Chapter 251: A Battle at the Peak
As Dai Yao charged forward, Xie Yue felt an intense wariness in his heart. Just yesterday, Dai Yao had unleashed his ten-thousand-year soul skill three times in a row, thoroughly defeating Yan in a head-on clash. If Dai Yao managed to set the rhythm of this fight, escaping from his grip would be nearly impossible.
"Nana!" Xie Yue turned to Hu Liena with a solemn expression.
Hu Liena nodded slightly, casting a seductive smile in Dai Yao's direction and licking her lips. Though her expression was alluring, it gave off an unsettling chill, like a predator eyeing its prey.
The two shifted directions and charged toward each other. Just as they were about to collide, a golden light shot out from a support soul master in the Spirit Hall team, instantly merging into their bodies.
In an instant, a powerful surge of soul power spread outward. A red light emanated from the two as its center, rapidly expanding and covering more than half of the arena. Dai Yao dove straight into the crimson mist.
Seeing Dai Yao enter the red mist, Yan sneered. Xie Yue and Nana's Martial Soul Fusion skill had already defeated a formidable level-68 opponent. He couldn't believe Dai Yao would overcome such a large power gap to defeat this combo.
Cracking his knuckles with a fierce smile, Yan radiated a brutal aura. "Now, it's our turn!"
Yan took the lead, charging toward the Auckland team. As a Soul King, he refused to believe anyone could stand in his way. He was determined to bury yesterday's loss with a decisive victory.
However, as he rushed forward, two distinct energies suddenly enveloped him. His soul power circulation slowed down, his heart momentarily skipping a beat.
"This... is a domain?"
As Zhu Zhuqing sprinted towards him, Yan's gaze darkened. Suddenly, a white streak of fire sped toward his face, forcing him to step back to evade. Glancing up at the woman in the air, his expression turned serious.
"Your opponent is us!" Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong announced simultaneously.
Feng Wutong's body was engulfed in white flames. Thanks to her training under Ling Yuan Douluo and Qingluan Douluo, her mastery over her martial soul had advanced further. Her hair had even transformed into blazing white flames.
With flawless features and a perfect figure, she looked like a goddess of flames. In contrast, Zhu Zhuqing resembled an ice mountain—her striking beauty radiating cold detachment, reserved solely for one person. Her form flickered, moving so fast she was only visible as a shadowy blur.
"The power gap between us and Yan is vast. We need to suppress him with our domains first, or else we have no chance," Zhu Zhuqing thought, a flash of intelligence in her eyes as she continued using her innate domain. Feng Wutong did the same.
One side radiated searing heat, the other a chilling cold, leaving Yan in unbearable agony. Activating a soul skill, he barely managed to ease the pain. Glaring at the two women, he growled, "Fine, if you're so eager to overestimate yourselves, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
As he observed Zhu Zhuqing darting toward him in a streak of light, Yan was momentarily stunned, then broke into a delighted grin. Did a Soul Elder really think she could face him head-on? Did she think she was Dai Yao?
The shadowy figure closed the hundred-meter distance in just a few breaths. The ice-crystal-covered hand in her palm sliced through the air with a shrill hiss.
Yan extended his hand, attempting to grab Zhu Zhuqing and settle the fight with one decisive move. But reality rarely aligns with expectations.
Bang!
Her ice-clad palm collided with his fiery fist. Flames and ice crystals exploded outward, forcing Yan back three steps, while Zhu Zhuqing only took five.
"How is this possible?" Yan stared in shock at Zhu Zhuqing, unable to believe his eyes. Dai Yao's strength was already daunting, but even Dai Yao's woman was nearly his equal. Was this the agility-type soul master described in their reports?
Even the power-oriented soul masters on their own team didn't seem to possess Zhu Zhuqing's raw strength.
Before he could dwell on the thought, a white streak of fire shot toward him from above, blazing fiercely as it approached. Compared to before, this streak of white fire was denser, carrying a slight explosive effect.
Refusing to accept this outcome, Yan instantly activated a soul skill. The patterns on his armor lit up, forming a pillar of magma to block the approaching flame.
His martial soul was a Flame Lord, an exceptional dual-attribute fire and earth martial soul. Even when separated, his fire attribute was no weaker than the highest-ranked fire attributes.
He understood Feng Wutong's talent well, and it made sense why two Titled Douluos were eager to recruit her. However, he couldn't believe that a newly promoted Soul Elder could pose any real threat.
Yet, once again, reality defied his expectations. The white flame effortlessly pierced his magma barrier, dispersing into tiny sparks only due to insufficient soul power.
Even though it no longer posed a threat, Yan was still shaken. Was this really a Soul Elder? Judging by their offensive capabilities alone, there wasn't a single member on his team that could match either of these two women.
In front of the Pope's palace, Qingluan Douluo looked on with satisfaction. Feng Wutong's skills had greatly improved after her recent training. Previously, she'd relied on her innate gifts in raw, unrefined combat. But now, Feng Wutong displayed a refined technique.
With her first soul skill alone, she had managed to break through Yan's defenses, revealing part of the true power of her Nameless Flame. The speed of her attacks and the density of her flames, with her hair now fully ablaze in white fire, all attested to her mastery of the Nameless Flame at a deeper level.
Seeing Feng Wutong beating her wings in the sky with astonishing speed, Qingluan Douluo frowned slightly. With a side glance at Lingyuan Douluo, it was obvious that this speed technique had been taught by her. Even he had to admire such swiftness.
However, it was a pity that Lingyuan Douluo belonged to Bibi Dong.
Sensing Qingluan Douluo's cold gaze, Lingyuan Douluo crossed her arms, raised her chin proudly, and gave a slight hum as if to say, "Your strength may surpass mine, but my teachings are by no means inferior."
Noting the smug expression on her face, Qingluan Douluo shook his head dismissively. With his level of cultivation and temperament, he wouldn't be provoked by such childish competition.
Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, he returned his attention to the battlefield. The breeze stirred his bangs, giving him an aura of a wise sage, aloof from worldly concerns.
"Hmph, that girl Lingyuan has done a fine job teaching. I can't let her outshine me! Once this battle's over, I'll teach Wutong some exclusive techniques myself. Let's see what that girl will say then!"
"And if I reveal the three spirit bones I've been saving, how would she respond?"
At this thought, a faint smile crept onto Qingluan Douluo's lips.
"Yan may be new to the Soul King rank, but two Soul Elders shouldn't be able to stop him. His martial soul, the Flame Lord, already lets him rival many high-level Soul Kings at fifty-one ranks," one red-robed cardinal remarked with a puzzled frown.
"Not so," a well-informed cardinal corrected. "Yan is outstanding among the younger generation, but those two women are just as impressive. With the Vermilion Bird Domain and the Netherworld Domain stacked together, even Yan's abilities are significantly hindered."
"Moreover, their martial souls have caught the attention of several elders in Spirit Hall. Despite not yet joining us, these two have already been chosen to be taken as disciples by some of our elders."
When the surrounding cardinals heard terms like "domain" and "top-tier martial souls," they gasped quietly. Their gazes toward the two women now held awe and envy.
These qualities alone granted them immense potential, with a high likelihood of becoming Titled Douluos. It was easy to envision that soon, two dazzling women would stand at the peak of the continent.
Watching the intense battle on the stage, the informed cardinal furrowed his brow and then chuckled. "But whether those two can truly hold off Yan will depend on his next move."
All eyes turned back to the stage, focusing on the magma-like ground around Yan, their expressions growing tense.
"Yan is getting serious now," someone muttered quietly. It was clear to everyone that if Wutong and Zhu Zhuqing couldn't withstand Yan's ten-thousand-year spirit skill, this match would be over.
"You've completely infuriated me!"
Yan's fifth spirit ring pulsed, radiating a wave of searing soul power. The markings on his armor erupted with light, turning the ground beneath him a deep, molten red, and finally transforming it into what looked like flowing magma.
"Fifth Soul Skill—Fiery Sand Inferno!"
Yan roared.
The intense magma formed serpents, their tongues flickering with fire, as they hissed ominously while surging toward the two women. The blazing heat earned approving nods from the watching cardinals. This spirit skill's power could rival that of a peak Soul King.
The whistling sound of the serpents closing in grew sharper. Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong exchanged a look, silently activating their strongest skills.
Their fourth spirit rings glowed in unison.
In the sky, countless white flames swirled toward Feng Wutong like a vortex. Even the orange flames from Yan's spirit skill seemed to recognize an emperor, gathering toward her in a gesture of submission.
On the ground, countless ice crystals appeared. The magma retreated as soon as it touched these crystals, as if it had met its natural enemy. This wasn't ordinary ice formed from water but an otherworldly aura that the magma couldn't resist. The ground, once covered by lava, was soon overtaken by ice crystals.
Standing at the center of the icy field, Zhu Zhuqing was draped in a thin veil of frost. The ice crystal crown atop her head, reflecting both the orange and white flames, made her look regal and dignified—almost divine.
Both women opened their eyes, and in a voice cold yet commanding, they spoke simultaneously:
"Fourth Soul Skill—Solar Domain!"
"Fourth Soul Skill—Netherworld Realm!"
The white flames in the sky converged into a single point and, with a resounding explosion, spread into a hundred-meter-wide sea of white fire. From this white inferno, various flame birds formed and dived down toward Yan.
As the firebirds clashed with the magma serpents, the serpents' fiery outer layers melted away like snow, revealing their core of brown rock. Yan's fire attribute, which came from his Flame Lord martial soul, was utterly ineffective against the Vermilion Bird's flames, actually backfiring on him.
Around Zhu Zhuqing, the air turned frigid, and as her fourth spirit ring glowed, half the stage was suddenly covered in ice. The magma field shrank as the ice overtook it, weakening Yan's fifth spirit skill by nearly half!
What remained of the magma serpents was quickly shattered by Feng Wutong's relentless attacks, breaking into countless fragments.
Yan's fifth spirit skill had failed to deliver the decisive blow he anticipated.
The spectacle of white flames in the sky and ice crystals on the ground stunned the audience. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. For two recently promoted Soul Elders to withstand the strongest attack of Yan, one of the Golden Generation, seemed almost impossible.
Many of the Titled Douluos, who had been watching the battle inside the red mist, couldn't help but turn their gazes toward the panting Feng Wutong and Zhu Zhuqing, expressions of surprise crossing their faces.
They knew Yan's strength well and thus had a better understanding than most of the power these two young women had displayed.
If these two women were to reach the Soul King level, they could likely defeat Yan with ease.
Qingluan Douluo gave a satisfied smile, his gaze filled with approval. Feng Wutong's performance had greatly exceeded his expectations. To contend with Yan, a Soul King, at just the Soul Elder level hinted at an extraordinary future ahead. She was destined to become a peerless figure of her generation.
But the thought of his treasured disciple being so obedient to Dai Yao dampened his spirits somewhat.
Yan's eyes widened in disbelief at the scene before him—how many times had he been humiliated now? His fifth spirit skill wasn't like Dai Yao's; it couldn't be used continuously and required a cooldown period. Realizing this, Yan knew he wouldn't be able to overcome Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong.
With Xie Yue and Hu Liena held up by Dai Yao, and himself blocked by Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, the greatest advantage lay with the four remaining Spirit Hall team members.
But when Yan shifted his gaze to that part of the battlefield, he was stunned.
"Let's show them what we're made of, everyone!"
Feng Qianli struck the ground with his Xuanwu Shield, creating a deep, resounding echo. His gaze held a hint of defiance toward the Spirit Hall team. Usually calm and composed, he had reached his breaking point after being looked down upon by Spirit Hall's team and wanted to give them a taste of his strength.
"Captain, I've been ready!" replied Dai Yuanyi, his body surrounded by a fierce sword aura. He raised his eyebrow with a smirk.
Feng Qianli couldn't help but shake his head. Dai Yuanyi, though seemingly carefree, was incredibly reliable as a teammate.
Spirit Hall's remaining four members charged aggressively through the gaps between the red mist and the field of ice crystals, heading toward the Auckland team's remaining members.
Watching the four opponents draw closer, Feng Qianli's expression grew serious. He spoke softly, "Dugu Yan, we're counting on you."
With a flirtatious smile, Dugu Yan replied, "As long as you hold up your end, there won't be a problem."
Feng Qianli smirked, raising his Xuanwu Shield. After Luo Ling boosted Dai Yuanyi, the two of them stood together, with one focusing on offense and the other on defense.
A loud thud rang out as the Spirit Hall team's three Soul Elders struck Feng Qianli's shield with full force.
The impact forced Feng Qianli to stagger back, leaving two deep grooves in the ground. Shaking his slightly sore arms, an excited glint appeared in his eyes.
"Dai Yao was right! Their attacks can't break my defense!"
In yesterday's individual matches, Dai Yao had studied their opponents thoroughly. With a solid understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, Dai Yao had devised a strategic plan for today's match.
In the instant that Feng Qianli blocked the attack, Dai Yuanyi struck. Sharp sword energy pierced the air, aiming directly at the unsuspecting support soul master of Spirit Hall.
"Watch out!"
The same thought crossed the minds of the three Spirit Hall soul masters. Their overconfidence had led them to disregard the other Auckland members.
Their failed attack left a massive opening, exposing their support soul master, who was now in grave danger. Yet, proving his worth as a Spirit Hall team member, he narrowly evaded Dai Yuanyi's attack with his skills.
However, Auckland's assault was relentless. Dugu Yan unleashed her Jade Phosphorus Purple Mist, spreading it around as she maneuvered to invade the enemies' bodies and strategically separate them from each other.
But the Spirit Hall soul masters proved formidable, using their abundant soul power to resist the effects of Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorus Serpent poison.
The Spirit Hall members tried every method they could think of, yet Dugu Yan skillfully used her abilities as a control-type soul master to minimize the enemy's strength and maximize her team's, blocking their desperate attacks with remarkable precision.
Although the Auckland team had only two power-attack soul masters, they held their own against Spirit Hall's two power-attack and one agility-attack soul masters.
Especially with the advantage of Spirit Hall's support soul master boosting them.
This is the fearsome power of a control-type soul master.
Watching Dugu Yan playing a crucial role on the battlefield, Dugu Bo stroked his white beard, nodding in quiet approval.
"Lord Jade Phosphorus, it seems your granddaughter has truly inherited your legacy. Her mastery of the Jade Phosphorus Violet Poison is near perfection," commented Ning Fengzhi, giving Dugu Bo a courteous smile.
Dugu Bo chuckled humbly. "Yan Yan has done well, but her success is also because the Spirit Hall team lacks a control-type soul master. Yan Yan still has much to learn."
Meanwhile, the faces of Spirit Hall's red-robed cardinals were darkening.
Yan's and the four-man team's successive attacks had been thwarted by opponents they had dismissed as beneath them, a fact the Spirit Hall leaders struggled to accept. These young soul masters were Spirit Hall's finest representatives of their generation. They embodied the face of Spirit Hall!
However, a sudden, thunderous explosion drew their attention to the red mist.
Both battlefields were locked in stalemates, yet everyone's gaze turned to the red mist, straining to see what was happening inside.
Everyone knew that the battle within the red mist would determine the outcome of this match!
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