Eternal Defender Xu Sanshi

Sure enough, the opponent's first contestant was only a Soul Ancestor. Facing Xu Sanshi, a Soul King, he naturally found the battle rather difficult.

Xu Sanshi used only the Netherworld Shield Formation to easily block all of his opponent's attacks. In the end, the first opponent fell to Xu Sanshi's Netherworld Shock.

The opponent's second contestant was also a power-attack Soul Ancestor, intending to drain Xu Sanshi's remaining Soul Power.

However, Xu Sanshi gave his opponent no chance to wear him down. Under everyone's puzzled gazes, he ran straight toward the edge of the arena.

Xiao Hongchen, watching from the resting area, raised an eyebrow. "What is that guy doing? Is a Soul King actually going to flee before a Soul Ancestor?"

Everyone saw Xu Sanshi leap down, nearly jumping out of the arena. Just as they all thought he was about to be eliminated, a flash of light flickered around his body the next instant.

The power-attack Soul Ancestor was horrified to discover that the scenery around him suddenly shifted in light and shadow. When it settled, he found himself outside the arena, standing precisely where Xu Sanshi had just landed.

Without question, Xu Sanshi was now standing safely in the position where that Soul Ancestor had been moments ago. This was Xu Sanshi's ever-reliable soul skill—Netherworld Swap. He could use it to exchange positions with anyone at will.

The audience was utterly dumbfounded. What kind of bizarre fighting style was this?

Still, some people felt that while it was somewhat opportunistic, it was also an ingenious tactic from the broader perspective of conserving Soul Power.

Ma Rulong rested his chin on his hand in the resting area. "Looks like we need to devise a strategy specifically for that soul skill of his."

Meng Hongchen was unconcerned. "No matter who he swaps places with, he'll be hit by our group attack."

Xiao Hongchen wore a confident smile. "It would be great if he swapped with me. I've carefully prepared a big gift for him."

On the arena, Shangguan Chenyu slowly stepped forward with the Coiling Dragon Sword in hand. He said gravely to Xu Sanshi, "If you can defeat me, another Soul King, then we'll count every match after this as your victory."

Shangguan Chenyu was both a Soul King and the captain. If even their strongest member could not defeat Xu Sanshi, then their academy had no reason to continue competing against Spirit Pagoda Academy.

"Straightforward! Then I'll get a little more serious."

Xu Sanshi summoned his Soul Spirit—the Golden Tortoiseshell—to show his respect and seriousness toward this match.

The audience had already begun discussing it among themselves.

"Is that a Soul Spirit from the Spirit Pagoda? Can soul beasts really coexist peacefully with us soul masters now?"

After all, the Spirit Pagoda had only recently been established, and Soul Spirit resources were still scarce. At present, only great clans and major powers barely qualified to compete for the Spirit Pagoda's Soul Spirit resources. It was only natural that everyone was so curious about Soul Spirits.

Coiling Dragon Spiral Slash!

Shangguan Chenyu immediately used his fourth soul skill, intending to catch Xu Sanshi off guard.

Xu Sanshi said helplessly to the lazy Golden Tortoiseshell, "Put some effort into it. Help me block this."

The Golden Tortoiseshell stretched lazily. "Got it, got it. With such weak attack power, just watch my Invincible Shield."

The Golden Tortoiseshell curled up inside its enormous shell and fearlessly positioned itself before Xu Sanshi, taking the opponent's fourth soul skill head-on.

The shell and sword blade collided, sending fierce sparks flying. Yet the spiraling sword blade failed to shake the shell in the slightest.

Watch this, Turtle God Crash!

Xu Sanshi seized the opportunity to unleash his fifth soul skill. The massive phantom of the Netherworld Turtle condensed into form and charged at Shangguan Chenyu together with the Netherworld Shield.

Shangguan Chenyu hurriedly used his fifth soul skill to defend himself. He was now expending enormous amounts of Soul Power as he withstood the tremendous impact of Xu Sanshi's Turtle God Crash.

The two remained locked in a stalemate, neither gaining the upper hand.

Immediately afterward, Xu Sanshi used Netherworld Power to continuously strengthen himself. Likewise, Shangguan Chenyu used Coiling Dragon Power to increase his own strength.

In this contest between power and defense, Xu Sanshi ultimately came out on top.

Shangguan Chenyu finally collapsed from exhaustion. Panting heavily, he said, "I concede completely. Your defensive power truly lives up to its reputation."

Xu Sanshi, who was also looking somewhat disheveled, still did not forget to show off. "Please call me Eternal Defender—Xu Sanshi."

This exhilarating clash left a deep impression on every spectator present. Xu Sanshi also got his wish and gained a few young female fans.

"Eternal Defender! Eternal Defender! Xu Sanshi!"

Xu Sanshi brushed back his hair and said narcissistically, "Don't fall for me, ladies. My heart already belongs to someone. Nannan, I love you!"

Jiang Nannan replied irritably, "Full of yourself. I never agreed to that."

Xiao Xiao suddenly suggested, "Qiu'er, Sister Nannan, how about we go sightseeing in Star Luo City tomorrow? The capital of the Star Luo Empire should have plenty of fun places and delicious food."

Jin Qiurui clapped her hands in approval. "Sure! I'll reserve the whole place."

Jiang Nannan nodded as well, then asked the two people nearby, "Su Tong, Luocheng, are you coming?"

Ling Luocheng replied, "We need to return to the hotel to cultivate, so we won't be going."

Su Tong immediately put on a pitiful expression. Seeing this, Snow Empress smiled helplessly. "Luocheng, you need to learn to balance work and rest. Relaxing a little is fine."

Gu Yuena linked her arm with Snow Empress's. "The two of us will go too."

Su Tong instantly beamed. "Great! Then we'll all go together tomorrow."

Xu Sanshi chuckled. "Don't forget about me."

Jiang Nannan rubbed her forehead helplessly. "Don't follow me."

Naturally, Xu Sanshi turned a deaf ear to that. In the end, he shamelessly followed Jiang Nannan around Star Luo City the next day.

Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin did not go to Star Luo City with the others. Instead, they cultivated together at the hotel and continued trying out new Martial Soul Fusion Skills.

After Snow Empress and Gu Yuena returned from touring Star Luo City with the others, they thoughtfully brought some snacks and treats back for Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin.

Afterward, the two of them personally witnessed the power of Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin's Martial Soul Fusion Skills within the Undead Demi-Plane.

Snow Empress raised an eyebrow slightly. "They're impressive, but why are there only three Martial Soul Fusion Skills?"

Huo Yuhao explained, "Because none of our Martial Soul Fusion Skills are based on just a single martial soul. Each one also combines several of Wulin's and my bloodlines and abilities."

Tang Wulin added, "We even fused the power of divine positions and deities into them."

Gu Yuena immediately wore a strange expression. "Who could possibly withstand that? Even if the two of you restrict your respective powers to the level of Four-Ring Soul Ancestors, no opponent could endure it, right..."

In the original work, the Martial Soul Fusion Skill used by two-ring Huo Yuhao and three-ring Tang Wutong, Solo Dance Amidst the Frost—Radiant Garb of Light, had been enough to defeat the five-ring Soul Kings Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen despite the difference in cultivation.

Not to mention Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin, whose abilities carried divine power attributes. Moreover, the strength they displayed openly was already at the level of Four-Ring Soul Ancestors.

Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow and smiled. "But what if the opponent is someone who possesses divine power too?"

Gu Yuena suddenly understood. "You think he might act in secret..."

Huo Yuhao merely smiled without answering.

The next day.

Today was the eighth day of the tournament, and the third round of the round-robin matches arrived as scheduled.

Shrek Academy's representative team, as always, took the lead and was the first to bring everyone an exciting match.