Everyone looked toward the Competition Platform.
All fourteen members of the Shrek Team and the Spirit Hall Team had taken the stage.
"Let the match begin! Both sides, release your martial souls!"
As the announcer declared the start of the match, everyone released their martial souls.
All seven members of the Shrek Team had four soul rings.
On the Spirit Hall side, five soul rings shimmered around Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena, giving them a fearsome presence.
Hu Liena was the first member of the Spirit Hall Team to move.
She stepped lightly to the front of her team. The fluffy tail behind her grew larger, and she gave the Shrek Team a faint smile.
Pale red light streamed from her body, and a powerful wave of charm swept toward the Shrek members.
Except for Tang San and Xiao Wu, the other five Shrek members immediately closed their eyes and covered their ears, completely shutting off their sight and hearing.
Then Xiao Wu stepped forward and used the Soft Bone Enchanting Rabbit's second soul skill on Hu Liena, pitting charm against charm.
As their mental powers collided, Xiao Wu's face paled slightly, and two streams of blood ran from her nose.
Although her mental power was weaker than her opponent's, she still managed to interrupt Hu Liena's charm.
The moment the charm was broken, the Shrek Team changed formation, lining up one behind another.
At the rear, Oscar channeled his soul power into Ning Rongrong ahead of him. Ning Rongrong passed it forward in turn, until it finally gathered inside Tang San.
"This is bad! Stop them!"
Red light flickered around Hu Liena and Xie Yue, gradually enveloping them both.
Then the red curtain of light spread, filling the stage with an eerie crimson mist.
Xie Yue and Hu Liena activated their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Demon Charm.
The two of them became a single figure with flowing hair, whose gender was impossible to distinguish.
"Kill!"
Demon Charm let out a voice that sounded neither male nor female and charged toward the Shrek Team.
With the red mist blocking their view, the spectators below could no longer see the battle onstage.
"Damn it, I can't see!"
"Who's going to win?"
"I think the Spirit Hall Team will. A Martial Soul Fusion Skill performed by two level-fifty Soul Kings must have power comparable to level seventy."
Just as the spectators below were debating who would win-
A terrifying shock wave suddenly erupted across the stage.
An enormous golden hammer rose out of the mist and smashed down viciously.
Bang!
The red mist was blasted apart.
Aside from Tang San and the Demon Charm formed by Hu Liena and Xie Yue, everyone onstage had fallen to the ground.
"Impossible!"
"Could that be..."
"Tool Soul True Body!"
In the Spectator Area outside the Competition Platform, Bibi Dong, Ning Fengzhi, and Grandmaster all looked shocked.
With the final clash of their powers, Demon Charm proved no match for Tang San's Tool Soul True Body and was knocked off the Competition Platform.
In the end, Shrek won the match.
Watching Tang San stand triumphant on the Competition Platform, Dai Chengqian curled his lip.
"Tang San, you ought to thank me. You were supposed to use that combination of the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill and Tool Soul True Body against Godwind Academy."
Shaking his head, Dai Chengqian turned to the women and smiled.
"Well? Was my prediction right?"
The women looked at Dai Chengqian and gave him a thumbs-up.
"The Shrek Team really won. Incredible!"
"Exactly! Sixth Prince, your prediction was spot-on!"
Shui Bing'er frowned slightly and said to Dai Chengqian,
"Tang San can actually use Tool Soul True Body. You'll have to be careful when you fight him tomorrow."
Dai Chengqian smiled calmly.
"Don't worry. He shouldn't be able to use that Tool Soul True Body again anytime soon.
"If he forces it, at best his reactions will slow and his soul will be damaged. In a severe case, he could even lose his mind and become an idiot. He won't use it again."
"That's wonderful! Without that move, your chances of winning are much higher.
"Then let me congratulate you in advance on taking first place tomorrow," Shui Yue'er said with a smile.
Looking toward the Competition Platform, they saw that the Shrek Team members had already risen to their feet.
Dai Mubai clenched his fists as he watched Dai Chengqian chatting merrily with a group of beauties below the stage.
Damn it! I'm the one who won this match, so why are all those beauties paying more attention to him?
"Well, Little Dai? I won. Pretty impressive, right?"
Hearing Ning Rongrong's voice through the Voice-Transmitting Conch, Dai Chengqian looked toward the Competition Platform.
He smiled at Ning Rongrong, then transmitted his reply.
"Very impressive! Rongrong, you're amazing. You're the greatest female support Soul Master in the world."
"Pfft. You sound so halfhearted."
"What? I'm being completely sincere!"
As he chatted with Ning Rongrong, Dai Chengqian suddenly noticed Dai Mubai staring at him with icy eyes.
When Dai Chengqian looked over, Dai Mubai sneered and drew a hand sharply across his throat.
Dai Chengqian smiled at him, ignored him, and went back to chatting with Ning Rongrong.
Seeing Dai Chengqian ignore him, Mubai seethed with anger and frustration. All he could do was silently swear that he would teach the fellow a brutal lesson tomorrow.
Hmph! Dai Chengqian, once I become Crown Prince, let's see whether you can still pretend to be so calm!
In the viewing seats before the Papal Palace-
Bibi Dong's expression was dark beyond measure.
She looked at Yu Xiaogang below the stage with a complicated expression and murmured,
"Using Tool Soul True Body at level forty, when it should only be possible at level seventy... Xiaogang, is this your gift to me?"
Seeing the younger generation of Spirit Hall, whom she had painstakingly nurtured, lose to the Shrek Team trained by Yu Xiaogang, Bibi Dong tightened her grip on her scepter in bitter resentment.
But the result was already settled. As Spirit Hall's Pontiff, she had to maintain her dignity.
After announcing the final result, Bibi Dong cast a disappointed glance at Hu Liena and the others, then turned and left.
"Let's go too."
Dai Chengqian then left the venue with his own team.
The Star Luo Empire.
The Star Luo Emperor's Imperial Study.
The Star Luo Emperor promptly received an urgent report from Heaven Dou.
Reading the report, he looked deeply surprised.
"The Spirit Hall Team actually lost.
"Both my sons have reached the final match.
"Good! Excellent!"
While the Star Luo Emperor was rejoicing, another secret report was suddenly delivered into his hands.
He opened it and read the words written inside:
"Your Majesty, we have confirmed that all nine vassal states along the northwestern border have secretly submitted to Spirit Hall."
Bang!
The Star Luo Emperor slammed his fist onto the desk before him.
"Spirit Hall...
"To think things really are as my sixth son said. Their ambitions are actually this great.
"Fortunately, my sixth son warned me back then, and I made some preparations in advance, just in case."
Sitting in his chair, the Star Luo Emperor closed his eyes and said,
"Understood. For now, pretend we know nothing about this. Quietly tighten our border defenses, accelerate our war preparations, and train our Star Luo army."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"One more thing!
"My sixth and third sons will soon finish the tournament. Whichever of them takes first place will become Crown Prince. We should begin preparing the rites for offering sacrifices to Heaven and naming the heir."
"Yes. I'll give the orders at once."
The next day.
"I declare the final of the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament officially underway! Contestants from both sides, take the stage!"
Dai Chengqian led his team as all seven of them stepped onto the Competition Platform.
Opposite them, the Shrek Team stood in a row, facing Dai Chengqian's team.
"Prepare for the match. Everyone, release your martial souls."
All fourteen contestants released their martial souls at the same time.
The Shrek Team did not adopt the same formation they had used in the previous match.
They placed Tang San and Dai Chengqian at the very front, with Jiang Zhu, Ma Hongjun, and Xiao Wu in the middle. Ning Rongrong and Oscar stood at the rear.
Dai Chengqian's formation was much simpler.
Dai Chengqian alone held the front, while those behind him took their positions around Ye Lingling, their only support Soul Master.
"Begin!"
As the match was officially declared underway-
Dai Chengqian stamped his foot and shot forward like a streak of purple lightning, instantly appearing before Dai Mubai and Tang San before thrusting out both fists.
"First soul skill, Entanglement!"
Just as Dai Chengqian was about to strike them, two strands of Blue Silver Grass suddenly wrapped around his ankles, binding his feet and stopping his advance.
Purple Heaven Divine Thunder surged beneath his feet, blasting the Blue Silver Grass to pieces.
Freed from the restraints, Dai Chengqian slammed a fist into Dai Mubai.
Bang!
Dai Chengqian's fist carried a massive surge of Purple Heaven Divine Thunder.
A single punch shattered Dai Mubai's White Tiger Protection Barrier. Dai Mubai stumbled backward repeatedly, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, until Xiao Wu caught him.
Tang San's expression shifted slightly, and he shouted,
"Don't clash with him head-on! Let me handle him!"
With that, Blue Silver Grass surged out and wrapped around all his teammates' waists, pulling them back more than ten meters.
"Blue Silver Cage!"
Immediately afterward, Tang San unleashed Blue Silver Cage, trapping every member of Dai Chengqian's team.
Everyone on the Shrek Team except Tang San seized the opportunity to attack Dai Chengqian's teammates.
On Dai Chengqian's side, a White Tiger Fierce Light Wave enhanced by Purple Heaven Divine Thunder blasted out. The Blue Silver Cage lasted only three seconds before shattering to pieces.
Looking ahead, he saw a blue hammer hurtling toward his head.
"Just in time!
"Let's see which is tougher-your hammer or me!"
Dai Chengqian activated White Tiger Protection Barrier. The hammer crashed into the protective shield with a bang, but the shield remained completely unscathed.
Tang San's expression shifted slightly.
How is that possible? Why is his White Tiger Protection Barrier so much tougher than Boss Dai's?
He had no time to marvel. Dai Chengqian was already closing in to attack.
Tang San raised his hammer and unleashed Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer.
One strike!
Two strikes!
Three strikes!
Every attack Dai Chengqian made was blocked by the hammer intent Tang San had gathered.
Watching Tang San continue to stack up strikes with Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer-
A smile tugged at the corner of Dai Chengqian's mouth.
"Building up power with Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer? Just what I wanted."
Dai Chengqian turned into purple lightning and shot backward to his own team.
Then he activated his Soul Bone Skill, raised his right leg, and sent one Outrage Break after another slashing toward the Shrek members, forcing them back.
Looking at the women behind him, Dai Chengqian shouted,
"Change formation!"
The women instantly formed a single line.
An unending stream of soul power poured into Dai Chengqian at the front.
The fourth soul ring around Dai Chengqian flashed.
"Thunder God's Arrow!"
An immense purple-gold arrow took shape above Dai Chengqian and his teammates, radiating an utterly terrifying presence.
"What is that?!"
"What a terrifying aura."
"It's another Seven-in-One Fusion Skill!"
Below the platform, Yu Xiaogang's face darkened at the sight.
He had never imagined that another team could execute the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill without his guidance.
Tang San, who was building up his Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, blanched when he saw Dai Chengqian unleash the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill.
He turned to his teammates and roared:
"We can't let that attack take shape! Interrupt them at all costs!"
With that, everyone on the Shrek Team unleashed their strongest Soul Skills, blasting them toward Dai Chengqian and his teammates.
White Tiger Meteor Shower, Phoenix Roaring Sky Strike...
One terrifying Soul Skill after another slammed toward Dai Chengqian and his teammates.
Watching the Soul Skills sweep toward him, blotting out the sky,
Dai Chengqian curled his lips into a smile and said:
"Sorry, you're too late to interrupt us!"
By then, Dai Chengqian had absorbed all his teammates' Soul Power.
He broke away from the team, unfurled the Flowing Cloud Bone Wings on his back, and instantly soared into the air.
His Third Soul Skill, Thousand-Flash Thunder Shadow, combined with the Flowing Cloud Bone Wings.
Dai Chengqian could now burst into motion at his maximum speed even in the sky.
With a massive purple-and-gold arrow looming above his head, he darted from side to side over the Competition Platform.
At such tremendous speed, not a single Soul Skill could even brush the hem of his clothes.
"Damn it! Xiao Ao, Flying Mushroom Sausages! Let's get up there and take him down!"
Everyone on the Shrek Team swallowed a Flying Mushroom Sausage.
Illusory wings appeared on their backs, and they charged together at Dai Chengqian in the sky.
Tang San frantically accelerated his Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, building it up to eighty-one strikes before smashing it toward Dai Chengqian overhead.
Watching the Shrek Team charge up from below,
Dai Chengqian remained calm and slowly raised his right hand.
The enormous Thunder God's Arrow above his head poured downward.
Rumbling thunder resounded across the arena.
"Go!"
Dai Chengqian swept his right hand lightly downward.
The Thunder God's Arrow shot toward the approaching Shrek Team.
At the forefront, Tang San wielded the Clear Sky Hammer. Facing the attack, he spread his External Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances, to shield his body, then smashed the Clear Sky Hammer, charged through eighty-one strikes, into the gigantic purple-and-gold arrow.
Boom!
The two collided.
Blinding white light erupted in the sky, and rippling shock waves surged more than a dozen li outward.
The spectators lowered the hands shielding their eyes and looked toward the Competition Platform.
Above the entire Competition Platform, only Dai Chengqian remained hovering in the air.
Everyone else lay on the platform, severely injured.
Drenched in blood, Tang San crouched on the ground and looked up at the sky.
The Eight Spider Lances on his back had all snapped, their shattered fragments scattered around him.
Looking down at Tang San, Dai Chengqian smiled and said:
"The Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer is indeed powerful, but you don't have the Tool Soul True Body.
You can't possibly defeat the Thunder God's Arrow I unleashed with the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill."
Tang San wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stared at Dai Chengqian, saying coldly:
"Dai Chengqian, I admit you're strong, but don't think this means you've won.
You've never seen my true strength!"
With that, Tang San's hands moved.
He spread his arms, his hands seeming to blur into a field of afterimages as they trembled at a peculiar frequency.
As though alive, the fragments of the Eight Spider Lances flew from Tang San's hands, tracing bizarre arcs toward Dai Chengqian in the sky.
Watching the fragments fly, Tang San gave a confident smile.
Then he collapsed to the ground with a thud.
Before losing consciousness, he parted his lips and murmured a few words.
"The Tang Sect's tenth hidden weapon technique, Bat Wing Reincarnation. This round... I win..."
"So this is Bat Wing Reincarnation? I've been guarding against that move all along."
Watching more than a dozen fragments of the Eight Spider Lances shoot toward him along bizarre arcs,
Dai Chengqian did not dodge.
Within a ten-meter radius around him, dense purple lightning nets appeared.
One!
Two!
Three...
To guard against Tang San's trick, Dai Chengqian drained all his remaining Soul Power and even secretly absorbed the Soul Power from the Milk Bottle hanging against his chest.
He laid down a full forty-eight Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Nets!
Bat Wing Reincarnation struck the layers of lightning nets, but after breaking through only a few, its force was exhausted by the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder.
The dozen or so fragments of the Eight Spider Lances fell back down beside Tang San.
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