Originally, Su Ming thought his sixth soul ring only had a single ability. However, it turned out to have two: one increased total spiritual power, and the other accelerated spiritual power recovery. And this enhancement reached an astounding tenfold increase!
"With this spiritual power boost, you don't need to worry about Hu Liena's charm attacks. Just watch out for the moon blades wielded by her fusion form, Yaomei," Su Ming instructed.
"I'll handle Qian Renxue, while you all take care of Yaomei and the other opponents. Dugu Yan will lead, and I'll deploy my Wood Dragon to support your attacks."
Hu Liena noticed her charm wasn't affecting the Heaven Dou team and shot Su Ming an irritated look—it must have been due to that sixth soul skill of his!
"Qian Renxue, shall we split the battlefield? I'll fight you alone, and let Yaomei and the others handle my teammates," Su Ming offered.
Qian Renxue nodded with a slight smile, "Agreed. I've been wanting to test your strength."
As they moved to the edge of the arena, Yan glared at Su Ming, frustrated yet powerless. He had no choice but to focus on the remaining members of the Heaven Dou team, muttering to himself.
Without waiting for Hu Liena's signal, Yan charged forward.
"Second soul skill, Flame Armor!"
"Fourth soul skill, Lava Eruption!"
Though Yan had boasted earlier, his actions were more cautious. He cast a defensive skill before launching his area attack. The ground split apart, erupting with molten lava, which Yan directed at the Heaven Dou team.
But just as he attacked, he noticed one team member was missing—the agility-type spirit master! Realizing his mistake, he quickly spread lava around to guard against Zhu Zhuqing's potential ambush. Although Yan hadn't watched the Heaven Dou team's previous matches, the Spirit Hall had gathered intelligence: one of Zhu Zhuqing's spirit skills allowed her to disappear briefly. This was why he had cast his Flame Armor first.
Taking advantage of the obscured visibility from Yaomei's red mist, Zhu Zhuqing had used her fourth soul skill, Stealth: Netherworld Abyss, to become invisible. She positioned herself strategically, watching Yan with cold eyes—arrogance, she believed, would have its price. Yan's boasting earlier had clearly irked her.
"Be cautious of Zhu Zhuqing's invisibility!" Hu Liena warned, albeit reluctantly. Yan's behavior had irritated her too. She gave the reminder solely because they were on the same team.
Seeing the field scattered with molten lava, Zhu Zhuqing increased her speed to dodge the attacks.
"External spirit bone, Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, right paw bone skill: Dark Gold Dreadclaw!"
"Fifth soul skill, Netherworld Slash!"
Both Su Ming and Ghost Douluo, Zhu Zhuqing's mentor, noticed her movements. They both felt a twitch of apprehension—her attack might be overkill! The fifth soul skill already amplified her power fivefold and carried armor-piercing effects, but combining it with the Dark Gold Dreadclaw's skill? She might end Yan in one blow!
In a flash, Zhu Zhuqing's claws slashed deeply into Yan's chest, leaving five gashes down to the bone. Yan was thrown back, gasping as he looked down at his wounds, barely able to comprehend what had just happened.
"Lingling, give him some basic healing so he doesn't accidentally die," Zhu Zhuqing said icily. "I held back, striking across his chest instead of through it. Consider it a lesson for his arrogance—boasting should come with the strength to back it up."
Ye Lingling nodded, her Twin Lotus in hand, casting a healing skill that stopped Yan's bleeding but nothing more. She had no intention of doing anything beyond keeping him alive; she, too, found Yan's arrogance insufferable.
Behind Bibi Dong, Ghost Douluo wiped the sweat from his brow, thankful Zhu Zhuqing had shown restraint. Yan had talent, being taught by a Titled Douluo, but if he had upset Su Ming and Zhu Zhuqing more, he might not survive.
Bibi Dong cast a cold glance at Yan, who lay on the ground, battered and bleeding.
"Get off the battlefield and tend to your wounds. Useless," she said coldly.