The match between Ming Tian and Yuan Yu ended quickly. They didn't immediately leave; instead, they went to the viewing platform to watch the other matches. Understanding their opponents' strengths was extremely important.
"Pay attention to the match with that Soul Master and Zhan Ni. That person is particularly noteworthy."
Yuan Yu said in a low voice to Ming Tian, a serious expression on her face.
Ming Tian nodded slightly, giving a soft "hmm." Most people were also focused on Zhan Ni's match, as it was the most exciting one. Zhan Ni was considered one of the favorites to advance to the Spirit Hall's selection this time. She was also the top genius in Heavenly Spirit City and the captain of the Lingya team. Many people had high hopes for her, and she herself carried a great burden.
Zhan Ni calmly watched the mysterious Soul Master opposite her. The appearance of this mysterious Soul Master made her feel that this Spirit Hall selection wouldn't be so smooth.
She secretly adjusted her soul power to the best state, waiting for her opponent to make a move.
The mysterious Soul Master on the opposite side didn't seem to have increased his vigilance because his opponent was Zhan Ni. He still squinted, maintaining a harmless appearance.
"I've heard of Miss Zhan's reputation and am quite familiar with your achievements. I'm honored to be able to spar with you in the second round."
"Let me introduce myself. I am Feng Si Ming, from the Bright Jade Sect, under the jurisdiction of Heavenly Spirit City."
"A sect disciple?"
Zhan Ni was taken aback, speaking out loud.
On the Douluo Continent, there were many sects, similar to academies. Among them, in the Heaven Dou Empire, the three most famous were the Clear Sky Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Besides these, there were many smaller sects. These sects generally focused on refining a particular martial soul, pursuing the ultimate attributes. For example, the Clear Sky Sect had four affiliated clans: Strength, Agility, Defense, and Attack.
Sect Soul Masters had considerable strength, and Zhan Ni had also heard of this Bright Jade Sect that Feng Si Ming mentioned.
"I used to be, but because I insisted on participating in the Spirit Hall's selection, the sect master wouldn't allow it. So, I severed ties with the sect. They're a bunch of old fogeys. The Spirit Hall's influence on the continent is growing stronger, and it's the trend of the future to become the mainstream. However, some sects still shut themselves off, ignoring the world. When the Spirit Hall takes the mainstream position of Soul Masters, it will be difficult for the sects to survive."
Feng Si Ming shook his head, as if he saw the big picture.
"That's interesting, but sects have always been indifferent to worldly affairs. Even the three major sects wouldn't participate in the Empire's disputes, each minding their own business. What conflicts of interest would they have with the Spirit Hall?"
"Miss Zhan Ni, conflicts always arise from interests. If one day the interests of the Spirit Hall are encroached upon by the sects of the world, then I think the Spirit Hall won't stand idly by. It's even possible that they will oppose all the sects, even the three major ones."
"We're getting off topic. We don't know if we'll even see that day. Let's solve the current match first."
Feng Si Ming became serious, his eyes turning sharp. A dark red soul imprint appeared behind him, and four soul rings with the perfect yellow, yellow, purple, and purple arrangement emerged. Crimson flower petals danced, and a large rose bud bloomed. Black vines with red flowers extended and writhed wildly. A beast head emerged from the red flower bud – a black dragon head, with a dark black dragon body appearing from the red petals. The dragon body had dark golden stripes, and its dragon eyes were also blood red, filled with bloodlust.
"Roar!!!"
Feng Si Ming stood in front of the dragon that emerged from the flower, his demeanor suddenly becoming elegant and noble, like a graceful young master.
"What, what martial soul is this?!"
Everyone present was stunned. Such a martial soul, combining elegance, grace, and violence, had never been seen before.
"Allow me to introduce it again. This is my mutated martial soul, the Blood Rose Dragon."
"Blood Rose Dragon?!"
"That's right. It integrates the dragon, dark, and plant elements, possessing powerful control and attack capabilities."
Feng Si Ming seemed to enjoy Zhan Ni's surprised expression. The crimson pupils of the Blood Rose Dragon behind him brightened, and several rose-black vines shot out to attack Zhan Ni.
"First Soul Skill, Feather Shield!"
Zhan Ni, with her rich combat experience, couldn't possibly be stunned. Feather wings appeared behind her, transforming into a shield and closing in front of her.
"First Soul Skill, Rose Vine!"
Feng Si Ming's first soul ring lit up, and the black rose vines wrapped around the Feather Shield, layer by layer.
"Second Soul Skill, Rose Dragon Thorn!"
Giant thorns instantly grew on the black rose vines wrapped around the Feather Shield, piercing into the interior of the shield.
Roses naturally have thorns, and Feng Si Ming's second soul skill transformed the rose thorns into giant dragon bone thorns, piercing towards the opponent wrapped by the rose vines.
These two soul skills complemented each other. Once entangled by the rose vines, if the body was then pierced by the Rose Dragon Thorn, death was not far off.
Could it be over so soon?
Looking at the Feather Shield pierced by the Rose Dragon Thorn, no one could see what was inside.
"Second Soul Skill, Feather Prison!"
"What?!"
Feng Si Ming didn't hear where the voice came from. Suddenly, a pair of large feathers appeared above his head, enveloping him.
Zhan Ni had appeared behind Feng Si Ming at some point. The Feather Shield pierced by the Rose Dragon Thorn vanished with a puff. Zhan Ni swayed slightly, affected, and her clones appeared, but there were only three.
"It's the Albatross Flight! When the Rose Dragon Thorn pierced the Feather Shield, Zhan Ni used her third soul skill to replace her original position, appearing behind Feng Si Ming to launch a sneak attack!"
Ming Tian, who was watching, said.
But, would this work?
Just as the Feather Prison restricted Feng Si Ming, and Zhan Ni was about to attack, a dragon tail appeared from the ground again, sweeping towards Zhan Ni. Zhan Ni quickly retreated, still trying to get closer to the Feather Prison to attack Feng Si Ming.
"Third Soul Skill, Dragon Tail Thrust!"
"Boom boom boom!!!"
The dragon tail on the ground kept moving, intercepting Zhan Ni. Zhan Ni could only dodge continuously under the attack of the giant dragon tail.
"Second Soul Skill, Rose Dragon Thorn!"
Sounds came from within the Feather Prison restricting Feng Si Ming. Giant black dragon thorns pierced out from the interior of the Feather Prison. It seemed Feng Si Ming wanted to break the Feather Prison.
"Not good! Second Soul Skill, Feather Prison!"
"Feather Prison Stack!"
Zhan Ni released her second soul skill repeatedly, adding layers of Feather Prisons on top of the original one restricting Feng Si Ming, preventing Feng Si Ming from breaking out quickly.
"First Soul Skill, Feather Shield!"
Zhan Ni's three clones simultaneously used their Feather Shields, blocking behind Zhan Ni to resist the dragon tail's attacks. Zhan Ni could only quickly move the Feather Prison restricting Feng Si Ming, to send Feng Si Ming off the stage.
Just as Zhan Ni was about to touch the Feather Prison, preparing to send Feng Si Ming off the stage, a cold voice came from inside the Feather Prison.
"It seems I can only use the fourth soul skill. I originally wanted to use it in the finals."
"Miss Zhan Ni, you are very strong, but this is the end."
"Fourth Soul Skill, Rose Dragon Blade Whirl!"
A thousand-year soul ring released from the Feather Prison. Suddenly, just as Zhan Ni approached the Feather Prison, a gust of wind arose, creating a small tornado centered on the interior of the Feather Prison.
The wind was initially small, then instantly grew larger. The rose petals dancing in the wind became sharp. The Feather Prison was instantly shredded by the sharp rose petals, and countless feathers collided with the rose petals in the wind, all being cut to pieces.
Feng Si Ming was in the center of the tornado, the sharp rose petals whirling in the tornado. Feng Si Ming looked at Zhan Ni coldly. With a thought, the tornado expanded, and the rose blades in the tornado spun rapidly, attacking Zhan Ni.
"Feather Shield!!"
Zhan Ni immediately recalled her three clones, continuously applying Feather Shields for herself. The Feather Shields collided with the rose blades in the wind, leaving deep marks on the shields.
"Useless!"
"Dragon Tail Thrust!"
Feng Si Ming said, and a dragon tail shot out from the ground, sweeping towards Zhan Ni's back, with great force and impact.
"Puff!"
Zhan Ni was hit in the back by the dragon tail and was thrown to the side. It seemed she was seriously injured.
"Stop! Zhan Ni has lost!"
Seeing Zhan Ni's serious injury, the referee quickly stopped the match. Zhan Ni had lost this round.
"You're welcome, Miss Zhan Ni."
Feng Si Ming looked at Zhan Ni, who was seriously injured on the stage, and smiled hypocritically before walking off stage.
No one had expected this result. Chuan Man Yan, who had already advanced, quickly rushed over. The two had a martial soul fusion skill, and Chuan Man Yan knew Zhan Ni very well. She immediately channeled soul power to heal Zhan Ni. On the viewing platform, Ming Tian and Yuan Yu also rushed down.
"Zhan Ni, are you alright?"
"Zhan Ni!"
"Cough, cough, I'm fine. That Feng Si Ming is indeed very strong."
Zhan Ni, supported by Chuan Man Yan, said.
She was also surprised to see Ming Tian and Yuan Yu.
"Zhan Ni, how are you?"
Yuan Yu asked quickly.
"I'm fine, Yu Mei, it seems there's no way to stop it anymore..."