Jing Ling was equally startled by the turn of events on the field. He had been preparing to go all-out against Huo Wushuang, whose strength was clearly superior to his own, when the Great Master suddenly rose from the Shrek Academy rest area, his gaze traveling to the entrance of the Papal Hall, where the Pope, Bibi Dong, stood.
"Please wait a moment before starting the match."
The red-robed cardinal serving as referee was about to reprimand the Great Master for interrupting the competition, but the Pope raised her hand to stop him. Bibi Dong's gaze as she looked toward the Great Master was calm, but whether she truly felt calm inside was something only she knew.
"Please state your reason," Pope Bibi Dong said evenly.
The Great Master let out a cold smile. "My reason is this — Shrek Academy forfeits the first half of the Grand Tournament and voluntarily enters this afternoon's losers' bracket final. Jing Ling, come back."
If the Spirit Hall Academy team member's sudden forfeiture earlier had been at least understandable, the Great Master's announcement that Shrek Academy was giving up the individual matches now sent the entire arena into shock. Even the other members of the Shrek Seven Devils besides Tang San wore expressions of bewilderment and disbelief.
Clearly, they had not known beforehand that the Great Master would make this decision.
Seated beside the Pope, Ning Fengzhi's eyes already held a flash of comprehension, along with a flicker of anger. His gaze could not help but settle on the Pope next to him.
Bibi Dong remained composed. "Why?" she asked, her tone serene.
The Great Master clasped his hands behind his back and gazed up at the Battle Armor Hall behind the Papal Hall. "No particular reason. I believe forfeiting should be within our rights."
His words, spoken with perfect calm, landed like a thunderclap before the Papal Hall. There was nothing wrong with the statement itself — the problem was the person he was addressing. By saying this, he was openly defying the Pope.
The supreme ruler of Spirit Hall.
Anyone present who was a Soul Master of the sixth tier or above could tell that the Great Master's own strength was not formidable — certainly no more than the fourth tier. Yet such a modestly powered Soul Master had just contradicted the most authoritative figure in the entire Soul Master world.
But what shocked everyone even more was that Pope Bibi Dong slowly rose to her feet and gave the Great Master a nod. "You're right. That is your right. My apologies for asking. I'm sorry, Elder Yu."
The exchange between the Great Master and Pope Bibi Dong had taken place before the multitude of Spirit Hall's experts and the countless Soul Masters watching eagerly from below. The word "Elder" falling from the Pope's lips could only mean one thing — the Great Master was an elder of Spirit Hall.
And everyone who belonged to Spirit Hall knew what authority an elder carried. Even the Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo seated beside Bibi Dong had only entered the Elder Hall within the past decade. The Great Master's age and strength clearly should not have entitled him to such status.
If anyone else had claimed to be a member of Spirit Hall's Elder Hall, they would have been met with derision. But the one who said it was Pope Bibi Dong herself — who would dare challenge her words?
Hearing Bibi Dong say this, even the Great Master was momentarily stunned. The reason he had defied Bibi Dong was certainly not because their past relationship gave him any sense of security, but because of the outrage in his heart. The moment Bibi Dong spoke, he understood — the Pope was protecting him.
Defying the Pope, even if the Pope herself did not mind — would the many Soul Masters who idolized her feel the same way?
Even with powerful protectors at his side, even as part of the Golden Iron Triangle, the chances of being struck down dead in the street would increase dramatically.
But once Bibi Dong acknowledged his status as an elder, no one would dare make a move. An elder of Spirit Hall speaking a word of defiance to the Pope — that was no great matter.
In truth, even Bibi Dong did not know why the Great Master possessed an elder's token. She had only learned it from her subordinates after he had already departed.
A sharp pain shot through the Great Master's waist, and then his left arm was pulled into a soft, yielding embrace. He turned his head to see Liu Erlong staring at the Pope with a possessive, triumphant look.
Bibi Dong's eyes wavered for the briefest moment before she returned to her usual composure. She addressed the red-robed cardinal who had been serving as referee: "Since Shrek Academy has decided to forfeit the morning matches, then the individual tournament shall continue."
At that moment, Spirit Wind Academy's team leader also rose to his feet. He bowed first to the Pope, then smiled and said, "The Spirit Hall Academy team is far too powerful. Our academy admits we are no match. Rather than exhausting our strength in a losing battle, we would rather contest the other finals spot against Shrek Academy this afternoon. Therefore, we too forfeit the individual matches."
This dramatic turn of events left many people caught off guard. Spirit Hall Academy won without a fight, advancing directly to tomorrow's Grand Finals.