Chapter 38

On both sides of the competition stage, two large gates suddenly swung open. The team members entered and walked toward the center.

On the left was Shi Laike Academy. Yu Yuanheng, like a sharp arrowhead, walked at the front of the team with his head held high and chest out, followed closely by Ning Xian of the Baoliuli Sect. Chu Yan the Flame Lord, Chen Feng the Jin Langhuang, and Yao Yue the Ghost King Vine guarded the two from three directions, with Ye Xinglan and Xu Xu Li Zhi at the very end.

"Shi Laike! Shi Laike! Shi Laike!"

Finally appearing after much anticipation, the packed Tianhai Stadium erupted in wave after wave of screams. The massive sound generated by eighty thousand people made the eardrums of ordinary people buzz; this was the terrifying popularity of the continent's number one academy!

Compared to the uniform Shi Laike team, the Donghai Academy team could be described as wearing all sorts of different attire. The Lingban F4 wore school uniforms, while Zhao Xuanzhen, Xiang Naer, and Jin Jiutian were all in casual clothes, clearly a team thrown together at the last minute.

As Donghai Academy took the stage, the eighty thousand spectators seemed to ignore them, continuing to cheer and shout for Shrek, mixed with voices predicting Donghai's downfall. In the Tianhai Alliance Tournament, Donghai Academy, hailing from the Tianhai Alliance, had absolutely no home-field advantage; the home field was stubbornly turned into an away game by Shrek!

"You Donghai Academy folks aren't doing so well, there aren't even many people cheering for you on your own doorstep."

Xiang Naer tilted her head to tease Gu Yue, a mischievous smile on her beautiful face.

Gu Yue snorted: "Since they like supporting Shi Laike Academy so much, then let's beat them until they shut up!"

The two teams faced each other coldly, their gazes colliding fiercely. Their momentum climbed step by step, and their fighting spirit swept outward, as if the competition arena had frozen for a moment!

The referee spoke: "Soul Masters from both sides, please note: from this moment on, you have one minute to summon your martial souls and soul rings. You may only attack after I announce the start of the battle, and it will continue until all seven members of one side lose their ability to fight or voluntarily concede."

"Hum—"

Both teams released their martial souls without delay. In an instant, the beast soul masters underwent beast-transformation, the tool soul masters gripped their weapons, and the competition stage became incredibly resplendent.

Fourteen soul masters had their martial souls possessed. Yellow, purple, and black—a total of over thirty soul rings shone brilliantly, glistening under the sunlight.

The people of the Douluo Continent were extremely passionate about watching seven-person team soul battles. Beyond the excitement of the competition process, the opening scene of the soul rings alone was incomparable to individual or three-on-three battles!

Waiting for one minute served the exhibition match, and the atmosphere was instantly pushed to a climax. Both sides understood very well that this was not just an exhibition match, but a battle of dignity and glory!

Yu Yuanheng stared at Zhao Xuanzhen from afar—or more accurately, locked onto the three pitch-black soul rings hovering above and below him—and his pupils involuntarily contracted.

Facing off in Tianhai Stadium, Zhao Xuanzhen brought him a sense of pressure, but Yu Yuanheng could never have imagined that this youth, much younger than himself, actually possessed three ten-thousand-year soul rings!

Seeing Zhao Xuanzhen's terrifying soul ring configuration, the audience erupted in an uproar. Moreover, Zhao Xuanzhen was not the only special one in Donghai Academy; Xiang Naer and Tang Wulin also had two purple soul rings that exceeded the limits!

"At least they are Soul Elders, the advantage is mine..."

Ranked fifth on the Youth Genius List, Yu Yuanheng was naturally no fool. He put away his initial contempt and treated Zhao Xuanzhen as a formidable competitor.

Two yellow, one purple, and one black—four soul rings rose. His Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul possessed him. Streaks of blue-purple lightning coiled around his body, his exposed skin was covered in dragon scales, his palms transformed into thick dragon claws, and tiny snake-like electricity constantly darted across his knuckles.

"The match begins—"

The minute passed in a flash, and the referee blew the whistle for the attack.

"Light Spirit Meat Bun!"

"Seven Treasures Turn Out the Glazed Tower!"

The first to act were always the support-type soul masters. Xu Xu Li Zhi tossed out steaming buns one after another, while a delicate pagoda about a foot tall floated above Ning Xian's palm.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tower was known as the most magnificent support-type martial soul. The seven-colored pagoda shimmered, making Ning Xian look like a goddess. Her voice rang out, clear and moving:

"The Seven Treasures have a name: the first is Power, the second is Attack, the third is Defense!"

Two yellow and one purple soul ring bloomed. Under the control of the "Three-Aperture Heart of Defense" and its "One Mind, Three Uses" capability, a forty-percent boost to power, attack, and defense was applied to the five battle soul masters.

With the Seven Treasures Glazed Tower combined with the speed boost from Xu Xu Li Zhi's meat buns, Shi Laike Academy's already powerful combat strength surged once more. The surging soul power fluctuations formed a massive pressure that rushed toward them!

The air distorted from the intense heat. As raging flames consumed his upper garment, Chu Yan's bulging muscles became as hard as iron, his height expanded to over two meters, and his physique was even more imposing than Yu Yuanheng's.

Flame Lord: attack and defense in one, high temperature and high heat—a top-tier martial soul that was famous across the Douluo Continent twenty thousand years ago!

Chu Yan's fighting style was to strike hard. He stomped to gain momentum and charged toward Donghai Academy. His second soul ring lit up, and he slammed his fists together. High-heat air currents distorted the air, and bubbling magma surged from the ground. Flame Lord's second soul skill: Magma Hell!

"Your opponent is me."

A flash of silver light, and Gu Yue used an elemental flash to appear above Chu Yan's head. Wind elements supported her delicate, graceful body. Her black eyes were indifferent and cold, not shaken in the slightest by the soul power gap between level 22 and level 35!

The power of the elements changed form according to Gu Yue's will. Ice layers covered the magma, the cold freezing the heat. The Flame Lord's flames were suppressed by Gu Yue's ice elements from the very first moment!

Ice cones pierced through the air, with golden and black light-dark power pulsing inside. Chu Yan's expression turned solemn. The seven people representing Shi Laike Academy in the exhibition match were geniuses among geniuses; he felt the terror of Gu Yue's soul skills!

"Multi-element combination skill, Elemental Heart..." Chu Yan thought to himself.

Light-dark ice cones surrounded the Flame Lord from all directions. Behind them, a trail of soul power connected to Gu Yue's hands. As they moved forward, their sharp edges sliced through the air, arriving with a heart-stopping, shrill whistle.

"Hah—"

Chu Yan roared, magma rising into a curtain of fire, clashing head-on with Gu Yue!

"Attribute suppression, Chu Yan is in trouble..."

Yao Yue glanced at the ice-fire battlefield, then said with a bitter face: "Just my luck, I'm in trouble too."

Standing before him were two youths: one slim, holding a dragon-shaped dagger, the other with golden claws like a dragon, with endless Blue Silver Grass beside him. A gentle breeze blew, the Blue Silver Grass swaying with the wind, its golden veins exceptionally dazzling.

"Is there no justice in the Douluo Continent? The Ghost King Vine is being suppressed by the Blue Silver Grass bloodline..."

Yao Yue sniffed. Plant-type soul beasts sometimes had a stricter caste system than animal-type ones; high-rank plant-type soul beasts could even instantly assimilate low-rank ones. Under the pressure of the Gold-Veined Blue Silver Grass's aura, the Ghost King Vine transmitted feelings of shrinking back, and Yao Yue's combat power dropped rapidly!

"Forget it!"

To protect Shi Laike's ten-thousand-year glory, Yao Yue resolutely lit up his third soul ring. The Ghost King Vines looked like giant dark-purple snakes, the tips of the vines splitting into ferocious giant maws, lunging toward Tang Wulin and Xie Xie.

At the same time, a streak of ink-green light detached from Yao Yue, lurking among the vines, vaguely appearing snake-like!

Ghost King Vine's third soul skill: Shara Snake Vine!

Thousand-year soul spirit: Mandala Snake!

Tang Wulin smiled slightly, the purple thousand-year soul ring at the end of his sequence blooming with brilliance. A circle of blue light expanded, and the Gold-Veined Blue Silver Grass burst from the ground, tearing apart all the incoming Ghost King Vines. The Mandala Snake that attempted a sneak attack was also sent flying directly into the sky!

Gold-Veined Blue Silver Grass's second soul skill: Blue Silver Piercing Array!

"Wulin, well done!"

Xie Xie laughed wildly, his Light-Dark Dragon Daggers unleashing a dual-dragon storm, and the Mandala Snake suffered repeated heavy damage!

"Heh heh heh, Shi Laike... we're here to beat Shi Laike!"

The corners of Tang Wulin and Xie Xie's mouths curled up, impossible to suppress. With the suppression of the Gold-Veined Blue Silver Grass, they engaged in a fair and just two-on-one!

Fighting two against one, with one of them being a superior martial soul "daddy," Yao Yue was still barely able to maneuver thanks to the four attribute boosts provided by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tower and the buns. He dared not retreat, because behind him were two support-type soul masters!

"No, what is this thing again!"

Ducking his body to avoid a sudden ice wheel, Yao Yue shouted in anger.

Xu Xiaoyan scratched her head helplessly. She was only a one-ring soul master, and the Shi Laike team, excluding Ye Xinglan and Xu Xu Li Zhi, had soul power of at least level 35. During the day, she couldn't transform into the Star Wheel Ice Staff, making it very difficult for her to threaten a three-ring Soul Elder.

Her sneak attack on Yao Yue failed, and she secretly threw an ice wheel toward Ning Xian, only to have it shattered on the spot by the Soul Elder-level soul power.

"Oh my, I'm just going to lie here and win this one..."

Xu Xiaoyan pouted and drew circles on the ground.

"How am I supposed to fight with this martial soul suppression? Crazy, come help!"

Yao Yue tried to seek help from Chen Feng the Jin Langhuang.

"Save yourself, I'm busy fighting a hammer!" Chen Feng roared in exasperation.

The Jin Langhuang was the king of the Gold Wolf clan, his metal attribute granting him a tough and hard body. Among the seven of Shi Laike, Chen Feng's melee combat was second only to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Yu Yuanheng, but today he had run into an insurmountable high wall!

Jin Jiutian held a pair of Dry Gold Hammers, his sturdy and mighty physique overflowing with a sense of security. As the giant hammers slammed down, colliding with the Jin Langhuang's wolf claws, the two emitted a clanging roar!

Chen Feng's blood and energy were shaken, his whole body extremely uncomfortable. Jin Jiutian was the manifestation of Dry Gold, an emperor of the metal attribute. The Jin Langhuang's Diamond Body felt like paper in front of the Dry Gold Hammers, and he would howl in pain with every strike!

"Well fought!"

On the podium, Zhenhua was grinning from ear to ear. To become a Divine Craftsman, the prerequisite was to break through to Limit Douluo. Zhenhua's soul power cultivation had been improved by taking medicine, but now it seemed Jin Jiutian didn't need it at all—he was fierce!

On the other side, on the battlefield of the two young girls, Xiang Naer and Ye Xinglan found each other by tacit agreement, and the moment their eyes met, they went at it!

Ye Xinglan held a bright yellow longsword in her palm, starlight shimmering on the blade, her soul power restrained, and she herself seemed to have merged into one with her Star God Sword martial soul.

Man and sword as one!

The cultivation of a tool soul master was to become one with the martial soul. Ye Xinglan had already embarked on this great path, but a hint of disdain flashed in Xiang Naer's eyes.

The Silver Baiyin Baiyin Longqiang's edge was fully revealed, and the light in Xiang Naer's silver pupils shone brightly. A clear dragon roar resounded, and Xiang Naer took a step forward, her momentum suddenly surging. The Silver Baiyin Baiyin Longqiang was like a true silver dragon descending into the world, ten thousand silver-white spear rays enveloping Ye Xinglan!

Looking at the incoming Silver Baiyin Baiyin Longqiang, Ye Xinglan was greatly astonished. The dragon might of the silver dragon's roar and the will attached by Xiang Naer all brought her immense pressure!

The Star God Sword collapsed at the first touch in front of the Silver Baiyin Baiyin Longqiang, sword energy scattering in all directions, the spear tip moving forward without hesitation. At the critical moment, Ye Xinglan displayed the rapid response of a Shi Laike inner court reserve, her delicate body leaning back sharply, avoiding the Silver Baiyin Baiyin Longqiang's thrust by a hair's breadth!

"Spear Intent!?"

Ye Xinglan realized Xiang Naer's realm, and her face suddenly turned ugly.

Sword intent was the goal she had been striving for, and the silver-haired girl of the same age opposite her had already grasped spear intent. How could the always proud Ye Xinglan not feel frustrated!

"Is that all you've got?"

Xiang Naer twirled the spear in a beautiful flourish, pointing the Silver Baiyin Baiyin Longqiang forward, and said coldly: "Let me tell you, above geniuses, there are even greater geniuses!"

The purple thousand-year soul ring exploded. Silver Baiyin Baiyin Longqiang's second soul skill: Silver Dragon's Fury!

The various battlefields were in full swing, but the core focus of the entire audience remained the strong-on-strong dialogue between the two team captains: Zhao Xuanzhen versus Yu Yuanheng!

The True Self light and shadow were like substance. Under Zhao Xuanzhen's feet, three ten-thousand-year soul rings with deep black halos rippled, incredibly dazzling in the center of Tianhai Stadium. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's dragon might permeated the air, and Yu Yuanheng was surrounded by thunder and lightning, simultaneously flashing with the colorful light of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tower.

"Secret Technique: Dragon Transformation."

Yu Yuanheng shouted in a low voice. The Dragon Transformation, a secret technique passed down through the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon lineage for twenty thousand years, was unleashed. The blue-purple scales on his arms became increasingly ferocious and heavy, his claws no different from dragon claws!

From the three-ring Soul Elder stage, every time a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon broke through a realm, a part of their body would undergo Dragon Transformation. The four-ring Yu Yuanheng had achieved arm and claw transformation!

Zhao Xuanzhen's response was simple and direct. He closed his eyes and exhaled, and after opening them again, his golden pupils looked down upon the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!

In that instant, Yu Yuanheng suddenly felt a mountain-like pressure. This monster, younger than himself, was revealing cold, bloodthirsty fangs.

Zhao Xuanzhen's clothes disappeared, and a dazzling suit of armor like golden glaze condensed on his body surface. The radiance was brilliant, his imposing momentum reaching into the clouds. All the spectators felt a chill in their hearts, staring unblinkingly at the golden figure in the center of the competition stage.

Golden Awakening, Limit Form!

A blue-purple figure sped along the ground, flashing several times. His dragon-transformed arms were ferocious and terrifying under the sunlight. In mid-air, wild lightning condensed into a pair of explosive dragon claws, heading straight for Zhao Xuanzhen's chest.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's first soul skill: Thunder Dragon Claw!

Also a first soul ring, with energy following his heart attached to his fists, it was a head-on battle. Neither side dodged. The golden fist and the blue-purple dragon claw collided fiercely, completing the first close-range dialogue between the two great geniuses!

Thunder roared, and countless blue-purple flames exploded. The beauty of that moment was like blooming fireworks, the thunder snakes collapsing in defeat, scrambling to escape.

Yu Yuanheng's tall body trembled, his lightning-wrapped dragon claw tightly gripped by the fist. He tried desperately to break free, but it was all in vain.

Zhao Xuanzhen stood motionless. Under the second awakening of his Golden-level Body martial soul, he possessed speed and power beyond Yu Yuanheng's imagination.

Taking advantage of the momentum, he shoulder-checked the scale-covered chest, and Yu Yuanheng flew backward. Before his feet could touch the ground, Zhao Xuanzhen had already caught up.

Taiji Fist traced an arc, the Yang hand fierce and strong, treating dragon scales as nothing, the Yin hand soft and gentle, waves of hidden energy invading Yu Yuanheng's internal organs!

"Dragon Transformation, expand, expand, expand!"

As the successor to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon lineage, Yu Yuanheng held several trump cards. The dragon scales on his arms transformed into shields, resisting the fist blows that fell like raindrops. His third soul ring shone brightly, erupting with a cluster of extremely dazzling blue lightning.

Accompanied by a furious dragon roar, the lightning surged and expanded. Yu Yuanheng's eyes flashed with a chilling light, the snake-like electricity magnified, and countless lightning arrows flashed toward all directions!

However, the black and white air currents tore through the lightning. Under Yu Yuanheng's dull gaze, a golden palm penetrated the raging blue-purple thunder, crossed the dragon-transformed arm, and latched onto his shoulder. A low cracking sound of bones suddenly resounded, and the entire left arm twisted into a twist shape, making it unbearable to look at!

Zhao Xuanzhen's face was cold and stern, his body as clear as jade. His third soul ring continuously released light, the Dao of Infinity superimposed with the Golden Awakening, forcefully breaking through the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's thunder!

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon was once the world's number one beast martial soul, but in the current era, many martial souls surpassed it!

Yu Yuanheng screamed and stumbled back, extreme pain washing over him. Looking at his twisted arm, cold sweat poured down his forehead.

Zhao Xuanzhen flicked away the blood droplets remaining on his fingertips and said faintly: "Shi Laike, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, you... are nothing more than this.

If this is all the level you have, you might as well go home."

"The glory of Shi Laike Academy and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon must not be tarnished!!!"

Yu Yuanheng's eyes were blood-red, panting like an ox. The proud genius had never been so angry and out of control as he was today. His whole body's lightning was nearly out of control, bathing in thunder, and he transformed into a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!

"Fourth soul skill: Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Annihilation!"

Thunder snakes fell, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's scales and claws expanded, its dragon horns like blades, lunging toward Zhao Xuanzhen while wrapped in deafening thunder and lightning. Wherever it passed, the thunder annihilated the earth!

"Zhen character, Thunder Dragon."

A deep blue Bagua Qimen array diagram appeared, the Zhen character position shining brightly. From the void, a golden thunder dragon, condensed purely from the source of thunder, emerged. Liquid thunder pulp flowed between its scales, its dragon pupils indifferent, its dragon head looking down at the charging Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!

Thunderstorms surged, and the two dragons collided with a roar. In an instant, the world lost its voice, with only blinding lightning exploding. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's fangs tore and bit, the Golden Thunder Dragon's sharp claws hooked back, and ten thousand lightning rays burst forth where their dragon bodies were entangled!

The Thunder Dragon roared, spewing a torrent of thunder. A beam of scorching golden light blasted a ferocious bloody hole in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's chest and abdomen! Amidst the thunder, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon wailed and collapsed. Yu Yuanheng fell heavily to the ground, his dragon transformation shattered, blood winding down.

"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon... actually lost to thunder..."

Yu Yuanheng refused Ning Xian's help, whispering hoarsely, his eyes full of unwillingness.

The Thunder Dragon raised its head and sang, reflecting Zhao Xuanzhen's jade-like face.

"Blue Lightning Yu Yuanheng, fifth on the Youth Genius List, not a bad opponent for a debut battle, and...

a stepping stone."

(End of chapter)