Yu Tianheng steadied himself, the fighting spirit in his eyes only burning brighter.
"Since a single-target attack didn't work, then try a taste of Thunder Prison Burning Body!
"I refuse to believe you can stay this relaxed!"
The second yellow Soul Ring coiled around his dragon arm suddenly lit up,
its glow more brilliant and more violent than that of the first,
and the blue-violet lightning around him surged at once. Countless electric snakes burst from his scales and pores, hissing as they writhed,
gathering above his head into a roiling "thundercloud" that dyed the entire Soul Fighting Arena an eerie blue-violet.
[Second Spirit Ability · Ten Thousand Bolts of Thunder]
It magnified the countless electric snakes coiling around the body all at once, turning them into countless lightning bolts that flashed in every direction. Their lightning could paralyze opponents.
Yu Tianheng abruptly raised his hand and slammed down his dragon claw.
The "thundercloud" above him exploded with a roar, and countless thick columns of blue-violet lightning poured down like a torrential rain,
bearing the force to destroy the heavens and the earth as they crashed densely toward Chen Jieqi!
Every bolt was wrapped in violent dragon power. Each one that struck the ground burst into a spray of lightning,
while dust billowed and the entire Soul Fighting Arena seemed to shake violently, leaving nowhere to dodge.
Facing the storm of lightning columns, Chen Jieqi remained calm.
He slowly raised his left hand above his head, his gaze deep and devout. The golden light around him grew more concentrated, and his third purple Soul Ring shone.
[Third Spirit Ability · Holy Blessing]
Naaru's gentle, compassionate blessing consumed 20% of his base Soul Power and increased all his attributes by 100%, while accelerating the recovery of his Soul Power, stamina, and mental strength. When used on others, its effect was halved. It lasted for half an hour.
Golden holy light erupted around Chen Jieqi once more, brighter than ever before. He began to chant softly,
"Let holy light be my shield, and all evil be turned away—Holy Defense!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the Heart of the Naaru continued to shine. Countless golden motes of light gathered and formed a huge, translucent shield around him,
circular in shape, its surface flowing with fine, sacred patterns. Layer upon layer of holy light formed a sturdy barrier,
radiating a warmth and majesty that brooked no trespass, completely enveloping him.
This was a defensive technique he had developed specifically against elemental attacks.
The next moment, the countless lightning columns crashed against the holy-light shield!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Deafening explosions rang throughout the Soul Fighting Arena as blue-violet lightning collided and interwove with golden-white holy light.
The blinding glow made everyone present instinctively cover their eyes.
Lightning tore at the shield with a piercing crackle,
its violent energy spreading across the surface, yet unable to advance against the sacred patterns.
Every strike of lightning was slowly purified and dissolved by the holy light. The ferocious bolts hitting the shield,
like snow beneath the blazing sun, gradually turned into wisps of white smoke and vanished.
Yu Tianheng stared at the unmoving holy-light shield, his eyes full of incredulous shock.
"Even when I fought Dugu Yan, we went back and forth.
"We only lost because we ran out of stamina. But this shield hasn't even developed a crack!"
He gritted his teeth and poured every last bit of Soul Power into his attack, making the lightning columns even more powerful,
but no matter how violently the lightning raged, it still couldn't break through that seemingly gentle barrier of holy light.
After a while, as the storm of lightning began to fade,
Chen Jieqi focused his Soul Power into his sword once more. Its light was more concentrated and fierce than before, holy light flowing across Ashbringer in blazing gold. He swung forward again,
"Cross Light Blade Slash!"
Yu Tianheng's pupils shrank to pinpricks, and cold sweat slid down his temples.
He immediately ended Ten Thousand Bolts of Thunder and frantically squeezed out the last of his Soul Power.
The muscles in his Dragon-Transformed right arm bulged as he swung it and unleashed,
[First Spirit Ability · Thunder Dragon Claw]
A blue-violet phantom dragon claw formed in front of him,
roaring as it lunged at the "cross-shaped light blade"!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A series of violent explosions rang out as the blue-violet phantom dragon claw and the golden cross-shaped blade collided, melted, and disintegrated in midair,
until the purifying power of the holy light swallowed the remaining lightning in an instant.
The next second,
Yu Tianheng dropped to one knee, his right arm hanging limp.
His Soul Power was nearly spent. His face had turned pale, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his body swayed as if he might collapse.
He looked at Chen Jieqi in utter shock, with a hint of indescribable conviction.
This prodigy, not even twelve years old, was far more terrifying than he had imagined!
From single-target attacks to area attacks, Yu Tianheng hadn't stood a chance. He couldn't even break through Chen Jieqi's defense.
"I concede, Brother Yu."
Ignoring the astonishment in Yu Tianheng's and the others' eyes, Chen Jieqi spoke softly, his voice gentle yet carrying a power that inspired belief.
As the dust settled, Chen Jieqi stood on the Soul Fighting Arena in spotless white robes. Only the light of the Naaru Brand between his brows,
had dimmed from its initial brilliance, making it clear that the fight had cost him a fair amount of Soul Power.
The light of the Heart of the Naaru gradually faded. His golden pupils returned to their usual clear, youthful state,
though his brows now held a hint of the composure that came from combat. It was as if that earth-shaking clash had been nothing more than an ordinary training session.
As for Yu Tianheng, the scales slowly receded from his Dragon-Transformed right arm, restoring its human form. He staggered on one knee, then braced himself with both hands,
gasping for breath. His face was as pale as paper, and the shock in his eyes still hadn't faded.
Even now, he couldn't believe that after unleashing everything he had, he still hadn't managed to break through his opponent's defenses.
Qin Ming was the first to recover. Setting aside his initial astonishment, he raised an arm and announced loudly,
"The Soul Fighting match is over! The winner is—Chen Jieqi!"
Before his words had even faded, a gentle pink-white light swept down from the stands.
The phantom petals of a Nine-Heart Begonia drifted through the air, settling softly over Yu Tianheng's pale face.
Gentle healing Soul Power flowed into his nearly depleted meridians like spring water, soothing the bones and muscles torn by the holy light,
and even his ragged breathing gradually calmed.
This was the understanding shared among the Imperial Fighting Team. Injuries during sparring and training were commonplace,
though the one who had injured them was no longer Dugu Yan as usual, but Chen Jieqi.
Dugu Yan folded her arms across her chest, the corners of her mouth lifting. Her eyes held undisguised pride and approval.
She looked at the others, still stunned, and spoke leisurely,
"Does anyone still object to Chen Jieqi taking over as captain of the Imperial Fighting Team?"
Only then did everyone snap back to their senses. The shock on their faces was instantly replaced by near-fanatical anticipation.
Yu Feng, Osler, the brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo, and even Yu Tianheng, who had just been healed, answered in unison,
"No objections. We're fully behind him!"
Their voices rang out together, fervent and resolute, echoing through the Soul Fighting room.
Everyone understood,
under Dugu Yan's leadership, reaching the finals of the next Soul Master Tournament had already been the Imperial Fighting Team's limit.
But now, with Chen Jieqi—who was younger and stronger than Dugu Yan—taking his place,
this boy who could purify the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's thunder with holy light,
could make breaking Spirit Hall's years-long monopoly and bringing home the championship prize a dream within reach.
By then, fame, glory, and cultivation resources would all be within their grasp, enough to completely change the fate of the entire team.
Even Qin Ming slowly nodded, his eyes full of admiration and approval.
After all, seeing was believing, and Soul Fighting was the best way to test a Soul Master's strength.
No matter how dazzling someone's talent was, nothing was more convincing than an overwhelming victory.
As he looked at Chen Jieqi, all Qin Ming felt was hope for the fame that awaited him.