Chapter 252: The Hidden Trump Card!
Within the red mist, Yaomei twisted her slender body, her gaze fixed on Dai Yao, who stood still. A ghostly smile appeared in her eyes behind the mask.
Ding—
The sharp moon blade clashed with Dai Yao's cloud-marked hand, producing a metallic sound.
"Dai Yao, you're strong. If you were a few years older, perhaps even our Martial Soul Fusion skill wouldn't be enough to defeat you. But unfortunately, you're just too young!" The androgynous voice emerged from beneath the mask, filled with a steadfast conviction that commanded respect.
Enhanced by the White Tiger Golden Transformation and his external soul bone, Dai Yao's power allowed him to parry Yaomei's moon blades without injury, unlike Tang San, who had once sacrificed one of his Eight Spider Lances to defend against the same attack.
"Oh really?" Dai Yao replied, a smirk forming at the corners of his mouth as he faced Yaomei up close. "But today, victory will be mine!"
They clashed and separated in a flash, each unleashing their full skill and knowledge. The sound of metal colliding echoed ceaselessly from within the red mist.
Even the Titled Douluos watching wore solemn expressions, as they had rarely seen such an intense battle. The continuous back-and-forth in this confined space left Dai Yao with no opportunity to release his soul skills, yet Yaomei could only respond with pure physical attacks.
Dai Yao's rigorous training at the Heaven Dou Arena was proving its worth. Skills like the Eight Extremes Collapse and Explosive Step flowed naturally from him, along with his cloud-marked hand, as he attempted to seize control of the fight. But Xie Yue and Hu Liena were equally skilled, wielding their dual moon blades with flawless precision.
This was no longer a contest of soul power or skills—it was a test of endurance, of who could hold their resolve. The first to falter would lose everything.
All three had their reasons to win. Even as the battle escalated, no one dared loosen their grip on that final ounce of will.
The intensity within the red mist only grew. Gusts of wind mixed with explosive sounds shook the air, as though fleeing from the mist's confines. The fierce slicing of blades and the dull thuds of fists on flesh rang out continuously.
Dai Yao's hands grew heavy, his whole body aching, but he couldn't afford to relax. The moment he let up, Yaomei would seize control.
Yaomei felt the strain too. Her dual blades lost their rhythm, and like Dai Yao, she began attacking with elbows, knees, and any other part of her body she could muster.
Both fighters had reached their absolute limit.
Any ordinary Soul King would have fallen within seconds in such a brutal clash.
The red-robed cardinals watched with awe, their breaths held, eyes fixed on every move. Even at their level, they would struggle here—and they were all Soul Saints and above!
Before the Pope's palace, Bibi Dong nodded slightly. The fierce will to win displayed by the three fighters within the red mist moved her deeply.
"Nana and Xie Yue have surpassed their own limits, but I never expected Dai Yao to be so formidable. As just a Soul Elder, he has the strength to challenge a Soul Emperor."
"What a magnificent match! If these three were placed in any previous competition, they'd likely win the championship with ease. Yet today, they must battle to decide a victor."
"Such harsh competition is what truly forges a genius!"
"Nana, Xie Yue, Dai Yao—who among you will emerge victorious?" A trace of anticipation flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes, her slightly pursed lips sending many hearts racing.
Boom—
A thundering crash shook the entire arena as Dai Yao and Yaomei were flung backward simultaneously. Landing on one knee, they slid across the ground, leaving long black marks as they absorbed the impact.
Both gasped for breath, sweat pouring down and forming shallow puddles on the ground. Their pupils were unfocused; the last round of attacks had been fought purely on instinct.
Their battered appearance drew shocked murmurs from the observing cardinals.
Dai Yao's moon-white clothing was shredded from blade strikes. Though he'd managed to catch many attacks with his cloud-marked hand, he couldn't defend against Yaomei's relentless assault entirely. His torn clothing revealed muscles covered in cuts and bruises, with one deep slash still oozing blood.
Yaomei fared no better; her golden armor was cracked and nearly shattered, marked with fist-shaped indentations from Dai Yao's punches. Yet her most serious injuries were internal. The hidden force within Dai Yao's Eight Extremes Collapse left her reeling. Initially, she could focus on resisting the insidious energy that invaded her body, but as her stamina waned, she could no longer defend against it.
Her organs trembled, and a trickle of blood dripped down from her mask.
Both fighters were utterly drained.
Seeing their state, the murmurs of amazement and concern died down, and a sense of respect filled everyone's gaze.
Even the Titled Douluos shed their usual airs, their pride vanishing. The fighters' unwavering determination had earned their respect.
"A new generation always surpasses the old!" one of the Titled Douluos remarked. This seemed to resonate, and several others nodded in agreement.
Yaomei's unfocused gaze slowly cleared. Struggling to stand despite her trembling body, she looked at Dai Yao with a serious expression, her voice ragged and broken. "Dai Yao, I must admit, I respect you. For a Soul Elder to push me this far is remarkable."
Her voice, ambiguous in tone, drifted from beneath the mask, filled with complex emotions.
When the Pope first suggested they needed a "whetstone," Xie Yue and Hu Liena had scoffed. As Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, they stood at the pinnacle among their peers. Even the prodigies from the two great empires couldn't compare.
Then, news about Dai Yao trickled in from the Spirit Temple of the Heaven Dou Empire. Initially dismissive, they soon began to view him with caution. His fourth spirit ring, a ten-thousand-year ring, marked a talent even they struggled to rival.
Yet they still believed he could never defeat them. They had age, experience, and a powerful team on their side.
But in yesterday's individual matches, Dai Yao had shattered their confidence. Defeating fourteen opponents in a row—a feat that made them look up to him in awe!
When Dai Yao conceded to let them enter the finals, it felt like an insult. They were prodigies! This patronizing gesture bruised their pride deeply.
Were they truly incapable of reaching the finals on their own? This wasn't merely competition—it was a humiliation.
As Spirit Hall's future leaders, entrusted with the institution's honor by Bibi Dong herself, they could not afford to lose!
In today's match, Spirit Hall's team carried a fierce determination to redeem themselves and make Dai Yao pay a painful price for his arrogance.
Yaomei slowly raised her heavy dual blades, aligning them behind her. The blades glowed with a cold, eerie light, sharp and menacing like a full moon, both serene and terrifying.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes narrowed in surprise. "Is Xie Yue and Nana about to use that move? I never thought Dai Yao would push them this far."
Bibi Dong responded calmly, "Yaomei once used this skill to defeat a Soul Master with a power level of sixty-eight. Dai Yao may have powerful skills beyond the reach of that 'Full Moon,' but they all require time to gather strength."
"And Yaomei won't allow him that time. It seems the outcome is decided."
Hearing this, the Titled Douluos seated on the gilded thrones straightened up. Was the match about to end?
On the battle stage, Yaomei chuckled, her eyes behind the mask filled with a mocking gaze as she looked at the still-breathing Dai Yao. "Dai Yao, I'll now use my self-created soul skill, Full Moon. This skill has no flaw. Even Soul Emperors are no match for it."
"Don't bother trying to charge up your fourth soul skill or even the Eight Extremes Collapse. Before victory, I just want to exchange a few words with you—let me savor the taste of triumph a bit longer."
"If I see you gathering strength, I'll immediately attack and eliminate you."
"I'm curious to see what you'll do when you're backed into a corner."
With that, Yaomei vanished, leaving only a massive, silently rotating disk in her wake. It absorbed all sound, as if devouring it.
Dai Yao's expression grew more serious than ever as he stared at the approaching disk. He knew that this attack would decide the battle.
Instant Activation! White Tiger Thunder Strike!
Boom!
Thunder roared as bolts of lightning crashed down on the Full Moon disk. To everyone's shock, the Full Moon sliced through the lightning with ease. The usually unstoppable ten-thousand-year soul skill couldn't hold out against Yaomei's Martial Soul Fusion skill even for a moment. This showed the power of Full Moon.
If Dai Yao's ten-thousand-year skill had more time to gather strength, it could deliver a Contra-level attack capable of defeating Yaomei. But under these conditions, he couldn't reach its full potential.
The cloud markings on Dai Yao's hands were now damaged, nearly shattered by the intense battle. At the last moment, he used his cloud-marked hand to try and block the Full Moon.
But within a single heartbeat, the cloud marks shattered completely.
In that instant, Dai Yao managed to escape the attack range of the Full Moon by using Explosive Step.
Seeing Dai Yao fleeing in such a desperate state, Xie Yue and Hu Liena felt immense satisfaction, as if yesterday's humiliation had finally been washed away.
"Dai Yao, you can't escape! Why struggle in vain? Under my Full Moon, no one of our age can defeat me!" came Yaomei's slightly smug voice from beneath the mask.
Yet Dai Yao said nothing, gritting his teeth as he continued running silently through the red mist.
Watching this scene in the mist, Bibi Dong chuckled lightly. "Nana and her team have won…"
"Yes, they're impressive indeed. Although Dai Yao lost, he performed beyond everyone's expectations. To withstand Yaomei's assault for so long is no small feat."
"Haha, Spirit Hall is flourishing with talent! Once Dai Yao joins Spirit Hall and matures, who in the world could stand against us?"
The Titled Douluos in Spirit Hall discussed this joyfully, convinced that Dai Yao's defeat was inevitable.
Dugu Bo's brows furrowed deeply, his hands clenched tightly as he sighed inwardly. To come so far only to lose was a pity indeed.
"Dai Yao, if you have anything left, show it now!" he murmured.
Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi looked equally grim, with Ning Fengzhi sighing, "The match's outcome is certain."
Chen Xin observed Dai Yao's every move closely, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he suddenly noticed something. "This kid has more tricks up his sleeve. Look, he may appear to be fleeing, but his footwork is controlled, meaning he still has energy left."
"He's preparing to counterattack once the Full Moon's initial wave of power fades."
Hearing Sword Douluo's insight, Ning Fengzhi immediately turned his hopeful gaze back to the battle stage.
The Full Moon disk continued to chase Dai Yao, and despite all his skillful maneuvers, he couldn't shake it off. Instead, it drew closer and closer. Watching this, Yaomei couldn't resist taunting, "Dai Yao, surrender already. You have nowhere left to run!"
"Oh, really?" Dai Yao's response took everyone by surprise. The sinister smile on his face filled Xie Yue and Hu Liena with an uneasy feeling.
They poured every ounce of strength into the Full Moon, desperate to seize this chance and finally crush Dai Yao.
But in the next moment, a resounding clash of metal reverberated through the air, and the unstoppable Full Moon came to a halt.
Everyone's eyes turned to Dai Yao, fixed on the sharp claw in his hand, their breath catching as expressions of shock and disbelief spread across their faces.
"An external soul bone! That's an external soul bone!" one of the cardinals cried out excitedly.
Everyone snapped back to reality, instantly recognizing the significance of an external soul bone, their gazes turning toward Dai Yao filled with awe and greed.
They then realized that Dai Yao already had a White Tiger Eight Wings external soul bone, so how did he have another external soul bone?
This meant that Dai Yao possessed two external soul bones!
A chorus of gasps echoed in front of the Pope's palace. For most people, even obtaining one soul bone was a dream, but Dai Yao had not only one external soul bone—he had two! Was he favored by the heavens?
A thousand-year second soul ring, a ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring, and two external soul bones—any one of these traits would mark a rare talent, yet all three were united in one person. What unimaginable potential did he possess?
Yaomei stared in disbelief at the claw in Dai Yao's hand. "You… you were hiding an external soul bone?"
Dai Yao gave a cold smile, his gaze icy as he looked at Yaomei. "I've been saving this trump card just for you. How does it feel?"
The claw in Dai Yao's hand was none other than the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's left paw bone, a bone so durable that it far surpassed the Spider Legs of the Man-faced Demon Spider.
The Full Moon could sever Tang San's Eight Spider Lances, but against the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's paw bone, it fell short.
With a swing, Dai Yao struck the Full Moon disk aside. A surge of soul power erupted from him, and the fierce aura of the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's claw shot upward, instantly shredding the sleeve of his arm.
A terrifying aura gathered around the external soul bone in Dai Yao's hand.
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