Shrek Grand Coliseum.
Though it wasn't an open day for the venue, the stadium was still bustling with activity. At a glance, one could spot one or two renowned figures from the continent.
Since Spirit Transfer Envoy Qian Gu Zhangting of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda had challenged Jing Shaoyu, the dean of Shrek Academy, the Shrek Grand Coliseum had been temporarily requisitioned. Elders from the Shrek Academy Battle God Pavilion, Inner Academy disciples, Spirit Transfer Pagoda elders and high-ranking officials, as well as Federation powerhouses who had traveled from Bright City and Heaven Dou City to witness the spectacle, had all gathered here.
Holy Spirit Douluo Yali, Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu, Amorous Douluo Zang Xin, and Spirit Transfer Douluo Qiangu Dongfeng—four Limit Douluos were present simultaneously, a testament to the extraordinary significance of this duel.
The two protagonists of this battle already stood on the Shrek Grand Coliseum's arena, facing each other, their spirits focused, ready to strike at any moment. The one who had instigated this duel sat expressionlessly beside the deputy chief of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda.
Jing Shaoyu stood on the left, Qian Gu Zhangting on the right, separated by the entire arena, their confrontation clear and distinct. Only the two of them were on the stage—there was no referee, as both were Titled Douluos. Only a Limit Douluo would qualify to referee such a match.
And at the scene, there were precisely four Limit Douluos present. They didn't need to step onto the stage but could ensure the safety of both combatants.
"Eternal! Eternal! Eternal!"
Led by Xu Xiaoyan, the Inner Academy disciples cheered for Jing Shaoyu. The title of Eternal Douluo had become synonymous with Jing Shaoyu within Shrek Academy. Moreover, as the current dean and pavilion master, the disciples refrained from addressing him directly by name, opting instead to use his title.
"Coiling Dragon! Coiling Dragon! Coiling Dragon!"
Not to be outdone, the Spirit Transfer Pagoda faction responded with even louder cheers for Qian Gu Zhangting. His title was [Coiling Dragon]—Coiling Dragon Douluo Qian Gu Zhangting.
However, despite the deafening roars from both support groups, neither Jing Shaoyu nor Qian Gu Zhangting could hear them. The highest-level energy shield had already been activated over the arena. Though it might seem like a futile gesture, it was better than nothing—after all, not everyone present was a Titled Douluo.
"I will prove with my strength that I am the man most suited for Gu Yuena!" Qian Gu Zhangting stared at Jing Shaoyu, his eyes brimming with confidence and arrogance, his voice booming. "I know you specialize in support-type Soul Master abilities. If you don't want to get beaten or humiliated, you'd better surrender now!"
Jing Shaoyu frowned. "How noisy! Do all members of the Qiangu family love to spout nonsense?"
"Hmph!" Qiangu Dongfeng's face darkened with anger as he snorted. "A sharp tongue won't save you. Soon, you'll learn that your bones aren't as tough as your words!"
"Enough talk," Jing Shaoyu chuckled lightly. "Let's begin. Out of respect for Chief Qiangu, I'll go easy on you."
Upon hearing this, Qian Gu Zhangting ceased his chatter. With a lift of his right hand, accompanied by the resonant roar of a dragon, a long silver staff appeared in his grasp. Coiled around the staff was a lifelike silver dragon, its head positioned at the top, as if it were a living creature. The dragon's roar echoed powerfully.
This was none other than the Coiling Dragon Staff Spirit!
Six black and three red Soul Rings—nine in total—emerged alongside the staff, hovering above Qian Gu Zhangting's head. An overwhelming aura erupted from him in an instant, and the atmospheric pressure in his half of the arena noticeably intensified.
Witnessing Qian Gu Zhangting's imposing presence, the powerful figures in the stands exchanged thoughtful glances, each harboring their own interpretations.
Jing Shaoyu's thoughts, however, were simple. As a Spirit Transfer Envoy of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, such a Soul Ring configuration was entirely expected for Qian Gu Zhangting. What might be an arduous demand for ordinary experts was merely a matter of a single word for him—such was the disparity between those with influence and those without.
Lost in thought, Jing Shaoyu also released his Martial Soul. Instead of the nine-ringed Natural God Spirit Soul, he summoned the Doomsday Divine Spear, equipped with only four Soul Rings.
In his view, the Natural God Spirit Soul would be overkill—reserved perhaps for battling his grandfather. Against Qian Gu Zhangting, a newly promoted Titled Douluo, the Doomsday Divine Spear was more than sufficient. It would serve as good practice, allowing him to shift his mindset.
Having long identified as a support-type Soul Master, Jing Shaoyu now lacked sufficient edge. As Yun Ming had put it, he was "strong in defense but lacking in aggression." Moving forward, he intended to prioritize the Doomsday Divine Spear Spirit, using the Natural God Spirit Soul as a secondary tool.
His decision to join the Blood God Legion was also driven by this reasoning—he needed to sharpen his offensive capabilities and cultivate a tougher demeanor.
Yet, to Qian Gu Zhangting and the onlookers, Jing Shaoyu's actions were beyond mere provocation. It was as if he didn't even regard his opponent as a worthy adversary!
The supporters of the Qian Gu family erupted in uproar, and Qian Gu Zhangting's fury reached a boiling point. He could barely contain the rage burning in his chest—he longed to tear Jing Shaoyu to pieces. Never in his life had anyone dared to look down on him so blatantly!
Gripping the Coiling Dragon Staff with both hands, Qian Gu Zhangting shot into the air like a bolt of lightning. A blinding radiance erupted from his body, surging violently. The projection of his Martial Soul expanded rapidly with the wind, stretching to a staggering hundred meters in the blink of an eye, as if it could pierce the heavens themselves.
Qian Gu Zhangting's entire form seemed to dissolve and enlarge simultaneously, mirroring the staff's growth. Like a titanic force of nature, he arched backward, gripping the tail of the Coiling Dragon Staff, and swung it down mercilessly toward Jing Shaoyu's position.
The hundred-meter projection of the Coiling Dragon Staff descended with earth-shattering force, as if it could split the world asunder. It was clear that Qian Gu Zhangting intended to obliterate Jing Shaoyu in a single strike, unleashing his most devastating attack from the outset.
Though the descending staff was merely a projection, it exuded an indescribable, terrifying presence. Wherever the staff passed, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth withered, space itself twisted, and fine cracks in reality appeared in its wake. A single swing carried the power to shatter the void.
This was the manifestation of unity between man and weapon—Qian Gu Zhangting had undoubtedly grasped the Soul of the Staff. In this strike, his spirit, energy, and will were perfectly aligned.
This was the first stance of the Unyielding Staff Art—Fight Heaven and Earth!
In the stands, Ye Xinglan's beautiful eyes flickered as she murmured softly, "This Qian Gu Zhangting is indeed a genius to have comprehended the essence of the staff."
"Does that mean Brother Shaoyu will have to put in more effort?" Xu Xiaoyan sighed helplessly. "What a hassle."
A trace of surprise flashed in Jing Shaoyu's eyes, followed by satisfaction. From that single staff strike, he could sense the repulsive force of the world's laws. The Qian Gu family was truly extraordinary—to integrate the repulsive force of laws into a Soul Skill was no small feat. Impressive, indeed!
With this thought, he took a step forward and appeared mid-air, his posture as straight and unyielding as a spear. The Doomsday Divine Spear in his hand thrust out lightly, seemingly devoid of any force, like a casually tossed stone—making it difficult for anyone to raise their guard.
Yet this very light, almost limp thrust halted the descending momentum of the Coiling Dragon Staff, freezing it mid-air. Despite its towering, mountain-like grandeur, it could not descend any further.
Qian Gu Zhangting's face paled, then flushed red. The backlash from the Coiling Dragon Staff's power struck him abruptly, leaving him no time to prepare. He had no choice but to endure the recoil.
At the same time, the tip of the Doomsday Divine Spear gleamed with light, transforming into a deep blue-violet hue. A violent aura erupted from the spearhead, instantly morphing into dozens of tiny blue-violet serpents that coiled around the phantom image of the Coiling Dragon Staff.
In the stands, Qian Gu Dongfeng's pupils contracted slightly, a flicker of shock passing through his mind. Was it an illusion? The Dragon Soul within Qian Gu Zhangting's Coiling Dragon Staff had actually shown a trace of fear—how was that possible? The Coiling Dragon Staff was a top-tier Weapon Soul. How could there be a Weapon Soul capable of suppressing it?
"Boom—"
Purple light flashed, thunder roared. The collision between spear and staff sent violent tremors through the entire stadium. Terrific shockwaves slammed against the walls, producing sharp, deafening echoes.
A figure plummeted from the sky like a meteor, crashing onto the arena with a resounding "thud." The hard surface of the stage instantly cracked in large fissures. It was Qian Gu Zhangting.
Jing Shaoyu, meanwhile, remained suspended in the air, swaying slightly before steadying himself.
To any discerning eye, the first exchange had clearly favored Jing Shaoyu. Murmurs began to ripple through the audience in the stands.
Qian Gu Zhangting narrowed his eyes, cold glints flashing within them. His right hand, gripping the Coiling Dragon Staff, tightened further, veins bulging on the back—a clear sign of his inner turmoil. He refused to believe that his full-powered strike had been so effortlessly deflected by Jing Shaoyu, leaving him at a disadvantage.
Recalling the blue-violet serpents that had coiled around his Martial Soul, an inexplicable fear crept into his heart. What were those? Qian Gu Zhangting didn't know, but one thing was certain—they embodied an immensely powerful law, one so formidable it could disregard the repulsive force of laws.
Jing Shaoyu shifted his arm slightly, tilting his spear with a faint smirk. "Again," he said.
The blue-violet serpents were manifestations of the Power of Destruction. Using the Law of Destruction to suppress the Coiling Dragon Staff's repulsive force had proven remarkably effective.
"Damn it!" Qian Gu Zhangting was furious, gnashing his teeth as his figure flickered once more. The Coiling Dragon Staff in his hand trembled rapidly, countless overlapping staff shadows sweeping toward Jing Shaoyu. This strike first swept downward from above to the side, then coiled upward from below toward Jing Shaoyu.
The staff shadows were chaotic and intricate, making it impossible to discern their true direction of attack. Even those with formidable spiritual power couldn't determine where the strike would land, as each shadow radiated the indomitable will of the Unyielding Staff Art.
Just as everyone tensely watched where Qian Gu Zhangting would strike, the space above Jing Shaoyu's head suddenly split open. A Coiling Dragon Staff shot out from the dimensional rift, smashing straight toward Jing Shaoyu's skull.
"Boom!"
Faced with attacks from above and below, Jing Shaoyu remained composed. The Doomsday Divine Spear in his hand spun lightly at his waist, and an invisible force instantly expanded from his body, forming an imperceptible circle—his domain unfolding.
The incoming Coiling Dragon Staff plummeted downward like a migratory bird struck by an arrow, utterly unable to touch Jing Shaoyu's body.
This sight was all too familiar to the veteran powerhouses in the stands. It was none other than Yun Ming's signature technique—the Heart Spear Technique!
Yet, there was a difference. Yun Ming's Heart Spear Technique only affected Martial Souls, but Jing Shaoyu's version could even suppress Soul Skills. This was simply tyrannical.
A deep wariness flashed in Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes. The Unyielding Staff Art was the foundation of their Qian Gu family's strength. Jing Shaoyu's existence was undoubtedly the greatest threat to their lineage!
"How? This can't be!" Qian Gu Zhangting halted in shock. The second form of the Unyielding Staff Art, Shake Heaven and Earth, was capable of invoking the Law of Ruin. His attack had reached the level of a Super Douluo, yet it had been effortlessly neutralized by Jing Shaoyu. The impact of this realization was staggering.
"Hmph, nothing is impossible," Jing Shaoyu chuckled lightly. His figure flickered, instantly appearing before Qian Gu Zhangting. With a flick of his spear, the sturdy shaft whipped straight across Qian Gu Zhangting's face.
Instantly, Qian Gu Zhangting was sent flying, tumbling several times in midair before crashing heavily onto the ground, his face grotesquely swollen.
"Pfft—" A soft but piercing laugh rang out from the stands, immediately drawing furious glares from the Spirit Transfer Pagoda's side. However, the owner of the voice paid no heed.
"You're dead!" Qian Gu Zhangting clutched his swollen right cheek, his voice trembling with rage. Cold light flashed in his eyes as he raised the Coiling Dragon Staff, then hurled it straight at Jing Shaoyu.
The staff rapidly enlarged midair, the dragon patterns on its surface glowing as if coming to life, transforming into a real white dragon that coiled around the staff in flight. With the Coiling Dragon Staff at its center, the surrounding laws twisted, distorted, and shattered violently. The white dragon opened its maw, devouring everything, while the staff grew even larger, radiating brilliant light like a colossal pillar before smashing down with overwhelming force.
The third form of the Unyielding Staff Art—Stand Tall Between Heaven and Earth!
"Still haven't learned your lesson!" Jing Shaoyu frowned, feeling the surrounding laws being continuously destroyed. As the Planet Spirit and wielder of the world's laws, seeing these forces of order being shattered was like watching his own possessions being wrecked—anger surged within him uncontrollably.
He leaped into the air, brandishing the Doomsday Divine Spear, and struck it against the massive Coiling Dragon Staff. The staff shattered instantly, and he continued his charge, closing in on Qian Gu Zhangting once more. The spear left his hand, sending Qian Gu Zhangting flying again with another powerful blow.
Qian Gu Zhangting barely managed to steady himself at the edge of the arena. His left cheek was now as swollen as his right, his once-handsome face puffed up like a pig's head.
At this, the laughter from the stands grew even more unrestrained.
The searing pain in his face fueled Qian Gu Zhangting's fury, but a sliver of fear also crept into his heart. Despite his physical resilience, Jing Shaoyu's attacks had managed to swell his face—this was unbelievable! He channeled his Soul Power, only to discover traces of law energy lingering in his wounds.
This law energy devoured the Soul Power he tried to use to soothe the pain, while continuously aggravating his nerves. How despicable!
While he was still reeling in shock, Jing Shaoyu didn't waste a moment. The main reason he had accepted Qian Gu Zhangting's challenge was to give him a thorough beating!
The Doomsday Divine Spear lashed out at the unprepared Qian Gu Zhangting, sending him soaring into the air. His body arched upward, eyes bulging wide. Then, in a flash, Jing Shaoyu twisted mid-air and appeared above him, bringing the spear down with full force onto his abdomen. Qian Gu Zhangting's body caved inward before crashing violently onto the arena floor.
Dust billowed up in the aftermath.
Seeing this, Qiangu Dongfeng could no longer remain seated. He shot up from the stands with a sharp "whoosh."
(End of Chapter)