Under Ye Yu's control, the roots of the Blue Silver Jade Tree Martial Soul surged forth, entangling tightly around the Ice Phoenix. While the roots viciously constricted like a swarm of enormous blue crystal pythons, they simultaneously began devouring the ice energy within the Ice Phoenix's body.
As the roots of the Blue Silver Jade Tree absorbed more and more cold energy, the Ice Phoenix's inherent resilience rapidly weakened. Gradually, cracks started to form along its crystalline body, spreading outward like spiderwebs.
"This… this is impossible!"
Inside the pale-blue beam of light conjured by the Spirit Fusion Ability: Drifting Snow – Ice Phoenix, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu watched in horror. The sight of their proudest fusion technique being overwhelmed left Shui Bing'er trembling, her lips bitten pale.
Moments later, the Ice Phoenix let out a mournful cry before its entire form shattered into countless shards of ice, falling from the air like scattered crystal snowflakes.
With the fusion ability shattered, the beam of light enveloping Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu vanished. Both girls suffered a fierce backlash and coughed up blood, their complexions going pale as they staggered, nearly collapsing.
But just as they were about to fall, several Blue Silver Jade Tree roots extended out and gently caught them, lifting them like giant hands.
"We lost…"
To think their most powerful trump card, Drifting Snow Ice Phoenix, would be so easily broken… Shui Bing'er's beautiful face revealed a bitter smile as she finally admitted defeat.
Still, she wasn't completely disheartened. After all, Ye Yu and Dugu Yan were both Spirit Kings, and Dugu Yan hadn't even needed to act. It was reasonable that they had lost.
"You two are quite strong yourselves," Ye Yu said with a warm smile as he deactivated his Martial Soul and walked toward them, accompanied by Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and the Shi brothers.
"If it weren't for meeting us here, you may have made it all the way to the finals."
His words, gentle and sincere, warmed Shui Bing'er's heart.
"Thank you," she replied softly, a hint of gratitude in her expression.
...
"I hereby declare the victor of this match—Heaven Dou Royal Team!"
With the Heaven Dou Royal Team's victory over the Tianshui Team secured, the teams rested for a day. Soon, the third round of eliminations began.
As fate would have it, when Zhao Wuji drew lots for the next match, Heaven Dou Royal Team's opponent was none other than—
The Star Luo Royal Team!
That morning, after a series of team matches, it was finally time for Ye Yu's Heaven Dou Royal Team to face off against the Star Luo Royal Team.
"Next up: Heaven Dou Royal Team versus Star Luo Royal Team!"
As the announcer declared the matchup, Ye Yu stood from his seat.
"Let's go."
Because the Star Luo Royal Team had a strong reputation, this time, Ye Yu carefully selected the lineup: himself, Zhu Zhuqing, Shi Mo, Shi Mo'er, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Ning Rongrong.
As the Heaven Dou team stepped onto the Spirit Battle Arena, the Star Luo team entered from the opposite side.
Standing at the center of the arena, Dai Weisi folded his arms, sneering coldly.
"Ye Yu, I've been waiting for this."
"Back at Tian Yue Pavilion, you ambushed me when I wasn't paying attention. I was going to teach you a lesson then and there—if it weren't for that Spirit Sage stepping in."
"But today, there's no one to save you."
"And yet you still haven't returned Zhu Zhuqing to my third brother, Dai Mubai?"
"Don't think that just because you've got Dugu Bo backing you, you can do as you please."
"In front of the Star Luo Imperial Family, Dugu Bo is nothing!"
"If you dare defy the Star Luo royal decree, you'll learn firsthand the price of offending us!"
Dai Weisi's tone grew colder and more venomous with each word, killing intent blazing in his eyes.
The announcer's voice echoed across the arena once more:
"Both sides, summon your Martial Souls!"
Ye Yu, unfazed by Dai Weisi's posturing, replied flatly:
"You think you're powerful?"
"I kicked your sorry ass once before, and I can slap you senseless again now."
"I promised Zhuqing I would protect her for life."
"If your Star Luo Empire has a problem with that, come at me."
"I want to see how 'almighty' you really are."
"This is the Heaven Dou Empire. You think you can do whatever you want here?"
A sneer curved Ye Yu's lips.
Dai Weisi's expression turned furious as he roared:
"You're dead!"
"Evil Eyed White Tiger, Possession!"
A furious roar rang out as Dai Weisi activated his Martial Soul. His body surged in size, muscles expanding, arms morphing into massive tiger paws, and thick striped fur covered his body. Beneath him, two yellow and two purple Spirit Rings rose up.
At the same time, Zhu Zhuyun's sharp eyes locked onto Zhu Zhuqing. With a shout, she summoned her Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul, and two yellow and two purple Spirit Rings also rose under her feet.
The rest of the Star Luo Royal Team quickly assumed formation:
Front line: Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun
Midline: Ying Wei (Martial Soul: Swelling Buffalo, Rank 44 Power Attack), and Tang Hongning (Martial Soul: Fierce Thunder Jackal, Rank 43 Agility Attack)
Rear: Li Yang (Martial Soul: Reflecting Mirror, Rank 42 Agility Attack). It was his first appearance, and no one knew what his abilities were.
Support: Dong Hui and Yang Mingxin (Martial Soul: "Benevolent Water," Rank 39 Support-types)
Ye Yu's team responded in kind:
Frontline: Shi Mo and Shi Mo'er stepped forward, Martial Souls: Black Turle, both releasing four Spirit Rings.
Flank: Zhu Zhuqing, standing one pace behind. Martial Souls: Dark Devil Hell Tiger
Center: Ye Yu, with Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling positioned at the rear.
Ye Yu summoned his Blue Silver Jade Tree Martial Soul, and under the concealment of Blue Silver Domain, his Spirit Rings appeared: two yellow, two purple, and one black.
Dugu Yan summoned her Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul, also revealing two yellow, two purple, and one black Spirit Rings.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong activated her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, bestowing buffs to the team, and Ye Lingling released her Nine-Heart Begonia, sending a gentle healing light toward the front-liners.
"—Battle, begin!!"
The announcer's voice boomed.
Knowing both Ye Yu and Dugu Yan were Spirit Kings,Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun didn't dare hold back.
They quickly approached one another, and—
"Spirit Fusion Ability: Hell White Tiger!"
A surge of dark blue energy erupted from their bodies, shooting skyward as a pillar of light.
Moments later, a massive tiger figure, five meters tall, burst forth with a deafening roar, shattering the pillar of light.
Standing atop the battlefield was the fearsome figure of the Hell White Tiger, radiating terrifying Spirit Power pressure and killing intent.