As Ye Hao finished speaking, he wasted no time. His towering figure moved with the force of a mountain, charging directly toward Xie Yue.
The overwhelming presence he exuded seemed to solidify the air around him, creating a pressure that felt inescapable.
Diamond Mammoth Soul Masters were renowned for their impenetrable defenses, but their power extended far beyond that.
Unlike strength-type Soul Masters who focused solely on absorbing single-attribute soul rings, Diamond Mammoth Soul Masters prioritized balance and diversity in their ring selection, making them formidable in both offense and defense.
As Ye Hao approached, his third soul ring suddenly lit up, radiating brilliant light.
With the release of his soul power, an oppressive aura descended from above, crashing onto Xie Yue like a tidal wave.
This was Ye Hao's third ring ability, Oppressive Force.
The name itself was imposing, but its effect was even more so. It inflicted both mental and physical pressure on the target, rendering them almost immobile for a brief period.
Given Xie Yue's speed, he could have avoided the attack by retreating before Ye Hao unleashed the ability. Yet, he chose to face it head-on.
Xie Yue understood that in a real arena match, Ye Hao's oppressive aura would likely cover the entire stage. Retreating would mean losing his chance to counterattack, which could lead to defeat.
Thus, instead of evading, Xie Yue decided to confront the challenge directly.
His plan was simple: attacking an opponent during their move would temporarily reduce their defense. He hoped to exploit this opening for a counterstrike.
However, Xie Yue underestimated Ye Hao's strength.
The oppressive aura was a concentrated manifestation of Ye Hao's soul power and mental energy, amplified far beyond what his third soul ring could provide alone.
As the pressure enveloped Xie Yue, he was completely locked in place.
He struggled against the invisible force, but it was as immovable as a mountain, leaving him unable to respond.
Watching from the sidelines, Hu Liena clenched her fists nervously.
It was the first time she had seen her brother, Xie Yue, so thoroughly suppressed and unable to retaliate.
Her eyes reflected a mix of confusion and worry, coupled with astonishment at the opponent's sheer dominance.
At that moment, Lin Zhendong intervened.
"That's enough. This match is over."
Though the battle was intense, Lin Zhendong's words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly quelling the fight.
Xie Yue had already consumed a significant amount of soul power in the earlier exchanges and was now completely suppressed. Continuing the match would only exhaust him further, making the outcome a foregone conclusion.
Ye Hao immediately retracted his martial soul, pulling back his rings. He had no intention of harming an opponent who was clearly at a disadvantage.
As if waking from a nightmare, Xie Yue's body trembled slightly. His face was pale, and his forehead was covered in sweat, but his eyes shone with determination.
He looked deeply at Ye Hao before bowing slightly in respect, graciously acknowledging his defeat.
"Senior, your strength is truly impressive. I admit defeat."
Ye Hao returned the bow and humbly replied,
"Thank you, young brother. You're quite formidable yourself. To hold out as long as you did without prior knowledge of my martial soul or abilities is commendable.
If we were in a real battle, facing someone with your speed would undoubtedly be a nightmare for me. I wouldn't be able to catch up or restrain you effectively."
Ye Hao's words were sincere. He knew his strengths lay in powerful defenses and sudden bursts of strength, but his massive size came with a significant weakness, his lack of speed.
Against an opponent like Xie Yue, who excelled in agility, he would face a tough challenge in a real fight.
Xie Yue nodded silently, saying no more as he returned to stand beside Hu Liena and Yan.
Hu Liena immediately asked, "Brother, are you okay?"
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I just used up too much soul power. I'll recover after a short rest. The opponents Lin Teacher picked for us aren't ordinary. Be careful."
"Understood," she replied.
Yan glanced at the other two Spirit Kings waiting on the sidelines. He seemed to grasp Lin Zhendong's intentions.
On the first day of their special training, Lin Zhendong wanted them to experience failure firsthand.
This was not just a test of their strength but also an opportunity to sharpen their resolve and temper their mental fortitude.
Lin Zhendong suddenly turned to Yan and Hu Liena.
"Now it's your turn. Who's next?"
"I'll go first."
Without hesitation, Yan stepped forward, walking directly to the center of the field.
At the same time, a tall, slender Spirit King with piercing eyes strode gracefully into the ring, locking eyes with Yan.
This seemed to be Lin Zhendong's arrangement.
Wasting no time, Yan introduced himself.
"Yan, Level 42 Assault System Soul Master. Please, teach me."
"Feng Yizhi, Level 52 Assault System Soul Master. I'll do my best."
The Spirit King, whose name matched his graceful demeanor, appeared calm and scholarly.
It was hard to believe someone with such an elegant appearance was an assault-type Spirit King.
However, opponents like him were the most dangerous because you couldn't discern their martial soul or abilities easily.
As both fighters prepared themselves, Xie Yue and Hu Liena grew tense on the sidelines.
Among the trio, Yan was the strongest.
Although Hu Liena often dismissed Yan's abilities, she genuinely hoped he could win this match.
This wasn't just about individual pride but a demonstration of their team's overall strength.
The match officially began as both combatants released their martial souls and soul rings.
Behind Yan, a blazing inferno rose, coalescing into a massive flaming humanoid figure, like a guardian spirit.
Two yellow and two purple rings encircled him, radiating dazzling light.
When Feng Yizhi released his martial soul, Xie Yue and Hu Liena were stunned.
Like Ye Hao, Feng Yizhi also possessed the optimal two yellow, two purple, and one black ring configuration.
His martial soul, however, was not a beast spirit but a tool spirit, Wind Sword.
The two were surprised by this revelation.
They hadn't expected this seemingly gentle Spirit King to possess such a unique martial soul.
The Wind Sword not only granted immense offensive power but also bestowed flight capabilities.
Its wielder could soar through the skies, maneuvering freely and flexibly, making them incredibly unpredictable in battle.
Facing an opponent who excelled in both offense and speed, Yan's fire-based attacks might prove ineffective.