Xiu Mei frowned slightly, Xu Jiujiumei's eyes narrowed — the moment this thought appeared, even she herself found it hard to believe.
For this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, Shrek Academy had gone all in. This absolute defense soul tool was especially unique — it had been specifically designed to synchronize with her martial soul.
Combined with her fourth soul skill, Star Guardian, it became nearly unbreakable. As a soul master of the Star Crown Martial Soul, her cultivation could only be carried out at night by borrowing the power of the stars.
And the eighteen golden stars upon her Star Guardian were the result of eighteen days of absorbing starlight, only then could she activate them. When paired with this absolute defense soul tool, even an ordinary Soul Sage would be forced to remain trapped within it for a quarter of an hour.
Just as Xu Jiujiumei had said — the moment Ma Rulong was enveloped by the golden barrier, he immediately pulled out a sixth-rank Charged Destruction Cannon.
A powerful, dark-purple destructive beam blasted against the golden barrier. It only caused ripples to spread like water, dispersing outward like a pebble thrown into the ocean. It barely created any disturbance — only the faintest dimming of the last of the eighteen golden stars at the barrier's edge.
To break this absolute defense soul tool by brute force, all eighteen golden stars would have to be extinguished at once.
"Damn it!"
Ma Rulong cursed under his breath. He raised his hands, and with a loud clanging of metal, three metallic struts extended from his powerful legs. Each was as thick as a forearm, their tips sharp as blades, stabbing deep into the ground and forming a stable base.
Then, from his legs upward, countless offensive soul tools began unfolding. His entire body was soon encased in thick layers of soul tools, transforming him into a walking fortress.
Over seventy metallic tubes extended from his body, the largest mounted on his chest — a soul cannon glowing with dark-golden light, its barrel more than a foot wide.
"Jiang Jue! Find an opportunity to break through this damned golden barrier! I'll smash it from the front!"
Ma Rulong roared, his face flushing red. He stuffed one of Xiao Xiafeng's buns into his mouth, then pulled out a glowing white bottle of milk.
But though he said this, in truth he was only trying to comfort Jiang Jue, to raise morale. As a near-seventh-rank soul engineer, he understood the defense of an absolute defensive soul tool better than anyone.
Jiang Jue's combat power far surpassed his peers, but it was nowhere near the level of a Soul Sage.
"Let me show you what true firepower saturation looks like!!!"
The next moment, a thunderous roar filled the air. Countless beams, shells, and soul tool projectiles poured out like a torrential storm, madly bombarding the golden barrier.
It was a perfect demonstration of the saying: all fear stems from insufficient firepower.
Under this terrifying assault, the eighteen golden stars above the barrier dimmed rapidly — at least two to three times faster than before.
"Huang Heyun! Quickly finish them off! Don't give them a chance!"
Xu Jiujiumei shouted sharply. Instantly, the originally close-formed formation of Xingluo Academy dispersed swiftly, surrounding the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy team.
They completely ignored Ma Rulong and Jiang Jue inside the barrier. After all, an absolute defense soul tool trapped not only those outside — but also those within.
Their strategy was clear: first trap the strongest Ma Rulong, then pick off his teammates one by one, before finally surrounding him.
"Regroup! Defend together! Hold out until Boss Ma breaks free!"
Mijia called out loudly. With Ma Rulong trapped, he was now the acting captain.
A flash of blue light — a massive sword matching his blue armor appeared in his hands. The blade gleamed brilliantly, its hilt's core array glowing with rippling blue light.
Hearing Mijia's call, Li Yan and the others fought while retreating, gathering toward him.
Meanwhile, Jiang Jue calmly approached the opposite side of the barrier. He placed his right hand gently against its shimmering golden surface, ripples forming where his palm touched.
"Power of starlight?"
"Starlight… it also belongs to light, doesn't it…"
A faint gleam flickered in Jiang Jue's eyes. He pressed against the barrier, as if sensing something.
"What is he doing?"
Xu Jiujiumei frowned in confusion. Did Jiang Jue actually think that by simply touching the barrier he could break through it?
What a joke. Impossible.
Hadn't she just seen it withstand Ma Rulong's wild bombardment, only losing three golden stars and remaining as firm as ever?
"Jiang Jue! This time I'll crush you beneath me, for daring to be so arrogant before!"
Xu Jiujiumei's lips curled into a smile. At this moment, the battlefield situation was entirely in their favor.
"Hey! What the—"
"Why a sneak attack?!"
High in the sky, Chen Fei, locked in a fierce battle with Chen Xiaojie, suddenly cried out in shock. From below, a swirling cyclone of fire and wind erupted out of nowhere, shooting straight toward him.
Caught off guard, he was swept up by the Wind-Fire Tornado, experiencing firsthand what it was like to fly without wings.
With wind and fire battering him, and Chen Xiaojie's lightning striking from above, Chen Fei's body was quickly torn apart, bloodied and battered.
A shadowy figure suddenly appeared behind him — Heavenfiend Douluo. With a casual wave of his hand, the terrifying tornado dissipated instantly. Then, in a blur, he carried Chen Fei off the platform.
Chen Xiaojie watched Chen Fei being carried away and laughed lightly.
"This isn't just one man's battle — this is the glory of a team!"
Spreading his wings, he swiftly dove down toward the battlefield, harassing the Sun Moon Academy students with aerial strikes.
"ROAR!"
A low growl suddenly erupted into a thunderous tiger's roar, saturated with heavy darkness.
Huang Heyun had entered the fray. His body swelled, growing larger, veins bulging beneath the black fur of his Dark Demon Tiger martial soul.
Charging at the forefront, he endured the Sun Moon Academy's bombardments head-on, forcing his way forward with unyielding strength. Behind him, the wind-fire controllers offered support.
"We can't keep this up! Otherwise, we won't last until Boss Ma breaks that barrier! Li Yan — let's go!"
Mijia barked. His soul tool greatsword crackled with blue lightning as he lunged forward to meet Huang Heyun head-on.
"Good!"
A sharp gleam flashed in Li Yan's eyes. His long cannon swiftly compressed, transforming into a short, arm-mounted soul cannon like a shielded gauntlet.
"That's exactly what I was waiting for!"
"Demon Tiger Shatters the Heavens!"
Huang Heyun roared with a savage grin. Behind him, a glowing white shell of light flickered, like a turtle's carapace.
Mijia struck first — blue lightning coursing through his greatsword as he slashed for Huang Heyun's throat.
"BOOM!"
Dark mist surged from Huang Heyun's palms. A black tiger's phantom appeared behind him, its claws swinging ferociously.
"How is this possible—!"
Mijia's pupils shrank. A searing pain shot through him — his sixth-rank soul tool longsword shattered, covered in countless cracks.
Blood sprayed from his lips as his body was hurled backward.
(End of Chapter)