Star Luo Plaza was the center of everyone's attention.
The atmosphere at the semifinal of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament was tense to the extreme.
Shrek Academy's lineup was luxurious—and... strange.
Leading them was naturally the Flame Maniac, Ma Xiaotao. Her red clothes fluttered in the wind, and she released the oppressive aura of a Spirit Saint without restraint.
Beside her stood the slender, cool-faced Ling Luochе. The Ice-control Spirit King looked rather pale at the moment, and even her legs trembled slightly—not because of their opponents, but because of the young man standing behind her, Huo Yuhao.
Ever since Huo Yuhao had "taught her a lesson" with his Ultimate Ice last night, Ling Luochе had developed a deep psychological shadow of this damn man. It was a fear that came from the very origin of her Martial Soul.
Besides these three, there were also Jin Nier, who wielded the Golden Dragon Spear, Wang Dong, and the sisters Lan Ruoruo and Lan Susu.
Opposite them, the Star Luo Royal Academy Team stood ready. At the very back of the formation stood the apple of the Star Luo Empire's eye, Princess Xu Jiujiu.
She wore a dazzling crown and carried herself with graceful nobility. In her hands, she held a brilliant Star Crown Martial Soul, its yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black Soul Rings shining in unison.
"The match begins!"
At the referee's command, Ma Xiaotao struck first.
"Kids, let big sis loosen you up a little!"
With a coquettish shout, Ma Xiaotao sent the enormous phantom of a fire phoenix soaring into the sky. Blazing Phoenix Flame turned half the arena into a sea of fire in an instant, and she hurtled toward the Star Luo Team's formation like a meteor.
"Form up!"
Xu Jiujiu remained composed as the Star Crown in her hands blazed with light.
First Soul Skill, Star Attraction Technique!
Countless threads of starlight shot from the Star Crown, precisely linking to each teammate while also locking onto the charging Ma Xiaotao.
Next came her third Soul Skill, Star Radiance Technique!
Brilliant starlight fell over the Star Luo Team members, and their auras surged in an instant. Their speed, strength, and rate of Soul Power recovery all received a tremendous boost.
With the princess's powerful support, the Star Luo Team's defensive Soul Master let out a roar and braced himself behind his heavy shield, forcibly taking the brunt of Ma Xiaotao's first assault. He was knocked back several steps, but the formation held.
"Not bad." Ma Xiaotao narrowed her beautiful eyes, about to unleash even more power.
Just then, Xu Jiujiu swung the Star Crown again.
Second Soul Skill, Star Fall Technique!
It was as if stars were falling from the sky. A barrage of glowing spheres, each carrying tremendous force, rained down on the Shrek students. They were not merely attacks; they could also knock targets back and stun them, disrupting Shrek's offensive rhythm.
"Ling Luochе, move."
Huo Yuhao, who had remained motionless at the rear, spoke calmly.
At the sound of his voice, Ling Luochе shuddered and reflexively raised the ice staff in her hands.
"I-Ice Seal!"
She gritted her teeth and released her wide-area control Soul Skill. At the same time, Huo Yuhao quietly stepped forward and rested a hand lightly on her back.
Ultimate Ice Soul Power poured in!
Boom!
The icy mist, which had been nothing more than ordinary cold air, underwent a transformation in an instant.
A terrifying storm of extreme cold erupted from Ling Luochе and swept across the entire arena.
The falling spheres of the "Star Fall Technique" froze in midair, turning into ice balls that dropped helplessly to the ground.
"Crack, crack..."
The entire arena became a world of ice and snow. The Star Luo Team members were horrified to discover that the bone-piercing cold ignored their Soul Power defenses and seeped straight into their bones. Their blood seemed ready to freeze, and their movements became unbearably sluggish.
That was the domineering might of Ultimate Ice!
"How is this possible?!" Xu Jiujiu was stunned. She had studied the intelligence on Ling Luochе, and there was no way she should possess ice of this caliber!
Just as her teammates were about to be frozen into ice statues, Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Flame pressed in right behind the cold. Caught between ice and fire, the Star Luo Team was in grave danger.
"Star Protection!"
Xu Jiujiu stopped holding back. Her fourth Soul Ring suddenly lit up.
A layer of golden light appeared out of nowhere, enveloping everyone on the Star Luo Team. The barrier not only blocked the cold of Ultimate Ice but also formed an impregnable shield.
At the same time, she took a Level Six Defensive Soul Tool from her Storage Soul Tool and combined it perfectly with Star Protection.
Hum!
A glittering golden, hemispherical barrier settled over the arena like a golden tortoise shell. No matter how fiercely Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Flame bombarded it, the shield did not budge.
"Damn it! That shell's too tough!" Ma Xiaotao was annoyed. Her repeated assaults had consumed a considerable amount of Soul Power.
Inside the barrier, Xu Jiujiu panted softly, a trace of pride in her eyes. With the Defensive Soul Tool supporting Star Protection, even a Spirit Saint would not be able to break through it in a short time. As long as they held on until their opponents ran out of Soul Power, victory would be theirs!
"So this is your trump card?"
A calm voice rang out above the clamor of battle.
Huo Yuhao walked slowly to the front of the formation. He gazed at the golden barrier, golden light swirling in his eyes.
"Absolute Defense? There's no such thing in front of me."
Huo Yuhao slowly raised his right hand and pointed his index finger at Xu Jiujiu.
Spirit Eye Martial Soul, Spirit Shock!
But he did not attack the barrier directly. Instead, he condensed his vast spiritual power into an invisible needle and sent it through the barrier's energy nodes, straight into Xu Jiujiu's Sea of Consciousness!
Although Star Protection could block physical and energy attacks, its defenses against spiritual attacks were far from flawless.
"Ah—!"
Inside the barrier, Xu Jiujiu, who had been brimming with confidence, suddenly let out a piercing scream. It felt as if a sharp sword had stabbed straight into her brain. The pain made her lose control of her Martial Soul in an instant.
The Star Crown's light dimmed, and the seemingly impregnable golden barrier immediately shuddered violently, cracks appearing across its surface.
"Now, Senior Sister!" Huo Yuhao shouted.
Ma Xiaotao, who had long been preparing to strike, laughed wildly. "Smash, you bastard!"
Sixth Soul Skill, Phoenix Cloud-Piercing Strike!
A gigantic fire phoenix, carrying the force to destroy the heavens and earth, slammed precisely into the weakest crack in the barrier.
"Rumble!!!"
A thunderous explosion rang out, and golden fragments flew everywhere.
Star Protection was broken!
A terrifying shock wave sent the Star Luo Team members flying. They landed one after another, spitting blood and unable to get back up. Xu Jiujiu was ashen-faced and nearly fainted.
The dust settled.
Only the members of Shrek Academy remained on the arena, standing proudly.
Huo Yuhao stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, as if he had done nothing more than a trivial task.
Ma Xiaotao, beside him, looked thoroughly pleased. She patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder. "Nicely done, you devil!"
After a brief silence, thunderous applause erupted throughout the arena.
Shrek had won!
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