A shield like a river of stars enveloped everyone fighting on the front lines. Xixi and Xu Sanshi's attacks struck the two Soul Kings from before, but did not harm them in the slightest.
"Lightning can actually be nullified?" Xixi was astonished. She immediately dodged her opponent's counterattack and widened the distance, but her opponent had no intention of letting her go and charged straight at her.
Seeing that his attacks were ineffective, Xu Sanshi could only raise his shield and struggle to withstand the opponent's assault.
Dai Yueheng had already been beaten to one knee and could no longer fight. Ma Xiaotao, meanwhile, had been attacking the Soul Tool the entire time, yet to no effect.
"Damn it! What exactly is happening outside? I can only use that!"
Ma Xiaotao steeled herself. Dark crimson flames spread around her body—this was a form she had previously developed together with Huo Yuhao: the Dark Phoenix!
She released part of the Evil Fire that Yuhao had suppressed within her body, merging the powers together. The terrifying heat now came infinitely close to the Ultimate Fire from before.
"Fifth Soul Skill! Phoenix Cloud-Piercing Strike!"
A dark crimson phoenix phantom appeared behind Xiao Tao. It threw a fierce punch at the shield's absolute defense, and dark crimson flames burned across the barrier, beginning to devour the starry shield upon it.
Seeing this, Xiao Tao was delighted and immediately increased her energy output. Another portion of the Evil Fire's power was drawn out. Yet at that moment, within Ma Xiaotao's spiritual world—
"Oh? It seems our busy little host is still trapped inside this turtle shell?"
Dressed in black-and-red finery, with long red hair drifting behind her, a figure identical to Ma Xiaotao approached. She was the Evil Fire given form, and she teasingly approached