This battle has been waited for too long.
Star Luo Royal Academy, Captain Davis, Vice Captain, Zhu Zhuyun.
This is a battle of destiny.
In fact, Xiang Chengxian has broken through to the Soul King level. With Shrek Academy's current strength, they don't even need Ma Hongjun to participate. Winning against Star Luo Royal Academy shouldn't be a problem.
However, this match is too important. Even the slightest possibility of failure is unacceptable.
This is related to the future of Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. To a certain extent, the main reason they participated in this Soul Master Competition was for this match.
The family relationship between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing is no secret in the Shrek Academy team.
Therefore, Shrek Academy will definitely go all out in this match.
If necessary, they might even kill Davis and Zhu Zhuyun.
"Shrek Academy team, enter!"
Ma Hongjun, Xiang Chengxian, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, Ning Rongrong!
As the seven walked onto the field, a heated discussion came from the audience.
The spectators now consist of Soul Masters from various factions; there are no longer any civilian spectators.
Therefore, the cheers are fewer.
This is Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong's first time on the field.
"He's finally on the field!"
"That Tang San, with his yellow, purple, and black Soul Master strength, is only a vice-captain. How strong will his captain be?"
"Soul King? Impossible!"
"There hasn't been a Soul King-level team yet. I've only heard of the Spirit Hall having one, but they haven't played yet."
"He's probably just a Soul Master!"
Not many people know Ma Hongjun's strength. Even after Xiang Chengxian broke through to Soul King, he hasn't shown his strength, so no one knows.
In the Shenfeng Academy team, Huo Wu's gaze is fixed on Ma Hongjun.
In order to defeat Shrek Academy, Blazing Fire Academy gave up its spot, and Blazing Fire's team joined Shenfeng Academy, combining the teams of the two academies to form a team entirely composed of Soul Masters.
Their strength already surpasses that of the two seeded teams, Heaven Dou and Star Luo.
Now they want to see what kind of strength Captain Ma Hongjun possesses so they can prepare a countermeasure in advance.
In their worst-case scenario, Ma Hongjun was a Soul King. However, they didn't know if Ma Hongjun was an ordinary Soul King or a freakish existence like Tang San among those of the same level.
If he was just an ordinary one, they still had a chance of winning.
The Tianshui Academy team didn't rest either. Shui Bing'er was also very interested in Ma Hongjun. She couldn't figure out where the strange feeling she had for him came from; this young man deeply stirred her heartstrings.
Qian Renxue watched from the VIP seats. From Bai Baoshan, she knew Ma Hongjun's strength. Watching was purely for appreciation, or rather, to cheer him on.
Actually, Qian Renxue was facing some contradictions. Because of Ma Hongjun's appearance, the Spirit Hall might not be able to win the championship so easily this year, and might even lose.
Although she and her Pope mother didn't have a deep relationship and didn't interfere with each other, it still concerned the interests of the Spirit Hall.
Ma Hongjun and she had a good relationship now, but after all, Ma Hongjun wasn't a member of the Spirit Hall.
All eyes were focused on this match; it was arguably no less significant than the Spirit Hall versus the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
This was Ma Hongjun's debut.
The two figures at the front of the Star Luo Royal Academy team looked somewhat familiar.
A man and a woman, resembling Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
They were Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's older siblings, Davis and Zhu Zhuyun.
Davis also had long, flowing golden hair, a lazy expression on his face, and shimmering purple light in his eyes, though not double pupils. His appearance was at least seven-tenths similar to Dai Mubai's, only he was a few sizes taller. Although casual, his smile still held a hint of arrogance.
Zhu Zhuyun was as beautiful as Zhu Zhuqing. She was tall, almost the same height as Davis, with an extremely voluptuous figure and alabaster-white skin. She also wore a smile, and even standing in the arena, she was still holding a man's arm.
She looked very similar to Zhu Zhuqing, only without Zhu Zhuqing's aloofness; she appeared much gentler.
The two sisters displayed two completely different kinds of beauty.
Davis and Zhu Zhuyun smiled as they looked at Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. They had come from the Star Luo Region, and Shrek Academy had not yet appeared in the finals, so they were unaware of Shrek's strength.
Davis was currently level 48, and Zhu Zhuyun was level 47.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were six and seven years younger than them respectively. Under the condition of equal talent, such an age gap was difficult to bridge.
Therefore, they assumed that Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were only Soul Masters, and their presence here was already surprising enough. Ma Hongjun
and Davis said wistfully,
"Mubai, I didn't expect you to actually reach the finals while I was competing. Being able to challenge me face-to-face is already a success. But you should understand that doing so forces me to take action against you."
"Brother, there's no need for this pretense. Do you think you'd stop attacking me if I didn't do this? Would I be safe?
If we're going to fight, let's fight to the end,"
Dai Mubai replied calmly.
He had matured considerably over the years. With Xiang Chengxian's encouragement and his brothers' support, he was no longer the dissolute, carefree Dai Mubai.
Zhu Zhuyun's eyes turned cold. She said indifferently,
"Zhuqing, if I remember correctly, you're not even fifteen yet. To participate in this competition at such a young age and make it into the top ten—I don't know whether to say you're lucky or strong.
However, this is your end. Actually, Dad and Mom miss you very much, but they can't violate the ancestral rules. After the competition, you should come back with me."
"Zhu Zhuyun, why put on such an act?
If I hadn't left home, I might already be dead at your hands. Miss me?
Is there such kinship in our family?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice turned cold.
The most ruthless are those in the imperial family.
This was Ma Hongjun's lament: before imperial power, there is no room for kinship.To avoid national turmoil after succession disputes, once the heir is determined, other contenders are either deposed or killed.
This rule is rational and beneficial to the imperial power and the empire.
But it is cold and ruthless.
It's difficult to judge right or wrong in such a rule.
Davis and Zhu Zhuyun weren't wrong either; from their perspective, having an advantage meant they had to compete.
There was no other way; in this kind of competition, the slightest hesitation meant certain death.
It was just that they were born into an imperial family.
While enjoying the privileges of royalty, they also had to bear the corresponding price.
Now it was time to determine the winner.
The referee announced the start of the match.
Davis gave the first order, saying,
"Brothers, activate your martial souls! Let them feel what despair is!"
A dazzling light shone as all seven members of Star Luo Academy summoned their martial souls.
Six were yellow-yellow-purple-purple, and one was yellow-yellow-purple—all optimal soul ring configurations.
They had six Soul Masters and one Soul Venerable.
The Soul Master team from the Star Luo Empire was the strongest.
Before this, Davis and his team already knew the strength of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Their strength was slightly greater than the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and they had one more Soul Master.
Generally speaking, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy basically represented the strongest team in the Heaven Dou region.
Therefore, Davis believed that an unknown Shrek Academy had only managed to reach the finals by luck and couldn't possibly be stronger than the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Their goal this time was to win the championship; Shrek was merely an appetizer along the way, and a way to resolve the hidden problem of family succession.
When the Star Luo Royal Academy finished summoning their Martial Souls, the Shrek team showed mocking smiles.
Their strength was weaker than they had expected.
"Come on, brothers, let's show them what
despair is!"
Ma Hongjun said calmly.
Dazzling light shone on the arena again, but Shrek's aura was clearly stronger, and the oppressive feeling was also greater.
Yellow-purple-purple-black-black,
yellow-yellow-purple-purple-black,
yellow-yellow-purple-black,
and four more yellow-yellow-purple-purple.
Four black, ten-thousand-year spirit rings.
Two Spirit Kings, five Spirit Masters.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing looked at Davis and Zhu Zhuyun with disdain, a faint smile on their lips.
At this moment, they should ask their older brother and sister.
Surprised? Unexpected?
Davis and Zhu Zhuyun looked at Shrek Academy as if they were monsters.
They didn't know about the other Shrek members, but they knew Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing very well.
Six or seven years older than them, yet they could catch up with them in cultivation—it was practically an impossible miracle.
Keep in mind that the four of them had similar martial spirit talents, and Davis and Zhu Zhuyun also had cultivation resources provided by their families.
They couldn't believe what they were seeing.
Dai Mubai was currently level 48, and Zhu Zhuqing was level 44.
Normally, they couldn't possibly catch up with their older brother and sister.
But the Immortal Grade, the Food Fusion Skill Hot Dog, and Ma Hongjun's energy had given them this possibility.
Besides their astonishment at Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, there was also their astonishment at their teammates.
From their appearances, apart from Xiang Chengxian, who was about the same age as them, Ma Hongjun, Tang San, and the others were all around the same age as Zhu Zhuqing and the others.
But the strength they displayed could only be described in two words:
monster.
"This is impossible!"
Zhu Zhuyun said in a trembling voice.
The audience gasped in astonishment. Two Soul Kings and four ten-thousand-year Soul Rings—what did that even mean?
Despair rose in the hearts of these participating teams.
Even the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall, sitting in the main seat, was no longer calm, his eyes burning as he stared at Ma Hongjun.
The Star Luo team originally had Davis and Zhu Zhuyun in front, intending to launch a preemptive attack, with their strongest members, White Tiger and Netherworld Cat, as the main attackers.
However, after witnessing the Shrek Academy's monstrous strength, they instantly changed their tactics. Zhu Zhuyun retreated to the back, allowing another Soul Master with the Tiger Soul Blade to stand in front.
The Tiger Soul Blade and White Tiger Souls were like the arrow and shield combination of the Gan and Bei families in Soto City in the past; the two complemented each other perfectly.
Without an absolute advantage in strength, they no longer planned to launch a main attack but instead adopted a conservative defensive tactic.
"Little Three, disrupt them, separate the battlefield,"
Ma Hongjun said calmly.
Then he immediately activated his fourth spirit ring.
"Golden Spear."
The entire Dragon Soul Spear was covered with a layer of dark golden light, shining brightly.
"Rongrong, give me speed and power, Little Ao, get excited pink sausage."
Ning Rongrong and Oscar, standing at the back of the team, were already ready.
"Nine Treasures Pagoda with Glazed Tile,
first, power,
second, speed,
third, soul,
fourth, defense."
Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda emitted a seven-colored light, becoming the most beautiful martial soul on the field.
Dazzling rays of light shot out from the pagoda. After reaching the Three Apertures Defense Heart, Ning Rongrong was able to provide different assistance to different people.
What fell on Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing was speed and power, Dai Mubai and Xiang Chengxian was soul power and power, and Tang San was soul power.
"I have a pink sausage!"
"I have a pink sausage!"
...
Oscar threw out four in a row, giving them to Ma Hongjun, Xiang Chengxian, Dai Mubai, and Zhu Zhuqing.
Oscar's fourth soul skill was the Excitement Pink Sausage, its effect similar to the Frenzy Soul Skill of the support, Ruyi Pan Soul Master, from the Mad Battle Team.
Excitement could increase the user's all attributes by 10% within five minutes. Although this increase was a bit small, it was an all-attribute increase.
Most importantly, this skill had no side effects.
On the Xingluo side, their support-type soul master was also using a soul skill. It was a red plant martial soul, somewhat similar to the Nine Heart Begonia. Streams of red light fell on the Xingluo team members.
"Chengxian, Mubai, stay on my left and right, Zhuqing, cover the rear. Use me as the arrow to break their formation." After
Ma Hongjun finished speaking, he charged forward first.
Dai Mubai and Xiang Chengxian simultaneously lit up their third soul rings.
"White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
"Black Tiger Demon God Transformation!"
Close combat charges required soul skills that enhanced physical strength and defense.
"On the boulder, the blade strikes!"
Davis shouted, his second spirit ring activating.
His spirit skill, like Dai Mubai's, was White Tiger Blazing Light Wave.
A huge, earthen-yellow boulder suddenly blocked Ma Hongjun and his group's path.
This was a defensive spirit master from Xingluo, his spirit being Lava Rock. Under the effect of his spirit skill, it swept forward like a small mountain.
Lava Rock's defense was renowned; among weapon spirits, its defense was among the strongest, even stronger than a shield.
The mountain-like lava rock blocked their way.
But it couldn't stop Ma Hongjun's advance.
"Smash it!"
Using the momentum of his run, Ma Hongjun struck with his spear.
"Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!"
This was Ma Hongjun's spear technique after fusing the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix spear with Chen Cheng's guidance.
Lava Rock truly lived up to its reputation as one of the strongest defensive weapon spirits; it was harder than metal itself.
"Clang!"
A clang rang out.
"Sizzle~ Sizzle!"
The Dragon Soul Spear's powerful penetrating force was on full display. The collision of the strongest attack and the strongest defense was evident. Even if the enlarged lava rock was incredibly hard, it was only a thousand-year soul skill, while the golden spear was a ten-thousand-year soul skill. Coupled with Ma Hongjun's powerful soul force and the amplification from Ning Rongrong and Oscar,
the lava rock couldn't withstand it.
The Dragon Soul Spear pierced through the boulder.
At that moment, the Black and White Tigers arrived.
Their black and white paws struck the lava rock.
Ma Hongjun also activated his second soul ring. "
Explode!" Coordinating
with the tigers' power,
"Bang!"
The combined power of the three shattered the lava rock.
"Pfft!"
The lava rock soul master spat out a mouthful of blood; the backlash from his martial soul sent him flying.
All of this happened in an instant.
After the boulder shattered, a huge red blade shadow slashed down from the sky—the fourth soul skill of the Tiger Soul Blade.
"Tiger Soul Blade!"
At the same time, a golden light wave shot towards Ma Hongjun.
"White Tiger Blazing Light Wave!"
The instant the lava rock blocked the attack gave the Star Luo team members the opportunity to unleash their soul skills.
Both the blade and the light wave were aimed directly at Ma Hongjun. Davis knew that victory depended on eliminating the strongest opponent, Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun's willingness to engage head-on meant he was prepared for concentrated fire.
Dealing with this attack was actually quite simple; Ma Hongjun only needed to summon his Ice and Fire Scales to defend.
However, there was no need.
"Wind-Breaking Style!"
Ma Hongjun didn't choose to defend. At the same time, he lit up his first and second spirit rings and unleashed the first move of his ultimate technique, Seven Probing Serpent Coiling Spear.
The Wind-Breaking Style utilizes the speed boost from his first spirit skill. This impromptu reaction allows for a rapid spear thrust.
The power of his second spirit skill can propel the spear's energy outwards, deflecting light waves and blades.
Most importantly, the second spirit skill can also unleash the body's power, isolating the overflowing blade energy and light waves.
"Bang!"
In a one-on-two clash, the spear explosion collided with the blade's light wave, and terrifying power raged outwards. Those
nearby, the support and control spirit masters of the Star Luo team, were directly knocked down by this force.
The control spirit master who was casting a spirit skill was also interrupted by this force.
The Black and White Tigers had strong defenses, and this aftershock couldn't harm them at all.
Zhu Zhuqing was right behind Ma Hongjun, safe and sound, and ready to attack at any moment.
Tang San had already used Blue Silver Grass to protect the two support spirit masters.
At this moment, it seemed that Tang San didn't need to take action.
Ma Hongjun's dominance completely shattered Xingluo's counterattack.
"You two, go up there! Zhu Yun, use your Spirit Fusion Technique!" Davis said quickly. He pulled Zhu Zhu Yun back.
Tiger Soul Blade and another offensive-type Soul Master moved up.
"Zhu Qing, cut the back! Cheng Xian, Mu Bai, you two go
up!" Ma Hongjun finished speaking and retreated to the back, letting Xiang Cheng Xian and Dai Mu Bai face the two.
He then led Zhu Zhu Qing to flank from the side.
"Using your Spirit Fusion Technique now is too late!"
Ma Hongjun said calmly.
They knew the powerful attack of Spirit Fusion Techniques.
Ma Hongjun chose to charge in from the beginning, not only because his team had an advantage in strength, but also because he wanted to close the gap and not give Davis and Zhu Zhu Yun a chance to use their Spirit Fusion Techniques.
Although they also had Spirit Fusion Techniques and weren't afraid of facing the opponent's Spirit Fusion Techniques, the powerful attack of Spirit Fusion Techniques might cause damage to their side.
Even if they won in the end, injuries to their teammates would affect the rest of the match.
The seven Shrek Academy members currently on the field represent their strongest lineup, and they still need to deal with the Spirit Hall team, so none of them can afford to get injured.
Zhu Zhuqing rushed towards the two control and support Spirit Masters.
Meanwhile, Davis and Zhu Zhuyun, who had retreated to the edge of the arena, had begun to merge.
"Spear Control!"
Ma Hongjun shouted as he rapidly approached, firing his spear.
Since his Distraction Control had broken through to the Three Apertures Heart Control realm, his Spear Control skill had greatly improved.
Davis's white tiger phantom had already enveloped Zhu Zhuyun. Under the massive white tiger phantom, he embraced Zhu Zhuyun, the light and shadow of the white tiger completely enveloping the Netherworld Cat.
They were about to merge.
The two embraced each other beautifully in the light and shadow, the white tiger gradually entering the Netherworld Cat's body.
"Tiger Man Cat Woman, separate!"
Ma Hongjun's Dragon Soul Spear arrived, the dark golden Dragon Soul Spear piercing between Davis and Zhu Zhuyun.
This sudden thrust completely disrupted their rhythm.
The merging white tiger and Netherworld Cat suddenly swayed.
Zhu Zhuyun was being held in front by Davis, so the Dragon Soul Spear pierced her thigh.
"Ah!"
Zhu Zhuyun cried out in pain as their martial souls completely separated.
The Dragon Soul Spear continued its rampage.
After circling once, under Ma Hongjun's control, it shot towards Zhu Zhuyun again.
"Damn it!"
Zhu Zhuyun groaned fiercely. By this time, her martial soul had returned, and her face had turned pale. Ignoring the pain, Zhu Zhuyun lit up her soul rings and launched a counterattack.
"Netherworld Hundred Claws!"
"Clang clang clang~"
The Dragon Soul Spear's attack was repelled by Zhu Zhuyun. The spear's attack power was not strong and did not have much force.
"Die!"
At this moment, Davis had already rushed over, and his fourth soul ring lit up.
"White Tiger Meteor Shower!"
Countless white starlight shot towards Ma Hongjun. At this time, Ma Hongjun's Dragon Soul Spear could not be summoned in time.
White Tiger Meteor Shower was a group attack skill with a wide coverage area, but its attack power was not very strong.
Ma Hongjun used Phoenix Playing with Hundred Birds to dodge.
"Something!"
A starlight shot into Ma Hongjun's body, and a faint stinging sensation came.
Ma Hongjun still didn't summon the Ice and Fire Scales. After experiencing the damage, he felt he could withstand it with his own body.
His body, tempered by Ice and Fire, was already incredibly strong; ordinary attacks couldn't harm him.
While the White Tiger Meteor Shower could penetrate his physical defenses, it was merely a tickle.
A faint bluish-green light emanated from Ma Hongjun's body, and the areas struck by the meteor shower instantly returned to normal.
This was Ma Hongjun's reliance; even without consciously using its power, the power it emitted was enough for him to defend against and heal from the meteor shower's attack.
This bluish-green light came from Ma Hongjun's torso soul bone, a soul bone dropped from the 50,000-year-old Jianmu tree.
After fusing with the torso soul bone, it brought Ma Hongjun more than just physical enhancement.
The Jianmu tree itself represents life force, and the soul bone bestowed upon Ma Hongjun was
the Source of Life!
This was a healing and support skill that could heal the body and increase the strength of life force.
This skill is incredibly useful, essentially giving him a Ye Lingling by his side.
While its healing effect isn't as monstrous or rapid as the Nine-Hearted Begonia, its ability to amplify and replenish life force is something the Nine-Hearted Begonia lacks.
After a brief moment of resistance, the Dragon Soul Spear finally returned to Ma Hongjun's hands.
He unleashed his second soul skill several times in succession, blocking Davis's White Tiger Meteor Shower.
By this time, Davis and Zhu Zhuyun's soul power was nearly depleted.
The interruption of their martial soul fusion had already severely injured them, and their soul power was severely depleted. After another wave of soul skill releases, the two were now at their last gasp.
Zhu Zhuqing had already dealt with the control and support soul masters.
Being approached by a powerful agility-type soul master had already sealed their fate.
As for the Tiger Soul Blade and the power-attack type soul master, they were no match for the two tigers. Xiang Chengxian was level 51, and Dai Mubai was level 48; their soul power completely overwhelmed their opponents, and combined with their advantage in martial souls, they easily subdued them.
Ma Hongjun dispatched the two men with a single spear thrust, then kicked Davis and Zhu Zhuyun, one each, towards Zhu Zhuqing.
Davis was already coughing up blood, clutching his abdomen, curled up in pain.
Zhu Zhuyun was on the verge of death, blood flowing from her thigh, her pretty face a picture of wretchedness.
She glanced at Zhu Zhuqing with intense resentment, then looked at Ma Hongjun.
"Why did you help them? Without you, they wouldn't be a match for us ! " Zhu Zhuyun asked bitterly.
Ma Hongjun replied earnestly,
"Because Mu Bai is my brother, and Zhuqing is my wife !" (End of Chapter)