Soul Land—Chapter 22: Four-Symbol Constellation Transformation
In the Soul Fighting Arena of the Heaven Dou Imperial Soul Master Academy, soul grandmaster-level students of the same age as Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing had all been defeated. Remarkably, Ling Qianyao hadn't even used his second soul skill from beginning to end.
With no challengers left at their level, Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing remained in the arena, focused and poised.
In the audience, three old men clad in black and gold silk robes observed silently from high seats, accompanied by Qin Ming standing beside them.
Meng Shenji, the energetic middle-aged man, touched his chin thoughtfully. Instead of showing anger at Ling Qianyao's slight arrogance, he smiled and remarked, "Recently, the Imperial family learned that the girl from the Zhu family, engaged to the third prince of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Mubai, has also fled to our Heaven Dou Empire. Alongside her is a rising star from the Star Luo Junior Soul Master Academy, a genius with a positively mutated martial soul. I didn't expect them to come here."
Bai Baoshan, the Soul Douluo, trembled slightly. "Shenji, can you handle that girl's identity?"
Meng Shenji nodded. "As long as no one from our Heaven Dou Imperial family ventures into Star Luo, we can manage this. The Star Luo Imperial family is less concerned about the younger generation in these life-and-death battles than you'd think. They prioritize bloodline purity and stability of power over personal emotions and destinies. As their emperor said: an iron-blooded policy—death is death. Joining an academy? Not a big deal."
He turned his attention back to Qin Ming. "Select two from Yu Tianheng's team—two against two. Win or lose, this is the final match."
"Understood, Chief."
Meanwhile, in the Soul Fighting arena, Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing sat cross-legged, recovering their soul power.
A slightly cold female voice broke the stillness from the audience. "I heard that two young contenders arrived at our academy. Let's see if you can last three minutes against me."
Two figures stepped onto the arena. One woman, with a graceful figure and a cold demeanor, had dark purple hair that complemented her green eyes. Her emerald-green nails added a touch of allure.
The other woman, dressed in black and wearing a veil that concealed her face, revealed only piercing blue eyes and long blue hair cascading down her back.
Dugu Yan narrowed her eyes at Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing, a hint of irritation flickering in her gaze. "Are the contestants below all trash? It's embarrassing that they couldn't handle two soul grandmasters," she muttered to herself.
Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing straightened, recognizing the newcomers.
"You look like a poison user," Ling Qianyao observed slowly. "I'd advise you to change opponents; otherwise, you might be in for a nasty surprise."
"Hmph, no need for advice. Do you think you can win? Just don't whine to the referee about being bullied!"
The referee nodded sharply at Dugu Yan. "Both sides, please state your names."
"Dugu Yan, martial soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent, thirty-third-level control system combat soul master," she declared. Three soul rings—two yellow and one purple—hovered around her.
"Ye Lingling, martial soul: Nine Heart Flowering Apple, thirty-third-level auxiliary system weapon soul master." Two yellow soul rings appeared as her voice echoed softly.
"Ling Qianyao, martial soul: Star Breaking Sword, twenty-fourth-level strong attack system combat soul master."
"Zhu Zhuqing, martial soul: Hell Spirit Cat, twenty-first-level agile attack system battle soul master."
As both sides released their martial souls, the atmosphere intensified. Ye Lingling positioned herself strategically behind Dugu Yan.
Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan simultaneously completed their martial soul possession. Dugu Yan exuded an even more enchanting presence, while Zhu Zhuqing took on a lighter, more agile form.
Dugu Yan shot a glance at Zhu Zhuqing, then looked ahead with impatience. "Tsk, how long is this going to drag on?"
Suddenly, she noticed the soul rings of Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing. "One yellow and one purple? How did they manage that?!"
"Game, start!" the referee announced.
Dugu Yan swiftly took the initiative, igniting the first soul ring on her body.
"First soul skill: Red Jaded Scale Poison!"
A red poisonous fog created an illusory wall behind her, shielding Ye Lingling, before it surged toward Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing.
Like an overwhelming tide, the poisonous mist billowed through the arena, carrying a noxious scent with corrosive properties.
"Now it's my turn to warn you: my poison will make you very uncomfortable!" Dugu Yan declared coldly.
"First soul skill: Big Dipper Star Attraction Formation!"
Seven-star marks arced across the sky, transforming into bright stars, forming an expansive Big Dipper star formation above them infused with shimmering starlight.
The seven beams of light sank into Zhu Zhuqing's body. She harnessed the Hell Spirit Cat's agility, her figure darting forward like a dark blue lightning bolt, aimed directly at Dugu Yan's side.
Dugu Yan reacted instantly, retreating with Ye Lingling as her second yellow soul ring flared to life. "Second soul skill: Thousand Snakes Strangling!"
Three jade phosphor serpents emerged, their green venom laced throughout as they entwined around Zhu Zhuqing, ensnaring her momentarily.
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan shifted her focus to the seven sword energies unleashed by Ling Qianyao.
She moved fluidly, unleashing waves of poisonous mist and deftly countering Ling Qianyao's strikes.
Yet, Ling Qianyao's sword energy was formidable, embodying the strength of a high-level combat soul master. Dugu Yan skillfully dodged vital points, but one sword energy grazed her; a corner of her clothing was sliced away, exposing unblemished skin now marked with blood.
"Cough, cough." Dugu Yan spat out a trickle of blood, shock and anger flashing through her eyes.
"Heal!"
Ye Lingling cried, her Nine-Heart Flowering Apple martial soul glowing with white light. The petals enveloped Dugu Yan, mending her wounds almost instantaneously.
"Thank you, Lingling."
Dugu Yan faced Ling Qianyao, determination hardening her gaze. "It seems best to finish this quickly. Third soul skill!"
The purple soul ring flared to life. "Jade Phosphor Violet Poison!"
Dugu Yan's green eyes transformed to deep violet, her snake tail gleaming with a thin layer of light purple. A thick plume of purple mist erupted from her mouth.
The foul mist permeated the arena, causing Zhu Zhuqing to frown and instinctively retreat.
Before the poisonous mist engulfed her, a wave of nausea swept over her, making the flow of her soul power sluggish and erratic.
As Dugu Yan laughed, watching the encroaching figures swallowed by the poison, she called, "Hurry and admit defeat! While I can detoxify you, I can't promise there won't be lingering toxins."
"You're celebrating too early," Ling Qianyao replied, his grip tightening on his weapon.
The Star-Breaking Sword in his hand shone brightly, the purple second soul ring igniting with power.
"Second soul skill: Four Symbols Constellation Transformation!"
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(End of this chapter)