Jiang Qingtong took a deep breath and said, "I'm sorry, Brother! After this match, you can say whatever you want about me!"
As she spoke, she stretched out her arms. Her Mirror Flower martial soul floated before her, and her eyes began to glow.
However, Jiang Shengyu shook his head and said, "It's useless. Your mental impact won't work on me—you've forgotten that, haven't you?"
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Jiang Shengyu began refining some settings for both himself and Jiang Qingtong.
Hearing his words, Jiang Qingtong gave a bitter smile. The Phoenix Wings behind her flapped once more, and she said, "Then we can only fight head-on. Brother, don't hold back. We must determine a winner."
"Alright! Then come!" Jiang Shengyu nodded, his expression turning serious.
In the spectator stands, Ye Xishui scoffed at their exchange and said coldly, "They're acting like it's all real. Fooling the audience is easy enough… But Long Xiaoyao, have you ever seen a martial soul like Jiang Shengyu's before?"
Hearing her question, Long Xiaoyao shook his head and replied, "His martial soul should be that sword, right? An ultimate ice-element tool martial soul. I've never heard of it before."
"His martial soul is actually that moon behind him. The sword is just one of his soul skills," Ye Xishui shook her head and continued, "According to the intel from Xu Tiannan, his martial soul is supposed to be an ultimate fire attribute."
"An ultimate fire martial soul?"
Long Xiaoyao frowned slightly and fixed his gaze back on Jiang Shengyu. He said slowly, "But from what I'm seeing, there's not a trace of fire element in him. He really seems like a pure ultimate ice tool-type martial soul. Xu Tiannan's information might not be trustworthy."
"He's deliberately avoiding the use of his fire powers, choosing instead to rely solely on that ultimate ice sword."
Ye Xishui glanced at Long Xiaoyao and continued, "Though he's been using various sword techniques, at the end of the day, that sword is just one of his soul skills. You and I both see it clearly, so don't bother trying to hide it from me, Long Xiaoyao."
Hearing her words, Long Xiaoyao sighed helplessly and said, "Xishui… they're just kids."
"So what? I was born destined to be an evil soul master," Ye Yeshui said coldly.
Long Xiaoyao fell silent.
On the stage, the Mirror Flower before Jiang Qingtong unfolded layer by layer. The petals were now infused with raging firelight, transforming into a blooming fire lotus. The flames painted her face crimson, and she stared ahead at Jiang Shengyu with unwavering resolve.
Then, her entire body ignited with the glow of Phoenix Flame, as if she had become a reborn fire phoenix!
With a shout, she raised the Mirror Flower, now wrapped in flames, and charged straight at Jiang Shengyu.
Watching this, Xiao Hongchen's eyes widened in shock. "She's using the Fire Lotus too? Isn't that brat Jiang Shengyu's self-created soul skill?"
Meng Hongchen shook her head, clearly baffled as well.
Jiang Shengyu didn't hesitate. He raised the Twilight Sword, and above his head, golden light began to gather.
The light condensed into a glowing halo, and from within it, a massive golden hand slowly extended downward. This was the same domain-suppressing soul skill that had crushed the Royal Soul Master Academy: Hand of the Heavens!
Brilliant golden light burst forth from the Hand of the Heavens, rushing toward Jiang Qingtong at lightning speed.
The two forces—Jiang Qingtong's fiery charge and Jiang Shengyu's divine strike—collided head-on! From the outside, it was clear that neither held back. Jiang Shengyu had even unleashed this terrifying technique!
The titled Douluo-level experts present could all sense how devastating Jiang Shengyu's attack was.
However, Ye Xishui could see the truth—despite the appearance of overwhelming power, the attack's force wasn't being transmitted directly to Jiang Qingtong. Instead, it was colliding with her Phoenix Flame in a kind of controlled clash.
Meanwhile, experts like Xuanzi had been fooled by Jiang Qingtong's simulated soul skill, believing the full force had been directed at her. They failed to catch the critical nuance.
Wang Yan watched nervously from the sidelines. Upon witnessing the sheer force of Jiang Shengyu's attack, he realized that even as a Soul Emperor, he would struggle to withstand such a blow.
"Elder Xuan… will Qingtong really be alright?"
Xuanzi's brows were tightly knit as he said gravely, "All we can do now is trust her."
From behind, Beibei spoke out: "If anything happens to Qingtong, I won't forgive Jiang Shengyu!"
Hearing this, Xuanzi gave him an approving look and said, "Good! Qingtong would be happy to hear you say that."
In Xuanzi's eyes, Beibei's concern showed that Qingtong likely held different feelings for him compared to others. Even a little affection was a step forward.
The more emotional ties one had, the stronger their connection to Shrek Academy.
Xuanzi could already envision the day when Beibei and Jiang Qingtong would both become Super Douluo—or even Limit Douluo—and stand together, carrying the legacy of Shrek Academy for centuries to come.
Jiang Shengyu watched as the beam from Hand of the Heavens collided with Jiang Qingtong, then slowly raised his hand, pressing it forward.
The massive golden hand followed his motion, pressing down toward Jiang Qingtong. In an instant, the immense pressure bore down on her body.
As the energy exploded, Jiang Qingtong's figure was sent flying back by the impact.
The remaining force from Hand of the Heavens crashed into the arena floor, causing even deeper devastation. The golden light struck the ground, sending clouds of dust into the air.
"Cough, cough…"
Jiang Qingtong clutched her chest and coughed violently.
In the stands, Ye Yeshui's eyes fixed on her—now enveloped in the intense glow of the Phoenix Flame. She tapped her fingers thoughtfully and suddenly asked, "Tell me, Long Xiaoyao… what would happen if her evil fire were to erupt right now?"
Long Xiaoyao's expression changed immediately. "Xishui, don't—"
"I insist! What, are you going to fight me here and now? If not, then don't stop me. I'm genuinely curious—how was her evil fire suppressed that day? Her Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion certainly wasn't strong enough to manage it…"
Ye Xishui glanced at Long Xiaoyao, ignoring his protest. With a flick of her finger, she sent a burst of pure soul power toward Jiang Qingtong.
That soul force bypassed the defensive soul tools completely and entered Jiang Qingtong's body. Not even Xuanzi noticed it!
The moment it entered, the evil fire that had previously been suppressed by the ultimate ice flared up once more. In an instant, Jiang Qingtong's eyes were consumed by crimson.