At Ma Xiaotao's command, both Ling Luochen and Beibei charged forward without hesitation, aiming straight for Jiang Qingtong.
As the tactical coordinator of the entire battlefield, Jiang Qingtong had already locked onto them in her mental map. However, Ma Xiaotao had now gone all-out in her offensive, and Dai Yueheng alone could barely hold her back, forcing Yao Haoxuan and Chen Zifeng to assist him in defense.
This left only Xiao Xiao, Dai Huabin, and Jiang Nannan at Jiang Qingtong's side, available for support.
All three readied themselves to intercept Ling Luochen and Beibei's powerful assault, but through Spiritual Detection Sharing, Jiang Qingtong issued them a different set of commands.
Upon receiving the mental directives, all three were momentarily stunned. Xiao Xiao and Jiang Nannan didn't hesitate and immediately moved into position. Dai Huabin, on the other hand, turned his head in disbelief and asked hesitantly,
"Qingtong, are you serious?"
She was asking the three of them to intercept Beibei, while she intended to face Ling Luochen alone?
But Ling Luochen was a level 55 Control-type Soul King, and Jiang Qingtong was currently only level 34—a gap of over 20 levels! How could she possibly win?
Very few knew about Jiang Qingtong's Level 9 soul tool defensive equipment—only the Sea God Pavilion elders, as well as Ma Xiaotao and Beibei. But in the heat of battle, both had clearly forgotten about it.
That said, Jiang Qingtong had no intention of using her Level 9 soul tool today. This was just a sparring match, not a real life-or-death situation. There was no need to waste the precious energy required to activate it.
Without the support of Titled Douluo–level soul power, recharging the Level 9 soul tool was a real hassle.
"Follow the plan," Jiang Qingtong ordered firmly.
Seeing how serious she was, Dai Huabin hesitated only a moment longer before nodding. "Got it."
The three of them launched toward Ling Luoychan and Beibei. But just as Ling Luochen prepared to lock them down with a control ability, the trio suddenly veered away from her, heading straight for Beibei.
Seeing them charge toward him, Beibei immediately shouted,
"Senior Sister, don't worry about me!"
Ling Luochen didn't intend to worry about him anyway. Without hesitation, she bypassed the three and dashed toward Jiang Qingtong.
Up in the air, Elder Xuan floated above, drinking wine and munching on a chicken leg, completely at ease. He knew Jiang Qingtong had a Level 9 soul tool—no assassination attempt would succeed.
However, even as Ling Luochen closed in on Jiang Qingtong, Elder Xuan noticed the soul tool hadn't activated. He furrowed his brows.
"She's not going to use it?"
Jiang Qingtong had made no move to trigger the soul tool's automatic defense mechanism. But this was only a sparring match—Ling Luochen's attacks weren't enough to activate it on their own.
Just as Ling Luochen's strike was about to land, Jiang Qingtong's soul rings flickered briefly, activating her Simulated Soul Skill from her Spirit Eyes, hiding her rings from view.
In the next instant, a bright emerald green flashed in her eyes. White mist spiraled around her, and the surrounding temperature plummeted!
Behind her, a phantom of a massive, emerald-green soul beast flickered into view. Its terrifying green light reflected off Ling Luochen's face, and even with her own ice-element martial soul, she felt a bone-deep chill.
Impossible!
Ling Luochen was stunned. Her martial soul was a pure ice element, a rarity even among the Inner Court. She was easily considered one of the most powerful ice-element soul masters at Shrek Academy.
And yet… the pressure she felt from this girl—this Outer Court student—made her feel inferior.
It was as if… the opponent's element was of a higher rank than her own.
She barely had time to process this thought before Jiang Qingtong's voice rang in her ears:
"Senior Sister, you've lost."
Right after those words, a sharp pain pierced Ling Luochen's mind—like a needle stabbing into her brain. When she finally snapped out of it, Jiang Qingtong was already standing in front of her.
In Jiang Qingtong's hands… was a burning fireball.
Phoenix Meteor Shower!
She had once again found a new application for her soul skill.
"Boom!"
Jiang Qingtong lobbed the fireball directly at Ling Luochen's head. Given her current level of soul power, the Phoenix Meteor Shower wasn't strong enough to do serious harm—but it was more than enough to cause a bit of chaos.
Needless to say, Ling Luochen's elegant icy-blue hair now looked like an exploded puffball.
Ling Luochen was left stunned. Even now, she didn't understand how she had lost. Everyone knew Jiang Qingtong had twin martial souls—Spirit Eyes and Evil Fire Phoenix. But just now, that terrifying aura she released—what was that?
After defeating Ling Luochen, Jiang Qingtong didn't pause. She immediately joined the larger battle, raining down Phoenix Meteor Shower from above. While not as powerful as Ma Xiaotao's flames, the surprise entry was enough to disrupt the opposing formation.
She swiftly landed in front of Beibei, and under her command, the three who had been stalling him pulled back to make room.
All three were stunned at how quickly Jiang Qingtong had dealt with Ling Luochen. That fast?!
She raised her right hand, and a layer of emerald ice armor spread over her forearm.
The Claw of the Ice Jade Scorpion—Ice Empress' Pincer!
Jiang Qingtong launched herself at Beibei.
Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon vs. Ice Jade Scorpion Emperor—in a clash with no massive level difference, the Blue Lightning's raw attack power still couldn't compare to the might of the Ice Empress.
When Beibei clashed fists with Jiang Qingtong… he was blown away instantly, sent flying and crashing to the ground.
With Beibei down, Ma Xiaotao's team was left with just Gongyang Mo and Wang Dong. A three-versus-seven situation—unwinnable.
Ma Xiaotao's expression soured. She declared surrender with a scowl and silently mouthed at Jiang Qingtong:
"You're gonna pay for that later!"
Jiang Qingtong simply raised her hands innocently, shrugging as if to say,
"I'm just your friendly battlefield-wide surveillance drone."
Elder Xuan descended from the air and announced Dai Yueheng's team as the victor.
As Ma Xiaotao's team stood around in frustration, a voice suddenly rang out:
"You have a third martial soul!"
Everyone's eyes turned in surprise.
It was Ling Luochen, now sporting a frosty-blue explosion-style hairdo, her previously icy demeanor completely shattered. Her chest was heaving—she was clearly still emotional.
A third martial soul?
That single sentence ignited the atmosphere. Those who didn't already know were now staring wide-eyed at Jiang Qingtong, who stood quietly between Xiao Xiao and Jiang Nannan.
Even Jiang Nannan leaned in and asked in disbelief:
"Qingtong… you really have a third martial soul?"
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