"What's happening?"
"Did Shrek Academy win?"
"Young man, take an old fellow's advice — Shrek Academy is definitely going to lose."
"You're still too young. There are some things you just can't grasp yet."
"Never underestimate the youth of humble means!"
"…"
Inside the arena, ice and fire clashed violently, steam filled the air, and the rain pouring from the heavens grew heavier. A fog gradually gathered in the sky, blurring the spectators' view of what was happening on the field.
"Hm? What's going on?"
Up on the imperial palace wall, Xu Jiawei frowned, murmuring softly.
Because he noticed that his spiritual sense probing into the arena was suddenly blocked by an invisible wall — and the spiritual power behind it was far superior to his own.
And his cultivation was by no means low; it even surpassed Dai Hao, who stood beside him.
"Could it be… there's another expert here?"
A flash of worry crossed Xu Jiawei's face, but it was quickly hidden. After so many years as an emperor, he no longer let joy or anger show.
And he wasn't the only one thinking like this.
"Xiao Tao should be fine, right…"
Xuan Zi took a swig from his flask, eyes tinged with concern as he stared into the arena.
In his eyes, Ma Xiaotao was not someone any ordinary inner-court student could compare to. Her ancestors were among Shrek Academy's earliest founders — her future was destined to become one of Shrek Academy's great pillars.
She absolutely could not be lost.
"Look! The fog is clearing!"
Someone shouted, and instantly, every pair of eyes turned toward the arena, where the mist was gradually thinning.
"Sleep now. When you wake up…"
"You'll have a new identity. Don't you agree… future Saintess of the Fire Phoenix?"
Looking at the gradually quieting Ma Xiaotao, Jiang Jue spoke softly, eyes deep and calm.
The dark-red demonic markings on Ma Xiaotao's neck and face slowly faded away, while the darkness attribute within her body also settled — a sign that Ma Xiaotao's martial soul had completely mutated, fully embracing the darkness.
From now on, she should be called the Dark Phoenix.
Ma Xiaotao glanced back at Jiang Jue, a trace of daze flashing across her dark-red eyes before she completely fell unconscious.
"To think, Shrek Academy really seems to have a lot of fate with my Holy Spirit Sect."
Jiang Jue thought to himself. He believed that once this tournament was over, both of the Holy Spirit Sect's Saintesses would return to their rightful places.
Jiang Jue extended his left hand, lightly grasping the Soul-Refining Banner. The Six-Faced Ghost Dream Cicada on his shoulder displayed a strangely human-like, flattering expression.
"Go on, head back to Elder Nangong and collect some of Tianmeng Iceworm's spiritual essence."
"Chii! Chii! Chii!"
The cicada squeaked twice in excitement, then immediately flew into the Soul-Refining Banner.
Thanks to Nangong Wan's excellent recent performance, Jiang Jue had already appointed it as the banner's chief steward, handling some of the minor affairs within it.
Jiang Jue had discovered that these beast souls, transformed into spirits, had a special fondness for Tianmeng Iceworm's essence — no wonder one Tianmeng Iceworm had been able to sustain so many ferocious beasts in the Star Dou Forest.
And the beast souls he absorbed as soul rings were also different from ordinary ones. As those beast souls that had become his soul rings grew stronger, his soul skills' power increased as well — absorbing them wasn't a waste at all.
Anyway, that Tianmeng Iceworm "battery" still had some juice left to squeeze.
"Bastard! Let go of Xiao Tao!"
As soon as the invisible wall within the arena disappeared and he saw Ma Xiaotao pinned beneath Jiang Jue, Xuan Zi erupted in fury.
A flash of darkness gleamed in his eyes, murderous intent surged from within, and he exploded out from Shrek Academy's waiting area, transforming into a giant earth-yellow hand that reached toward the arena, stirring violent winds in its wake.
He knew that Elder Mu had already lured Long Xiaoyao away. At this moment, he, Xuan Zi, was the strongest on the field. The rest, in his eyes, were just juniors.
That night, because of this brat Jiang Jue, he had not only lost face but also suffered injuries. Collecting some interest now was more than fair!
Boom!
The soul-tool barrier, controlled jointly by 108 soul masters, let out a mournful wail — under Xuan Zi's terrifying ninety-eighth-level strike, it didn't even last a second before shattering into pieces.
All 108 soul masters immediately bled from their seven orifices, collapsing unconscious onto the ground.
On the imperial wall, Dai Hao's tiger-like eyes widened as he turned to Xu Jiawei, unable to hold back his voice.
"This… this isn't right?!"
Xu Jiawei's brows knit tightly as he stared at the fallen soul masters, a flash of anger passing through his eyes. These were the backbone of the Star Luo Empire — raising even one soul master wasn't cheap.
"This isn't according to the script… Could it be the script itself is wrong? Or does Shrek Academy have another plan they didn't have time to inform me of?"
A flurry of thoughts raced through Xu Jiawei's mind.
"Surely Elder Xuan didn't act on his own? No, he shouldn't be that reckless…"
While Xu Jiawei was still pondering, Dai Hao, watching the chaos in the arena, was already fuming.
Shrek Academy was too arrogant — to act in the imperial capital of the Star Luo Empire, interrupting the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament… If word of this spread, wouldn't the Star Luo Empire's reputation be in ruins?
"Your Majesty, please give the order!"
"Wait a little longer. The Body Sect hasn't appeared yet."
Xu Jiawei's tone was solemn. The situation was unclear; if they acted rashly, everything could be lost.
Dai Hao could only clench his fists anxiously.
After all, he was a minister, and Xu Jiawei was the sovereign.
No matter how close their relationship, there were lines he could not cross.
"Good. The more chaotic it gets, the better!"
Seeing the shattered soul-tool barrier and the giant hand, Jiang Jue's eyes flashed coldly, his expression hard — but everything remained within his control.
He beckoned the Judgement Sword from nearby, pouring all his soul power into it.
The Judgement Sword turned half bright and half dark, two forces merging together in a bizarre way. Under Jiang Jue's control, it suddenly shot toward Xuan Zi's giant hand.
But Xuan Zi, seeing the Judgement Sword, flashed a thoughtful look in his eyes. He remembered — this was the very sword that had triggered Ma Xiaotao's mutation. Without hesitation, he grabbed at it.
At that brief pause, Elder Lin of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy was already fully armed, a green energy-gathering soul cannon mounted on his shoulder and primed.
A terrifying green cannon shell roared forth, aiming straight at the massive hand Xuan Zi had formed.
"Shrek Academy, you dare openly disrupt the tournament — do you think my Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy has no one?!"
He hadn't expected Shrek Academy to throw away all decorum, unable to win on stage and instead sending their elders to fight.
And Xuan Zi had launched a zero-frame attack — he barely had time to react.
Boom!
The energy shell collided with Xuan Zi's earth-yellow giant hand, detonating in a deafening explosion, sending waves of scorching heat sweeping in all directions.
"You fools! There are still spectators here!"
The Heavenly Fiend Douluo turned pale at the sight, hastily summoning his martial soul — a massive Heavenly Fiend Lone Star appeared behind him, emanating dark purple light, instantly forming a protective barrier to shield the audience seats.
Even so, the soul power storm from the blast still sent ripples dancing across the purple shield.
The next instant, Xuan Zi had already flashed onto the arena platform, reaching for Jiang Jue.
"Brat, let's see where you run this time! My face isn't something you can disgrace so easily!"
Xuan Zi's face split into a grin, as if he could already see Jiang Jue struggling helplessly in his grasp.
But then, he noticed Jiang Jue wearing that same smile as before — the very same smile he had shown the night Long Xiaoyao had beaten Xuan Zi to a pulp after Jiang Jue smiled just like this.
"That damned smile. But this time Long Xiaoyao isn't here — I'd like to see who can save you now!"
Xuan Zi cursed inwardly, his palm almost upon Jiang Jue.
"I'd like to see who dares lay a finger on my Body Sect's people!"
A furious roar split the sky, sending ripples through space.
A colossal golden hand descended from the heavens, its overwhelming pressure crashing down like the sky itself was shattering, producing creaking groans in the very air. Around it, dark-green light coiled like giant serpents.
(End of Chapter)