Senior didn't tell Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu about Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong possessing a Soul Fusion Skill.Mainly, there was no way to explain it. How could he possibly say, "I foresaw it with a God's-eye view"? Claiming to have overheard or seen it secretly would be just as inappropriate. For now, Huo Yuhao's Soul Fusion Skill remained a secret known to very few.
There was also no real reason to leak such information. It was better to keep it to himself and remain cautious.
The most crucial aspect of a Soul Fusion Skill lay in the resonance and coordination between two people. Yet, that was also its fatal weakness.It was the equivalent of a skill with a wind-up. If one's actions were fast enough, the opponents might never succeed in unleashing it.
"Match start!"
After both sides released their Martial Souls, Du Weilun officially declared the beginning of the battle.
"Shi Yu, go!" Jiang Nannan's voice rang out clearly. At that moment, she was no longer a senior student, but Shi Yu's most loyal supporter, cheering with unrestrained enthusiasm.
The crowd's voices filled the arena—some cheered for Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, others for Huo Yuhao's side. The majority, however, rooted for the underdogs. Many looked forward to a miracle: the weak overturning the strong.
Shi Yu immediately prepared to activate his second Soul Skill—Displacement.
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong had already clasped each other's hands tightly during the Martial Soul release. The instant the match began, their Soul Power intertwined, energy resonating as a powerful fluctuation spread through the air.
"Is this… a Soul Fusion Skill?"
Several of the academy's senior executives watching from the stands revealed looks of surprise. Their eyes were sharp; the resonance between the two was obvious. This was no ordinary cooperation—it was the hallmark of a Soul Fusion.
Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, already familiar with Martial Soul fusion, immediately recognized what was happening. Both were shaken.What? The other two also have a Soul Fusion Skill? And they're using it right away?!
"Starting off strong, huh?" Shi Yu was a little surprised as well. Clearly, his opponents were wary of him. If he displaced one of them, their Soul Fusion would fail. That was why they unleashed it from the start.
Indeed, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong were concerned. If Shi Yu managed to forcibly swap positions, their coordination would collapse before they could even finish fusing. His skill was a greater threat than Dai Huabin himself.
"Zhu Lu, let's fuse too!" Dai Huabin didn't hesitate. He grabbed Zhu Lu's hand, activating their Martial Soul fusion. Against an unknown Soul Fusion Skill, this was the safest choice.
Shi Yu instantly accelerated his cast, trying to swap Huo Yuhao's position before the fusion could complete. Huo Yuhao was the weaker of the two, making him the easier target.
But Displacement wasn't guaranteed. Against opponents far stronger, it could easily fail. It was like a crowd-control skill—on paper, it lasted a second, but against a true powerhouse, one was lucky if it landed for a fraction.
Locking onto Huo Yuhao, Shi Yu felt his power collide with resistance. The fusion's special energy field was already forming, obstructing his control.
Shi Yu grit his teeth and poured more Soul Power into it, trying to forcibly displace him.
Huo Yuhao's expression tightened. Deep within his mind, he cried out desperately—
Tianmeng, help me!
A lazy yet ancient voice chuckled."Since you asked, I'll help you this once."
Suddenly, a special light burst from Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eyes, disrupting the lock of Shi Yu's Displacement. The skill failed to fix onto its target.
Shi Yu frowned. What? How did my ability suddenly lose its mark?
He immediately tried again, but it was already too late.
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong's Soul Fusion had entered its final stage.
A brilliant Golden Road unfolded across the battlefield, radiating destructive energy that devoured everything in its path.
The two fused perfectly into one entity. At this point, even if Shi Yu displaced Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong would be pulled with him, making their combined attack even more effective against Dai Huabin's side. That option was useless.
"ROAR!"
At the same moment, Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu's Soul Fusion Skill erupted as well, forming the massive and terrifying Netherworld White Tiger.
"Two Soul Fusion Skills?!"
Gasps of disbelief spread through the arena. One Soul Fusion Skill was rare enough—yet here were two, unleashed simultaneously in the finals! Even the teachers hadn't anticipated such a spectacle.
Du Weilun, standing as referee, tensed with unease. He was prepared to intervene at any moment. The destructive clash of two Soul Fusion Skills could cause serious injuries—or even death—if not contained.
The Netherworld White Tiger bared its fangs, unleashing a roar as it charged directly into the path of the radiant Golden Road.
"You can't block it! Don't clash head-on!" Shi Yu shouted urgently.
The Golden Road was an explosive, destructive strike. The Netherworld White Tiger, on the other hand, was sustained and continuous. In raw impact, the Golden Road would absolutely overwhelm it.
But Dai Huabin only laughed coldly inside the fusion."I can!" His muffled voice rumbled out, thick with pride.
Retreat? That word did not exist in the White Tiger bloodline.
Besides, he and Zhu Lu had the advantage in Soul Power and number of rings. Their fusion's strength should be far greater. How could they possibly lose to a pair with only three rings combined?
This was the confidence fueling their reckless decision.
Shi Yu sighed inwardly."Blind arrogance…"
There was nothing more he could do. As the collision became inevitable, he used his instant displacement to retreat to the far edge of the arena. He could only watch.
Every gaze in the arena fixed on the center.
The Golden Road slammed into the towering Netherworld White Tiger.
The collision detonated into a storm of blinding light and violent energy. The impact shook the entire arena, a tidal wave of power rushing outward.
Even at the edge, Shi Yu had to stabilize himself with effort.
On the other side, Xiao Xiao braced desperately, relying on the power of the Three Lives Soul Suppressing Cauldron to keep herself from being swept away. Her body was too weak to withstand the force otherwise.
The Netherworld White Tiger roared in defiance, struggling against the surging brilliance of the Golden Road.
But its massive frame began to slide backward, claws carving deep gouges into the arena floor. Its fur shimmered as streaks of gold seeped across its body, especially along its head—the point of direct impact.
Agonizing pressure weighed down, threatening to crush it completely.
The clash of Soul Fusion Skills had only just begun…