Elimination Round Preview: Spirit Hall's Move

Chapter 35: Elimination Round Preview: Spirit Hall's Move

The morning mist over Heaven Dou City carried the chill of late autumn, yet the candles in the Cauldron Sword Team's temporary war room burned brightly. Seven yellowed dossiers on their opponents lay spread across the bluestone table. The one in the center bore three crimson marks—Hu Liena's fox tail, Xie Yue's twin blades, and Yan's flames. Beside them, written in cinnabar, were the words: "Spirit Hall Golden Generation, all above rank 40 in Soul Power." The writing had been circled and annotated repeatedly, its edges creased.

"Hu Liena's third soul skill, Charm Domain, is the most troublesome." Tang San pressed a fingertip against the fox-tail illustration on the dossier, Purple Demon Eyes swirling in his gaze. "According to the records, she can control opponents through eye contact. She can even briefly control Soul Ancestors, so we need to prepare spiritual defenses in advance." He pushed a hand-drawn Blue Silver Grass diagram to the center of the table. The edges of its leaves were marked with the words "resistant to spiritual toxins." "I've tried soaking the seeds in Purple Lightning Vine juice. It can form a protective film over their surface, but it only lasts five minutes."

Dai Mubai pressed a hand over Yan's dossier, his knuckles whitening. "That guy's Volcanic Eruption is a large-scale fire attack. Its temperature is thirty percent higher than Hongjun's Phoenix Fire. My White Tiger Body Protection might not be able to withstand it." Ma Hongjun snorted indignantly, Phoenix Fire gathering into a small sphere in his palm. "I've broken through to rank 35 now. The range of my Phoenix Meteor Shower has doubled. I might not be weaker than him!" He was about to release the flames for a demonstration when Lin Che raised a hand and stopped him.

"Don't be reckless." Lin Che's fingertips passed over the twin-blade emblem on Xie Yue's dossier. "The three of them have worked together for five years. Xie Yue's Full Moon can coordinate with Hu Liena's charm, while Yan's flames seal off their opponent's escape routes, forming a triangular killing formation. What we lack most is experience in dealing with that kind of seamless coordination." He arranged seven Glazed Jade Tokens in a seven-star formation, and the cauldron-shaped emblems at their centers lit up. "Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Array needs adjusting. Prioritize Spiritual Amplification for Tang San, fire resistance for Hongjun, while Mubai and I handle breaking the array."

Ning Rongrong nodded at once and pulled an array diagram from her Storage Soul Tool. "I revised the amplification order last night. Spiritual Amplification can cover the entire team for eight minutes, just enough to offset Hu Liena's charm." Oscar also took out a faintly purple sausage. "This is a Clear Heart Sausage. It has Soul Condensing Flower added to it and can raise spiritual defense by another thirty percent. The only problem is that it takes too long to make. I can only produce three in a match."

Just as they were discussing tactics, the Communication Jade Talisman at Lin Che's waist suddenly grew hot. Gu Rong's phantom slowly appeared within the talisman. The old Sect Master's beard and hair looked even paler than when they had last met, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. "Little friend Lin, this is urgent—Spirit Hall has set up a Soul Erosion Array beneath the elimination arena, Star Dou Arena. Its core uses the inner cores of a hundred poisonous soul beasts. Once activated, it will release Black Mist that can corrode Soul Power. Ordinary defenses cannot block it."

"The Soul Erosion Array?" Tang San's expression changed drastically. He had seen records of it in ancient texts. This formation required the blood essence of living people to activate, and a soul master caught in the Black Mist would have their Soul Power dissipate like melting snow. "Senior Gu Rong, is there a way to break it?"

Gu Rong's phantom swayed slightly. The communication was clearly consuming a great deal of energy. "You need to attach an Array Breaking Talisman to the formation core, then detonate it with Yang Attribute Soul Power. I've already had disciples from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect deliver ten talismans, but Spirit Hall has sent Ghost Douluo to guard the formation. You must find a way to draw him away before you can approach the core." The phantom paused before adding, "Ghost Douluo's Ghostly Shadow Walk lets him conceal himself. Be extremely careful. His attacks are specially designed to shatter the core of Soul Power."

The communication ended, and the jade talisman turned cold again. The war room fell briefly silent. Candlelight flickered across their faces, and every expression became grave. "Even a Titled Douluo has been dispatched. Spirit Hall is determined to wipe us out." Dai Mubai clenched his fists, and the aura of his White Tiger Martial Soul leaked out unconsciously, making the candle flames sway.

Lin Che took a deep breath, put away the jade talisman, and returned his gaze to the dossiers on the table. "All the more reason not to panic. We'll assign tasks now—Tang San, you'll develop Anti-Soul Erosion Poison Blue Silver Grass. Combine it with Senior Gu Rong's Array Breaking Talismans, so the Blue Silver Grass can carry the talismans close to the formation cores. Jiang Zhu, use your Poison and Heal Dual Ability to refine Array Breaking Spirit Liquid. It can temporarily suppress the Black Mist and buy us time to break the formation. I'll open the [Rare Can] reward from Chapter 28. Maybe it will contain a key item for breaking the array."

"I'll get the herbs!" Oscar was the first to rise, grabbing his Soul Tool and rushing outside. "Refining the spirit liquid requires Sun Flame Grass and Spirit Clearing Flower. I know the Heaven Dou City black market sells them!" Ning Rongrong stood as well. "I'll go with you. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's token can get the black market owners to prioritize us."

After the two left, Tang San immediately took out Blue Silver Grass seeds and Purple Lightning Vine juice, laying out his experimental tools on the table. He soaked the seeds in the juice, then added two drops of the remaining Myriad Poison Returning Essence Dew. Mysterious Heaven Skill internal energy gathered at his fingertips and slowly flowed into the seeds. "Soul Corroding Poison is too corrosive. Ordinary poison-resistant Soul Power can't withstand it. The roots of the Blue Silver Grass must be able to absorb the Black Mist and convert it into harmless energy." The seeds trembled slightly in his palm. As soon as the sprouts emerged, they took on a gray sheen, clearly corroded by the poison. Tang San frowned tightly and added another drop of Returning Essence Dew before the sprouts regained their emerald color.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhu spread out herbs in a corner, her Seven-Colored Sacred Staff glowing with soft green light. She crushed the Sun Flame Grass, mixed it with her healing Soul Power, then added poison-resistant components extracted from Poisonous Mire Grass. The spirit liquid gradually condensed into pale gold inside a glazed bottle. "This liquid needs my Poison and Heal Dual Ability to be continuously activated before it can work." She poured some onto her fingertip. Golden Light flashed, and a thin membrane appeared over her skin. "But my Soul Power can only sustain it for Half an Hour. If breaking the formation takes too long, it may fail."

Lin Che had already taken out the silver [Rare Can], the cloud patterns on its surface shifting in the candlelight. He took a deep breath and poured Soul Power into it—the silver radiance burst forth, but instead of producing a physical item as before, it transformed into a stream of light and merged into the Chinese Formation Atlas in his hand. The atlas suddenly turned its own pages and stopped on one bearing intricate formation patterns. Written in seal script were the words: "Method for Breaking the Soul Erosion Array: Use Yang Fire to trigger the formation core, and use a cauldron artifact to suppress the Black Mist core."

[Detected that the host has obtained the "Chinese Formation Atlas (Advanced Volume)," unlocking the detailed steps for breaking the Soul Erosion Array:
1. Use Yang Attribute Soul Power to trigger the poisonous yin energy in the formation core;
2. Use the Universe Cauldron to suppress the spread of Black Mist;
3. Attach Array Breaking Talismans to the core and reinforce them with spirit liquid.]

"Excellent!" Lin Che excitedly handed the atlas to Tang San. "The atlas says Hongjun's Phoenix Fire is Yang Attribute, perfect for triggering the formation cores. My Universe Cauldron can suppress the Black Mist. Together with your Blue Silver Grass and Jiang Zhu's spirit liquid, we have a good chance of breaking the formation!"

Tang San took the atlas, his Purple Demon Eyes swiftly scanning the formation patterns. "There are three formation cores, in the east, south, and north corners of Star Dou Arena. We need to break them simultaneously in three groups. Otherwise, if even one core remains, the Black Mist will regenerate." He looked to Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun. "Mubai, you come with me to the eastern core. Hongjun, you and Jiang Zhu take the southern core. Lin Che, you and Rongrong take the northern core. Rongrong's amplifications can help you guard against Ghost Douluo's ambushes."

The assignments had just been made when Oscar and Ning Rongrong returned carrying herbs. Oscar was drenched in sweat, his Soul Tool filled with Sun Flame Grass and Spirit Clearing Flower. "The black market owner refused to sell them at first. He said Spirit Hall had bought them all up. I had to trade three Recovery Sausages for them!" Ning Rongrong took out a brocade box containing ten yellow Array Breaking Talismans. Cinnabar formation patterns covered them, radiating a faintly robust yang aura. "These are the Array Breaking Talismans Senior Gu Rong mentioned. Each one can detonate Yang Attribute Soul Power once."

Over the next half day, the Cauldron Sword Team threw themselves into their preparations. Soaked in Returning Essence Dew and Purple Lightning Vine juice, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass could now briefly absorb the Soul Erosion Black Mist, with a faint Golden Light shimmering over its leaves. Jiang Zhu refined twenty bottles of Array Breaking Spirit Liquid, each sealed in a glazed bottle and marked with a label. Lin Che repeatedly practiced using the Universe Cauldron to suppress simulated Black Mist—he poured a small amount of Soul Corroding Poison, traded from the black market owner, into the cauldron. The inscriptions on its body lit up, and the Black Mist was firmly trapped inside without a trace of leakage.

Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai practiced their coordination in the courtyard. Guided by Dai Mubai's White Tiger Claw, Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Fire could condense into sharp fire spears, perfect for detonating formation cores. Oscar made a large supply of Clear Heart Sausages and Anti-Poison Sausages, storing them in a specially made Soul Tool for easy access. Ning Rongrong attached the Array Breaking Talismans to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, ensuring she could retrieve them quickly in battle.

Meanwhile, in an underground chamber beneath Star Dou Arena, Ghost Douluo, Ghost Mei, stood at the center of the Soul Erosion Array, his black robes twisting in the chilling wind. Green-glowing Black Mist churned endlessly within the three black ceramic jars at the formation cores. The blood-red runes carved across the jars had been drawn using the blood essence of a hundred low-level soul masters. "Rest assured, His Majesty the Pope. As long as the Cauldron Sword Team steps into Star Dou Arena, this Soul Erosion Array will disperse their Soul Power within half an incense stick's time." He spoke to the empty air, his voice hoarse enough to send chills down one's spine.

Hu Liena emerged from the shadows, dressed in a fiery-red combat outfit, her fox tail swaying gently behind her. "Senior Ghost Douluo, should I use charm to lure them into the array? I also want to see whether Lin Che's Spiritual Power can withstand my domain." Xie Yue and Yan appeared behind her as well. Xie Yue's twin blades gleamed coldly, while ghostly blue flames burned in Yan's palms—Nether Ghost Fire, prepared especially for Ma Hongjun, capable of suppressing the Yang Attribute of Phoenix Fire.

"No need." Ghost Mei's figure suddenly became transparent. "I'll activate the formation secretly during their match and let them die without anyone knowing why. What His Majesty the Pope wants is an 'accident,' not evidence that 'Spirit Hall silenced them.'" With a wave of his hand, three streams of Black Mist flowed into the ceramic jars. "This was refined from Soul Devouring Spider venom. Even if they have poison resistance, they won't last long."

By dusk, the Cauldron Sword Team's preparations had reached their final stage. Tang San had cultivated twenty Anti-Soul Erosion Poison Blue Silver Grass plants, each leaf wrapped around a miniature Array Breaking Talisman. Jiang Zhu divided the Array Breaking Spirit Liquid into seven small jade bottles, with two bottles hanging from each person's waist. Lin Che copied down the advanced contents of the Chinese Formation Atlas and distributed them to everyone, making certain each person remembered the steps for breaking the formation.

"Let's rehearse the formation-breaking process once." Lin Che stood in the center of the courtyard, setting out three ceramic jars as formation cores. Tang San and Dai Mubai rushed toward the "eastern core." Blue Silver Grass wrapped around an Array Breaking Talisman and stuck it to the jar, while Golden Light gathered around Dai Mubai's White Tiger Claw. Ma Hongjun and Jiang Zhu rushed to the "southern core." Phoenix Fire ignited the jar, while Jiang Zhu scattered spirit liquid around it, creating a pale golden protective ring. Lin Che and Ning Rongrong rushed to the "northern core." The Universe Cauldron suppressed the simulated Black Mist, while Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda lit up with the dual amplification of "Speed + Defense."

"Detonate them!" At Lin Che's command, the three Array Breaking Talismans lit up red at the same time. The ceramic jars shattered under the impact of Yang Attribute Soul Power, and the simulated Black Mist was instantly dispersed. The rehearsal succeeded. Smiles appeared on everyone's faces, and the tension that had built up over the past days finally eased somewhat.

"Tomorrow, we'll follow this process." Lin Che put away the Universe Cauldron, sweeping his gaze over the group. "Leave Ghost Douluo to me. You focus on breaking the formation. Once the array is broken, the Golden Generation will be nothing to fear."

Night fell, and Heaven Dou City's streets gradually quieted. Yet the Cauldron Sword Team's dormitory remained lit. Tang San performed a final check of the Blue Silver Grass's poison resistance. Jiang Zhu applied Array Breaking Spirit Liquid to everyone's weapons. Oscar worked through the night making Clear Heart Sausages. Ning Rongrong polished the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun conducted one final coordination drill in the courtyard. Lin Che sat by the window studying the Chinese Formation Atlas, his fingertip tracing the words: "Ghost Douluo's weakness: fears Yang Fire and strikes of extreme Soul Power."

In the underground chamber beneath Star Dou Arena, Ghost Mei was nourishing the Soul Erosion Array's cores with Soul Power. Under his control, the Black Mist condensed into distorted human faces that let out piercing wails. Hu Liena stood nearby, gazing toward Star Dou Arena, a complicated expression flashing through her eyes—she wanted to prove that she was stronger than the Cauldron Sword Team, but she also had the faint sense that this battle would not proceed as smoothly as Spirit Hall had planned.

The next morning, the seven members of the Cauldron Sword Team, dressed in matching silver-white combat uniforms, set out for Star Dou Arena. Citizens lined both sides of the streets to cheer for them. Some threw flowers, some offered strips of cloth covered in blessings, and children followed behind the team, shouting, "Cauldron Sword Must Win!"

Lin Che walked at the front of the group, the Azure Water Sword trembling faintly within its sheath while the Universe Cauldron, shrunk to only an inch in size, was hidden in his sleeve. He looked up at the distant Star Dou Arena. The circular arena floating in midair was shrouded in a thin layer of Black Mist, like a giant beast with its bloody maw wide open, waiting for prey to arrive.

"Are you ready?" Lin Che stopped and turned to look at his companions behind him.

"Ready!" the other six answered in unison, their voices firm and filled with unquestionable resolve.

The seven figures advanced shoulder to shoulder through the morning light. The Glazed Jade Tokens glowed with pale golden halos in the sun, their Soul Power linking through the tokens to form an invisible strength. They knew that ahead lay a Titled Douluo's pursuit, the threat of a sinister formation, and the Golden Generation's formidable challenge. But they knew even more clearly that as long as the seven stood united, with sword and cauldron working as one, there would be no obstacle they could not overcome and no formation they could not break.

At the entrance to Star Dou Arena, Spirit Hall's stewards were already waiting, their eyes cold and openly hostile. The Cauldron Sword Team did not slow in the slightest and walked straight into the arena. When they appeared at the center of Star Dou Arena, thunderous cheers erupted from the stands. In the underground chamber, Ghost Mei's lips curved into a cruel smile as his finger slowly pressed toward the Soul Erosion Array's activation switch.

An elimination match concerning life and death, concerning honor and dignity, had officially begun.