Eight into Four

On the afternoon of the fifth day, the atmosphere in the arena was even more lively than in the previous days.

The number of spectators in the stands did not decrease; on the contrary, it seemed to be increasing. There were teachers from the Spirit Hall Academy, stewards from various branch halls who had come to observe, and many well-informed veteran Soul Master.

After five days of fierce competition, with 400 teams undergoing rounds of elimination, only eight remain. Today marks the quarterfinals, the elimination round for the top four teams.

After the selection process, the team formation was handed over to the examiners. The teachers reorganized the teams based on the students' performance over the past few days, piecing together eight well-balanced teams with different styles and Soul Master. Victory or defeat depended not only on individual cultivation levels, but also on whether this group of temporary partners could unite as one on the battlefield.

Ning Buhui three companions remained seated in their familiar stands. Yan, clutching the match schedule, repeatedly flipped through it. "All eight teams have been reorganized. That interesting support player with the Bronze Mirror Martial Soul has been assigned to the Red Team. His teammates are Sky-Breaking Spear, Shadow Cat, Mist Bell, and Iron Wall Ape —the lineup is quite complete."

"It's that Sky-Breaking Spear from the one-on-one competition, the one that pierced through a thick stone slab," Xie Yue said. "Level 47, a Power Attack System, with fierce and unrestrained spear techniques."

Ning Buhui's gaze swept over the red team's roster: Phantom Bronze Mirror, level 45 Auxiliary System; Sky-Breaking Spear, level 47 Power Attack System; Shadow Cat, level 46 Agility Attack System; Mist Bell, level 47 Control System; Iron Wall Ape, level 45 Defense System. One support, one control, one defense, two offensive, and one agility-based – a standard balanced lineup.

Their opponents, the Blue Team, are equally formidable. The captain's Martial Soul is the Gale Vulture Lightning Hammer, a level 47 Power Attack System; the remaining four are the Gale Eagle (level 46 Agility Attack System), the Rock Armor Giant Lizard (level 44 Defense System), the Nether Spring Harp (level 45 Control System), and the Dream-Weaving Spider (level 45 Auxiliary System), forming a solid standard lineup.

"Both sides are roughly equal in terms of fundamentals," Ning Buhui said slowly. "The Red Team's Phantom Bronze Mirror leans towards disruption and tactical control, while the Blue Team 'Dream-Weaving Spider excels in defense and sustain. The key to victory lies in which side can maximize the effectiveness of their support role."

The referee stepped to the center of the field, confirmed both competitors were ready, and raised his flag to begin the countdown. "Five, four, three, two, one—Go!"

The Blue Team 'Dream-Weaving Spider Soul Master made the first move. Her First Soul Ring lit up, and fine, silvery-white spider silk shot from between her ten fingers, weaving into a net in mid-air and gently covering her five teammates. She uttered a soft shout, "First Soul Skill ' Dream-Weaving Garment '!"

Silver threads adhered to everyone's skin, forming a flexible protective film. Immediately afterward, the Second Soul Ring lit up, a soft green light rippled across the spider silk, and the entire team's Soul Power recovery speed increased in unison. He whispered, "Second Soul Skill, ' Rejuvenating Silk '!"

On the other side, the Red Team's Phantom Bronze Mirror Soul Master remained calm. His First Soul Ring rose, and with a flick of his wrist, the bronze mirror in his hand expanded rapidly, transforming into a layered mirror maze that completely enveloped the Red Team's formation. The maze wasn't completely sealed off; several gaps were deliberately left open, allowing the Blue Team to vaguely see figures moving inside, but they couldn't discern who was who or which direction their attacks were directed.

"The Bronze Mirror's tactics are exactly the same as before," Hu Liena commented in a low voice. "Leaving gaps to let the opponent see the outline but not lock onto the target, Dream-Weaving Spider's Dream-Weaving Garment provides targeted buffs. If the target can't be seen clearly, the buffs are difficult to apply accurately."

The Blue Team's Lightning Hammer Soul Master frowned, his First Soul Ring lit up, and a ring of purple and white lightning crackled around the hammer as he strode straight towards the Mirror Array Maze. He shouted, "First Soul Skill ' Lightning Flash '!"

He slammed the hammer down on the mirror, arcs of electricity scattering and exploding across its surface. However, after the damage was spread out, the mirror remained completely unscathed. The Mirror Maze was vast; such an attack simply couldn't withstand the damage it couldn't handle. He charged up and swung the hammer again, his Second Soul Ring activating. He uttered a soft shout, "Second Soul Skill ' Lightning Net '!"

A vast Lightning Net erupted from the hammerhead, engulfing the mirror in front of it. The lightning crackled and boomed incessantly, but the mirror only trembled slightly, failing to shatter. The Phantom Bronze Mirror Soul Master's Fourth Soul Ring lit up immediately, and he whispered, "Fourth Soul Skill ' Mirror Flower, Water Moon '!"

Instantly, all members of the red team, including the Bronze Mirror Soul Master himself, were enveloped in mirror light, and all their attributes were amplified.

"The maze of the bronze mirror has a damage tolerance limit, but it's difficult to break through by relying on a single person to attack it head-on," Ning Buhui calmly. "The Lightning Hammer only has a chance if it's coordinated with teammates to focus fire."

The Blue Team's Gale Vulture Soul Master moved. His Second Soul Ring shone brightly, his figure soared into the air, wings outstretched, and he swooped down towards the gap on the side of the maze. He shouted, "Second Soul Skill ' Cloud-Piercing Strike '!"

He planned to cut in from the flank and head straight for the backline support. However, the gap in the maze was a deliberately set trap. As soon as the Gale Vulture entered, it ran headlong into the Iron Wall Ape Soul Master guarding the inside. The Iron Wall Ape's First Soul Ring lit up, its arms covered in thick gray-black Rock Armor. It took a step forward, firmly blocking his path. It said in a deep voice, "First Soul Skill ' Rock Armor '!"

The Gale Vulture couldn't stop in time, and its sharp claws slammed into the surface of the Rock Armor, leaving only three shallow white marks.

"The Bronze Mirror Soul Master's maze can disrupt the opponent's formation." Xie Yue nodded. "It looks like a breakthrough point. Charge in, and you'll be met with the Iron Wall Ape's frontal defense."

The Gale Vulture was tightly bound by the Iron Wall Ape, while the Lightning Hammer continued to bombard the mirror array from the outside. The Blue Team's Youquan Qin Soul Master's Third Soul Ring lit up; her fingertips plucked the strings, and clear, melodious music slowly resonated, spreading into the mirror array. She whispered, "Third Soul Skill, ' Soul-Disrupting Melody '!"

The music pierced through the maze, disrupting the flow of Soul Power among the Red Team members. The Soul Master of the Mist Bell immediately countered, her Third Soul Ring lighting up. She shook the copper bell in her hand vigorously and uttered a soft shout, "Third Soul Skill ' One Leaf Obscures the Eye '!" A large swath of gray-white mist surged from the bell, filling the entire Mirror Maze.

The fog not only obscured visibility but also affected sound propagation. The sound of Youquanqin was torn apart by the fog, causing the power of the Soul-Disrupting Melody to be reduced by more than half.

"The two Control System are clashing," Yan said. "The 'Blinding the One Leaf Obscures the Eye of the Mist Bell has a wide coverage area and can also affect the propagation of sound, which is a perfect counter to the opposing Youquan Qin Soul Master. Team Blue is in trouble."

The red team launched a counterattack. The Sky-Breaking Spear Soul Master burst forth from the gap in the maze, his First Soul Ring illuminating, a blinding silver light condensing at the spear tip, aimed directly at the Blue Team 'Dream-Weaving Spider Soul Master. He shouted, "First Soul Skill ' Pierce '!"

The Dream-Weaving Spider Soul Master reacted with lightning speed. Her First Soul Ring lit up, and her ten fingers moved with incredible speed, weaving a thick web of spider silk in front of her. With a soft shout, she unleashed, "First Soul Skill ' Dream-Weaving Garment '!"

The spearhead pierced through seven or eight layers of spider silk before finally stopping. The Dream-Weaving Spider's support Soul Master staggered back half a step, but fortunately, he wasn't eliminated. Then, the Third Soul Ring lit up, and spider silk spread out beneath his feet. At the same time, he softly chanted, "Third Soul Skill ' Coil Silk and Weave a Web '." He walked extremely fast on the spider web, almost gliding.

Seeing that its attack had failed, the Sky-Breaking Spear quickly withdrew its spear and charged forward, relentlessly attacking the Dream-Weaving Spider Soul Master. However, the Dream-Weaving Spider Soul Master moved too fast on its web, and the spear could not catch up with it.

At the same moment, the Shadow Cat Soul Master stealthily emerged from the other side, his Third Soul Ring illuminating. His figure transformed into a gray shadow, rushing straight towards the Nether Spring Qin Soul Master who was playing the qin. He whispered, "Third Soul Skill ' Shadow Raid '!"

Youquan Qin was focused on battling the Mist Bell with her Soul Skill, leaving her no time to attend to the flanks. The Rock Armor Giant Lizard Soul Master swiftly moved forward, her First Soul Ring illuminating, her entire body encased in earthen-yellow Rock Armor, allowing her to withstand the attack. She exclaimed in a deep voice, "First Soul Skill ' Hardening '!"

The Shadow Cat's claws grazed the surface of the Rock Armor, causing it to slip and fail to inflict any damage. Having missed its target, the Shadow Cat didn't hesitate, darting back into the maze.

"The red team's strategy is to attack in one wave and then retreat, stalling and wearing down the enemy, making it difficult for the blue team to catch them," Yan remarked.

The Blue Team's Lightning Hammer Soul Master was impatient. His Fourth Soul Ring suddenly surged, and purple-white arcs of electricity crackled across the hammer. He raised the hammer above his head with both hands and slammed it down towards the center of the maze with all his might. He shouted, "Fourth Soul Skill ' Thunder Purgatory '!" At the same time, he yelled at the Gale Vulture Soul Master, and together they attacked the Mirror Maze. They needed to break through this troublesome maze first.

With this combined attack, the entire mirror array trembled violently, large sections of the mirror surface shattered, and the Mirror Maze finally reached its damage-bearing limit, gradually disintegrating. Even the Phantom Bronze Mirror Soul Master himself was shaken back half a step. At the same time, the fragmented battlefield gradually became visible.

Seeing the Mirror Maze broken, the Bronze Mirror Soul Master knew this was all the information he could gather. Then, his Third Soul Ring lit up, and a perfectly intact mirror appeared behind him. From its reflection emerged a figure identical to the Lightning Hammer. He uttered a soft shout, "Third Soul Skill, ' Mirror Clone '!"

The clone, also wielding Lightning Hammer, charged straight at the main body. The Lightning Hammer Soul Master was slightly taken aback, then swung his hammer to meet it. The clone used the exact same hammer technique to collide with the main body, and the Lightning Hammer Soul Master went numb from the recoil.

"The clone possesses about 80% of the original's strength," Ning Buhui said slowly. "If enhanced by the Mirror Flower, Water Moon technique, its power would be even greater."

Before the words were even finished, the Phantom Bronze Mirror Soul Master's Fourth Soul Ring lit up, and a golden light landed on the Lightning Hammer clone, causing the clone's speed and attack power to surge simultaneously. At the same time, he whispered, "Fourth Soul Skill ' Mirror Flower, Water Moon '!"

Lightning Hammer was tightly entangled by its own clone and could not break free.

On the other side, the Gale Vulture Soul Master, having just escaped the Iron Wall Ape Soul Master's entanglement due to the maze's collapse, circled around to the other side of the maze, intending to launch a surprise attack on the Mist Bell Soul Master. The Mist Bell Soul Master seemed to be prepared; her Second Soul Ring lit up, and with a flick of her copper bell, a gray-white sound wave shot straight towards the Gale Vulture's face. She uttered a soft shout, "Second Soul Skill ' Soul-Shaking Bell '!"

The Gale Vulture throbbed with pain from the sonic wave, momentarily halting its movements. Shadow Cat seized the opportunity, darting out from the side, its Second Soul Ring activating. It shouted, "Second Soul Skill, ' Consecutive Claws '!"

Five sharp claws lashed out in succession. The Gale Vulture Soul Master barely dodged the first few blows, but the last claw landed on his shoulder, and bright red blood immediately seeped out. The Gale Vulture Soul Master gritted his teeth, flapped his wings, and hastily retreated back into the blue team's formation.

The Dream-Weaving Spider Soul Master quickly buffed her teammates, her first and Second Soul Ring lighting up alternately, and the Dream-Weaving Garment and Rejuvenating Silk continuously empowering them. The area covered by the Coil Silk and Weave a Web expanded, instantly doubling the speed of the Blue Team as they moved through it. Simultaneously, the Dream-Weaving Spider Soul Master unleashed her strongest empowering Soul Skill —her Fourth Soul Skill, ' Spin a Cocoon to Bind Life '. A massive cocoon enveloped her teammates, absorbing 50% of the damage and increasing all their attributes by 20%.

After using her Fourth Soul Skill, the Dream-Weaving Spider Soul Master's Soul Power was almost depleted, leaving her with virtually no strength left to fight.

The illusion created by the Mist Bell Soul Master's "One Leaf Obscures the Eye" had been largely dispelled by the Third Soul Skill "Shadow-Clearing Astral Wind" used by the Blue Team's Gale Vulture Soul Master in attacking the maze. Seeing this, the Mist Bell Soul Master knew that the battle had reached its most critical moment. Without hesitation, her Fourth Soul Ring shone brightly, and while frantically shaking the bell in her hand, she shouted, "Fourth Soul Skill ' Soul Disorientation '!"

The sound waves spread out in concentric circles, and the blue team members who heard the ringtone immediately felt dizzy and disoriented, and felt a sense of weightlessness under their feet.

"Team Blue is in danger," Hu Liena said. "The Soul Master Youquan Qin and the Soul Master Mist Bell are mutually restraining, but because her Soul Power Level is two levels lower than her opponent's, she is being subtly outmaneuvered and unable to establish effective control. With one side lacking a control Soul Master, the outcome is already obvious."

Ning Buhui nodded in agreement.

The Phantom Bronze Mirror Soul Master activated his abilities once more, unleashing his Fourth Soul Skill, ' Mirror Flower, Water Moon, ' which covered all his teammates. Simultaneously, his Second Soul Skill, ' Reflecting Mirror Light, ' acted upon himself and several teammates in poor condition. Their pale and weak faces, due to excessive Soul Power consumption, immediately improved, and they regained their strength to fight again.

As expected, with the Soul Master Youquan Qin being countered, the Soul Master Mist Bell controlled the entire field. The Blue Team had no better way to deal with it and was gradually defeated one by one by the opposing team.

The referee raised his flag to stop the match. "Red team wins!"

The two teams walked off the field, and the teachers and elders in the examination hall exchanged their opinions in hushed tones. The Soul Douluo elder did not speak immediately, but simply nodded slightly to the deacon beside him. The deacon stood up and called out to the waiting contestants on the sidelines, "The two sides of the second match, please prepare to enter the arena."

Ning Buhui and the other three got up from the stands and stretched. Yan stretched and yawned. "This bronze mirror support is really powerful. It copied the Lightning Hammer Soul Master's clone, directly creating a 6 vs 5 situation, and even trapped the opposing captain to death. However, only one clone can be maintained at a time. Once the second one is released, the first one dissipates. Otherwise, the blue team would have collapsed even faster."

"His ' Mirror Flower, Water Moon can be freely buffed to targets, enhancing his clones and significantly increasing their damage output," Xie Yue added. "Reflecting Mirror Light can also briefly restore health, providing extremely strong sustain. It's incredibly versatile in team battles."

"His weakness is his level," Ning Buhui commented calmly. "At level 45, his Soul Power reserves can't sustain multitasking for long. If he were leveled up to 55, he could slowly wear down a team just by using the Mirror Maze, clones, and recovery abilities."

Hu Liena turned her head to look at him. "You seem quite interested in this Phantom Martial Soul."

"This type of Martial Soul is extremely rare," Ning Buhui replied. "Record, copy, clone, amplify—the entire set of Soul Skill is tactical. Placed in a suitable team, it's even more troublesome than a simple amplification support."

Yan waved his hand. "Alright, alright, the next match is about to start. Sit down and let's watch it slowly."