March 7th was not truly foolish. She understood there were things she couldn't casually reveal, and when questioned about something critical, she naturally became cautious.
Pure, upright, lively, and kind—these were rare and precious qualities that made March 7th so beloved. But that didn't mean she was defenseless toward outsiders.
Even if someone knew Lu Jingming, it was impossible to trick March 7th into disclosing everything without reservation.
Meanwhile, the battle neared its end.
Wang Qiu'er's Golden Dragon Spear suddenly transformed into a golden dragon, piercing straight through Yu Tianlong in a flash of light.
Beside him, Xing Yan's lips had turned purple, his face pale as paper—obviously poisoned by Meng Hongchen's chilling toxin. If not for his top-tier beast martial soul granting him a powerful physique, he would have collapsed long ago.
Seeing Yu Tianlong defeated, Xing Yan lost his last bit of strength and blacked out. The poison and his injuries caused him to dissolve into particles of light, leaving only a revival chip behind.
Yu Tianlong looked down at his pierced heart. Though still alive thanks to his strength, he knew he was utterly defeated—and by a female dragon soul master his own age.
He opened his mouth, as if to ask Wang Qiu'er's name, but could only cough up blood.
As the seven rays of light faded, the entire Heaven Dragon team was eliminated.
With their original strength, Heaven Dragon could have been top contenders in this survival tournament—if only they hadn't encountered the St. Freya Academy's second team so early.
"Take your things and come with us—we'll guarantee you a top ten finish." Wang Qiu'er did not refuse the deal she'd made with Ye Lingling.
The remaining Heaven Dragon members, though weaker, still had value as fighting force—perhaps useful at a crucial moment.
Other than Heaven Dou Royal and Heaven Dragon teams, there were surely more teams lurking nearby, eyeing the high-tier supplies.
But most were deterred by Wang Qiu'er and her companions' strength and ultimately backed off.
The truly powerful teams had already been secretly dissuaded by Robin and March 7th.
Thus, St. Freya Academy's second team smoothly claimed the first supply chest.
Compared to the thrilling encounters of March 7th and Robin, Lu Jingming's experience was much duller.
The Holy Spirit Church's team lived up to its reputation as evil soul masters—no unlucky team escaped their grasp.
Their lineup was strong: two Soul Emperors, four Soul Kings, and a Soul Ancestor-level Huo Yuhao.
But ironically, the most dangerous was Huo Yuhao, who seemed the weakest.
Of the Soul Emperors, one was the bone dragon, Yan Feng, and the other—attacking with dark Blue Silver Grass—could only be Tang Ya.
She'd joined the Holy Spirit Church recently, but her power had soared.
No wonder that in the Mingdu Tournament years later, she appeared as a high-level Soul Sage.
The further a soul master progresses, the slower their cultivation, so Tang Ya's leap was astonishing.
This was partly due to the Church's resources, but also the devouring nature of her mutated dark Blue Silver Grass.
The Tang Sect always appointed Blue Silver Grass wielders as sect masters—a bit of a joke, but this generation truly produced a mutated martial soul.
Dark Blue Silver Grass, an evil martial soul, could devour blood, soul power, life force—even souls themselves—to increase its strength.
Of course, having an evil martial soul didn't make one evil—it was the soul master's choice.
Tang Ya, driven by revenge, chose this path.
At first, she restrained herself, only targeting enemies. But after being found by the Holy Spirit Church's Five Worships and brought in, she lost her autonomy.
While the Church valued her and gave her the title "Holy Maiden," they only cared for her martial soul's potential and future power.
She was soon controlled by secret techniques and potions, as the Church's leader, Zhongli Wu, could see she'd never truly betray the Tang Sect.
Thus, Tang Ya became a puppet Holy Maiden—forever murmuring about her Tang Sect.
Unlike Tang Ya, Huo Yuhao had sincerely joined the Holy Spirit Church.
As the disciple of Dragon God Douluo Mu En, he received special treatment. The Church's two strongest pillars favored him, and Zhongli Wu truly intended to make Huo Yuhao his heir.
Huo Yuhao squinted at the black-haired girl beside him.
He never expected to encounter Teacher Xiao Ya in the Holy Spirit Church.
But unlike him, Tang Ya had much of her memory erased—even failing to recognize him.
Still, perhaps subconsciously, Tang Ya was more obedient to him than to others.
"Hey, more prey coming!" As they advanced toward the island center, the Holy Spirit Church team spotted another group.
Without hesitation, they surrounded them.
No team discovered by the Holy Spirit Church had survived.
…
"Oh no, we've been found—retreat!" Not far off, Tang San's face changed dramatically.
His Mysterious Heaven Record cultivation gave him keen senses. The instant he spotted the Church team, he sensed overwhelming danger—a top team.
"Trying to run? You need our permission first!" Lich King Xiao Lei sneered, extending his withered right hand.
White skeletal hands burst from the ground, clawing at Tang San's group.
"What the hell!" Ma Hongjun shrieked as the bone hands erupted, jumping up and unleashing blazing flames at the ground.
Tang San's expression darkened. He slammed his palm down, and blue-violet Blue Silver Grass vines shot up to meet the skeletal hands.
"Hm? Blue Silver Grass martial soul?" Noticing the blue vines, Huo Yuhao frowned and glanced at Tang Ya, then at Tang San.
For some reason, seeing Tang San sparked a nameless anger and disgust in Huo Yuhao.
He didn't know why, but chose to trust his instincts.
"Teacher Xiao Ya!" Huo Yuhao called softly.
Tang Ya immediately pulled down her black hood, revealing a pale but striking face.
Her eyes vacant, she looked toward Tang San.
As six soul rings appeared, a bloody aura filled the air. Dark red Blue Silver Grass surged from the earth like a swarm of monstrous snakes, tearing at the land and sweeping wildly toward Tang San's group.
"Soul Emperor, and Blue Silver Grass? Am I dreaming?" Ning Rongrong, supporting the group with her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, gasped at the sight of the massive vine surge.
This was her first time seeing another Blue Silver Grass master besides Tang San—and a Soul Emperor at that.
"No, this is definitely not ordinary Blue Silver Grass!" Tang San's expression grew more grave.
A Soul Emperor was trouble enough, but Tang Ya's martial soul was fundamentally different from his.
"What now, Xiao San?" Dai Mubai swung his tiger claws, white light slashing the incoming vines. But there were far too many—eventually, they'd be worn down.
"Oscar, get the flying sausages! We're out of here!"
Tang San made a snap decision. The enemy was not only a Soul Emperor with Blue Silver Grass, but also had strong companions. Escape was the only option.
Oscar quickly made flying sausages and handed them out.
As wings sprouted and the team shot away at high speed, Huo Yuhao sneered.
With his spiritual detection locked onto them, escape was impossible.
The Holy Spirit Church team chased at a leisurely pace.
With Huo Yuhao's shared detection, Tang San's group ran desperately but could never shake pursuit.
"Split up! As long as one survives, there's hope."
Tang San realized they were locked onto and ordered everyone to scatter.
With the tournament's revival system, if even one survived, they could later collect revival chips and bring teammates back—so long as the chips weren't taken. Tang San gambled the enemy's arrogance would keep them from picking up chips.
Facing the enemy head-on was suicide—they had two Soul Emperors and four Soul Kings.