On the second-year side, their response was even faster!
The intensity of the battle instantly reached its peak!
Facing Tang Wulin's charge, Yuanen Yehui's eyes flashed with caution. She had witnessed Tang Wulin's exaggerated strength before and showed no signs of underestimating him.
She didn't dodge but simply stepped forward. Her first, third, and fourth soul rings lit up, and an invisible aura rose around her.
"Titan Power!"
"Vajra Titan!"
"Giant Demon Titan!"
Three state-changing soul skills activated simultaneously. At the same time, Yuanen Yehui's towering, mountain-like figure moved—not with flashy techniques, but with the purest explosion of raw power!
A massive fist, covered in rock-like skin, tore through the air with a deafening boom, smashing directly toward Tang Wulin, who was charging head-on!
Tang Wulin unleashed the full might of his Golden Dragon King bloodline, his body covered in dragon scales as he met Yuanen Yehui's Titan Ape fist head-on!
Boom—!
In the deafening roar, the alloy platform beneath Tang Wulin's feet cracked inch by inch. He was driven to one knee by the terrifying force, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as his arms screamed with pain.
If not for the resilience of the Golden Dragon King's physique, this blow would have incapacitated him. Gritting his teeth, he resisted, trying to tear through the overwhelming might of the Titan Ape with his Golden Dragon Claw. But it was like being trapped in an abyss—he could barely hold on and couldn't restrain Yuanen Yehui's full attention as planned.
A flicker of seriousness passed through Yuanen Yehui's eyes. Others might not understand, but she knew that her earlier punch had been her full force—and yet Tang Wulin, who was one soul ring lower than her, had only been forced back a few steps. With similar cultivation levels, the outcome was still uncertain.
Her thoughts raced, but her actions didn't slow. Her second soul ring lit up, her arm muscles bulging as she compressed the air and launched an air cannon straight at Tang Wulin's face!
On the other side, Le Zhengyu faced Wu Siduo's assault. A proud smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as two pairs of pristine white wings unfolded behind him, radiating holy light!
The dazzling sword of the Holy Angel gleamed brilliantly, its sacred aura naturally suppressing the dark attributes of Wu Siduo's Netherworld Spirit Cat.
Though Wu Siduo was fast and her attacks cunning, she was constantly restricted under the Holy Angel Sword, struggling to keep up as Le Zhengyu pressed his advantage. Her purple-black figure teetered on the edge of danger amidst the radiant sword strikes.
"Holy Sword, Judgment!"
A massive light sword condensed out of thin air, carrying the aura of purifying evil, and slashed mercilessly toward Wu Siduo.
From the start, the battle erupted into the fiercest clashes. The first-year team found itself caught in the powerful offensive meticulously constructed by the second-years, who aimed to use their overwhelming soul power to eliminate the first-year team in one decisive push.
In the arena, Ye Xinglan's sword flashes were incomparably sharp, successfully entangling the second-year's agile attack-type soul master. Her sword shadows danced, making it difficult to determine a victor in the short term.
However, the second-year's power-type soul master was unstoppable. With the amplification halo emitted by the support system soul master's scepter, he charged like a heavy tank, roaring toward Xu Lizhi, who was desperately crafting buns!
At this critical moment, Gu Yue stepped forward.
Elemental energy surged around her. Ice spikes, fireballs, and wind blades rained down on the second-year formation like a storm, causing tremendous disruption to their support and power-type soul masters.
However, though her attacks were fierce, they lacked coordination with Tang Wulin or Ye Xinglan, resembling more of a personal elemental storm showcase. In the midst of close-range skirmishes, she couldn't deliver a decisive blow, and her most powerful elemental fusion attacks were difficult to control without affecting both allies and enemies.
While her individual elemental attacks were numerous, they caused trouble but failed to decisively suppress or break through against core targets like Yuanen Yehui and Le Zhengyu.
The remaining two members of the second-year team were control-type soul masters. Their abilities weren't purely control-based; their soul skills carried offensive power. Now, they simultaneously targeted the food-system soul master.
Red vines and a sky-full of icy rain descended from both sides, working in perfect harmony and leaving little room to dodge, especially when the target was an support-type soul master.
"Lizhi, be careful!" Ye Xinglan caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye. Her habitual concern over years of teamwork made her panic, and her sword movements faltered, giving her opponent an opening. A claw streaked across her shoulder, drawing a line of blood.
Xu Lizhi's face turned ashen. His Bun martial soul glowed faintly as a "Bloodthirsty Red Bean Paste Bun" just began to form—but the red vine lashed toward him like a bloody whip! He had no way to evade!
At this critical moment!
"Starlight Feedback!" A clear, resolute cry rang out from the edge of the platform!
A dazzling starwheel phantom instantly appeared before Xu Lizhi, followed by countless sparkling stars that created chaos, altering the trajectory of incoming soul skills.
It was Xu Xiaoyan! She had been observing the battle from the rear, ready to unleash critical control at any moment. Seeing Xu Lizhi in danger, she immediately activated her second soul skill without hesitation.
This sudden absolute control ignored the disparity in soul power, plunging a host of thousand-year soul skills into chaos and redirecting them away from their intended targets, causing the second-year's offensive to stall abruptly!
But that wasn't all. Xu Xiaoyan had learned from her previous elimination and prepared specifically for this moment. Her third soul ring lit up, unleashing a group-wide absolute control skill: Starlight Radiance Descends!
The three frontmost members of the second-year team were instantly immobilized!
"Great opportunity!" Wu Siduo's eyes blazed with violet light. The frustration of being suppressed by Le Zhengyu exploded into resolute determination.
"Netherworld White Tiger!"
She let out a sharp cry, rapidly switching between her Netherworld Spirit Cat and White Tiger martial souls. In an instant, her body erupted with dazzling purple-black light.
Without fusing with anyone else, her own martial soul underwent an incredible transformation in this moment!
The purple-black light condensed and expanded, forming a shadowy purple-black tiger slightly smaller than a regular Netherworld White Tiger but denser and exuding a far more ferocious and violent aura. It materialized behind her and instantly merged with her!
Self-fusion martial soul technique: Netherworld White Tiger!
Though not as large as a dual-person fusion, the explosive power of this self-fusion technique reached a terrifying height.
It made one wonder what level of power her self-fusion martial soul technique might reach if she advanced to the Limit Douluo realm.
"Roar—!" A heaven-shaking tiger roar reverberated with soul-shattering pressure. The Netherworld White Tiger shot forward like a purple-black lightning bolt, targeting the immobilized power-type soul master under Xu Xiaoyan's control.
"Not good!" Le Zhengyu's expression changed drastically. Metal components emerged on his arms as he redirected his Holy Light Sword to intercept.
But Wu Siduo was too fast, and the might of her self-fused Netherworld White Tiger approached the level of a Soul Emperor.
Combined with the spirit-refined alloy forged by Gula and her own efforts—advancing to become a half-step Grade 5 designer in a single semester—she designed schematics for two hand armor components and had her family assist in crafting them.
This elevated her combat power to near the level of a twin martial soul fusion technique. In this moment, Wu Siduo was immensely grateful for her earlier decisiveness.
Boom—!
The destructive force of the purple-black tiger claw slammed into the immobilized power-type soul master!
His protective soul barrier collapsed. Without even a scream, his body was sent flying off the platform like a meteor, crashing heavily into the protective shield and falling unconscious.
Instant kill!
This sudden turn of events stunned everyone. Xu Xiaoyan's absolute control had struck at the perfect moment, and Wu Siduo's self-fusion martial soul technique had burst forth with equal decisiveness, instantly reversing the tide of battle.
Le Zhengyu's light sword slashed down but was batted aside by the Netherworld White Tiger's claw. The immense force sent him stumbling backward, his sacred wings fluttering wildly.
Wu Siduo seized the momentum, her purple-black tiger eyes locking onto Le Zhengyu as she prepared to pounce again!
On the other side, though Xu Xiaoyan's absolute control was brief, it caused Yuanen Yehui's assault to stall for two crucial seconds.
Tang Wulin seized this fleeting opportunity, unleashing his Golden Dragon Roar. With overwhelming force, he sent Yuanen Yehui staggering back more than ten steps, directly off the platform!
The rest of the first-year team erupted, pouring out soul power recklessly. In just two seconds, they focused their attacks and eliminated three opponents!
The outcome was decided!
"Enough."
A commanding voice rang out, carrying an irresistible force that instantly calmed the raging fluctuations of soul power on the field.
Yun Ming had risen to his feet at some point, and the gazes of the Sea God Pavilion elders were filled with gravity and evaluation.
Yun Ming's gaze swept across the platform: Tang Wulin knelt, panting, blood at the corner of his mouth but his eyes unwavering; Gu Yue's elemental energy gradually subsided, her expression still aloof; Ye Xinglan stood clutching her bleeding shoulder, her sword dripping blood, her fighting spirit undiminished.
Wu Siduo had exited her fusion, her face pale as paper, clearly drained by the self-fusion technique, her body swaying slightly; Xu Lizhi clutched his bun, his heart still racing.
On the second-year side, Yuanen Yehui watched Xu Xiaoyan and Tang Wulin from below with a complex expression, while Le Zhengyu glared at Wu Siduo with a grimace.
The agility attacker, whose cultivation surpassed Xie Xie's, hadn't been defeated but had sustained injuries in their exchange. His face was filled with shock, as Xie Xie's desperate momentum had nearly made him believe he was facing death.
Xu Xiaoyan, controlling multiple opponents simultaneously, saw her star staff dim, her body swaying unsteadily. Xie Xie quickly supported her, his sharp eyes catching her wobble.
"The outcome is decided," Yun Ming's voice echoed. "The first-year representative team… wins."
After a brief silence, the first-year section erupted in ecstatic cheers! Though the battle had been brutal, they had won!
The second-year team wore expressions of unwillingness, but absolute control was simply that unreasonable. They had no choice but to accept defeat.
Yun Ming exchanged quiet words with several elders, his gaze sweeping over the students before finally making his decision.
"The final list for the Star Luo Empire exchange delegation is as follows," his voice rang clearly across the arena: "Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Xu Xiaoyan, Yuanen Yehui, Le Zhengyu, Xu Lizhi, Ye Xinglan, Wu Siduo."
The announcement caused another stir. This list included the core members of the first year—Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Ye Xinglan, Xu Lizhi, and Wu Siduo—as well as the strongest of the second year, Yuanen Yehui and Le Zhengyu. Most importantly, Xu Xiaoyan had secured her spot thanks to her game-changing absolute control! But Xie Xie's name… was absent.
But wait—wasn't there now a total of eight people?
Xie Xie's body stiffened instantly. His hand, supporting Xu Xiaoyan, unconsciously tightened, his knuckles turning white.
Looking at his companions on the stage, their expressions varied, and seeing Xu Xiaoyan's pale but joyous face beside him, an indescribable bitterness and cold sense of loss overwhelmed him.
He… was the only one left behind.
He forced a smile, attempting to appear nonchalant, waving at Tang Wulin, Xu Xiaoyan, and the others: "Hey! Congratulations! You guys better not embarrass us! As for me… well, I'll just stay behind and enjoy the peace!"
But the smile looked more pained than joyful.
Tang Wulin gazed at Xie Xie's forced smile, feeling as though a boulder had lodged in his chest. He quickly descended from the platform, patting Xie Xie's shoulder firmly. His voice was low but resolute: "Xie Xie, I…"
"Enough already, stop being so mushy!" Xie Xie cut him off, exaggerating his tone. "It's no big deal! You go ahead and scout the path. When I'm stronger, I'll lead you all next time!"
He shook off Tang Wulin's hand and turned away, though his shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly.
Xu Xiaoyan watched Xie Xie's retreating figure, her eyes slightly red. She murmured softly, "Xie Xie…"
At that moment, Wu Zhangkong's icy voice rang out: "Xie Xie, for the next year, you will undergo special training with me."
Xie Xie shivered, his already low spirits nearly plummeting into despair. He forced a strained smile at Wu Zhangkong: "Yes, Teacher Wu."
Yun Ming was about to announce the leader of the delegation, which, according to the rules, should have been Shen Yi, the first-year homeroom teacher.
A deep, aged voice sounded in his ear as Elder Zhuo Shi stepped forward, transmitting a request: "Although Zhangkong made mistakes, his teaching ability and sense of responsibility are beyond question. The journey to the Star Luo Continent is long and fraught with complexities, requiring a strong and experienced person to oversee operations."
"Shen Yi must manage the first-year affairs and, as a support-type soul master, lacks sufficient deterrence as the leader."
"This elder personally vouches for him. Allow Zhangkong to serve as the leader to redeem himself, responsible for the students' itinerary, safety, and daily management. I will accompany the team personally as the ultimate safeguard to ensure everything goes smoothly."
The Sea God Pavilion couldn't disregard Zhuo Shi's face. After a moment of contemplation, Yun Ming looked at Wu Zhangkong: "Zhangkong, are you willing to take on this responsibility?"
Wu Zhangkong froze, realizing what Zhuo Shi had arranged. He bowed deeply, his voice firm: "I will spare no effort and bear this responsibility to the fullest!"
"Good." Yun Ming nodded. "From this day forward, Wu Zhangkong will serve as the leader of the Star Luo exchange delegation, managing all external affairs and student supervision. Elder Zhuo Shi will accompany the team as the resident elder to ensure safety."
This decision caused Xie Xie, who had been despondent, to suddenly raise his head, a faint spark of hope reigniting in his eyes.
Sure enough, Yun Ming's gaze finally fell on Xie Xie: "Student Xie Xie."
"Here!" Xie Xie instinctively straightened his back.
"Though you were not selected for the official roster, considering the team's need to handle various logistical tasks and the requirement for an assistant by Leader Wu Zhangkong's side—"
Yun Ming's voice betrayed no emotion—"you are specially appointed as the leader's assistant. You will be responsible for coordinating travel arrangements, managing supplies, and relaying information. This is both a test and a responsibility. I expect your diligence."
Throughout Shrek's history, the legendary Seven Monsters of Shrek were always a group of like-minded companions. Though Wu Siduo was powerful, her overly "independent" style made her an unlikely candidate for inheriting the title. Xie Xie, who had a close relationship with Tang Wulin, became the backup option.
Of course, officially, Xie Xie was given the opportunity to accompany the team because of his excellent teacher.
Xie Xie's heart raced wildly!
Though he was going in the capacity of an "assistant" handling "miscellaneous tasks," he… could go! He could follow his friends to the Star Luo Continent!
Immense joy instantly washed away his earlier disappointment, and he even overlooked what the role of "leader's assistant" might entail.
"Yes, Pavilion Master! I will give it my all!"
Xie Xie responded loudly, a genuine smile finally breaking through, though it carried a hint of embarrassment over his lack of strength.
Tang Wulin, Xu Xiaoyan, and the others also breathed sighs of relief, happy for Xie Xie.
Only Wu Zhangkong, watching the excited Xie Xie, allowed the faintest upward curve of his icy lips. Deep in his eyes, it seemed he had already mapped out a months-long "mobile special training hell" schedule spanning the ocean.
"Very good." Yun Ming surveyed the crowd one last time. "Ten days from now, we depart for Tianhai City to meet with the Star Luo exchange team and the Federation envoy before heading to the Star Luo Continent. May you all live up to the name of Shrek!"
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read an exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect'
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)