The lively, excited girl was Xu Tianzhen, representing Sun Moon Empire's Mingdu Academy in the survival tournament.
As a Sun Moon princess, she was gifted—her martial soul was the Sun, and she was already a Soul King, about Nan Qiuqiu's age.
At first, she was determined to win it all, but after losing to Jinhsi and joining her alliance, she was happy to be part of the team.
"We've made it to the final circle—let's go all out!" Jinhsi saw everyone eager for battle and didn't stop them.
After all, they were young. Hiding to the end just wasn't realistic.
She herself wanted to win, but wouldn't force it.
"Here's a little greeting! Ready?" Xu Tianzhen called to her Mingdu Academy teammates.
"Ready, big sis!" They quickly assembled a huge soul tool cannon—a Level 7 Thunder Cannon, a treasure from a high-tier supply point.
Its power was immense—enough to match a full attack from a Soul Douluo.
But it took time to assemble and prepare, making it almost useless in sudden encounters.
Here, though, it was perfect—maybe they'd wipe out half the fighting teams in the center.
Lightning gathered, and a massive cannonball shot toward the center.
At the same time, a huge fire shell from the other side also targeted the center.
"Someone's playing dirty!" March 7th, who wasn't fighting, saw both shells coming and quickly used her soul skills to shield Wang Qiu'er's team.
"Careful!"
Shrek and Clear Sky spotted the approaching energy too, and He Caitou fired several soul cannon shots to intercept.
But it was too late.
With a deafening roar, two mushroom clouds rose, flame and lightning mixing in a massive explosion that boosted their destructive power.
The shockwave ripped outward for kilometers.
The display of Level 7 soul tools amazed everyone watching from the parallel world.
Especially Ning Fengzhi of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—their eyes shone with excitement.
They'd always valued soul tools, and seeing such power thrilled them.
Even Bibi Dong was intrigued.
Though these shells couldn't kill a Title Douluo, a Soul Douluo caught directly in the blast could die.
And soul tools could be mass-produced—if widely equipped, even Title Douluos would fear them.
Any force that acquired them would gain a huge advantage.
"Those bastards!" Xu Sanshi cursed, relying on his Xuanwu Shield and Invincible Golden Body soul tool to survive.
Shrek had gained some Invincible Golden Body tools from a high-level supply point—without them, the blast would have wiped them out.
Even so, everyone was badly hurt—the shield only lasted three seconds, but the blast's aftereffects far outlasted that.
The Clear Sky Sect had it worse—they had no such soul tools and were wiped out.
Only Wang Dong'er survived, thanks to her own Invincible Golden Body and Xu Sanshi's shield.
Wang Qiu'er's team survived thanks to March 7th's ice shield and their own defensive tools.
After the blast, Ye Lingling quickly healed her teammates.
Her presence was crucial—without her, St. Freya's second team's strength would plummet.
"A healer—but your luck ends now! Fifth soul skill—Radiant Light!" Xu Tianzhen leapt out, ready to finished them off.
A massive ball of light blazed above her, absorbing sunlight and growing stronger.
Next, it burst forth in a blinding golden beam, slashing toward St. Freya's second team.
Compared to the battered Shrek team, Xu Tianzhen felt it smarter to take out the healthier St. Freya team.
"What an idiot." On the other side, Gu Yue appeared with Shui Bing'er and others.
The red cannon beside them revealed their part in the earlier explosion.
Seeing Xu Tianzhen attack Wang Qiu'er with solar power, Gu Yue's eyes gleamed oddly.
Wang Qiu'er's simulated martial soul was the Golden Dragon, with Golden Dragon King blood—she was least afraid of solar power.
Sure enough, as the sunbeam hit, Wang Qiu'er, rather than being burned, absorbed the power and rapidly recovered, growing stronger.
"Sorry, looks like you're countered!" Wang Qiu'er opened her eyes, golden flames blazing.
She wielded her Golden Dragon Spear, smiling at Xu Tianzhen.
"How can this be?" Xu Tianzhen stumbled back in disbelief.
"Thanks for the power-up! Let me send you out as thanks."
Wang Qiu'er hadn't forgotten the earlier soul cannon barrage.
She crouched and, with a sonic boom, shot forward with her spear.
Xu Tianzhen's pupils shrank, thinking she was finished, but time seemed to slow—Jinhsi instantly appeared, grabbed her, and threw her back.
Blade and spear clashed, ripples spreading out.
Wang Qiu'er flew back, locking eyes with Jinhsi, her fighting spirit blazing.
She'd always wanted to spar with Jinhsi, and now, with Robin's support, she was a Soul Emperor—finally worthy of a match.
"Dong'er, doesn't she look a lot like you? Are you sure you don't have a sister?" Xiao Xiao sidled up to Wang Dong'er, glancing at Wang Qiu'er.
Though their hair and martial souls differed, their faces were quite similar—no one would doubt they were sisters.
"I don't have a sister," Wang Dong'er replied calmly.
There are plenty of people who look alike—just like the girl she'd recently beaten up, who also made her feel strangely guilty.
"Instead of worrying about that, why not focus on what to do next?" Wang Dong'er was at a loss.
The twin Level 7 cannon blasts had wiped out the Clear Sky Sect. She'd barely survived, and was injured.
Her team was now out of the running—any team could threaten them.
"Shrek, sorry, but could you please leave?" A clear, gentle voice called out.
Xiao Xiao and the others turned to see the gentle, beautiful Weina and the familiar Firefly.
"Just great—out of the frying pan into the fire." Seeing the Body Sect, Xu Sanshi twitched, and Bei Bei sighed.
Though Wang Dong'er's team was outmatched, they refused to surrender.
This was the first simulation tournament, with all eyes on them. There was no way they'd just quit and disgrace Shrek.
So, the battle began, but the Body Sect had the upper hand.
If Shrek were at full strength, they could have fought evenly.
But now, weakened by the blast and internal injuries, they were easily suppressed. Defeat was just a matter of time.
Lu Jingming, now out of the match, watched as a third party, also noting the Spirit Hall lying in wait.
In the final circle, only a few teams remained: Jinhsi and Gu Yue's alliances, the Body Sect, St. Freya's second team, and Spirit Hall.