After chatting all night and sharing their experiences from the past year, everyone felt much more at ease.
For once, none of them practiced meditation that day. Instead, they chatted and joked around. Seeing the lively atmosphere, Oscar stood up and said, "Just drinking is boring. It's been over a year since we've seen each other,let's have a match for fun."
At his words, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun immediately perked up with excitement. The girls also seemed eager to try. Only Tang San smiled quietly, clearly content to watch.
Dugu Yan suddenly asked, "Little Oscar, today's our teacher's wedding night. Will we disturb them if we make too much noise?"
Oscar chuckled. "Don't worry. The teacher's mansion isn't near here. I specifically picked this quiet courtyard so we wouldn't bother anyone,and no one will bother us either."
Hearing that, Dugu Yan relaxed.
Everyone sat in a circle. Oscar picked up a spoon and handed it to Tang San. "Little San, you'll be the referee this time. When I spin the spoon, whoever it points to on both ends will fight."
"And you can each choose a teammate for a duo soul battle. If there's a big difference in strength, both sides can suppress their soul power to match the lower level."
Everyone nodded in agreement at Oscar's suggestion. Tang San took the spoon and spun it gently on an upside-down bowl.
The spoon spun rapidly and finally stopped, pointing toward Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.
No one was surprised by the result,it was something they had expected might happen.
Without needing Oscar to say anything, Dai Mubai immediately looked at Zhu Zhuqing.
He didn't pick Oscar or Dugu Yan, the strongest two, because that would make things boring.
Everyone thought the most exciting matchup would be couples against couples,Oscar and Dugu Yan versus Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
Since it turned out to be Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, naturally, the fight between lovers would be the most entertaining.
Dai Mubai chose Zhu Zhuqing for a simple reason: the two had long since perfected their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and their teamwork was unmatched.
Ma Hongjun smiled brightly at Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, how about we team up and take on Mubai and Zhuqing's Nether White Tiger?"
Ning Rongrong smiled warmly. "Sure. It's been a while since I've fought seriously anyway."
Once the teams were set, the four of them walked to the center of the courtyard, where a circular arena about a hundred meters wide awaited. It would be Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing versus Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong.
In one-on-one combat, Ma Hongjun was undoubtedly the strongest. But in two-on-two, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's Fusion Skill, the Nether White Tiger, was powerful enough to rival a Soul Sage-level expert.
Dai Mubai was level sixty, Zhu Zhuqing was level fifty-three, and together their Fusion Skill could match someone far above their rank.
Ma Hongjun might not have a full chance of winning alone against the Nether White Tiger, but with Ning Rongrong's support, his odds went up to at least seventy percent.
Though even that wasn't certain,after all, Ning Rongrong was a support-type Soul Master. In an arena this small, if she lost Ma Hongjun's protection even for a moment, the Nether White Tiger could easily take her out first.
If Ma Hongjun had to constantly protect her, his offensive potential would be limited.
As a pure power-type Soul Master, once his attacks were restricted, his strength would drop sharply.
Overall, both sides seemed fairly matched,it all depended on how well they used their advantages.
However, Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong held a clear edge in terms of soul bones. Ma Hongjun had two, and Ning Rongrong had one on her head.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, on the other hand, only had Zhu Zhuqing's left leg bone.
So, while they were at a disadvantage there, if they managed to take out the support-type Ning Rongrong, victory would tilt heavily in their favor.
Of course, with Ma Hongjun,the level sixty-three Flame Soul Emperor,there to protect her, taking Ning Rongrong down first wouldn't be easy.
Tang San stood atop the platform at the edge of the arena and announced, "Nether White Tiger versus Glazed Fire Phoenix. Standard Soul Battle rules apply. Both sides have one minute to release their Martial Souls."
He knew these rules inside out, and even the team names were ones they had used before. Despite being apart for over a year, everything still felt familiar.
Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong showed no awkwardness at all. Though they hadn't trained together for over a year, their coordination seemed even better than before.
Ma Hongjun stepped forward, flames igniting across his body. A huge fiery phoenix appeared behind him as a clear phoenix cry rang out. Two yellow, two purple, and two black soul rings rose around him.
The pressure of the Fire Phoenix filled the arena, and the air temperature rose sharply.
"Ma Hongjun, Martial Soul: Fire Phoenix, Level 63 Assault-type Battle Soul Emperor. Please advise."
His Martial Soul had evolved from the former Evil Fire Phoenix into the true Fire Phoenix. Free from the taint of evil fire, it was now a top-tier beast spirit.
Behind him, a radiant Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda appeared. Two yellow, two purple, and one black ring surrounded Ning Rongrong. The noble aura she emitted made her look like an elegant lady from a painting.
"Ning Rongrong, Martial Soul: Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, Level 52 Support-type Battle Soul King."
The colorful glow from the pagoda reflected on the blazing phoenix, making the two seem united in spirit and strength.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, of course, were not to be outdone. Facing the fiery phoenix, Dai Mubai let out a tiger's roar. A massive white tiger spirit appeared, his body expanding, muscles bulging, and a golden "王" symbol forming on his forehead.
Five rings,two yellow, two purple, one black,rose around him, his aura pressing back against Ma Hongjun's.
"Dai Mubai, Martial Soul: White Tiger, Level 60 Assault-type Battle Soul King. Please advise."
Beside him, Zhu Zhuqing transformed into a graceful Nether Spirit Cat. Two yellow, two purple, and one black ring surrounded her as her aura joined Dai Mubai's in clashing against Ma Hongjun's flames.
"Zhu Zhuqing, Martial Soul: Nether Spirit Cat, Level 53 Agility-type Battle Soul King."
The brilliant glow of four sets of soul rings filled the arena as both sides' powers collided,neither gaining the upper hand.
Xiao Wu leaned on Dugu Yan's arm. "Sister-in-law, who do you think will win?"
Dugu Yan smiled. "Hard to say. Hongjun and Rongrong have a slight advantage in level and soul bones, but Mubai and Zhuqing's Nether White Tiger has likely reached perfection."
"The real outcome depends on how each side plays to their strengths."
Xiao Wu nodded. "Hehe, I think so too."
Oscar added, "The arena limits Hongjun's movement a bit. Meanwhile, the Nether White Tiger can fight on the ground and in the air. From a terrain standpoint, Mubai's side has the edge."
Xiao Wu glanced up. "So, Senior, you think Mubai and Zhuqing have a higher chance of winning?"
Oscar shook his head. "Not necessarily. It really depends on who's stronger overall. I agree with my sister."
Xiao Wu rolled her eyes and whispered to Dugu Yan, "Sister-in-law, I've realized something,Senior really acts differently around you."
Dugu Yan smiled sweetly. "Well, he _is_ my good little brother."
Xiao Wu sighed. "I swear, that's pure dog food I just fed myself."
When both teams finished summoning their spirits, Tang San raised his voice. "Martial Souls ready,Soul Battle, begin!"
As his command rang out, the fighters moved at once.
While Xue Qingluan and Gai Yue were enjoying their wedding night elsewhere, a battle between geniuses was breaking out here in full force.
"Nine Treasures turn to Glazed Light,First, Strength; Second, Speed; Third, Soul; Fourth, Defense; Fifth, Attack!"
Ning Rongrong instantly activated her five support abilities. Five streams of light flowed into Ma Hongjun's body, boosting his strength, speed, soul power, defense, and attack by sixty percent each.
In just one instant, his power increased by nearly half,a terrifying display of the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda's might.
And since her only target was Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong didn't even need to split her focus. She could pour all her strength into supporting him.
Empowered by her light, Ma Hongjun's aura surged. A pair of fiery wings spread from his back as he shot into the sky toward Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
At the same time, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing moved. Zhu Zhuqing activated her first skill, Nether Thrust, vanishing into a shadow that darted straight for Ning Rongrong.
Dai Mubai advanced and unleashed his second skill,White Tiger Light Wave.
A golden beam shot skyward, but Ma Hongjun met it with his clawed hand, summoning blazing phoenix talons.
"Phoenix Nine Styles: Phoenix Claw!"
The enormous claw shattered the golden beam. With a beat of his wings, Ma Hongjun dove, his second soul ring glowing.
"Second Soul Skill: Bathing in Fire Phoenix!"
His flames intensified by fifty percent, and his right leg turned into a blazing phoenix talon.
With his boosted speed,further amplified by Ning Rongrong's sixty percent speed buff,Ma Hongjun reached Dai Mubai almost instantly.
The fiery talon slashed down, heat distorting the air.
"Phoenix Nine Styles,Phoenix Mark!"
Knowing he couldn't dodge, Dai Mubai instantly activated his first and third skills.
"First Soul Skill: White Tiger Barrier!"
"Third Soul Skill: White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
Golden light burst from his body, muscles expanding further. His right fist glowed intensely as he countered the descending talon.
"Self-created Soul Skill: White Tiger Comet Burst!"
The two powers collided with a thunderous explosion. Shockwaves rippled across the arena, blinding Dai Mubai for a moment.
But he didn't dare relax,his attack hadn't broken through the phoenix's strike. Instead, his energy was being pushed back.
Even though Ma Hongjun had only used his second soul skill, the combined effect of Ning Rongrong's five buffs made his power overwhelming.
He had one more fifty-thousand-year soul ring and two ten-thousand-year soul bones,his physical strength far outclassed Dai Mubai's.
Realizing he couldn't win with normal boosts, Dai Mubai activated his fifth soul skill.
"Fifth Soul Skill: White Tiger Demon God Transformation!"
His body shone again as all his attributes doubled. The golden tiger head he'd manifested flared brighter and pushed back against Ma Hongjun's flames.
The two clashed fiercely, evenly matched for the moment.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing closed in on Ning Rongrong. Ma Hongjun didn't even glance back, continuing his assault on Dai Mubai.
When Zhu Zhuqing was within ten meters, Ning Rongrong smiled faintly. A crimson sausage appeared in her hand, shaped like a miniature phoenix.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened. "A copied sausage? Rongrong, you,!"
Before she could react, Ning Rongrong ate it. Instantly, a surge of fiery energy erupted from her body, blasting Zhu Zhuqing several meters back.
Her Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda vanished, replaced by the fiery form of a little phoenix fairy. Wings spread from her back as she soared into the air.
And the buffs she'd given Ma Hongjun didn't disappear,she'd already transferred half her soul power to him, enough to last fifteen minutes.
Zhu Zhuqing stared, speechless. Was this cheating?
Seeing this, Dai Mubai's face darkened. No wonder Ma Hongjun hadn't worried about protecting her,he'd planned this all along.
"So that's how it is, huh?" Dai Mubai glared. "Playing dirty, are we?"
Ma Hongjun laughed. "All's fair in battle. Little San said we're following Soul Battle rules,he never banned external items. You're too late to complain now!"
With that, he shot upward again, his rings flashing one after another.
"Fifth Soul Skill: Phoenix Devouring Heart Chains!"
Scarlet chains of flame burst out, binding Dai Mubai in place and searing his fur. The heat burned fiercely, draining his soul power rapidly.
"Not done yet!"
His third soul ring lit up next. He dived like a blazing meteor, transforming into a massive phoenix with wings over ten meters wide.
"Third Soul Skill: Phoenix Piercing Strike!"
A perfect combination of control and power. With his buffs still active, this strike was strong enough to seriously injure Dai Mubai!
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