The final match had arrived, the ultimate showdown for the three soul bones.
The Shrek team from the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy stepped onto the stage. They lined up in a seemingly strange 1-2-3 formation.
Ning Rongrong stood alone in the rear, with Tang San and Dugu Yan in front of her. Ahead of them were Yu Tianheng, Dai Mubai, and Xiao Wu. Yang Xiong stood at the very front, by himself.
However, Tang San and Dugu Yan were positioned very close to the trio in front of them. From a distance, it looked more like a 1-5-1 formation.
On the other side, the Spirit Hall team finally revealed their strongest lineup:
- Captain Xie Yue: Martial spirit Moon Blade, Level 52 Power Attack Soul King
- Hu Liena: Martial spirit Enchanting Fox, Level 51 Control-type Soul King
- Yan: Martial spirit Flame Lord, Level 52 Power Attack Soul King
- Zhang Ping: Martial spirit Golden Waist Swallow, Level 47 Agility Attack Soul Ancestor
- Li Kai: Martial spirit Black-Horned Boar, Level 47 Power Attack Soul Ancestor
- Xu Yu: Martial spirit Radiant Golden Scepter, Level 46 Support-type Soul Ancestor
- Sun Chuantao: Martial spirit Circular Great Blade, Level 48 Power Attack Soul Ancestor
Looking at this lineup, Yang Xiong was speechless. The difference in strength was simply too great. He couldn't understand how the original story's protagonists, with their sub-50-level powers, had managed to win. Could they really have relied solely on the so-called Tang Sect hidden weapons?
All seven Spirit Hall members had powerful martial spirits, and their soul power levels were terrifyingly high. Only Davis and Zhu Zhuyun from the entire tournament might barely qualify to compete with them. Even Feng Xiaotian likely wouldn't make their main lineup.
As the referee gave the signal, a one-minute prep time began. Everyone summoned their martial spirits.
Yang Xiong's entire body turned silver. The Xuanming Armor appeared on him, and even his eyes turned purple, this was the Purple Demon Eye.
When the Spirit Hall team summoned their martial spirits and soul rings, the audience felt a heavy pressure, especially from the three ten-thousand-year soul rings, whose power was staggering.
Gasps spread through the crowd. Shrek had fielded two Soul Elders (level 40s), and the two defensive-type Soul Ancestors from the previous match weren't even present. How could they possibly defend against Spirit Hall's attacks?
Once the match officially began, all members of the Shrek team charged forward, even Ning Rongrong moved slightly ahead.
In that instant, six beams of light shot out from Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, rapidly merging into her teammates. She recited solemnly, "Seven Treasures: First- Power, Second-Speed, Third-Soul."
Everyone was stunned. They had never seen the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda used for support like this. Could a mere Soul Elder really afford to consume soul power so recklessly? How long could she maintain this intense support?
The Spirit Hall team's formation remained tightly aligned. Xie Yue and Hu Liena moved to the front, standing side by side. Their martial spirits actually fused, transforming into a mysterious, masked figure over two meters tall, holding dual Moon Blades and exuding a red aura.
This fused spirit was incredibly fast. The red mist surrounding it made it difficult for even the soul masters in the audience to see what was happening inside.
Yang Xiong turned into a silver streak and dove directly into the red mist.
Inside the mist, his spiritual perception was clearly affected, visibility was limited. If not for his Purple Demon Eye and abnormally strong spiritual power, he would have been overwhelmed by illusions.
The fused being, Meihua (Demonic Beauty), spoke in an androgynous voice: "Didn't expect a mere Soul Elder like you to challenge me. I'll finish you off first."
Yang Xiong snorted, "You androgynous freak, where do you get the confidence to talk such nonsense?"
Meihua was enraged and slashed at Yang Xiong with its Moon Blades. The blades were extremely sharp, much more powerful than Feng Xiaotian's wind blades.
But Yang Xiong wasn't afraid. His silver hands, resembling claws, grabbed straight at the blades.
On impact, Yang Xiong felt as if his hands were being sliced open. A faint cut even appeared on his silver palms. The attack was indeed formidable.
Meihua sneered, "So you can actually see my strikes. But how long can a Soul Elder like you endure?"
Yang Xiong growled, "Enough of your nonsense. If you have what it takes, beat me!"
Being called androgynous seemed to hit a nerve with Meihua, and its attacks grew more ferocious. Though Yang Xiong's hands were incredibly strong, they quickly bore numerous deep wounds, proof of the weakness of using a body-based martial spirit.
Gritting his teeth, Yang Xiong's body bulked up. His skin and bones hardened, this was his self-created soul skill: Iron Muscles and Steel Bones.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Shrek team charged like wild beasts toward the Spirit Hall lineup.
The audience instantly realized that Shrek's strategy was to go all out, use Yang Xiong to hold off Meihua and eliminate opponents as fast as possible. No wonder Ning Rongrong was pushing her soul power limits to boost everyone.
Yu Tianheng transformed into a massive Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and clashed with Yan.
Yan's Flame Lord spirit possessed both fire and earth attributes, making him both offensively powerful and defensively tough.
Even in the opening exchange, Yu Tianheng struggled and was knocked back several meters.
Undeterred, lightning crackled over Yu Tianheng as he unleashed his fourth soul skill, Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Rush, his right hand transforming into a giant dragon claw that struck at Yan.
Dai Mubai faced off against Sun Chuantao. The White Tiger, a pure attack-type beast spirit, clashed with the latter's Circular Great Blade. Using his third soul skil, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, Dai Mubai held his own for the moment.
Xiao Wu engaged Li Kai. The Black-Horned Boar's attacks were brutally strong, but Xiao Wu's agility kept her barely in the fight.
Dugu Yan released massive amounts of poisonous mist, using multiple skills at once. The arena filled with toxins, forcing everyone to defend themselves with soul power.
Zhang Ping, the speed-type Spirit Hall member, darted like a golden swallow straight toward Ning Rongrong, clearly aiming to take out the Shrek team's support.
It was obvious to all: Shrek was only keeping up because of Ning Rongrong's extraordinary buffs. Her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda boosted power, speed, and soul force by 40%, just enough to bridge the level gap.
But Tang San reacted swiftly. Blue Silver Grass pulled Ning Rongrong out of danger, and he brandished a green mantis-like scythe, an external soul bone called Mantis Legs.
Only Tang San could match Zhang Ping's speed. He had to both protect Ning Rongrong and attack enemies.
Tang San also positioned himself close to the red mist where Yang Xiong fought Meihua, ready to assist at any moment.
The Spirit Hall team had only one control-type soul master, Hu Liena. Their support soul master, Xu Yu, used his golden scepter to emit a radiance that boosted his allies' attack power.
The battle grew fiercer.
Suddenly, something unexpected happened.
Yang Xiong, locked in a brutal fight with Meihua, suddenly vanished as his first soul ring lit up. In his place appeared Xu Yu.
This was Yang Xiong's first soul skill: Xuanming Swap, a godlike move.
Since Xu Yu had been left alone to support his team, he was completely off-guard.
Despite Meihua's speed, it couldn't stop its powerful attack in time. The Moon Blade slashed into Xu Yu, who was defenseless. The strike missed the golden scepter and landed squarely on Xu Yu's shoulder, severely injuring him.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiong appeared where Xu Yu had been, behind enemy lines, and charged at Sun Chuantao.
Though Sun Chuantao was a power attacker, his spirit was weapon-based, making him more vulnerable than beast spirit users. He took Yang Xiong's punch head-on and was sent flying, spitting blood.
Tang San, now near the red mist, suddenly turned into a ghostly shadow, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and darted inside. Using his Mantis Leg, he slashed Xu Yu's back, leaving a deep, bone-revealing wound.
Xu Yu, struck twice in quick succession, collapsed seriously wounded.
The audience gasped. Just moments ago, Spirit Hall had a clear advantage. Now, their only support was out, and one attacker severely injured.
It was a brilliant tactic. Shrek timed it perfectly. But the flaw was obvious: no one could protect Ning Rongrong. Zhang Ping's speed was unmatched, and Tang San had to confront Meihua. If Meihua's red mist reached the others, Spirit Hall could still turn the tide.
Zhang Ping unleashed his third soul skill: Meteor Swallow, an ultra-fast strike targeting Ning Rongrong.
Dugu Yan rushed over, trying to shield her. Her Emerald Snake tail lashed out to block Zhang Ping.
But Zhang Ping's speed and strength were overwhelming. Dugu Yan took a direct hit and was thrown several meters, blood trickling from her lips.
Yang Xiong knew time was running out. He used instant movement to block Zhang Ping, shielding Ning Rongrong.
The Spirit Hall team was enraged. With one ally injured and one down, their morale and formation were shaken.
Yan activated his fifth soul skill: Scorching Flame Storm, a ten-thousand-year group attack. The arena became a sea of fire.
Yang Xiong pulled Ning Rongrong close, shielding her from the flames.
Dai Mubai responded with White Tiger Meteor Shower, raining stars down to clash with the flames. Yu Tianheng unleashed his second soul skill, Thunderstorm, using the Tyrant Dragon's power to counter.
But the difference between thousand-year and ten-thousand-year soul skills was too great. The firestorm was overwhelming.
Tang San was also struggling against Meihua. Screams came from within the red mist.
Yang Xiong had no choice. He used Xuanming Swap again, switching places with Tang San. Tang San returned to Ning Rongrong's side, while Yang Xiong went back into the red mist.
Tang San looked battered. After just two minutes against Meihua, his Mantis Legs had been sliced to pieces, and his hands, coated in White Jade, were cracked. Deep gashes marked his body. Even with one Spirit Hall member eliminated, the mood among the crowd was somber.
Shrek had no way to stop Meihua, not even Yang Xiong could hold out much longer. His arms were now covered in deep wounds.
Sun Chuantao, though injured, had not lost combat power. His strikes with the Circular Blade grew even more ferocious.
Time passed quickly. At around five minutes in, Yang Xiong's body was covered in gashes. His silver arms were cracked and battered.
Worse still, his spiritual strength was nearing its limit, he could barely follow Meihua's movements.
With a fierce shout, Meihua blasted Yang Xiong out of the red mist. Gasping for breath, Yang Xiong stood, pushed to his limits for the first time in a fight with peers.
The remaining six Shrek members were just barely holding off the four Spirit Hall members.
Yan's defense and offense were both top-tier. Even against multiple opponents, he held his ground.
Other Spirit Hall members also displayed strong combat prowess. Zhang Ping's speed was incredible, even Tang San struggled. Li Kai bulldozed through the battlefield, suppressing Xiao Wu.
Meihua roared again, "Yang Xiong, your spiritual power is nearly gone. No one can stop me now. Shrek, just surrender."
As his words fell, the red mist began to spread, engulfing the rest of Shrek's lineup.
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