Chapter 42: Counterattack

The opponents for the next round have appeared: the Giant Stone Team that defeated them in the elimination match.

But this time they fielded their full main roster, with as many as three Soul Elders, while the Giant Stone Team has only two Soul Elders.

The two teams met as soon as they entered the Grand Soul Battle arena.

"Again, you bunch of defeated underlings."

Upon meeting, the Vice Captain of the Giant Stone Team couldn't help but taunt.

He is the Giant Stone Team's second Three Ring Soul Honorable, a control-type battle soul elder, and the reason they lost to them in the elimination match was his field control.

"I hope you can beat us this time; otherwise I'll step on your head and spit on you," Zhang Yang taunted from the side.

Since he started participating in Soul Battles, he has always been a fringe member and has never taken part in any Soul Battle before.

"Ha, even as a substitute you have the right to say that?"

"Vice Captain, no need to waste words with them; in a moment we'll defeat them again and shut them up for good," Shou Pi Hou said from the side.

The Juya Team belongs to a Soul Master sect called Giant Stone Sect; its sect leader is a Seven Ring Soul Saint, just over fifty years old, and it is said he will be the first Giant Stone Sect head to become a Soul Conqueror.

"Your teeth are all knocked out; as expected, your words leaked," Tie Li taunted.

In the previous Soul Battle against the Giant Stone Team, Tie Li deliberately struck his face, knocking out his two large front teeth.

This time, Tie Li intends to knock out all the teeth in his mouth.

"Hmph, let's see whose teeth will be knocked out," he harbored a grudge over this matter.

The two teams exchanged a glance and each returned to their own lounge.

In Tie Li's mind, the Giant Stone Team's member data resurfaced.

Giant Stone Team, Captain Li Yao, a 32‑level strong‑attack battle soul elder, martial soul Iron‑Arm Ape, with a Soul Ring Configuration of one white, one yellow, and one purple.

Vice Captain, Wei Ruo Si, a 31‑level control‑type battle soul elder, martial soul Ghost Vine, with the optimal Soul Ring Configuration of two yellow and one purple.

As for that thin‑skinned monkey Sun Yutao, whose front teeth Tie Li knocked out, he is a 26‑level swift‑attack battle soul master, martial soul Feather Monkey, whose only tricky asset is his First Soul Technique, granting him brief flight.

The Feather Monkey's arms bear long feathers, allowing free gliding or brief flight in a forest; Sun Yutao's First Soul Ring comes from a bird‑type Soul Beast, making his First Soul Technique special, enabling brief flight.

His flight ability combined with Wei Ruo Si's control soul skill caused great trouble for Tie Li and his allies.

But this time is different; with Zhang Yang, a Three Ring Soul Honorable who possesses a flying martial soul, he cannot exert any advantage.

After storing their personal items in the lounge, everyone proceeded to the waiting area for the referee's instructions.

"This match remains a Team Soul Battle, with the opposing squads being the Yan Team and the Giant Stone Team, which has already defeated the Yan Team once."

The host opened with a hint of contempt, causing the referee's expression to shift slightly.

"Don't you know the Yan Team is a team of the Grand Soul Battle arena? Do you still intend to act in the Grand Soul Battle arena?"

But the host clearly didn't realize his slip and kept trying to set the mood.

Seeing the referee step onto the platform, he left the Soul Battle stage.

As soon as he stepped down, a staff member approached him, whispered a few words in his ear, and his complexion turned deathly pale.

At the referee's signal, both squads ascended the Soul Battle platform.

"Soul Battle begins!" the referee declared decisively.

Both sides simultaneously released their martial souls and Soul Rings.

The seven members of the Giant Stone Team saw the three hovering Soul Rings on Zhang Yang and all their faces changed.

"Damn, they concealed their strength in the elimination match," Wei Ruo Si said through clenched teeth.

But the next second, their hearts suddenly sank.

Zhang Yang spread his wings and flew into the sky.

A Flying Soul Master in a Soul Battle may not exceed five meters in altitude, or else will be deemed a voluntary elimination.

Seeing that Zhang Yang is a Flying Soul Master, they realized trouble was imminent.

The Giant Stone Team relies on Wei Ruo Si's field control and Sun Yutao's aerial interference; the two working together are extremely hard to handle.

He is not only a Flying Soul Master but also a Three Ring Soul Honorable.

"First focus fire to eliminate him," Li Yao said.

Eliminating the opponent's Flying Soul Master first will return the advantage to them.

"Careful," Wei Ruo Si shouted.

At this moment, Tie Li's Forging Hammer blazed with Lightning Light, already arriving before them.

Li Yao had long witnessed Tie Li's formidable strong‑attack tactics, which are far from those of a normal Second Ring Great Soul Master.

His First Soul Ring lit up, and his iron arms gleamed with metallic luster, concentrating power into his fists and hammering toward Tie Li's great hammer.

Bang—

The two collided, and a forceful gust sprayed outward.

At this moment, Tie Li's Second Soul Ring lit up.

Second Soul Technique: Thunder Break!

Having suffered a loss before, Li Yao's complexion changed, and she hurriedly unleashed her Third Soul Technique.

The Shock Retreat Effect of Thunder Break, combined with Tie Li's own power, delivered a strike that gave him a hard lesson last time.

Li Yao's body swelled wildly, her power‑filled arms encircled by dark light; under her control, the dark light converged onto her fists.

A Thousand‑Year Soul Technique versus a Hundred‑Year Soul Technique, Li Yao does not think she will lose to the opponent.

Last time she was careless, using her own Hundred‑Year Soul Technique to meet the enemy, which caused a huge loss.

Boom—

Both sides retreated eight meters; this clash was indeed evenly matched, but not what Li Yao wanted.

How could a Thousand‑Year Soul Technique versus a Hundred‑Year Soul Technique end in a mere tie?

But he had little time to think, as Tie Li's side still had a strong‑attack Three Ring Soul Honorable.

Wolf claws, like wind blades, filled his entire sight, making him shift his body as far as possible.

Sss

He had several wounds slashed across his chest by the wolf claws, and blood streamed down the cuts.

Xiao Ke!

Li Yao heard Sun Yutao shout and sensed something was wrong.

The only Support-type Soul Master on their side was eliminated by the opponent's agile attack Soul Elder.

The two Defense-type Soul Masters tasked with protecting the Support-type Soul Master also suffered serious injuries as a result.

Seeing the opponent's stance, they planned to eliminate the wounded Defense-type Soul Master.

Ah!

Sun Yutao, attempting to force a coordination with Wei Ruo Si, unleashed the First Soul Technique—Flight.

Zhang Yang seized the opportunity, and the Second Soul Ring lit up.

Second Soul Technique, Dark Impact!

A streak of black light flashed, striking Sun Yutao's chest directly and slamming him hard onto the ground.

Boom

The sound of his bones cracking could even be heard; such wounds were enough to deprive him of most of the battle.

Duolangbu's vines tangled with Wei Ruo Si's Ghost Vine; Duolangbu was at a disadvantage, but his teammates' successive successes intensified his yearning for victory.

As long as they defeat the opponent, they can advance to the finals—at worst, they'll be second.

(End of chapter)