"First Soul Skill, Phoenix Fire Line."
Ma Xiaotao decided to seize the initiative. With a resounding, passionate phoenix cry echoing across the sky, a vivid fire phoenix phantom suddenly appeared behind her.
That fire phoenix was engulfed in blazing crimson flames, instantly igniting the surrounding air.
The flames quickly condensed into a searing fire line, shooting straight toward Zhang Lexuan.
The intense heat caused the temperature on the beach to rise sharply. The air around seemed to catch fire, and the sand underfoot, scorched by the heat, began to show signs of crystallization.
As expected of the Phoenix Martial Soul—even with some defects, the terrifying temperature contained within this true phoenix flame was unexpectedly high, as if it could incinerate all things in the world.
"First Soul Skill, Moon Ring Severing Blade." Faced with Ma Xiaotao's ferocious attack, Zhang Lexuan's expression remained unchanged; she simply called out softly.
In an instant, the first soul ring on her body shone brightly, and the silver moon phantom above her head released an even denser silver moonlight.
The moonlight quickly condensed into a sharp sword aura shaped like a crescent moon. With a sharp, piercing sound as it sliced through the air, it flashed like silver lightning, cutting a clear ripple through the air as it shot straight toward the phoenix fire line.
Within the cold moonlight was a biting chill, as if it sought to dispel all the heat from the beach.
Boom—!
With a deafening explosion, an invisible shockwave erupted from the impact point, spreading wildly in all directions.
A huge crater instantly appeared on the beach, utterly destroying the once-flat sand.
The power of the resulting flames was astonishing—it instantly burned the surrounding sand into sparkling crystals, which, under the sunlight, shimmered with iridescent brilliance, turning the area into a dazzling land of jewels.
"Second Soul Skill: Bathing Fire Phoenix! Third Soul Skill: Phoenix Wing Sky Soar!"
Having failed with her first strike, Ma Xiaotao wasn't discouraged. Instead, she quickly launched even fiercer attacks.
Her soul rings flashed as she instantly activated her second and third soul skills.
Surging flames gushed from within her body like a tide, enveloping her completely.
A pair of dazzling, fiery red wings radiating intense light suddenly spread from her back. As she flapped her wings, waves of scorching air currents rolled out.
With the power of these two soul skills, Ma Xiaotao's body slowly left the ground and began to ascend into the air.
Trailing behind her were several long, crimson phoenix tails fluttering in the wind. From a distance, she truly looked like a phoenix reborn in fire, exuding incomparable majesty and beauty.
With these two powerful soul skills, Ma Xiaotao not only gained the ability to fly—freely soaring in the sky and taking control of the battle—but all her attributes were greatly enhanced. Her strength skyrocketed, and her presence changed dramatically.
"Second Soul Skill, Heavenly Dance Moonblade Sword."
Zhang Lexuan's cool voice echoed gently, like a voice from a secluded valley.
From the silver moon hanging high in the sky, seven beams of tangible moonlight suddenly fell, transforming instantly into seven sharp moonlight sword shadows radiating icy chill.
These sword shadows rapidly circled Zhang Lexuan, forming an impenetrable defensive sword formation. The cold flashes of light were enough to make anyone shiver. With Zhang Lexuan's two fingers joined, like a sharp sword, she lightly swept her hand.
In an instant, the seven sword shadows, as if commanded, shot toward Ma Xiaotao in the sky with shrill, piercing sounds, like meteors streaking through the air.
Their speed was so great that it was almost impossible to react, leaving only silver streaks flickering through the air.
Watching Ma Xiaotao in the sky being chased and attacked by seven fierce sword shadows, Lu Jingming couldn't help but smile as he bit on his straw, the corners of his mouth lifting unconsciously, his eyes full of amused delight.
Perhaps due to long-term sword training under Jingliu, when Zhang Lexuan acquired her soul skills, she intentionally chose soul beasts that could grant sword-type soul skills.
Take the second soul skill, "Heavenly Dance Moonblade Sword"—when unleashed, it truly embodied the ethereal, sharp grace of an sword immortal.
However, Ma Xiaotao was, after all, an elite student of Shrek Academy. She had spent most of her time in the Battle Arena, baptized by countless fights, accumulating battle experience far beyond someone like Lu Jingming, who rarely participated in real combat.
She moved nimbly in midair, like a swift swallow, relying on her soul skills for astonishing speed, darting left and right, dodging the frenzied attacks of the seven sword shadows.
At the same time, she suddenly spat out a burst of intense phoenix fire, sweeping toward the seven moonblade swords, attempting to use the high-temperature flames to wear down the power of the sword shadows.
The fierce exchange lasted a moment. Although Ma Xiaotao managed to avoid being slain by the sword shadows and even weakened the moonblade swords with her phoenix fire, this series of actions consumed a massive amount of her soul power.
At this point, she was slightly out of breath, her chest heaving violently. The intensity of the battle had flushed her face a rosy red.
Her clothes, ravaged by the sword energy, were in tatters, revealing large patches of snow-white skin, exuding a unique allure.
She had done her utmost to dodge the sword energy—otherwise, it wouldn't have been just her clothes that were damaged.
Ma Xiaotao had never suffered such a great setback. Anger surged in her heart, overwhelming her reason.
Her fourth soul ring suddenly shone brilliantly, and she became a dazzling pillar of fire, shooting toward Zhang Lexuan like a blazing meteor, shouting, "Fourth Soul Skill! Phoenix Sky-Shattering Strike!"
With the purple soul ring shining brilliantly, a blinding red light appeared under Zhang Lexuan's feet.
A thick pillar of flame shot skyward as if trying to pierce the heavens.
The overwhelming flames, like surging waves, instantly enveloped Zhang Lexuan. The searing heat distorted the air, and the sand on the beach began to melt.
Ma Xiaotao's lips curled into a proud smirk as if she could already see the dawn of victory.
Yet, in the next moment, her smile froze.
Within the blazing pillar of fire, Zhang Lexuan's fourth soul ring also shone with dazzling brilliance. Gentle silver moonlight surged out, enveloping her completely.
Surprisingly, the previously unstoppable phoenix fire was repelled by the silver moonlight, unable to harm Zhang Lexuan in the slightest.