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No one knew or cared about what had happened to Tang Xiao and Tang San. After all, no one paid attention to the losers—the victor, Li Luochen, was the center of attention.
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Two days later—
Still in front of the Pope's Palace, the Spirit Hall Academy team and the Shrek Academy team stood facing each other.
Shrek Academy Team: Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Yang Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Yu Tianxin, Ning Rongrong, Ye Lingling
Spirit Hall Academy Team: Hu Liena, Xie Yue, Yan, Sun Chuantao, Li Kai, Zhang Ping, Xu Yu
The strength of both teams was relatively close. On the Shrek Academy side—
Oscar: Ultimate Sausage, Level 59
Ma Hongjun: Fire Phoenix, Level 62
Yang Wu: Breaking Spear, Level 51
Zhu Zhuqing: Netherworld Cat, Level 49
Yu Tianxin: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Level 49
Ning Rongrong: Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda Tower, Level 48
Ye Lingling: Nine Hearts Begonia, Level 48
On the Spirit Hall Academy side—
Hu Liena: Six-Tailed Celestial Fox, Level 62
Xie Yue: Moon Blade, Level 52
Yan: Flame Lord, Level 51
Sun Chuantao: Circular Blade, Level 48
Li Kai: Black Horned Boar, Level 47
Zhang Ping: Golden Swallow, Level 47
Xu Yu: Brilliant Gold Scepter, Level 46
In terms of levels, the Shrek Academy team had a slight advantage. However, Hu Liena and Xie Yue, the sibling duo, possessed a Spirit Fusion Technique, which posed a significant challenge.
But when it came to the quality of their spirit weapons, the Shrek Academy team far surpassed the Spirit Hall Academy team—all of them wielded top-tier spirit weapons.
This match promised to be spectacular. Since the beginning of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament, there hadn't been a single match featuring a Soul Emperor-level participant—this was truly unprecedented.
"Begin!"
Given the high level of both teams, even a Soul Conqueror might not be able to stop their full-force clash. Thus, Bibi Dong invited a Title Douluo to serve as the referee.
This referee wore green robes and appeared carefree, but most of the Shrek Academy team recognized him. He was a newly promoted Title Douluo with the title "Wind God"!
You Tianshang observed the intense fighting spirit from both sides and grinned. "Start!" As soon as he spoke, You Tianshang transformed into wind and left, ascending into the sky to observe the match.
Both teams released their spirit weapons, and their soul rings appeared. The Spirit Hall Academy team's configurations were relatively standard, with optimal soul ring setups. Only Hu Liena's fourth soul ring was a deep purplish-black, reaching over nine thousand years.
The rest of the Spirit Hall Academy members had standard two-yellow, two-purple soul ring configurations.
However, the Shrek Academy team exuded an overwhelming presence—
Ma Hongjun: One yellow, two purple, three black
Oscar: One yellow, two purple, one purplish-black, one black
Yang Wu: Two yellow, two purple, one black
Yu Tianxin: Two yellow, two purple
Zhu Zhuqing: Two yellow, one purple, one purplish-black
Ning Rongrong: Two yellow, one purple, one purplish-black
Ye Lingling: Two yellow, one purple, one purplish-black
Aside from Yu Tianxin and Yang Wu, the fourth soul rings of the other team members were either purplish-black or pure black—an extraordinary soul ring configuration achieved only by the Shrek Academy team.
When the Shrek Academy team released their soul rings, several members of the Spirit Hall Academy team felt disheartened. Could they really win?
Hu Liena also felt wary upon seeing the opposing team's soul ring setup. After all, Ma Hongjun, the Soul Emperor on their side, far surpassed her in attack power. Their only chance of victory lay in using their Spirit Fusion Technique.
"Brother!"
"Mm!"
Xie Yue and Hu Liena clasped hands, merging into a single entity—a long-haired figure whose gender was indistinguishable. Clad in armor and wielding a moon blade, they stepped forward.
Previously, the Spirit Fusion Technique had been led by Xie Yue, but now Hu Liena took the lead due to her higher soul power and spiritual force.
Upon completing the Spirit Fusion Technique, Yaomei began emanating a red mist from her body. The mist spread instantly, covering the entire battlefield and reaching the Shrek Academy team.
Yaomei specialized in control, releasing a red mist centered on herself. Within its range, all senses were reduced by fifty percent, soul power was suppressed by fifty percent, and all movements were slowed by fifty percent.
The Shrek Academy team immediately felt their abilities halved—an extremely uncomfortable sensation.
Moreover, aside from Ma Hongjun and Oscar, who could barely make out Yaomei's figure, the others were completely blinded.
"In my domain, no matter how strong you are, your efforts are futile. All of your senses are reduced by fifty percent, your soul power is suppressed by fifty percent, and all actions are slowed by fifty percent.
Meanwhile, I can clearly see all your movements. Your only chance of victory is to interrupt our Spirit Fusion Technique—but alas, you cannot.
Now, I offer you two choices: surrender, which will save face for Elder Li, or we eliminate you one by one."
Yaomei's voice, a blend of Hu Liena and Xie Yue's tones, echoed. They did not attack immediately, as Shrek Academy was nurtured by Elder Li—it wouldn't do to embarrass him.
It was also partly due to Hu Liena's personal feelings; she didn't want Li Luochen to lose face.
"Hmph, so you think you've got us cornered? Your domain is indeed powerful, but it has flaws," Ma Hongjun suddenly said, his gaze fixed on the blurry figure of Yaomei.
"Oh? You can see us? Your spiritual power must be quite strong. Indeed, my domain may not affect you much—or you and Oscar, since you can fly.
But what use is it that only the two of you can fly? Seven against two—we hold the advantage!"
Yaomei's voice was cold and sharp.
"You want to see us fly? Fine, we'll show you! Second Soul Skill, Divine Swallow Mushroom Sausage!"
Oscar suddenly crafted five mushroom sausages in his hands and tossed them to his teammates.
After consuming the sausages, the Shrek Academy team sprouted wings on their backs and swiftly flew out of Yaomei's red mist domain at incredible speed.
Yang Wu, Yu Tianxin, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling all escaped the red mist domain, leaving only Oscar and Ma Hongjun inside.
These two remained in the domain to confront Yaomei while the other five dealt with the remaining opponents—a task they should handle without much difficulty.
Their goal was simply to restrain Yaomei's movements. Exchanging glances, they summoned their external spirit bones.
Ma Hongjun activated his Fire Phoenix spirit weapon, and Oscar followed suit. The powerful phoenix flames made the red mist domain grow intensely hot.
"Come on, Yaomei! Let's see whether your sibling Spirit Fusion Technique is stronger or our brotherly combo skills are superior!" Ma Hongjun and Oscar declared in unison.
"Bring it on!" Yaomei assumed a battle stance.
"Little Ao, Hongjun, don't let these siblings underestimate your bond!"
Li Luochen suddenly stood up and shouted, his voice piercing through the red mist and reaching the four combatants' ears. At this moment, Ma Hongjun and Oscar's fighting spirit reached its peak!
"Elder Li! Your actions here are hardly fair," Bibi Dong said coldly, her eyes conveying a silent message: 'What are you doing, brat? Scaring me half to death with that sudden shout.'
"It's nothing—just cheering on my beloved students," Li Luochen replied, though his eyes immediately betrayed his guilt. 'Wrong, wrong—I won't dare do it again (or maybe I will).'
Among the powerful individuals present, only Bibi Dong, Li Luochen, Qian Renxue, Dugu Yan, and You Tianshang could see through the red mist domain.
The other Title Douluos lacked sufficient spiritual power to discern details. Yu Luomian, bolstered by high-year spirit bones, could barely make out silhouettes, but his attention was currently focused on his eldest grandson.
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