A large ferry boat had already been moored beside Sea God Island.
Under Zhang Lexuan's lead, everyone boarded the deck of the ferry boat and stood firm as it sailed toward the outer courtyard. The Dou Hun District over there had a larger area, making it more convenient to display their abilities.
Aside from Zhang Lexuan, there were thirteen people in total, gathering in small groups of two or three. Although everyone knew each other, their relationships varied in closeness.
Wang Qiu'er gazed coldly into the distance at the clear waters of the Sea God Lake. Her peerlessly beautiful face gave off the feeling of ten-thousand-year profound ice—utterly frigid, making it impossible to discern what she was thinking.
Dai Huabin stood not far behind Wang Qiu'er, his eyes burning with intensity.
During the previous Sea God Fate matchmaking event, he had watched from the shore. Having personally witnessed Yu Tianhuang's terrifying strength, he once again deeply realized the enormous gap between them. But he was not discouraged by this; instead, it further strengthened his resolve to catch up to Yu Tianhuang's footsteps.
Among his peers, aside from Yu Tianhuang, his pride absolutely would not allow anyone else to stand above him.
He was determined to take this opportunity to challenge Wang Qiu'er.
Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian leaned against the railing on the right side of the deck, facing the group. Ning Tian extended her slender jade finger to tease the chubby Thunder Beast, occasionally showing a faint smile. After a month of being fed well, the Thunder Beast's body had become noticeably rounder. Its pale yellow fluff looked glossier and healthier in color.
Yesterday on Sea God Island, with a group of powerful Sea God Pavilion elders present, the two of them had let the Thunder Beast roam freely by the lakeside all night during their private moment. The Thunder Beast seemed especially delighted by this and was full of energy today.
Suddenly, Cao Jinxuan and Zhou Sichen approached Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian with sly grins. Compared to the seemingly harmless Thunder Beast, they were far more interested in Wang Qiu'er.
Although Wang Qiu'er's expression was a bit cold, her top-tier beauty was right there for all to see, drawing their frequent glances.
Cao Jinxuan lowered his voice and asked Xu Zihuang, "Captain, who is this girl? From the way you and Ning Tian are acting, it seems you're not surprised to see her here at all. Did you already know her before?"
As he spoke, he raised an eyebrow, his peripheral vision landing on Wang Qiu'er not far away.
As for Xu Zihuang being their captain, Cao Jinxuan and Zhou Sichen were the quickest to accept it.
"She's someone who just entered the inner courtyard not long ago. A month ago, we teamed up with her to hunt soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest." Xu Zihuang gave a meaningful smile and said nothing more.
Ning Tian, beside him, also smiled without speaking.
Both Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan noticed the deeper meaning in Xu Zihuang's eyes and felt a bit puzzled. Just then, they sensed Wang Qiu'er's indifferent gaze, immediately tensed up, and didn't dare ask further.
Unknowingly, the ferry boat arrived at the lakeside path by the shore. Everyone disembarked and headed toward the Dou Hun District.
The Dou Hun District had clearly been prepared in advance; the arena was cleared out, empty. The thirteen members of Shrek's representative team, plus Zhang Lexuan, made fourteen people in total.
As the team leader, Zhang Lexuan would also serve as referee during the upcoming sparring exchanges.
Zhang Lexuan led everyone to the north side of the Dou Hun arena and reminded them, "Bei Bei and the others will arrive in a while. Before then, get yourselves ready. To familiarize yourselves with the rules of this edition of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, today's sparring will be in the form of individual elimination matches."
At this moment, Dai Huabin finally made his move, stepping forward abruptly.
"Senior Sister, may I ask on what basis the team's captain and vice-captain were decided?"
Zhang Lexuan smiled gently, "Of course, it's based on strength. Tianhuang and Wang Qiu'er are the only two Soul Emperors in the team, so naturally they should serve as captain and vice-captain."
Although she had once clashed with Wang Qiu'er, it was purely for the safety of the team. She wouldn't hold a grudge over it and target her.
Dai Huabin said gravely, "Rank does not equal strength. I have no objection to Yu Tianhuang being captain, but as for Wang Qiu'er, none of us is familiar with her. If she is to be vice-captain, she should at least prove that her strength surpasses ours."
Zhang Lexuan's smile remained unchanged. She understood Dai Huabin's stubborn personality and didn't think there was anything wrong with this. Bringing the issue into the open was actually more helpful for resolving it.
Before Zhang Lexuan could respond, Wang Qiu'er had already coldly turned her gaze toward Dai Huabin.
"How do you want me to prove it?"
"Beat me in a one-on-one fight." Dai Huabin met Wang Qiu'er's gaze head-on.
Wang Qiu'er let out a disdainful hum.
"That's simple."
Dai Huabin's eyes narrowed, his fists clenching tightly.
"In that case, before Bei Bei and the others arrive, Wang Qiu'er and Dai Huabin, the two of you will first have a one-on-one soul battle." At this point, Zhang Lexuan openly stepped back to the edge of the arena.
"I'll serve as referee. You may fight without holding back."
The others followed Zhang Lexuan, but their gazes unanimously focused on the center of the arena. Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan, already very interested in Wang Qiu'er, now had rather strange expressions.
This girl's temper seemed completely mismatched with her appearance. She looked cold and aloof, yet her temper was so explosive.
Xie Huan Yue wore a smiling expression, quite curious about Wang Qiu'er's strength. With Dai Huabin making the first move, he was happy to watch the show.
The remaining eight female students in the team, perhaps being more perceptive, showed no obvious change in expression.
Wang Qiu'er and Dai Huabin took their positions on opposite sides of the arena, facing each other from afar.
Seeing that both were ready, Zhang Lexuan announced loudly, "Begin!"
The moment Zhang Lexuan's voice rang out, Wang Qiu'er moved. Blinding golden light suddenly erupted from her body. She stomped her left foot hard on the ground; the earth seemed to be trampled by a giant dragon, emitting a heart-shaking, explosive roar. Within a five-meter radius, the ground instantly collapsed, and cracks spread more than ten meters outward.
Using the force of this stomp, Wang Qiu'er's body shot forward like a streak of golden lightning. Her speed was so fast that she left a series of afterimages in the center of the arena.
Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan were so shocked their mouths hung open, instinctively swallowing hard. Looking at the deep crater in the granite floor where Wang Qiu'er had stomped, they finally understood the deeper meaning behind Yu Tianhuang and Ning Tian's earlier smiles.
This was simply too brutal!
Zhou Sichen muttered, "Is this something a human soul master can do?"
"And she didn't even release her martial soul when she exerted force just now." Cao Jinxuan's voice was trembling.
The hundred-meter distance was covered in an instant. As she charged toward Dai Huabin, a high-pitched dragon roar rang out. Wang Qiu'er released her martial soul, her entire body shining with dazzling golden light.
Her martial soul was clearly a beast martial soul, yet it did not manifest in the form of martial soul possession. Instead, she fused with it specially.
In Xu Zihuang's memories from his previous life, after the Ice Empress became Huo Yuhao's second martial soul, it no longer showed the characteristics of martial soul possession. But that was entirely because the Ice Empress was not Huo Yuhao's innate martial soul and could not perfectly integrate.
When a soul master's cultivation exceeded rank 95 and entered the Super Douluo realm, they could display their martial soul true body in another way. Although it wouldn't become stronger, it allowed them to maintain a human form in battle. For soul masters more skilled in close combat, this permitted continued human-form fighting; this combat style was called true body possession.
What Wang Qiu'er was using now was actually the embryonic form of true body possession—a special technique only possible after reaching a certain level of understanding of one's own martial soul.
Xu Zihuang could do the same.
Wu Feng involuntarily took a step back in fright, her gaze toward Wang Qiu'er completely changing.
"Martial soul superior suppression?! How is that possible?!"
Her Red Dragon martial soul was already quite powerful among dragon-type martial souls. Yet Wang Qiu'er's martial soul could completely suppress hers. What level of martial soul was that?
Everyone's attention was drawn by Wu Feng's startled cry. When they looked back at the center of the arena, Wang Qiu'er had already appeared in front of Dai Huabin.
Dai Huabin reacted fiercely, letting out a tiger roar. His White Tiger martial soul instantly possessed him. His already burly body swelled another size, white fur growing all over. Two yellow, two purple, one black, five soul rings rose successively from beneath his feet.
At just seventeen years old, his soul power had already reached rank 57. After releasing his martial soul, his aura became even more imposing.
But what he faced was Wang Qiu'er, who overwhelmed him in every aspect.
Wang Qiu'er's slender right leg moved horizontally, like the tail of a huge golden dragon swaying. The very air seemed to tremble. Amidst violent and explosive sounds mixed with dragon roars, a golden light flashed by, impossible to trace with the naked eye.
Dai Huabin was extremely experienced in combat. Sensing the imminent danger, he instinctively crossed his arms in front of himself. A pale white barrier enveloped his body.
First soul skill: White Tiger Protection Barrier.
A cold glint flashed in Dai Huabin's eyes. Even if there was a gap in cultivation between him and Wang Qiu'er, if she didn't use soul skills, how could she possibly break his defense?
But the moment this thought arose, the White Tiger Protection Barrier shattered like thin ice. Immediately afterward, a massive force struck him. His entire body was kicked flying, and smashed into the protective wall at the edge of the arena.
"Boom—"
Dai Huabin's body embedded itself into the wall, nearly unable to catch his breath.
Wang Qiu'er coldly glanced at Dai Huabin, then indifferently withdrew her gaze. But in Dai Huabin's eyes, this was pure mockery. He felt a surge of blood rush to his head, his eyes turning red as he began gasping heavily.
He knew Wang Qiu'er had held back, but precisely because of that, it was even harder for him to accept. Fortunately, his temperament had become much steadier now, so he didn't explode on the spot.
"Huabin!" Zhu Lu reacted from the edge of the arena, crying out sharply as she rushed to Dai Huabin's side.
But Dai Huabin refused Zhu Lu's help. Gritting his teeth, his body trembling, he jumped down from the embedded spot. Compared to his earlier arrogance, it was like two completely different people. The stark contrast was especially comical.
But no one could really laugh. They were all shocked by Wang Qiu'er's overwhelming individual strength.
Zhang Lexuan was happy to see this. Letting strength speak was often the simplest way. She continued, "Is there anyone else who wants to challenge Wang Qiu'er? You may step forward. If no one does, then there will be no further objections allowed afterward."
Everyone looked at each other. Having seen Dai Huabin's example, naturally, no one wanted to seek trouble. Moreover, not everyone was as stubborn as Dai Huabin and cared about this so-called vice-captain position.
But just then, another discordant voice rang out.
"I want to challenge Yu Tianhuang."
The speaker was none other than Wang Qiu'er, standing in the center at the edge of the arena. Upon hearing this, everyone's thoughts varied, but without exception, their eyes widened.
Looking at Wang Qiu'er, Zhang Lexuan's elegant brows furrowed slightly. Meanwhile, Xu Zihuang gave Zhang Lexuan a small signal, handed the Thunder Beast on his shoulder to Ning Tian beside him, and stepped onto the Dou Hun stage without delay.
"As you wish."
Their gazes met in midair. Unlike Xu Zihuang's calm demeanor, complex emotions surged in Wang Qiu'er's pink-blue eyes, but they soon became resolute again.
If Yu Tianhuang was the calamity of her life, she had to resist with all her might. Moreover, the Yu Tianhuang from back then had brought her such humiliation and seized her Golden Dragon bloodline.
Of course, there was also a portion due to Zhang Lexuan. During their time in the Star Dou Forest, Zhang Lexuan had drawn quite a wave of hatred toward Yu Tianhuang.
Understanding Yu Tianhuang's intentions, Zhang Lexuan said nothing more. Once both were in position, she announced the start.
Wang Qiu'er's movements were almost identical to before. She stomped her right foot, and her body shot toward Xu Zihuang like an arrow, her right fist smashing out ferociously.
Black-purple thunder light that was nearly tangible flickered across Xu Zihuang's body. He was now using the same ability as Wang Qiu'er. Although there was no martial soul possession, he fully mobilized the portion of the Purple Radiance Thunder Prison Dragon's mutated Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon power.
Facing Wang Qiu'er's momentum-filled punch radiating golden light, Xu Zihuang's eyes instantly turned brilliant gold. His pupils rotated, and strange golden patterns flowed around them. Relying on his Dynamic Vision talent, he captured Wang Qiu'er's movements with perfect clarity.
He also threw a punch, colliding directly with Wang Qiu'er's right fist.
Behind both of them appeared enormous dragon phantoms. One golden, one black-purple, clearly distinct. The two dragon phantoms unwillingly raised their heads and roared toward the sky.
With their bodies as the center, the surrounding granite floor cracked layer by layer. The violent fluctuations from their soul power collision swept outward, sending dirt and stones flying across the arena.
And this was only the beginning. Their battle was completely close-quarters, fist-to-flesh brawling, relying purely on soul power and physical strength.
Xu Zihuang turned his fist into a palm, tightly gripping Wang Qiu'er's powder fist. He raised his left hand; his Golden Eyes showed no trace of emotion as he mercilessly smashed toward Wang Qiu'er's face.
Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan watched in stunned silence. Although Wang Qiu'er was very strong, wasn't it a bit too ungentlemanly for Yu Tianhuang to directly attack a girl's face like this?
The two exchanged a glance, both recalling the rumors from before.
They had heard that Yu Tianhuang liked hitting women. Was that rumor actually true?
Wu Feng felt the same. Back then, she had been struck by a similar punch from Yu Tianhuang, fracturing bones and needing a long time to recover. The memory was too vivid.
"Chirp?" The Thunder Beast perched on Ning Tian's fragrant shoulder tilted its head in confusion. In its understanding, Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er had similar bloodline auras, so their relationship should be quite close.
Wang Qiu'er let out a cold hum, raising her left arm to block in front of herself and stopping Xu Zihuang's punch. At the same time, she lifted her long leg high and chopped downward toward Xu Zihuang's shoulder from above. The pink-blue ponytail behind her also fluttered upward.
Wang Qiu'er was already tall and slender, not much shorter than Xu Zihuang. With one leg raised, it cleared the top of his head.
Through the gaps in his black hair that fluttered loose, Xu Zihuang saw the blazing light in Wang Qiu'er's eyes. With a soft chuckle in his heart, he voluntarily released her right fist, sidestepped, and dodged the strike.
"Boom!" Wang Qiu'er's chopping right leg slammed into the ground, instantly shattering the surrounding floor into powder. Debris flew as the two exchanged positions in proximity, so close they could even feel each other's breath.
All of this happened in the blink of an eye. This simple, brutal fighting style was far more visually striking than pure soul skill clashes.
Ning Tian's gaze flickered, unconsciously clutching the hem of her skirt. Although she knew Yu Tianhuang was fighting Wang Qiu'er, this kind of intimate contact still made her feel a little uncomfortable.
Moreover, Wang Qiu'er's appearance and strength were both outstanding. She truly had the capital to attract Yu Tianhuang.
At this moment, Wang Qiu'er seemed to realize that their earlier contact had been a bit too intimate. A faint blush appeared on her pretty face, and her attacks became even fiercer. Using her right leg as the pivot, she spun and raised her left leg in a horizontal sweep.
This time, Xu Zihuang did not dodge. Instead, he also raised his right leg to meet hers, then pressed downward. Both stomped heavily onto the ground.
At the edge of the arena, Nanmen Yun'er had long been trembling from the clash between Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er, her pretty face pale. A fear seemingly originating from her bloodline and martial soul essence surged within her. Back then, the Jade Demon Bird clan had nearly been exterminated by the dragon clan, and both Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er possessed top-tier dragon-type martial souls.
And the fear she felt from Xu Zihuang was even stronger. But in her current state, she couldn't pay attention to such things.
In the center of the arena, the clash between Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er continued. On the surface, it seemed evenly matched, but Zhang Lexuan could see Yu Tianhuang's composure.
Wang Qiu'er also noticed this. Anger and surging battle intent fused in her heart. She suddenly threw her head back. Her wavy pink-blue long hair spread out, rising automatically behind her without wind.
Starting from the roots, her hair changed at astonishing speed. It was as if a layer of golden liquid flowed from the roots all the way to the tips.
The brilliant golden light on her body grew even more intense. A layer of fine golden dragon scales covered her entire body except her face. The dazzling golden radiance illuminated half the arena.
She raised her right hand, which transformed into a golden dragon claw. Then, the sixth soul ring beneath her, a deep black one, suddenly lit up.
A terrifying golden claw shadow fifty meters long descended from the sky.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that faint golden dragon scale patterns covered those five brilliant golden blade lights.
This extremely sharp aura could probably easily tear apart an ordinary seven-ring Soul Saint's martial soul true body.
This was precisely the soul skill Wang Qiu'er obtained from that twenty-thousand-year Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear soul ring, Golden Dragon Dreadclaw!
After combining the Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear lineage's most powerful Darkgolden Terrorclaw soul skill with her own Golden Dragon bloodline, it mutated into this terrifying soul skill, possessing both crushing and tearing effects.
Wherever the claw shadow passed, black rifts appeared in the air, clear signs that space itself had been torn apart.
Xu Zihuang's left hand, fused with the external soul bone Radiance Dragon Claw, faintly heated up. A strong sense of hostility quietly emerged. He was startled and forcibly suppressed the abnormality in his left hand.
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