Chapter 111: The Finals Approach, Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy
Before his voice fell, behind Lin Xuan, the purple-black wings of Shikigami: Nue suddenly unfurled! Then, with a flap of its wings, he turned into a streak of golden light and soared straight into the sky!
Princess Xu Jiujiu's pupils shrank, sensing something was wrong, and she wanted to shout a warning to her teammates who were fighting with the Shrek team members.
But Lin Xuan's speed was too fast. Before Princess Xu Jiujiu could speak, he was already hovering in mid-air. Then, pressing his palms together, he locked onto the Wind-attribute Spirit King who was fighting with Dai Yueheng.
"Go down."
A soft shout fell, followed immediately by the familiar Hundred Convergence: Blood Pierce!
A line of extremely compressed water shot out from his fingertips, its speed so fast it was impossible for the naked eye to track!
The Wind-attribute Spirit King sensed danger, his blood running cold. He didn't have time to think and immediately tried his best to dodge to the side, but he still couldn't outrun the speed of the Blood Pierce.
"Pfft!"
Blood blossomed! The water line still pierced through his arm, leaving a bloody hole, dripping with blood!
He let out a scream, his body becoming unstable, and he fell directly from the sky! Immediately after, Lin Xuan turned his gaze toward the Giant Winged Vulture Spirit King and the Lightning Falcon Spirit King.
In an instant, a chill ran down both of their spines, surging from their tailbones straight to their skulls!
How would they dare to continue fighting Bei Bei and Ling Luochen? Without a word, the two of them turned and fled!
However, Lin Xuan stopped his hand. Then, he formed hand seals, and a clump of dark shadows seemed to come to life, suddenly expanding and surging forward!
A massive shadow was cast from the sky.
Everyone looked up and saw the incredibly massive Shikigami - Full Elephant hovering above the Soul Fighting Platform!
Its trunk was as thick as a pillar, and its four feet stepped on empty air, emitting a terrifying pressure!
"Descend."
As the words fell, the next moment, the Max Elephant crashed down!
"Boom—!!!"
The earth trembled, and debris flew everywhere!
The entire Soul Fighting Platform felt as if it were about to fall apart!
Princess Xu Jiujiu and her teammates supported each other to barely stay standing, their faces full of horror. They hadn't expected that even in the Quarterfinals, Lin Xuan still had hidden Shikigami that he hadn't revealed!
But before they could catch their breath, the Max Elephant raised its thick trunk. Immediately after, a terrifying stream of water gushed out! It swept toward the opposing side, overwhelming them and knocking them off balance, making it impossible for them to even stand firm!
At that moment, Lin Xuan, still in mid-air, held that copper rod again. Golden lightning surged wildly across his body, all converging onto the rod!
Thunder flashed and arcs of electricity danced. The brilliant golden light stung everyone's eyes, leaving them seeing only a vast white expanse, unable to look directly at it!
Then, Lin Xuan retracted the wings of Shikigami: Nue and also crashed down toward the Soul Fighting Platform, slamming the copper rod in his hand fiercely into the water!
The golden lightning followed the water, instantly conducting into Princess Xu Jiujiu and her teammates!
Numbness! Stinging pain!
The electric current swept through their entire bodies. Every muscle spasmed, and every nerve wailed! They couldn't move, only able to watch helplessly as their bodies trembled uncontrollably!
Beside them, Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Bei Bei, and Ling Luochen naturally wouldn't just stand and watch!
Phoenix Flame, White Tiger Golden Ray, Holy Light Thunder, Extreme Cold Ice Mist... an overwhelming barrage of attacks arrived with a boom!
After several rounds of bombardment, the Star Luo Team, which was already short-handed, had no power to fight back under Lin Xuan's terrifying battlefield control!
One spirit tool protective shield after another lit up, only to shatter one by one.
As the final protective shield was about to shatter, Princess Xu Jiujiu finally closed her eyes and stopped resisting. She took a deep breath and said in a raspy voice,
"We... surrender."
After she spoke, Lin Xuan's side immediately stopped. Princess Xu Jiujiu didn't stay for a moment longer. She just glanced at the golden fragments scattered on the ground, her gaze lingering deeply on Lin Xuan for a moment, before directly leading her injured teammates away.
She believed she had done everything possible, even bringing out something like an Absolute Defense Shield to deal with Lin Xuan. Normally, Shrek Academy would likely win the subsequent individual battles and the Two-Two-Three matches to advance to the semifinals, but at the very least, they should have won this team battle.
But no matter how much she calculated, she could never have predicted just how many trump cards Lin Xuan still had hidden in his hand.
No, it wasn't just her; who among everyone present, besides Lin Xuan himself, could say for sure how much he was hiding?
The entire audience was silent for a moment, and then a mountain-shaking, tsunami-like cheer erupted once again!
They weren't calling out the name of any team or student; they were simply cheering for this most tense, intense, and suspenseful match filled with twists and turns.
"Quarterfinals, first team battle: Shrek Academy defeats Star Luo Imperial Academy."
The Heavenly Fiend Douluo announced the results in a cold tone while fixing his gaze intently on Lin Xuan, who was walking off the stage, his expression unreadable.
He was the closest to the Soul Fighting Platform and was at the Titled Douluo level, yet even so, he hadn't seen clearly what that black lightning was all about.
The only thing he could tell was that the power of Lin Xuan's punch was abnormal, its magnitude exploding to a terrifying degree in an instant.
"Is it an amplification-type Soul skills? Or the ability of some unrevealed summon?"
He wasn't the only one with such thoughts. To be precise, except for a few who had fallen asleep and missed the match, everyone else was guessing what was going on with the black lightning in Lin Xuan's punch.
After all, that punch had directly shattered an Absolute Defense Shield. In other words, when facing that punch, every single contestant in the competition, without exception, would be unable to withstand it with their own strength.
Inside the Sun Moon Team's rest area.
"Elder Ma, did you figure out what was going on with Lin Xuan's punch just now?" Xiao Hongchen asked with a furrowed brow, not turning his head, as the scene from earlier played repeatedly in his mind.
"Hmm..." Elder Ma pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Although I haven't figured out the principle behind Lin Xuan's punch, I can boldly guess that the black lightning probably doesn't originate from any Soul skills, Soul Bone, or his own summons."
The others didn't interject, looking at Elder Ma curiously, waiting for him to finish.
Elder Ma didn't beat around the bush and directly stated his thoughts. "You all saw it just now. Before delivering that punch, Lin Xuan had already attacked the Absolute Defense Shield three times consecutively, but those attacks caused no damage to the shield."
"If it were a Soul skills, he could have simply activated it to escape when he was trapped, rather than needing to throw three punches first. The same applies to summons or Soul Bone abilities."
Hearing this, Ma Rulong, Xiao Hongchen, and the others couldn't help but nod in agreement. But on second thought, even after ruling out these possibilities, it didn't seem to help much; if they encountered it later, they would still have to take that punch.
Elder Ma sensed their thoughts, shook his head slightly, and said in a calm tone,
"I told you to watch the match closely, but you didn't listen. Now you're worried? Think back carefully: what did Lin Xuan do before delivering that punch?"
Without giving the team members a chance to think and answer, he continued,
"A pause—no, perhaps 'buildup' is a more accurate term. Therefore, we can boldly guess that this kind of attack isn't something Lin Xuan can unleash at will; there might be some kind of restriction."
"Yeah! That makes sense!" Ma Rulong's eyes lit up, and he was instantly delighted.
Thinking about it, if Lin Xuan could really throw such a terrifying punch at will, he wouldn't even need a Martial Soul for the matches; he could just rush up and punch his opponents, since no one could withstand it anyway.
"So you don't need to worry. Since there's a restriction, it's not something to be concerned about. Just don't give him the chance to build up his state. Situations like just now, where he was isolated from the battle, are rare after all."
Having dispelled the team's worries, Elder Ma clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention. His gaze swept across the faces of the team members before him, finally resting on Ma Rulong, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen.
"After this match, you all have a pretty good understanding of Shrek's current situation. The only variable is Lin Xuan alone. Now, tell me, do you have the confidence to win the championship?!"
"We do!"
Everyone spoke in unison, their morale high.
Xiao Hongchen's eyes were filled with extreme confidence. In his view, if Shrek truly only had this level of strength, then the championship would surely be theirs!
No matter how strong Lin Xuan was, could he really take down their entire team single-handedly?
"Very good! High Martial Souls!"
Elder Ma took a deep breath. He looked out over the entire Star Luo Square at the sea of people, and as he recalled how the Sun Moon Team had lost to Shrek Academy year after year, his heart couldn't help but beat violently.
"I'll say it again: this is the most hopeful year for our Sun Moon Empire. For this championship, we must win at any cost!"
"You all focus on adjusting your state and training hard. I will send word back to the Empire to find a few old-timers who also participated in the Soul Master Competition. While having them bring some things, I also want them to see with their own eyes how we take that damn championship!"
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, inside the Shrek rest area.
Watching Lin Xuan slowly walk down from the Soul Fighting Platform, Xu Sanshi was the first to rush up, dancing with excitement.
"Holy crap! Lin Xuan, you're just too awesome! That punch just now directly blew up the Absolute Defense Shield! I thought we were done for this match!"
He Caitou also leaned in, his eyes shining. "You actually thought of using water flow to conduct electricity for total field control! What a genius idea! I'll talk to my teacher when I get back and see if we can apply this method to spirit tools!"
Everyone chimed in one after another, and the atmosphere was lively.
However, just as Xu Sanshi was about to turn around and offer a few compliments to Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, he saw that the expressions on their faces were very unsightly.
Ma Xiaotao had her arms crossed, her face so gloomy it looked like it could drip water. Dai Yueheng's brows were tightly furrowed, and he remained silent. Although Ling Luochen still had an expressionless face, her slightly pursed lips betrayed her mood.
Ma Xiaotao had her arms crossed, her face so gloomy it looked like it could drip water. Dai Yueheng's brows were tightly furrowed, and he remained silent. Although Ling Luochen still had an expressionless face, her slightly pursed lips betrayed her mood.
If Lin Xuan hadn't struck with Black Flash again to turn the tide, they might very well have lost this team battle.
Even if they didn't lose, they would have certainly paid a price in blood.
Ma Xiaotao recalled the feeling of being suppressed by that Nether Mad Lion Soul King just now, and she felt as uncomfortable as if she had swallowed a fly.
She was a Soul Emperor, the successor of the Evil Fire Phoenix, and the big sister of the Shrek Inner Court.
And the result? She had fought to a deadlock against a Soul King?
Embarrassing, it was just too damn embarrassing.
It was the same for Dai Yueheng. As the son of Duke White Tiger, he had carried the glory of his family since he was a child. Although he hadn't held them back in this match, for him, not standing out was a failure, and holding them back would be a disgrace!
The original pride in their hearts was now doused by a bucket of cold water, chilling them to the bone.
Moreover, if the Star Luo Team could push them to this point, what about the even more powerful Sun Moon Team?
They couldn't rely on Lin Xuan every single time, could they?
The atmosphere in the waiting area temporarily became somewhat subtle.
Wang Yan saw what was on their minds and sighed softly. He walked over to Lin Xuan's side, hesitated for a moment, and then asked,
"Lin Xuan, do you... have any other trump cards?"
Lin Xuan looked at him, and Wang Yan gave a bitter smile. "I originally thought your Black Flash attack would be saved for the final moment to take them by surprise and win in one blow, but I didn't expect..."
He shook his head, not finishing his sentence.
Bei Bei chimed in from the side, "Yeah, having fought until now, our methods are almost all used up. On the other hand, for the Sun Moon Team, those Hongchen siblings haven't even truly made a move yet."
"I know," Lin Xuan interrupted him, his tone flat.
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but look at him, while the corners of Lin Xuan's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile.
"Don't worry."
"I've got everything under control."
Those simple words were like a shot of adrenaline, causing everyone present to relax their tense nerves slightly.
Yes, as long as he was there, it was enough.
...
During the individual matches the next day, Princess Xu Jiujiu, representing the Star Luo Royal Academy, announced their withdrawal from the subsequent individual elimination rounds.
The reason was simple: the Star Luo Team itself never thought they could defeat Shrek Academy. Even a depleted Shrek was still a force to be reckoned with. Originally, they only intended to win one team battle and then play all three rounds.
Since they lost the team battle, which held the most hope, there was no need to play the remaining matches.
With that, Shrek Academy was the first to advance to the final four.
For the next four days, they didn't need to participate in any matches and could rest, heal, and adjust their states in peace.
Three days later.
The semifinals arrived as scheduled.
This time, the drawing results held no suspense; Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy were once again separated.
Shrek against Douling Royal Academy.
Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy against Diao Academy.
In terms of strength, Douling Academy was not as powerful as the Star Luo Team.
However, they did not give up the individual matches like the previous teams. Instead, all members participated, stubbornly fighting through the entire round until the last member was defeated, only then allowing Shrek to advance.
On the other side, the Sun Moon Team also defeated the Diao Team without any suspense, advancing to the grand finals.
At this point, the two old rivals who had been entangled for thousands of years met once again in the grand finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition.
The continent's number one Soul Master academy.
The continent's number one Soul Engineer academy.
One was an undefeated legend for ten thousand years, the other was fated to be number two for ten thousand years.
Countless spectators were longing for this clash of titans. The tickets for the finals at Star Luo Square had already been driven up to astronomical prices. Whether others were happy or not was unknown, but the scalpers were certainly grinning from ear to ear.
...
Three days later, at night.
Inside Lin Xuan's room at the Star Emperor Hotel.
Lin Xuan sat cross-legged on the bed with his eyes closed, a dense life aura swirling around him. That aura was like a warm spring breeze, yet also like a newly born sprout, full of vibrant vitality.
If Medicine Fairy Douluo were here, she would definitely be speechless with shock, because the purity of this life aura had already far surpassed hers as a healing-type Titled Douluo, reaching an incomprehensible level.
Time passed minute by minute.
Suddenly, Lin Xuan snapped his eyes open!
A majestic wave of Soul Power swept out, making the curtains flutter loudly!
He lowered his head and looked at the palm of his right hand.
His originally slightly furrowed brows now completely smoothed out, replaced by a look of intense surprise.
"It actually... really works..."
Lin Xuan murmured in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of disbelief, but even more of an uncontrollable excitement.
These three days—no, these past few years—he had been trying one thing.
Something that was theoretically feasible, but which he couldn't do in his past life and was even more difficult than reaching the heavens now.
And now, he had done it.
Right then.
"Knock, knock, knock."
There was a sudden knock on the door.
Lin Xuan withdrew his aura, got out of bed, walked to the door, and pushed it open.
Three people were standing at the door, all looking at him in unison.
Lin Xuan: "..."
He subconsciously took a step back and looked at the three girls warily.
"...What are you all doing?"
Ning Tian spoke first, her tone extremely gentle, "Teacher Wang called for you to go to the meeting room for a meeting. He said he wants to arrange the tactical plan for tomorrow's final against the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy."
Lin Xuan nodded and then looked at Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen.
"And you two?"
Ma Xiaotao crossed her arms, the corner of her mouth curling into a half-smile. "Calling you for the meeting."
Ling Luochen said indifferently, "The same."
Lin Xuan: "..."
So the three of you came together just to call me for a meeting?
I thought the three of you had teamed up and were going to use force since persuasion didn't work... What a waste of excitement.
Lin Xuan didn't bother arguing with them further. He casually closed the door and followed the three of them toward the meeting room.
In the hallway, the warm yellow lights stretched the shadows of the four people very long.
Ning Tian walked by Lin Xuan's side, stealing glances at him from time to time. Ma Xiaotao walked on his other side, looking straight ahead, but her body was always subtly drawing closer. Ling Luochen followed behind, not saying a word, but always maintaining a consistent distance.
Inside the meeting room.
The moment the four of them pushed the door open and entered, everyone's eyes turned toward them in unison.
Especially seeing Lin Xuan walk in surrounded by the three girls, Xu Sanshi directly let out a whistle.
"Yo~ Lin Xuan, quite a grand entrance! Three great beauties personally going to invite you, tsk tsk tsk, I'm jealous."
Bei Bei held back a laugh and signaled him with his eyes to behave. Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng looked at each other and silently picked up their teacups, pretending they hadn't seen anything. Jiang Nannan gave Xu Sanshi a white look, but the corners of her mouth also couldn't help but curl up slightly.
Ning Tian's cheeks flushed slightly, but she still kept her back straight and walked to her seat to sit down.
Ma Xiaotao snorted and sat directly next to Lin Xuan, while Ling Luochen sat on the other side, still maintaining her 'do not approach' demeanor.
Wang Yan sat in the main seat, rubbed his aching brow, and gave a light cough.
"Alright, everyone's here. Let's get down to business."
The meeting room fell silent.
Wang Yan stood up, walked to the wall, and pulled open the huge tactical board, which was already covered in writing with no gaps left.
"I'll first introduce the team members of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy. Their captain, Ma Rulong, is a Class 6 Soul Engineer and the strongest member of the Sun Moon Team on the surface. Although he's called the strongest, everyone knows in their hearts that the Hongchen siblings, who have never appeared, are their true trump cards."
"Among the other thirteen regular and substitute members, eight are Class 5 Soul Engineers, and the rest are all Class 4 Soul Engineers. Whether in terms of strength or personnel numbers, they are stronger than us."
"And the reason I want to emphasize their numerical advantage is that, unlike the previous matches, the grand finals will only take one day."
Wang Yan continued, "Although it is still a team battle, individual battle, and 2-2-3, these three combat formats will be held consecutively on the day of the finals, with almost no rest time in between."
"In other words, it's difficult for members participating in the team battle to recover their Soul Power for the individual battle, and members in the individual battle can hardly guarantee they'll be in peak condition for the 2-2-3. This is a test of the number of personnel and individual strength of both teams, and that is precisely our biggest problem right now."
"Therefore, after careful consideration, I have made the following deployment."
Wang Yan said in a deep voice, "We must give our all to take the team battle, do our best to wear down the opponents in the individual battle, and drag the deciding round to the 2-2-3 format! Or even the final three-on-three match!"
"Next is the corresponding lineup arrangement..."
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