But alas, plans could never keep up with changes.
Who could've predicted that Forth Woll would suddenly go all-in, unleashing her ultimate move right in their faces—a full-field taunt? Those terrifying four ten-thousand-year soul rings stunned everyone present, causing Tang Wulin's team to react just a moment too late.
Yet because of that, they more clearly felt the terror of Forth Woll.
One glance—just one glance—had instantly eliminated two three-ring Soul Elders. Even if it was a soul skill, the fact that she could do it so easily made their scalps go numb.
Especially for Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan, the two fragile "glass cannons." They didn't believe they were any stronger than those two eliminated Soul Elders.
At that moment, Tang Wulin charged straight toward Nan Fusheng, unleashing his soul skill. Countless Blue Silver Grass vines erupted like azure pythons, surging forward to swarm both Nan Fusheng and Xu Yucheng.
At the same time, Tang Wulin deliberately suppressed his aura, merging with the surrounding Blue Silver Grass, masking his presence and blinding Nan Fusheng's view.
Though his duel was technically against Xu Yucheng, he had to guard against Nan Fusheng's first soul skill. If he let his mind slip even once in battle, it would mean instant defeat.
Nan Fusheng responded calmly. He manipulated Xu Yucheng, swinging the Dark Demon Scythe in a smooth arc before him. A ripple of pure black light spread outward, slicing toward the incoming vines.
But suddenly, the Blue Silver Grass seemed to come alive, flattening against the ground and nimbly dodging the black light.
The wave swept past, reaching Tang Wulin himself. If one listened closely, the air even hissed under its sharpness.
Tang Wulin didn't dodge. His right hand flashed golden—Golden Dragon Claw. Light flared, colliding with the black wave.
The strike tore open a gap in the darkness, dispersing it. Tang Wulin stepped forward, leaping straight toward Xu Yucheng as the Blue Silver Grass erupted again, wrapping around his target.
Xu Yucheng's scythe blurred. Shadows multiplied until countless black blades erupted outward like a storm, shredding vines midair. Then, in an instant, those scattered shadows folded inward, converging on Tang Wulin's body.
The crushing pressure closed in from every direction. The Dark Demon Scythe was infamous for its raw destructive power—one direct hit could end it.
"Is Xu Yucheng really under Fusheng's control? Then how can he still use his soul skills—and so smoothly?"
Tang Wulin muttered under his breath. Xu Yucheng should've been nothing more than a puppet, yet his movements were fluid, natural, and flawless. It didn't look like control at all.
Doesn't matter. Controlled or not, Xu Yucheng's weak constitution hasn't changed. I need to close the distance.
With a roar, Tang Wulin's two purple soul rings dimmed, replaced by a radiant golden ring. Dragon roared thundered out as his body blazed with light—Golden Dragon Body!
Relying on his qi and bloodline power, he burst free from the scythe's crushing force. The black blades around him shattered and dispersed.
Xu Yucheng, midair with scythe raised high, suddenly froze. His third soul ring dimmed, the soul skill cut off.
From below, one vine of Blue Silver Grass turned golden, then shot upward like a spring, catapulting Tang Wulin through a gap in the black storm.
The blades scraped across his body, leaving shallow marks—but the Golden Dragon Body absorbed most of the impact. Tang Wulin closed in, right to Xu Yucheng's chest.
The Dark Demon Scythe was long and deadly, but at close range, its advantage dwindled. Tang Wulin thrust his Golden Dragon Claw straight at Xu Yucheng's torso.
But Xu Yucheng made a move no one expected.
The scythe's blade flared with black light, slashing straight toward Tang Wulin's neck—ignoring the deadly claw about to pierce his chest.
Is he going for mutual destruction?
No. Tang Wulin realized instantly—it wasn't Xu Yucheng's will. It was because he was being controlled.
Tang Wulin retracted his claw at the last second, instead blocking the strike.
Clang!
A crisp chime rang out. From the point of contact, a layer of purple-black energy crawled along his claw, spreading onto Tang Wulin's body and blasting him backward.
"Ugh… as expected, it won't be easy. A puppet who doesn't care about his own life is a nightmare to deal with."
Tang Wulin twisted midair, landing as steadily as he could. His heart was bitter. In normal combat, few Soul Masters would fight so recklessly—but a controlled Xu Yucheng had no fear of death.
There was no perfect counter. He could only keep pressing closer, forcing close combat.
This battle also made Tang Wulin realize his own weakness—his lack of long-range attacks. His old Heavy Silver Hammers, once reliable, had already become obsolete against high-level opponents.
"Hmph."
After swatting Tang Wulin away, Xu Yucheng let out a cold snort. If he had full control of himself, blocking that earlier exchange would've been easy.
But deep down, he would rather have been eliminated outright. Being used like a puppet, forced to fight against others—it was unbearable humiliation.
Thus, the duel between Tang Wulin and Xu Yucheng settled into a stalemate.
Without his Darkgolden Dreadclaw, Tang Wulin lacked ranged options, and Xu Yucheng's airtight defenses plus unpredictable scythe strikes pressed him hard.
Meanwhile—
Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan were working together to eliminate Nan Fusheng.
But it wasn't going well. Each time Xie Xie closed in, or Xu Xiaoyan fired her Ice Wheel, Nan Fusheng simply slipped away using his "Gate" ability.
His entire strategy could be summed up in two words: kiting tactics. Nan Fusheng wasn't even trying to beat them—just dragging it out. After all, once Forth defeated Gu Yue, the others would surely concede.
And on the other side—
Fourth Woll watched calmly as Gu Yue stepped toward her.
"Oh? After seeing what happened to those two just now, you still dare approach me?"
Gu Yue's voice was steady:
"If I don't get close to you, how else will you know who it is that defeats you?"
"…Good! Then come closer."Forth smiled, stepping forward to meet her.