Long plumes gradually sprouted from his thick, exposed arms. As splendid and dazzling as a phoenix's feathers, they lent Ma Hongjun an air of mystery and majesty.
Bathed in the light, his hands also transformed into claws, their sharp tips glinting coldly.
Compared with Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's raging, flame-like martial soul releases, Tang San's manifestation was calm and restrained.
With a thought from Tang San, two yellow rings identical to those beneath Ma Hongjun's feet quietly rose from beneath his own.
At the same time, dense blue silver grass silently emerged around Tang San's body. Like fine threads, it wound around his limbs and torso, slowly spreading outward.
Ye Zhiqiu looked at the young soul masters from Shrek Academy before him, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.
He had thought these youngsters were merely brats with milk still on their lips, yet they had actually displayed considerable strength.
"It seems your teachers at Shrek Academy have taught you well. You little fellows certainly have exceptional talent. Still, you're young, and your strength has yet to mature. I'm afraid you'll find it difficult to stand against me."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Zhiqiu hesitated no longer. His eyes flashed, and soul power surged within him.
"Black Tortoise, possess me!"
A powerful aura instantly erupted from him, forcing back the combined auras of Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun and subjecting them to suffocating pressure.
Then Ye Zhiqiu's limbs all shortened by a third, while an enormous carapace slowly rose from his back. Black light flickered across it, and its hard, tortoise-like shell seemed utterly indestructible.
As the carapace rose, five soul rings ascended from beneath Ye Zhiqiu's feet and circled his body.
The five soul rings shone white, yellow, yellow, purple, and purple. Cries of astonishment filled the restaurant as everyone was shaken by Ye Zhiqiu's formidable presence.
After all, Soul Kings were already uncommon on the continent, and the vast majority of those in the restaurant would never reach that rank.
The members of Shrek Academy wore grave expressions. They knew the coming battle would be a hard one.
"I Have a Big Sausage!"
"I have a Little Sausage!"
Several brightly colored sausages instantly appeared in Oscar's hands.
These sausages were no ordinary food, but his unique recovery Big Sausages, which possessed potent restorative abilities. Next, he took out the small, delicate Little Sausages. These were antidote sausages, capable of neutralizing poison at a critical moment.
Oscar handed the sausages to Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun, determination shining in his eyes. "We're counting on you three. Be careful."
"Leave it to us!" the three replied in unison.
Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun each took two sausages, then turned their gazes toward Ye Zhiqiu opposite them.
Ye Zhiqiu stood there, the aura of his Black Tortoise beast martial soul radiating from him, giving an impression of steadiness and weight.
As their captain, Dai Mubai calmly assessed the situation. "A Black Tortoise beast martial soul must have stronger defense than offense. Our goal is to break through his defenses. Only then can we win."
Ma Hongjun grinned with complete confidence. "Relax! He's an old tortoise, while yours truly is a phoenix. Fire overcomes water. We're sure to win, all right?"
Tang San silently brushed his hand over the Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night at his waist. He already had a plan.
Although his main role was support, he was also prepared to strike with hidden weapons at a critical moment and deliver a fatal blow to the enemy.
Ye Zhiqiu is an enemy anyway, so there's no need for me to hold back.
Amid the tense atmosphere, as everyone held their breath, Dai Mubai did not wait for Ye Zhiqiu to act. Instead, he launched the first attack.
Dai Mubai's second soul ring suddenly blazed with white light. The intense radiance condensed into a dazzling orb, and with a low roar from his lips, White Tiger Fierce Light Wave shot toward Ye Zhiqiu like the first light of dawn, carrying matchless force.
"White Tiger Fierce Light Wave! Let's see how you block this!" Dai Mubai's voice brimmed with confidence and fighting spirit.
At the same time, Tang San moved swiftly. His figure swept like the wind as he quietly approached Ye Zhiqiu from another direction.
Ma Hongjun's face lit up with excitement. His long mohawk trembled with the surge of soul power, and his first soul ring shone brilliantly.
Then a purplish-red Phoenix Fire Line burst forth, writhing through the air like a fiery serpent as it shot straight at Ye Zhiqiu.
"Haha, old tortoise, you'd better watch out! The three of us aren't playing around!" the fatty laughed, his tone full of taunts and provocation.
Faced with this sudden attack from three sides, Ye Zhiqiu showed not the slightest panic.
Black light blazed over his entire body, and he let out a thunderous growl. His first and second soul rings lit up simultaneously as his bulky body swiftly spun halfway around, exposing the rock-solid tortoise shell on his back.
At the same time, a stream-like surge of black light spread from his body, carrying a bitter chill that instantly froze the surrounding air.
This was Ye Zhiqiu's second soul ring skill-Mysterious Water Ice Seal.
"Hmph, these little brats do have some ability, but they're still a long way from defeating me, Ye Zhiqiu!" Ye Zhiqiu sneered, a trace of contempt flashing in his eyes.
As soon as the battle began, Ye Zhiqiu had used two soul ring skills: Black Tortoise Protection and Mysterious Water Ice Seal.
Only by dealing with these youths as quickly as possible and teaching them an unforgettable lesson could he both vent his anger and demonstrate Canghui Academy's strength.
The White Tiger Fierce Light Wave exploded against Ye Zhiqiu's sturdy shell, like muffled thunder reverberating through a valley.
Yet, faced with the immense gap in their soul power, this formidable attack was like a blow against a hard iron plate. Ye Zhiqiu's body did not so much as sway. He simply stood where he was, like a towering mountain, unmoved by the battering wind and rain.
At the instant the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave exploded, Tang San had already slipped close to Ye Zhiqiu.
He drew a deep breath and immediately felt an intensely cold current rush into his face, as though he had stepped into an ice cellar.
The chill was fierce and overbearing, making Tang San feel as if every blood vessel in his body were about to freeze.
Alarmed, Tang San dared not be careless. He hurriedly circulated his Mysterious Heaven Skill at full speed to dispel the cold.
At the same time, he stopped moving and no longer charged forward.
But Tang San's blue silver grass martial soul swiftly spread like agile tentacles, winding toward Ye Zhiqiu from every direction.
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