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Chapter 257 - Chapter 257: Turning the Tide: Xuanming Replacement

The combat talent of Yang Xiong's group left the early observers of the Sea God Island deeply astonished, especially Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, and Feng Xiaotian. After just a week apart, their combat instincts had grown incredibly sharp, and their battle experience had significantly improved.

However, compared to the Seven Holy Pillars of the Sea God Island, they were still facing seven Title Douluos whose combat power and coordination exceeded everyone's imagination.

The Sea Witch Douluo's martial soul was the Sea Devil Flute. As she played her haunting melody, Yang Xiong's six-person team seemed enveloped in a strange light, their mental strength visibly suppressed.

(T/N: The wiki has her martial soul as Black Flute LMFAO)

Even more troubling was that the sound waves carried a peculiar rhythm capable of controlling seawater to launch attacks.

Ning Rongrong quickly supported the massive Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, chanting: "Nine Treasures have names—six for amplification."

Under Ning Rongrong's amplification, everyone's mental attributes surged, allowing them to resist the Sea Witch Douluo's mental suppression.

Meanwhile, the Sea Delusion (Fantasy/Illusion) Douluo and the Sea Star Douluo reacted with incredible speed. The Sea Delusion Douluo transformed into an enormous Illusory Sea Serpent, plunging the battlefield into a surreal illusion. Under his Illusory Domain, everyone's bodies seemed out of control, their vision blurred and unstable.

The Sea Star Douluo's martial soul, the Sea Star, rapidly grew, extending countless tentacles to swiftly entangle Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er. Clearly, he aimed to eliminate the two controllers on Yang Xiong's team as quickly as possible.

As for why they didn't target Ning Rongrong, it was because Ning Rongrong had immediately summoned her Eight Spider Leg Soul Bone and activated her Nine Treasures Protective Divine Light. The Eight Spider Legs acted like spears, fending off the seawater's attacks.

Moreover, Ning Rongrong could use multitasking to nullify both long-range and mental attacks, rendering them ineffective against her.

As time passed, the disadvantages of Yang Xiong's group became increasingly apparent. On average, their soul power levels were more than ten levels lower than their opponents'. Under the combined mental attacks of the Sea Delusion Douluo and the Sea Witch Douluo, everyone struggled to hold on.

Feng Xiaotian and Oscar were both heavily suppressed by the Title Douluos. Fortunately, Oscar continuously produced sausages to assist the others, especially his Super Recovery Sausages, which consumed minimal soul power and could be mass-produced.

The only one holding an advantage was Yang Xiong. Facing the simultaneous attacks of the Sea Dragon Douluo and the Sea Spear Douluo, Yang Xiong appeared relatively at ease. Neither the Sea Delusion Douluo's illusions nor the Sea Witch Douluo's mental attacks affected him in the slightest.

However, Yang Xiong was inwardly alarmed. Individually, the Seven Holy Pillars weren't overwhelmingly strong, but their synergy drastically amplified their power. Particularly, the Sea Star Douluo's control abilities bore some resemblance to Tang San's Blue Silver Grass—both utilized binding and control techniques, even possessing potent devouring capabilities.

The Sea Dragon Douluo and the Sea Spear Douluo were the strongest among the Seven Holy Pillars. By fully restraining Yang Xiong, they aimed to buy time for the other five to defeat Ning Rongrong and the rest.

Seeing the situation gradually slipping out of their favor, Yang Xiong realized he needed a way to break the deadlock. At the very least, he had to eliminate one opponent; otherwise, their defeat was inevitable.

Yang Xiong gritted his teeth, and an endless red glow erupted from his body, revealing his Slaughter Domain in full force.

The Sea Dragon Douluo and the Sea Spear Douluo exchanged glances. The Sea Dragon Douluo emitted a blue light, pushing his strength to its peak while maximizing the effects of his Domain Breaker.

Disregarding their own exhaustion, the two attacked Yang Xiong from different angles with impeccable coordination.

The Sea Dragon Douluo's dragon claws fiercely grabbed toward Yang Xiong's head, while the Sea Spear Douluo thrust his massive spear at Yang Xiong's leg. Their timing and cooperation were flawless.

But Yang Xiong wasn't afraid of them. In an instant, three soul bones appeared on his body: the Ice-Fire Dragon Claws on his hands and the Xuanming Armor on his chest.

After years of evolution, especially under the influence of the Sea God's Radiance and Tide Training, these three soul bones had reached the eighty-thousand-year level, representing the pinnacle of attack and defense.

Yang Xiong's hands grabbed the Sea Dragon Douluo's claws with raw force. His left hand turned azure-blue, while his right hand blazed crimson-red. The two opposing energies clashed on the Sea Dragon Douluo's claws, causing him to be violently repelled.

While Yang Xiong focused on battling the Sea Dragon Douluo, the Sea Spear Douluo seized the opportunity to launch a full-force strike at Yang Xiong's left leg.

In that instant, Yang Xiong twisted his body forcefully, bending his calf slightly. The spear, originally aimed at his leg, instead struck the Xuanming Armor. Though the impact sent Yang Xiong sliding back half a meter, the Xuanming Armor remained unscathed.

The Seven Holy Pillars were momentarily stunned. With their expertise, they recognized that Yang Xiong's three soul bones were external attachments. But they had never imagined someone could possess three external soul bones—or that Yang Xiong had concealed this fact entirely until now.

Yang Xiong seized the moment, using the recoil to launch himself toward the Sea Spear Douluo.

The Sea Spear Douluo quickly raised his spear to block. Yang Xiong's claws gripped the massive spear tightly.

Before the Sea Spear Douluo could breathe a sigh of relief, Yang Xiong's claws exerted force in opposite directions. The two forces formed a massive ring-like rotation, generating immense torque. Feeling an overwhelming force on the spear, the Sea Spear Douluo involuntarily released it.

Yang Xiong then pushed the spear with both hands, sending it crashing into the Sea Spear Douluo. The impact sent him flying several meters, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

But before Yang Xiong could press his advantage, the Sea Dragon Douluo's dragon claws came slashing toward his chest, attempting to relieve pressure on their allies.

Yang Xiong's lips curled into a cold smirk. A silver light emanated from the Xuanming Armor, enveloping his entire body. This was the armor's innate soul skill: Impregnable Defense.

An eighty-thousand-year-level soul bone skill—even the Sea Dragon Douluo couldn't break through it in a short time.

Taking advantage of this window, Yang Xiong's claws lunged once again at the Sea Spear Douluo. He clearly intended to exploit the moment to cripple him. If Yang Xiong remained tied down by these two Title Douluos, the pressure on the others would become unbearable.

The Sea Spear Douluo, repeatedly battered by Yang Xiong's attacks, quickly fell into a disadvantageous position.

Gritting his teeth, the Sea Spear Douluo unleashed his third soul skill: Triple Split Spear Shadow, dividing his spear into three parts, each transforming into shadowy figures that rapidly attacked Yang Xiong. It was clear he was unleashing everything he had.

But at this moment, Yang Xiong's first soul ring flashed. In an instant, Yang Xiong vanished from his original position, replaced by a woman—the Sea Witch Douluo.

This was Yang Xiong's first soul skill: Xuanming Substitution. Now at the nine-thousand-year level, this skill not only consumed less soul power but also extended its range, functioning effectively even underwater.

Yang Xiong's sudden use of Xuanming Substitution caught everyone off guard. The Sea Spear Douluo, having committed too much force without considering retreat, found his three spears striking the Sea Witch Douluo herself. She immediately spat blood, sustaining severe injuries.

Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Yang Xiong's claws lashed out at the Sea Delusion Douluo.

The Sea Delusion Douluo hastily summoned his Illusory Sea Serpent to block. The serpent lunged at Yang Xiong, its jaws snapping shut.

But Yang Xiong showed no fear. The Ice-Fire Dragon Claws radiated boundless light, brimming with infinite power—this was the soul bone skill: Explosive Dragon Claw.

Under Yang Xiong's full-powered strike with the Ice-Fire Dragon Claws, the Sea Delusion Douluo was violently hurled backward, his body marked by two terrifying gashes. Blood seeped from his wounds, drenching his entire body.

Witnessing Yang Xiong's use of Xuanming Substitution to turn the tide, the Sea Dragon Douluo and the Sea Spear Douluo realized the situation had shifted against the Seven Holy Pillars.

Until now, the battlefield had maintained a relative balance. Although Yang Xiong's six were at a disadvantage, the Seven Holy Pillars still held an edge.

But after Yang Xiong's Xuanming Substitution disrupted their formation, the Sea Witch Douluo was injured by the Sea Spear Douluo's attack, and the Sea Delusion Douluo was gravely wounded by Yang Xiong. The tides of battle had completely reversed, and the Seven Holy Pillars now found themselves at a slight disadvantage.

Exchanging glances, the Seven Holy Pillars knew they had to go all out. In an instant, their seventh soul rings lit up as they activated their martial soul true forms.

The Sea Dragon Douluo transformed into a colossal sea dragon, manipulating the surrounding seawater as he charged toward Yang Xiong. If Yang Xiong continued to wreak havoc behind their lines, the three rear members—Sea Witch Douluo, Sea Delusion Douluo, and Sea Star Douluo—would soon fall to his attacks.

The Sea Spear Douluo similarly transformed into a massive spear, merging his entire body with the weapon. This was his unique Spear-Body Unity, an alternative form of martial soul true form that maximized his weapon's power.

Seeing this, Yang Xiong's group also activated their martial soul true forms. This was no longer about enduring for an hour—it was now a matter of who would emerge victorious.

Feng Xiaotian transformed into a gigantic Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf. In his hand, he held a dark green sausage crafted by Oscar—the Limit Breaking Dark Green Sausage.

With the activation of his martial soul true form and the consumption of the Beyond Limits Dark Green Sausage, Feng Xiaotian became a massive Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf far stronger than usual. To maximize his power, he unleashed his fourth soul skill: Demon Wolf Storm. The colossal storm engulfed the entire ocean, shrouding everyone within its vortex, making it impossible for anyone to attack Ning Rongrong and the others.

Ning Rongrong activated her Nine Treasures True Body, the massive Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda illuminating the sea. Chanting continuously, she infused countless beams of light into everyone's bodies.

Meanwhile, Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu also activated their martial soul true forms, transforming into a colossal Fire Shadow and Ice Phoenix, respectively. Under the combined influence of ice and fire, the seawater began to boil violently.

In response, the Seven Holy Pillars were equally formidable. Despite her injuries, the Sea Witch Douluo transformed into a towering figure, wielding a massive Sea Devil Flute.

The Sea Star Douluo's Sea Star rapidly expanded, its countless tentacles enveloping the ocean's surface, exuding an endless devouring force.

The Sea Delusion Douluo, Sea Horse Douluo, and Sea Ghost Douluo also activated their martial soul true forms. The entire ocean erupted as countless soul powers vibrated through the water.

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