy students to Yu Xiaogang, his eyes gleaming with excitement: "Teacher, we won!"

Yu Xiaogang looked at the group of young people with satisfaction and nodded gently: "Yes, Xiao San, you did it." A complex emotion flashed in his weathered eyes, but his voice was exceptionally steady, "But don't become arrogant because of a temporary victory. Tomorrow's final..."

Before the words were finished, the joy on the faces of the Shrek members gradually faded. A black-haired figure holding a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) simultaneously appeared in everyone's mind.

Yu Tianheng unconsciously clenched his fist. "Feng Yao," Tang San murmured the name, a hint of solemnity flashing in his Purple Demon Eyes. Although they had defeated the Spirit Hall, the real test might have only just begun.

"Teacher, do you have any solutions?" Tang San looked intently at Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang frowned and slowly shook his head: "He has transformed the music of his zither into the abilities of various Soul Masters, almost without any flaws." His fingers unconsciously stroked his chin. "What's even more troublesome is that his Soul Rings not only follow the extreme development path, but he also possesses a transcendental Soul Ring. This development direction that perfectly combines versatility and extreme potential..."

"In my opinion, there's only one way to defeat him—break through his limits," Yu Xiaogang said in a deep voice. "The future you might be able to do it after the Clear Sky Hammer is equipped with nine spirit rings. But right now," he paused, his gaze grave, "he defeated the Spirit Hall's Spirit King using only the power of two spirit rings. If he were to go all out, I'm afraid only a Spirit Emperor could suppress him head-on."

Tang San's pupils contracted slightly, a hint of unwillingness flashing in his Purple Demon Eyes. He understood his teacher's meaning—with their current strength, defeating Feng Yao head-on was virtually impossible.

“Alright, we can discuss this further when we get back.” Flander suddenly interjected, adjusting his glasses and lowering his voice, “If we don’t leave now, I feel like these Templar Knights are practically tearing us apart with their eyes.”

Only then did everyone notice that the Spirit Hall guards around them were staring at them with murderous eyes. Those cold gazes expressed the anger of the defeated more than any words.

Yu Xiaogang nodded and patted Tang San on the shoulder: "Go back and rest first. In any case, you've already created a miracle today." He glanced meaningfully at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's camp in the distance, "As for tomorrow's finals, we'll figure something out."

The Shrek Seven Devils seemed to snap out of their daze and quickly left the scene under the watchful eyes of the Spirit Hall knights. As they passed through the crowd, they could clearly feel the hostile gazes from the Spirit Hall camp; those gazes were like tangible thorns, sending chills down their spines.

"Hurry up." Dai Mubai lowered his voice, his tall figure instinctively blocking Zhu Zhuqing's path.

Oscar jogged to catch up with the group, slipping a recovery sausage into everyone's hand: "Replenish your energy, just in case."

Ma Hongjun didn't dare to be frivolous either. He followed closely behind Flander, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Yu Xiaogang walked at the back, glancing back occasionally towards the direction of the Papal Palace, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. He knew that although today's victory was glorious, it had thoroughly enraged the Spirit Hall, this sleeping behemoth.

On the other side, inside the Pope's Palace.

Bibi Dong slammed her scepter heavily on the ground, a crisp clang echoing through the empty hall. A terrifying pressure suddenly erupted from her, and the air in the entire hall seemed to freeze in that instant.

"Why wasn't the demonic energy released immediately?"

Her voice was calm and unhurried, yet it was like the biting wind of the far north, sending a shiver down the spines of the three members of the Golden Generation kneeling on the ground. Every word struck their hearts like a heavy hammer.

Xie Yue pressed his forehead to the ground, his voice strained: "Your Holiness, it was a misjudgment on my part. Seeing the enemy's unusual retreat, I assumed..."

"You thought?" Bibi Dong's eyes turned cold, and the gems on her scepter suddenly shone with a blinding light. "I've spent countless resources to train you, just so you'd make decisions based on 'what you thought' at crucial moments?"

Hu Liena's delicate body trembled slightly, her red lips bitten until they turned white. Yan was also drenched in cold sweat.

A soft, feminine voice echoed in the hall from Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan: "Since its founding, the Spirit Hall Academy has never missed a single final showdown." Golden petals fell from his fingertips. "You've set a precedent."

The students of the Spirit Hall Academy knelt in unison in the center of the hall, cold sweat dripping from their faces onto the gleaming floor. Xie Yue's fingertips dug deeply into his palms. Not one dared to look directly at the Pope and elders above.

The entire hall was eerily quiet. Bibi Dong coldly surveyed the golden generation she had personally nurtured, gently tapping her scepter on the ground. The crisp sound caused everyone to unconsciously hold their breath.

Hu Liena slowly raised her head, her once alluring fox-like eyes now filled with guilt and determination: "Teacher, we underestimated our opponent."

Bibi Dong's gaze fell on her beloved disciple, a barely perceptible sigh flashing in her eyes. She nodded slightly: "Very good, at least you know where the problem lies." The gem on the scepter reflected a cold light. "Although the opponent used some tricks, a loss is a loss."

She paused, her voice suddenly turning cold: "After the competition, you will all be sent to the Lost Canyon for three years."

Upon hearing this, everyone from the Spirit Hall trembled. That was a death trap that even Soul Saints dared not easily tread! But no one dared to object; they all responded in unison, "Yes, Your Holiness the Pope."

Bibi Dong looked at the group of disciples she had personally trained, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. But it vanished in an instant, replaced by her usual stern demeanor: "Step down."

Upon hearing Bibi Dong's order, the members of the Spirit Hall Academy felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and their tense nerves finally relaxed slightly. They slowly retreated while still kneeling, only daring to stand up when they reached the hall door. After bowing in unison, they hurriedly left the hall.

As the heavy palace doors slammed shut behind him, Xie Yue finally let out a long sigh of relief, his tall figure swaying slightly. Hu Liena's forehead was already soaked with cold sweat. Yan leaned against a pillar, panting heavily, as if he had just walked off the brink of death.

"The Lost Canyon," a team member whispered, his voice trembling.

Xie Yue raised her hand to stop him from continuing, and said in a deep voice, "Shut up! This is His Holiness the Pope's grace."

The crowd nodded silently and left with heavy steps.

After everyone had left, a ghostly, hoarse voice echoed in the hall: "Your Majesty need not be overly angry. In my humble opinion, neither Nana and the others, nor Shrek Academy, are likely a match for that child." His figure, partially obscured by his black robes, continued, "Since Feng Yao has accepted your reward, the Spirit Hall has not suffered a great loss."

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, her fingertips lightly tracing the gem on her scepter: "It was precisely because I anticipated that Nana and the others might lose that I bestowed the title of Honorary Elder upon Feng Yao ahead of schedule." Her gaze was distant as she looked towards the deepening twilight outside the hall. "I hope this setback will truly make them understand the principle that there are always higher levels to reach."

Yue Guan said softly, "Although the Mysterious Grand Canyon is dangerous, it is also an excellent place to break through one's limits."

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, a slight smile unconsciously curving her lips as she recalled Qian Renxue's attitude towards Feng Yao. In her eyes, the potential and value Feng Yao displayed far exceeded the three soul bones offered as prizes. "The outcome of the competition," she said, lightly stroking her scepter, her voice tinged with nonchalance, "is nothing more than a game between these children."

Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged a glance, both seeing understanding in each other's eyes. Their Pope had always focused on the long term.

"The true purpose of the competition," Bibi Dong lightly tapped the armrest, "is to select talent and test the relationships between various factions—goals the Spirit Hall has already exceeded." Her gaze shifted, looking at the darkening sky outside the hall, "As for those empty titles..."

Before the words were finished, the two elders already understood. The Spirit Hall had stood on the continent for a thousand years, and what it lacked least was fame and glory. But a genius like Feng Yao was a truly valuable asset.

"It seems none of the three upper sects are content to remain inactive," Bibi Dong thought to herself, a meaningful sneer appearing on her exquisite face.

The scepter slammed heavily on the ground, making a crisp sound: "Do you really think I don't know what they're thinking?"

The robes of Yue Guan and Gui Mei fluttered even without wind. Both titled Douluo felt the chill emanating from the Pope.

“However,” Bibi Dong suddenly chuckled, a smile that sent chills down one’s spine, “since they want to play, I’ll play along.”

She turned to look at the deepening twilight outside the palace, the magnificent papal robes gleaming with a cold golden light in the setting sun. This seemingly contest between the younger generation was, in fact, a reshuffling of the entire continent's power structure.

Silent all night.

The morning light poured down, bathing the Papal Palace in a dazzling golden glow, solemn and dignified. The atmosphere in the entire square was heavy and oppressive, all eyes focused on the impending decisive battle.

Bibi Dong sat atop the high platform, her expression indifferent, her scepter lightly gripped in her hand, emanating an invisible pressure. Beside her, Ning Fengzhi, dressed in white, held the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda silently in his palm, his gaze thoughtful. Sword Douluo Chen Xin, Bone Douluo Gu Rong, and the two Title Douluos from the Spirit Hall, Chrysanthemum and Ghost, were all seated, the air thick with a suffocating sense of oppression.

The three soul bones lay quietly in the red brocade plate, emitting a faint halo, as if silently proclaiming the preciousness and cruelty of this battle.

Meanwhile, the seven members of the Spirit Hall Academy, who had been defeated yesterday, stood silently, their eyes fixed on the arena. Although they were no longer in contention for the championship, they still wanted to witness the outcome of this duel—would Shrek Academy pull off an upset victory, or would Heaven Dou Royal Academy triumph in a decisive triumph?

At this moment, sunlight shines down, fighting spirit rises, and the final battle is about to begin.

The cardinal referee moved with lightning speed, instantly appearing at the center of the arena, his crimson robes fluttering in the morning breeze. His piercing gaze swept across the entire arena, his deep voice, amplified by his soul power, resounding through the heavens:

"The Grand Final of the Continental Elite Tournament for Advanced Soul Master Academies: Heaven Dou Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy versus Shrek Advanced Soul Master Academy—Both teams, prepare! The battle will officially begin in fifteen minutes!"

Both teams took their positions, and a tense atmosphere filled the air. Yu Xiaogang's gaze was resolute as he raised his right palm first. The seven Shrek Seven Devils immediately understood, and their eight hands were stacked together.

"Victory is certain!"

The earth-shattering roar was like a thunderclap, soaring into the sky with a do-or-die spirit, even causing the clouds in front of the Papal Palace to tremble.

"Ha, how arrogant." Dugu Yan crossed her arms, her purple eyes filled with disdain.

Feng Yao gently pressed down on the strings, an elegant smile playing on his lips: "Confidence is a good thing. But to defeat a team that doesn't even have the confidence to beat us..." He looked up at the Shrek team members, their fighting spirit boiling, "that would be truly boring."

These words were spoken casually, yet they caused a glint of light to flash in the eyes of the members of the Heavenly Battle Team.

Yu Xiaogang slowly retreated to the waiting area, a complex light flickering in his eyes. Tang San took a deep breath and suddenly called out loudly to the opposite side, "Feng Yao, do you dare to settle this with a single move?"

Feng Yao chuckled upon hearing this, his slender fingers lightly plucking the strings: "Student Tang, there's no need for such petty tricks in front of me."

Dai Mubai snorted coldly, the phantom of a white tiger appearing and disappearing behind him, and said boldly, "What? A dignified honorary elder of the Spirit Hall doesn't even have this much courage?"

A playful glint flashed in Feng Yao's eyes, and he suddenly uttered a startling statement: "How about this?" He gracefully rose to his feet, "I'll have all my team members leave the stage. If any of you seven can withstand even one of my moves, I'll concede defeat. What do you say?"

These words caused an uproar. The audience erupted in chaos, and even the titled Douluo in the VIP seats sat up straight.

"Xiao Feng." Dugu Yan anxiously tried to dissuade him, but Feng Yao raised his hand to stop her. He gave her a reassuring look, a calm smile on his lips.

The Shrek Academy members all turned to look at Tang San, awaiting their captain's decision. Tang San's Purple Demon Eyes flickered slightly as the image of Feng Yao's formless and intangible musical attack from that day flashed through his mind, and a bead of cold sweat involuntarily appeared on his forehead.

"What?" Feng Yao's voice carried a hint of mockery, "You're scared now?"

The atmosphere on the field froze instantly, and everyone held their breath, waiting for Tang San's response.

Bibi Dong, seated regally in the VIP section of the high platform, smiled slightly, a meaningful smile playing on her exquisite face. Her slender fingers gently caressed the jewels on her scepter, a hint of anticipation flashing in her deep, beautiful eyes.

"Interesting," she murmured to herself, the jewels on her scepter shimmering with a mesmerizing light as they danced in her thoughts. This seemingly arrogant bet, in her eyes, had become the perfect litmus test; she wanted to see Feng Yao's true strength.

Ning Fengzhi glanced sideways at the Pope's expression, and unconsciously increased the speed at which the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda in his hand spun. Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged a solemn look, both reading the same worry in each other's eyes.

On the arena, Feng Yao's black hair fluttered gently, his posture holding the guqin elegant and composed, as if his groundbreaking suggestion just moments before was nothing more than casual conversation. This composure deepened Bibi Dong's admiration for him.

(End of this chapter)