It's over.
Wang Yan deflated.
Ling Luochen was visibly severely injured by Dai Yueheng and completely incapable of fighting anymore. Huo Yuhao was also pierced through the abdomen by a sword and couldn't stand up.
If there was any use left, perhaps it was only Huo Yuhao's Spiritual Detection Sharing.
But they were down two members.
Ma Xiaotao turned around and immediately activated her sixth spirit skill, attempting to salvage the situation.
"Sixth Spirit Skill, Phoenix Meteor Shower!"
Noticing Ma Xiaotao's actions, Su Ming's gaze turned icy.
"Captain, use the trump card. Don't worry about the cost."
Although there was no risk for him, Shrek's previous strategy was undoubtedly trying to beat him to death, especially Ma Xiaotao, whose attacks were the most unrestrained.
In that case, there was no need for any sympathy.
Ma Rulong hesitated for a moment, then did as Su Ming said.
This wasn't part of the plan, but one must be flexible in battle.
When Ma Lao arranged the tactics, he only said to hide it if possible, not that it must be hidden.
He put away the Level 6 spirit tool Thunderfire Sword in his hand and took out another spirit tool—the Sword of Judgment.
Normally, Ma Rulong's trump card was a Level 7 spirit tool; he could fight using that Level 7 spirit tool longsword.
This Sword of Judgment was a last-resort trump card, the kind that would severely damage his vitality, because this Sword of Judgment was a Level 8 spirit tool, and the pinnacle of Mingde Hall's Level 8 spirit tool production at that!
Due to his special Martial Soul, Ma Rulong could force himself to use this Sword of Judgment by overdrawing his potential.
Once used, he had to sacrifice his life force and potential. Only in this way could he instantly enhance his body and spirit power intensity to meet the demands of the Sword of Judgment.
If Su Ming had just told him to use his trump card, he might have hesitated whether to use the conventional trump card or this life-force-sacrificing one.
But Su Ming added a sentence: don't worry about the cost.
Clearly, this meant he should use the Sword of Judgment.
Ma Rulong felt a chill inwardly.
Thinking of the scene moments before, he understood the anger in Su Ming's heart at this moment.
Since Su Ming told him to use the Sword of Judgment, then use it!
Ma Rulong recalled what Ma Lao said to him last night after keeping him behind.
If Su Ming encountered a crisis, then using the Sword of Judgment to save Su Ming would absolutely not be a loss.
Ma Rulong's body instantly swelled.
His eyes became bloodshot, and his complexion turned frightening.
Behind him, a blood-red Core Formation flashed wildly, and thick bloody flames burned.
Simultaneously, his spirit power aura also became terrifying, and the golden greatsword in his hand released a heart-palpitating wave.
In the Shrek Academy preparation area, Yan Shaozhe's expression changed dramatically.
"A Level 8 spirit tool!"
No, your team battle is basically won, why use a Level 8 spirit tool?
On the golden blade of the Sword of Judgment, the two elements of light and darkness intertwined.
Behind Ma Rulong, a spirit propulsion unit violently propelled him high into the air.
A black-and-white sword aura was slashed out by him.
Ma Xiaotao snorted coldly, transformed into a phoenix, and collided head-on with this sword aura.
The next moment, she was pierced by this sword aura, and the dark element quickly integrated into her body along with the aura.
As Ma Xiaotao felt pain, the evil fire within her was also guided by the dark element to erupt.
"You're seeking death!"
Ma Xiaotao still hadn't realized the severity of the problem at this point; she felt her power swelling, becoming stronger.
She wanted to vent the frustration from earlier, vent the anger in her heart.
Seeing Ma Xiaotao's change, Ma Rulong immediately understood Su Ming's intention.
He held the Sword of Judgment and engaged Ma Xiaotao in over a dozen more exchanges.
"Xiaotao, stop!"
Yan Shaozhe spotted the problem and roared.
Unfortunately, his warning was too late.
By now, Ma Xiaotao had completely fallen; the flames outside her body instantly turned from crimson red to black flames.
Watching Ma Xiaotao's flames go out of control, Yan Shaozhe completely lost his composure. He directly shattered the spirit shield protecting the stage, transformed into a Light Phoenix, restrained Ma Xiaotao, and sealed her spirit power.
Holding the unconscious Ma Xiaotao in his arms, Yan Shaozhe stared fixedly at Ma Rulong, suppressing his fury.
"Yan Shaozhe, what are you doing? This is the Soul Master Competition!" Ma Lao roared.
Yan Shaozhe looked at Ma Lao and said coldly, "Do you believe I'll kill you?"
Witnessing Ma Xiaotao's evil fire being detonated by the Sword of Judgment right before his eyes, Yan Shaozhe was almost driven mad with rage.
He wasn't in his right mind anymore.
"How dare you!"
Ma Lao showed no fear, meeting Yan Shaozhe's gaze.
"A Level 9 spirit cannon is ready, right outside Star Luo City. Do you dare move?"
Coming to a rival nation to participate in the competition, they had naturally made all preparations.
A Level 9 spirit cannon?
Yan Shaozhe's eyes flickered.
He scanned his surroundings as if searching for the source of the threat.
Originally dismissive, but the next moment, a strong sense of foreboding convinced him that there really was a Level 9 spirit cannon.
On the imperial city wall, Xu Jiawei felt weak all over, cold sweat streaming down.
"The Sun Moon Empire has a Level 9 Spirit Engineer who smuggled in!"
Ma Lao, looking at the now calmer Yan Shaozhe, didn't continue arguing with him but instead looked at the referee, Tiansha Douluo.
"I'd like to ask, how is this match decided? Furthermore, Shrek disrupted the match, and a crucial final at that. How should this be handled?"
Tiansha Douluo frowned deeply.
He looked towards the imperial city wall, waiting for Xu Jiawei to make a ruling.
Xu Jiawei took a deep breath, calming his panicked heart.
"This match is won by the Sun Moon Imperial team."
Is that it?
"If academy elders can interfere when the match is about to be lost, then what's the point of this Soul Master Competition?"
Ma Lao didn't mention at all how the Sun Moon Empire should seek justice, but only sought an explanation from the perspective of the competition's fairness.
Most of the audience here were Star Luo citizens. If he forced the issue, it might backfire, not getting a good response. Instead, Yan Shaozhe's actions might be regarded as heroic by these thoughtless spectators and admired by the populace.
"Let me speak fairly. Just cancel Shrek Academy's rewards."
While Xu Jiawei remained silent, Su Ming offered his opinion.
All eyes focused on him at that moment.
If anyone else had interrupted at this time, they would surely be told they didn't know their place, but Su Ming was different.
Because Su Ming was the pioneer of the forging system, his status was extraordinary.
Yan Shaozhe glared furiously at Su Ming.
Was this deliberately targeting Shrek?
Xu Jiawei also frowned.
If Shrek Academy's rewards were canceled, then the Douluo Three Nations' research on Spirit Metal would fall far behind the Sun Moon Empire, because, given the current situation, the championship seemed destined for the Sun Moon Empire.
"Simply canceling it isn't good either. How about shifting them down? Let the third place get the second place rewards, and the fourth place get the third place rewards."
Su Ming spoke again.
As soon as he said this, Xu Jiawei was immediately tempted.
***
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(Chapter end)