Semifinals

The twelve freshmen who had made it into the top four all stood lined up.

Everyone noticed that the person in charge of the draw today was no longer Du Weilun, the director of education for the Shrek Outer Court's Martial Soul Department.

Instead, it was someone all three of them knew extremely well—Yan Shaozhe.

The moment she saw her teacher, Ma Xiaotao became energized as well.

Director Du Weilun stood respectfully at his side.

Yan Shaozhe nodded lightly toward Yue Ling before turning to the students.

"Hello, young Spirit Masters. I am Yan Shaozhe, the 261st dean of Shrek Academy," the white-robed elder said with a smile.

His demeanor was exceptionally gentle, making him seem like nothing more than an ordinary old man.

None of the freshmen had expected the dean himself to appear here.

They did not dare discuss it. Instead, they instinctively straightened their backs and stood at attention.

What kind of status did the dean of Shrek Academy hold? As the dean of the continent's foremost academy, he was qualified to stand on equal footing with the ruler of any nation.

Moreover, the dean of Shrek Academy was inevitably a Titled Douluo-level super expert! A true pinnacle existence on the Douluo Continent.

"I know you're all curious as to why I have appeared here."

"That's right. Normally, even when the freshman assessment reaches its final stage, having a vice dean appear would already demonstrate the academy's regard for you."

"But I have to say that the performance of this year's freshmen has greatly satisfied me."

"You are also the most talented group of freshmen Shrek Academy has seen in recent years."

"I became very interested after hearing about you, so I came here."

"Furthermore, I will watch all of your matches today. I hope you can show me some surprises. All right, let the drawing begin."

Naturally, the dean could not personally host the drawing. Du Weilun hurriedly took over the task, but Dean Yan said that he would personally hold the drawing box for the freshmen. That alone made every freshman's blood boil.

This was a legendary supreme expert! The dean of Shrek Academy! Yet he was actually holding the drawing box for freshmen.

The students present instantly became fired up.

This time, Yue Ling's team drew last.

Only after everyone had finished drawing did Du Weilun's voice ring out.

"Freshman Class One, Yue Ling's team, come up and draw."

Upon hearing that, Yue Ling slowly walked forward, took a slip from the box, and handed it to Du Weilun.

"Freshman Class One, Yue Ling's team, draw position number two," he announced loudly.

Hearing the result, Dai Yueheng could not help but give a bitter smile.

"So it's finally here? Freshman Class One's internal battle."

"That's right. Get ready. Don't let me take you down too easily." Yue Ling's team slowly walked into the number two area.

"Freshman Class One, Yue Ling, Power Attack Type Tool Soul Elder."

"Freshman Class One, Ma Xiaotao, Power Attack Type Battle Soul Elder."

"Freshman Class One, Gongyang Mo, Support Type Battle Soul Elder."

By the semifinals, the proctor had been changed from Wang Yan to an even older man. His aura was steady, and his strength was surely not to be underestimated. Clearly, the academy had specifically sent a powerful teacher to prevent any mishaps during this match.

"Freshman Class One, Dai Yueheng, Power Attack Type Battle Soul Elder."

"Freshman Class One, Xixi, Agility Attack Type Battle Soul Master."

"Freshman Class One, Shishi, Support Type Tool Soul Master."

"Match begin!"

The instant the proctor's words fell, the semifinal battle erupted.

The moment his voice faded, Spirit Rings lit up around Xixi, and blue lightning crackled explosively around her body.

Her eyes turned into cold, vertical leopard pupils. Her body sank low, and her ten fingers instantly transformed into sharp leopard claws. Without the slightest pause, she pounced directly at Gongyang Mo in the rear.

Yue Ling's pupils suddenly contracted.

So fast!

At that moment, he also saw through the opponent's strategy.

Dai Yueheng and Xixi had clearly studied his team's fighting style in advance.

At the start, they would not engage Ma Xiaotao or bother with Yue Ling. They would definitely eliminate Gongyang Mo first.

As long as they knocked him out, without his buffs, the combat power of their three-man team would be cut in half. After that, they could defeat the rest one by one.

Their thinking was ruthless, and their tactics were vicious, but... extremely practical!

"First Soul Skill, Phoenix Fireline!"

Ma Xiaotao reacted quickly. Flames erupted in an instant, and a wall of fire cut across the center of the arena, trying to force Xixi's advance to a stop.

However, Dai Yueheng had long been watching her from the side.

"Second Soul Skill, White Tiger Intense Light Wave!"

A pure white light wave shot forth with a howl, colliding head-on with the Phoenix Fireline. It forcibly blocked Ma Xiaotao's flames and tightly restrained her movements.

"Damn it!" While being held back, Ma Xiaotao could not help attacking Xixi.

In that brief opening!

"Second Soul Skill, Thunder Flash!"

Xixi's entire body became wrapped in blue lightning. Her speed instantly reached its limit, and with a flash, she crossed the fire wall and Ma Xiaotao's blockade, giving no one any chance to recover. She charged straight for Gongyang Mo at the very back.

"First Soul Skill, Thunder Leopard Claw!"

Lightning coiled around her claws, and the sharp claw blades carried numbing electric currents, making them immensely destructive.

Although Xixi had only two Spirit Rings, her extreme speed combined with her lightning attacks made her no less threatening than a Soul Elder.

She completely ignored Yue Ling, who was rushing over to support him. Her eyes held only one target—instantly crush Gongyang Mo and knock him out of the arena.

Watching the lightning-charged leopard claws slash toward him, Gongyang Mo found them too fast to react to. He panicked at once, instinctively closing his eyes as his entire body tensed.

The strike that would eliminate the support-type Spirit Master was about to land!

At the critical moment, Yue Ling recovered. Gritting his teeth, he had no time to hesitate.

"First Soul Skill, Heavenly Chrysanthemum Body Protection!"

A pale golden glow instantly spread across his entire body, forming a sturdy chrysanthemum-light shield. Ignoring the inertia of his forward charge, he forcibly pulled Gongyang Mo behind him and stood directly in front of him.

Xixi's lightning-wreathed leopard claws viciously struck the golden protective barrier!

Bang!

Lightning exploded, and dust scattered in every direction.

The impact from her extreme speed made Yue Ling's body tremble violently, forcing him back two steps. Yet he firmly withstood the fatal strike without yielding an inch.

Before Xixi could withdraw her attack, Yue Ling's second purple Spirit Ring lit up!

"Second Soul Skill, Falling Blossom Storm!"

The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum flashed with golden light, transforming into a mass of Flower Blades that tightly enclosed Yue Ling and Gongyang Mo, leaving Xixi no chance to launch a sneak attack.

She kept running around them, trying to find a weak point among the Flower Blades so she could continue attacking.

Unfortunately, she had forgotten how controllable Yue Ling's Flower Blades were.

Watching that mass of Flower Blades continuously close in on Shishi, Xixi's expression changed drastically. She had never expected her opponent to react so quickly and forcibly cut off her opening killing move.

"Damn it! The plan has changed."

Dai Yueheng's face darkened at the edge of the arena. He immediately pressed forward and knocked away the Flower Blades attacking Shishi.

His third Soul Skill lit up instantly!

"Third Soul Skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"

White light burst forth around him. His body instantly grew a full size larger, his muscles swelled, and the white tiger fur across his body stood on end. His strength and defense doubled at once, while the oppressive aura around him surged sharply.

"We can't drag this out, Shishi!"

Hearing Dai Yueheng's voice, Shishi, the last member of the opposing team, immediately completed her Martial Soul Possession.

Her Martial Soul was the food-type Lollipop, and two yellow Spirit Rings shone steadily around her.

"First Soul Skill, Sweet and Sour Power Candy!"

Xixi immediately retreated upon hearing that.

At that moment, an orange-red lollipop appeared in Shishi's hand.

"Hey!"

She threw it forcefully. The two of them reached out and caught one each, then popped them into their mouths without hesitation.

Their tongues wildly licked the lollipops, and the sweetness gradually transformed into Soul Power that slowly spread through their bodies.

As the sweetness filled their bodies, Dai Yueheng and Xixi both received a slight boost in strength, immediately stabilizing their coming offensive.