Hai Dongqing sensed the deadly chill at his back. Ignoring the flames scorching him, he forcibly twisted around, his curved blade slashing toward Zhu Zhuqing with lingering moisture clinging to it.
But Xu Chengye's Heaven-Burning Slash followed immediately, forcing him to draw back his blade to block. That instant of delay allowed Zhu Zhuqing's cat claws to scrape past his shoulder blade.
"Screech—"
Five bone-deep wounds appeared on Hai Dongqing's back. Black smoke rose from the dark-gold claw marks, and even his Title Douluo-level recovery could not heal them immediately.
"Bastard!"
Hai Dongqing was both shocked and furious.
He was clearly the higher-level Title Douluo, yet two lower-level soul masters had forced him into such a miserable state.
Xu Chengye's Sun Martial Soul was like his natural nemesis, evaporating his Soul Power with every clash. Zhu Zhuqing's dark shadow ambushes were even harder to guard against. Coupled with Ning Rongrong's bizarre all-attribute enhancement, he actually felt as though he were being suppressed.
Xu Chengye pressed the advantage. Blazing Sun Fire condensed into a long spear in his palm, its tip aimed directly at Hai Dongqing's throat.
"I'll show you who the true Overlord of the Sea is!"
Zhu Zhuqing vanished into the shadows again. Only the occasional flash of cold light foretold the direction of her next lethal ambush.
Looking at the two figures before him, one bright and one dark, and feeling his Soul Power continuously evaporating within him, Hai Dongqing experienced a sliver of helplessness before opponents below his level for the first time.
Hai Dongqing's gaze swept over Shen Lian and Snow Empress, who were watching from the side, and his heart sank sharply.
Shen Lian stood with his hands behind his back, his aura restrained to the utmost, yet he was like a bottomless abyssal sea.