Note: I will Try to update everyday so I hope you support the story on Patreon.com/flokixy
"You are the most outstanding young people on the continent. Now, before Us, display your brilliance to your heart's content! We announce that the finals of the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament in Douluo Continent officially begin!"
With the command from the Star Luo Emperor, the first team battle commenced.
Xu Sanshi moved first, employing his infamous 'Dirty Old Six' tactic, Mysterious Dark Exchange. His initial target for the exchange was none other than Sun Moon Academy's captain, Ma Rulong. However, as a Soul Emperor, Ma Rulong was not so easily restrained. Not only did he evade the Mysterious Dark Exchange, but he also unleashed a barrage of Level 5 soul-guided cannons, attempting to preemptively strike.
"White Tiger Meteor Shower!"
"Phoenix Meteor Shower!"
Facing such a massive artillery onslaught from the Level 5 soul-guided cannons, the two strongest members of Shrek Academy simultaneously made their move.
"Yuwen Tuo, stay put in the main formation and protect Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao. I alone am enough here," Ma Xiaotao declared. The firepower of the Sun Moon Empire's soul tools was simply too fierce; she worried Yuwen Tuo wouldn't be able to defend against it. She wanted to protect Yuwen Tuo, and thus prepared to resolve the battle by herself. So, relying on her Soul Sage strength, she charged deep into the enemy formation alone, regardless of the consequences.
"Fourth Soul Skill, Phoenix Roar of the Heavens!"
"No, Xiaotao!" Zhou Yi's mind trembled. She hadn't expected Ma Xiaotao to be so reckless even in the finals. Whenever Yuwen Tuo was involved, her rationality would completely disappear.
"Hmph, she's practically delivering herself to us!" Ma Rulong chuckled. He was originally contemplating how to isolate Ma Xiaotao, and now she had just walked right into his trap.
"Absolute Defense!"
Ma Rulong activated a soul tool specially crafted by Old Ma to counter Ma Xiaotao—an eight-tier version of absolute defense, which Old Ma named Absolute Cage. This type of soul tool was generally seven-tier; if it were to be forcibly upgraded to eight-tier, the material requirements and the complexity of the core array would be more than ten times harder. Furthermore, it was a one-time use item. Expending so much human and material resources to research such a thing would normally be extremely wasteful, but there was no other way. For the victory of the Soul Master Tournament, the Sun Moon Empire deemed it worthwhile.
The attack of Phoenix Roar of the Heavens was completely enveloped by the Absolute Cage, trapping Ma Xiaotao entirely within.
"Damn it, this thing again." Ma Xiaotao said furiously. These people couldn't defeat her directly; they only knew how to use such petty tricks to trap her. If they have the guts, let's have a real fight with real swords and spears.
"Everyone, protect Yuwen Tuo. I'll be out soon."
Ma Xiaotao could only shout outwards. Even an eight-tier soul tool might not be able to trap her Ultimate Fire for too long.
"Now's our chance!" Ma Rulong shouted. They also needed to deal with the others before Ma Xiaotao broke out, and then gang up on Ma Xiaotao alone. Only then would they have a chance of winning. In reality, in the eyes of true experts, their chances of winning were still not high. The meaning of a Soul Sage with Ultimate Fire Phoenix was not understood by most people. It meant an existence that, once fighting for their lives, even a Titled Douluo might be in mortal danger. Even if the Sun Moon Empire's plan succeeded, and they finally fought seven-on-one, their chances of victory would still be less than one percent.
It was precisely because Shrek was destined to win that Yuwen Tuo thought of participating. Rather than letting Shrek and Ma Xiaotao hog all the glory, he might as well intercept that fame himself, and then give Shrek a grand gift.
"No, six against seven is a disadvantage for us. We also need to take out one person first." Xu Sanshi's eyes darted around, then he faced Ma Rulong and said, "Let's see how you escape this time. Fourth Soul Skill, Mysterious Dark Exchange!"
"You never learn. This move is against me—what?!" Ma Rulong intended to move and dodge again, but he hadn't expected that Xu Sanshi's target wasn't him at all, but Xiao Hongchen.
But given their previous positioning, Xu Sanshi had his back to Xiao Hongchen. Could he even arbitrarily exchange with an enemy he couldn't see? Or did this move come with a perception ability? In fact, of course not. Mysterious Dark Exchange was indeed formidable, but ultimately, it was just a thousand-year soul skill and didn't come with an additional perception effect.
He was able to do it because of Huo Yuhao's assistance: Spiritual Detection, Spiritual Sharing, an overhead view for everyone.
In an instant, Xiao Hongchen found himself surrounded by Ling Luochen, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Dai Yaheng, and Yuwen Tuo.
"How's that? Isn't the gift I gave you a surprise?" Xu Sanshi said with a mischievous smile.
Ma Rulong merely smiled faintly, "It is indeed a surprise. Therefore, I must also offer a corresponding return gift." With a flick of his arm, a colossal lightning cage suddenly enveloped the six individuals, including Xiao Hongchen. This was a seven-tier control-type soul tool, the Prison of Thunder. This Ma Rulong was truly extraordinary. Although he was only a Six-Ring Soul Emperor, he could wield a seven-tier soul tool, which only Soul Sages could use with ease, as if it were an extension of his own arm.
"The five from Shrek are trapped, but Xiao Hongchen is also trapped within. Is the Sun Moon Academy planning to sacrifice Xiao Hongchen?" Xu Jiawei wondered.
"No, this should be a tactic. Next, Xiao Hongchen will likely unleash a wide-range, mass-destructive skill." Xu Jiujiu was also a strategist of Star Luo, and quickly analyzed the Sun Moon Academy's objective.
"But what is Yuwen Tuo doing? Why hasn't he made a move yet?"
Xu Jiujiu had originally hoped Yuwen Tuo would showcase his strength well in front of the Imperial Sister, perhaps gaining her approval, but he currently seemed to be merely watching a show.
"He's observing!" Xu Yueran said. "This match, rather than him being here to win, it's more like he just wants to experience the combat style of a Soul Master up close."
The Empress chuckled, "Is that so, Imperial Sister? Isn't this a case of a mother knowing her son best?"
Xu Yueran ignored her, neither denying nor confirming, but said, "Focus on the match. Xiao Hongchen is about to make his move!"
"First Soul Skill, Metal Control, Third Soul Skill, Metal Condensation!"
Metal Control increases one's control over metal, enhances the quantity and compatibility of controlled metal, and increases affinity with the metal element.
Metal Condensation allows one to temporarily condense controlled metal and metal elements into metal. It can even be used with spiritual power to carve soul tool cores, transforming controlled metal and metal elements into temporary soul tools.
These two soul skills were both abilities suited for a Soul Master. In an instant, Xiao Hongchen condensed several massive soul-guided cannons.
"Shrek's, receive the baptism of fire!" Xiao Hongchen shouted as the soul-guided cannons began to erupt.
Countless energy cannons fired from the soul-guided shells, their attack power formidable, and their numbers especially dense.
For a moment, even Dai Yaheng and Ling Luochen were forced back by this powerful firepower. Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong could only dodge. Yuwen Tuo slapped away an energy ball aimed at him and said, "Xiao Hongchen, your attack shouldn't be just this, right?"
"Haha, of course. This is just the prelude. Are you all satisfied?" Xiao Hongchen said. "Now, the main act is about to begin. Second Soul Skill, Metal Fermentation, Fourth Soul Skill, Metal Sacrifice."
Metal Fermentation causes one's soul power to enter a boiling state, increasing the power of soul power used in this state, accelerating the use speed of other soul skills, greatly increasing control over metal in a short period, and allowing one to absorb, control, and utilize metal elements in the air, reducing the consumption of soul power when using soul tools.
Metal Sacrifice burns one's own soul power, greatly increasing the power of soul tools. The extent of increase is related to how much soul power is sacrificed. It can also burn controlled metal, causing a large amount of damage.
With the enhancement of his four soul skills, Xiao Hongchen was surrounded by a full one hundred and twenty-eight soul-guided cannons.
He was an Innate Soul Master!
🚨 Note : Consider to Support this Story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access +200 advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update