Her speed was astonishing, and her right hand transformed into a black dragon claw.
"Fifth Soul Skill, Abyss Dragon Claw!"
Zhu Zhuqing's expression changed, realizing that her concealment had been exposed. She immediately deactivated her Netherworld Concealment state and launched an attack.
"Fourth Soul Skill, Netherworld Bone-Corroding Spike!"
The black corrosive power collided head-on with the abyss dragon claw, and with a loud bang, Zhu Zhuqing was sent flying backward.
But she forcefully twisted her body in mid-air and landed steadily on the ground. A corrosive mark was left on Zi Ji's dragon claw, but it quickly healed.
"Your fifth soul skill is indeed very strong, but you can't hide it in my domain."
Murasaki's voice came from all directions.
Zhu Zhuqing knew that she was no match for Zi Ji in a head-on confrontation, so she had to use the martial arts techniques of the Nine Yin Manual to find an opportunity.
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, and with the full power of the Nine Yin Manual, she moved again. This time, she did not use her soul skills.
Instead, he used movement techniques from the Nine Yin Manual.
"Snake and move!"
Zhu Zhuqing's figure was as agile as a snake and as cunning as a fox. She moved around Zi Ji constantly, her movements unpredictable and erratic.
Murasaki's attacks missed several times, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
"Impressive footwork."
Zi Ji swung both hands in unison, and several Yin Water Whips intertwined in the air, but Zhu Zhuqing's movements were too agile, and she always managed to dodge at the last second.
She suddenly accelerated, instantly closing in on Murasaki's side.
"Nine Yin White Bone Claw!"
The five fingers of his right hand were bent, and the fingertips were filled with the Yin-Yang internal energy of the Nine Yin Manual. This claw contained the power application method of the Nine Yin Manual and could penetrate the protective soul power.
Zi Ji dodged to the side, but Zhu Zhuqing's attack did not stop. She transformed her left hand into a palm and struck out.
"Heart-Shattering Palm!"
The palm strike was concealed, but once it hit, the force would penetrate directly into the body. Zi Ji felt the threat of this palm strike and retreated rapidly.
Zhu Zhuqing pursued relentlessly, reaching out with her right hand again to grab Zi Ji's throat.
"Nine Yin White Bone Claw - Throat Lock!"
This move is extremely fast and has a very tricky angle.
With no way to dodge, Zi Ji had no choice but to take the blow head-on. She raised her right hand and met the attack with a palm strike.
Their hands and claws collided, producing a muffled thud.
Zhu Zhuqing's body trembled slightly, and she was forced back several steps. Zi Ji also took a step back, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
"Your martial arts skills are very strong. If we're just talking about technique, I'm far inferior to you," Zi Ji exclaimed sincerely.
"But unfortunately, the difference in soul power and the advantage of attributes cannot be made up for by skill."
Even now, Murasaki still appears to be in complete control.
Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, her gaze still calm. The internal energy of the Nine Yin Manual was circulating wildly within her body, and her depleted soul power was recovering.
She still has a chance.
Zi Ji looked at Zhu Zhuqing and didn't want to drag things out any longer. In any case, she had already seen through the other party's methods.
"The abyss has descended!"
In the sky, a black beam of light descended and enveloped the entire competition arena.
Zhu Zhuqing felt an irresistible force pressing down on her, her legs began to tremble, and her knees almost buckled.
This is one of Murasaki's strongest moves, drawing upon the power of the abyss to suppress her opponent.
Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth, circulating the internal energy of the Nine Yin Manual to its limit. A faint black light appeared around her body, barely resisting the pressure of the abyss.
"I can still hold on."
Zhu Zhuqing raised her head and looked at Zi Ji, her eyes shining with determination.
She knew this was her last chance.
"Fourth Soul Skill, Netherworld Bone-Corroding Spike!"
Black, corrosive power condensed on his right claw.
"Third Soul Skill, Netherworld Shadow!"
With her attack power and speed increasing again, and the two soul skills combined, Zhu Zhuqing's aura reached its peak. Her figure transformed into a black light, piercing straight at Zi Ji.
This was her strongest attack, a culmination of all her power.
As Zi Ji looked at the black light, a hint of respect flashed in her eyes.
"Very strong, but not enough."
Zi Ji extended her right hand, her five fingers slightly spread, and a black water dragon shot out from her palm, colliding with Zhu Zhuqing.
"Abyss Devours!"
The water dragon opened its mouth wide, completely swallowing Zhu Zhuqing's attack, and then crashed into Zhu Zhuqing with undiminished force.
Zhu Zhuqing's body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground. Her hands trembled slightly, and her tiger's mouth was split open.
Blood seeped from between her fingers and dripped onto the ground. Zi Ji did not pursue, but simply stood there watching Zhu Zhuqing.
"Just admit defeat, you can't win."
Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth, stood up from the ground, and circulated the internal energy of the Nine Yin Manual, causing the wounds on her hands to heal rapidly.
But her face was somewhat pale; the blow had had a great impact on her.
"I can still fight."
Zhu Zhuqing's voice was calm and firm. Zi Ji sighed and shook her head.
"Your resilience is indeed very strong, but continuing like this will only lead to more serious injuries."
Zhu Zhuqing did not answer. Her eyes burned with an indomitable fighting spirit. The internal energy of the Nine Yin Manual was circulating wildly within her body, and her aura rose again, even stronger than before.
This is a characteristic of the Nine Yin Manual—the more adverse the circumstances, the more active the internal energy becomes.
Zi Ji sensed the change in Zhu Zhuqing, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
"Your technique is indeed very special; it can even enhance your strength under these circumstances."
Murasaki formed hand seals again, and the power of the Abyss Domain contracted completely, concentrating all its power in her right hand.
"Abyss Annihilation Slash!"
A black blade of light shot out from Zi Ji's hand, tearing the air apart and emitting a sharp whistling sound.
Zhu Zhuqing tried to dodge, but her body had reached its limit, and she could only take the hit head-on, as the corrosive power in her hand collided with the black light blade.
But this time, Zhu Zhuqing's attack was instantly defeated.
The black light blade struck her body, and Zhu Zhuqing let out a muffled groan as her body flew backward again.
This time, she couldn't stand up again. She lay on the competition stage, panting heavily, her soul power almost exhausted, her hands hanging limply at her sides.
The internal energy of the Nine Yin Manual was still slowly circulating, helping her recover her strength, but she was no longer able to fight for a short time.
The referee walked over, glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, confirmed that she was unable to continue, then raised his hand and announced loudly.
"Match over! Tianshui Team's Ziji wins!"
A round of applause erupted from the audience. Although Zhu Zhuqing lost, her performance earned everyone's respect.
With a level 55 strength, he was still able to put on such a performance against a level 62 Soul Emperor.
This in itself is a miracle, and she even managed to injure Murasaki, something many people cannot do.
Zi Ji walked to Zhu Zhuqing's side and extended her hand, "You are very strong. The next time we fight will probably be during the Soul Master Competition."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Zi Ji's hand, hesitated for a moment, then reached out and grasped it, and stood up.
"Next time, I will win."
Zi Ji smiled but didn't speak. Their eyes met in the air, filled with mutual respect.
On the preparation bench of the Tian Dou team, everyone's expression was somewhat solemn.
Zhu Zhuqing lost, which was expected.
However, the strength that Murasaki displayed still put pressure on everyone.
Zhu Zhuyun got up and stepped forward to help Zhu Zhuqing down from the stage.
"Are you alright?" Zhu Zhuyun asked in a low voice.
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head: "My soul power is quite depleted. I just need to rest for a bit."
She glanced at Zi Ji on the stage, her eyes filled with resentment.
In the Shrek Academy's spectator stands, Flander's eyes were filled with astonishment.
"This Zhu Zhuqing is extraordinary."
"A level 55 Soul King can withstand a level 62 Soul Emperor and still manage to injure him."
"This is the first time I've seen such combat power. It seems that going to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy this time was really a good choice."
Yu Xiaogang sat to the side, nodding solemnly, "Her soul power quality is extremely high, far surpassing that of other soul masters of the same level."
"Moreover, her recovery speed is astonishing, which is not normal. There must be something special about her."
Dai Mubai's gaze followed Zhu Zhuqing's figure intently, his fists clenched tightly.
He was Zhu Zhuqing's fiancé and knew her strength all too well; it was precisely because he knew her strength that he was even more shocked.
"When...when did she become so strong?" Dai Mubai's voice was a little hoarse, filled with complicated emotions.
"Her speed, strength, and reaction all exceeded the limits of a Soul King."
"If I were to fight her now... heh..."
Oscar was also shocked: "Her soul power seems inexhaustible, she unleashed one attack after another."
"Any other Soul King would have been exhausted long ago after unleashing so many Soul Skills in succession."
"She's fine, she can keep hitting after she's done, like nothing happened."
Tang San sat in the corner without saying a word, his gaze fixed on Zhu Zhuqing, his eyes flashing with a thoughtful light.
Others saw her fighting prowess, but he saw something much deeper.
The way Zhu Zhuqing's soul power circulated was different from any other soul master he had ever seen.
Ordinary Soul Masters generate their Soul Power from their Martial Soul, store it within their bodies, and release it directly when needed.
That method is relatively crude, and the flow path of soul power within the body is not complicated.
But Zhu Zhuqing was different. Tang San clearly sensed that her soul power was moving along a specific trajectory within her body.
Those trajectories are extremely complex, involving the body's meridian system.
This is not a simple storage and release of soul power, but a conscious guidance of soul power to circulate within the meridians.
Each time it cycles, the soul power is tempered and refined, becoming even purer.
This is clearly a complete cultivation technique!
Tang San's pupils contracted slightly; he was all too familiar with this feeling.
Because the way the Mysterious Heaven Skill is performed is also the same.
Xuan Tian Gong emphasizes circulating Qi through the meridians to nourish the body and control physical strength.
The way Zhu Zhuqing's soul power was executed was similar to the Xuan Tian Gong, and in some aspects, it was even more sophisticated.
Tang San closed his eyes and carefully recalled the soul power fluctuations he had just sensed.
The quality of that soul power was extremely high, far surpassing that of ordinary soul power. Moreover, its execution was seamless and unimpeded, endlessly flowing, as if it were a self-contained entity.
Tang San's breathing paused slightly.
He discovered a shocking fact: the skill Zhu Zhuqing possessed seemed to be of even higher quality than the Xuan Tian Gong!
This realization sent shockwaves through Tang San's heart.
The Mysterious Heaven Skill originates from the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record and is one of the most advanced internal energy cultivation methods of the Tang Clan.
He always believed that the Xuan Tian Gong was unique in the world.
But now, Zhu Zhuqing has acquired another cultivation technique, and it is of even higher quality.
Tang San opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Zhu Zhuqing, his eyes deep.
How did she obtain this cultivation technique?
What is the origin of this cultivation method?
Tang San was filled with questions, but he didn't ask them.
Everyone has their own secrets, and he understood that.
But the changes that occurred in Zhu Zhuqing gave him a new understanding of the world.
On the other side of the Tian Dou team's preparation area, Dugu Yan and her group were also discussing something.
"Murasaki is very strong."
"Her Abyss Domain is too effective against many people; those without a domain are simply suppressed when they try to enter."
Dugu Yan crossed her arms and stared intently at Zi Ji on the stage.
"I'll go. My Azure Phosphorus Dragon Emperor is no pushover either."
Her tone was filled with a strong competitive spirit.
"Although she is an abyssal dragon, I have consumed immortal herbs, and my martial soul has evolved."
"Even if there is suppression, it is not enough to be completely restrained."
Zhu Zhuyun had just helped Zhu Zhuqing to a seat to rest when she heard this and turned around.
"I'll go instead."
Her voice was calm, but her tone was equally firm.
"Zhu Qing and I share the same martial soul, but I have one more soul ring than her, and my cultivation level is also higher."
"Moreover, I may not be without the power to resist Zi Ji's Yin Water attribute."
The two men exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with an unyielding fighting spirit.
Dugu Yan shook her head and said, "Your attributes are suppressed too obviously."
"Zhu Qing is a cautionary tale; if you go up there, the outcome won't be much better than hers."
Zhu Zhuyun frowned slightly: "Your Azure Phosphorous Dragon Emperor is not a pure-blooded true dragon either."
"Can you withstand the suppression of Zi Ji's Abyss Dragon bloodline?"
The two held their own opinions, and neither could convince the other.
Lin Yuan sat to the side, listening to the argument between the two, and finally spoke up.
"Fine, I'll play this match."
His voice wasn't loud, but it silenced both of them.
Dugu Yan turned to look at him, frowning, and said, "You're going to play in the second match?"
Lin Yuan nodded and stood up.
"Neither of you has a domain, so you'll just be suppressed if you go up there."
He looked at Zi Ji on the stage, his gaze calm.
"When Zi Ji fought Zhu Qing, she didn't use her full strength at all."
"You should be able to tell that too."
The two fell silent.
Of course they could see it, they just didn't want to admit it.
Zhu Zhuyun bit her lip, but still spoke.
"But if you go on in the second match, what if they send out Gu Yuena as their third player..."
Her tone was filled with worry.
"It's disadvantageous for you."
Gu Yuena's cultivation level for this transformation was the same as Lin Yuan's, at level sixty-nine.
This was clearly intentional.
Lin Yuan smiled, his smile radiating composure.
"fine."
To be honest, now that Gu Yuena has joined the Tianshui team...
That means that the only abilities she has shown are water element and ice element evolved from water.
Even so, he still has a good chance of defeating his opponent.
He's gained so much through the system, he can't really lose to the other party, can he?
...