Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Chapter 23 Fight Again
The smile on Feng Yao's face, as warm as the spring breeze, now seemed mysterious and murderous in the eyes of everyone at Shrek.

Tang San's purple demon pupils flickered, and he made a split-second decision. The blue silver grass that had been wrapped around his teammates' waists suddenly shifted upward, branching out into fine vine fibers that were precisely inserted into each person's ear. This seemingly simple response, however, mitigated the threat of the sonic attack to a certain extent.

If Feng Yao's skill effect continues to take effect, it will be a great test for Feng Yao's soul power control ability and total soul power.

Yu Xiaogang, watching from the stands, nodded slightly. While earplugs might hinder instant communication, for the Shrek Seven Devils, who spent their days together and developed a perfect rapport, a glance or a gesture was enough to convey tactical intent.

In that split second, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing flashed out simultaneously like two ghostly figures. The pink rabbit shadow and the purple cat shadow bypassed the iron wall built by the Shi brothers from the left and right sides, and penetrated the rear of the Royal Fighting Team.

On the Royal Fighting Team's side, Ghost Leopard Spirit Master Oslo's form suddenly blurred, transforming into a black afterimage as he charged towards Zhu Zhuqing. His sharp claws gleamed coldly under the light of his spirit guide, and his speed was so fast that it left traces of afterimages in the air.

At the same time, the shadowy figure of the Jade Phosphorus Snake behind Dugu Yan fully materialized. Its emerald eyes fixed on its prey, and as its crimson tongue flickered, a visible venomous mist began to permeate the field. She gracefully swung her hips, like a venomous snake poised to strike, waiting to deliver a fatal blow.

In front, Yu Tianheng's attack missed, and without hesitation, he stomped his dragon foot heavily on the tortoise shells of the Shi brothers, and shot out like an arrow. The blue lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex's arm burst into lightning, and a second thunder dragon claw tore through the air, this time aiming directly at Tang San's heart - the battle-hardened captain had already grasped the key:

The young man controlling the entire field of blue silver grass was the true core of the Shrek battle formation. If this chain of control were severed, even the most sophisticated coordination would crumble.

Seeing this, Feng Yao's fingertips gently stroked the strings, sighing inwardly. While the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex spirit was unparalleled in its power, it also caused its possessor to overly rely on its own might—this immense force, in turn, became a shackle that bound their thinking.

Thinking of this, Feng Yao suddenly remembered a familiar figure, a faint smile on his lips. Watching Yu Tianheng's direct attack, he couldn't help but think to himself, "This Yu Xiaogang is quite unique in Blue Lightning."

When Yu Tianheng's Thunder Dragon Claws tore through the air again, he and Tang San were already very close. To his astonishment, the eyes of this control-type spirit master in front of him turned completely into a strange purple, his feet took mysterious steps, and his figure was as erratic as a ghost.

Just as the dragon claw was about to strike, Tang San's upper body remained motionless, yet his entire body strangely shifted two meters away. The blow, which was destined to succeed, ultimately only blasted a charred patch on the ground.

"Ghostly Tracks!"

Tang San's violet eyes gleamed brightly, and his first spirit ring suddenly lit up. Instantly, countless metallic-shimmering blue silver grass burst forth from the earth, entwining themselves like serpents towards Yu Tianheng in midair. Simultaneously, the blue silver grass wrapped around his teammates' waists tightened.

At the moment when Oslo's leopard claws and Zhu Zhuqing's cat claws were about to collide, and at the moment when Dugu Yan's poisonous mist was about to cover Xiao Wu - the prey of the two agile attack soul masters disappeared out of thin air!

Before disappearing, Xiao Wu even winked playfully at Dugu Yan, her pink scorpion braids drawing a graceful arc in the air. This unexpected scene was clearly part of Shrek's plan.

Two figures were seen rising into the air, being pulled by the blue silver grass: Zhu Zhuqing shot back like a black lightning, and Xiao Wu flipped nimbly in the air.

The two of them drew a perfect parabola in the air, finally converging at a single point—shockingly, the core of the Royal Fighting Team! Captain: Yu Tianheng.

"Oh no! I've fallen into a trap!" Dugu Yan's eyes narrowed suddenly. Just as her graceful figure was about to shoot out, she was stopped by Feng Yao's clear voice: "Sister Yan, please be patient."

As soon as the words left his mouth, a high-pitched note, piercing clouds and cracking rocks, suddenly exploded. Feng Yao's fingertips slashed across the strings of the "Fuxi" qin, sending seven crescent-shaped sonic blades piercing the air. Before Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing could react in mid-air, the blue silver grass at their waists had been completely severed. The sonic blades were so precise that they didn't injure them at all, only severing the blue silver grass that bound them.

"Oh no!" Seeing Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing about to fall into the enemy camp, Tang San and Dai Mubai's faces changed drastically at the same time.

A flash of panic flashed across Tang San's purple demon pupils, and he immediately gave up on his other teammates' "Control Crane and Capture Dragon" control. He and Dai Mubai exchanged a glance, and both of them simultaneously pushed their body movements to the extreme.

Tang San's Ghostly Steps, fueled by his soul power, were as swift as a ghost, his form transforming into a trail of afterimages. Dai Mubai unleashed his White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, using the recoil to launch him like a cannonball. The two desperately rushed towards the Imperial Battle Formation, determined to reclaim their companions before they fell.

However, the Shi brothers and Yu Tianheng had already stood before them like a solid wall of steel. The Shi brothers' basalt tortoise shells shone with a bronze sheen, and they stood as immovable as two mountains.
"Oh no!" Yu Xiaogang suddenly stood up from his seat and slammed his fist on the railing of the stands. His sharp eyes instantly saw through the situation: "Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu are now sitting ducks!"

Flanders, standing by, was ashen-faced, his hands trembling as he clutched his chest. "It's over. It's all over." He stared blankly at the fighting arena, his voice hoarse, "My gold soul coins!"

Lightning flashed around Yu Tianheng, and the blue lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex's arms blocked the way for Tang San and Dai Mubai.

The defense line built by the three of them was like a natural moat, blocking Shrek's dual cores outside the formation.

Feng Yao stroked the strings of the zither with his fingertips, looking at the two girls who had lost their balance in mid-air, and smiled gently: "Sister Xiaowu, Miss Zhu, how about taking a short rest?"

Before he finished speaking, a gentle melody of piano music drifted by like a spring breeze. The melody was not as sharp as before, but instead had a soothing rhythm, which made the listener's eyelids involuntarily droop.

Osro's figure flashed like a ghost. As a Tiandou noble, he understood Feng Yao's intentions and matched Feng Yao's rhythm. Black shadows flashed by, and he used his strength to precisely hold Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, gently throwing them out of the field.

Seeing this, Tang San and Dai Mubai in the field relaxed their tense nerves a little.

"Oh, I didn't realize you're so considerate to women~" Dugu Yan glanced at Feng Yao, a hint of mischief flashed in her green eyes, and her tone was so gentle that it seemed to make people jealous.

Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling, who was standing by, quickly covered her cherry lips with her bare hands, but she couldn't hide the smile that was spreading in the corners of her eyes.

Feng Yao ignored Dugu Yan's teasing. His slender fingers lightly touched the strings of the zither, and he looked at Tang San gently. "Mr. Tang, it's five against seven now." He paused, a meaningful smile on his lips. "Do you want to continue?"

Seeing that everyone at Shrek was silent, Yu Tianheng's eyes flashed with lightning - he didn't have as much patience as Feng Yao.

"Third soul skill, Thunderous Fury!" With a deafening roar, dazzling blue lightning burst forth from Yu Tianheng's body like a volcanic eruption. The violent force of the thunder instantly blasted the blue silver grass surrounding him into a cloud of charred charcoal, even ionizing the air with the pungent smell of ozone.

The power of lightning increases by 100%, the total amount of soul power increases by 50%, and it enters a continuous rampage state.

"The third soul skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"

Dai Mubai's actions provided the most direct response. With the continuous influx of soul power, his already massive frame expanded further, muscles bulging like granite, completely tearing his shirt apart. Strange black tiger stripes appeared on his bronze skin, and his paws expanded dramatically, their sharp claws gleaming with a cold silver light. Most shocking of all, he was enveloped in a dazzling golden aura, like a war god cast in gold. His evil eyes had completely turned blood-red, emitting a chilling, murderous aura.

Although the White Tiger was slightly inferior to the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus, the gap was only a hair's breadth. Furthermore, Dai Mubai's soul power was level 38, only one level lower than Yu Tianheng's.

"Roar--!"

Amidst the deafening tiger roar, Dai Mubai's evil eyes suddenly closed. A two-meter-diameter ball of blazing white light, enveloped in golden soul energy, shot out, blasting towards Yu Tianheng like a falling meteor. The radiance was so intense that it illuminated the entire fighting arena.

The Thunder Dragon Claw and the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave collided in mid-air, erupting with a deafening roar. The entire fighting arena trembled violently, and the violent shockwave lifted up all the stone slabs on the ground, sending smoke and dust flying everywhere.

When the light faded, two figures fell to the ground at the same time.

Yu Tianheng stomped his dragon foot down, took only one step back, and a trace of blood oozed from the corner of his mouth.

Dai Mubai took three steps back before he could steady himself. His hands were charred black and his knuckles were cracked.

This head-on clash immediately determined the winner. The Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex ultimately prevailed, but the White Tiger's ferocious power, amplified by the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, exacted a toll on Yu Tianheng.

At this point in the battle, the balance of victory and defeat has already tilted - Shrek, which already had inferior soul power, has shown signs of decline after losing two main players.

Furthermore, there was Feng Yao, who played the zither with unwavering composure. Tang San's Purple Demonic Eyes saw clearly: throughout the entire battle, the opponent hadn't even activated a single spirit ring. This effortless demeanor filled him with an unprecedented sense of defeat.

"Why?" Tang San's clenched fists trembled slightly. He couldn't understand how this once unremarkable young man from Notting Academy could break through to level thirty-four in just a few months. Even more so, he couldn't understand why his own ability to control the situation, which he was so proud of, was so vulnerable to the other party's seemingly casual piano music.

Below the stage, Xiao Wu had woken up at some point, her pink eyes fixed on Feng Yao, and she suddenly shouted, "Piano player! You are so insidious!" Her clear voice was filled with indignation, and her scorpion braid swung in an arc in the air with her excited movements.

Zhu Zhuqing, who was standing by, saw this and a rare hint of helplessness appeared on her cold face. She gently pressed Xiao Wu's shoulder and whispered soothingly, "It's okay, Xiao Wu."

A complex expression flashed across Zhu Zhuqing's black eyes - she could only admire the strength displayed by Feng Yao.

Tang San steadily supported the shaky Dai Mubai, the light in his purple demon pupils gradually fading. He stared at Feng Yao, and the long-forgotten identity in his heart once again emerged: a disciple of the Tang Sect.

"The Shrek Seven Devils admit defeat." Tang San's voice was clearly heard throughout the room, but the next moment he changed the subject: "But I hope to have a personal soul battle with Feng-san." He looked at the Royal Fighting Team with a sharp gaze, "Do you dare to accept the challenge?"

Yu Tianheng's gaze fell on Feng Yao. Dugu Yan's red lips parted as she was about to speak, but Feng Yao had already raised her hand to signal. He gently stroked the strings of the zither with his fingertips and gave Dugu Yan a gentle smile: "It's all right, Sister Yan." Turning to Tang San, his eyes were filled with a hint of nostalgia: "Classmate Tang and I are former classmates. This time we're sparring..."

The piano music paused slightly, and a faint smile played on his lips: "Just think of it as a reminisce."

Seeing Feng Yao accept the challenge, Tang San looked around at his teammates, and Ning Rongrong and others nodded in tacit understanding.

"Xiao San, give it your all." Dai Mubai, despite his injuries, patted Tang San's shoulder. After receiving a positive response, Ma Hongjun immediately supported him and slowly exited the stage with Ning Rongrong and Oscar.

Feng Yao gave the Imperial Fighters a soothing look. Although Dugu Yan was reluctant, she led her team gracefully away. In the blink of an eye, only two figures were left standing on the vast fighting arena, facing each other.

In the stands, Zhao Wuji stroked his chin with a playful look on his face, and whispered mischievously, "Flender, our little monster is being crushed in terms of control. He's not accepting it."

Upon hearing this, Flanders immediately glared at him fiercely, his eyes behind the lenses winking wildly - Yu Xiaogang was standing right next to him.

Zhao Wuji ignored Flender's glance, his arms folded as he remained, his bell-like eyes gleaming with anticipation. He clearly remembered how much of a surprise Tang San, that "little monster," had once given him. Now, he wanted to see how Feng Yao would handle this formidable opponent.

On the Soul Fighting Arena, Feng Yao and Tang San stood facing each other. The night breeze gently lifted a few strands of Feng Yao's black hair, revealing a pair of eyes as gentle as jade yet concealing a sharp edge. His slender fingers rested lightly on the "Fuxi" guqin. With a slight movement of his fingertips, a clear and melodious sound spread out like a gurgling stream.

Tang San's eyes glowed purple, his Purple Demonic Pupil already operating at its peak. He stared intently at his unhurried opponent, his heart ringing with alarm – from the beginning of the battle till now, the opponent hadn't revealed even a single spirit ring. This unfathomable strength forced him to be extremely vigilant.

"Please." Feng Yao raised the corner of his lips slightly, and made an elegant "please" gesture with his right hand. His posture was so calm that it seemed as if he was not fighting for life and death, but inviting a friend to drink tea and discuss philosophy.

In that split second, Tang San's figure suddenly blurred. He pushed his Ghostly Shadow Step to its limit, and dozens of shimmering blue silver grass emerged like spirit snakes, attacking Feng Yao from all directions. At the same time, his left hand gently brushed the Twenty-Four Bridges on his waist, and three bone-piercing nails silently pierced the air, gleaming coldly under the light of his soul guide.

Facing this fierce attack, Feng Yao simply closed his eyes and gently plucked the strings with his fingertips. Just as the hidden weapon was only three feet away from him, the originally soothing music suddenly became more intense. Seven tangible sound blades pierced the air, not only accurately severing all the attacking blue silver grass, but also knocking down all three bone-piercing nails with a crisp "ding ding" sound.

Before the sound faded, Feng Yao suddenly opened his eyes. His gentle eyes were now as sharp as a sword. He drew a heavy line across the strings with his right hand—“Om!”

(End of this chapter)