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Boom!
The first Explosive Shell detonated against the bronze sword projection, causing it to flicker violently.
Just as the second shell was about to hit, another light flashed around Wu Yifan—this time, a Grade-6 soul barrier activated, absorbing the explosion's full impact.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ping remained composed despite the overwhelming sword aura engulfing him.
After his lucky battle against Su Yu in Sun-Moon Hall, he had gained some resistance to techniques like this.
At the very least, when facing sword martial soul users other than Su Yu, he would not panic.
He channeled his full power into his battle armor, expanding the soul barrier until it completely enveloped him. At the same time, a heavy soul tool armor manifested over his body.
The sword energy barrage shattered the soul barrier after consuming much of its force, but when the attacks landed on the armor itself, they failed to penetrate.
The armor was incredibly dense—its defensive power was terrifying.
With a burst from the thrusters beneath his feet, Xiao Ping shot out of the storm's core.
Though his armor blocked most of the sword energy, some still seeped through the gaps, leaving shallow cuts on his body.
Realizing that his sword energy storm had failed to overwhelm Xiao Ping in an instant, Wu Yifan no longer tried to endure the remaining Explosive Shells head-on.
As the second shell exploded, he quickly retreated, summoning his green greatsword back to his hands. With a single slash, he sent out a blade of energy, detonating the remaining airborne shells before they could reach him.
The shockwave from the explosions disturbed his flight trajectory slightly.
Seizing the moment, Xiao Ping activated his thrusters at full power.
With a resounding boom, his speed surged to the extreme as additional propulsion from a Grade-6 flight soul tool on his back launched him forward.
Xiao Ping swiftly closed the distance between himself and Wu Yifan. Earlier, while dealing with the sword energy storm, he had lost his soul tool longsword. Now, soul power gathered around the gauntlet on his right hand, forming a blade of energy.
He swung the energy blade, slashing toward Wu Yifan.
Still rattled from the Explosive Shells, Wu Yifan instinctively raised his greatsword with both hands to block the incoming strike.
Clang!
The force of the attack, amplified by Xiao Ping's speed, sent Wu Yifan stumbling backward from the impact.
Xiao Ping seized the momentum. The thrusters on his back roared to life as he surged forward, chasing Wu Yifan down and slashing another arc of energy at him.
Strike after strike, he unleashed relentless sword attacks.
A mere Soul King was relentlessly suppressing a Soul Emperor.
"So strong!"
This wasn't the fighting style of a soul engineer—this was the combat of a true soul master!
Even the Shrek team had to admit that Xiao Ping's battle techniques were solid and orthodox.
"How does he have so much soul power?"
He was only a Soul King, even if his battle armor amplified his soul power output to the peak of a Soul Emperor. His soul power reserves should still be at the level of a Soul King.
Even if a soul engineer's chosen soul skills focused mostly on energy efficiency and amplification, this should not be possible.
But the only answer to He Caitou's doubts was Wu Yifan's defeat.
Xiao Ping was slightly out of breath.
Although he had used six Grade-6 Explosive Shells during the fight, the rest of his battle had been purely through soul master techniques.
A Soul King had overwhelmed a Soul Emperor.
Not just any Soul King—one who had neglected soul master training for over a decade, with unstable and shallow soul power.
Yet he had managed to defeat a Soul Emperor, someone with firm cultivation and even the potential to challenge opponents beyond his level, purely through direct combat.
The result shocked everyone.
When Xiao Ping initially erupted with his battle armor's power, many were astonished by its amplification.
However, they didn't find it too unbelievable.
After all, soul tools were capable of such enhancements.
A full set of Grade-5 soul tools boosting a Soul King's power output to the peak of a Soul Emperor was surprising, but not impossible.
That alone was enough to raise eyebrows.
Yet what truly defied expectations was what came after—Xiao Ping continuously accelerating through his thrusters, executing high-speed maneuvers midair, and unleashing one devastating sword strike after another.
It was as if a Soul Emperor had cast their sixth soul skill three or four times in succession.
The soul power consumption should have been enormous.
And yet, Xiao Ping showed only mild fatigue.
Though his body was covered in sword wounds from Wu Yifan's attacks, his soul power reserves had not reached their limit.
"It's the battle armor!"
At that moment, someone finally recalled Xiao Ping's introduction.
Battle Armor Master.
"Is that the name of the soul tool battle armor?"
"Or is it Xiao Ping's title at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy?"
"Xiao Ping, come down."
Su Yu spoke, stopping Xiao Ping from continuing the fight.
"Shi Xing, you're up."
After Wu Yifan's defeat, the atmosphere within the Proud Sword Sect grew heavy.
Their team was strong and had a real chance of making it to the top eight. Yet, they had encountered the Sun Moon Royal Battle Team in the knockout rounds. It was hard to say whether their luck was good or bad.
Still, they didn't intend to give up.
With Wu Yifan, a Soul Emperor, as their team captain, along with two teammates at levels 58 and 59—both capable of unleashing Soul Emperor-level strength—they believed they could hold their own against the Sun Moon Royal Battle Team.
But now, things weren't looking so optimistic.
The Sun Moon Royal Battle Team had defeated Wu Yifan using the purest soul master combat techniques.
A Soul King had overcome a Soul Emperor.
The Proud Sword Sect had become a stepping stone.
After Wu Yifan's defeat, the two other teammates, both capable of Soul Emperor-level combat, took the stage one after another.
"Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Battle Armor Master, Shi Xing."
"Proud Sword Sect, Jian Qi."
When Shi Xing also introduced himself as a Battle Armor Master, the audience began to realize that this wasn't just an individual title.
Battle Armor Masters—was this a new profession emerging from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy?
Just like how soul engineers had developed soul tools while still following a soul master's path, this Battle Armor Master seemed to be a combat style centered around enhancing power with soul tool battle armor.
Unlike Xiao Ping's close-combat style, Shi Xing specialized in soul cannons. Using his mobility to the fullest, he continuously fired high-explosive Grade-6 shells, overwhelming his opponent.
Shi Xing easily suppressed the Proud Sword Sect disciple, who, despite being a Soul King, was said to possess Soul Emperor-level strength. The battle ended in his victory.
"Shi Xing, step down."
"Next match, Zhou Xinghao."
"Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Battle Armor Master, Zhou Xinghao."
"Proud Sword Sect, Sha Qianren!"
Sha Qianren's martial soul was the Bloodthirst Sword, radiating an intense aura of bloodlust and killing intent.
Facing him, Zhou Xinghao merged with his battle armor, instantly transforming into an artillery platform.
Unlike Shi Xing, whose lower soul power and stamina forced him to rely on agility and dodging while firing, Zhou Xinghao was naturally strong. He could control multiple soul cannons simultaneously, turning himself into a stationary turret. With his sheer firepower, he didn't need to reposition or even consider defense.
Xiao Hongchen also utilized an artillery-style combat method, but compared to him, Zhou Xinghao controlled fewer soul cannons, and his overall firepower was slightly weaker.
However, his soul cannon setup was still more than enough to dominate opponents at the same level.
Not to mention, at this moment, the battle was between Zhou Xinghao, whose strength could be compared to a peak Soul Emperor, and Sha Qianren, who was merely a Soul King.
Three minutes later, Zhou Xinghao emerged victorious.
The three strongest members of the Proud Sword Sect—one true Soul Emperor and two Soul Kings capable of unleashing Soul Emperor-level strength—had all been defeated in one-on-one battles by the three Soul Kings of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
"Battle Armor Masters!"
This new profession had made its debut on the Soul Dueling Tournament stage.
(End of Chapter)