A Rematch

A Rematch

The spring-breeze smile on Feng Yao's face now seemed unfathomable to the Shrek group, hiding a murderous intent beneath its warmth.

Tang San's Purple Demon Eye flickered as he made his decision in an instant. The Blue Silver Grass that had originally been wrapped around his teammates' waists suddenly rose, splitting into fine vine fibers that precisely plugged everyone's ears—this seemingly simple response partially neutralized the threat of the soundwave attack.

If Feng Yao's skill continued to take effect, it would place an enormous burden on both his Soul Power control and his total Soul Power reserves.

Watching from the stands, Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly. Earplugs would affect immediate communication, but for the Shrek Seven Devils, who spent every day together and shared flawless coordination, a glance or gesture was enough to convey tactical intent.

In that flash of lightning, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing shot out at the same time like two ghostly shadows. The pink rabbit silhouette and purple cat silhouette circled around the copper wall and iron barrier formed by the Shi Family Brothers from opposite sides, plunging straight into the Imperial Dou Team's rear.

On the Imperial Dou Team's side, the Ghost Leopard Spirit Master Oslo suddenly blurred, turning into a black afterimage as he pounced straight at Zhu Zhuqing. His sharp claw blades glinted with a chilling light beneath the soul-guide lamps, moving so fast that they left trails of afterimages in the air.

At the same time, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent phantom behind Dugu Yan had fully emerged. Its emerald snake eyes locked tightly onto its prey, and as its crimson tongue flickered, visible poisonous mist began spreading across the arena. She swayed her slender waist elegantly, like a venomous snake poised to strike, waiting to deliver a fatal blow to her opponent.

After his attack missed, Yu Tianheng did not hesitate. He stomped heavily on the Shi Family Brothers' tortoise shells with his dragon foot, launching himself like an arrow loosed from a bow. Lightning surged along his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon arm as his second Lightning Dragon Claw tore through the air, this time aimed directly at Tang San's heart—this battle-hardened captain had already seen through the key point:

That youth controlling the Blue Silver Grass across the entire field was the true core of Shrek's formation. As long as that chain of control was severed, even the most exquisite coordination would crumble.

Seeing this, Feng Yao lightly brushed the zither strings with his fingertips and sighed inwardly. Though the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit was incomparably powerful, it also made its wielder overly reliant on the Martial Soul's own might—this overwhelming thunderous power had instead become shackles binding his thoughts.

At that thought, a familiar figure immediately surfaced in Feng Yao's mind, and a faint, ambiguous smile touched his lips. Watching Yu Tianheng's straightforward assault, he could not help thinking, Yu Xiaogang really does stand apart among the Blue Lightning clan.

As Yu Tianheng's Lightning Dragon Claw ripped through the air once more, he was already within arm's reach of Tang San. To his astonishment, this Control System Spirit Master's eyes had completely turned an eerie violet, while his feet moved in profound, unpredictable steps and his body drifted about like a ghost.

At the instant the dragon claw was about to hit, Tang San's upper body did not move in the slightest, yet his whole body strangely slid two meters to the side. The attack that had seemed certain to land could only blast a patch of scorched earth.

"Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step!"

A sharp light burst from Tang San's violet eyes as his first Spirit Ring suddenly lit up. In an instant, countless strands of Blue Silver Grass gleaming with metallic luster burst from the ground and coiled toward Yu Tianheng in midair like spirit snakes. At the same time, the Blue Silver Grass wrapped around his teammates' waists tightened.

Just as Oslo's leopard claws were about to collide with Zhu Zhuqing's cat claws, just as Dugu Yan's poison mist was about to engulf Xiao Wu—the prey of the two agility-attack Spirit Masters vanished into thin air!

Before disappearing, Xiao Wu even winked playfully at Dugu Yan, her pink scorpion braid drawing a graceful arc through the air. This unexpected development had clearly been part of Shrek's calculations all along.

Two figures were pulled into the air by the Blue Silver Grass: Zhu Zhuqing shot backward like black lightning, while Xiao Wu twisted nimbly in midair.

The two traced perfect parabolas through the air before converging at a single point—the core at the front of the Imperial Dou Team! Their captain: Yu Tianheng.

"Not good! We fell for it!" Dugu Yan's jade eyes constricted. Just as her graceful body was about to spring forward, Feng Yao's clear voice stopped her. "Sister Yan, stay calm."

The moment his words fell, a piercingly high note exploded. Feng Yao's fingers swept heavily across the strings of the "Fuxi" zither, and seven crescent-shaped Sound Blades tore through the air—before Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing could react in midair, the Blue Silver Grass around their waists had all been severed. The Sound Blades were terrifyingly precise. They did not harm either girl in the slightest, cutting only the Blue Silver Grass binding them.

"Damn it!" Seeing Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing about to fall into the enemy formation, Tang San and Dai Mubai's expressions changed drastically at the same time.

A flash of panic crossed Tang San's Purple Demon Eye, and he immediately abandoned his Control Crane Catch Dragon control over his other teammates. He exchanged a glance with Dai Mubai, and both pushed their movement techniques to the limit—

With Soul Power pouring through him, Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps became as swift as a ghost, his body turning into a series of afterimages. Dai Mubai directly unleashed the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, using the recoil to launch himself like a cannonball. The two charged desperately toward the Imperial Dou formation, determined to retrieve their companions before they hit the ground.

However, the Shi Family Brothers and Yu Tianheng had already formed an iron wall before them—the Shi Family Brothers' Black Tortoise shells shone with a bronze luster, and the two stood unmoving like mountains.

"Not good!" Yu Xiaogang abruptly rose from his seat, his fist slamming heavily into the railing. His sharp gaze instantly saw through the battle. "Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu are sitting ducks right now!"

Beside him, Flander went pale, his hands trembling as he clutched his chest. "It's over, it's all over..." He stared blankly at the Douluo Stage, his voice hoarse. "My Gold Soul Coins..."

Lightning surged around Yu Tianheng as his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon arm swept across, forcibly cutting off Tang San and Dai Mubai's path.

The defensive line formed by the three was like an insurmountable chasm, firmly blocking Shrek's two cores outside their formation.

Feng Yao gently brushed the zither strings, looking at the two girls who had lost their balance in midair with a mild smile. "Sister Xiao Wu, Miss Zhu, why not rest for a moment?"

Before his words had finished, a quiet, tranquil zither melody had already drifted through the air like a spring breeze. Unlike the previous sharp notes, this melody carried a soothing rhythm that made its listeners' eyelids grow heavy of their own accord.

Oslo flickered like a ghost. As a Heaven Dou noble, he immediately understood Feng Yao's intent and moved in rhythm with him. Black afterimages swept past as he skillfully caught Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, then gently tossed the two beyond the boundaries of the arena.

Only then did Tang San and Dai Mubai, seeing this, relax their taut nerves slightly.

"Oh? I didn't expect you to know how to cherish fairer flowers, hmm~" Dugu Yan cast Feng Yao a sidelong glance, a teasing glint flashing in her jade eyes. Her tone was so sweetly winding that it dripped with jealousy.

Hearing that, Ye Lingling hurriedly covered her cherry lips with her delicate hand, but she could not hide the smile spreading from the corners of her eyes.

Feng Yao paid no mind to Dugu Yan's teasing. His slender fingers rested lightly on the strings as he looked gently toward Tang San. "Classmate Tang, it is now five against seven." He paused, an enigmatic smile on his lips. "Do you still wish to continue?"

Seeing the Shrek group remain silent, lightning flashed wildly in Yu Tianheng's eyes—he did not possess Feng Yao's patience.

"Third Spirit Skill, Thunder Fury!"

With a thunderous roar, dazzling blue lightning erupted from Yu Tianheng's body like a volcanic explosion. The violent thunder power instantly blew the Blue Silver Grass wrapped around him into charred fragments, and even ionized the air, filling it with the pungent smell of ozone.

Lightning power increased by one hundred percent. Total Soul Power increased by fifty percent. Entering a sustained berserk state.

"Third Spirit Skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"

Dai Mubai gave the most direct answer through his actions. As Soul Power continuously poured into him, his already burly body expanded further, his muscles bulging like blocks of granite and tearing his shirt apart completely. Strange black tiger stripes appeared across his bronze skin, his tiger paws grew another size, and his sharp claws glinted with a cold silver light. Most shocking of all, his entire body was enveloped in a brilliant golden aura, like a war god cast from gold. His evil eyes had completely turned blood-red, radiating a savage aura that chilled the heart.

Though the White Tiger was slightly inferior to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, the gap between them was no more than a hair's breadth. Moreover, Dai Mubai's Soul Power was at level thirty-eight, only one level below Yu Tianheng's.

"Roar—!"

Amid the earth-shaking tiger roar, Dai Mubai's twin pupils suddenly merged. A blazing ball of white light two meters in diameter shot forth wrapped in golden Soul Power, blasting toward Yu Tianheng like a falling meteor. Its radiance was so intense that the entire spirit arena lit up.

The Lightning Dragon Claw and White Tiger Fierce Light Wave collided violently in midair, erupting with a deafening boom. The entire Douluo Stage shook violently as the savage shockwave lifted every stone slab from the ground and sent dust flying in all directions.

When the light faded, two figures fell to the ground at the same time.

Yu Tianheng planted his dragon foot heavily, retreating only a single step as a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Dai Mubai staggered back three steps before steadying himself. Both hands were charred black, and the webs between his thumbs and forefingers had split open from the impact.

The outcome of that head-on clash was immediately clear. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon had ultimately gained the slight advantage, but the White Tiger's ferocity, enhanced by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, had still made Yu Tianheng pay a price.

At this point, the scales of victory had already tipped—after losing two main fighters, Shrek, whose Soul Power had already been inferior, was beginning to show defeat.

And there was still Feng Yao, who had remained calmly playing his zither all along. Tang San's Purple Demon Eye had seen it clearly: throughout the entire battle, not even one of his opponent's Spirit Rings had lit up. This effortless composure filled Tang San with an unprecedented sense of frustration.

"Why..." Tang San's clenched fists trembled slightly. He could not understand why this boy, once so inconspicuous at Nuoding Academy, had broken through to level thirty-four in only a few months; nor could he understand why his proud battlefield control had proven so utterly vulnerable before the other's seemingly casual zither music.

Below the stage, Xiao Wu had awakened at some point. Her pink eyes fixed fiercely on Feng Yao as she suddenly shouted, "You zither player! You're too underhanded!" Her clear voice was filled with indignation, and her scorpion braid swung an arc through the air with her agitated movements.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing's usually cold face showed a rare hint of helplessness. She gently pressed a hand on Xiao Wu's shoulder and softly comforted her. "Enough, Xiao Wu."

A complicated look flashed through Zhu Zhuqing's black eyes—when it came to the strength Feng Yao had displayed, all she felt was admiration.

Tang San steadily supported the swaying Dai Mubai, the light in his Purple Demon Eye gradually settling. He stared at Feng Yao, and the identity buried deep in his heart surfaced once more—Tang Sect disciple.

"The Shrek Seven Devils concede." Tang San's voice rang clearly throughout the arena, but in the next moment, his tone changed. "However, I wish to have an individual spirit battle with Classmate Feng." His gaze burned as he looked toward the Imperial Dou Team. "Do you all dare accept?"

Yu Tianheng's gaze fell on Feng Yao. Dugu Yan parted her crimson lips, about to speak, but Feng Yao had already raised a hand to stop her. He gently brushed the zither strings and smiled mildly at Dugu Yan. "It is fine, Sister Yan." When his eyes turned to Tang San, they held a trace of reminiscence. "Classmate Tang and I were once schoolmates. This exchange..."

The zither music paused briefly, and a faint smile rested on his lips. "Let it serve as a reunion."

Seeing Feng Yao accept the challenge, Tang San looked around at his teammates. Ning Rongrong and the others nodded in tacit understanding.

"Xiao San, give it everything you have." Dai Mubai forced himself to endure his injuries and patted Tang San on the shoulder. After receiving an affirmative response, Ma Hongjun immediately supported him as he slowly left the arena with Ning Rongrong and Oscar.

Feng Yao gave the Imperial Fighting Team a reassuring look. Though Dugu Yan was unwilling, she still led the team gracefully off the stage. In the blink of an eye, only two opposing figures remained on the vast Douluo Stage.

On the stands, Zhao Wuji rubbed his chin with an amused expression and whispered teasingly, "Flander, our little monster got crushed in battlefield control and refuses to accept it."

Flander immediately shot him a fierce glare, his eyes behind the lenses frantically signaling at him—Yu Xiaogang was standing right beside them.

Zhao Wuji ignored Flander's signals completely. He remained standing with his arms crossed, anticipation gleaming in his bell-like eyes. He remembered very clearly just how much of a "surprise" Tang San, this little monster, had given him back then. Now, he wanted to see how Feng Yao would deal with such a troublesome opponent.

On the Douluo Stage, Feng Yao and Tang San stood facing each other. The night breeze stirred a few strands of Feng Yao's dark hair before his forehead, revealing eyes as warm as jade yet hiding an edge beneath them. His slender fingers rested lightly on the ancient "Fuxi" zither, and with a slight movement of his fingertips, a clear zither note spread outward like a babbling stream.

Violet light flared in Tang San's eyes as his Purple Demon Eye was pushed to its limit. He stared fixedly at this opponent who had remained calm from beginning to end, alarm bells ringing in his mind—from the start of the battle until now, the other had not revealed even a single Spirit Ring. Such unfathomable strength forced him to remain on utmost alert.

"Please." Feng Yao's lips curved slightly as he gracefully made an inviting gesture with his right hand. His manner was so composed that it seemed less like a life-or-death battle and more like an invitation to share tea and discuss the Dao with a friend.

In that instant, Tang San's body suddenly blurred. Pushing his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps to the limit, dozens of gleaming strands of Blue Silver Grass surged toward Feng Yao from every direction like spirit snakes leaving their lairs. At the same time, his left hand lightly brushed the Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night at his waist, and three Bone-Piercing Nails silently shot through the air, glinting with a cold, sinister light beneath the soul-guide lamps.

Facing this fierce assault, Feng Yao merely closed his eyes slowly and gently plucked the zither strings. Just as the hidden weapons came within three feet of him, the previously soothing melody abruptly quickened. Seven nearly tangible Sound Blades shot through the air, not only precisely severing every strand of incoming Blue Silver Grass, but also knocking down all three Bone-Piercing Nails with crisp "ding ding" sounds.

Before the lingering notes had faded, Feng Yao suddenly opened his eyes. Those warm eyes were now sharp as swords. His right hand swept heavily across the strings—"Buzz!"