"Begin!"
As the words fell, Soul Power surged through Yang Chang'an. The Soul Breaking Spear clenched in his hands let out a crisp ring, its tip flashing coldly. With a sharp whistle through the air, he shot toward Julian like an arrow loosed from its bow!
This thrust was the fastest, steadiest strike he could currently deliver. He squeezed his rank-thirteen Soul Power almost to its limit, aiming straight at Julian's chest with such speed that the spear left a faint afterimage!
Every boy and girl present held their breath, staring at the arena without blinking. They hardly dared breathe too loudly.
Yet faced with that powerful thrust, Julian's gaze remained indifferent, his expression utterly unruffled. He casually raised a finger and lightly flicked the rapidly approaching spear tip!
Clang-!
A sharp, piercing ring of colliding metal exploded through the air!
An irresistible, terrifying force surged back along the shaft. Yang Chang'an felt the webs of both hands jolt violently, as though struck by a heavy hammer. Agony instantly shot through his arms. Unable to control his body, he staggered back several steps and nearly fell flat on the ground.
What incredible strength!
Shock rocked Yang Chang'an's heart. He slammed the shaft of his Soul Breaking Spear against the ground and used the recoil to launch himself back into the air. His footwork shifted rapidly, bringing him to Julian's side in an instant!
Wind Piercing!
Yang Chang'an roared inwardly, pouring Soul Power madly into his Soul Breaking Spear. His Soul Breaking Spear Technique whipped up a fierce gale, dense spear shadows raining toward Julian's face, chest, and throat!
Every thrust was swift and vicious, carrying a young man's fierce refusal to admit defeat!
Watching from below, Niu Wenchuan clenched his fists and could not help calling softly, "Come on, Chang'an!"
At the sight of those dense spear shadows, Julian's gaze sharpened slightly, though his face remained calm. With a slight twist of his body, he effortlessly evaded every attack. Then he snapped his right leg up and kicked the spear shaft hard, his foot cutting through the air with a heavy rush!
Thud!
With a muffled crash, Yang Chang'an and his spear were sent flying backward together. He traced an ungainly arc through the air before slamming into the ground, sending dust billowing!
"Too little strength. Your spearwork is too scattered."
Julian remained rooted to the spot as he delivered his assessment in an even tone.
Lying on the ground, Yang Chang'an felt as though every bone in his body was about to come apart. A dull ache throbbed in his chest, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself up through the pain. He wiped the dust from the corner of his mouth, his eyes fierce.
"Cloud Chasing!"
Yang Chang'an raised his Soul Breaking Spear high, gathering all his Soul Power at its tip. With enough momentum to tear through the air, he brought it crashing down toward Julian. He poured every ounce of strength into that strike, making it more than twice as powerful as before!
At the same time, the yellow first soul ring beneath his feet suddenly blazed!
"First Soul Skill, Pierce!"
Empowered by his Soul Skill, the Soul Breaking Spear's penetrating force soared. Its tip seemed poised to pierce every obstacle as it bore straight toward Julian's face!
Meanwhile, on the other side of the arena, Jin Li'er's battle had reached an equally fierce pitch!
As the bearer of the Golden Crocodile Martial Soul, she possessed formidable natural strength. Now, all her Soul Power erupted, and her first soul ring shone brilliantly. She became a golden afterimage, lunging ferociously at Meng Chao.
As a top-tier beast martial soul, the Golden Crocodile possessed incredibly sharp claws. They tore through the air with a piercing shriek, their rending power terrifying. A single blow would instantly inflict grievous wounds on an ordinary Soul Grandmaster!
But her opponent was a rank-sixty-eight agility-type Battle Soul Emperor-and an elite temple warrior tempered by countless battles, who had fought his way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood!
Every lunge, every swipe, every vicious crocodile-claw strike Jin Li'er unleashed appeared laughably slow and riddled with openings in Meng Chao's eyes.
Each time his figure flashed, he easily avoided all her attacks. He moved so fast that only a shadow remained, and Jin Li'er could not even touch the hem of his clothes.
After only a few exchanges, Jin Li'er's breathing grew ragged, and her movements began to slow.
Meng Chao's gaze turned cold. With a casual sweep of his hand, he struck Jin Li'er precisely on the arm.
Thud!
Jin Li'er cried out in pain and was knocked straight to the ground. Dust coated her clothes, and her arm burned fiercely.
Yet she clenched her teeth, ignored the pain, and braced herself against the ground. She staggered back to her feet, her eyes still stubborn.
"First Soul Skill, Southern Barbarian Strength!"
Jin Li'er gave a sharp cry. Her first soul ring blazed, and the muscles throughout her body instantly tightened as her strength multiplied severalfold. Her hands became sharp Golden Crocodile claws, and she lashed out at Meng Chao once more with savage force!
At that moment, two attacks erupted across the arena at once-
Yang Chang'an's Soul Breaking Spear thrust toward Julian with piercing power,
while Jin Li'er's crocodile claws slammed toward Meng Chao with savage strength!
Both had given everything they had, pushing their abilities to the limit!
But...
The gulf between the two sides was simply far, far too vast!
Julian and Meng Chao did not even summon their Martial Souls. Their bodies merely shuddered slightly before each drove a fist hard into Yang Chang'an and Jin Li'er!
Boom-!
Two muffled impacts erupted simultaneously!
Yang Chang'an instantly lost his balance and flew backward like a kite with its string cut, slamming hard into the ground. The impact made his vision go dark, and unbearable pain wracked his entire body. He struggled several times but could not get up.
Jin Li'er fared little better. The Soul Power Meng Chao released blasted her away, sending her crashing to the ground. Tears welled in her eyes from the pain. She braced both hands against the earth, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Li'er!"
"Chang'an!"
Two anxious cries rang out at once.
The angel girl and Niu Wenchuan immediately rushed forward, helping Yang Chang'an and Jin Li'er up from the ground.
Leaning against Niu Wenchuan, Yang Chang'an coughed painfully several times, a faint trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. Looking at Niu Wenchuan's worried face, he forced a smile and said softly:
"I'm fine. It just hurts a little. I'll be all right after a short rest."
Supported by the angel girl, Jin Li'er was pale and breathing rapidly, but she still forced herself to nod, indicating that she could carry on.
Just then, the angel girl supporting Jin Li'er suddenly moved.
A pair of translucent, pale-green wings abruptly spread behind her, beating gently and radiating a soft glow. At the same time, her eyes turned a pure green, her gaze warm and holy.
Two warm, gentle streams of healing light drifted slowly from her hands, landing precisely on Yang Chang'an and Jin Li'er.
Yang Chang'an felt a soothing warmth instantly flow through his entire body. Wrapped in that warmth, the bones that had ached terribly from his falls and his sore, numb muscles recovered at a speed visible to the naked eye. The tightness in his chest eased as well, and most of his injuries healed in an instant.
He looked up at the angel girl's green eyes and the wings behind her, and a name suddenly flashed through his mind-that of a Titled Douluo who would be renowned ten thousand years later!
"Healing Angel?" Yang Chang'an could not help asking.
The angel girl nodded gently, a warm smile on her face, but said nothing more.
Yang Chang'an hurriedly offered a sincere "Thank you." Then, supported by Niu Wenchuan, he slowly left the arena and returned to the group.
On the raised platform, Azure Luan Douluo casually swept his gaze over those below. His expression remained blank as he announced the results in an even voice:
"Jin Li'er, seven exchanges. Failed."
"Yang Chang'an, six exchanges. Failed."
Now back among the group, both wore bitter smiles.
Even without using their Martial Souls, the temple warriors facing them possessed combat strength on par with top-tier Soul Ancestors, or even Soul Kings! The two had only lasted six and seven exchanges because their opponents had held back throughout, merely defending and counterattacking rather than truly striking hard.
Had their opponents taken the initiative from the outset, they probably would not have lasted even three exchanges!
The gulf was so vast it made their hearts tremble.
Azure Luan Douluo glanced at the silent group. Without any unnecessary words, he said evenly:
"Next pair."
At the command, the other two prodigies from the Worship Hall, who had long been waiting nearby, exchanged a glance. Without further hesitation, they stepped out of the line together.
"Qingyu. Martial Soul: Azure Luan. Rank-fifteen agility-type Soul Master. Please instruct me!"
"Shi Hao. Martial Soul: Lie Yan Mad Lion. Rank-fifteen Power Attack System Soul Master. Please instruct me!"