Chapter 220: Entering the Winner's Bracket
"Zhu Zhuqing, Soul Skill: Ghostly Spirit Cat, 53rd Level Battle Soul King."
"Hu Liena, Soul Skill: Demon Fox, 51st Level Battle Soul King."
After the introductions, with the referee's announcement, Zhu Zhuqing immediately activated her fifth soul skill and disappeared into the shadows of the arena.
Her opponent had abilities related to mental control, attacks, and enchantment, which were precisely the weaknesses of the little cat. She wasn't planning to take the little fox's path lightly.
However, the Spirit Hall had done their homework, and Zhu Zhuqing had used this soul skill several times in the match against Star Luo.
As soon as Hu Liena saw Zhu Zhuqing disappear, she focused all her attention on her own shadow. However, she didn't turn around—it would have been too foolish.
Instead, she activated her third soul skill, Fox Transformation, and used her Fox Fire Order to create several fireballs that surrounded her shadow. As long as Zhu Zhuqing popped up, she would strike with lightning speed.
On the high platform, Bibi Dong nodded in approval. She was pleased with her student's ability to adapt in real-time, whether it was turning around a situation with Xiao Wu or anticipating Zhu Zhuqing's moves now.
Hu Liena's precautions were indeed quite thorough, but she had misunderstood one point. The little cat's Shadow Kill wasn't just limited to using her own shadow as a medium. She could move freely in any shadow.
While the little fox was focused entirely on her own shadow, Zhu Zhuqing emerged from the shadow of the referee at the edge of the arena, moving with incredible speed and launched an attack directly at Hu Liena.
"Third Soul Skill: Ghostly Slash."
The long, dark slash rushed toward Hu Liena's large thunderstrike, causing the little fox to panic.
"What? The intel was wrong?"
In a panic, the little fox could only release her Fox Fire once more to protect herself, hoping to withstand the incoming attack.
But her Fox Fire wasn't strong enough to defend against the Ghostly Slash, which easily pierced through and struck her directly in the chest.
Hu Liena spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent crashing off the stage.
The little rabbit in the waiting area immediately started jumping with excitement.
"Zhu Zhuqing, that's how it's done, well done! Tonight's dinner is on Xiao Wu!"
Zhu Zhuqing lightly snorted, uninterested. She didn't like carrots.
With that, the Spirit Hall team was left with only Xie Yue. After checking on his sister's condition and finding no major injuries, he let out a small sigh of relief and slowly walked onto the stage.
"Xie Yue, Soul Skill: Moon Blade, 52nd Level Battle Soul King."
"Zhu Zhuqing, Soul Skill: Ghostly Spirit Cat, 53rd Level Battle Soul King."
With the referee's signal, the two teams began their face-off.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Strengthen, Second Soul Skill: Control."
Xie Yue immediately activated his fourth and second soul skills, increasing his attributes and creating a soul power shield around himself.
It had to be said that his soul skill names were among the most straightforward and simple in the entire Douluo continent.
Seeing this, the little cat also activated her Ghostly Shadow Split, launching simultaneous attacks from all four directions.
"Combination Skill: Ghostly Four Corners Kill."
"Fifth Soul Skill: Kill."
Xie Yue didn't hesitate to go all-in. They were both fragile, so why fear? And if necessary, he still had a defense soul skill.
Seeing that his opponent was planning to endure the three shadow clones' attacks and gather all his power into the Ghostly Slash, Zhu Zhuqing's expression grew serious. She didn't know the full power of his fifth soul skill, and instinctively extended her external soul bone.
"Clang."
A sharp metallic sound rang out as the two figures crossed paths.
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at the savage wound on her arm, then turned to look at Xie Yue. His current state was no better. After taking the attack from her shadow clones on his sides and back, three bleeding gashes appeared on his body.
It wasn't clear who had gained an advantage, but if they had to count, it was a mutual loss after their first clash.
Then, both of their figures vanished from the stage.
"Clink," "Clink," "Clink," the sharp sounds of impacts echoed as the two were practically invisible to the naked eye.
In just a few dozen seconds, they had exchanged hundreds of blows, and after the match ended, the little cat would probably need to pay another visit to the nail salon.
Half an hour later, Xie Yue had exhausted Zhu Zhuqing's soul power with a slight advantage, and the little cat unwillingly called for her surrender.
But before Dragon Nianbing could step onto the stage for the next match, they heard Xie Yue announce his forfeit.
He realized that with his remaining soul power, it was almost impossible to continue fighting. It was better to save energy for the team battle. After all, it wouldn't be worth it to get injured for the sake of pride.
In the end, the individual battle resulted in the Royal Team winning 3-0, and they entered the winner's bracket to rest.
Their opponents would be the winner of the Shrek Academy vs. Spirit Hall team battle.
The next day, the venue was packed to the brim, and the wind attribute fart-soul masters remained stationed in front of the stands.
Ning Bei and his group watched as the Spirit Hall team slowly entered the arena, and they couldn't help but marvel at their soul masters' power.
After all, both Hu Liena and Xie Yue had been injured during their individual battles with the Royal Team, but now they appeared completely rejuvenated.
Clearly, they had received high-level healing from the treatment soul masters after yesterday's match.
In contrast to the warm reception for the Spirit Hall team, Shrek Academy's entry was met with much less enthusiasm, most of the audience responding with boos. It was clear that the audience still had some lingering unease after the Fart King's earlier interference.
The fourteen participants from both teams stood in the center of the stage, and Xie Yue and Hu Liena exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement.
They had already decided before the match started that they would immediately activate their Soul Fusion skill to quickly defeat the opponent. They couldn't waste too much energy on the Shrek team.
Tomorrow, they would face their most important and difficult battle.
But they didn't know that Shrek's team was thinking the same thing. Da Shi had also already prepared a strategy for them.
Everyone believed that Shrek was just a filler team in the top three, but for a team that had come this far, how could they not have their eyes on the championship?
Although the odds were slim, how could they know the result if they didn't try? What if the luck truly fell on them?
Flander didn't care about whether the team could win, as their current rank already exceeded his expectations.
Many merchants had already expressed their willingness to fund the establishment of their academy after the competition.
Flander welcomed this eagerly, as they would no longer have to wait for willing participants to join, but could officially start recruiting more talented students.
With the referee's start signal, the fourteen on the stage immediately released their Soul Skills.
Xie Yue and Hu Liena quickly moved toward each other and stood close together.
"Soul Fusion Skill: Demonic Charm!"
(END CHAPTER)
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