Wang Dong threw punches with all her might. After four or five blows, Wu Feng finally fell unconscious. The Red Dragon Martial Soul focused on physical strength, and Wang Dong had chosen to strike the left side of her face, which was covered in fine dragon scales. The blows wouldn't cause any real damage.
With a little Soul Power left—enough to release Wing Blade twice—Wang Dong struggled to her feet. Wu Feng's resistance had been effective. Before she passed out, Dragon Fire had already burned Wang Dong.
Because Wang Dong had struck the left side of Wu Feng's face, which was covered in fine dragon scales, the scales had cut Wang Dong's knuckles and fingers. Large patches of her fair skin had been scorched by Dragon Fire, and the edges of her butterfly wings were charred.
Wang Dong looked like a moth flying into a flame, battered from head to toe. Despite trying several times, she still couldn't get up.
Nanmen Yun'er had a very clear goal: defeat Xiao Xiao and Bai Cai, and secure victory for her team.
The Jade Blue Bird, the Martial Soul Nanmen Yun'er had awakened, was extremely fast and possessed strong attacking power. To hinder Nanmen Yun'er's harassment, Xiao Xiao frequently released her First Soul Skill, consuming a great deal of Soul Power.
A defense maintained for too long was bound to fail. Xiao Xiao knew that very well. If Bai Cai hadn't told her to wear down Nanmen Yun'er's Soul Power, she wouldn't have just sat there waiting for defeat.
Nanmen Yun'er darted in and out, forcing Xiao Xiao to tighten her defenses. The three Soul-Suppressing Cauldrons formed a triangle to shield her and Bai Cai.
"Jade Slash!"
Nanmen Yun'er swept over the three Soul-Suppressing Cauldrons. Two Soul Rings lit up at once. She brought her palms together, and emerald light extended into a blade of light that slashed toward Xiao Xiao and Bai Cai.
The three Soul-Suppressing Cauldrons joined together to fend off the blade formed from the emerald light. Xiao Xiao's face was pale, and Nanmen Yun'er panted softly.
On the viewing platform, Mu Jin was delighted. Judging by the situation, the Soul-Suppressing Cauldron Master had run out of Soul Power, while Nanmen Yun'er was in good condition. Her team had the victory locked down.
"Healing Wish!"
The little fellow with blue hair waved an arm. Her Yellow Soul Ring flickered repeatedly, and gentle white light gathered into a white orb about the width of a palm. It flew several yards, its target unmistakably Wang Dong.
Her burns and cuts healed in an instant. Her butterfly wings gleamed, her skin was fair, and her strength had fully recovered.
Gasps rose from the viewing platform. An old man in a gray robe, with messy hair and a chicken leg in hand, smiled in approval.
Mu Jin glared at Bai Cai. The railing gradually twisted under his grip as he gritted his teeth and said, "Impossible!"
Her butterfly wings beat, and in the blink of an eye, Wang Dong counterattacked Nanmen Yun'er. Her First Soul Ring suddenly flashed, and golden light spread along the edges of her wings.
"Imprison."
The Yellow Soul Ring flickered. Ralts drove the last of her mental strength into the attack, and gray light stained Nanmen Yun'er's Second Soul Ring.
Ralts dissolved into specks of light. Bai Cai fainted, and Xiao Xiao hurried forward to catch him.
Nanmen Yun'er had used up much of her stamina and Soul Power. With no other choice, she bet everything on one move. Her First Soul Ring lit up, and emerald light covered both hands.
Wing Blade cleaved through the emerald blade, and Nanmen Yun'er crashed to the ground. Wang Dong pressed her advantage. Her First Soul Ring flashed again, and her golden-edged butterfly wings crossed as they slashed toward Nanmen Yun'er.
The referee appeared in an instant to shield Nanmen Yun'er. The crossed Wing Blades struck the referee's back, but his robe remained completely unharmed.
"The Ning Tian Team forfeits."
The referee raised a hand toward Ning Tian, who had already left the arena. "You win."
Without a word, Wang Dong turned around, beat her butterfly wings, and quickly landed beside Xiao Xiao. She picked Bai Cai up in both arms and flew toward the temporary infirmary outside the arena.
A sharp ache throbbed through his head. Bai Cai tossed and turned.
A pair of soft hands gently stroked his forehead and the back of his head. They were cool and smooth, their unhurried rhythm soothing.
Dazed, Bai Cai struggled to open his eyes, then came fully awake. A pair of large pink-blue eyes shimmered before him, his own face reflected in their pupils.
Wang Dong?
Why?
Bai Cai struggled to sit up. Wang Dong didn't stop him.
He looked around. The dormitory's doors and windows were shut, the Soul Guidance Lamps shone brightly, and the world outside the window was pitch-black. He was lying under Wang Dong's fur quilt.
"Did we win?"
"We did." Wang Dong hugged Bai Cai tightly, crying with joy. "We won."
The semifinals were held in the morning.
The four teams were Dai Huabin's, Xie Huanyue's, Zhou Sicheng's, and Bai Cai's.
Dai Huabin's team drew Xie Huanyue's, while Zhou Sicheng's team drew Bai Cai's.
Xie Huanyue and Dai Huabin were evenly matched, but their teammates dragged them down, and they ultimately lost. Zhou Sicheng's team had no Soul Elder, so Bai Cai was forced to sit out. Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao gave it everything they had, bringing out all their trump cards to win the match with difficulty.
After one night and one morning, Bai Cai had recovered to his peak condition.
The final was held in the afternoon.
Both sides arrived at the arena early and sized each other up.
All the partitions in the Open Assessment Area had been removed. The referee beckoned for both teams to enter.
"The rules for the final have changed a little. Listen carefully. First, flying Soul Masters may not fly higher than ten meters above the ground."
"Second, to let you use your full strength, you may attack the opposing team with all you've got. You don't need to hold back."
"Finally, I'll decide how the match proceeds. Anyone I rescue from the arena will be considered out of the competition."
The referee waved a hand. "State your names."
"Bai Cai."
"Wang Dong."
"Xiao Xiao."
The three members of Dai Huabin's team all showed clear hostility.
"Dai Huabin."
"Zhu Lu."
"Cui Yajie."
With his arms extended to either side, the referee said coolly, "Both teams, return to the edge of the arena."
Dai Huabin's team and Bai Cai's team gradually moved apart. At the referee's command, the match began!
Dai Huabin's team had higher Soul Power Levels across the board than Bai Cai's team: a Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder, an Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master, and a Control System Battle Soul Master. Bai Cai's team had no hope of winning.
Though Wang Dong had gained a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, her own Soul Power was only level twenty-four. Even if she used her trump card—the fusion of a Hundred-Year Soul Ring skill and a Thousand-Year Soul Ring skill—she still couldn't stand against Dai Huabin.
Xiao Xiao couldn't be in two places at once. She had to support Wang Dong while protecting herself and Bai Cai. She didn't even dare combine the Soul-Suppressing Cauldrons, afraid that doing so would leave her helpless elsewhere.
They were at a disadvantage on every front, and Xiao Xiao couldn't keep up. One Soul-Suppressing Cauldron supported Wang Dong, another blocked Cui Yajie, the Nine-Tailed Fox Soul Master, and using the last one to trap Zhu Lu was out of the question.
Dai Huabin seemed to be losing patience. He let out a Tiger Roar and charged back. Zhu Lu understood at once. She dodged the Soul-Suppressing Cauldron, accelerated in an instant, and caught up with Dai Huabin.
Roars of tigers filled the air. Dai Huabin's body swelled, and white fur threaded with black stripes erupted across him.
Zhu Lu bit down on her teeth. A faint black glow covered her body, making her form flicker as though transparent. She spread her arms and lunged toward Dai Huabin.
They saw only each other. Dai Huabin's pupils merged, but his cold gaze remained unchanged. Zhu Lu's eyes, by contrast, softened like water, brimming with tenderness.
The auras of the White Tiger and the Hell Spirit Cat fused completely. The White Tiger devoured the black cat, and a violent surge of Soul Power burst forth. As a golden halo spread, the black and white light gradually merged.
Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu's individual forms disappeared as their fusion was completed. The only thing left in the arena was an enormous white tiger. Its body was transparent, its fur white and its stripes black. With purple eyes and twin pupils, it stared coldly at Bai Cai's team.
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