The explosive force of Hongchen Yearning was enough to rival that of a seven-ring Soul Sage. At this point, Dai Yueheng's body had been eroded by poison, and his soul power was nearly depleted. Even as a Soul Emperor with six rings, it was nearly impossible for him to block such a powerful attack.
When Dai Yueheng collided with the energy storm of Hongchen Yearning, his body was like a leather ball crashing into a stone wall—he was instantly launched into the air, sent flying off the stage, and slammed into the defensive soul barriers around the arena before falling to the ground.
But the energy of Hongchen Yearning hadn't yet dissipated. It continued hurtling toward Dai Yueheng.
Seeing this, Dai Hao—watching from the main platform—placed a hand on the stone balustrade, his expression dark, his fist clenched tightly.
Huang Jinxu appeared in front of Dai Yueheng just in time, catching the remnants of Hongchen Yearning. The massive energy storm stalled in his palm, and with a sudden drop of his hand, the storm collapsed in on itself and dissipated completely.
Back on the platform, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen exited their Martial Soul Fusion state and walked toward the edge. Xiao Hongchen raised his index finger and slowly swept his gaze around the arena, his face full of unrestrained mockery.
This arrogant gesture enraged the crowd, and angry jeers erupted from the audience.
Xuan Zi had already made his way to Dai Yueheng's side. Dai Yueheng looked at him with deep shame and muttered, "Elder Xuan… I'm sorry, I…"
Xuan Zi shook his head and said, "It's not your fault."
Xiao and Meng Hongchen were far stronger than in the original matchups. Their martial souls were unique, they had a Martial Soul Fusion Technique, and they had already eliminated He Caitou beforehand. Dai Yueheng had only just recovered physically. Holding out against both of them in a two-against-one until now was already commendable.
As the Hongchen siblings stepped down from the platform and made their way toward the Sun Moon team's rest area, Xuan Zi blocked their path. The moment he did, the entire arena leaned forward, eager to see what would happen next.
Seeing this, the Sun Moon team tensed up. Gu Lingjun frowned deeply and muttered, "What, is he really going to lose all decorum?"
Xiao Hongchen stepped protectively in front of Meng Hongchen and addressed Xuan Zi. "What? Senior, are you planning to strike us now?"
"We concede the match—we were outmatched," Xuan Zi said calmly. "But now that it's over, shouldn't the poison be removed from our competitor's body?" His gaze fell directly on Meng Hongchen.
Meng Hongchen stepped forward and raised a hand, retrieving the toxins of the Zhuqing Ice Toad from Dai Yueheng's body. Then she said, "There, is that enough, Senior?"
Xuan Zi inspected Dai Yueheng briefly to ensure the poison was completely cleared. Once confirmed, he helped him up, picked up He Caitou along the way, and returned with them to Shrek Academy's rest area.
Inside, Dai Yueheng looked at everyone in the room, full of guilt. "I'm sorry…"
He was a Soul Emperor, an official team member—and yet he had lost to the Sun Moon Empire. It was a disgrace. Worse yet, his father Dai Hao had been watching from the stands the entire time.
Ma Xiaotao stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. It was her first time speaking directly to Dai Yueheng.
She said firmly, "Don't worry. With me and Ling Luochen here, we'll win the next two matches."
Ling Luochen, standing behind her, gave Dai Yueheng a respectful nod.
Meanwhile, in the Sun Moon rest area, Ma Rulong and Tang Ya prepared to enter the field. He said to her, "Sect Leader Tang, just stay behind me. I'll handle the two of them."
"No need," Tang Ya shook her head. Her voice was steady and firm. "I'm no weakling."
Ma Rulong was momentarily stunned by the seriousness in her expression, then smiled and said, "Alright."
Back in the arena, Ma Xiaotao had already entered the stage with Xiao Xiao. Her fiery red hair was eye-catching, and she stood with her arms crossed, staring coldly at the Sun Moon rest area.
Ma Rulong and Tang Ya stepped into the ring and walked toward them under the full gaze of their opponents.
Seeing Tang Ya take the stage, Xuan Zi let out a helpless sigh and tried to calm Beibei's emotions. In a voice only Beibei could hear, he said:
"Qingtong is still here. No matter how deep your feelings for Tang Ya run, you must hold them in check."
In Xuan Zi's eyes, Tang Ya lacked real talent—after all, her martial soul was Blue Silver Grass. And now, with her defection to the Sun Moon Empire, she mattered even less to him.
With Jiang Qingtong present, Tang Ya was no longer of concern. He only hoped Beibei could move on.
Ironically, neither Mu En nor Xuan Zi ever considered what Beibei, Jiang Qingtong, or even Zhang Lexuan actually felt when they made that judgment.
"You're Tang Ya?"
Ma Xiaotao examined the woman before her, arms crossed, and said coldly:
"I've looked into you. The Tang Sect leader… the woman who tricked my junior. And now you stand here, representing the Sun Moon Empire, turning your back on the academy that once sheltered and supported you?"
Ma Xiaotao had a fiery temper, influenced by her teacher Yan Shaozhe, and her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul gave her deep ties to Shrek Academy. Elders doted on her, peers respected and feared her, and she had never once considered things like diplomacy or tact.
"Sheltered and supported me? Ha…"
Tang Ya let out a cold laugh. If Ma Xiaotao hadn't brought it up, she might have let it go. But now that it was on the table, she couldn't ignore it.
She raised her hand. The Blue Silver Overlord Spear materialized and pointed directly at Ma Xiaotao. Her face twisted with fury as she shouted:
"If not for my Tang Sect ancestor Tang San, there would be no Evil Fire Phoenix bloodline—no ten-thousand-year Shrek! Ma Xiaotao, remember this: anyone can question me, but you people are the last ones qualified to do so!!"
By the end of her sentence, her voice had risen to a near-screaming roar, echoing across the arena. The furious outburst stunned the crowd into silence.
Even Ma Xiaotao furrowed her brows and muttered in response:
"But… you joined the Sun Moon Empire!"
"So what? Sun Moon citizens aren't people?" Tang Ya fired back immediately.
"You—!" Ma Xiaotao was momentarily speechless, brows furrowed. "That's just twisting logic!"
Tang Ya shook her head and said, "Think what you like. This match—we will win."
"We'll see about that!" Ma Xiaotao snorted coldly and released her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul. Six soul rings rose beneath her feet, and a wave of blistering heat distorted the air around her.
Tang Ya, Ma Rulong, and Xiao Xiao all summoned their own martial souls and soul rings as well.
Ma Rulong drew his Judgment Sword and charged at Ma Xiaotao. Meanwhile, Tang Ya set her sights on Xiao Xiao.
Seeing Tang Ya rushing at her, Xiao Xiao lifted her Nine Phoenix Symphony Flute, hoping to slow her down.
Ma Xiaotao was locked in battle with Ma Rulong and couldn't offer any support. Though her cultivation was higher, the Judgment Sword was a top-tier Level-8 Soul Tool, with power approaching that of a Soul Douluo.
Even if Ma Rulong couldn't wield its full might, it was enough to suppress Ma Xiaotao, making it impossible for her to worry about Xiao Xiao's situation.