Based on the current situation in the battle between Shrek Academy and Star Luo Royal Academy, if the fight continued, Shrek would likely suffer a significant loss. In particular, Tang San, the control-type Soul Master, despite being a Soul Elder, was at a disadvantage due to the gap in soul power levels between him and his opponent.
According to Yu Xiaogang's tactics, Tang San's main role was to protect Ye Lingling and control the field. He wasn't required to deal much damage but had to use his Blue Silver Grass to support others promptly.
However, the Star Luo Royal Academy team had clearly tailored their formation to counter Shrek's setup, especially targeting Tang San as the core control figure.
Previously, the battle between Yang Xiong and Feng Xiaotian drew much attention. In this match, Zhu Zhuyun was specifically assigned to hold Yang Xiong back. It was obvious she wasn't trying to win quickly, just to stall him and strike when an opportunity arose.
After ten minutes of fighting, Yang Xiong and Zhu Zhuyun had already traversed the whole arena multiple times. Both had their attacks countered effectively.
Even when Yang Xiong used teleportation, Zhu Zhuyun reacted with incredible agility, immediately activating her third soul skill, Nether Spring Fall, regardless of the soul power cost. Her confidence came from her powerful level 47 soul power.
Although Tang San was being suppressed, Zhu Zhuyun couldn't get close enough to attack Ye Lingling.
Compared to Yang Xiong, Dai Mubai and the Shi brothers were having a harder time. They were up against Davis and Ying Wei and also facing sneak attacks from high-speed agility-type Soul Masters, which made them appear overwhelmed.
Dai Mubai, in particular, was repeatedly attacked by Davis's soul skills. If it weren't for his unyielding personality and Ye Lingling's healing, he would've fallen long ago.
Ye Lingling focused most of her healing on Dai Mubai, and Davis also targeted him specifically. That was the only reason Shrek had managed to hold on this long.
Seeing the team gradually falling into a disadvantage, the previously suppressed Tang San finally began to show anger, and his fighting spirit grew stronger.
Taking advantage of a moment right after Dai Mubai clashed with Davis, Tang San activated his first soul skill: Entanglement. Countless Blue Silver Grass vines emerged from the ground and rapidly wrapped toward Davis and several others. He immediately followed up with his second soul skill: Parasite.
Lin Yao, who had been keeping a close eye on Tang San, immediately activated his third soul skill: Flame Meteor Stream. Fiery feathers rained down from his Flame Hawk, turning the arena into a sea of fire.
Just as the Blue Silver Grass was about to be incinerated, Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng exchanged glances. Dai Mubai activated his fourth soul skill: White Tiger Meteor Shower, and Yu Tianheng did the same with Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's Fury. Clearly, they were trying to seize the moment to strike Davis hard.
As Davis was being surrounded, Ying Wei activated his fourth soul skill: Water Buffalo Charge, forcefully blocking Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng's attack head-on.
Davis gritted his teeth and activated his fourth soul skill: White Tiger Devastation. A massive white tiger burst into radiant light, appearing even stronger than Dai Mubai's Meteor Shower.
At that moment, Tang San, moving at great speed, suddenly struck at Davis with the Clear Sky Hammer, clearly determined not to stop until Davis was defeated.
Both sides clashed fiercely without holding back. Despite the heavy blows, Davis was only forced back dozens of meters and spat blood but remained standing, clearly injured, but still conscious.
Right then, Zhu Zhuyun launched her fourth soul skill: Nether Slash at Yang Xiong. He punched the attack directly, but she feinted and used the chance to retreat, appearing like a shadow beside Davis.
Though Tang San, Yu Tianheng, and Dai Mubai had executed a strong and well-coordinated combo, the Star Luo agility-type Soul Masters counterattacked with a flanking strategy, striking Yu Tianheng and Dai Mubai heavily. Only Tang San managed to evade using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
Davis and Zhu Zhuyun exchanged glances, quickly moved together, and began fusing their martial souls. The massive white tiger and the agile Nether Shadow Cat combined to form a huge black tiger, this was their Martial Soul Fusion Skill: Nether White Tiger.
At the same time, the Shangshui sisters launched their fourth soul skills. Two streams of water-type energy merged with the Nether White Tiger, making it roar loudly and release a powerful aura of dominance.
Before anyone could react, the Nether White Tiger leapt up and slammed its paw toward Ye Lingling. Though Tang San tried to save her with Blue Silver Grass, he was too far away after having attacked Davis. Ye Lingling was struck and thrown out of the ring.
Yang Xiong then dashed toward the Shangshui sisters and, with a powerful double-fist strike, knocked them both out of the ring.
With both support Soul Masters eliminated, the battle became even more intense.
The Nether White Tiger proved incredibly powerful, comparable to a top-tier Soul King, and astonishingly fast. It quickly appeared before the Shi brothers.
Despite doing their best to defend, the brothers weren't agile enough. Their turtle shells were shattered, and both were struck out of the ring by the Nether White Tiger.
Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng intended to help the Shi brothers, but both were heavily injured. The Nether White Tiger was simply too fast and possessed both the strength of a white tiger and the agility of the Nether Cat. It was arguably one of the most powerful fusion techniques.
The tide of battle turned further in Star Luo's favor. Shrek could no longer match the Nether White Tiger's power. However, without Zhu Zhuyun to hinder him, Yang Xiong's speed became uncontested.
Over time, with the Nether White Tiger at the center, the Star Luo team began targeting Dai Mubai, Yu Tianheng, and Tang San. Meanwhile, Yang Xiong used his speed to strike down the enemy's agility-type Soul Masters. His task was to exploit openings and break the enemy's formation.
Regardless of whether Tang San used his fourth soul skill: Spider Web Restraint or the Clear Sky Hammer, he was completely overwhelmed by the Nether White Tiger in both strength and speed. The web was torn apart quickly, and even the hammer was knocked away.
Despite being battered and bruised, Dai Mubai and the others kept resisting the Nether White Tiger.
Dai Mubai's eyes burned with defiance. He looked as if he would rather die than surrender.
Yang Xiong felt a pang of sympathy. After all, he had been with Dai Mubai for over two years. Though reckless, Dai Mubai was a responsible captain who understood his role.
Yu Xiaogang and the others stared intensely at the arena. This battle was not just about victory, it was about Dai Mubai's life. Even Tang San and Yu Tianheng were clearly risking their lives to protect him.
Even Ning Rongrong, who usually didn't get along with Dai Mubai, looked genuinely worried and disheartened. Given how the fight was going, Shrek seemed doomed to lose.
Yang Xiong sighed. "Enough. We were classmates, I can't just watch you die. Let me help you one last time. Don't let me down."
As the massive Nether White Tiger slammed its paw down, Dai Mubai used his remaining soul power to activate White Tiger Barrier, trying to defend himself despite his injuries.
At that moment, Yang Xiong flashed forward at high speed and pushed Dai Mubai out of harm's way.
The previously dominant Nether White Tiger actually spoke: "I planned to finish you off last, but since you came to die first, I'll grant your wish."
Yang Xiong coldly snorted, "You two aren't worthy!"
Suddenly, his whole body turned silver. His tall frame expanded slightly, revealing terrifying muscles.
The Nether White Tiger struck him with immense force, knocking him back several meters. Its power was indeed overwhelming.
But at that moment, Yang Xiong stood his ground and clashed head-on. His soul power seemed to break through under the pressure, finally rising from level 39 to level 40.
The crowd was in shock. Yang Xiong had managed to break through to Soul Ancestor during such an intense battle. His talent was frightening. As a Soul Elder, he had just resisted a top-tier Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
As the Nether White Tiger pounced again, Yang Xiong unexpectedly relaxed. A thick suit of armor appeared on his chest and back. It resembled the Shi brothers' turtle shell but covered both front and back in silver plates. It looked ancient and compact.
Clad in armor, Yang Xiong punched the Nether White Tiger. Though not stronger than it, his armor gave him incredible defense.
The crowd was once again shocked. Even Titled Douluo fixed their eyes on Yang Xiong's armor.
Though the Nether White Tiger was formidable, Yang Xiong's armor, the Xuanming Armor, was even more fearsome. Its defense completely neutralized the Tiger's attack. Yang Xiong seized the chance to land a punch on its head, making it roar in agony.
After repeated clashes, the Nether White Tiger's form began to fade. Davis and Zhu Zhuyun were clearly nearing their limits.
The Tiger roared, gathering all its power into its mouth and fired a black energy beam at Yang Xiong, a last-ditch, desperate attack.
Yang Xiong coldly grunted, and the Xuanming Armor lit up. A massive silver shield appeared in front of him, his soul bone skill: Impenetrable Fortress.
The black beam hit the silver shield, but it didn't budge. The shield seemed completely immune.
The Nether White Tiger faded away, revealing Davis and Zhu Zhuyun collapsed on the ground, exhausted and unconscious.
Yang Xiong then dashed forward and knocked out the last Star Luo Academy member.
The referee finally announced Shrek Academy as the winner.
But all eyes were on Yang Xiong's external soul bone, the Xuanming Armor. Its defense shocked everyone. It had withstood attacks two full realms higher.
Since it was a growing external soul bone, its future defense potential was terrifying.
Yang Xiong, whose martial soul was his own body (naturally more fragile), now had that weakness completely covered by the Xuanming Armor. He was now both offensively and defensively balanced.
This external soul bone was a true defensive treasure, its value likely exceeded even the three reward soul bones.
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