"How is this possible?"
Xu Tianzhen stared dumbfounded at the scene before her, completely unable to believe her own eyes.
She had painstakingly trapped her opponent in a formation and unleashed her most powerful soul skill.
Yet in the end, her attack had no effect, while her opponent, like a phoenix reborn, erupted with even more dazzling brilliance.
Just the aura emanating from Di Mingli at this moment had risen to a truly terrifying level.
The mere invisible pressure she exuded made Xu Tianzhen's heart tremble.
There was no doubt that after absorbing the power of the sun, Di Mingli now surpassed even a Soul Sage.
"This..."
In the waiting area, Wang Dong'er and the others exchanged bewildered glances.
Di Mingli's transformation shocked not just Xu Tianzhen, but them as well.
Moments ago, they had been worried for Di Mingli's safety, but in the blink of an eye, she soared to new heights, completely changing the course of the match.
The sheer force of Di Mingli's presence made the girls feel deeply inferior.
With the boost from that resplendent armor, Di Mingli was now frighteningly powerful.
"Was this all within your expectations too?"
In the rest area, the spectators all wore astonished expressions.
He Caitou was completely stunned, doubting his reality.
This was the pure, Sun Martial Soul—yet not only did it fail to threaten Di Mingli, but it helped her grow.
Everyone had witnessed Di Mingli absorb the sunlight moments ago.
"What on earth is going on?"
Wu Ming couldn't help but look at Su Yu beside her.
This scene defied logic, leaving her utterly confused.
Su Yu gave a faint smile, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Having Di Mingli face Xu Tianzhen was, of course, his arrangement.
Xu Tianzhen's strength was formidable, posing a lethal threat to any of Wang Dong'er's group.
Especially in the arena, where there's nowhere to hide, the Sun Martial Soul's power could be fully unleashed.
For anyone else, defeating Xu Tianzhen would not be easy.
But Di Mingli was an exception.
The Sun Martial Soul could threaten anyone—except Di Mingli, for whom it posed no threat at all.
On the contrary, it was the best supplement for Di Mingli.
"Su Yu, aren't you going to explain?"
Han Ruoruo looked at Su Yu, smiling softly.
She, too, was curious about this strange situation.
Su Yu glanced at Zhang Lexuan and said with a smile, "Sister Lexuan probably knows, right?"
Zhang Lexuan pondered a moment, then said, "I have some guesses, though I'm not sure if they're accurate."
"Senior Sister, tell us!"
Wu Ming urged eagerly.
Zhang Lexuan thought for a moment and said, "I've read in ancient texts that the Dragon God bathed in the essence of the sun and moon, creating the Golden and Silver Dragons."
"The Golden Dragon inherited the brilliance of the sun, gradually transforming it into extreme power. The Silver Dragon absorbed the radiance of the moon, gradually becoming multi-elemental."
"The source of the Golden Dragon's power is the sun's brilliance—so why would it fear sunlight?"
"Xu Tianzhen's Sun Martial Soul was like the perfect support for Di Mingli, elevating her power even further."
"I estimate that Di Mingli has not only fully recovered her soul power but has also reached an unprecedented peak—even her cultivation has improved."
"Is... is that true?"
Wu Ming looked at Su Yu, eyes full of curiosity.
Su Yu smiled lightly. "There are some differences, but that's correct."
"The Golden Dragon's power is unique. The power of the sun cannot harm it."
Even aside from the Golden Dragon, Di Mingli also possessed the Three-Eyed Golden Lion as a Martial Soul.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion had the dual attributes of ultimate light and ultimate fire.
Xu Tianzhen's Sun Martial Soul was simply no match for Di Mingli.
Even the ultimate fire wouldn't faze Di Mingli, let alone Xu Tianzhen's Sun Martial Soul, which hadn't even reached that level.
"So that's why you've been so relaxed this whole time?"
Han Ruoruo asked.
"That's part of it. Of course, I was also thinking of Mingli—it's a great opportunity for her."
Su Yu looked at the competition stage and spoke softly.
To have her body tempered by the power of the sun was a great fortune for Di Mingli, something she couldn't miss.
On the competition stage.
Xu Tianzhen looked at the advancing Di Mingli, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"Impossible, how can this be?"
Xu Tianzhen couldn't accept that her Sun Martial Soul was completely useless against Di Mingli.
"If you don't believe it, you can keep trying."
Di Mingli strode toward Xu Tianzhen, her body wrapped in resplendent armor, moving confidently even across molten iron and magma.
Xu Tianzhen bit her lip, an orange-red ball of light flashing in her hand. Another beam of solar energy shot out, striking Di Mingli.
But again, it had no effect—her dazzling armor absorbed it completely.
Xu Tianzhen's pretty face froze.
Di Mingli spoke calmly: "Actually, I should thank you."
"Thank you for using the power of the sun to help purify my bloodline and elevate my Golden Dragon Martial Soul."
"My soul power has increased by two levels. If you want to keep boosting it for me, I'd welcome it."
Di Mingli's tone was flat, but her words cut deep.
Xu Tianzhen's face darkened as she glared at Di Mingli, grinding her teeth in anger.
After a while, the orange-red ball of light in Xu Tianzhen's hand faded, and she sighed in defeat.
She looked completely drained, as though all her strength had been sucked out.
"You win."
Xu Tianzhen said the words unwillingly, but there was nothing she could do; the power of the sun did not affect Di Mingli.
She had no chance of victory left.
"On behalf of Radiant Soul Engineering Academy, I concede. This match is yours."
Xu Tianzhen was not a sore loser—she conceded on behalf of her team.
With her defeat, Radiant Soul Engineering Academy had no hope left.
Besides Di Mingli, there were still four well-rested Soul Emperors in the waiting area.
The strength gap was simply too great.
"The match is over. The winner is the Holy Slayer Palace."
Zheng Zhan announced the result, bringing the Holy Slayer Palace vs. Radiant Soul Engineering Academy match to a close.
Di Mingli put away her Golden Dragon Spear and quickly left the stage expressionlessly.
Although the sun's power hadn't harmed her, it had burned all her clothes.
At this moment, she was wearing nothing but her armor.
Di Mingli quickly returned to the rest area, and Su Yu immediately got up to greet her.
"Well done."
Su Yu hugged Di Mingli, offering his approval.
Di Mingli's cold face softened slightly, a hint of a smile in her eyes.
A blush crept across her face as she whispered, "I want to go back to the hotel first."
Su Yu understood and said gently, "I'll have Lingguang take you back."
"Lingguang."
Su Yu called softly.
Shui Lingguang appeared instantly.
"Take Mingli back to change clothes."
"Yes, Young Master."
Shui Lingguang responded, grabbed Di Mingli's arm, and the two vanished.
Su Yu gestured for Wang Dong'er and the others to sit. Just as he sat down, Xu Tianzhen stormed over.
She stood tall and said fiercely, "You might have won this time, but this isn't over."
"Daring to look down on me, Su Yu, I'll settle this score with you sooner or later."
Xu Tianzhen was like a bristling lion, fierce in words but lacking confidence.
Su Yu smiled indifferently. "I'll be waiting."
"Hmph!"
Xu Tianzhen snorted, glared at Su Yu, and then snorted again.
"Such a handsome face, but you're not much."
Su Yu said with a grin, "Princess Tianzhen, you're right, but I'm still better than you."
"At least I'm handsome. As for you, Princess, you can't be called beautiful."
"Others are beautiful and kind—you're neither."
"Oh, by the way..."
Su Yu's eyes flicked over Xu Tianzhen with a hint of disdain.
So small and has no curve.
"You... you..."
Xu Tianzhen flushed red with anger.
Especially that final glance from Su Yu—it completely pierced her heart.
What did that look of disdain mean?
Lies don't hurt, but the truth cuts deep. Xu Tianzhen completely lost it.
But in front of Su Yu, not even an enraged Xu Tianzhen could do anything.
As soon as she summoned her Sun Martial Soul, Su Yu froze both her and her Martial Soul in ice.
A frozen sun—perhaps the first in history.
On the main stage.
Xu Tiannan watched the farce in the rest area, his face turning ugly.
Not long ago, he was confident Xu Tianzhen would win, but the turnaround was brutal.
Xu Tianzhen's Sun Martial Soul was useless against Di Mingli and even benefited her.
Now, Xu Tianzhen tried to pick a fight with Su Yu and got herself frozen, Martial Soul and all.
It was utterly humiliating for the royal family.
"Hmph, what a formidable ultimate ice."
In the end, Xu Tiannan could only snort coldly.
"Su Yu was only defending himself—surely the Crown Prince won't mind?"
Jing Hongchen almost wanted to laugh; weren't you so arrogant before?
Didn't you have absolute faith in the Solar Martial Soul?
And now?
No one saw this reversal coming.
Di Mingli was unharmed, totally ignoring the Sun Martial Soul.
Even more, Xu Tianzhen still dared pick a fight.
Who was Su Yu?
Would he care about a princess?
Xu Tianzhen's tantrum was nothing but self-humiliation.
Now that she'd been frozen by ultimate ice, perhaps she'd finally learn her lesson.
Some people—even the royal family—are not to be trifled with.
Royalty isn't everything in this world.
A shadow flickered in Xu Tiannan's eyes as he forced a smile. "Just a squabble between students. Of course, I won't take it to heart."
"The Crown Prince is truly magnanimous. I admire you," Jing Hongchen praised.
"Heh~"
Xu Tiannan smiled warmly, but his eyes grew colder.
Jing Hongchen witnessed it all but didn't care.
If, before, he had no opinion on who would inherit the throne,
Now that Xu Tiannan showed hostility towards Su Yu, he'd never support him.
Maintaining relations with Su Yu was far more important than backing a Crown Prince.
Especially since this concerned the Hongchen family's legacy—Jing Hongchen would never be short-sighted.
There were plenty of princes in the Sun-Moon Empire; those fit to be emperor could be counted on one hand.
Xu Tiannan was never the only candidate, and that was all that mattered.
As long as Xu Tiannan wasn't emperor, he was just a powerless Crown Prince and could be ignored.
As the head of Illustrious Virtue Hall and a top-level Rank 9 Soul Engineer, Jing Hongchen had plenty of confidence.
"Next match: Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy vs. Proud Sword Sect. Both teams, enter the waiting area."
Zheng Zhan's voice sounded, and the second match began.
Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and the others headed to the waiting area.
Su Yu crossed his legs, watching the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy team, a faint smile on his lips.
This time, Di Mingli gained tremendously from the purification of her bloodline by the sun's power.
Her soul power rose again—she was now at the threshold of Rank 70.
It's no exaggeration to say that with just one more soul ring, she could become a Soul Sage.
Once the Golden Dragon Martial Soul reaches Soul Sage, it'll be a leap forward.
Then, Di Mingli's true combat power could reach Titled Douluo level—a meteoric rise.
"As expected, this girl is progressing fastest. After the tournament, I'll need to help her find her seventh soul ring."
Su Yu thought to himself.
Di Mingli's physique was already strong, and after being purified by the sun's power, it had reached a new level.
At her level, absorbing a hundred-thousand-year soul ring for the seventh ring should be no problem.
Of course, it wasn't just Di Mingli—Wang Dong'er, Jiang Nannan, and the others had all reached above Rank 65.
Their seventh soul rings also needed to be considered.
"Soul spirits—perhaps it's time to put them to use and help them find some good ones?"
Su Yu mused.
Unlike the original, where Huo Yuhao used soul spirits to solve problems, Su Yu didn't expect so much.
But soul spirits could still be useful in certain ways.
At the very least, those dying soul beasts might choose to become soul spirits to extend their lives.
Of course, Su Yu wouldn't choose just any soul beast.
In the original, Jiang Nannan's soul spirit was too weak.
If Su Yu stepped in, it would be the best.
However, these matters still needed to be discussed with Gu Yuena and Di Tian.
Although, with his status, he could absolutely decide on his own, and Di Tian wouldn't object.
Nor would Gu Yuena oppose him over such matters.
But still...
Since it was for his other women to find soul rings, Su Yu thought it best to discuss with Gu Yuena first, lest she get angry when she found out later.