Chapter 116: Lost

As Yang Xiong was struck out of the red mist by the Demon Charm, he collapsed and sat on the ground, his eyes changing from their original purple to a normal human color. The Xuanming Armor was already covered with terrifying scratches, yet even so the Xuanming Armor was not shattered—its defense was truly exaggerated.

The wounds on Yang Xiong's hands were even worse, his palms riddled with countless knife cuts, even oozing thin streams of blood.

The spectators couldn't help but swallow their saliva; Yang Xiong's combat power was absurdly high, managing to fight the Demon Charm for so long. After all, the Demon Charm possesses top Soul Emperor‑level power, while Yang Xiong is only a Quasi Soul Sect.

The Demon Charm moved at lightning speed, quickly reaching the battlefield; without Yang Xiong's restraint, the red mist swiftly enveloped the others.

Yang Xiong gritted his teeth and stood again, but his spirit power was nearly exhausted; he could no longer contend with the Demon Charm and could only barely protect himself within the red mist.

The Shrek team, which had originally held a slight numerical advantage, suddenly found themselves in the red mist; all their senses seemed sealed, as if they were in a swamp.

The Demon Charm's speed was blinding; in an instant, a few cries of agony echoed through the red mist, indicating that spirit power was being disrupted by the mist, rendering resistance to the Demon Charm's attacks impossible.

At that moment, the previously suppressed Tang San suddenly sprang up, his eyes emitting a blue flash that shot straight at the Demon Charm's head—a final, full‑power Purple Extreme Demon Eye attack.

The Demon Charm reacted instantly; despite trying to twist its head, the purple light struck its side face, causing a scream.

Yet the Demon Charm sustained little injury; it wielded Moon Blades and rushed at Tang San. Even though Tang San brandished the Clear Sky Hammer to block, after only a few strikes the hammer was knocked away, and the two Moon Blades pierced Tang San's chest with brutal force.

Tang San, his face full of resentment, collapsed onto the Arena; both his spirit power and stamina were completely depleted.

Yang Xiong gritted his teeth and rushed at full strength to Ning Rongrong's side, ignoring everyone else, and hoisted the frightened Ning Rongrong as they fled out of the Arena.

The Demon Charm seemed to loathe Yang Xiong: "Bold Yang Xiong, you still try to run? I won't let you off so easily."

The Demon Charm moved like lightning, its hands gripping two Moon Blades that spun rapidly, attacking Yang Xiong with all its might—this was Xie Yue's strongest Self‑Created Spirit Skill: Full Moon.

The two Moon Blades in the Demon Charm's hands whirred like gears, utterly unstoppable.

The Xuanming Armor on Yang Xiong's body emitted a silver glow—it was the Soul Bone Skill: Solid as Golden Soup.

But facing the Enchanting Charm like a sudden storm, even the Soul Bone Skill could not last; soon a sharp sound rang out as the Demon Charm's Moon Blades battered the protective shield.

With a crisp crack, under Xie Yue's Self‑Created Spirit Skill the Soul Bone Skill was breached.

Yang Xiong steeled his resolve; a massive golden Spiral Sphere materialized on his right hand, and he hurled it at the Demon Charm, which swung its blades back with full force.

As their techniques collided, the Spiral Sphere unleashed terrifying power, yet the Demon Charm's strength was also formidable; both Yang Xiong and the Demon Charm were blasted away.

Soon the red mist on the Arena dissipated, and Yang Xiong, struck down, knelt on one knee, clearly having exhausted both his spirit power and soul power.

Hu Liena and Xie Yue also separated, both looking badly wounded and kneeling on the ground.

At this point, the Shrek team, aside from Ning Rongrong whose soul power was depleted, had all members gravely injured on the ground—especially Tang San, who was severely wounded. The Spirit Hall team fared better; at least Yan still had some strength, and the other Soul Sect members had not fallen.

Yang Xiong gritted his teeth: "We concede this match."

Hu Liena stared at Yang Xiong: "I didn't expect a Quasi Soul Sect to have such combat power; too bad you ran into us."

Yang Xiong snorted coldly: "Is it just because you rely on your two‑person Martial Soul Fusion Technique? Next time you won't be so lucky."

Seeing Yang Xiong concede, Yu Xiaogang and the others looked extremely dejected, as did the Three Education Commissioners of the Heaven Dou Empire. They had placed great hopes on the Shrek team, but the skill gap was too wide; only Yang Xiong's overwhelming combat power kept the battle going this long.

The referee, unusually excited, announced the result: "The final champion of the Continental High‑level Soul Master Elite Competition is the Spirit Hall team."

Hearing the referee, countless people in the arena erupted, all shouting: "Long live the Spirit Hall! Long live His Holiness the Pope!"

The sound rang throughout the Spirit City; in that instant the Spirit Hall's momentum seemed to reach its peak, while Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo, Dugu Bo and others wore grim expressions, and even the people of the Star Luo Empire looked uneasy.

The Spirit Empire's Soul Master Competition offered such valuable rewards precisely to maximize the Spirit Hall's prestige, thereby greatly boosting its reputation.

Yang Xiong's mouth curled into a bitter smile; he wasn't sure whether his choice was right or wrong, but perhaps it would indeed alter history.

The upcoming award ceremony couldn't have everyone still on the ground; at that moment the Spirit Hall sent out a Soul Saint, who was holding a Golden Scepter.

The Seventh Spirit Ring on him glimmered, revealing the true form of the Golden Scepter; a beam of light bathed everyone, and Yang Xiong felt his wounds and soul power healing at a rapid pace, even his spirit power recovering—a testament to the supreme auxiliary martial soul.

At that moment, Yang Xiong sensed many eyes shift; the top masters all stared at Xiao Wu, and even the Sword Douluo whispered something softly to Ning Fengzhi.

Yang Xiong's face turned pale; Xiao Wu was gradually recovering, yet a blood‑red sprig of grass fluttered from her body.

With a single glance Yang Xiong instantly understood: the sprig was Dragon Saliva Herb, a rare Spirit Herb said to possess Dragon Clan traits, capable of masking all aura; even a Title Douluo could not discern a soul master's soul power level if they wore it.

Yang Xiong felt puzzled—how did Xiao Wu obtain Dragon Saliva Herb? Who gave her this? No wonder that Rabbit dared to come to Spirit City.

Yang Xiong sighed; even without the Heart‑breaking Red, such a thing existed, and even though Ning Fengzhi hadn't acted, it was still exposed by other soul masters.

Xiao Wu, seeing everyone's shocked faces, trembled slightly and hurriedly tucked away the Dragon Saliva Herb.

The Golden Scepter truly was a supreme auxiliary martial soul; others gradually recovered, and especially Tang San, seeing Xiao Wu's frightened demeanor, rushed to her side.

"Xiao Wu, what's wrong? Is something wrong with your body?"

Xiao Wu heard Tang San's words, yet she sensed many hostile gazes in the crowd, feeling an intense terror inside.

"San Ge, you promised to protect me; can you do it now?"

Tang San quickly reassured: "Xiao Wu, don't worry. Anyone who wants to hurt you must step over my corpse."

At that moment the Pope Bibidong spoke: "Everyone performed excellently in this Soul Master Competition; now please welcome our champion to receive the award."

Under the admiring gazes, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan stepped onto the award platform.

Bibidong seemed especially pleased: "Hu Liena, Xie Yue, Yan, your performances were outstanding. These three soul bones are your rewards. I declare that from today, Hu Liena will be the Spirit Hall's Saintess."

The crowd erupted in cheers, especially Hu Liena and the others as they received the soul bones from Bibidong, now seeming the brightest presence in the entire Spirit City.

Yang Xiong, seeing this, felt a bit regretful; perhaps he should have given his all. The Spirit Hall now seemed unprecedentedly united and arrogant; even the Soul Hunting Operation might be launched early. He realized his plans must hurry, or he would become cannon fodder.

While the Spirit Hall basked in its glory, Bibidong's face suddenly hardened: "Someone, seize that little girl."

Bibidong's gaze fixed fiercely on Xiao Wu, his eyes seemingly ablaze.

Ning Fengzhi hurriedly interjected: "Your Holiness, does it need confirmation first?"

Bibidong glared at Sect Leader Ning, "Please show restraint; this is a major matter for the Spirit Hall. If the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect wishes to interfere, they become enemies of my Spirit Hall."

The Shrek members had already left the Arena; hearing this, everyone was startled, especially Yu Xiaogang who approached Tang San and Xiao Wu.

"What exactly are you trying to do? Even if the Spirit Hall is powerful, you can't act recklessly."

Bibidong said: "If this little girl is an ordinary human, we wouldn't trouble her, but if she is a Ten‑thousand Year Transformed Soul Beast, the Spirit Hall cannot accommodate her."

The crowd gasped; everyone's eyes on Xiao Wu filled with greed. It is well known that Ten‑thousand Year Soul Beasts are treasures of the Soul Master world, their soul rings and soul bones extremely valuable, while a Ten‑thousand Year Transformed Soul Beast requires only a modest Soul Sect's strength, making it an easy acquisition.

Tang San, Yu Xiaogang and the others were also shocked, their eyes full of confusion.

Xiao Wu, now utterly despondent and terrified, said: "San Ge, I've wronged you. I'm actually a Ten‑thousand Year Transformed Soul Beast; I never meant to deceive you."

At first Tang San's puzzled expression quickly vanished, and he clenched his teeth: "Xiao Wu, stop talking. Whether you are human or a Soul Beast, you are the person I love most, and I won't let anyone hurt you."

Liu Erlong hurried to Xiao Wu's side: "Xiao Wu, you are my goddaughter; no matter what, I will never let anyone hurt you."

The scene instantly became tense, and the other members of Shrek looked at each other, not knowing what to do.

Dai Mubai shouted, "Whether Xiao Wu is human or a ten Yi Wan Nian Transformed Soul Beast, she is our teammate; we are comrades who strive together, and we will never let her be captured easily."

Dai Mubai's words seemed to affect everyone; the other team members all gathered in front of Xiao Wu, and Yang Xiong merely sighed before stepping into the crowd.

Tang San faced the crowd with gratitude: "Thank you all."

Flanders suddenly burst out laughing: "We old ones are still alive; why should you kids be at the front?"

Flanders, Yu Xiaogang, and Liu Erlong walked at the front, looking as if they were ready to give it their all.

As for the Three Education Commissioners of Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, everyone stared at each other, their faces full of conflict; evidently, from their standpoint they cannot oppose the Spirit Hall, especially over a ten Yi Wan Nian Transformed Soul Beast.

(End of Chapter)