Merry Christmas to everyone! To celebrate the end of the year and the upcoming New Year, I'll be running a discount! 40% OFF WITH CODE 97167. If you've wanted to check out the advanced chapters and Patreon exclusive novel, now's your chance! Discount ends on January 1st 2026 11:59pm AEDT!
---------------------
"Star Luo forfeited!?"
In the conference room, Ma Xiaotao heard the news Wang Yan brought back, her hands supporting the table as she stood up directly!
"They had no choice but to forfeit. Because lacking a Soul King in their individual matches had already cost them any chance of victory. Since that's the case, it's better to consider the bigger picture—letting us preserve our strength to face the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy in the finals."
Chen Junting spoke while picking up the intelligence on the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy that Wang Yan had collected to read.
Because in yesterday's team battle, Ma Rulong had appeared on stage for the first time, directly suppressing the entire Imperial Mystical Academy with two seventh-grade soul guide devices—a feat none of them could accomplish.
Combined with the yet-to-appear Hongchen siblings, the pressure wasn't small!
But no matter what, the finals had finally arrived!
...
Within Star Luo City, the moment the semifinals ended, the population began to explode in growth. By the eve of the finals, the numbers had increased by more than half compared to the semifinals.
Queues formed day and night.
All for the chance to personally witness the grandeur of the finals.
On this day of the finals, Star Luo City was shrouded in drizzling rain. Soft light, gray skies, and passionate crowds gave this city a unique atmosphere.
Nervousness? Excitement? Or impatience?
Perhaps all of them.
Like Xiao Hongchen from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy—before meeting Shrek, his expression was tense. But after meeting them, his eyes burned with fighting spirit and desire.
However, compared to Xiao Hongchen's changing expressions, Meng Hongchen's starry-eyed gaze was more focused on Chen Junting and Wang Dong, and she inexplicably fell into some kind of internal conflict.
On the city wall, Xu Jiawei had already ascended early. This time, besides civil and military officials, the Empress and Princess, a man clad in armor stood beside him—Dai Hao.
Just at this moment, in Shrek's rest area.
Elder Song and Ye Xuanji suddenly appeared silently, causing the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy side, who had been watching Shrek Academy closely, to show subtle changes in expression.
"Elder Song, Your Majesty Star Sword, you've arrived!" Seeing the newcomers, Chen Junting and the others were about to stand up, but were simultaneously stopped by both elders. Elder Song even said to Wang Yan: "I've only come to witness this personally. You've been doing very well—all without needing my input."
Ye Xuanji also approached the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect disciples including Chen Junting, a smile appearing on his lips. "Well done. During the finals later, I trust you won't disappoint me."
"Don't worry."
Seeing his master's final gaze rest on him, the corners of Chen Junting's mouth rose slightly. "I will make this fighting tournament have a proper beginning and end. Master, just watch."
Seeing both finalist teams settled, Xu Jiawei also stopped talking with Dai Hao beside him, beginning his announcement from the city wall.
"Today is the finals of this tournament! And it will witness the most pinnacle confrontation among the younger generation of the continent's soul master world! My heart is just as excited as yours. I hope both finalists can present a spectacular match. And following previous traditions, the final champion team will receive three soul bones and one million golden soul coins as rewards. I have personally selected ten soul bones from the imperial treasury for the champion to choose from."
"Now, let Senior Huang preside over the match."
Without any delay from Xu Jiawei, a beam of light appeared at the center of the competition platform, signaling the official start of the finals.
Huang Jinxu swept his gaze around the square, pausing momentarily in Shrek Academy's direction before explaining the finals rules.
Three competition formats, three matches.
Deciding the winner through a best-of-three format within a single day.
Afterward, he gave both academy teams preparation time.
In the rest area.
Wang Yan stood up, speaking gravely to all Shrek Academy students: "Everything proceeds according to plan. Shrek, victory is certain."
"Shrek, victory is certain."
Wang Yan looked at Chen Junting, his eyes showing an inquiring gaze. Chen Junting immediately understood, nodding to indicate no problems.
Thus, Ma Xiaotao led the remaining five inner court students plus Chen Junting—seven people total—to the waiting area.
On the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy side, Elder Ma also gave his students final instructions, then had Ma Rulong lead the six Sun Moon team members to the waiting area. And this time, it was also Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's first appearance.
Soon, preparation time ended.
Huang Jinxu observed both sides, speaking calmly.
"Both teams' team battle members take the stage."
The Shrek members looked across to see seven people immediately emerge from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy side. Leading them was their Soul Emperor captain, Ma Rulong.
Following him were the Hongchen siblings, and four fifth-grade soul masters: Mi Jia, Xiao Xiafeng, Chen Fei, and Lin Xi.
Seeing these seven take the stage, the Shrek members weren't surprised. After all, these seven were precisely the Sun Moon team's strongest team battle combination as predicted by Shrek Academy.
At this moment, all spectators fell silent.
Invisibly, the atmosphere of confrontation grew increasingly intense.
The momentum of both sides collided in the void.
At a certain moment during this standoff, Chen Junting seemed to sense something—his recent efforts appeared to have borne fruit. Between his eyebrows, killing intent gathered, a strand of sword intent carrying slaughter and sharpness burst forth faintly yet clearly, like a sharp knife piercing out, breaking the balance of momentum between both sides.
This made Huang Jinxu's gaze sweep over Chen Junting, showing a trace of surprise. In the rest area, Ye Xuanji and Elder Song also noticed this, revealing identical expressions.
"Brother Ye, truly good fortune."
Elder Song looked at Ye Xuanji, his tone not lacking in envy.
"Haha, you flatter me, you flatter me."
Ye Xuanji lightly stroked his beard, the pride on his face completely unhidden. He was extremely satisfied with this disciple.
At this moment on the fighting platform, both sides' spirits were in a highly concentrated state, the Sun Moon team especially vigilant. Just as they reached the edges of the fighting platform on both sides, with Huang Jinxu's loud shout, the first battle determining the ultimate outcome began!
Both sides' formations changed simultaneously.
But next, a surprising scene appeared.
Facing the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, the Shrek members didn't immediately release their martial souls.
Instead, the moment Huang Jinxu announced the start, they quickly formed a circle—one inside, six outside.
The person at the very center of the circle was precisely Ma Xiaotao.
The six outside began rapidly circling around them, faintly forming a hexagram position. Intense soul power fluctuations spread from the seven people, madly converging toward the center.
What is Shrek trying to do!?
At this moment, shock appeared on everyone's faces.
But soon, they would know.
The next second, the six outer Shrek members quickly took their positions, then each took out a flag banner from their storage soul guide devices.
Seeing these familiar "soul guide devices," anyone who had watched Shrek's first match was instantly transported back nearly a month, the familiar scene flashing in their minds.
Elder Ma of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's expression changed drastically, his hands gripping the rest area railing tightly as he stared at the fighting platform.
"Shrek, you dare to use the same trick again!"
"Not good! Stop them!"
Ma Rulong and the others had just formed their formation when Shrek's move stunned them! And judging by the looks of it, Shrek's technique this time seemed even more astonishing than their first match!
Accompanied by Ma Rulong's sharp shout, Xiao Hongchen, who had just completed his martial soul attachment, immediately threw out over a hundred golden balls and large amounts of metal powder. As soul rings lit up in succession, 128 soul guide cannons glowing with golden flames instantly appeared. Immediately after, a violent metal storm roared forth!
The other Sun Moon team members also retrieved their respective soul guide turrets, countless soul guide beams roaring out!
At this moment, the sky seemed to be dyed white-gold.
Their purpose was to stop Shrek from using this move. Otherwise, under this technique's enhancement, who knew what level Shrek's captain's strength would reach.
However, facing this overwhelming artillery bombardment, the entire Shrek team showed no signs of tension. Because each of them had already experienced the power of soul guide devices.
Hum hum hum—
As if soul power was unlimited, beams of golden light lit up in succession, supporting six light barriers that covered the Shrek members.
This was precisely the six Invincible Barriers.
Boom boom boom—
As time passed amid the bombardment's roar, the Invincible Barriers shattered one after another, yet never managed to interrupt Shrek.
Seeing this scene, Ma Rulong made an immediate decision.
"Lin Xi, prepare defense!"
Seeing the Invincible Barriers reduced to just one layer left, Xiao Hongchen seemed unwilling to accept it. But next, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy members saw frenzied energy continuously erupting from Ma Xiaotao's body, scorching air currents seeming to dry the earth.
"Chirp chirp—"
Amid the chirping phoenix cries, a giant fire phoenix phantom slowly emerged from behind Ma Xiaotao. Its feathers resembled burning flames, radiating intense heat. At this moment, the sky above Star Luo Square seemed to transform into burning clouds!
Phoenix feathers descended, covering the Shrek members beneath them.
Hiding their figures, making them unclear to others.
"Phoenix Meteor Shower!"
Ma Xiaotao opened with her sixth soul skill directly!
On the Sun Moon team side, Invincible Barriers were activated as if they cost nothing, all just to block Ma Xiaotao's strike.
Scorching flames caused the temperature within the entire fighting platform's protective barrier to rise sharply. The air above the entire competition platform twisted completely at this moment. Phoenix meteors resembling small meteorites fell from the sky, attacks dense and incredibly powerful, making those facing them lose all will to resist.
Even the 108 soul masters using all their strength to maintain the barrier began to show cracks.
Heavenfiend Douluo Huang Jinxu, seeing this, immediately intervened!
A star hung above the fighting platform, splitting into two, then four... forming a protective barrier covering the competition area.
At this same moment,
Crack—
The original barrier shattered instantly, the 108 soul masters immediately falling, their faces pale. Fortunately, Heavenfiend Douluo's timely intervention prevented other accidents.
Beside Xu Jiawei, another Titled Douluo also immediately acted, taking over Huang Jinxu's rescue duties.
Boom boom boom—
Under the terrifying attack, phoenix flames directly enveloped the Sun Moon team members. Fifth-grade barriers crumbled like thin shells, easily shattered by the assault. This made Ma Rulong's pupils contract sharply, not caring about soul power consumption as he activated a sixth-grade Invincible Barrier, just to block Ma Xiaotao's round of attacks.
However, with the soul power of one Soul Emperor, four Soul Kings, one Soul Ancestor, and the partial enhancement of the Soul Absorption Formation, Ma Xiaotao at this moment had reached the threshold of a Titled Douluo.
Her attack—how could it be blocked so easily.
Moreover, she seemed unwilling to give up just yet.
Ma Xiaotao's hand suddenly held a fiery red long spear. This was precisely an eighth-grade soul guide device she had purchased from the Nine Treasures Pavilion. Its function was to enhance fire-attribute single-target attacks, increasing explosive power by 50% and armor penetration by 10%.
"Phoenix Piercing Cloud Strike!"
The fifth soul skill connected almost seamlessly.
However, the fire phoenix danced in the air, soaring twice without any intention to attack. Only on the third ascent did the terrifying power erupt completely in an instant!
This was the three-stage explosive technique of soul skills!
Accompanied by a clear phoenix cry, the overwhelmingly powerful fire phoenix, wrapped around a fiery red spear, descended from the sky!
Seeing this, Ma Rulong didn't care about his own soul power consumption, directly using both his seventh-grade soul guide devices.
First, he activated a huge blue-purple barrier, protecting the Sun Moon team members. Then a golden-red beam shot from Ma Rulong's hand, racing straight toward the spear!
However, the golden-red beam only weakened the "Phoenix Piercing Cloud Strike" enhanced by three-stage explosion and eighth-grade soul guide device. The remaining attack, combined with the Phoenix Meteor Shower, crashed into those layered barriers. In no time...
Crack—
This shattering sound was like death's arrival. The terrifying phoenix and meteors instantly enveloped the Sun Moon team members.
Seeing this scene, Elder Ma's face turned as dark as water! His soul guide devices were already equipped—unclear whether to intervene or...
Fortunately, at the critical moment, the Titled Douluo who had taken over from Huang Jinxu immediately acted! However, facing Ma Xiaotao's attack, he didn't dare show any carelessness, directly activating his martial soul true body!
A giant sea turtle covered half the fighting platform.
The surrounding water mist instantly vaporized under the high temperature!
On the Shrek Academy side, even Wang Yan, who had planned this strategy, hadn't anticipated such power. He subconsciously swallowed, and even Elder Song and Ye Xuanji were now staring fixedly at everything happening on the fighting platform.
When the steam cleared, everything on the fighting platform appeared before everyone's eyes. The Sun Moon team, including Ma Rulong, except for the Hongchen siblings, had all suffered heavy injuries.
This seemed to be caused by collision aftereffects.
But within today, recovery was out of the question.
Even the current fighting platform was in terrible condition. The parts not protected by the sea turtle Titled Douluo had been scorched by phoenix flames, resembling molten lava terrain.
Standing on it was impossible.
At this moment, the entire venue fell silent.
But this battle wasn't over yet.
Ma Xiaotao had now arrived before the Hongchen siblings.
Precisely speaking, before Meng Hongchen.
Because at the start of this match, Chen Junting had instructed Ma Xiaotao to severely wound Meng Hongchen after crushing the Sun Moon team. As for the excuse... it was to prevent martial soul fusion skills. Between the Hongchen siblings, Meng Hongchen being the younger sister was easier to deal with. The actual reason, only Chen Junting knew in his heart.
Unfortunately, the Hongchen siblings' grandfather was Jing Hongchen. The one-button trigger defensive soul guide device on her body, even with Ma Xiaotao's attack enhanced by an eighth-grade soul guide device, easily blocked her assault, shattering Chen Junting's purpose.
But fortunately, the current result was also quite acceptable.
As for having Ma Xiaotao attack again later...
It could only be said that Ma Xiaotao at this moment had lost her previous might. After all, this method had quite significant drawbacks.
After all, Chen Junting's formation skills could only be considered beginner level. It was more the combination with Douluo Continent's seven-in-one fusion technique that allowed Ma Xiaotao to display such power. As for the consequences...
In any case, she now had no soul power left at all. Even her physical strength and other aspects had dropped to their lowest points. And with the milk bottles she had on hand, her soul power couldn't be restored immediately.
So now, any soul master could take her down.
"Tch, you're lucky."
Ma Xiaotao, who could no longer maintain her martial soul attachment, seeing the still shaken Hongchen siblings, spoke disdainfully.
Then Ma Xiaotao, under everyone's astonished gazes...raised her hand to indicate her withdrawal from the match.
On the field, only six Shrek members and the Hongchen siblings remained.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)