Long Yue braced himself against the ground and tried to rise. A tearing pain shot through his shoulder wound, while the lingering heat of the Golden Dragon King's Power coursed through his meridians, making every movement feel like a blade cutting into him. He looked up at Tang Wulin, his eyes filled with resentment and venom, and roared, "You cheated! If you hadn't relied on the Golden Dragon King Bloodline, I couldn't have lost!"
Tang Wulin slowly walked up to him and looked down at him. There was no triumph in his golden eyes, only calm indifference. He gently shook his head. His voice was not loud, yet it clearly carried across the entire arena and reached every corner through the Soul Tool amplifiers. "Cheated? Long Yue, you still don't understand. What you lost to was never bloodline, but strength, vision, and the heart blinded by your arrogance."
He shifted slightly, and the aura of the Golden Dragon King spread once more. It was not a pressure, yet it made Long Yue tremble all over. "In your previous life, you defeated me and thought the Mountain Dragon King's power was invincible. From then on, you looked down on everyone. You always said Shrek had declined, yet you forgot that the path of a soul master had never been determined by Martial Soul rank alone." Tang Wulin's gaze swept over the fading Mountain Dragon King phantom behind Long Yue, his tone carrying a trace of mockery. "The Mountain Dragon King may be a top-tier beast Martial Soul, but in your hands, it is nothing more than a tool for brutality. You only understand reckless force and charging headlong. You do not understand control over Soul Power, tactical adaptability, or what true Dragon Might is."
"True Dragon Might is not displayed by oppressing others. It is forged through protection and responsibility." Tang Wulin raised his hand, and the Golden Dragon Spear slowly spun in his palm. Its tip scraped across the ground, leaving behind a golden trail. "You keep claiming that Monster Academy is Star Luo's pride, yet you cannot even sense the evil aura mixed within your own Soul Power. You do not even realize that the Holy Spirit Cult has used you—someone like you dares to speak of pride? Dares to call yourself a Dragon King?"
Those words struck Long Yue's heart like a heavy hammer. His entire body stiffened, and his face instantly turned pale. The panic from when Tang Wulin had exposed the evil aura returned, and being publicly exposed left him utterly humiliated. The murmurs of the surrounding spectators washed over him like a tide. Their doubtful and mocking gazes made him wish he could crawl into a crack in the ground.
"Y-you're talking nonsense!" Long Yue retorted fiercely, though his voice trembled uncontrollably.
"Nonsense?" Tang Wulin sneered and took another step forward, closing in on Long Yue. "Why do you think we went to the Holy Spirit Cult hideout in the abandoned workshops west of the city last night? Your Soul Power aura was identical to those evil soul masters'. Do you really think the Star Luo Royal Family values you because of your strength? They only saw the value of the Mountain Dragon King Martial Soul. You were nothing more than a pawn the Holy Spirit Cult needed."
His voice suddenly turned cold, sharp enough to chill the bone. "In my previous life, I lost to you because I had not fully mastered the Golden Dragon King's Power. More than that, I had been complacent, thinking talent alone could bring victory. But in this life, I have endured life and death, seen the horrors of the Abyss, and witnessed the sacrifices of my companions. I understand now that true strength is the accumulation born of hardship and the conviction to uphold the righteous path. But you, Long Yue, cling to false glory, drown yourself in past victories, and refuse to change. You do not even know that darkness has already eroded you. Even without me, someone like you would eventually lose to your own arrogance and stupidity."
Long Yue slumped on the ground, his eyes hollow. Every word Tang Wulin spoke was like a blade, piercing through his disguise and exposing the cowardice and blindness within his heart. He had always believed himself to be heaven's chosen son, the future of the Star Luo Empire. Yet he had never considered that he was merely a pawn in someone else's hand, nor that his so-called strength was so utterly insignificant before a true powerhouse.
"I... I didn't..." Long Yue still wanted to argue, but he found himself unable to form a complete sentence.
Tang Wulin no longer looked at him. He turned toward the stands and pointed the Golden Dragon Spear straight at the sky. Golden Soul Power blossomed brilliantly from the spear tip. "Shrek Academy never bullies the weak, but neither do we fear provocation! Our glory is not built on empty reputation. It is won through strength and defended with blood! Anyone who dares trample upon Shrek's dignity or collude with evil forces—no matter who they are, no matter how powerful their Martial Soul may be—we will defeat them all!"
Thunderous cheers erupted from the crowd once more. The three words "Shrek" were shouted again and again, the roar soaring into the heavens.
The Shrek Seven Monsters walked to Tang Wulin's side. Gu Yue looked at his back, a trace of approval flashing through her eyes. Xie Xie patted his shoulder and grinned. "Well said! That arrogant fool needed to face reality!"
Long Yue lay on the ground, blood still flowing from his shoulder wound, but he could no longer feel the pain. His heart was filled with despair and regret. At last, he understood how thoroughly he had lost. He had not merely lost the match. He had lost the bottom line and dignity of a soul master.
At that moment, several Monster Academy team members rushed onto the stage, intending to help Long Yue up, but he shoved them away. He slowly stood, staggered over to Tang Wulin, and lowered his proud head. In a hoarse voice, he said, "I... I lost. You were right. I was indeed blinded by arrogance and used without realizing it."
He paused, then raised his head, a complicated light in his eyes. "But I, Long Yue, am no coward. I will remember today's defeat. The Holy Spirit Cult... I will never again join them in their evil. If there is a chance in the future, I will prove to you that I, the Mountain Dragon King, am not merely someone who knows how to flaunt violence."
Tang Wulin looked at him, and his expression softened somewhat. "Correcting one's mistakes is the greatest good. I hope you mean what you say. The peace of the Star Luo Empire needs true powerhouses to protect it, not puppets controlled by evil."
Long Yue nodded. He said nothing more, merely turned and staggered down from the arena, his back looking especially lonely.
Dai Yun'er watched the scene from the stands, her feelings in turmoil. She had always believed Tang Wulin was merely a lucky outsider. Only now did she understand that his strength lay not only in his power, but also in his clear understanding and unwavering conviction.
Dai Yueyan's expression grew increasingly solemn. He knew Tang Wulin's words had not been meant only for Long Yue. They had also been meant for the Star Luo Royal Family and the evil forces hiding in the shadows. The rise of the Shrek Seven Monsters had become an unstoppable trend.
Meanwhile, in the shadows beneath the arena, a cold gaze watched everything unfold. It belonged to someone from the Holy Spirit Cult. Looking at Tang Wulin, a vicious glint flashed through his eyes. "Tang Wulin... you ruined our plans. We will settle this debt sooner or later!"
Tang Wulin seemed to sense that malicious gaze. He turned toward the shadows, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's, but the figure had already vanished silently. The Holy Spirit Cult really is still watching from the shadows. It seems the upcoming finals will not be peaceful.
But he feared nothing. As long as the Shrek Seven Monsters stood united and upheld the righteous path, he was confident they could overcome any hardship. He knew that behind him stood the most reliable companions, the glory of Shrek Academy, and the responsibility of protecting the peace of the Douluo Continent.
The war drums of the finals were about to sound. An even fiercer contest, a confrontation between justice and evil, was quietly brewing.
The second match of the finals was temporarily changed by the organizers into a 2v2 teamwork match—Tang Wulin and Gu Yue of Shrek Academy versus Long Yue of Monster Academy and Star Luo's Seventh Princess, Dai Yun'er. The moment this matchup was announced, the entire audience erupted. Long Yue, fresh from his defeat in the solo match, had joined forces with the proud princess to face the surging Lin-Yue Team. This confrontation, filled with grudges, positions, and strength, was regarded as the most anticipated clash of the tournament.
On the arena stage, the four stood facing one another. Tang Wulin and Gu Yue stood side by side on one end, his cyan battle uniform complementing her pale blue dress, their auras steady and in perfect harmony. On the other side, Long Yue had changed into light healing battle armor. His shoulder wound had been treated, and the heavy aura of his Mountain Dragon King Martial Soul had receded considerably, though its lingering edge remained. Dai Yun'er wore combat attire specially made by the Star Luo Royal Family. In her hands was a Soul Tool longbow gleaming with purple-gold light, while her eyes held both a desire for victory and complicated feelings toward Tang Wulin.
"Tang Wulin, I'll remember your mockery from earlier," Long Yue said in a deep voice as his Soul Power slowly circulated. "But today, I am not fighting for revenge. I am fighting to prove that I can uphold true glory." He looked at Dai Yun'er beside him. "Your Highness, let us work together with everything we have and take this match."
Dai Yun'er nodded. The bowstring rang softly as Soul Power poured into it. "Don't worry. I won't hold you back. Tang Wulin, don't think defeating Long Yue means you can defeat us."
Elemental power flowed around Gu Yue's fingertips as she said coldly, "Victory or defeat will be decided in the arena." Tang Wulin tightened his grip on the Golden Dragon Spear, his gaze calm yet resolute. He could sense that Long Yue's aura had changed. The restlessness and evil from before were gone, replaced by a purer battle intent. Meanwhile, Dai Yun'er's mastery of Soul Tools far surpassed that of an ordinary Soul Emperor. This battle would not be easy.
"Match begin!"
Before the host's words had even faded, Dai Yun'er struck first. Her Soul Tool longbow instantly released three purple-gold arrows of light, each targeting vital points on Tang Wulin and Gu Yue. The arrows carried powerful paralysis effects and were clearly high-level control-type Soul Tools. At the same time, a soul ring beneath Long Yue lit up. "First Soul Skill: Mountain Collision!" He launched the skill again, but instead of charging directly at his opponents, he transformed into an earthen-yellow barrier before Dai Yun'er. It protected her while blocking Tang Wulin and Gu Yue's route of attack.
"Blue Silver Grass, defend!" Blue Silver Grass erupted beneath Tang Wulin's feet, weaving into two tough barriers that blocked the purple-gold arrows. At the same time, Gu Yue formed a hand seal. "Ice Element: Ice Seal!" Several ice spikes instantly took shape and shot toward Dai Yun'er's firing paths, disrupting her aim.
But Dai Yun'er's archery was exceptionally precise. She twisted aside to dodge the ice spikes, flicked her wrist, and fired five more arrows of light. This time, the arrows exploded in midair, becoming countless tiny needle-like streams of energy that blanketed Tang Wulin and Gu Yue like a torrential downpour. "Second Soul Skill: Dragon Claw Rending Rock!" Long Yue seized the chance to attack. A massive dragon claw broke through the Blue Silver Grass barrier and grabbed toward Tang Wulin's waist, its power even more condensed than during the solo battle.
Tang Wulin swept the Golden Dragon Spear and knocked back the dragon claw, but several light needles struck him. A numbing sensation instantly spread through his body, slowing the circulation of his Soul Power. "Gu Yue!" he shouted. Gu Yue immediately understood. "Elemental Fusion: Windfire Prairie!" Flames and fierce winds intertwined, forming a wall of fire that blocked the follow-up attacks. At the same time, the scorching heat dispelled the paralysis from Tang Wulin's body.
"Third Soul Skill: Mountain Collapse and Earth Split!" Long Yue advanced instead of retreating. The Mountain Dragon King phantom appeared behind him, and enormous fissures split open across the arena floor. Countless rocks rolled forth, crushing toward Tang Wulin and Gu Yue. Dai Yun'er retreated in a flash, widening the distance as an even thicker purple-gold arrow of light gathered in her bow. "Soul Tool Ultimate: Star Luo Demon-Breaking Arrow!" This arrow contained thirty percent of her total Soul Power along with the amplification of her Soul Tool. Its force was enough to seriously injure a Soul Emperor.
Tang Wulin and Gu Yue exchanged a glance and erupted with Soul Power at the same time. "Golden Dragon Claw: Shatter Rock!" Tang Wulin unleashed his dragon claw, tearing apart the rocks before him and opening an attack route for Gu Yue. Gu Yue raised both hands. "Elemental Shield: Five Spirits Guardian!" Water, fire, earth, wind, and lightning intertwined into a five-colored barrier that blocked the impact of the Star Luo Demon-Breaking Arrow. With a tremendous boom, the five-colored barrier shook violently. A trace of blood spilled from the corner of Gu Yue's lips, showing that she had endured immense pressure.
"Their teamwork is too perfect!" Yue Zhengyu frowned in the stands. "Long Yue's defense and powerful offense, combined with Dai Yun'er's long-range suppression—it's practically flawless."
Xu Xiaoyan nodded. "Wulin and Gu Yue are being completely suppressed. If this continues, they'll be in trouble!"
On the arena stage, Long Yue and Dai Yun'er's offensive grew ever fiercer. Long Yue's Mountain Dragon King's Fury alternated with Dai Yun'er's barrage of Soul Tool arrows. Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass defenses were repeatedly destroyed, while Gu Yue's elemental power was gradually being exhausted. Both of them had gained numerous wounds, and their auras became increasingly unstable.
"Tang Wulin, you can't hold on anymore!" Dai Yun'er said with a hint of smugness. "Surrender now, before you suffer serious injuries!"
Long Yue also spoke solemnly. "You are both powerful, but 2v2 is about cooperation. You cannot win today." Though his attacks were fierce, he always held back and never struck to kill. Tang Wulin's earlier words had awakened him. What he wanted was an honorable victory, not slaughter.
Tang Wulin wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes burned even hotter. He looked at Gu Yue beside him, and she was already looking back. There was not the slightest retreat in either of their eyes, only an unspoken understanding. "Gu Yue, are you ready?"
"Mm." Gu Yue nodded lightly. The elemental power around her began resonating with Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King's Power, and faint Dragon Might quietly spread through the arena.
Long Yue and Dai Yun'er sensed the change, and their expressions shifted at the same time. "Not good! They're going to use a fusion skill!" Dai Yun'er hurriedly fired several arrows of light, trying to interrupt them, while Long Yue unleashed Mountain Collapse and Earth Split, attempting to disrupt the resonance between their Soul Powers.
But it was already too late.
The Golden Dragon King's Power within Tang Wulin and the Silver Dragon King's Power within Gu Yue erupted completely. Golden and silver light intertwined and coiled around each other, forming a massive pillar of light that shot into the sky. Within it, an enormous Dragon God Phantom slowly emerged. Its dragon head was majestic, its body covered in gold-and-silver scales, and its spread wings covered the sky. Supreme Dragon Might swept through the entire venue, making every spectator instinctively lower their heads.
"Martial Soul Fusion Skill—Dragon God Transformation!"
Tang Wulin and Gu Yue's figures merged into the Dragon God Phantom. Their auras fused perfectly with the Dragon God's Power, and their strength instantly soared to the level of a Titled Douluo. The Dragon God Phantom let out a world-shaking roar. The sound waves became an invisible shockwave, instantly shattering Long Yue's Mountain Collapse and Earth Split and Dai Yun'er's arrow barrage.
Long Yue and Dai Yun'er's faces turned deathly pale. Under the Dragon God's pressure, even moving became difficult. "Th-this... what kind of Martial Soul Fusion Skill is this?" Dai Yun'er's eyes were full of disbelief. She had never seen such terrifying power.
Long Yue's mind was utterly shaken as well. Before this power, his Mountain Dragon King Martial Soul seemed as tiny as an ant. At last, he understood that Tang Wulin and Gu Yue's true trump card was such a heaven-defying fusion skill.
The Dragon God Phantom raised its massive dragon claw and gently struck toward Long Yue and Dai Yun'er, carrying both destruction and creation. The claw seemed slow, yet it sealed every possible route of escape. Its power was overwhelming, but it held no killing intent—only pure suppression.
Long Yue and Dai Yun'er gritted their teeth and tried to resist, only to discover that they could not mobilize their Soul Power at all. They could only watch helplessly as the dragon claw descended. With a boom, the claw lightly struck them, sending them flying like kites with severed strings. They crashed heavily onto the arena stage, their Soul Power instantly sealed, leaving them unable to rise again.
The Dragon God Phantom gradually dispersed, revealing Tang Wulin and Gu Yue. Both were pale and weak—the Dragon God Transformation's consumption had been enormous, nearly draining all their Soul Power—but their gazes remained firm.
The entire venue fell silent before erupting into unprecedented cheers, louder than during any previous match. "Dragon God Transformation! That's the Dragon God's power!" "The Shrek Seven Monsters are too monstrous!" "The Lin-Yue Team is invincible!"
Long Yue and Dai Yun'er struggled to stand, but found themselves completely powerless. Long Yue looked at Tang Wulin and Gu Yue. There was no resentment in his eyes, only deep admiration. "I lost... and I accept it wholeheartedly. Such a fusion skill can only be called a miracle."
Dai Yun'er sat limply on the ground, looking at Tang Wulin with complicated eyes. Her pride had been utterly shattered. She had always wanted to surpass Tang Wulin, yet she had never imagined the gap between them was so vast. "You... won."
Supporting each other, Tang Wulin and Gu Yue slowly walked over to them. Gu Yue's voice carried a trace of exhaustion, yet remained as cool as ever. "You let us win."
At that moment, the referee announced the end of the match. Shrek Academy had won. The Shrek Seven Monsters rushed onto the stage, supporting the weakened Tang Wulin and Gu Yue, their faces full of joy and concern.
In the VIP seats, Star Luo's Crown Prince Dai Yueyan's expression was grim to the extreme. He had not expected Tang Wulin and Gu Yue to unleash a Dragon God-level fusion skill. This power had already exceeded his control and might even threaten the status of the Star Luo Royal Family. Behind him, an elderly man in a black robe flashed a vicious look in his eyes and quietly withdrew—the Holy Spirit Cult had witnessed the scene, and their killing intent had grown even stronger.
Long Yue was helped up by his teammates. He looked toward Tang Wulin and solemnly bowed. "Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, I will remember today's defeat. If you ever need help in the future, Monster Academy is willing to lend you a hand against the Holy Spirit Cult." His words clearly echoed through the entire venue, making his position known.
Dai Yun'er was also helped up by her guards. She looked at Tang Wulin and said softly, "You are very strong. I admit that I was too arrogant before." She paused, gathered her courage, and continued, "If... if you need the Star Luo Royal Family's help, I can try to persuade my father."
Tang Wulin looked at them, and a trace of satisfaction flashed through his eyes. This match had not only earned them victory, but also potential allies. "Thank you," he said in a deep voice. "The Holy Spirit Cult's scheme concerns the safety of the entire Douluo Continent. If we can join forces, that would naturally be for the best."
As the sun set, its golden afterglow spilled across the arena stage, stretching the shadows of the Shrek Seven Monsters long behind them. The 2v2 victory gave them an absolute advantage in the finals, but they also knew that the true challenge had only just begun. The Holy Spirit Cult's scheme was gradually coming to light, while the Star Luo Royal Family's stance remained unclear. The battles ahead would be even more difficult.
But as long as the bond between Tang Wulin and Gu Yue remained, and as long as the Shrek Seven Monsters stood united, they were confident they could overcome every hardship and protect everything they cherished.
The final battle of the finals was about to begin.
Before you continue