Lin-Yue Takes the Field in the Second 2v2 Match

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 knife carving 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 through the soul-conducting amplifiers. "Cheated? Long Yue, even now, you still don't understand. What you lost to was never bloodline, but strength, vision, and a heart blinded by arrogance."

His foot shifted slightly, and the Golden Dragon King's aura spread once more. It was not oppressive, yet it made Long Yue tremble all over. "In my previous life, you defeated me and believed the Mountain Dragon King's power to be invincible, becoming arrogant from then on. You always claimed Shrek had fallen, yet you forgot that the path of a soul master has never been measured merely by the rank of one's martial soul." Tang Wulin's gaze swept over the fading Mountain Dragon King phantom behind Long Yue, his tone tinged with mockery. "The Mountain Dragon King may indeed be a top-tier beast martial soul, but in your hands, it is nothing more than a tool for brutality. You only understand how to charge with brute force. You do not understand control over soul power, tactical adaptation, or what true dragon might means."

"True dragon might is not displayed through oppression, but tempered through protection and responsibility." Tang Wulin raised a hand, and the Golden Dragon Spear slowly spun in his palm. Its tip scraped over the ground, leaving a golden trail. "You keep saying Monster Academy is Star Luo's pride, yet you cannot even sense the evil aura mixed into your own soul power. You do not even realize that the Holy Spirit Cult has been using you. Someone like you deserves to speak of pride? To call yourself a Dragon King?"

The words struck Long Yue's heart like a heavy hammer. His body stiffened, and his face instantly turned pale. The panic Tang Wulin had exposed when revealing the evil aura resurfaced, and being unmasked before everyone left him utterly humiliated. The murmurs of the surrounding audience surged toward him like a tide. Those suspicious and mocking gazes made him wish he could crawl into a crack in the ground.

"You... you're talking nonsense!" Long Yue retorted fiercely, though his voice trembled uncontrollably.

"Nonsense?" Tang Wulin sneered and took a step forward, closing in on Long Yue. "Why do you think we went to the Holy Spirit Cult's hideout in the abandoned workshop west of the city last night? Your soul power aura was exactly like those evil soul masters'. Do you truly think the Star Luo Royal Family valued you because of your strength? They merely saw the value of the Mountain Dragon King martial soul. You were nothing but a chess piece the Holy Spirit Cult needed."

His voice abruptly 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 was complacent enough to believe talent alone would bring victory. But in this life, I have endured life and death, witnessed the terror of the abyss, and seen my companions make sacrifices. I understand that true strength is the accumulation born of hardship and the conviction to stand by the righteous path. Yet you, Long Yue, cling to false glory, wallow in past victories, and refuse to progress. You do not even realize darkness has corrupted you. Someone like you would have eventually been defeated by your own arrogance and stupidity even without me."

Long Yue collapsed onto the ground, his eyes vacant. Every word Tang Wulin spoke was like a blade that pierced through his facade and laid bare the cowardice and blindness within his heart. He had always thought himself a favored son of heaven, the future of the Star Luo Empire. Yet he had never imagined that he was merely a piece in someone else's hand, nor that his so-called strength was so utterly insignificant before true powerhouses.

"I... I didn't..." Long Yue tried to defend himself, only to find that he could not even form a complete sentence.

Tang Wulin no longer looked at him. He turned toward the stands and raised the Golden Dragon Spear toward the sky. Golden soul power bloomed brilliantly at its tip. "Shrek Academy has never bullied the weak, but neither will it ever fear provocation! Our glory is not built upon empty reputation, but earned through strength and defended with blood! Anyone who seeks to trample Shrek's dignity or collude with evil forces, no matter who they are or how powerful their martial soul may be, will be defeated one by one!"

Thunderous cheers erupted from the crowd once again. The word "Shrek" was shouted over and over, the waves of sound 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 in her eyes. Xie Xie patted his shoulder and grinned. "Well said! That arrogant bastard needed to face reality!"

Long Yue lay prone 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, but also the bottom line and dignity he should have held as a soul master.

At that moment, several Monster Academy team members rushed onto the stage to help Long Yue up, only for him to shove them away. He slowly rose and staggered toward Tang Wulin. Lowering his proud head, he said in a hoarse voice, "I... I lost. You were right. Arrogance truly blinded my eyes, and I was used without even realizing it."

He paused, then raised his head. A complicated glimmer appeared in his eyes. "But I, Long Yue, am no coward. I will remember today's defeat. The Holy Spirit Cult... I will never again keep company with them. If there is a chance in the future, I will prove to you that I, the Mountain Dragon King, am not merely capable of brutality."

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 without another word, then turned and staggered off the arena, his back looking especially desolate.

In the stands, Dai Yun'er watched the scene with complicated emotions. She had always believed Tang Wulin was merely an outsider blessed with good luck. 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 grave. He knew Tang Wulin's words had not been meant solely for Long Yue, but also for the Star Luo Royal Family and those evil forces hiding in the shadows. The rise of the Shrek Seven Monsters had already become an unstoppable trend.

In the shadows of the arena, a cold gaze watched everything unfold. It belonged to a member of the Holy Spirit Cult. Looking at Tang Wulin, ruthlessness flashed through his eyes. "Tang Wulin... you ruined our plans. Sooner or later, we will settle this score!"

Tang Wulin seemed to sense the malicious gaze. He turned toward the shadows, his eyes 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 won't be peaceful.

But he feared nothing. As long as the Shrek Seven Monsters stood united and held fast to the righteous path, he was confident that they could overcome any hardship or obstacle. He knew that behind him stood his 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. A fiercer clash, a confrontation between justice and evil, was quietly brewing.

The second match of the finals was temporarily changed by the organizers into a 2v2 team battle—Tang Wulin and Gu Yue of Shrek Academy against Long Yue of Monster Academy and Star Luo's Seventh Princess, Dai Yun'er. The moment the matchup was announced, the entire audience erupted. Long Yue, freshly defeated in the solo match, had joined forces with the proud princess to face the surging Lin-Yue Team. This clash of grudges, positions, and strength was regarded as the most anticipated battle of the tournament.

On the arena stage, the four faced one another. Tang Wulin and Gu Yue stood side by side on one end, his dark green combat uniform complementing her pale blue dress, their auras calm and harmonious. On the other side, Long Yue wore light healing battle armor. His shoulder wound had been treated, and while the heavy aura of the Mountain Dragon King martial soul had diminished considerably, its lingering edge remained. Dai Yun'er wore a combat dress specially made by the Star Luo Royal Family and held a soul-conducting longbow shimmering with violet-gold light. Her eyes held both a desire for victory and complicated feelings toward Tang Wulin.

"Tang Wulin, I won't forget your mockery just now," 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 protect true glory." He looked at Dai Yun'er beside him. "Your Highness, let us work together with everything we have and win this match."

Dai Yun'er nodded, the bowstring giving a soft twang as soul power poured into it. "Don't worry, I won't hold you back. Tang Wulin, don't think that defeating Long Yue means you can defeat us."

Elemental power flowed around Gu Yue's fingertips as she said coolly, "Victory and defeat will be decided in the arena." Tang Wulin tightened his grip on the Golden Dragon Spear, his gaze calm but resolute. He could sense that Long Yue's aura had changed. The previous restlessness and evil had vanished, replaced by a purer fighting spirit. And Dai Yun'er's attainments in soul-conducting devices far surpassed those of an ordinary Soul Emperor. This battle would not be easy.

"The match begins!"

Before the host's voice had faded, Dai Yun'er launched the first attack. Her soul-conducting longbow instantly fired three violet-gold arrows of light, each targeting Tang Wulin's and Gu Yue's vital points. The arrows carried a powerful paralysis effect, clearly the work of a high-level control-type soul-conducting device. At the same time, Long Yue's soul ring lit up. "First Soul Skill: Mountain Collision!" activated again, but rather than charging at his opponents, he transformed into an earthen-yellow barrier in front of Dai Yun'er, providing her protection while blocking Tang Wulin and Gu Yue's route of attack.

"Blue Silver Grass, defend!" Blue Silver Grass burst forth beneath Tang Wulin's feet, weaving into two tough barriers that blocked the violet-gold arrows. At the same time, Gu Yue formed seals with both hands. "Ice Element: Ice Seal!" Several ice spikes took shape in an instant and shot toward the paths of Dai Yun'er's arrows, disrupting her aim.

But Dai Yun'er's archery was extraordinarily precise. She sidestepped the ice spikes, flipped her wrist, and fired another five arrows. This time, the arrows exploded in midair, becoming countless tiny needle-like bolts 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 at Tang Wulin's waist, its force more condensed than it had been in their solo battle.

Tang Wulin swept the Golden Dragon Spear sideways and knocked the dragon claw away, but several light needles struck him. Paralysis instantly spread through his body, slowing the circulation of his soul power. "Gu Yue!" he barked. Gu Yue immediately understood. "Elemental Fusion: Windfire Prairie!" Flames and fierce winds intertwined, forming a wall of fire that blocked the subsequent attacks while the scorching heat dispersed the paralysis in Tang Wulin's body.

"Third Soul Skill: Mountain Collapse!" Rather than retreating, Long Yue pressed forward. The Mountain Dragon King phantom appeared behind him as huge fissures split open across the arena floor. Countless rocks rolled forward, crushing toward Tang Wulin and Gu Yue. Dai Yun'er flashed backward and widened the distance, gathering an even thicker violet-gold arrow of light in her longbow. "Soul-Conducting Device Ultimate: Star Luo Demon-Breaking Arrow!" This arrow contained thirty percent of her total soul power, amplified by the soul-conducting device. Its power was enough to severely injure a Soul Emperor.

Tang Wulin and Gu Yue exchanged a glance and erupted with soul power at the same time. "Golden Dragon Claw: Rock Shatter!" Tang Wulin's dragon claw exploded forth, 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 shield that blocked the Star Luo Demon-Breaking Arrow. With a deafening boom, the shield shook violently. A trickle of blood ran from the corner of Gu Yue's lips, showing that she had endured considerable pressure.

"Their coordination is too flawless!" Yue Zhengyu frowned in the stands. "Long Yue's defense and powerful offense, combined with Dai Yun'er's long-range suppression, are practically seamless."

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 increasingly fierce. Long Yue's Mountain Dragon King's Fury and Dai Yun'er's barrage of soul-conducting arrows alternated relentlessly. Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass defenses were continually shattered, while Gu Yue's elemental power was gradually depleted. Both of them had gained several wounds, and their auras grew more and more unstable.

"Tang Wulin, you can't hold on any longer!" Dai Yun'er's voice carried a trace of smugness. "Surrender now and spare yourselves serious injuries!"

Long Yue also said in a deep voice, "You are both very strong, but a 2v2 battle is a contest of coordination. Today, you cannot win." His attacks were fierce, but 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 away the blood at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes burned even more brightly. He looked at Gu Yue beside him, and she was looking back at him. There was not the slightest hint of retreat in either of their eyes, only an unspoken understanding. "Gu Yue, are you ready?"

"Mhm." Gu Yue nodded lightly. The elemental power surrounding her began to resonate with Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King power, and a faint dragon might quietly spread outward.

Long Yue and Dai Yun'er sensed that something was wrong, and both their expressions changed. "Not good! They're going to use a fusion skill!" Dai Yun'er hurriedly fired several arrows, trying to interrupt them, while Long Yue unleashed Mountain Collapse and Earth Split in an attempt to disrupt the resonance of their soul power.

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 radiance interwove and coiled together, forming an enormous pillar of light that shot into the sky. Within it, a colossal Dragon God phantom slowly emerged. Its dragon head was majestic, its body covered in interwoven gold-and-silver scales, and its wings spread wide enough to blot out the sky. Supreme dragon might swept across the arena, making every spectator instinctively lower their head.

"Martial Soul Fusion Skill—Dragon God Transformation!"

Tang Wulin and Gu Yue's figures merged into the Dragon God phantom. Their auras perfectly fused with the Dragon God's power, and their strength instantly surged to the level of a Titled Douluo. The Dragon God phantom unleashed a heaven-shaking roar, its soundwaves becoming an invisible shockwave that instantly shattered Long Yue's Mountain Collapse and Earth Split and Dai Yun'er's rain of arrows.

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 filled with disbelief. She had never seen such terrifying power.

Long Yue's mind was utterly shaken as well. Before this force, his Mountain Dragon King martial soul seemed as tiny as an ant. He finally 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, carrying both destructive and creative power, and gently brought it down toward Long Yue and Dai Yun'er. The strike appeared slow, yet it sealed off every path of escape. Its power was immense, but it carried 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, their soul power instantly sealed, unable to rise again.

The Dragon God phantom slowly faded, revealing Tang Wulin and Gu Yue. Both were pale, their auras weak. The Dragon God Transformation had consumed an enormous amount of energy, nearly draining all their soul power, yet their eyes remained firm.

The entire venue fell silent, then erupted into unprecedented cheers. The sound was more intense than after 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, only to find their bodies 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. A fusion skill like this can only be called a miracle."

Dai Yun'er sat slumped on the ground, looking at Tang Wulin with complicated eyes. The pride in her heart had been completely shattered. She had always wanted to surpass Tang Wulin, yet she had never expected the gap between them to be 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, though it remained cool and clear. "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 filled with both joy and concern.

In the VIP section, Star Luo's Crown Prince Dai Yueyan's expression had become grave to the extreme. He had never expected Tang Wulin and Gu Yue to unleash a Dragon God-level fusion skill. This power had already surpassed his control and might even threaten the standing of the Star Luo Royal Family. Behind him, a black-robed old man revealed a vicious glint in his eyes and quietly withdrew. The Holy Spirit Cult had witnessed the scene, and the killing intent in their hearts grew ever 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 it in the future, Monster Academy is willing to lend you a hand against the Holy Spirit Cult." His words clearly carried through the entire venue, declaring his stance.

Dai Yun'er was also helped up by her guards. Looking at Tang Wulin, she said softly, "You are very strong. I admit that I was too arrogant before." She paused, gathering her courage. "If... if you need the Star Luo Royal Family's help, I can try to persuade my father."

Tang Wulin looked at them, a trace of relief flashing in his eyes. This match had not only won them victory, but also gained them potential allies. "Thank you," he said in a deep voice. "The Holy Spirit Cult's schemes concern the safety of the entire Douluo Continent. If we can join hands, that would naturally be for the best."

As the sun set, golden afterglow spilled across the arena. The shadows of the Shrek Seven Monsters stretched long behind them. Their 2v2 victory had given them an absolute advantage in the finals, but they also knew that the real challenge had only just begun. The Holy Spirit Cult's plot was gradually coming to light, while the Star Luo Royal Family's attitude remained uncertain. 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 had the confidence to overcome every hardship and protect everything they cherished.

The final battle of the finals was about to begin.