The Night Before the Finals: Spirit Hall's Dirty Tricks

Heaven Dou City's deep night was shrouded in a cold fog. The streets around Star Dou Arena had long since emptied, and only the candlelight in the Cauldron Sword Team's strategy room still burned, casting seven tense silhouettes onto the window paper. Spread across the bluestone table were documents on their finals opponents, their corners curled from being repeatedly rubbed by fingertips. The three most eye-catching entries were outlined in vermilion—Hu Liena (Level 42 Control System Soul Ancestor, Charm Domain), Xie Yue (Level 43 Agility Attack System Soul Ancestor, Full Moon Twin Blades), Yan (Level 41 Assault System Soul Ancestor, Volcanic Eruption). Each line was followed by dense annotations, with even soul skill cooldowns and Soul Power consumption clearly marked.

"The core of this Netherworld Triangle Formation is Hu Liena." Tang San pressed a finger against the triangular diagram in the center of the documents. A faint purple glow shimmered in his Purple Demon Eyes. "Look—Xie Yue's agility attacks are responsible for surprise assaults, while Yan's fire attacks are responsible for sealing off escape routes. Both of their movements follow Hu Liena's charm signals. Every time her fox tail sways, Xie Yue's twin blades change their attack angle. When the fox pattern on her brow center lights up, Yan's flames contract into a cage." He raised a hand and summoned Blue Silver Grass, arranging its blades into a triangular formation on the table. "As long as we break Hu Liena's charm, this formation will fall apart."

Dai Mubai leaned forward, his White Tiger Claw tapping lightly against his palm. "But her Charm Domain can cover a range of thirty meters. Rongrong's Spiritual Amplification can only withstand it for five minutes at most. Once we're controlled, we won't even have a chance to fight back." Ma Hongjun frowned as well, Phoenix Fire dancing at his fingertips. "Yan's Volcanic Eruption is too hot. My Phoenix Fire might not be able to suppress it. If he traps us, Hu Liena will have an even easier time charming us."

Lin Che was holding the Chinese Formation Atlas, his fingers tracing the formation-pattern annotations on its pages, when he suddenly looked up. "Something's wrong with the Soul Power Fluctuation at Star Dou Arena." He rose and walked to the window, pushing it open a crack. The Universe Cauldron silently floated above his palm, and the inscriptions on its body lit with a pale golden glow. "Don't you think tonight's fog is thicker than usual? And there's a trace of cold Soul Power within it. It feels like... the Soul Erosion Array."

Everyone rose to their feet. Tang San's Purple Demon Eyes pierced through the fog, faintly making out pale black threads wrapped around the stone pillars surrounding Star Dou Arena. Their ends sank into the ground, slowly absorbing the Soul Power in the Air. "Spirit Hall is reinforcing the array!" His expression changed sharply. "Those black threads are Soul Devouring Spider silk. They can transmit Soul Devouring Spider Poison. The previous Soul Erosion black mist only corroded Soul Power, but now they've added spider poison. Once inhaled, even the meridians will be corroded!"

Lin Che immediately flipped the Chinese Formation Atlas to the chapter on "Soul Erosion Array Variants." The formation patterns on the page suddenly lit up, resonating with the Soul Power Fluctuation coming from Star Dou Arena. "The atlas says that Soul Devouring Spider Poison black mist can only be dispelled with Yang Attribute Soul Power. Ordinary flames are useless. Only the Sun Flame Seed produced by burning Sun Flame Grass can completely burn through the spider silk transmission." He closed the atlas and looked at Oscar. "Can you get Sun Flame Grass? There should be some in the black market or apothecaries."

Oscar's face turned pale, and he hurriedly shook his head. "I asked at the black market this afternoon. Someone bought up all the Sun Flame Grass. I heard it was people from Spirit Hall! The apothecary owner said even Sun Flame Grass seeds are out of stock lately." Ma Hongjun anxiously stamped his feet. "Then what do we do? Without Sun Flame Seeds, are we supposed to fight through poisonous black mist head-on?"

Jiang Zhu suddenly spoke. "I remember there is wild Sun Flame Grass at Soul Severing Cliff outside Heaven Dou City. Thunderstorms are frequent there, and Sun Flame Grass can grow even after being struck by lightning. Spirit Hall's people may not have thought to search there." She paused, her voice lowering. "But there are many lightning-attribute soul beasts at Soul Severing Cliff. The strongest is a Level 40 Thunder Fang Boar. We may encounter danger if we go to gather the grass."

"We have to go even if it's dangerous!" Dai Mubai slammed his palm onto the table, and the aura of his White Tiger Martial Soul erupted in an instant. "We can't give up the finals just because we don't have Sun Flame Grass! At worst, we'll bring more Lightning Resistance Sausages. I'll handle the Thunder Fang Boar!" Lin Che nodded in agreement. "There's no time to lose. We leave now. We must return before dawn to set up our defenses. Rongrong, stay in the dormitory and use the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda to monitor the Soul Power Fluctuation at Star Dou Arena. Send word immediately if anything happens. Tang San, Mubai, Hongjun, Oscar, Jiang Zhu, come with me to Soul Severing Cliff."

Everyone quickly packed their equipment. Oscar stuffed himself full of Lightning Resistance, Recovery, and antidote sausages. Jiang Zhu brought refined Array Breaking Spirit Liquid. Tang San prepared a large quantity of Blue Silver Grass seeds. Lin Che slung the Azure Water Sword across his back and hid the Universe Cauldron, shrunk to an inch in size, within his sleeve. The seven quietly left the dormitory under cover of night and hurried toward Soul Severing Cliff outside Heaven Dou City.

Just after leaving the city gates, Lin Che noticed faint Footsteps behind them. He signaled everyone to stop, condensed a trace of Soul Power at his fingertips, and flicked it toward the roadside brush—there was a whoosh, and a Black Shadow darted out of the grass. It was a Spirit Hall scout, holding a Crystal Ball used for recording. "Trying to run?" Dai Mubai roared as he lunged forward, swinging his White Tiger Claw in a flash of Golden Light. Yet the scout suddenly Turned into black smoke and vanished into the fog, leaving behind only a token engraved with Spirit Hall's insignia.

"They really have been watching us." Tang San Picked Up the token, his face grim. "This is a token belonging to Spirit Hall's shadow guards. It seems word of our trip to Soul Severing Cliff will soon reach Ghost Douluo's ears." Lin Che put away the token, his gaze sharpening. "Pick up the pace. We need to gather the Sun Flame Grass before they send anyone to intercept us."

Soul Severing Cliff lay fifty li west of Heaven Dou City. The path was filled with rugged mountain roads, and the fog was even thicker than it had been in the city. From time to time, they could hear the rumble of thunderstorms. Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Fire became their only light source, its pale golden flames guiding the way ahead but also exposing their position. After walking for Half an Hour, a series of snorts suddenly came from ahead. A massive wild boar Charged Towards them through the fog, pale purple lightning wrapped around its tusks. It was the Thunder Fang Boar.

"I'll handle it!" Dai Mubai rushed forward first. The White Tiger Body Protection bloomed with white light as it collided with the Thunder Fang Boar's tusks. With a boom, Dai Mubai was knocked three steps back, while the Thunder Fang Boar was completely unharmed. Instead, it grew even more frenzied. The lightning on its tusks surged as it Charged Towards Ma Hongjun—it had been drawn by the light of the Phoenix Fire.

"Hongjun, don't use flames!" Tang San shouted urgently, flinging out Blue Silver Grass. The blades wrapped around the Thunder Fang Boar's hind legs, Attempting to restrain its movements. But the boar was too powerful. The Blue Silver Grass was forcibly torn apart, and Tang San was dragged into a stumble. Oscar Seized the Opportunity to throw out a Lightning Resistance Sausage. "Mubai, eat the sausage! Increase your lightning resistance!"

Dai Mubai swallowed the sausage and charged forward again. His White Tiger Claw carried pale golden lightning-resistant Soul Power as it slammed viciously into the Thunder Fang Boar's forehead. The boar let out a miserable squeal, and a bloody wound appeared on its forehead. Yet it still did not retreat. Instead, it opened its mouth and Spurted Out a thick bolt of lightning straight at Dai Mubai.

"Cauldron Suppression!" Lin Che acted in time. The Universe Cauldron unfolded In Front Of Dai Mubai, its pale golden Soul Power field blocking the lightning. Thirty percent of the lightning's energy was reflected back, striking the boar's hind leg. The boar cried out In Pain, and its movements finally Slowed Down. Jiang Zhu Seized the Opportunity to wave the Seven-Colored Sacred Staff. Green patterns wrapped around the boar's tusks, while golden patterns quietly flowed into its brain, Attempting to paralyze its nerves.

"Now!" Ma Hongjun suddenly erupted. Phoenix Fire condensed into a huge fireball and Smashed Onto the boar's wound. Though ordinary flames could not harm the Thunder Fang Boar, the fireball's Impact Force threw it off balance, sending it heavily crashing to the ground. Tang San immediately wrapped the boar up like a dumpling with Blue Silver Grass. Dai Mubai stepped forward and struck its temple with a White Tiger Claw, knocking it completely unconscious.

"Find the Sun Flame Grass, quickly!" Lin Che wiped the sweat from his Brow Center. The thunderstorm sounds at the top of Soul Severing Cliff were getting closer. If they delayed any longer, they might encounter stronger soul beasts. Everyone spread out to search among the Stone Crevices by the cliffside—Sun Flame Grass had pale red leaves with Golden Patterns along their edges, making it easy to identify in the dark.

"Over here!" Jiang Zhu suddenly called out. Beneath a rock that had been struck by lightning, she had found a small patch of Sun Flame Grass—more than twenty stalks in all. Oscar immediately took out a special cloth bag and carefully pulled up the Sun Flame Grass by its roots, afraid of damaging the sun flame energy within the leaves.

Just as everyone was preparing to leave, dense Footsteps suddenly sounded in the distance. More than a dozen Black Shadows appeared in the fog, led by Spirit Hall soul masters carrying black chains. They had clearly come to intercept them. "Trying to leave? Leave the Sun Flame Grass behind!" The leader Scoffed, his Soul Power erupting. He was actually a Level 40 Soul Ancestor.

"Tang San, take the Sun Flame Grass back to Heaven Dou City first. We'll cover your retreat!" Lin Che drew the Azure Water Sword, Azure Sword Qi flashing through the night. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun also prepared for battle, while Oscar handed Tang San several packets of Recovery Sausages. "Be careful on the way. We'll be back soon!"

Tang San did not hesitate. He tucked the Sun Flame Grass into his clothes, turned, and ran down the mountain. The Spirit Hall soul masters tried to pursue him, but Dai Mubai's White Tiger Meteor Shower blocked their path. Lin Che Seized the Opportunity to Launch Wind Scar Slash, Azure Sword Qi Split Open the fog barrier and shot straight toward the leading Soul Ancestor. Jiang Zhu used Poison and Heal Dual Ability, leaving healing marks on everyone to prevent them from being ambushed by the soul masters' poisonous soul skills.

The battle was on the verge of erupting. The four members of the Cauldron Sword Team held back ten Spirit Hall soul masters, buying time for Tang San. Lin Che's Azure Water Sword, combined with Cauldron Suppression, easily dealt with the Soul Ancestor's attacks. Dai Mubai's White Tiger True Body possessed astonishing defensive power, forcibly enduring the joint assault of three soul masters. Though Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Fire could not harm the soul masters, it could interfere with their vision. Jiang Zhu's healing Soul Power continuously repaired everyone's Injuries, allowing them to keep fighting.

Half an Hour later, Tang San sent a message saying he had safely Arrived at Heaven Dou City and was setting up defenses around Star Dou Arena. Lin Che and the others immediately feinted, using the fog barrier for cover as they quickly withdrew from Soul Severing Cliff and headed back toward Heaven Dou City. The Spirit Hall soul masters wanted to pursue them, but a sudden thunderstorm blocked their way. They could only watch helplessly as the group disappeared into the fog.

By the time they returned to Heaven Dou City, dawn was beginning to break. Tang San had already arranged Blue Silver Grass around Star Dou Arena. A small piece of Sun Flame Grass was wrapped around the roots of every plant; once Soul Power was infused into them, they could ignite Sun Flame Seeds. Ning Rongrong had also detected with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda that the Soul Erosion Array at Star Dou Arena had been fully reinforced. The Soul Power Fluctuation at its three array eyes was the strongest, making it clear that Ghost Douluo had sent people to infuse the soul masters' Soul Power into them.

The group had barely caught their breath when the Communication Jade Talisman at Lin Che's waist suddenly grew hot. Gu Rong's phantom Appeared anxiously within the talisman. "Little Friend Lin, something terrible has happened! Ghost Douluo has secretly deployed thirty soul masters, and all of them have infused their Soul Power into the array eyes of the Soul Erosion Array. During the finals, he may Launch Black Mist Devour—this is the Soul Erosion Array's ultimate form. The black mist will cover the entire Star Dou Arena like a tide. Even the soul masters in the spectator stands will be affected. Before the match, you must split up and secretly infiltrate the arena, burying Sun Flame Seeds near the array eyes. Only then can you ignite them in time when the black mist erupts and stop the devouring!"

"Thirty soul masters infusing the array eyes?" Tang San's expression changed sharply. "Then the black mist will be three times as dense as before. The Sun Flame Seeds may not be enough!" Lin Che immediately took out the Sun Flame Grass and divided it into three portions. "We'll infiltrate in three groups as planned—I will take Rongrong to the northern array eye. Tang San will take Oscar to the eastern array eye. Mubai will take Hongjun and Jiang Zhu to the southern array eye. Bury five stalks of Sun Flame Grass at each array eye to ensure there are enough Sun Flame Seeds to ignite. Use Calming Potion to conceal your auras while infiltrating. If you encounter patrols, use Blue Silver Grass or Cauldron Suppression to interfere with them. We must complete the defenses before the finals begin!"

Everyone immediately moved. They carefully tied the Sun Flame Grass around their waists, applied Calming Potion, split into three groups, and quietly approached the three array eyes of Star Dou Arena. Lin Che and Ning Rongrong Circled Around to the north side of Star Dou Arena, where the patrols were the densest. There was a Spirit Hall soul master every ten steps. Lin Che used the Universe Cauldron to release faint Soul Power interference waves, causing the patrols' senses to deviate, while Ning Rongrong used the faint glow of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda to light the path beneath their feet. Like Ghost Mei, the two slipped through gaps in the patrols.

After arriving near the northern array eye, Lin Che found it blocked by a massive rock. Complex formation patterns were carved into the rock, and it was constantly absorbing the Soul Power in the Air. He carefully buried five stalks of Sun Flame Grass around the rock, securing their leaves with the roots of Blue Silver Grass to ensure they would not be blown away when lit. Ning Rongrong set up a small Glazed Array around the Sun Flame Grass, one that could automatically inject Soul Power and ignite the Core Flame when the black mist erupted.

Just as the two were preparing to leave, a soul master's shout suddenly rang out in the distance—the patrols had discovered their traces. Lin Che immediately grabbed Ning Rongrong and used Sword Momentum Force Dissipation to increase their speed, running toward the outside of Star Dou Arena. The patrols chased closely behind, but their vision was disrupted by the faint light released by Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. In the end, they could only watch as the pair vanished into the fog.

When they returned to the dormitory, the other two groups also returned one after another, all having successfully completed their defenses. Exhausted, everyone sat on the floor. Oscar took out Recovery Sausages and distributed them. "We finally finished before the finals. Let's hope these Sun Flame Seeds work." Lin Che looked at the sky gradually brightening outside the window, but he did not feel the slightest relief—he knew this was merely an appetizer before the finals. The real hard battle still lay ahead.

In an underground chamber beneath Star Dou Arena, Ghost Douluo watched the Cauldron Sword Team's defensive preparations through a Crystal Ball, a cruel smile curling at the Corner of Mouth. "You want to use fire to deal with the Soul Erosion Array? How naïve." He waved a hand, and thirty soul masters simultaneously infused their Soul Power. The rocks at the array eyes suddenly cracked open, revealing black Soul Devouring Spider Eggs inside. "Once Black Mist Devour begins, these spider eggs will hatch. By then, even with Sun Flame Seeds, they won't be able to stop the spider swarm's attack."

In the Cauldron Sword Team's strategy room, the candle finally went out. Lin Che put away the Chinese Formation Atlas, while the Azure Water Sword Glowed with azure light in the Morning Light. He looked at his companions. Every face was exhausted, yet every gaze was resolute. The bell signaling the finals was about to ring. Spirit Hall's dirty tricks had already laid down a net that covered heaven and earth, but the Cauldron Sword Team's counterattack was quietly ready as well.