"Shangguan Can?"
A faint change finally appeared in Ye Wuqing's usually cold eyes.
Shangguan Can's martial soul was rather special—it was a rare spiritual-type martial soul. However, unlike Xu Zihuang's spiritual main body martial soul, Shangguan Can's soul skills related to spiritual power were all released through his bell-shaped tool martial soul.
In terms of martial soul quality, he wasn't even on the same level as Xu Zihuang's Golden Eyes.
Unfortunately, Zheng Tian Academy had never realized this.
After all, the soul skills and abilities Xu Zihuang had displayed in the previous matches didn't seem at all related to spiritual attributes on the surface.
His second soul skill, Mirror of Annihilation, needed no further explanation—it originated from the top-tier soul beast Evil Demon Orca, and its essence was to convert intangible soul power into tangible, crimson crystal for control and destruction.
Spiritual power only served to lock onto the target.
As for the fourth soul skill, Imprint, it was indeed a purely spiritual ability—but not many people knew about the Silver Shadow Beast, from which that skill originated.
Even within Shrek Academy, with its ten-thousand-year heritage, records of that species were scarce.
Even Lang Ya and Yu Tao of the Body Sect had to observe Xu Zihuang over time before confirming he possessed a spiritual main body martial soul.
How could Zheng Tian Academy's heritage possibly compare to Shrek Academy's or the Body Sect's?
So, from the very beginning, they had made a fatal mistake.
As captain, Ye Wuqing didn't panic, but calmly adjusted his strategy.
"Fall back," he commanded sharply.
He was, of course, referring to Yu Mengdi, who had rushed forward alone into enemy lines.
Without Shangguan Can's support, no matter how powerful her martial soul was, she could never withstand the combined assault of Shrek Academy's members.
If she were surrounded, even Ye Wuqing would be unable to assist her in time.
Although Ye Wuqing was proud and arrogant, he wasn't a fool. Moreover, from Chen Zifeng, that inner court member of Shrek Academy, he could feel enormous pressure.
Up above the arena, Yu Mengdi, currently under her Angel Possession state, had her eyes turn to radiant gold, exuding divine nobility.
Xu Zihuang's eyes, too, gleamed with the same gold—but his were detached, as though gazing down upon the world from the heavens.
Their gazes met midair.
Yu Mengdi held her twin sacred swords, formed from her first soul skill, before her. As someone born with the top-tier Angel martial soul, she had always been exceedingly proud. In terms of future potential, she even surpassed Ye Wuqing.
Yet now, she had to admit that Yu Tianhuang (Xu Zihuang) possessed a presence that drew her in.
Hearing Ye Wuqing's warning, she dared not be careless. She quickly flapped her white wings, rising higher to gain distance.
Yu Mengdi had witnessed both of Xu Zihuang's previous battles. His terrifying area-control soul skill, and that strange copying ability that could mimic an opponent's power—she had seen them both.
Thus, her first reaction was to retreat rapidly and avoid using soul skills.
By normal reasoning, even the strongest area-control abilities of control-type soul masters were limited in range.
The competition stage measured one hundred meters across, with a hemispherical soul barrier reaching about the same height. She didn't believe Yu Tianhuang's soul skills could cover the entire arena.
But that assumption was entirely wrong.
From the moment Shangguan Can suffered soul skill backlash to when Yu Mengdi retreated—everything happened within a single instant.
The distance between the two teams was already less than one hundred meters, more than enough for Shrek Academy to close in within attack range.
At Shrek's front charged Chen Zifeng, the level-fifty-seven assault-type battle soul master.
Once he released his Soulchasing Sword, his demeanor changed entirely—his presence radiated a chilling, murderous intent. Gripping the blood-red sword with no guard in his right hand, he dashed forward, leaving a crimson afterimage in midair. Even the air itself seemed to tear apart, the scent of blood thick around him.
Behind him followed Beibei and Xu Sanshi. The aura of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and the Xuanming Turtle Shield merged perfectly with Chen Zifeng's momentum, forming a triangle that crushed forward toward Zheng Tian Academy.
Ye Wuqing barely held his ground against Chen Zifeng's pressure, but the two behind him—Blood Wolf and Yang Yifan—were clearly outmatched by Beibei and Xu Sanshi.
Blood Wolf's martial soul was simply a Soul Wolf, not particularly strong. Under martial soul possession, his body bulged with muscle and silver-gray fur, his claws the same hue. Yang Yifan's martial soul was a slender dagger, about the same length as Xu Zihuang's Orca Fang.
Unfortunately, both were completely suppressed.
Just then, Xu Zihuang's calm voice echoed:
"Assault."
Just one word—but Chen Zifeng, Beibei, and Xu Sanshi obeyed without hesitation. They had already witnessed Yu Tianhuang's leadership and power countless times.
The five rings around Chen Zifeng's sword pulsed in unison, the first three lighting up almost simultaneously.
First Soul Skill: Sharp.
Second Soul Skill: Break.
These two enhanced his offensive power, much like Yang Wushang's spear abilities—but Chen Zifeng's strength far surpassed his. The sharp aura radiating from his sword carved clean grooves into the marble floor beneath him.
Even Beibei and Xu Sanshi, closest to him, felt their skin prickle painfully from the razor edge of that energy.
They both realized with shock—Chen Zifeng had clearly hidden his true strength during their sparring sessions.
Indeed, that was true. His Void Sword Control was merely his martial soul's innate ability. Only when he wielded the Soulchasing Sword did he reach his true form.
The third purple ring flared, and blood-red light engulfed him entirely. Even his eyes turned scarlet—like a Shura from hell.
From the waiting area, Wang Yan suddenly stood up, his expression one of alarm.
This technique reminded him of the Tool Martial Soul True Body, something only Tool Soul Masters could use after reaching level seventy.
For Beast Soul Masters, the seventh soul ring brought the Martial Soul True Body, merging with their soul beast form to fight at exponentially higher power.
Tool Soul Masters, however, gained the Tool Martial Soul True Body, infusing their own soul essence into their weapon to unleash its ultimate might.
If the martial soul was powerful, the explosion of power could even exceed a beast soul's true body.
And Wang Yan's judgment was correct.
Chen Zifeng's third soul skill, Man and Sword as One, channeled part of his soul essence into the Soulchasing Sword, achieving a near-perfect fusion and unleashing terrifying destructive force.
It was effectively a weakened version of the Tool Soul True Body.
Shrek Academy's inner court disciples were never simple.
Though Chen Zifeng was only level fifty-seven, even Dai Yueheng, a Soul Emperor, couldn't guarantee victory against him.
If it were a true life-and-death fight, even if Dai Yueheng survived, he would pay dearly.
That was the terrifying power of a Tool Soul Master—especially one specialized purely in slaughter.
Beibei and Xu Sanshi also released their amplification skills—
Beibei: Third Soul Skill, Wrath of Thunder.
Xu Sanshi: Third Soul Skill, Xuanming Force.
Hidden behind them, Jiang Nannan positioned herself carefully. Her slender figure made her almost invisible from Zheng Tian Academy's angle.
Meanwhile, Gongyang Mo, as the team's auxiliary-type soul master, spread his rainbow-colored wings wide.
The seven colors—red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, violet—radiated dazzlingly as his two yellow and one purple soul rings lit up.
His three amplification skills—Power of Red, Soul Force of Orange, and Speed of Yellow—expanded outward in glowing rings, perfectly attaching to his teammates.
Each effect boosted its target's attributes by 50%.
If Ning Tian's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda had reached the Soul King level, her amplifications would reach 60%. Gongyang Mo's fell slightly short, but his advantage was that his buffs did not consume ongoing soul power once cast.
The auras faded only when the halos dissipated naturally.
His fine control allowed him to assign effects precisely:
Chen Zifeng received all three buffs.
Beibei and Xu Sanshi received Power and Soul Force.
Xu Zihuang and He Caitou received Soul Force.
Jiang Nannan received only Speed.
Tailored perfection.
The team's momentum surged explosively.
Xu Sanshi grinned lasciviously. "Feels good!" He raised his Xuanming Turtle Shield and slammed into Yang Yifan.
First Soul Skill: Xuanming Shock!
A dark translucent wave burst forth with a boom. Yang Yifan's reflexes were sharp, but before he could dodge, a ripple of crimson energy flooded the arena—
Zheng Tian Academy's seven members were instantly trapped within dark red crystal.
Xu Sanshi's shield smashed into Yang Yifan, shattering the crystal—and knocking Yang Yifan unconscious.
Had Xu Zihuang not softened the Mirror of Annihilation's density, the shattering alone would have pulverized Yang Yifan's body.
Meanwhile, Blood Wolf fared no better. At only level forty-two, he couldn't possibly resist Xu Zihuang's five-thousand-year soul skill.
Beibei's lightning dragon claw tore through the crystal and electrocuted Blood Wolf until his body went pitch black.
When the referee rescued him, he shot Beibei a strange look—only for Beibei to respond with an innocent smile.
From behind, Jiang Nannan leapt forward. Twisting gracefully in midair, she clamped her legs around Yan'er's neck and flipped, sending her cleanly out of bounds.
In moments, three Zheng Tian members were down.
Only the three strongest Soul Kings remained.
Yu Mengdi and Ye Wuqing had intended to assist, but they were too overwhelmed.
Yu Mengdi's fourth soul ring flared, her white wings folding around her into a glowing cocoon—
Fourth Soul Skill: Angel's Protection.
Her strong martial soul let her break free of Xu Zihuang's second soul skill within a second.
But what awaited her next was a barrage of blazing white light spheres.
Yes—He Caitou had entered the fray.
Metallic tubes extended from his massive body, spitting concentrated beams of white energy.
Meanwhile, Ye Wuqing, after escaping Xu Zihuang's skill, found himself completely suppressed by Chen Zifeng.
Golden leaves burst from Ye Wuqing's glowing left hand, slicing, swirling, and weaving into nets of razor-sharp brilliance—
But Chen Zifeng countered all of it with a single swing.
One sword to break all techniques.
Scarlet sword light shredded through the golden storm. The might of a Shrek inner court disciple was undeniable.
At the rear, Tang Xiaolei finally broke free of his crystal prison—only to see Jiang Nannan flash before him.
He immediately drew his violet-patterned bow and loosed a golden arrow, fast as lightning.
But Jiang Nannan's fourth soul ring glowed—
Fourth Soul Skill: Invincible Golden Body!
The arrow struck the golden barrier and sparked harmlessly. Tang Xiaolei's pupils shrank; before he could nock another arrow, Jiang Nannan appeared behind him.
Third Soul Skill: Instant Teleportation.
Her Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul wasn't powerful by itself, but her soul skills were exceptional—Gravity Control, Instant Teleportation, Invincible Golden Body—all dream skills for any soul master.
Against a ranged attacker like Tang Xiaolei, she was unstoppable.
He had no chance to resist before being flipped off the stage by her Waist Bow.
Less than a minute had passed since the match began.
Once again, Shrek Academy demonstrated why they were called the number one academy on the continent.
Ye Wuqing, forced back by Chen Zifeng's blade, gasped heavily, his face dark with frustration.
In midair, Yu Mengdi reappeared, her wings charred, her golden glow dimmed—her strength clearly exhausted.
She landed beside Ye Wuqing, fear flickering in her eyes.
With Gongyang Mo's buffs, He Caitou's soul tool firepower had reached Soul King level—and below level seventy, no soul master could rival a Soul Engineer's destructive power.
Had it not been for her powerful Angel martial soul, she would've fallen already.
Even so, her remaining soul power was less than thirty percent.
Now it was seven against two—and both Yu Mengdi and Ye Wuqing were nearly spent. The outcome was clear.
Though everyone in Shrek had performed brilliantly, they all knew who had orchestrated it—
their team's control-type core: Yu Tianhuang (Xu Zihuang).
Chen Zifeng pointed his blood-red sword at Ye Wuqing.
"Concede."
His voice carried chilling intent.
Ye Wuqing clenched his fists, glaring back coldly. After a long silence, he shifted his gaze toward Xu Zihuang.
"I didn't lose to you."
Then he turned and walked off the stage.
In pure one-on-one power, he refused to believe he was weaker than Chen Zifeng.
Yu Mengdi hesitated briefly, then followed him—though before turning away, she gave Xu Zihuang a strange, lingering look.
As the soul barrier around the stage faded, the referee stepped forward and announced loudly:
"Fourth round-robin match—Shrek Academy vs. Zheng Tian Academy—Shrek Academy wins!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are 40 early chapters available on Patreo
[email protected]/facficmax10