Heaven Dou Team Battle (Part 1)

The half-hour break passed in the blink of an eye.

When the midday sunlight over Heaven Dou City's central plaza fell upon the arena, the Seven Luminaries Team and Shrek's seven contestants had already taken their positions on opposite sides.

The spectator stands around the arena were packed with people, their clamor shaking the heavens. Residents of Heaven Dou City had flocked over to witness this clash representing the highest standard of the younger generation. Many had even traveled specifically from nearby cities just to watch this battle of dragons and tigers.

"It's finally starting!" A young Soul Master in the stands rubbed his hands excitedly. "The Spirit Pagoda Seven Luminaries Team against Shrek Academy's elites—this is a rare spectacle!"

"I heard the Spirit Pagoda has two Soul Elders, while Shrek has three Soul Elders and a Soul Ancestor. The gap in strength isn't small."

"Not necessarily! Didn't you watch the individual matches just now? Qiangu Dongfeng, with three rings, beat that Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon with four rings into the ground!"

"That was an individual match. Team battles are different. They emphasize coordination. No matter how strong an individual is, they can't withstand superior numbers and tactics."

The spectators discussed the match animatedly, each expressing their own opinion.

On the arena, the fourteen young men and women faced one another, and the scent of gunpowder in the air grew increasingly intense.

The auras of both sides collided above the arena, as though invisible sparks were exploding in the air. The half-hour break had passed in the blink of an eye.

When the soul-tool loudspeakers above Heaven Dou City's central plaza sounded a long horn blast, the audience in the stands immediately perked up—the team battle was about to begin!

Qiangu Dongfeng stood at the front, his Coiling Dragon Staff planted against the ground. His complexion had mostly recovered, but his eyes still burned with fighting spirit. Though defeating Yu Momo had cost him greatly, the Spirit Pagoda had its own methods to help Qiangu Dongfeng quickly recover his Soul Power. As the team's strongest fighter on the surface, he had to stand at the front.

Qiangu Qingfeng stood to his left, his Purgatory Halberd angled toward the ground. Expressionless, he was like an iceberg. He had also won an individual match just now and remained in good condition.

Xiao Cheng stood to Qiangu Dongfeng's right, the Azure Sky Divine Spear already in hand. His calm gaze was fixed on Bai Xiao across from him. He could sense that the youth wielding the Seven Star Sword was the greatest variable in this team battle.

The sisters Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai stood in the second row. One had drawn her Crimson Feather Sword, while Dark Phoenix flames danced in the other's palm. Zhang Geyang and Xia Zhengleng stood in the last row, a Nether Flame Beast phantom emerging around one while the other cradled a Cold Rhyme Zither, her fingers already resting on its strings.

The seven stood in an orderly formation, one that balanced offense and defense.

Opposite them stood Shrek's seven contestants.

Bai Xiao stood at the front, his Seven Star Sword angled toward the ground, faint starlight flowing across its blade. His expression was calm as water, as though what lay ahead was not a fierce team battle, but an ordinary spar.

Yu Momo stood to his right. The dragon scales on his arms had regrown, though their color was several shades duller than before. His face was still somewhat pale, but the fury in his eyes burned even hotter as he stared fixedly at Xiao Cheng and the other two.

Ning Xia stood behind Bai Xiao, the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda slowly rotating in his palm and radiating seven-colored light. He was the team's core support, responsible for enhancing his teammates.

Han Xiao, Su Ze, Ye Zhi, and Lie Yang stood in the back row, each with their Martial Soul Possession activated and ready for battle.

Both sides took their positions on opposite ends of the arena, less than thirty meters apart.

The referee stood at the edge of the arena and raised the flag in his hand high.

"Team battle—begin!"

The instant the flag fell, both sides moved at once!

"Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, first: strength! Second: speed! Third: soul!"

Ning Xia acted first. The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda shone brilliantly, and three streams of colored light entered Bai Xiao, Yu Momo, and Han Xiao respectively! Their strength and speed surged at once, while their Soul Power became even more abundant!

Bai Xiao's figure flashed, and the Seven Star Sword became a silver-white streak that shot straight toward Qiangu Dongfeng! He was unbelievably fast. Wherever his sword light passed, the air itself was sliced apart with a piercing whistle!

At the same time, Yu Momo roared as his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul erupted with full force. His arms transformed into dragon claws, lightning coiling around them as he lunged fiercely at Xiao Cheng!

"You little bastard! I'll tear you apart!" Yu Momo roared. His Thunder Dragon Claw descended toward Xiao Cheng's head with overwhelming force!

Yet Xiao Cheng remained unhurried. With a flick of his Azure Sky Divine Spear, its tip transformed into countless cold stars as it met Yu Momo's dragon claws!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

A string of dense collisions rang out as lightning and azure light scattered in all directions! Xiao Cheng's spear techniques were swift and precise, every thrust striking a weak point in Yu Momo's dragon claws, leaving him unable to unleash his full strength and utterly frustrated!

"Damn it!" Yu Momo grew more agitated with every exchange. He had wanted to take revenge on Xiao Cheng, but he had never expected Xiao Cheng's spear techniques to be so exquisite, giving him no chance to clash head-on! He wanted to unleash Thunderous Might and force Xiao Cheng back, but Xiao Cheng's spear attacks came one after another, giving him no opportunity to gather strength!

Meanwhile, Bai Xiao and Qiangu Dongfeng's battle had also reached a fever pitch.

Bai Xiao's swordsmanship was nimble and graceful, like a meteor from beyond the heavens. Every strike carried sharp Sword Intent, forcing Qiangu Dongfeng to respond with all his strength. Though Qiangu Dongfeng's Coiling Dragon Staff was powerful and heavy, it could not match Bai Xiao's sword in speed. Several times, when he tried to counterattack, Bai Xiao easily evaded him. Instead, Bai Xiao seized several openings and nearly struck him with his sword!

What a fast sword! Qiangu Dongfeng was secretly startled. He had thought that after absorbing the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, he would have few rivals among those his age. Yet Bai Xiao's swordsmanship was this refined.

He hurriedly unleashed his Soul Bone skill—Gravity Control!

An invisible gravitational field spread outward, and Bai Xiao's body immediately slowed, his speed dropping by several degrees.

Seizing the opportunity, Qiangu Dongfeng brought his Coiling Dragon Staff crashing down at Bai Xiao's head with tremendous force!

However, though Bai Xiao's speed had been restricted, his swordsmanship remained sharp. With a twist of his wrist, the Seven Star Sword turned into a silver-white arc. Using softness to overcome strength, he diverted Qiangu Dongfeng's heavy strike, sending it smashing into the arena floor and blasting out a huge crater!

"Star Soul Possession! Seven Star Sword Formation!"

Bai Xiao gave a clear shout, and his first and second Soul Rings lit up at the same time! A faint layer of starlight appeared over his body, increasing both his defense and strength by fifty percent! The effects of his skills were doubled as well! The Seven Star Sword in his hand suddenly split into seven sword lights, arranged like the Big Dipper as they shot toward Qiangu Dongfeng from seven different directions!

Qiangu Dongfeng's expression changed, and he hurriedly unleashed his second Soul Skill—Dragon Soul Barrier!

A defensive barrier marked with golden dragon patterns condensed before him, blocking all seven sword lights! Yet the impact of those seven sword lights was immense, forcing him back again and again as his blood and qi churned!

"Good chance!" Seeing Qiangu Dongfeng retreat, Yu Momo's eyes flashed with ruthlessness as he prepared to pursue him!

However, the moment he moved, an azure spear appeared before him like a venomous snake, sealing off his path!

Xiao Cheng flicked the Azure Sky Divine Spear, its tip pointing straight at Yu Momo's throat!

Yu Momo was forced to halt. Gritting his teeth, he glared at Xiao Cheng. "Bastard!"

"Don't get distracted!" Bai Xiao's voice came from behind him. "Ning Xia, continue the enhancement!"

"Yes!" Ning Xia activated the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda again, and another stream of colored light entered Bai Xiao's body. His Soul Power surged at once!

"Seven Star Wandering Dragon!"

Bai Xiao shouted as the Seven Star Sword left his hand, transforming into a silver-white wandering dragon. Carrying the howl of the wind, it charged fiercely toward the Seven Luminaries Team's formation! Wherever it passed, the stone slabs of the arena were torn up, creating a devastating shockwave!

"Watch out!" Qiangu Dongfeng's expression changed drastically. He could feel the power of this attack—it was absolutely enough to severely injure any one of them!

"Dragon Soul Barrier!" He unleashed his defensive Soul Skill once again, condensing the golden dragon-patterned barrier in an attempt to stop the wandering dragon!

However, under the dual enhancement of Bai Xiao's Star Soul Possession and the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, the Seven Star Wandering Dragon was far more powerful than before! The Dragon Soul Barrier lasted less than three seconds before dense cracks appeared across it!

Crack—!

The barrier shattered!

The silver-white wandering dragon charged straight through, pouncing toward the Seven Luminaries Team's back row!

"This is bad!" Leng Yaozhu's expression changed. She hurriedly swung the Phoenix Feather, releasing a scorching flame slash toward the wandering dragon!

The flame slash collided with the silver-white wandering dragon, erupting in blinding light! But it only held out for a moment before being torn apart by the wandering dragon!

Leng Yaozhu gritted her teeth and followed up with another Heavenly Phoenix Flowing Fire. Crimson flames formed into a fire phoenix that crashed into the wandering dragon once more!

This time, the wandering dragon was finally weakened somewhat, but it still did not disperse and continued charging toward the back row!

Just then, a dark flame swept past Leng Yaozhu and flew toward the wandering dragon!

"Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire!" Leng Yulai gathered her Soul Power, and black flames condensed into a phoenix phantom that collided with the silver-white wandering dragon!

Boom—!!!

A deafening explosion rang out as firelight and starlight scattered everywhere!

Leng Yulai let out a muffled groan and staggered back several steps, her little face turning pale. Her cultivation was only level twenty-four, and the gap between her and Bai Xiao was far too great. Taking that attack head-on had inflicted internal injuries on her.

"Yu Lai!" Leng Yaozhu hurriedly supported her younger sister, pain flashing through her eyes.

"I'm fine, Sister..." Leng Yulai shook her head, though her voice was clearly weak.

Seeing this, Xiao Cheng frowned slightly.

The situation was not looking good.

Shrek's seven contestants were indeed stronger overall than them. Bai Xiao and Yu Momo were the main damage dealers, Ning Xia was the core support, and Han Xiao, Su Ze, Ye Zhi, and Lie Yang each had their own specialties and worked together seamlessly.

On their side, although he, Qiangu Dongfeng, and Qiangu Qingfeng were not weak, Leng Yulai, Xia Zhengleng, and Zhang Geyang were comparatively weaker, dragging down the team as a whole.

If this continued, they would likely be gradually pushed into a disadvantage.

They had to find a way to break the deadlock!

Xiao Cheng's eyes flickered as he quickly swept his gaze across the battlefield, searching for an opening.

Just then, his gaze collided with Bai Xiao's in midair.

Both saw intense fighting spirit in the other's eyes.

"Xiao Cheng, right? Judging from your Martial Soul, you should be the son of Spirit Envoy Xiao Ran." Bai Xiao spoke slowly, his voice cool. "Your spear techniques are interesting. You've already reached the level of Intent."

"Your swordsmanship isn't bad either," Xiao Cheng replied calmly. "Your Sword Intent has taken form. No wonder you're Shrek's strongest first-year student."

"You're too kind." Bai Xiao smiled faintly. "But talking alone won't win this."

As he spoke, he raised the Seven Star Sword again. Starlight flowed over the blade, radiating a sharp aura. "Come. Let me see how long your Spear Intent can hold beneath my sword!"

Xiao Cheng did not answer. He merely tightened his grip on the Azure Sky Divine Spear.

The Power of Empty Green circulated through his body, and a faint layer of azure light emerged over the spear.

Spear Intent against Sword Intent.

This was the moment he had been waiting for!

The two moved simultaneously!

Bai Xiao's sword was like a meteor from beyond the heavens, swift and nimble. Wherever its light passed, silver-white trails lingered in the air. His swordsmanship followed the path of agility. Rather than clashing with Xiao Cheng head-on, he relied on speed and technique, every strike thrusting from a tricky angle that was impossible to guard against!

Xiao Cheng's spear techniques, on the other hand, were broad and forceful, heavy and powerful. Having undergone Blood Exchange and Ice-Fire Golden Body Refinement, he possessed eight thousand jin of force with a single swing of his arm. Every spear strike carried overwhelming might, forcing Bai Xiao to avoid its edge!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sounds of spear and sword colliding fell as densely as rain as the two launched into a fierce duel at the center of the arena!

Bai Xiao's Sword Intent was sharp and pure, every strike carrying the keen intent to cut through everything. His swordsmanship flowed like drifting clouds and running water, endlessly changing. Though Xiao Cheng's eyesight could keep up, it still required him to devote extra focus.

Xiao Cheng's Spear Intent was heavier and more domineering. His spear techniques fused the Martial Dao experience of his previous life with the combat experience he had accumulated in this one. Every thrust carried an unstoppable momentum, as though it would tear apart everything before it!

The two exchanged blow after blow, locked in an inseparable battle!

However, as time passed, Xiao Cheng gradually began to feel the pressure.