Body Sect—Du Busi

As soon as the battle began, Xu Jiujiu immediately activated the Absolute Defense Soul Tool, sealing off Ling Luocheng's movements and isolating her from the outside world.

Unlike Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luocheng was not impatient or impulsive. She merely stood calmly within the enclosed space, slowly affecting the Soul Tool's structure with her extreme low temperatures.

The other six members of Star Luo National Academy used a special Soul Tool to successfully gather and merge their Soul Power, forming an energy attack comparable to that of a Soul Emperor and sending it toward Jin Qiurui.

Jin Qiurui consecutively used three great soul skills—Golden Dragon Body, Golden Dragon Explosion, and Golden Dragon Bloodlust—to enhance her defense, strength, speed, and even life recovery. In the end, she successfully blocked the combined attack of the six opponents.

"Snowfall!"

"Turtle God Crash!"

Su Tong and Xu Sanshi simultaneously used their respective fifth soul skills. Su Tong's ice and snow effects descended upon the other six, while Xu Sanshi charged straight at Xu Jiujiu.

However, Xu Jiujiu's soul skill—Star's Protection—greatly enhanced the defensive power of herself and her six teammates. They were completely unaffected by the ice and snow or Turtle God Crash.

Xu Jiujiu revealed a confident smile. "The attacks of you two naturally can't break the defenses of someone at the same Soul King rank as me."

Knowing that the Three-Life Soul Suppression Cauldron could not harm the seven opponents, Xiao Xiao continued using the Nine Phoenix Flute, slowing the enemies while accelerating and supporting her allies.

Jin Qiurui continued to suffer the focused combined attacks of the six opponents. Fortunately, Xu Sanshi's Netherworld Shield Formation shared some of the damage. However, the two sides consequently fell into a stalemate.

Tang Wulin raised an eyebrow. "Brother Yuhao, it seems the opponents have ruthlessly ignored the two of us."

Huo Yuhao smiled. "After all, we've only displayed the strength of Four-Ring Soul Ancestors on the surface."

The two clasped hands in perfect understanding, merging their Soul Power. Fate's Eye on Huo Yuhao's forehead shone brilliantly, while Tang Wulin's golden dragon scales glimmered with golden light. An inviolable majesty and an aura capable of destroying everything immediately spread outward from the two of them.

"Dragon God's Gaze, Eye of Destruction!"

The Spirit Eyes and Fate's Eye carried erosive and dispelling effects. The Golden Dragon King and the Dragon God were both favored by and wielders of light, while the power of the God of Destruction ignored all defenses and possessed the imposing force to destroy everything.

The faint glow of Star's Protection naturally submitted before a stronger light. It was likewise unable to resist the aura of destruction and was instantly shattered and dispersed, defeated by this Martial Soul Fusion Skill that radiated overwhelming majesty and power.

Struck by that powerful impact, Xu Jiujiu immediately lost her ability to fight. The other six also lost their powerful defensive protection and were ultimately defeated one after another by Jin Qiurui's Golden Dragon Fist and Golden Dragon Roar.

Su Tong, Xiao Xiao, and Xu Sanshi also coordinated with Jin Qiurui and defeated all six together.

Ling Luocheng had also successfully broken free from the Absolute Defense Soul Tool's confinement by then, only to discover that the battle had just ended.

Xu Jiawei and Huang Jinxu, who knew the immense defensive power of Star's Protection, were just as shocked and incredulous as Xu Jiujiu on the field.

The Star Luo citizens in the audience immediately erupted into an uproar, all astonished by Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin's shocking strength.

"A Martial Soul Fusion Skill from two Four-Ring Soul Ancestors actually broke Her Highness's defenses. How did they do it?"

The spectators discussed it fervently, each guessing at the mysteries behind the two men's Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

"You two are incredible."

After returning to the hotel to rest, everyone from Spirit Pagoda Academy gathered around Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin.

Tang Wulin smiled and explained, "It was just good luck. We happened to counter the light attribute."

Xu Sanshi raised his brows with a wicked grin. "Two grown men can even perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill together. Could there be something going on between you two?"

Su Tong covered her mouth and laughed. "How uncultured. Terrifying. Then Ling Luocheng and I can perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill too. Are you saying there's something going on between us as well?"

Jiang Nannan chimed in, "Exactly. Who knows what certain someone keeps in his head all day?"

Xu Sanshi chuckled shamelessly. "Of course it's you. It'd be great if Nannan and I could perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill together too."

Jiang Nannan rolled her eyes. "You don't look like much, but you sure dream big."

The next day.

The captain of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy—Ma Rulong—crushed every Dio Academy contestant who took the field in the individual elimination rounds with overwhelming superiority.

Combined with their victory in yesterday's team battle, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy successfully advanced to the semifinals.

Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin had been browsing shops on Central Street in Star Luo City when four burly men suddenly blocked their path.

Tang Wulin looked at the four men strangely. "Aren't you people from the Body Sect being a little too overbearing?"

To Huo Yuhao's surprise, the Body Sect's leader—Du Busi—had actually come personally this time to find him and Wulin.

Du Busi said loudly, "Since you know who we are, come home with us."

The Body Sect of this era did not care whether someone belonged to Shrek Academy or the Spirit Pagoda. As long as they saw a genius with a body martial soul, they would take them all without hesitation.

Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow. "Thank you for the offer, but we have no need for it right now."

He and Tang Wulin had already completed their Martial Soul Second Awakening, so they truly had no need to cultivate the Body Sect's secret techniques again.

However, Du Busi directly ignored Huo Yuhao's refusal. At his signal, three Body Sect disciples immediately attacked Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin, intending to forcibly take them away.

Huo Yuhao immediately used Mass Weakening, and the three Body Sect Soul Saints instantly collapsed limply to the ground. Even with their powerful bodies, they could not withstand Huo Yuhao's mental control.

Du Busi praised, "As expected of a genius whose body martial soul is the Spirit Eyes. Your spiritual power is truly formidable."

He then personally flashed before Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin, preparing to seize their shoulders.

Huo Yuhao held Tang Wulin's hand and used the power of space, instantly vanishing from the spot with Tang Wulin. Du Busi's grasp caught nothing.

Du Busi looked surprised. "Good kid. A mere Four-Ring Soul Ancestor can already wield the power of space. Interesting!"

After Du Busi used the power of space to catch up to Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin, he was horrified to discover a black-haired man with an imposing, naturally authoritative presence standing before them.

Beast God Di Tian stood with his hands behind his back, staring coldly at Du Busi.

"You dare set your sights on the core disciples of my Spirit Pagoda? Do you take me for nonexistent?!"

Du Busi was immediately stunned. "I truly never expected these two little fellows to be your personal disciples. Fine, fine. I have no time to fight you right now."

Considering the benefits related to Soul Spirits and the consequences of fighting Beast God Di Tian, Du Busi ultimately abandoned his designs on Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin. He helplessly left in frustration with his three disciples.

After receiving Huo Yuhao's Soul Guidance Communicator message, Beast God Di Tian immediately used the spatial formation Gu Yuena had inscribed onto Huo Yuhao's Soul Guidance Communicator and teleported over in an instant.

Beast God Di Tian smiled helplessly. "You two are far too conspicuous. Why does someone always covet you wherever you go?"

Tang Wulin looked innocent. "I can't help it. There are always bad people watching me."

Huo Yuhao teased, "It must be because Wulin is too adorable, so people think you're easy to bully. Still, it was fortunate that Senior Di Tian came to save us this time."

After Tang Wulin and Huo Yuhao thanked Beast God Di Tian together, they returned to the hotel to rest. Beast God Di Tian also returned to Spirit Pagoda Headquarters through the spatial formation.

The following day.

The four semifinalist teams entered one after another, and the semifinals officially began.