Heaven Dou Upheaval, First Victory

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Heaven Dou City's central square, usually a place for citizens to relax and enjoy themselves, was packed to the brim today. A massive arena had been erected at the center, built entirely from sturdy Qinggang Rock. Reinforcement soul tool formations were inscribed around it to prevent the aftermath of battle from harming the spectators.

On the eastern side of the arena stood a banner embroidered with the Spirit Pagoda emblem, its silver-white tower gleaming beneath the sunlight. On the western side was a banner bearing Shrek Academy's insignia, a dark green monster head baring its fangs and claws as though challenging its opponents.

The stands surrounding the square had long since filled with representatives from every major force in Heaven Dou City—Spirit Pagoda officials, Shrek Academy teachers and students, local nobles and influential families, as well as ordinary citizens who had come to watch the excitement. The crowd buzzed with noise and excitement.

"They're here! The Spirit Pagoda people are here!"

A commotion rose from the crowd.

At the entrance to the square, a group entered under Leng Zhaoran's lead. At the front were the seven members of the Seven Luminaries Team—Qiangu Dongfeng led the way, dressed in fitted white clothes and carrying a Coiling Dragon Staff, full of youthful vigor;

Qiangu Qingfeng followed close behind, still wearing that expression that kept strangers at a distance, with the Purgatory Halberd strapped across his back;

The sisters Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai walked side by side, one with fiery red hair and the other with wine-red hair as dark as ink, drawing countless gazes;

Xiao Cheng walked beside Leng Yaozhu, his expression calm while his eyes swept across their surroundings, observing the environment;

Zhang Geyang and Xia Zhengleng walked at the rear, one burly and the other slender, forming a sharp contrast.

The moment the seven entered, the audience erupted into discussion.

"That one holding the Coiling Dragon Staff is the young master of the Qiangu Family, right? I heard he became a Soul Elder at just nine years old!"

"Those two red-haired sisters are so pretty! They must be young ladies of the Leng Family, right?"

At the same time, Shrek Academy's team appeared at the entrance on the other side of the square under Long Yeyue's leadership.

At the very front was a boy holding a Seven Star Sword. He looked twelve or thirteen, with refined features, star-like eyes, and steady steps. A faint yet sharp sword intent radiated from his body. He was Shrek's strongest first-year student—the Seven Star Sword Soul Elder, Bai Xiao.

Following behind him was Yu Momo, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Ancestor. His face was gloomy, and his eyes were fixed on Xiao Cheng and the other two across from him. Furious flames seemed to burn in his gaze, as if he wished he could rush over and tear them apart at once.

Behind them came Ning Xia, the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Soul Elder; Han Xiao, the Winged Tiger Soul Elder; Su Ze, the Swift Leg Soul Elder; Ye Zhi, the Purple Jade Flute Soul Grandmaster; and Lie Yang, the Flame Lord Soul Grandmaster. The seven stood in a line, their momentum imposing.

Both sides took their positions at opposite ends of the arena, separated by only a few dozen meters. The air was thick with tension.

"You little brats from the Spirit Pagoda!" Yu Momo spoke first, unable to suppress the rage in his voice. "Back in Qingshi City, the three of you ganged up on me. What kind of skill was that? Today, in front of all these people, dare to fight me one-on-one!"

Leng Yaozhu raised an eyebrow at his words and was about to snap back when Xiao Cheng stopped her.

"Sister Yaozhu, don't be rash," Xiao Cheng said in a low voice. "He's trying to provoke us and throw us off balance."

"I know." Leng Yaozhu snorted. "But that smug face of his just annoys me."

At that moment, Qiangu Dongfeng stepped forward. With a faint smile, he said loudly, "Brother Yu, I have heard about what happened that day. You ambushed the steward of our Spirit Pagoda branch first. It was only natural for the Spirit Pagoda to stop you. As for the three joining hands... Heh. You, a four-ring Soul Ancestor, bullied three Soul Grandmasters. Is that something to be proud of?"

His words not only pointed out Yu Momo's ambush, but also deftly dissolved the accusation of bullying the weak with superior numbers. There was no flaw to be found.

Yu Momo was left speechless, his face flushing red. "You—!"

"Enough." A cool voice interrupted him.

Bai Xiao slowly stepped forward. His calm gaze swept over the seven people opposite him before settling on Qiangu Dongfeng. "Qiangu Dongfeng, I have long heard of your name. Today, regardless of victory or defeat, I only seek a satisfying battle."

"Just what I want," Qiangu Dongfeng said with a smile.

At this time, Leng Zhaoran and Long Yeyue also walked to the center of the arena.

Leng Zhaoran looked around and announced, "Today's match will be between the Spirit Pagoda Seven Luminaries Team and Shrek Academy's first-year elite students. The contest will be divided into two parts—first, three individual matches as a warm-up for both sides, followed by a seven-versus-seven team battle. Do either of you have any objections?"

"No," Long Yeyue said coolly.

"Good." Leng Zhaoran nodded. "Then the first individual match begins now. Please send out your first contestants."

The moment he finished speaking, Yu Momo leaped impatiently onto the arena. "I'll do it!"

His eyes remained fixed on Xiao Cheng and the other two as he gritted his teeth. "That day, the three of you fought me alone. Today, I'll beat every one of you flat, one at a time! Who dares come up first?"

Xiao Cheng was about to step forward when Qiangu Dongfeng reached out and stopped him.

"Xiao Cheng, let me take this one." Qiangu Dongfeng's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable firmness.

As it happened, Qiangu Dongfeng had successfully broken through the level-thirty bottleneck over the past few days. He was now a level thirty-one Soul Elder. Perhaps because Qiangu Dieting had suddenly found his conscience, he had also compensated his eldest son, Qiangu Qingfeng, with a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, allowing Qiangu Qingfeng to break through level thirty as well. The two of them were now the Spirit Pagoda side's only Soul Elders.

Xiao Cheng paused slightly. "Second Brother Qiangu, you..."

"I know what you want to say." Qiangu Dongfeng cut him off, his eyes locked on Yu Momo atop the arena. "But I have to take this match. The first individual battle concerns the morale of our Spirit Pagoda. If we lose, we'll be at a serious disadvantage in the team battle. So we must win the first match."

He paused, a hint of confidence entering his tone. "And besides, I'm confident I can beat him."

Xiao Cheng looked at Qiangu Dongfeng's determined eyes and fell silent for a moment. He was somewhat speechless, but he still nodded. "All right. I'll leave it to you."

He actually wanted to say that he was confident he could defeat Yu Momo as well, but Qiangu Dongfeng seemed genuinely convinced that he was the only one among them who could certainly beat Yu Momo. Since he had already put it that way, Xiao Cheng could not argue further. Besides, his gaze passed over Yu Momo and fell upon Bai Xiao—the boy wielding the Seven Star Sword was the opponent truly worthy of his attention.

Qiangu Dongfeng stepped onto the arena and spun the Coiling Dragon Staff in his hand, making it whistle through the air. "Brother Yu, please enlighten me."

When Yu Momo saw that Qiangu Dongfeng had come up instead of Xiao Cheng and the other two, disappointment flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by fighting spirit. "Fine. I'll deal with you first, then deal with them!"

With a shout, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul instantly possessed him! Blue-purple scales covered his arms, while lightning crackled and flashed around his body. Four purple soul rings rose from beneath his feet and revolved around him, radiating powerful pressure!

"A four-ring Soul Ancestor!" cries of alarm erupted from the stands.

"That young master from the Qiangu Family only has three rings, right? Can he beat him?"

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is a top-tier martial soul. How could challenging someone above his level be so easy?"

Yet Qiangu Dongfeng merely smiled in the face of Yu Momo's pressure.

He slowly raised the Coiling Dragon Staff, and three soul rings lit up around him in sequence—two purple and one black! The instant that black soul ring entered everyone's sight, the entire square fell silent for a moment!

"A Ten Thousand Year soul ring?!"

"How is that possible?! A Ten Thousand Year soul ring with only three rings?!"

An uproar exploded from the stands. Even Bai Xiao's pupils contracted slightly upon seeing that black soul ring.

"A Ten Thousand Year soul ring..." he murmured. "It seems the Spirit Pagoda has cultivated Qiangu Dongfeng far better than I imagined."

On the arena, Yu Momo's expression also grew more serious. Though hot-tempered, he was not stupid. An opponent with a Ten Thousand Year soul ring was definitely not easy to handle.

"Come!" Qiangu Dongfeng shouted as the Coiling Dragon Staff tore through the air with a heavy howl, launching the first attack!

Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone skill, Dragon Elephant Power! First soul skill, Coiling Dragon Strike!

The Coiling Dragon Staff transformed into three golden staff shadows, like three golden dragons crashing down toward Yu Momo's head! Every strike carried crushing force, making the air explode with thunderous booms!

Yu Momo did not dare be careless. He used the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Dragon Transformation Secret Art, transforming both arms into dragon limbs. At the same time, he unleashed his third soul skill, Thunder Fury, and his first soul skill, Thunder Dragon Claw, to meet the three staff shadows!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Three deafening collisions rang out as lightning and golden light scattered in every direction! Yu Momo was forced half a step back by the impact, while Qiangu Dongfeng did not move at all!

What incredible strength! Yu Momo was shocked. He had thought his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul gave him an absolute advantage in strength, yet Qiangu Dongfeng was actually stronger than him by a margin!

"It's not over yet!" Qiangu Dongfeng pressed his advantage relentlessly. The Coiling Dragon Staff came down in a storm of attacks, one strike after another, each faster than the last, leaving Yu Momo mostly able to defend and with barely any chance to retaliate!

"Damn it!" Yu Momo gritted his teeth as he was forced back again and again. He wanted to counterattack, but Qiangu Dongfeng's assault was too fierce, giving him no chance to catch his breath!

"Thunderous Might!"

Yu Momo roared as his second soul ring lit up. Countless bolts of blue-purple lightning erupted from within his body, forming a massive electric net that descended toward Qiangu Dongfeng!

This attack covered an enormous area, nearly blanketing the entire arena and leaving no room to evade!

Yet Qiangu Dongfeng remained utterly calm. Holding the Coiling Dragon Staff horizontally, he activated his second soul ring—

"Dragon Soul Barrier!"

A golden defensive barrier marked with energy dragon patterns formed before him, shielding his entire body. Countless lightning bolts struck the barrier with crackling explosions, yet they could never break through its defense!

"What?!" Yu Momo's eyes widened.

"My turn!" Qiangu Dongfeng shouted as his third soul ring suddenly flared!

Third soul skill—Evil-Breaking Dragon Roar!

A golden phantom of a dragon soul emerged from the Coiling Dragon Staff and raised its head with a soaring dragon roar!

Roar—!!!

The dragon roar became tangible soundwaves that swept toward Yu Momo! Wherever the waves passed, cracks spread across the stone slabs of the arena!

Yu Momo only had time to hastily unleash his fourth soul skill, Thunder Dragon Roar. The two dragon roars collided, canceling most of each other's power. But because Yu Momo had cast his Thunder Dragon Roar in haste, the remaining force of Qiangu Dongfeng's Evil-Breaking Dragon Roar still left him stiffened in place.

"Now!" A sharp light flashed through Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes. Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone skill—Gravity Control!

Yu Momo felt his body suddenly sink, as though a mountain had crashed down onto his back. His movements slowed drastically!

Immediately afterward, Qiangu Dongfeng leaped high into the air. Golden light blazed from the Coiling Dragon Staff as he unleashed his first soul skill—Coiling Dragon Strike, three strikes merged into one!

What had already been a powerful downward strike was further strengthened by gravity's pull, crashing toward Yu Momo's head with overwhelming force!

This strike was as swift as lightning and as fierce as thunder!

Yu Momo's pupils shrank. He wanted to dodge, but under Gravity Control, his speed had been severely reduced. He had no time to evade! He could only cross his arms before him and take the strike head-on!

Boom—!!!

A deafening explosion shook the arena!

The stone slabs beneath Yu Momo's feet shattered, and he was smashed down onto one knee! The dragon scales on his arms cracked densely beneath the terrifying force before breaking apart piece by piece!

"Puh—!" Yu Momo spat out blood. His arms hung limply at his sides, clearly broken.

"You lost." Qiangu Dongfeng withdrew his staff and stood tall, looking down at him with a calm expression.

The entire venue fell silent.

A moment later, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the stands!

"Excellent!"

"Young Master Qiangu is mighty!"

Yu Momo's face was pale as he gritted his teeth and stood. He gave Qiangu Dongfeng a deep look, then turned and walked off the arena.

The first match went to the Spirit Pagoda!

Long Yeyue's expression was somewhat ugly, but she said nothing, merely letting out a cold snort.

Leng Zhaoran smiled and nodded, expressing his approval of Qiangu Dongfeng's performance.

Qiangu Dongfeng stepped down from the arena. Though he had won, his face was somewhat pale and his breathing slightly labored. That consecutive burst of attacks had consumed no small amount of his strength.

"You worked hard." Xiao Cheng stepped forward and handed him a bottle of pills that restored Soul Power.

"Thanks." Qiangu Dongfeng accepted the pills and swallowed one. Then he said, "There's still the team battle. To avoid affecting my combat strength, I need to rest for a while. The rest is up to you."

"Don't worry." Xiao Cheng nodded.

At this point, the second individual match began.

Qiangu Qingfeng versus Han Xiao, the Winged Tiger Soul Elder.

Han Xiao's martial soul was the Winged Tiger, giving him flight capabilities and powerful close-range attacks. He was a typical assault-type battle soul master. His cultivation was at the three-ring Soul Elder level, a few levels higher than Qiangu Qingfeng, but that made little difference.

After all, as a future Limit Douluo, Qiangu Qingfeng was not someone easily defeated.

The moment he entered the arena, he directly unleashed his second soul skill—Purgatory Wrath. All his attributes rose dramatically! Then, wielding the Purgatory Halberd, he charged toward Han Xiao like a war god emerging from hell, launching a storm-like barrage of attacks!

At first, Han Xiao wanted to take advantage of his flight ability and fight a hit-and-run battle, but Qiangu Qingfeng's attacks had an extremely broad range. Every sweep of the Purgatory Halberd covered a large area, forcing him to face Qiangu Qingfeng directly.

And once the battle became head-on, Han Xiao was completely outmatched. Qiangu Qingfeng's halberd techniques were sharp and vicious, every move aimed at vital points, leaving Han Xiao with only the ability to defend and no chance to fight back.

After more than a dozen exchanges, Qiangu Qingfeng swept his halberd horizontally, knocking Han Xiao out of the air and sending him crashing heavily onto the arena.

"I concede!" Han Xiao hurriedly shouted, afraid Qiangu Qingfeng would follow up with another strike.

The second match went to the Spirit Pagoda as well!

After losing two matches in a row, Shrek Academy's side looked utterly grim.

Long Yeyue's face was so dark it seemed ready to drip water. She said coldly, "Hmph, it was nothing more than using superior horses against inferior ones. These two should be the strongest among your Spirit Pagoda's seven, right? Nothing special. There's no need for the third match. Let's begin the seven-versus-seven team battle directly."

Leng Zhaoran smiled faintly at her words and did not refute her. "Since Vice Pavilion Master Long says so, we'll do as you wish. The team battle will begin in one hour."

"No need for an hour." Long Yeyue said coldly. "It starts in half an hour!"

"Fine, half an hour." Leng Zhaoran maintained his smile, though there was a hint of mockery within it.

Both sides withdrew to rest and regroup.

In the rest area, Xiao Cheng noticed that Yu Momo's arms on Shrek Academy's side had actually recovered!

"How is that possible?" Leng Yaozhu noticed it too and said in surprise, "Weren't his arms broken? How could they have healed so quickly?"

"Unless..." Xiao Cheng narrowed his eyes and looked toward Shrek Academy's group. "Shrek used a healing-type soul master's ability to help Yu Momo recover quickly."

"Can healing-type soul masters really be that powerful?" Leng Yulai asked curiously.

"Ordinary healing can't accomplish it, and Shrek Academy didn't bring any powerful healing-type soul masters." Xiao Cheng shook his head. "But if a healing-type soul master forcibly heals someone at the cost of the injured person's life force, it may be possible. However, doing so causes irreversible harm to the healed soul master and may even shorten their lifespan."

"Shrek Academy is really that ruthless?" Leng Yaozhu frowned. "For the sake of winning one match, they don't even care about their student's future?"

"In their eyes, Shrek's honor stands above all else." Xiao Cheng's tone carried a hint of ridicule.

At that moment, Leng Zhaoran walked over, and his expression was not pleasant either.

"You all saw it, didn't you?" Leng Zhaoran said. "To restore Yu Momo's combat strength, Shrek forcibly healed him by consuming his life force. This alone will cost Yu Momo at least a year of his lifespan. Such behavior is truly disgraceful."

He paused and swept his gaze over the seven of them. "Therefore, we can only answer their shamelessness with strength. In the team battle, give it everything you have. Let them know that even if they resort to such despicable methods, they still cannot defeat us!"

"Yes!" the seven answered in unison.

Half an hour later, the team battle was about to begin.

The Seven Luminaries Team and Shrek's seven members respectively stepped onto the arena.

The two sides faced each other, the air saturated with the smell of gunpowder.

Xiao Cheng tightened his grip on the Azure Sky Divine Spear, his gaze locked onto Bai Xiao across from him.