On the arena, the elderly referee stood solemnly at the center, his gaze sweeping over both sides already in position. From the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy's first team, Marco stood quietly on one side, his expression calm. Representing the Blazing Academy, their captain Huo Wushuang strode onto the stage, his powerful frame radiating a scorching aura as his intense eyes locked onto Marco.
The air seemed to solidify, the entire venue falling into complete silence as all eyes focused on the two figures on the platform. The students from various kingdom academies, who had previously looked down upon them, now felt only tension and curiosity. They were eager to witness firsthand what kind of strength this legendary top genius of Heavenly Dou truly possessed!
However, the expected immediate clash didn't occur.
Marco observed Huo Wushuang standing ready with continuously rising momentum across from him, yet didn't assume a combat stance. Instead, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly into a faint smile as he asked in a calm tone: "Brother Huo, why have you taken the stage personally for this first promotion match?" Wouldn't it be better to send some team members first to test and exhaust your opponent?"
His voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly carried throughout the silent competition grounds.
Huo Wushuang's gathered fighting spirit faltered slightly upon hearing this. A helpless bitter smile appeared on his face as he shook his head and responded in a resonant voice: "Exhaust you? Marco, let's not joke about this. We've fought during the preliminary matches - you didn't even need to activate your Martial Soul against any of us. Against someone of your caliber, so-called attrition tactics would only become a laughingstock. Why should I let my teammates come up here just to get injured and waste their Soul Power for nothing?"
Marco raised an eyebrow slightly and continued asking: "If that's the case, then why have you taken the stage first, Brother Huo?"
Huo Wushuang took a deep breath, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward the Blazing Academy preparation area below the stage. There, his younger sister Huo Wu stood with clenched fists, her beautiful eyes fixed unblinkingly on the arena. A flicker of affection and helplessness passed through Huo Wushuang's eyes as he stated frankly: "To be honest, my troublesome sister insists on fighting you again to determine a clear winner. As her older brother, I can't stop her."
He paused, his tone carrying undeniable determination: "But I can't just stand by and watch her be the first to face you and suffer losses. So if anyone's going to fall, it should be me, her older brother, first! How could I just stand below and watch helplessly?"
These sincere words, filled with an older brother's protective love and sense of responsibility, clearly reached everyone present.
Below the stage in the Blazing Academy preparation area, Huo Wu's body trembled violently as she watched her brother's broad back on the arena. Her beautiful eyes instantly reddened, her nose tingling as she couldn't help but cry out: "Brother...!" Her voice choked with emotion and gratitude.
In the neighboring Divine Wind Academy area, Feng Xiaotian witnessed this scene, genuine admiration flashing in his eyes as he couldn't help but murmur in praise: "Brother Huo Wushuang, a true man!" Simultaneously thinking to himself that such a deeply loyal and righteous older brother was even more worthy of his Feng Xiaotian's respect and... pursuit (of Huo Wu)!
Even on the Shrek Academy side, Tang San showed a trace of admiration in his otherwise indifferent eyes upon hearing Huo Wushuang's words. He nodded slightly and murmured, "The bond between siblings is truly admirable." Dai Mubai snorted, but his gaze softened considerably, clearly approving of Huo Wushuang's sense of responsibility.
On the arena, Marco looked at Huo Wushuang, a flicker of understanding in his eyes, followed by a hint of playful amusement. He said slowly, "So that's how it is. An elder brother protecting his sister—only natural. However... I suspect that's not the only reason for your actions, Brother Huo, is it?"
Huo Wushuang was momentarily taken aback, then threw his head back with a hearty laugh. "Hahaha! Well said! Sharp eyes as always, Marco! Nothing escapes you!"
As his laughter subsided, Huo Wushuang's eyes suddenly turned sharp, blazing with fighting spirit. He stared intently at Marco, his voice resolute and powerful: "Correct! Protecting my sister is one reason! The other is that I, Huo Wushuang, wish to measure for myself the gap between us—to see just how far I stand from the so-called 'Continental Top Genius'! This advancement tournament arena provides the perfect opportunity! Even knowing I may not be your match, I will fight with everything I have! Only then can I live up to the name of Blazing Fire Academy and this cultivation I've attained!"
"Excellent!" A flash of approval crossed Marco's eyes. "Brother Huo speaks frankly. In that case... let us fight!"
The two exchanged a smile, understanding passing wordlessly between them. Their earlier conversation had been both a reunion and a pre-battle courtesy, as well as a mutual acknowledgment of each other's temperament and fighting spirit.
Seeing both combatants gathering their energy and having concluded their exchange, the elderly referee didn't hesitate. His raised right arm swung down decisively as his booming voice echoed across the venue:
"Match—begin!"
"ROAR—!"
Almost the instant the referee's words fell, Huo Wushuang let out an earth-shaking roar! Violent crimson flames erupted from his body like a volcanic explosion! His physique expanded dramatically, crimson dragon scales emerging across his skin, his hands transforming into sharp claws, and a flaming horn sprouting from his forehead. A savage, scorching Dragon Might swept outward! Beneath his feet, four Soul Rings—two yellow and two purple in perfect configuration—swirled into existence!
Top-tier Beast Spirit, Unicorn Fire Explosive Dragon—Spirit Possession!
The powerful Soul Power fluctuations distorted the air around the arena, spreading intense heat. Huo Wushuang held nothing back from the start, going all out immediately! He knew that against Marco, any reservation would be futile!
"Third Spirit Ability, Tyrant Dragon's Wrath!"
With a furious roar, Huo Wushuang's third purple Soul Ring flashed brilliantly. The flames around him surged violently, his power, speed, and offensive capabilities instantly skyrocketing to terrifying levels! He transformed into a crimson meteor of fire, carrying a devastating momentum to crush everything in his path, and launched a furious punch at Marco! The air crackled and exploded in the wake of his fist, scorching heat waves blasting forward!
Facing this straightforward, full-powered assault from Huo Wushuang, Marco's eyes narrowed slightly. He could have responded with just Martial Art and Haki as he did during the preliminary matches. But seeing the determination and fighting spirit in Huo Wushuang's eyes, and recalling his earlier words about brotherly duty, Marco felt a slight shift in his heart.
In that split-second decision...
"Hum—"
A soft hum resonated as azure-red light quietly bloomed from Marco's body! Though not dazzling, it carried an indescribable, majestic vitality and noble aura. A pair of magnificent wings, entirely condensed from azure-red flames, flickered briefly behind him before vanishing. Deep within his pupils, faint azure-red flames seemed to dance. No Soul Rings appeared around him, yet a thin, condensed layer of azure-red flame, tangible as silk, had already enveloped his entire body!
Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit, Spirit Possession! (Soul Rings not fully released)
Though it was merely the most basic state of Spirit Possession, far from unleashing any Spirit Ability, the sudden surge in life-level pressure and the peculiar fluctuations emitted by the flame garment—seemingly capable of incinerating all things yet brimming with boundless vitality—made every fire-attribute Soul Master present, including Huo Wushuang, inwardly shudder! Their own flames, in the presence of this azure-red fire, instinctively felt… reverence and tremors!
"He's using his Martial Soul!"
"It's that azure-red flame!"
"What a unique aura! It feels even more advanced than Huo Wushuang's explosive dragon flame!"
Exclamations erupted from the spectator stands! The students from the kingdoms widened their eyes—they were about to witness the power of this legendary Martial Soul with their own eyes!
Sensing the distinctly different flame aura emanating from Marco, which made his own Martial Soul tremble faintly, Huo Wushuang was first startled, then overwhelmed with an indescribable excitement and… gratitude! He understood that Marco was showing him due respect by not relying solely on Martial Art as he had during the preliminary matches!
"Thanks, brother!" Huo Wushuang thought to himself, intensifying his assault!
"Bring it on!"
Marco shouted clearly, facing the fiery dragon fist already before him. Instead of dodging, he met it head-on with his own azure-flame-covered right fist! No glow of a Spirit Ability, only pure strength, speed, and mastery over the flames!
The azure-red fiery fist and the crimson explosive dragon fist collided squarely in mid-air with no fancy tricks!
"BOOM—!!!"
A deafening explosion roared! Crimson and azure-red flames wildly intertwined, annihilated, and detonated! A terrifying shockwave erupted in a ring, causing the arena floor to tremble slightly. The scorching heat made nearby spectators feel their skin burn!
Thud, thud, thud!
Huo Wushuang felt an irresistible force surge through his arm, mixed with a strange, bone-penetrating heat. Grunting, he staggered back three steps uncontrollably, each step leaving a faint, charred footprint on the hard Azure Stone ground before he barely steadied himself. His blood churned within, and his fist went numb.
In contrast, Marco only swayed slightly before standing firm, his azure-flame-covered fist completely unharmed, his breathing as calm as ever.
The difference was clear!
But the fighting spirit in Huo Wushuang's eyes burned even brighter! With a roar, he charged again! His fists moved like wind, his legs like steel whips, pushing the close-combat capabilities of his Unicorn Fire Explosive Dragon Spirit to the limit. Crimson flames wreathed his body as his assault raged like a storm!
Marco responded with fists against fists and legs against legs, seamlessly blending exquisite Martial Arts with the searing agility of Azure Flame, countering every move as it came. His movements were concise, efficient, and precise. With each collision, azure-red flames clashed violently with crimson-red flames, producing muffled explosive roars.
For a time, two figures darted and collided at high speed across the arena. The sounds of fists and feet meeting echoed incessantly while red and azure flames erupted like blooming fireworks! Their combat style was fierce and domineering—a direct confrontation of pure strength and fire!
Huo Wushuang grew increasingly alarmed the longer they fought. He realized his prideful strength and explosive flames gained no advantage against Marco's seemingly gentle yet endlessly potent Azure Flame. Instead, each clash left him at a subtle disadvantage. Gritting his teeth, he pushed his Soul Power to the limit, unleashing one Spirit Ability after another!
"Second Spirit Ability, Explosive Dragon Claw!"
"First Spirit Ability, Flame Charge!"
Marco, meanwhile, remained effortlessly composed. Relying solely on his basic capabilities after Spirit Possession and refined Martial Arts, he neutralized each of Huo Wushuang's assaults. He even deliberately moderated his strength, maintaining the battle in a state of intense, prolonged confrontation—as if using it to acclimate to the subtleties of Spirit Possession or to honor Huo Wushuang's desire for an all-out fight.
Below the stage, Huo Wu watched her brother exert his all against Marco (as she perceived it). Though clearly at a disadvantage, he refused to yield an inch. Her beautiful eyes filled with tension, worry, and profound emotion. Feng Xiaotian and the others also watched with rising excitement.
This head-on clash between the Crimson Dragon and Azure Flame captivated everyone's attention. Yet all understood: this was merely the beginning. Marco had yet to reveal his true strength…
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