Under the expectant gazes of everyone at Zhengtian Academy, Shangguan Can's expression turned solemn. The moment the match began, he unleashed his full strength without hesitation.
As the fourth purple soul ring behind him flared brightly, a series of Soulsucking Bell sounded through the air. The dark-blue Soulsucking Bell was shrouded in a sinister crimson light, transforming into rippling rings of soul power that spread outward—precisely aimed at Huo Yuhao.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Soul Control!"
This was Shangguan Can's most potent soul skill at present. If successful, it could disorient and temporarily control the enemy.
Of course, Shangguan Can didn't expect to actually harm Huo Yuhao.
After all, he was merely an auxiliary-control-type soul master with no direct combat ability. Most of his soul skills were designed to weaken opponents.
Just like in standard team battles, Shangguan Can's role was to debuff the enemy while leaving the offense to his teammates—a strategy that had never failed him before.
But in this one-on-one knockout match, he had to rely solely on himself.
Zhengtian Academy wasn't being unreasonable by sending out a control and support-type soul master. In truth, his mission wasn't to defeat Huo Yuhao, but to uncover the secrets behind his elusive attacks.
As long as they gathered enough information, the next three Soul Kings would take action!
However, Shangguan Can had his own little plan.
Though his offensive power was lacking, if he could control Huo Yuhao and force him off the stage, that would be enough.
According to the competition rules, stepping off the platform with both feet touching the ground counted as a loss—his hidden path to victory!
In Shangguan Can's eyes, even if Huo Yuhao possessed a ten-thousand-year fourth ring, his cultivation level was the same as his own.
Moreover, details about Huo Yuhao's fourth soul skill remained unknown.
If he poured his full strength into Soul Control, he could at least disorient his opponent for one second, right?
Even if Huo Yuhao was a spiritual-type soul master, that brief moment would be enough to push him off the stage!
Shangguan Can had this confidence—or rather, he believed in Huo Yuhao's speed.
Huo Yuhao's agility had already been displayed in previous knockout rounds. Without using soul skills or even summoning his martial soul, he had effortlessly defeated opponents in mere strikes.
This was why the audience held such high expectations for him—not just because of his looks.
Though Shangguan Can didn't understand how a spiritual-type soul master could be so fast, there was no doubt that this was his chance to shine.
Defeating Shrek hinged on this moment!
This might be the only opportunity in his lifetime!
While Zhengtian Academy's intelligence wasn't as precise as the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's, they could tell from appearances alone that most of Shrek's eight representatives today were young—likely reserve members.
Moreover, the Phoenix Soul Emperor from the previous match was absent.
Thus, instead of feeling intimidated, everyone at Zhengtian Academy was brimming with excitement.
Even if this Shrek team wasn't their academy's strongest lineup, they still represented Shrek.
If Zhengtian could defeat them, they would become the first team in thousands of years to topple Shrek Academy!
This honor was monumental for Zhengtian.
For today's match, they would never back down.
This was his full-powered Soul Control!
But—
A scene that stunned everyone unfolded.
One second, Shangguan Can had activated his soul skill with high spirits.
The next, blood gushed from all his orifices as he collapsed heavily, eyes rolling back as he lost consciousness.
This time, everyone witnessed the method of attack.
After all, Shangguan Can's martial soul and soul skills were flashy and visually striking.
But what just happened?
Shangguan Can was the one who had launched the soul skill, yet he was the one who fell instantly.
The audience gaped in shock, their minds blank.
Even Huo Yuhao's teammates were no exception.
Instant knockouts weren't rare, but they had never seen this before.
They had all experienced Huo Yuhao's spiritual attacks—those were far from pleasant.
An unprepared victim would need at least half a day to recover.
'It must be the Purple Demon Eyes at work!' Tang Ya had long believed Huo Yuhao was the most suitable candidate for the Purple Demon Eyes. Now, it seemed she was right.
The referee hesitated briefly before announcing the match's conclusion.
…
Atop the imperial city, Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire stood with his hands behind his back, his expression one of surprise.
"Is this a soul skill backlash? Such formidable mental power!"
The severity of backlash depended on the gap in soul power and spiritual strength between the combatants.
Both were Soul Ancestors, yet Shangguan Can suffered such a violent backlash that he lost consciousness instantly—proof of an overwhelming spiritual disparity.
Xu Jiawei had initially been concerned about Shrek's lineup.
Where were the Soul Emperors? The main team?
But as Huo Yuhao swept through four opponents, all worries vanished.
This was the foundation of the continent's premier soul master academy!
Upon further investigation, Xu Jiawei had learned more about Huo Yuhao:
Twelve years old. Level 42 Soul Ancestor. Twin martial souls—Spirit Eyes (primary) and Ultimate Ice (Ice Jade Scorpion Empress). Born in the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Xu Jiawei sighed in frustration.
'Why wasn't such a talent from the Star Luo Empire?'
"In peacetime, this boy's growth would ensure Shrek's dominance for centuries. But the Sun Moon Empire will not remain idle. These are troubled times."
…
Huo Yuhao's lips twitched slightly.
'This guy actually tried to invade my Spiritual Sea? And control me?'
'How bold—no, how suicidal.'
This was a life-and-death competition.
'What kind of salary was he getting to risk his life like this?'
Just now, Huo Yuhao had suppressed the urge to counter with Knife of Life Watch, fearing it might pierce the opponent's spiritual sea outright.
After all, they had no enmity between them.
How to describe it?
A spiritual martial soul versus a spiritual martial soul—Shangguan Can's idea wasn't bad.
But unfortunately, he had met Huo Yuhao.
The gap between them was like a firefly trying to outshine the moon.
It was like a newbie encountering a final boss right outside the starter village.
Though Shangguan Can's martial soul was a rare spiritual type, all his soul skills were channeled through his bell-shaped weapon.
Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eyes, on the other hand, were an innate spiritual martial soul. Even without evolution, they far surpassed the Soulsucking Bell.
In terms of martial soul quality, they weren't even on the same level.
Add the chasm in spiritual power, and Shangguan Can's proud soul skills couldn't even scratch Huo Yuhao's Spiritual Sea.
Shangguan Can: Losing due to a spiritual power gap isn't shameful.
The moment he activated his soul skill, he felt the crushing weight of Huo Yuhao's spiritual pressure—like a frog at the bottom of a well glimpsing the vast sky.
A mere brush with Huo Yuhao's overwhelming mental force made him abandon all thoughts of resistance.
Huo Yuhao: If you're lucky enough to reach Titled Douluo one day, and your spiritual power touches the Boundless Sea realm, you'll understand—seeing me is like a mayfly glimpsing the blue sky.
Currently, Huo Yuhao was just one step away from the Tangible-Intangible spiritual realm.
Only his soul power level held him back.
But with the right spiritual treasure, breaking through would be effortless.
…
"So it really is a spiritual martial soul!"
Zhengtian Academy remained composed, sending out their Soul King, Tang Xiaolei, as planned.
This time, they had both mental defense and a soul power advantage. At the very least, he wouldn't lose as quickly, right?
Huo Yuhao wanted to say: 'It's possible, but unnecessary.'
If his Ice Soul Sword Domain was a grinder for opponents below Soul King, then his Soul Impact was a precision one-hit kill.
The advanced version, Soul Shock, could even threaten Titled Douluo.
Of course, both techniques had single-target and area-of-effect variations.
The reason Huo Yuhao held back was simple—he was curious about Tang Xiaolei's Purpleflower Bow, a martial soul that burned soul rings as ammunition.
The moment Tang Xiaolei stepped onto the stage, his piercing eyes ignited into bright purple flames.
He raised his left hand, and a magnificent bow materialized.
Two yellow, three purple—five soul rings shimmered.
With a flash of purple light in his eyes, Tang Xiaolei nocked an arrow, his aura skyrocketing.
The bowstring thrummed—a yellow streak shot forth like lightning!
Yet, in Huo Yuhao's eyes, the arrow's trajectory was clear as day.
The audience only saw Huo Yuhao raise his right hand, a purple-gold halo flickering—
Then it was over.
Tang Xiaolei's arrow vanished into thin air!
The crowd erupted in shock.
No one had seen how Huo Yuhao countered it—except the Soul Sage-level referee, who caught a glimpse:
'Huo Yuhao had caught the arrow mid-flight and crushed it barehanded.'
'How terrifying!'
Now, Huo Yuhao had finally summoned his Spirit Eye Martial Soul.
For the first time in the tournament, his eyes radiated an otherworldly golden brilliance—as if they could pierce through the essence of all things.
Intricate purple-gold patterns swirled around his pupils, weaving into mesmerizing runes that enhanced his already striking presence.
It was majestic and divine.
As if he commanded the very world, invoking awe in all who beheld him.
The audience screamed—
"He's so handsome!"
"And so strong!"
Tang Xiaolei's Purpleflower Bow had a fatal flaw—it consumed his soul rings as arrows.
Once all five were expended, his soul power would be drained.
Yet, he was Zhengtian's trump card for a reason:
Each arrow was stronger than the last.
Without hesitation, he fired four more arrows—three purple, one yellow—in rapid succession.
The last three arrows merged into a single violet beam, distorting the very air in their path.
Tang Xiaolei had given his all.
Now, it was up to fate.
The audience held their breath.
Would Huo Yuhao respond the same way?
And he did.
With a mere flick of his right hand—The entire stage warped, as if space itself had fractured.
To the spectators, the arena blurred inexplicably.
But Tang Xiaolei and the referee felt as though their bodies were being torn apart by the spatial distortion.
Tang Xiaolei's confidence shattered instantly.
His soul arrows, now locked onto nothing, were effortlessly caught and dispersed by Huo Yuhao.
'You're telling me this is a Soul Ancestor?!
'I won't play anymore—this guy's a monster!'
"I surrender." Tang Xiaolei didn't resist. With his soul power depleted, he stood no chance.
"Fifth individual elimination match—Shrek Academy wins!"
Though most spectators didn't grasp what had happened, the result was undeniable.
Huo Yuhao stood calmly on the stage, unmoving since the match began.
Yet, he had single-handedly defeated five of Zhengtian's fighters—including a Soul King.
Now, the crowd buzzed with anticipation.
"Could he achieve the impossible?"
"A one-versus-seven sweep at the Soul Ancestor level?"
…
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