Mu Jin left, and Nanmen Yun er also took her leave, leaving only Wu Feng to stay with Ningtian. Although the three of them were on the same team, the relationship between Ningtian and Wu Feng was close; Nanmen Yun er was merely a schoolmate to them.
"Young Master, we can't just let this go. That bastard dared to hurt you, why don't we make use of our family's power?" Wu Feng said with hatred.
A flicker of unwillingness crossed Ningtian's eyes, "Sister Feng, don't let your anger cloud your wisdom. This is Shrek Academy, how can we easily use our family's power? Moreover, we lost due to our own abilities, there's no reason to blame others. To wash away this humiliation, we need to rely on our own efforts. Also, haven't I told you not to call me Young Master in the academy? We're sisters."
"Mm." Wu Feng obediently agreed, nodding gently.
After a moment of thought, Ningtian said, "Tomorrow, we'll find a way to watch their competition. As long as we observe carefully, we'll certainly find some clues. They didn't defeat us by luck, but by strength. That student who only has a 10-year soul ring seems to be called Huo Yuhao, he's the one most worthy of our attention. Perhaps, they will also become our biggest competitors during our time in the outer court."
Fortunately, the freshman elimination round was held separately, without many spectators, so Huo Yuhao and his team didn't attract too much attention.
Having successfully entered the top sixteen and defeated one of the most competitive teams, not only did Huo Yuhao and his team prove themselves, they also boosted their confidence. Soul Venerables were not so frightening after all, hadn't they just defeated a team led by a Soul Venerable? The excitement in the hearts of the trio, after defeating Ningtian's team, which had such strong comprehensive strength, could be imagined.
The promised grilled fish for Xiao Xiao was realized today when Huo Yuhao quickly sold twenty and then took the rest to have a picnic in the wild with Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao. Only when the sky grew dark did the three of them quietly return to the dorm.
After both Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong had cleaned up, knowing that Wang Dong liked cleanliness, Huo Yuhao made sure to change into a clean set of clothes and asked, "Tonight, do we cultivate on your bed or mine?"
Wang Dong's face stiffened, and he said with a tinge of anger, "Would it kill you to add the words 'to cultivate'? Can't you stop making it sound so ambiguous?"
Huo Yuhao was also helpless, "Don't listen to Xiao Xiao's nonsense, I won't like you, I still prefer beautiful girls."
Wang Dong snorted and said, "We'll cultivate in our own beds, your rickety bed is too hard."
Huo Yuhao frowned, "Stop joking, let's get to it. When we cultivate together, we can improve nearly twice as fast. Don't you want to catch up with that Ningtian in terms of soul power rank soon?"
With a cunning smile, Wang Dong said, "Who's playing with you? Who said we can't cultivate together if we each stay in our own beds? Just pull your bed over, keep a distance of fifty centimeters from mine, and we can just sit at the edge of our beds with our hands outstretched. We'll even have a space in between as a boundary line."
Huo Yuhao rolled his eyes, "Aren't you tired? Isn't this just deceiving ourselves?"
Wang Dong glared at him with his beautiful big eyes, "Are you coming or not? If not, I'm going to sleep. I'm not exactly a diligent person. Who would be in the mood to cultivate in the middle of the night if not for you?"
"Alright, alright, I'm scared of you," Huo Yuhao had no choice but to pull his bed next to Wang Dong's bed and sit down cross-legged on it.
Wang Dong also raised his hands, pressing their palms together as Haodong's Power rapidly circulated within their bodies.
Today, they had defeated Ningtian, and it was their first attempt at utilizing soul skills with Haodong's Power. They were successful, and both Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong sensed that with the fusion of their powers, they could virtually transform all of their soul skills into something akin to a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Concentrating their soul power to unleash a single skill, its might wasn't comparable to that of a true Martial Soul Fusion Skill, but it was certainly far superior to the power of their individual skills. It was precisely because of this that they could defeat their opponent with ease.
And today's battle was the first time Huo Yuhao felt the sensation of being powerful. However, their cultivation was still weak, and when the two of them combined their efforts to use their soul powers, they were barely at the level of a three-ring Soul Venerable. Huo Yuhao's own soul power was simply too weak. If it weren't for Soul Shock being a special spirit class attack ability, they might not have achieved victory so swiftly today.
Just one day of competition had eliminated most of the freshmen, and by the second day, only the top sixteen teams, a total of forty-eight freshmen, remained to continue the competition. It could be said that they were the cream of the crop among the freshmen, or even part of the most outstanding soul masters among their peers across the continent.
During the drawing for the top sixteen, Huo Yuhao and his companions saw some familiar faces. Huang Chutian's team, which had lost to them in the group matches, was also among the top sixteen.
Huo Yuhao whispered to Wang Dong, "What do you think, how long do you think the Lan Sisters need to rest before they can use their Martial Soul Fusion Skill again?"
Wang Dong said, "Probably not long. Although they are twins, I don't think their Martial Soul Fusion Skill is that strong. I suspect it's because of a low compatibility. They lack explosive power and their restraining ability is just okay, but they can't sustain the consumption of soul power. If we encounter them again, you won't need to take action. Just aid me with a 'Light of Butterfly Goddess,' and I'm confident I can break their Martial Soul Fusion Skill."
As they talked, they also observed the other competitors. By this point in the knockout stage, Huo Yuhao was probably the only one at the first ring level.
Today, the high platform filled with spectators had more people than yesterday, and even before the matches started, it was already packed. Oddly enough, there was a roughly three square meter space cleared in the center of the platform, where a disheveled old man sat with bare feet hanging over the edge of the platform, drinking wine from a purple-red gourd. Several roast chicken legs wrapped in paper were placed beside him, and he had one in his hand, enjoying his food and drink to the fullest.
Those eligible to watch from the high platform were all teachers from Shrek Academy, yet none dared to approach the old man, nor did anyone question him.
"Xuan elder, you've come," Wang Yan respectfully approached the unkempt elder and greeted him quietly.
"Mhm," the elder merely grunted, continuing with his eating and drinking.
Pointing to the competitors below, Wang Yan said, "The three youngsters I mentioned are over there. Yesterday..."
Before he could finish, Xuan elder waved the chicken leg impatiently and said, "I can see for myself."
"Yes," Wang Yan replied, not daring to say more, and retreated to the side.
With the drawing of lots completed, the selection competition's knockout round for the top sixteen to advance to the top eight officially began.
The competition area was expanded once more, with eight spacious arenas holding matches simultaneously. This time, the opponents Huo Yuhao's team faced were somewhat peculiar—after facing a trio of females in their second match the day before, they were now up against three males.
The three opponents entered the arena and immediately arranged themselves in a horizontal line, with a chubby boy standing in the center. According to the admission rules of Shrek Academy, he was at most twelve years old, but his figure didn't seem to resemble that of a twelve-year-old at all!
He was at least 1.7 meters tall, towering over Huo Yuhao and the other two by more than a head, and what was more, his waistline was probably close to 1.7 meters...
Standing there, he looked like a miniature mountain of flesh.
The two others beside him seemed quite slender in comparison; they were not only more than a head shorter but also appeared to be quite skinny. The two looked somewhat alike, presumably brothers, but not twins. Their arms were especially long.
If one looked at these three students from a distance, the two slender ones would probably be overlooked entirely.
"Both sides, announce your names. Get ready for the match." The proctor spoke in a deep voice.
The mountain-like boy suddenly slapped his chest, causing his fat to tremble wildly: "My name is Xie Huanyue, from the second-year newcomers."
"Second-year newcomers, Luo Tianlong."
"Second-year newcomers, Luo Tianba."
The names of the two slender students turned out to be quite domineering.
Huo Yuhao's team also announced their names, and as the proctor shouted the start of the match, the battle for the top sixteen officially began.
Even before the clash began, the muscles on the faces of Huo Yuhao's team began to twitch...
There was a simple reason for this, as they saw it again, three rings...
Xiao Xiao couldn't help but say, "Is it our bad luck or is the academy intentionally messing with us?"
Three soul rings suddenly appeared on the newcomer second-year student Xie Huanyue. Not only were they the optimal setup of two yellow and one purple, but they were also incredibly distinct due to oscillating around his large body. As soon as his soul rings were released, his body swelled once more, growing from 1.7 to over 1.9 meters tall, his skin turning bronze in an instant. He pounded his fists against his chest, producing a muffled 'thump thump' sound, and took large strides as he charged towards Huo Yuhao's team.
Luo Tianlong and Luo Tianba did not immediately release their martial souls but instead dashed behind Xie Huanyue, using his huge body as a shield.
This was their habitual way of fighting, often giving them an advantage, but unfortunately, this time they encountered Huo Yuhao, an oddity.
Hide? Can they hide from Spiritual Detection? As a soft golden glow shone in Huo Yuhao's eyes, a three-dimensional image immediately appeared in Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao's minds.
This time, Xiao Xiao even refrained from directly using the Three Lives Soul Suppression Cauldron, instead releasing her Nine Phoenix Flute. Since their twin martial souls had been exposed, it was only natural to use the best one available.
A piece that slowed the group resounded, instantly slowing down Xie Huanyue's speed, along with the two hiding behind him.
Wang Dong, however, was in no rush to charge forward; instead, he released his Bright Goddess Butterfly Martial Soul. His dazzlingly large wings unfolded, shielding both Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao behind him. At this point, he and Xie Huanyue could only see each other.
Xie Huanyue didn't seem to mind his slowed speed and stomped his left foot heavily, yet this time, the previous 'thump, thump' sound didn't occur. It was at this moment that his first soul ring lit up.
In Huo Yuhao's Spiritual Detection, he could tell that Xie Huanyue was about to jump. But how high could his massive body possibly jump?
As Huo Yuhao's team puzzled over this, they quickly realized their mistake.
Xie Huanyue's body shot into the air like a soul-guided cannonball, and this leap surprisingly took him ten meters high. Then, coiling into a ball, he plummeted like a giant meatball toward Huo Yuhao's team below.
Luo Tianlong and Luo Tianba, clearly brothers, also acted at the same time. Affected by the group slow spell, their speed was limited, but still swift. Silver blades emerged on their forearms, resembling giant mantis sabers - quick and seemingly effortless.
Wang Dong pointed his toes and charged out as well. He didn't meet Xie Huanyue in mid-air, even with his flight capabilities, instead heading straight for the Luo brothers. His Wing Scythe Blade released simultaneously. He was going to use brute force against agility. The Luo brothers' speed was suppressed by Xiao Xiao, and they could no longer completely overpower him, so he was confident he could face both.
As for Xie Huanyue, descending from above, he was naturally met with Xiao Xiao's Three Lives Soul Suppression Cauldron.
The Three Lives Soul Suppression Cauldron split into three in mid-air, aiming for reliability rather than aggression, and Xiao Xiao deployed her second soul skill, Cauldron Swing.
Xiao Xiao showed no signs of underestimating her opponent. He was a genuine Soul Venerable level powerhouse; that was why she had used her strongest soul skill from the start.
To everyone's surprise, faced with Xiao Xiao's attack, Xie Huanyue neither dodged nor used a soul skill. Instead, he allowed the three large cauldrons to collide with him.
At the moment of impact, Xie Huanyue's body spun around in the air, and his first soul ring finally lit up, unleashing his first soul skill.
His already huge body inflated even more, now resembling a balloon. With the cauldrons hitting him, Cauldron Swing's effect just started to manifest, but the "balloon" suddenly shrunk. It managed to dissolve the power of Cauldron Swing and then fell straight down towards Xiao Xiao.
How powerful. At this moment, both Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao felt they knew they could not stop it. Xie Huanyue's martial soul was quite strange, likely a special beast martial soul, yet unknown.
Wang Dong was not falling behind either. Despite facing two strong opponents, with the aid of Huo Yuhao's Shared Spiritual Detection and the resilience and sharpness of the Wing Cleaver Blade, he was holding his ground against both. But the Luo Family Brothers were not only fast but also extremely cunning, avoiding direct clashes with Wang Dong at all costs, thus preventing a clear outcome in the short term.
"Bang—" The massive body of Xie Huanyue finally bounced away like a giant ball, sent flying by the impact of the Three Lives Soul Suppression Cauldron. He had to withstand both Huo Yuhao's Soul Shock and Xiao Xiao's Cauldron Swing at the same time.
Under the effect of the Soul Shock, he failed to deploy his skillful force-dissipation soul skill and ultimately was knocked away.
Regrettably, the offensive strength of Xiao Xiao's Three Lives Soul Suppression Cauldron was obviously not enough to pose a threat to him. Landing on the ground far away, his body surprisingly rebounded in the next second and shot back into the air.
Huo Yuhao was shocked because he clearly felt that his Soul Shock, when trying to penetrate Xie Huanyue's brain, seemed to be slowed by his thick skin, even filtering his Spiritual Power before rushing into Xie Huanyue's mind. It only caused momentary dizziness, the effect being almost the same as when used on Ma Xiaotao. What kind of Martial Soul was this, to be so troublesome?
The pressure on Huo Yuhao and his team suddenly increased, and Wang Dong, clearly sensing it through the Spiritual Detection, flashed a cold light in his eyes. His wings flickered rapidly, forcibly repelling the Luo Family Brothers. Following this, his second soul ring lit up.
The dazzling Light of Butterfly Goddess once again shone over the battlefield. With the precise prediction provided by Spiritual Detection, not to mention the skill itself had a locking effect, even without it, Wang Dong's soul skill would not miss its mark.
The Luo Family Brothers certainly wouldn't just wait for defeat, but without the group combat assistive skill like Huo Yuhao's Shared Spiritual Detection, their reaction was much slower. By the time they started to release their second soul skill, Wang Dong's soul skill had already been executed.
The Mantis Sabers of the Luo Family Brothers transformed into dozens of bladed lights, attempting to block the radiance of the Butterfly Goddess' Light, but it proved futile. Whether it was soul power rank, Martial Soul caliber or the age of the soul rings, they were all inferior to Wang Dong. Amidst the flash of golden light, the Millennium Soul Ring Technique, Light of Butterfly Goddess, exerted its full power, blasting the Luo Family Brothers away. However, just as their own soul skills were broken, the supervising teacher also entered the field like a ghost, pulled the two out of the golden light, and quickly left the competition area. Clearly, in his judgment, the Luo Family Brothers would have been seriously injured in Wang Dong's attack, hence his intervention, but his interference also meant that the Luo Family Brothers could no longer continue the competition.
Wang Dong's precise judgment, powerful offensive ability, and decisive action instantly won unanimous approval from the teachers watching from the high platform. And as Wang Dong emerged victorious, Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao also faced the full-force attack from Xie Huanyue.
In fact, in terms of overall strength, Xie Huanyue's team was even slightly weaker than Ningtian's team. The strength gap between the Luo Family Brothers and Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er was insurmountable, and their Martial Souls vastly differed. However, according to the teachers' private assessments, Xie Huanyue, a newcomer Soul Venerable, was even rated higher than Ningtian at the current stage, indicating how formidable he was.
Xie Huanyue, descending from the sky once again, activated his second soul ring. Huo Yuhao attempted the same tactic, launching another Soul Shock at him. Xiao Xiao's Three Lives Soul Suppression Cauldron also struck simultaneously. What they needed now was to buy time until Wang Dong returned to join their combined strength in a final battle against Xie Huanyue.
However, while Huo Yuhao's Spiritual Detection could scout the enemy's movements, it could not ascertain what their soul skills were.
Xie Huanyue, airborne, suddenly illuminated his second soul ring, and his originally short and thick right arm swung violently. As Huo Yuhao's Soul Shock took effect, his arm abruptly elongated and accurately struck the three charging Three Lives Soul Suppression Cauldrons.
Although Xiao Xiao instantly initiated her Cauldron's Tremor, Xie Huanyue's arm directly nullified her technique, his monstrous strength sweeping across and forcibly parting the three cauldrons. His massive ball-like body descended from the sky. The arm that had swept away the cauldrons extended further, whipping towards Xiao Xiao.
The influence of the Soul Shock on him was too brief, and his application of soul skills was ingeniously acute. He accurately predicted the timing of Huo Yuhao's Soul Shock, deploying his skill at the critical moment, instantly gaining full advantage.
Xiao Xiao, although a possessor of Twin Martial Souls, had very poor close-combat capabilities. She was not an offensive or agility-focused Soul Master, but had always prided herself as a control-class Soul Master, with limited combat experience. Watching the massive body bear down on her, she became somewhat stupefied.
Huo Yuhao dashed forward from behind and abruptly wrapped his arms around Xiao Xiao's waist. With a shake of his body, like a ghostly apparition, he dodged the seemingly inevitable strike from Xie Huanyue's arm. Then, rolling on the spot with Xiao Xiao, they evaded the heavy pressure of Xie Huanyue's body.
"Pfft—" Xie Huanyue's colossal body hit the ground but didn't make a heavy thud. This time, he didn't bounce back up but instead rolled over, pressing towards Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao.
The moment coincided with Wang Dong's triumphant defeat of the Luo Family Brothers. Xie Huanyue could feel the pressure mounting. If he couldn't defeat Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao first, he was certain that facing three opponents alone would leave him with no chance.
The third soul ring on his plump body finally lit up; its purple glow instantly illuminated his figure, making Xie Huanyue resemble an enormous purple ball. Accompanied by his low roar, a strong purple halo burst forth from his body, rapidly catching up to Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao.
At the critical moment, Huo Yuhao showed his true mettle as a man. He quickly stood up from his sideways roll. Harnessing the momentum, his arms, still wrapped around Xiao Xiao's waist, exerted full force, flinging Xiao Xiao into the air—a place beyond the reach of Xie Huanyue's attack.
"Yuhao—"
"Huo Yuhao—"
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao almost simultaneously cried out in alarm as the formidable purple light struck Huo Yuhao. His body shook visibly, with rings of purple light rippling upward from his feet, and he stood there motionless. His Shared Spiritual Detection vanished in an instant.
A figure flashed; taking advantage of the moment before Xie Huanyue's massive body could crush him, an invigilating teacher swiftly removed Huo Yuhao from the competition area. This was to prevent him from becoming a pancake under that ball of flesh…
Xie Huanyue cursed internally; defeating a Soul Master with only a 10-year soul ring was useless. The Grand Soul Master with Twin Martial Souls had gotten away. It seemed this battle was far from over! Nonetheless, he remained confident. Even without the Luo family brothers, who were merely his vassals, he viewed himself as the true source of combat power. With his three-ring capabilities, he was confident he had a more than 70% chance of defeating two 2nd-ring Grand Soul Masters.
Yet, as he looked up into the sky, he couldn't help but pause. Xiao Xiao, flung into the air by Huo Yuhao, was caught by Wang Dong who had rushed over. Wang Dong's wings were unfurled, maintaining their hover in mid-air. At that moment, both of their eyes were red, and astonishingly, Xie Huanyue, with all his strength, felt the pressure emanating from them.
"Wang Dong, let me down," said Xiao Xiao, her voice somewhat chilly. The usually mild-mannered girl was now truly angered. Huo Yuhao had taken that hit for her! Moreover, they had no idea whether the invigilating teacher would be able to intervene in time. If not, Huo Yuhao's fate would be either death or severe injury. How could this not move Xiao Xiao?
Furthermore, she blamed herself for Xie Huanyue's close approach, and now her fighting spirit was fully ignited.
Wang Dong retracted his wings and helped Xiao Xiao to the ground. His rage burned even fiercer than Xiao Xiao's, glaring intensely at Xie Huanyue with only one thought in his mind: this bastard hurt Yuhao, and I am going to kill him.
Xie Huanyue did not rush to attack. His massive body slowly advanced towards Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao. His first soul ring continued to glow, keeping his body large and round, an inherent trait of his Martial Soul. As a top-tier defensive Beast Martial Soul, his training objective was not solely defense; he sought to become a comprehensive Defense and Control Double-Element Battle Soul Master. Indeed, up to now, his training had been quite successful. Even before the entrance exam, he, together with Ningtian and another student who had reached the Soul Venerable level, had become core disciples of the outer school.
"Xiao Xiao, I need fifteen seconds," said Wang Dong in a grave voice. Right after speaking, he closed his eyes, and both his yellow and purple soul rings lit up. Circles of golden light began to emerge from his dazzling blue wings. His arms were raised, aligning with his front wings.
Xiao Xiao nodded firmly but did not say a word. Instead, she strode boldly towards Xie Huanyue. The sound of the Nine Phoenix Flute grew increasingly fervent, with circles of green light rapidly spreading from the jade flute she played.
The Three Lives Soul Suppression Cauldron suddenly contracted around her, three massive cauldrons positioned around her body in a protective triangle.
Xie Huanyue snorted and suddenly squatted down before instantly springing up, this time charging directly at Xiao Xiao. His body was his most powerful weapon. Despite the speed reduction, he was still full of confidence.
His second soul ring also lit up at the same time, and that extendable arm was ready to strike, poised to knock away Xiao Xiao's Three Lives Soul Suppression Cauldron at any moment.
However, just when he was less than five meters from Xiao Xiao, suddenly, the three large cauldrons beside her emitted a dark light and collided with one another in the center. They weren't colliding with Xie Huanyue but instead with each other. The two soul rings attached to the Three Lives Soul Suppression Cauldron on Xiao Xiao's body lit up as well.
Almost all Soul Masters' soul skills can be used in combination, but the extent of the combination depends on the strength of the Soul Master's own Martial Soul and the cooperation between the soul skills produced after the addition of the soul rings.
Facing a powerful enemy, Xiao Xiao finally brought out her strongest measure.
The national treasure, Cauldron's Tremor.
The Triple Cauldrons Unity released a fierce roar, and a cauldron twice the size of any previously seen suddenly appeared. Mysterious runes faintly emerged on this colossal cauldron, and an indescribable majesty burst forth with that roar.
The arm that Xie Huanyue struck with was forcefully bounced back, and when his large body collided with the colossal cauldron, a national treasure, he was stuck in mid-air, unable to move. Rings of black halos continuously assaulted his body, and Xie Huanyue felt the soul power inside him rapidly evaporating.
In shock, he hurriedly stimulated his soul power, wanting to use his powerful thousand-year soul ring skill. But, to his astonishment, he found he couldn't. It was as if his body had been fixed in place. His active soul skill couldn't be withdrawn, and those not yet deployed couldn't be released, moreover, the soul power within his body was evaporating quickly. Yet that colossal cauldron stood as unmovable as a mountain, unaffected by his collision.
The Nine Phoenix Flute in Xiao Xiao's hand had disappeared the moment the colossal cauldron appeared. It could clearly be seen that she, too, was surrounded by rings of black halos, and her complexion was becoming paler and paler.
Two soul skills fused in such a special way to be cast as one, the consumption level was already close to that of a Martial Soul Fusion Skill! And with the soul power already expended in the earlier fight, Xiao Xiao couldn't last much longer. However, in her heart at this moment, there was only Wang Dong's words, "Fifteen seconds, no matter what, I must hold on for these fifteen seconds."
The moment Huo Yuhao unhesitatingly thrust her away, her innocent heart was already filled with emotion. In that instant, she had fully integrated into the team. Even though she was a girl, her heart surged with passion— for the glory of the team, for her partners, I can sacrifice too.
Fifteen seconds, which in normal times would be so fleeting, yet at this moment felt so unbearably long.
Xie Huanyue, with his level 32 soul power cultivation, was starting to panic because he saw the determination and resolve in Xiao Xiao's eyes, which were clearly the expression of someone ready to go down fighting. Had she gone mad? This was just a freshman assessment competition! Although he didn't understand how Xiao Xiao made him immovable, with his knowledge, he knew that even Twin Martial Souls couldn't defy the rules of Martial Souls; the stronger the ability, the greater the consumption.
One second, another, and another.
The proctor at the side of the field was nervous, not knowing whether to stop such a competition. But if he did stop it, how would he determine the winner? Huo Yuhao, who had just regained consciousness from the intense dizziness caused by that purple light, clenched his fists tighter. He had spirit eyes and could see clearly; Xiao Xiao was already overexerted!
"Xiao Xiao, give it up," Huo Yuhao shouted. Even if it meant losing the match, he didn't want his companion to get hurt!
Xiao Xiao's response to Huo Yuhao was to tighten her lips, while the black halo around her seemed to grow even more intense.
At that moment, Huo Yuhao was deeply shaken by the determination in Xiao Xiao's eyes, and it wasn't just him—on the spectators' high platform, even Elder Xuan, who was gnawing on a chicken leg, stopped chewing and slowly nodded at Xiao Xiao.
Five, four, three, two, one...
As the final second arrived, a golden light pillar suddenly rose from behind Xiao Xiao, and Wang Dong's Bright Goddess Butterfly wings completely turned into a brilliant gold. Accompanied by the rising golden light, he seemed to rise like a phoenix from flames. As his body ascended, the golden light pillar actually bent, transforming into a terrifying, huge crescent-shaped light blade.
In that instant, the air seemed to be torn apart, and a powerful soul power fluctuation filled the entire field.
Seeing the enormous light blade, Xie Huanyue was scared out of his wits. No matter how much confidence he had in his defensive power, he did not believe he could withstand this attack.
The proctor couldn't hesitate any longer. He flashed into the field, and as he tried to pull Xie Huanyue out of Xiao Xiao's Cauldron's Tremor, he was surprised to find that he couldn't drag Xie Huanyue away. The huge golden light blade was already whistling toward him, and the tremendous pressure made him feel suffocated, even with his Soul Emperor cultivation.
Could this be the work of a Grand Soul Master? It was too late for the proctor to release his Martial Soul now. With no other choice, he would have to block it with his body.
Just then, a massive suction force came from the sky, and the golden light blade changed direction just before hitting the proctor and flew towards the air.
In midair, a fiery-red hand had appeared out of nowhere, grabbed the golden light blade, and seemed to knead it a few times before "poofing" it to dust.
Elder Xuan took a bite from his chicken leg and murmured, "The Orleans-flavored chicken leg is a bit too salty today." As he spoke, he stood up and slowly walked down from the high platform.
The country's treasure, the Cauldron, quietly vanished, and Xiao Xiao fell to the ground, unconscious.
The splendor of the Bright Goddess Butterfly disappeared, but Wang Dong forced himself not to fall, looked at the somewhat dazed proctor with a persistent gaze, and said, "We... won..." Barely finishing these four words, he too could no longer hold on and fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao." Huo Yuhao ran at full speed into the field, holding his two companions.
Xie Huanyue's body had returned to its normal size, but his school uniform was completely soaked with cold sweat. In that instance just before, he truly felt Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong were out to kill him, and he was powerless to stop it. His entire body quivered, and he realized that Xiao Xiao's gaze was now etched deep in his heart.
On the spectators' high platform, the teachers all fell silent. They had completely disregarded the other matches that had ended or were still going on.
The strength of each member of Huo Yuhao Team and Xie Huanyue Team was nothing to them, as becoming a teacher at Shrek Academy required at least the strength of a Six-ringed Soul Emperor. What shocked them was the enduring faith of Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao. Wang Dong was better off, seemingly just exhausted, while Xiao Xiao had clearly overdrawn her power, and this wasn't something that could be recovered in the short term.