Golden Awakening vs. Dragon Transformation: Thunder Dragon Against Thunder Dragon, There Are Always Greater Geniuses

The two doors on either side of the competition stage suddenly opened, and the members of both teams entered, walking toward the center.

On the left was Shrek Academy. Lan Dian Yu Yuanheng walked at the front of the team like a sharp arrow, head held high and chest out, with Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Ning Xian close behind him. Flame Lord Chu Yan, Golden Wolf Emperor Chen Feng, and Ghost King Vine Yao Yue guarded the two from three directions, while Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi brought up the rear.

"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"

After endless calls and anticipation, the packed Tianhai Stadium erupted in wave after wave of screams. The tremendous roar of eighty thousand people made ordinary people's eardrums buzz. This was the terrifying popularity of the Continent's First Academy!

Compared to the neat and uniform Shrek Team, Eastsea Academy could only be described as wearing a motley assortment of clothes. Zero Class F4 wore school uniforms, while Zhao Xuanzhen, Na'er, and Jiu Tian were all dressed casually. They clearly looked like a team assembled at the last minute.

When Eastsea Academy appeared, the eighty thousand spectators seemed to ignore them completely, continuing to cheer and shout for Shrek amid voices mocking Eastsea. In the Tianhai Alliance Competition, Eastsea Academy, which hailed from the Skysea Alliance, had no home-field advantage whatsoever. Shrek had forcibly turned their home ground into an away game!

"Your Eastsea Academy really isn't cutting it. There aren't even many people cheering for you at your own doorstep."

Na'er turned her head and teased Gu Yue, a mischievous smile on her exquisite face.

Gu Yue snorted coldly. "Since they like supporting Shrek Academy, then we'll beat them until they shut up!"

The two teams faced each other coldly, their gazes clashing fiercely. Their auras rose steadily, fighting spirit sweeping outward, and the arena seemed to freeze for an instant!

The referee said, "Soul Masters from both sides, take note. From this moment, you have one minute to summon your Martial Souls and Soul Rings. You may attack only after I declare the battle has begun. The match will continue until all seven members of one side lose their ability to fight or voluntarily concede."

Buzz--

The Martial Souls of both teams were released almost simultaneously. In an instant, Beast Martial Soul Masters underwent beastification, Tool Soul Masters gripped their weapons, and the competition stage became incomparably dazzling.

All fourteen Soul Masters activated their Martial Soul Possession. Yellow, purple, and black—more than thirty Soul Rings in total shone brilliantly beneath the sunlight.

The people of Douluo Continent loved watching seven-man Soul Master team battles. Aside from the thrilling matches themselves, the mere sight of Soul Rings appearing at the start was something neither Individual Battles nor three-on-three matches could compare with!

The one-minute wait existed for the sake of the Exhibition Match, instantly pushing the atmosphere to its peak. Both sides understood very clearly that this was no longer merely an Exhibition Match—it was also a battle for dignity and glory!

Yu Yuanheng stared at Zhao Xuanzhen from afar. More accurately, his gaze was fixed on the three pitch-black Soul Rings circling above and below him, and his pupils involuntarily contracted.

During their confrontation at Tianhai Stadium, Zhao Xuanzhen had already given him a sense of pressure. Yet Yu Yuanheng never could have imagined that this youth, much younger than himself, possessed three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Rings!

Seeing Zhao Xuanzhen's terrifying Soul Ring configuration, the audience immediately erupted in uproar. Yet Zhao Xuanzhen was not the only extraordinary member of Eastsea Academy—Na'er and Tang Wulin also possessed two purple Soul Rings that surpassed the limits!

"Good thing he's only a Soul Elder. The advantage is mine..."

Ranked fifth on the Young Genius List, Yu Yuanheng was naturally no fool. He put away his initial contempt and treated Zhao Xuanzhen as a formidable rival.

Two yellow, one purple, and one black Soul Ring rose. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul Possession activated, blue-purple lightning coiling around his body. Dragon scales covered his exposed skin, his palms transformed into thick dragon claws, and tiny Snake Lightning constantly flickered between his fingers.

"The match begins--"

The minute passed in the blink of an eye, and the referee sounded the horn for the attack.

"Light and Agile Steamed Bun!"

"Seven Treasures Turn Out Have Glaze!"

Support System Soul Masters were always the first to act. Xu Lizhi threw out steaming buns one after another, while a delicate pagoda over a foot tall floated above Ning Xian's palm.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was known as the most magnificent Support System Martial Soul. The seven-colored pagoda glittered, making Ning Xian seem like a goddess. Her clear and melodious voice rang out:

"Seven Treasures have names: first, strength; second, attack; third, defense!"

Two yellow and one purple Soul Ring bloomed. Under the multitasking control of the Three Apertures of the Heart, boosts of forty percent to strength, attack, and defense were bestowed upon the five Battle Soul Masters.

With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda combined with Xu Lizhi's steamed buns' speed enhancement, Shrek Academy's already powerful combat strength surged once more. The surging Soul Power Fluctuation formed immense pressure that bore down on Eastsea Academy!

The air warped from the heat as blazing flames consumed his shirt. Chu Yan's bulging muscles were hard as iron, his height swelling past two meters, his physique even more imposing than Yu Yuanheng's.

Flame Lord—offense and defense in one, blazing hot and scorching—a top-tier Martial Soul renowned throughout Douluo Continent twenty thousand years ago!

Chu Yan's fighting style was direct confrontation. He stomped heavily, borrowing the force to charge toward Eastsea Academy. His Second Soul Ring lit up, his fists collided, and scorching air twisted the atmosphere. Liquid bubbles of rolling magma surged from underground—the Flame Lord's Second Soul Skill, Lava Hell!

"Your opponent is me."

A flash of silver light. Gu Yue teleported above Chu Yan's head using the Space Element, while the Wind Element supported her graceful figure. Her black eyes were indifferent and cold, utterly unmoved by the gap in Soul Power between rank twenty-two and rank thirty-five!

Elemental power changed form according to Gu Yue's will. Ice layer covered the magma, cold freezing heat. The Flame Lord's fire was immediately suppressed by Gu Yue's Ice Element!

Ice Cones tore through the air, Light and Dark Power flickering gold and black within them. Chu Yan's expression instantly grew grave. The seven who had represented Shrek Academy in this Exhibition Match were all geniuses among geniuses, and he could sense the terror of Gu Yue's Soul Skill!

Multiple Elements Combination Skill, Elemental Heart... Chu Yan thought.

Light and dark ice cones surrounded the Flame Lord from every direction. Each was linked to Gu Yue's hands by a strand of Soul Power. As they flew forward, their sharp edges tore through the air, descending with piercing shrieks.

"Hah--"

Chu Yan roared, raising a curtain of fire from the magma to clash head-on with Gu Yue!

"Attribute suppression. Chu Yan's in trouble..."

Yao Yue glanced at the battlefield of ice and fire, then said bitterly, "Just my luck. I'm in trouble too."

Two youths stood before him. One was slender and held dragon-shaped daggers, while the other had golden dragon-like claws and endless Blue Silver Grass surrounding him. The breeze blew gently, and the Blue Silver Grass swayed in the wind, its golden veins exceptionally dazzling.

"Is there any justice left in Douluo Continent? Ghost King Vine is being bloodline-suppressed by Blue Silver Grass..."

Yao Yue sniffed. Plant-type Soul Beasts sometimes had an even harsher caste system than animal-type Soul Beasts. High-grade Plant-type Soul Beasts could even assimilate lower-grade Plant-type Soul Beasts instantly. Under the pressure of the Golden Patterned Blue Silver Grass's aura, Ghost King Vine conveyed a timid emotion, and Yao Yue's combat strength rapidly declined!

"Whatever!"

To protect Shrek's Ten Thousand Years Glory, Yao Yue resolutely lit up his Third Soul Ring. Ghost King Vine became like dark-purple Giant Serpents, their vine tips splitting open into grisly Giant Mouths as they lunged at Tang Wulin and Xie Xie.

At the same time, a streak of dark green light separated from Yao Yue and concealed itself among the vines, faintly taking on the shape of a snake!

Ghost King Vine's Third Soul Skill, Salora Snake Vine!

Thousand-Year Soul Spirit, Mandala Snake!

Tang Wulin smiled faintly. The purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring at the end of his formation bloomed, and a ring of blue light spread outward. Golden Patterned Blue Silver Grass burst from the ground, tearing apart every Ghost King Vine rushing at him. The Mandala Snake attempting a sneak attack was also sent directly into the sky!

Golden Patterned Blue Silver Grass's Second Soul Skill, Blue Silver Thrust Array!

"Great job, Wulin!"

Xie Xie laughed wildly as his Light and Dark Dragon Daggers slashed together, unleashing Twin Dragon Storm. The Mandala Snake suffered heavy blows in succession!

"Heh heh heh, Shrek... Shrek is exactly who we're fighting!"

The corners of Tang Wulin and Xie Xie's mouths rose so high they could not be pressed down. With the suppression of the Golden Patterned Blue Silver Grass, they carried out a fair and righteous two-on-one!

Facing two opponents alone, one of whom was a superior Martial Soul's absolute father, Yao Yue could still barely hold on thanks to the four attribute boosts provided by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and the buns. He did not dare retreat, because two Support System Soul Masters stood behind him!

"What the hell is this now?!"

Yao Yue ducked low to evade an Ice Wheel that had suddenly flown at him, roaring in anger.

Xu Xiaoyan scratched her head helplessly. She was only a one-ring Soul Master. Aside from Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi, the Shrek Team's Soul Power was at least rank thirty-five. Unable to transform into the Star Wheel Ice Staff during the day, she found it difficult to threaten a Third Ring Soul Elder.

After failing to ambush Yao Yue, she secretly tossed an Ice Wheel toward Ning Xian, only for it to be shattered on the spot by Soul Power at the Soul Elder level.

"Oh dear, I'm getting carried this round..."

Xu Xiaoyan pursed her lips and drew circles on the ground.

"This Martial Soul suppression means I can't fight for shit! Madman, hurry and help me!"

Yao Yue tried to seek help from Golden Wolf Emperor Chen Feng.

"Pray for yourself! This old man is getting hammered too!" Chen Feng shouted furiously.

The Golden Wolf Emperor was the king of the Golden Wolf Clan. The Metal Attribute granted him a powerful and tough body. Among Shrek's seven, Chen Feng's close-range combat ability was second only to Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Yu Yuanheng. Yet today, he had crashed into an insurmountable wall!

Jiu Tian held a pair of Dry Gold Hammers. His valiant and powerful figure radiated an overwhelming sense of security. The huge hammers smashed down fiercely, and when they collided with the Golden Wolf Emperor's wolf claws, the two produced a resounding metallic boom!

Chen Feng's blood and qi churned, leaving him feeling miserable all over. Jiu Tian was the Dry Gold Image, the emperor of the Metal Attribute. Before the Dry Gold Hammer, the Golden Wolf Emperor's Adamantine Body was like paper. Every blow made him howl in pain!

"Wonderful!"

On the platform, Zhen Hua was grinning from ear to ear. The prerequisite to becoming a Divine Blacksmith was breaking through to Title Douluo, and Zhen Hua's Soul Power Cultivation had been raised through medicine. Now it seemed Jiu Tian had no need for that at all—he was insanely fierce!

On the other side, at the battlefield of the two young girls, Na'er and Ye Xinglan tacitly chose each other as opponents. The moment their eyes met, they went at it!

Ye Xinglan held a bright yellow longsword in her hand. Starlight flickered across the blade, Soul Power restrained within. Her entire being seemed to have merged with her Martial Soul, the Stargod Sword.

Unity of Man and Sword!

The cultivation of a Tool Soul Master meant becoming one with their Martial Soul. Ye Xinglan had already embarked upon this great path, yet Na'er's eyes revealed a trace of disdain.

The Silver Dragon Spear shone with sharp brilliance, and Na'er's silver eyes flared brightly. A clear dragon roar rang out as she took a step forward. Her aura surged explosively, and the Silver Dragon Spear seemed like a true Silver Dragon Descends, countless silver-white spear lights engulfing Ye Xinglan!

Looking at the Silver Dragon Spear rushing toward her, Ye Xinglan was greatly shocked. The dragon's might from the silver dragon's roar and the will attached by Na'er both brought immense pressure upon her!

The Stargod Sword collapsed at the first touch against the Silver Dragon Spear, sword qi scattering in every direction. The spear tip pressed relentlessly forward. At the critical moment, Ye Xinglan displayed the swift adaptability expected of a Shrek Inner Court reserve, suddenly bending backward and barely avoiding the Silver Dragon Spear's thrust!

"Spear Intent!?"

Ye Xinglan realized Na'er's level of comprehension, and her expression abruptly turned ugly.

Sword Intent was the goal she had struggled and strived toward, yet the silver-haired young girl before her, the same age as herself, had already comprehended Spear Intent. How could the always-proud Ye Xinglan not feel defeated!

"Is that all?"

Na'er spun her spear in a beautiful flourish, pointed the Silver Dragon Spear forward, and said coldly, "Let me tell you: there are always greater geniuses above geniuses!"

The purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring erupted. The Silver Dragon Spear's Second Soul Skill, Silver Dragon Rage!

The various battlefields were in full swing, yet the central focus of the entire arena remained the clash between the two captains: Zhao Xuanzhen against Yu Yuanheng!

True Self Light and Shadow seemed almost tangible. Three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Rings, deep black with rippling halos, circled beneath Zhao Xuanzhen's feet, making him incomparably conspicuous at the center of Tianhai Stadium. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's dragon might spread outward, Thunder Dance flashing around Yu Yuanheng, accompanied by the colored glow of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

"Secret technique, Dragon Transformation."

Yu Yuanheng shouted in a low voice. He unleashed Dragon Transformation, the secret technique passed down through the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Lineage for twenty thousand years. The blue-purple scales on his arms became increasingly ferocious and thick, and his claws were no different from true dragon claws!

Starting from the Third Ring Soul Elder, every breakthrough in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's cultivation would cause one part of the body to undergo Dragon Transformation. As a four-ring Soul Master, Yu Yuanheng had achieved Dragon Transformation of his arms and claws!

Zhao Xuanzhen's response was simple and direct. He closed his eyes and exhaled, then opened them once more. Golden eyes looked down upon the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!

At that instant, Yu Yuanheng suddenly felt mountain-like heavy pressure. This monster, younger than himself, was revealing cold-blooded and savage fangs.

Zhao Xuanzhen's clothes vanished, and a dazzling layer of armor like golden glazed glass condensed over his body. Its radiance was brilliant, its imposing aura soaring into the heavens. Every spectator's heart tightened as they stared unblinkingly at the golden figure in the center of the stage.

Golden Awakening, Extreme Form!

A blue-purple figure raced low across the ground, flashing forward several times. His Dragon Transformation arms were ferocious and terrifying beneath the sunlight. Wild lightning condensed in midair into a pair of explosive dragon claws, lunging straight for Zhao Xuanzhen's chest.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's first soul skill, Thunder Dragon Claw!

Both were using their First Soul Rings. Qi Follows the Heart, coating Zhao Xuanzhen's fist. In this head-on confrontation, neither side dodged. The golden fist and blue-purple dragon claws slammed violently together, completing the first close-range exchange between the two great geniuses!

Thunder boomed as countless blue-purple sparks exploded. The beauty of that moment resembled blooming fireworks, while Thunder Snakes collapsed and scattered in every direction.

Yu Yuanheng's tall body shuddered. His lightning-wreathed dragon claw was tightly gripped by the fist. He struggled desperately to break free, but it was all in vain.

Zhao Xuanzhen stood firmly in place. Under his Original Martial Soul's Golden-Grade Second Awakening, he possessed speed and strength beyond Yu Yuanheng's imagination.

Following through with a shoulder strike into the dragon-scale-covered chest, he sent Yu Yuanheng flying backward. Before Yu Yuanheng's feet could touch the ground, Zhao Xuanzhen had already caught up.

Taijiquan traced a circular arc. His yang hand was fierce and powerful, treating dragon scales as though they were nothing. His yin hand was soft and insidious, streams of Hidden Strength invading Yu Yuanheng's internal organs!

"Dragon Transformation, expand, expand, expand!"

As the heir to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Lineage's sect master, Yu Yuanheng held several trump cards. The dragon scales on his arms turned into shields, resisting the unceasing rain of fists. His Third Soul Ring shone brilliantly, erupting with an intensely dazzling blue thunderlight.

Accompanied by a furious dragon roar, the thunderlight surged outward. Yu Yuanheng's eyes flashed with chilling radiance, Snake Lightning expanded, and countless lightning arrows flashed explosively in every direction!

However, black and white qi flow tore through the thunderlight. Under Yu Yuanheng's stunned gaze, a golden palm pierced through the rampaging blue-purple thunder, crossed his Dragon Transformation arm, and seized his shoulder. A low, bone-cracking sound suddenly rang out, and his entire left arm twisted into the shape of a rope, too horrifying to look at!

Zhao Xuanzhen's expression was stern, his body translucent as jade. His Third Soul Ring continuously released light. The Way of Wuji layered atop Golden Awakening, forcibly breaking through the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's thunder!

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon had once been the number one Beast Martial Soul in the world, but in this era, many Martial Souls stood above it!

Yu Yuanheng screamed and staggered backward. Extreme pain surged through him. Looking at his twisted arm, cold sweat poured down his forehead.

Zhao Xuanzhen shook the remaining blood droplets from his fingertips and said calmly, "Shrek, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, you... are nothing special.

"If this is all you can do, you should go home."

"The glory of Shrek Academy and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon shall not be defiled!!!"

Yu Yuanheng's eyes turned blood-red, and he panted like a bull. A peerless genius had never been so furious and unrestrained as he was today. Lightning around his entire body nearly went out of control. Bathed in thunder, his whole body transformed into a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!

"Fourth soul skill, Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Annihilation!"

Thunder Snakes descended. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's scales and claws flared, its horns sharp as blades. Wrapped in deafening thunder and lightning, it pounced toward Zhao Xuanzhen. Wherever it passed, thunder annihilated the ground!

"Zhen Word, Thunder Dragon."

A dark blue Bagua Qimen array diagram appeared. The Zhen position blazed brightly, and a golden Thunder Dragon condensed purely from the source of thunder extended from the void. Liquid Lightning Paste flowed between its scales, its dragon eyes indifferent as its head looked down upon the charging Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!

Thunderstorms surged like tides as the two dragons collided with a deafening crash. In that instant, heaven and earth fell silent, leaving only blinding thunderlight exploding. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon bit down with its fangs, while the Golden Thunder Dragon's sharp claws hooked back. Tens of thousands of lightning bolts burst from where their dragon bodies entangled!

The Thunder Dragon roared and spewed a torrential thunderstorm. A blazing golden beam blasted a grisly blood hole through the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's chest and abdomen! Amid the thunder, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon let out a mournful cry and collapsed. Yu Yuanheng crashed heavily onto the ground, all his Dragon Transformation shattered, blood winding across the stage.

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon... actually lost to thunder..."

Yu Yuanheng refused Ning Xian's support and muttered hoarsely, his eyes filled with unwillingness.

The Thunder Dragon raised its head and let out a long roar, its light making Zhao Xuanzhen's face appear like jade.

"Lan Dian Yu Yuanheng, fifth on the Young Genius List. A decent opponent for my debut battle, and also...

"A stepping stone."