Imperial Dou Team, a Formidable Enemy Before Them

Three days later, Soto Great Soul Arena, central main arena.

The venue was packed to the brim tonight, the atmosphere reaching a fever pitch. Tonight's featured battle would be the newly risen Shrek Seven Devils, who possessed the mysterious powerhouse known as the "Dragon Emperor," versus the renowned Imperial Dou Team from Heaven Dou Royal Academy!

This match had drawn enormous attention, not only because of both sides' strength and background, but also because of the existence of "Dragon Emperor" Ling Yun. Many wanted to see whether this mysterious youth, who had been invincible in individual matches, could continue his miracle in a Team Battle that required cooperation.

In the VIP box sat Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Zhao Wuji. Flender looked calm, but his constantly rubbing fingers exposed his inner tension—he had wagered his entire fortune on this. Yu Xiaogang held a notebook, continuously recording and analyzing information about the Imperial Dou Team. Zhao Wuji, meanwhile, drank carelessly, full of confidence in Ling Yun.

On the other side, another luxurious box held several distinguished middle-aged men. They were Qin Ming, the Imperial Dou Team's leader, along with several teachers from Heaven Dou Royal Academy. They also attached great importance to this match, viewing the Shrek Seven Devils—especially Ling Yun—as important opponents for testing the Imperial Dou Team's strength.

In the contestants' waiting area, the Shrek Seven Devils (the seven competing this time were Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Ling Yun, A Qing, Heavy Armor Rhinoceros [codename], and Light Spirit Sparrow [codename]. Shadow was sitting this round out) were making their final preparations.

Tang San closed his eyes to compose himself, repeatedly running through the tactics Yu Xiaogang had devised in his mind. Xiao Wu excitedly stretched her limbs. Dai Mubai's gaze was sharp and filled with fighting spirit. Heavy Armor Rhinoceros and Light Spirit Sparrow were somewhat nervous.

A Qing sat quietly in a corner, her pure white eyes flickering faintly as though she were sensing something. She softly said to Ling Yun beside her, "Ling Yun, I can sense... intense poison and... Dragon Might from the opposing team. There's also a deeply hidden, razor-sharp aura."

Ling Yun nodded. He already knew the Imperial Dou Team's information. Dugu Yan of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent's poison, Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's Dragon Might, the speed of Osler, the Agility Type soul master whose martial soul was the Ghost Leopard, and Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia healing ability... they truly were a strong team. Ye Lingling in particular reminded him of the girl he had encountered on the road.

"It doesn't matter," Ling Yun said blandly. Before absolute power, poison, Dragon Might, and speed were all meaningless.

Soon, a staff member came to notify them that it was time to enter.

When both teams emerged from their passages and stepped onto the enormous central arena, thunderous cheers instantly swallowed them.

Under the spotlights, the two sides faced one another from afar. Their gazes collided, sending sparks flying.

The Shrek Seven Devils wore matching shit-green uniforms—custom-made by Flender to save money and relentlessly mocked by everyone. They looked somewhat ridiculous, but every one of them had fighting spirit burning in their eyes.

The Imperial Dou Team, meanwhile, wore identical azure uniforms of exquisite material, highlighting their extraordinary bearing. At their head stood a tall, handsome young man with long blue hair. He was their captain, Yu Tianheng. His gaze was imperious, carrying the pride of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Beside him stood a curvaceous girl with short dark-purple hair and green eyes. She was vice-captain Dugu Yan, her gaze carrying a trace of eerie coldness.

Yu Tianheng's gaze passed straight over Tang San and Dai Mubai before landing on Ling Yun, a flash of battle intent crossing his eyes. "So you're the 'Dragon Emperor'? I heard you're impressive. I hope you won't disappoint me tonight."

Ling Yun merely glanced at him without responding. A provocation of this level could not stir him in the slightest.

Dugu Yan licked her lips, her eyes sweeping across the Shrek group before settling on Xiao Wu and A Qing, carrying a hint of mockery. "Shrek? Never heard of that academy. Dressed this ugly, which backwater village did you crawl out from?"

Xiao Wu immediately bristled. "What did you say?!"

Tang San grabbed Xiao Wu and said solemnly, "There's no point in trading insults. We'll settle it with our hands."

The referee was a Soul King-level powerhouse. He stepped to the center of the arena and called out, "Contestants from both sides, bow!"

Both teams formed lines and bowed slightly. Yet the smell of gunpowder in the air only grew thicker.

"Team Battle, Shrek Seven Devils versus Imperial Dou Team. Prepare for the countdown! Five, four, three, two, one! Begin!"

With the referee's command, this highly anticipated Team Battle officially erupted!

"Follow the plan, spread out!" Tang San shouted low as he moved first. Blue Silver Grass surged from his palm, spreading across the ground like spirit snakes in an attempt to control the arena.

Dai Mubai roared as the White Tiger Martial Soul possessed him, guarding the front. Xiao Wu flashed away, moving along the flank like a ghost. Heavy Armor Rhinoceros stood before A Qing, while Light Spirit Sparrow took to the air to scout.

On the Imperial Dou Team's side, Yu Tianheng let out a long howl as blue-violet lightning burst from his body. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul possessed him, and powerful Dragon Might spread out as he charged straight at Dai Mubai! Dugu Yan spewed green poison mist from her mouth, and it swiftly spread—her second soul skill, Bile Poison Red Poison! At the same time, the Shi Brothers, whose martial souls were Black Tortoises, raised their shields to protect Ye Lingling in the rear, along with Yu Feng, another Agility Type soul master whose martial soul was the Black Panther.

The battle entered its fiercest stage from the very start!

Yu Tianheng's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon truly deserved its reputation as a top-tier beast martial soul, its offensive power incomparably violent. Dai Mubai also possessed a top-tier martial soul, but there was a gap in Soul Power Level. He fell into a disadvantage the moment they clashed.

Dugu Yan's poison mist was even more troublesome. It possessed powerful corrosive and nerve-paralyzing effects, severely restricting Tang San's Blue Silver Grass control and the Shrek team's movements.

" A Qing!" Tang San shouted.

Light flickered in A Qing's pure white eyes as she urgently warned, "Careful! The poison mist spreads in three waves. The second wave is coming from the rear left! Their Agility Type target is Sister Xiao Wu!"

Upon hearing this, Tang San immediately controlled the Blue Silver Grass to change tactics while warning Xiao Wu.

With A Qing's warning, Shrek barely withstood the Imperial Dou Team's first fierce assault. But the situation remained grim. Yu Tianheng was too strong, and Dai Mubai was being forced back step by step. The poison mist was also constantly compressing their room to move.

"Ling Yun!" Tang San looked toward Ling Yun, who had yet to move. According to their tactics, Ling Yun should have acted against the opponent's strongest point, Yu Tianheng.

However, Ling Yun paid Yu Tianheng no attention. His gaze crossed the intense battlefield and landed on the girl standing quietly at the very back of the Imperial Dou Team, holding a white begonia flower in both hands.

Ye Lingling. So it really was her.

The moment Ling Yun looked at Ye Lingling, she seemed to sense it as well. She raised her head, her gaze crossing the battlefield to meet Ling Yun's. When she saw his calm, unfathomable golden eyes, her delicate body suddenly trembled, and even the Nine Heart Begonia in her hands swayed slightly.

It was him! The youth who had saved her on the official road and possessed that mysterious healing ability! Why was he here? He was even a member of the Shrek team?

In the instant Ye Lingling lost focus, Ling Yun moved.

He did not help Dai Mubai fight Yu Tianheng, nor did he deal with the troublesome Dugu Yan. His body seemed to turn into a streak of golden light, piercing directly through the spreading poison mist at a speed beyond everyone's reactions. Ignoring the Shi Brothers' defenses, he appeared before Ye Lingling at the back of the Imperial Dou Team as though he had teleported!

Capture the bandits by taking their leader? No, he was taking out the most crucial support!

Everyone was stunned by this sudden scene!

"Lingling, watch out!" Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan cried out at the same time!

But it was already too late.

Ling Yun looked at Ye Lingling, who was so close that the shock and a trace of familiarity in her eyes were clearly visible. He did not attack. He merely said blandly:

"Can your healing keep up with my destructive speed?"

Before his words had faded, he suddenly turned to face the Imperial Dou Team. Dark golden light explosively erupted around his right fist! That illusory Origin Soul Ring appeared before the world for the first time, flickering in and out of sight!

[Dragon Emperor Earthshaker Wave]!

One punch struck the ground!

Rumble—!!!

The entire central main arena trembled!