Battle Against Heavenly Water

Battle Against Heavenly Water

Feng Yao's long, slender fingers danced gracefully over the Fuxi Qin Strings, and an ethereal melody drifted forth. Like a clear spring flowing, the zither sound spread invisible soundwaves across the arena. The Imperial Dou Team's Soul Power flared brightly, their Spirit Rings reflecting one another as their momentum steadily rose.

"Captain, how should we fight next?" Yu Feng asked in a lowered voice, battle intent flashing in his eyes.

A faint smile curved Feng Yao's lips as his fingertips traced a graceful arc across the strings. "You only need to fight according to your instincts as Spirit Masters. I will clear away every obstacle before you."

"Arrogant!" Shui Bing'er's gaze turned cold, and the phantom of an Ice Phoenix behind her spread its wings with a cry. As the phoenix cry rang out, her first Spirit Ring lit up. "First Spirit Ability: Ice Seal!"

A bone-piercing chill swept forward, about to freeze the Imperial Fighting Team in place. Yet Feng Yao's melody suddenly quickened. Amid the violent tremor of soundwaves, the incoming ice crystals shattered into glittering powder before they could even take shape.

"How is this possible?!" The Heavenly Water Academy members' pupils constricted. Their prideful ice control had been dispelled so effortlessly.

Seizing that fleeting opening, the Imperial Dou Team immediately launched a fierce offensive. Oslo turned into a streak of black lightning as he attacked from the flank, Yu Feng spread the wings of his Wind Chime Bird and dove from above, while Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphor Purple Poison became a sky full of toxic mist that divided the battlefield.

"Second Spirit Ability: Ice Ring Armor!" Shui Bing'er remained calm in the face of danger. Crystalline ice armor instantly formed around the Heavenly Water Academy members. But Feng Yao lightly flicked his fingers, and the zither melody abruptly shifted. The seemingly indestructible ice armor fell away in rustling fragments like loose sand.

An uproar erupted from the audience. Ning Fengzhi paused slightly with his teacup in hand, Gu Rong looked astonished, and even Sword Douluo, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them. Such exquisite control—stripping away armor without harming its wearer—was truly admirable.

"Impressive, truly impressive!" Chen Xin stood with his hands behind his back, swordlight gleaming in his eyes. "At such a young age, he has already touched upon the realm of a Domain. That is exceptionally rare."

The audience immediately exploded into commotion. To the overwhelming majority of Spirit Masters, the word Domain represented a realm far beyond reach. Even the experts seated in the VIP Seats could not hide their shock.

Gu Rong nodded faintly, his hoarse voice carrying a trace of praise. "Though it is still incomplete, his cultivation is insufficient, and its range is somewhat small..." His gaze swept over the Heavenly Water Academy members in the arena. "But against these little girls, it is more than enough."

Ning Fengzhi gently stroked the scepter in his hand, a thoughtful glint passing through his mild eyes. He could clearly sense that Feng Yao's Domain, woven from zither sound upon that small arena, covered only the competition grounds, yet it already possessed the rudimentary capabilities of a Domain.

At the other end of the VIP Seats, a complicated light flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes as indescribable emotions surged in her heart. The talent Feng Yao had displayed had far exceeded her expectations. In that brief instant, she had nearly mistaken Feng Yao's ability for the purification unique to the Angel Spirit.

Little bastard, cultivating so quickly... when the time comes, he won't...

Yu Xiaogang's face was as dark as water. He clearly realized that Feng Yao's understanding of Martial Souls had reached an entirely new level. He could actually blend all kinds of abilities perfectly into his melodies.

Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu exchanged a tacit glance, and the Soul Power around them suddenly resonated. Xue Wu's long Snow Sash moved without wind, dancing around her like a living thing. The pure white ribbons rose and fell with her elegant movements, carving graceful arcs through the air.

"Handsome little brother." Xue Wu suddenly broke into a smile, her long Snow Sash swaying in the wind. "Would you be willing to accompany big sister's dance?"

"It would be my honor." Feng Yao replied elegantly, his music never ceasing.

As Xue Wu danced lightly, dark clouds gathered over the arena. Fine rain began to fall, and the temperature within the arena plummeted. Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu smiled at each other before slowly clasping hands.

"Thank you for giving us the chance, but victory will ultimately belong to Heavenly Water." Xue Wu smiled sweetly as blue light blazed around both of them. They were just about to complete their Martial Soul Fusion.

Twang—!

The strings gave a tearing cry like thunder splitting the sky. The dazzling blue light scattered at once. Xue Wu turned in shock, only to see Shui Bing'er looking dazed, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.

"Bing'er?"

"His zither sound also contains a Mental Impact..." Shui Bing'er said with difficulty, her face pale as paper.

"You let us win." Feng Yao smiled gently as his melody gradually faded. At the instant the two were restrained, Oslo and Yu Feng had already moved as though through an empty field, subduing all the remaining Heavenly Water Academy members.

The entire arena fell silent.

In the Spirit Hall Academy team's waiting area, the atmosphere was heavy. The silver-haired youth Xie Yue stared at Feng Yao's figure in the arena and said in a deep voice, "Nana, it seems we need to reassess this team."

Hu Liena nodded slightly, burning battle intent rising in her golden eyes. Her slender fingers lightly rubbed the Soul Tool at her waist as she silently compared her own control abilities to Feng Yao's. As one of the outstanding members of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, she longed to measure herself against an opponent like him.

"Tch, what's there to worry about?" Yan, with his fiery red hair, curled his lips disdainfully and folded his arms across his chest. "Nana's charm ability can interrupt an opponent's skills too. In the Bewitching State, she has both powerful offense and control." He cast a sidelong glance at Feng Yao's slender figure in the arena and sneered. "That kid obviously isn't good at close combat. If he really runs into us, we'll finish him in minutes."

Xie Yue frowned and shook his head. "Don't underestimate him. His soundwave attacks have an extremely wide range, and..." His deep gaze fell upon the notes flowing from Feng Yao's fingertips. "Even I can't see through the method he uses to blend his abilities into his zither sound."

Hu Liena lightly stopped Yan before he could argue. Her red lips parted as she said, "Brother is right. He can break an opponent's armor without harming them, and interrupt their Martial Soul Fusion Skill while leaving them with only a little blood. It looks like he held back." Excitement flashed in her eyes. "That level of control is worth us going all out."

Yan immediately put on a smiling face and moved closer to Hu Liena ingratiatingly. "Yes, yes, yes, Nana is absolutely right!" He rubbed his hands together, even his fiery red hair swaying flatteringly. "I didn't think it through. That kid really does have some skill."

Xie Yue looked helpless. He had long grown used to Yan's shameless fawning. Hu Liena rolled her eyes at Yan irritably, but did not say anything more.

"But don't worry, Nana." Yan patted his chest in assurance, fighting spirit blazing in his eyes. "If we really fight, I'll be the first to charge forward! I definitely won't let that kid's zither sound affect you in the slightest."

Hu Liena gave a soft snort, her short golden hair drifting lightly in the wind. "Who needs your protection?"

She turned to look at Feng Yao in the arena, battle intent rising within her once more—only an opponent like this was worthy of her full strength.

In Shrek Academy's waiting area, Yu Tianheng and Tang San stared intently at Feng Yao on the arena. Both wore grave expressions, their eyes filled with complicated emotions.

"He has gotten stronger again..." Yu Tianheng's right hand clenched unconsciously, his nails digging deeply into his palm. Having fought Feng Yao before, he understood better than anyone how terrifyingly fast this youth grew.

Tang San's Purple Demon Eye glimmered faintly as he spoke in a low voice. "It isn't just that he has grown stronger..." He keenly observed every subtle movement Feng Yao made. "His understanding of Martial Souls has undergone another transformation."

The two exchanged a glance and saw the same shock in each other's eyes. Even with their talent, they had to admit that every time Feng Yao appeared, it was as if he had undergone a complete rebirth. His effortless combat style, his perfect fusion of musical rhythm and Soul Power—everything revealed the terrifying potential of this opponent.

As the Red-robed Chief Referee leaped onto the arena, his booming voice echoed throughout the venue. "Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Heavenly Water Academy, the victors—Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"

The girls of Heavenly Water Academy looked toward their opponents with complicated expressions. Shui Bing'er's ice-blue hair was somewhat disheveled. She pressed her pale lips together and looked deeply at Feng Yao, her eyes holding both unwillingness and a trace of respectful sympathy.

Holding the Fuxi Qin in his arms, Feng Yao gave the Heavenly Water Academy members a slight bow. "Thank you for the match." His voice was gentle and courteous, without the slightest arrogance of a victor.

Shui Bing'er gazed deeply at Feng Yao with her ice-blue eyes. Her voice was soft yet exceptionally clear. "Thank you for showing mercy."

Her slender fingers brushed lightly across her somewhat pale cheek—if that Mental Impact had been even thirty percent stronger, she likely would not have had the strength to remain standing. This restraint, stopping precisely where it should, stirred a trace of respect in the heart of Heavenly Water Academy's favored daughter.

Feng Yao paused slightly, then smiled gently. "Miss Shui, you flatter me. Your academy's ice-and-snow fusion skill is truly admirable. I merely won through a trick."

Quite a few discerning people nodded to themselves. Even in victory, Feng Yao had allowed his opponents to retain their dignity. Such bearing already surpassed that of many Spirit Masters who had been famous for years.

Xue Wu gave a soft snort from the side, but she had to admit that they had lost this match wholeheartedly.

Feng Yao could not help sincerely praising her. "Miss Xue Wu's dancing is truly breathtaking."

Before his words had even faded, he suddenly felt a sharp killing intent strike from behind. In the VIP Seats, Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, snapped her folding fan shut with a smack.

A chill ran down Feng Yao's spine. He quickly coughed lightly and changed the subject. "Well, I mean, the coordination of your Martial Soul Fusion Skill was flawless..." He discreetly wiped away nonexistent cold sweat from his forehead, silently glad that he had reacted quickly enough.

A few soft laughs came from the audience, clearly indicating that some had seen through the subtle atmosphere. Feng Yao calmly put away the Fuxi Qin, only to meet Yu Feng's teasing gaze and Oslo's meaningful smile as he turned around.

Thunderous applause erupted. This spectacular match not only displayed the Imperial Dou Team's formidable strength, but also allowed everyone to witness an entirely new musical Martial Soul.

"Let's go." Shui Bing'er took a deep breath and turned to leave first. Xue Wu and the others followed close behind. Though defeated, their straight backs still carried Heavenly Water Academy's pride.

The Imperial Dou Team exchanged smiles and left with their heads held high beneath the gaze of the crowd. This victory had not only earned them the chance to advance, but had also announced to the entire continent that Heaven Dou Royal Academy would be one of the strongest contenders for this tournament's championship.

Feng Yao and the Imperial Fighting Team slowly walked down from the arena. The moment they left the field, Yu Feng could not wait to dart to Feng Yao's side, waving his arms excitedly.

"Little Feng! That was incredible!" Yu Feng's eyes shone as his voice rose several octaves. "I've never fought such an easy team battle in my life. How did you do it?"

Oslo also showed a rare look of curiosity, his stern face full of inquiry. "During the fight, Heavenly Water's Spirit Rings were clearly lit, yet they looked like they had been immobilized and couldn't use their skills."

Feng Yao gently stroked the Fuxi Qin in his arms, its strings trembling faintly beneath his fingertips. "A Control System Spirit Master must not only control himself..." A deep glint flashed through his eyes. "He must also learn to control his enemies."

"The essence of control is making your opponents move according to your rhythm." Feng Yao lightly tapped the body of the qin with his fingertip. "My zither sound can disrupt the circulation of their Soul Power. When they are preparing to release a spirit skill..." He made a plucking motion. "By blending Spiritual Power into the zither sound, their Spiritual Power is unable to resist my control."

"Like with Yu Tianheng last time? So that's why their spirit skills kept failing?" Dugu Yan nodded thoughtfully.

"Exactly." Feng Yao smiled faintly. "It is also a new application of combining Spiritual Power with zither sound. I wasn't proficient enough when I used it last time."

Having mastered Heart Separation Control, Feng Yao could now perfectly merge his Spiritual Power with his zither sound. Invisible soundwaves intertwined across the arena like a spiderweb. Though he still could not precisely control seven opponents at once, he could effortlessly interfere with key targets during the gaps in an ever-changing battle.

"It's like making a crucial move in chess." Feng Yao lightly tapped the strings as he explained. "You don't need to calculate every move. You only need to act at the critical moment." A sly glint flashed in his eyes. "When an enemy Spirit Master is using their full strength, one perfectly timed mental interference..."

"Can put them completely at a disadvantage." Yu Feng suddenly understood, and he could not help admiring Feng Yao's art of control. This effortless fighting style was far more brilliant than simply overpowering opponents with Soul Power.

Dugu Yan's purple eyes gleamed as she suddenly laughed softly. "No wonder Xue Wu's Martial Soul Fusion Skill was interrupted. You had already calculated the timing."

When Feng Yao and his group passed Shrek Academy's waiting area, he keenly sensed two burning gazes. Looking up, he saw Yu Tianheng and Tang San staring fixedly at him, complicated emotions flashing in their eyes.

Yu Tianheng's right hand tightened unconsciously, his gaze carrying both battle intent and a hint of gravity. Tang San's Purple Demon Eye flickered faintly, as if analyzing every detail of Feng Yao.

Feng Yao did not slow his pace. He merely gave the two a faint smile and nodded lightly in greeting. This simple gesture was both courteous and calmly confident, as if saying: the arena would reveal the truth.

The Fuxi Qin trembled faintly in his arms, the flowing glow upon its strings seeming to answer this silent contest. The two teams passed one another, and invisible sparks seemed to burst through the air.