Zhang Lexuan squatted down to personally check Jiang Nannan's condition.
When soul masters absorb soul bones, the soul bone perfectly fuses with their own bones. The soul bone will modify the soul master's original bones and surrounding muscles to some extent. This is also one of the reasons why absorbing a soul bone enhances a soul master's physical qualities.
Jiang Nannan's ten-thousand-year Ghost Shadow Leopard's left leg bone was forcibly stripped away, which was tantamount to her entire lower leg being crippled.
Although her life was not in danger, even if the wound could heal, it would probably be very difficult for her to maintain normal movement in the future. Even at the soul master level, her lifetime achievements would likely stop here.
Zhang Lexuan's face was as cold as frost as she questioned Zheng Zhan:
"Referee Zheng, just as you said, injuries and casualties are inevitable in a match. But during the match, you allowed the opponent to seize our Shrek Academy student's soul bone. We must demand an explanation."
Although the abilities displayed by the Holy Spirit Team members were sinister and eerie, the vast majority of the audience present were ordinary people. Even if some people judged that the Holy Spirit Team members were evil soul masters, they generally would not publicize it casually for various considerations.
This was, after all, the territory of the Sun Moon Empire, so Zhang Lexuan still showed some restraint and did not openly state the Holy Spirit Team's evil soul master identity in public. But for both sides, this was something they knew clearly in their hearts.
This time, Zhang Lexuan was truly furious. She directly brought up Shrek Academy to pressure Zheng Zhan and the Sun Moon Empire officials behind him.
"If the explanation given by the Sun Moon Empire side cannot satisfy us, then Shrek Academy will withdraw from this tournament and take necessary actions."
Zheng Zhan's expression changed slightly. He had not expected the situation to develop into such a difficult position. As a ninth-level soul engineer, even he could not decide at this moment. He raised his head and looked toward Xu Tianran on the rostrum.
Xu Tianran's face was gloomy as he said faintly:
"National Teacher, your people have overstepped."
Although he had decided to indulge the people of the Holy Spirit Cult in eliminating the young core forces from Shrek Academy during the competition, he had never thought it would be so blatant. After all, as the current crown prince and before ascending the throne, he needed to consider domestic public opinion.
Now, Jili forcibly stripping Jiang Nannan's soul bone, this kind of cruel behavior was, to some extent, even worse than killing Jiang Nannan on the spot. Moreover, this Jiang Nannan came from Shrek Academy.
"Mm." Zhong Liwu's attitude was no longer as cold and hard as before.
"Your Highness, rest assured, I will handle this matter properly."
Zheng Zhan, who was in a dilemma on the competition stage, seemed to have received instructions. He gave a barely noticeable nod, and the aura he released completely pressed toward the Holy Spirit Team's side.
"This is the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Youth Tournament. Seizing an opponent's possessions is prohibited during the match. Holy Spirit Team, immediately return the Tang Sect team member's soul bone. Otherwise, this old man will cancel your qualification to continue participating in this tournament."
Zheng Zhan deliberately infused soul power into his voice, spreading it throughout the entire venue, which also served to show the official attitude of the Sun Moon Empire. They could not leave themselves open to criticism in public.
Jili also received a soul power transmission from the Scorpion Tiger Douluo. Although he was somewhat reluctant, he ultimately threw the ten-thousand-year-old Ghost Shadow Leopard's left leg bone toward Zheng Zhan.
Not everyone possessed Xu Zihuang's vision. A ten-thousand-year soul bone was an extremely rare treasure even for these evil soul masters.
Zheng Zhan returned the soul bone to Zhang Lexuan without the slightest reluctance.
Zhang Lexuan's expression did not soften at all because the soul bone had been returned. Her voice remained cold.
"This is not the explanation we want."
Zheng Zhan's gaze sank. Ever since he became a ninth-level soul engineer, it had been many years since anyone dared to speak to him like this. But Shrek Academy held a special status on the continent, and he was indeed in the wrong first.
At that moment, a hoarse voice with a sharp quality entered everyone's ears.
"If you have the ability, feel free to kill our people to avenge her."
This eerie voice seemed to explode deep in the soul. Even with Zhang Lexuan's cultivation, her sea of consciousness felt stabbing pain and numbness, causing her heart to fill with shock.
A spiritual-attribute soul master?!
Moreover, the spiritual power realm was only stronger than hers, not weaker.
The owner of the voice was precisely the black-robed woman from the Holy Spirit Team who had been sitting in the waiting area the whole time, her face concealed.
Zhang Lexuan wanted to say more, but Beibei stopped her with a look.
Beibei turned around to face everyone and said in a deep voice:
"Xiaoya, take Nannan back to the hotel first to treat her injuries. Caitou, Luoli, you two go along as well, so you can look after each other. Leave the rest of the matches to Sanshi and me."
"Mm! Beibei, be careful yourself." Tang Ya was also somewhat panicked at this moment. How could she still care about the match? She nodded anxiously again and again, picked up Jiang Nannan, and left the waiting area. He Caitou and Dai Luoli followed behind Tang Ya with solemn expressions.
"Ning Tian, you go along too. Invite Princess Weina from the Heavenly Soul Empire. Her Snow Lotus martial soul is also among the top healing-system martial souls and should be able to play a significant role in recovering Nannan's injuries." Zhang Lexuan instructed Ning Tian beside her, while also handing the ten-thousand-year Ghost Shadow Leopard's left leg bone to Ning Tian so she could take it along.
"Yes, Senior Sister." Ning Tian responded seriously and quickly caught up to Tang Ya and the others with light steps.
After such an incident, the members of Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect team naturally would no longer trust the treatment team sent by the Sun Moon Empire.
Now, only Zhang Lexuan, Wang Qiu'er, Xu Sanshi, and Beibei remained in the waiting area.
Zhang Lexuan frowned tightly as she watched Beibei.
"Don't force yourself. That woman from the Holy Spirit Team who hasn't appeared yet is definitely not simple. Even if it were me facing her, winning would probably not be easy."
Beibei's pupils suddenly contracted, but his gaze quickly returned to calm. He shook his head with a peaceful expression.
"Nannan was injured because of our Tang Sect. No matter what, I cannot retreat. Moreover, only Sanshi and I will fight now. I believe, Senior Sister, you should understand my intentions. The outcome of this match is no longer important to us, but even if we lose, I want them to pay a heavy price for it."
Zhang Lexuan looked deeply at Beibei and said nothing more. She returned to the Tang Sect team's rest area with the thoughtful Wang Qiu'er.
The cohesion displayed by Shrek Academy just now was something Wang Qiu'er had never felt in the tens of thousands of years she lived in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Although several great ferocious beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest obeyed the Beast God Di Tian's orders and did not dare disobey, this was only because Di Tian's strength far surpassed that of the other ferocious beasts. If it were not for humanity's development making soul beasts feel threatened, those several great ferocious beasts and the ten-thousand-year soul beasts might not be so united as they are now.
Seeming to see the thoughts in Wang Qiu'er's heart, Zhang Lexuan's expression softened considerably. She said softly:
"Qiu'er, as long as you stay in the academy for a while, I believe you will be able to fully integrate. Then you will understand."
From beginning to end, Tang Wutong of the Haotian Sect's rest area had witnessed the battle between Jiang Nannan and Jili. A slight emotional fluctuation appeared in her indifferent pink-blue eyes.
She questioned herself inwardly: when the Tang Sect team faced the Holy Spirit Team head-on and caused Jiang Nannan to suffer severe injuries, was there also a portion of responsibility from their Haotian Sect?
But in the next moment, she denied this self-doubt.
Jiang Nannan's current fate was purely because she overestimated her own abilities. Clearly, her strength was insufficient, yet she still insisted on showing off; what could she blame anyone else for?
The gaze of Unbreakable Douluo Zheng Zhan once again fell on Beibei and Xu Sanshi in the waiting area. He asked:
"Tang Sect team, do you still wish to continue this match?"
To be honest, he really did not want to continue hosting such a match against his own will. But he had no choice due to instructions from above.
"Continue," Beibei replied coldly.
Zheng Zhan said no more. After a moment of silence, he announced loudly:
"Personal elimination match, second round. Tang Sect, send out your second fighter."
As soon as Zheng Zhan finished speaking, Beibei instinctively turned his head to look at Xu Sanshi beside him. At this moment, the surging soul power in Xu Sanshi's body had returned to calm, and even the aroused Xuanwu bloodline had sunk back down.
"Sanshi, you..."
"Beibei, it seems I have truly let go." Xu Sanshi sighed softly with a complicated yet relieved expression.
Although he felt furious because Jiang Nannan had been severely injured, he would no longer lose control of his emotions like before and unconsciously fully activate his Xuanwu bloodline. Perhaps Jiang Nannan still held some special meaning to him. The feelings from his youth were too deep and not so easily discarded.
But this time, it also allowed him to confirm his true heart once again.
If it were any other member of the Tang Sect team who had been severely injured by the Holy Spirit Team, he would still feel angry.
As Beibei's good brother, Beibei felt much more at ease. At least he did not have to worry about Xu Sanshi acting on emotion and fighting those evil soul masters to the death.
"Sanshi, you also heard what Senior Sister said earlier. If that female evil soul master appears, we will decisively forfeit. There will be plenty of opportunities to deal with the Holy Spirit Cult in the future."
"I can also feel that her spiritual power is very strong." Xu Sanshi nodded solemnly.
"It seems only Tianhuang can suppress her."
In Xu Sanshi's view, among soul masters under twenty years old in this tournament, Yu Tianhuang was the undisputed ceiling.
The two did not talk for long before Beibei stood up and stepped onto the competition stage.
But at that moment, the black-robed woman from the Holy Spirit Team suddenly requested a substitution.
"We forfeit the second round. Yan Feng, you're up."
Not only Beibei and Xu Sanshi, but even referee Zheng Zhan and Jili himself felt extremely surprised.
Although the black hat blocked his line of sight, when Jili turned back to look at his own side's black-robed woman, his body trembled from fear. He did not dare delay at all and simply jumped down from the competition stage.
Among the evil soul masters, Yan Feng's figure appeared relatively normal, but the aura he emitted was the coldest. As he brushed past Jili and stepped onto the competition stage, in terms of handsome appearance, he was actually not much inferior to Beibei.
Seeing both sides in position, Unbreakable Douluo Zheng Zhan took a deep breath and shouted:
"Match begins!"
He only wanted to end this match, whose outcome had no suspense, as quickly as possible.
As Zheng Zhan announced the start of the match, Beibei and Yan Feng's first action was simultaneously released their martial souls.
As two yellow, two purple, and two black, the six best-ratio soul rings rose, and Beibei's body suddenly expanded. Blue-purple dragon scales rapidly burst out from within his body, instantly spreading across his entire form. Lightning flickered continuously on the surface.
It was clearly the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul.
Although Beibei and Yu Tianlong's martial souls were both Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, there was a clear difference in aura.
Less overbearing sharpness, more grand majesty.
Beneath Yan Feng's feet, a circle of ice-blue light ring appeared. As his soul rings emerged, this light ring expanded outward layer by layer, and his body also became robust. Similarly, large patches of dragon scales drilled out from his skin, but they were a deep ice-blue.
The changes in his body caused his black cloak to be stretched until it tore, then condensed into brilliant blue ice crystals that fell to the ground with crisp sounds.
Yan Feng's gaze suddenly became sharp. The chilling aura soared, and soul rings rapidly rose beneath his feet.
Two yellow, two purple, three black.
"Seven-ring Soul Saint?!"
When Zhang Lexuan, Wang Qiu'er, and Xu Sanshi saw the seven soul rings on Yan Feng, their expressions became extremely grave.
Leaving aside Yu Tianhuang's special situation for the moment, this Yan Feng was the first seven-ring Soul Saint to appear in this tournament. Moreover, he was an evil soul master, Soul Saint.
The audience stands were filled with continuous exclamations.
At one end of the competition stage, Yan Feng slightly bowed, and a pair of enormous bone wings instantly unfurled behind him. Between the bone wings was completely connected by blue-gray light.
With a flap of the wings, his entire body rose into the air.
Yan Feng looked at Beibei with a cold, mocking smile. Then, the deep seventh soul ring beside him suddenly shone brightly.
Seventh soul skill, Bone Dragon True Body!
"Aooo—" A low dragon roar resounded mightily through the sky. Blue-gray light wrapped around Yan Feng's body like a cocoon of light.
Immediately after, a colossal figure drilled out from the light cocoon, as if emerging from another world and descending upon the Douluo plane.
It was a complete giant bone dragon, at least fifteen meters long, with a wingspan exceeding ten meters. The massive body was entirely composed of pale white bones, yet it emitted intense ice-blue light.
Especially in the eye sockets of the skull, deep blue flames leaped.
Although the bone dragon that Yan Feng had transformed into could not yet compare to a true bone dragon, it already possessed initial might. The moment it appeared, it awed the entire venue.
No one had expected that Yan Feng, as a seven-ring Soul Saint, would unleash his strongest martial soul true body right from the start.
And all of this was because of the black-robed female evil soul master's instruction to him.
Having transformed into the bone dragon, Yan Feng soared upward, instantly reaching over fifty meters in the air on the competition stage. The ferocious giant maw opened, and a mass of ice-blue bone dragon breath surged forth like mountains and tsunamis, madly spraying toward Beibei below.
"So-called power is used to describe this kind of thing."
Yan Feng's icy voice was filled with thick disdain.
"Overestimating one's abilities, trash. Life-and-death struggle? I want to see who will die on the competition stage today."
Watching Yan Feng's grand and imposing attack, Xu Sanshi, in the waiting area, and the one who understood Beibei's abilities best, suddenly turned pale.
Beibei's strength was indeed very strong. Ever since he obtained his fifth soul skill, Dragon Emperor Evil-Breaking Rend, and his sixth soul skill Dragon Emperor Shock Domain Realm, he could only passively defend.
However, Beibei's biggest shortcoming was his lack of long-range attack methods. After all, Beibei did not have Yu Tianhuang's terrifying soul ring and soul bone configuration.
The limit attack distance of Beibei's fourth soul skill, Thunder Dragon Head, was less than fifty meters.
There was a gap of levels between Beibei and Yan Feng; this was absolutely not something that could be compensated for with a few soul skills.
It can only be said that the despair and oppression that the Tang Sect and Shrek feel later pave the way for the protagonist to show off. Explosively satisfying!
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