"Junior Mu, you truly live up to your name. What extraordinary talent!"
Dai Yaoheng was overshadowed by Mu Changqing's imposing presence. Already a rank-42 Soul Ancestor at fourteen, he had considered his own talent outstanding. He had never expected that beyond every great man stood another, and beyond every heaven lay another sky.
"We haven't even started fighting, and the air already reeks of gunpowder!"
Ma Xiaotao fanned the flames from the side.
"Hello!"
Like an icy beauty, Ling Luochen offered only a brief greeting. It was unclear whether she was naturally aloof or socially anxious.
"All right, everyone's here. Let's split into teams!"
"Mu Changqing, Na'er, and I will be one team!"
"Dai Yaoheng, Ling Luochen, and Bei Bei will be the other! Any objections?"
Ma Xiaotao stepped forward and stood among the five. Of the six, she had the highest Soul Power rank. At fourteen, her Soul Power had already reached rank 47.
No one spoke up. They did not mind who their teammates were. This was only a sparring match, after all, and they would stop short of going too far.
Mu Changqing's team headed to the right side of the soul battle platform, while Dai Yaoheng's team headed left. The teams put some distance between them, leaving a broad stretch of open space in the center.
"Na'er, just stay in the back and provide control. Ma Xiaotao, attack from the air! If you can, take out Ling Luochen first!"
"We don't really need any tactics. Just attack hard!"
Ma Xiaotao, Na'er, and Mu Changqing huddled together to discuss their plan.
On the left side of the soul battle arena.
"Tell us about yourselves so we can get familiar with one another."
"My Martial Soul is the Evil-Eyed White Tiger. I'm a rank-42 battle Soul Ancestor!"
Standing to one side, Dai Yaoheng introduced himself to Bei Bei with a calm expression.
"My Martial Soul is the Holy Dragon of Light. I'm a rank-28 battle Soul Grandmaster!"
The moment Bei Bei said his Martial Soul was the Holy Dragon of Light, Dai Yaoheng and Ling Luochen covered their mouths in slight shock.
"My Martial Soul controls the ice element. I'm a rank-37 control-type Soul Elder!"
Ling Luochen parted her lips slightly and spoke.
"They have two battle Soul Masters, and so do we. Bei Bei, you hold off Mu Changqing. I'll launch a direct assault on Ma Xiaotao and see whether I can find a chance to defeat their control Soul Master!"
Dai Yaoheng spread his hands as he explained their upcoming tactics. Bei Bei and Ling Luochen listened quietly, nodding from time to time.
When Bei Bei heard that he was supposed to hold off Mu Changqing, he thought it had to be a joke! He was afraid that Mu Changqing, that Dayun truck, would send him flying. Last month, Bei Bei had challenged Mu Changqing brimming with confidence, only to get beaten so badly that it had left a shadow over him.
"All right!"
Bei Bei agreed helplessly.
"Well, well!"
"Little monsters! Having a spar? I happen to be bored, so I'll be your referee."
At some point, Xuan Zi had appeared in the center of the soul battle arena, his voice languid.
"Begin!"
With that, Xuan Zi leaped out of the soul battle arena. A good show was about to begin.
"First Soul Skill, Dragon King Overlord Body!"
"Second Soul Skill, Dragon Blood Boiling!"
"Third Soul Skill, Golden Soul Power!"
The instant Xuan Zi finished speaking, three Soul Rings-purple, purple, and black-flashed beneath Mu Changqing's feet. Golden dragon scales covered his entire body, and he clenched his Golden Dragon Claw into a fist as he charged at Dai Yaoheng.
Under the effects of Mu Changqing's second Soul Skill and second Soul Skill, Ma Xiaotao and Na'er brimmed with fighting spirit. Ma Xiaotao underwent Evil Fire Phoenix possession and beat her fiery-red phoenix wings, flying at tremendous speed to support Mu Changqing.
"First Soul Skill, White Tiger Barrier!"
"Third Soul Skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
Dai Yaoheng underwent Evil-Eyed White Tiger possession, his entire body growing larger. Under the effects of his first and third Soul Skills, a barrier appeared before him, and his attack and defense increased across the board.
Mu Changqing shattered the paper-thin barrier before Dai Yaoheng, his golden dragon fist slamming into Dai Yaoheng's white tiger claw.
Dai Yaoheng had not expected Mu Changqing to be so strong. The Golden Dragon truly deserved its reputation as the progenitor of strength. He retreated two steps and swept out a powerful tiger leg, aiming at Mu Changqing's head, while his white tiger claw collided with Mu Changqing's golden dragon fist.
"Second Soul Skill, White Tiger Fierce Light Wave!"
Dai Yaoheng spat out a platinum-colored light wave. Mu Changqing turned sideways to block his tiger kick, taking the second Soul Skill head-on with the golden dragon scales on his chest. Mu Changqing staggered back seven or eight steps.
"First Soul Skill, Phoenix Fireline!"
"Second Soul Skill, Phoenix Wings Heavenly Soaring!"
With her Soul Skills' enhancements, Ma Xiaotao's flames and attack range increased across the board. She breathed out a straight line of fire aimed at Ling Luochen.
"First Soul Skill, Radiant Dragon Claw!"
"Second Soul Skill, Holy Dragon Light Wings!"
Bei Bei underwent Holy Dragon of Light possession. Under the effects of his second Soul Skill, a pair of radiant dragon wings sprouted from his back. His platinum dragon claws gathered power and struck out with Radiant Dragon Claw, blocking Ma Xiaotao's fiery beam. However, the flames still spread over the area where Ling Luochen stood.
"Second Soul Skill, Ice Armor Protection!"
"Third Soul Skill, Ice Prison!"
Two yellow Soul Rings flashed beneath Ling Luochen's feet. Frost condensed underfoot, extinguishing Ma Xiaotao's flames, and ice armor covered her slender figure. A cage suddenly thrust up from underground where Mu Changqing stood, trapping him inside.
"Fourth Soul Skill, White Tiger Meteor Shower!"
The instant Mu Changqing was trapped, Dai Yaoheng unleashed his fourth Soul Skill. A vast meteor shower fell from above his head, attacking Mu Changqing.
"First Soul Skill, Elemental Tide!"
"Second Soul Skill, Elemental Control!"
Divine power from the two great elements, water and fire, covered Na'er's silver dragon claws. Two purple-gold Soul Rings circled her body.
Waves of air released by the water element continually neutralized the White Tiger Meteor Shower. Na'er condensed a sphere of power that fused water and fire, then launched it at Dai Yaoheng.
Mu Changqing forcefully crushed the Ice Prison with his Golden Dragon Claw and shot forward once more. He activated Golden Dragon Body and Golden Dragon Tyrant Body, further increasing his defense and strength.
Mu Changqing followed close behind the sphere. As Dai Yaoheng dealt with it, Mu Changqing engaged him in close combat, every punch from the two landing on flesh.
"Fourth Soul Skill, Phoenix Skyhowl Strike!"
Ma Xiaotao beat her fiery phoenix wings, erupting with a massive pillar of flame centered on herself. Bei Bei immediately grabbed Ling Luochen and pulled her away from the sea of fire.
Now holding the Silver Dragon Spear, Na'er suddenly lunged into Bei Bei and Ling Luochen's area. Their Soul Power was nearly exhausted; how could they resist the sudden thrust of the Silver Dragon Spear?
Xuan Zi intervened and caught the Silver Dragon Spear's tip. Na'er withdrew the spear as well.
"Mu Changqing's team wins this spar!"
Xuan Zi tossed away the chicken bone in his hand and spoke in a languid voice.
Dai Yaoheng, who had been taking a beating, immediately moved away from Mu Changqing. Mu Changqing stopped pressing his advantage.
"Does your Soul Power never run out?!"
Dai Yaoheng let out a wail. He was utterly exhausted and plopped down on the ground. He had truly never been in such a sorry state. Mu Changqing had kept him on the back foot throughout the fight, and every time he tried to strike back, his Martial Soul was suppressed.
"All three of my Soul Skills are enhancement types. They can enhance my teammates too!"
Smiling, Mu Changqing reached out and pulled Dai Yaoheng to his feet.