Douluo Continent II: The Dragon King Suppresses the World!

Chapter 60 Unsuccessful Start

"No way, I have to go! If I don't participate in the individual elimination rounds, I won't be able to do anything in the 2-2-3 strategy either. Team battles are just too humiliating." Xiao Hongchen was severely injured at the moment, but he was still shouting.

The reason he and his sister Meng Hongchen hadn't appeared before was because they were kept as trump cards to deal with Shrek Academy at the end. But who knew that he would embarrass himself on his first appearance.

What was supposed to be a flawless tactical combination turned into a complete reversal of the situation with a single time reversal. What's even more tragic is that while time was reversed, their soul power didn't return. After a time stop, they were hit by a martial soul fusion skill and suffered internal injuries. How could he not be frustrated?

The teacher in charge said in a deep voice, "Xiao Hongchen, if something really happens to you, how am I supposed to explain this to the sect leader?"

Xiao Hongchen angrily said, "I don't need your instructions. I'm going to do it no matter what. If you don't let me participate, don't blame me for telling Grandpa about you when I get back."

Meng Hongchen said helplessly, "Teacher, if it's not possible, let my brother go. We can't lose the individual competition. If we keep losing, we'll be swept away in one wave, let alone win the championship."

The teacher in charge of the team frowned, and only when Tian Sha Douluo urged them on stage did he reluctantly say, "Alright then."

In the individual elimination rounds for the Sun and Moon team, Ma Rulong obviously couldn't be the first to go on stage. The first and second to go on stage were the two grudges who were traded one for two by Xu Sanshi in the original timeline. After these two, there were Mika, Meng Hongchen, Xiao Xiafeng, Ma Rulong, and Xiao Hongchen.

On Shrek's side, Wang Yan had already made arrangements, so there were no changes. Xu Sanshi was the first to go on stage, followed by Bei Bei, then Ling Luochen, Dai Yueheng, Ma Xiaotao, Jiang Nannan, and He Caitou. What they needed to do was to prolong the individual elimination rounds as much as possible and cripple the opponent's main players.

In the subsequent individual elimination rounds, the Shrek team members focused entirely on wearing down their opponents, avoiding direct confrontations. The Sun Moon team members gradually became anxious. They had thought they could quickly defeat the Shrek team members with their powerful soul tools, but Shrek's attrition tactics left them with no way to use their strength.

As the matches progressed, the Shrek team members skillfully dodged their opponents' powerful attacks and launched surprise attacks from time to time, causing some minor trouble for the Sun and Moon team players. Although the damage caused each time was not significant, it accumulated and gradually made the Sun and Moon team players feel tired and stressed.

The coach leading the Sun and Moon team was extremely anxious watching from the sidelines, constantly sending telepathic instructions to the team members in an attempt to change the situation. However, Shrek Academy executed their tactics very resolutely, making it impossible for the Sun and Moon team to find an effective breakthrough.

When the score reached 4-5 in the individual elimination rounds, Wang Yan looked at Ye Qi'an, Wang Dong, and Huo Yuhao, who had recovered, and then stood up and said, "We concede the remaining individual matches."

After Wang Yan finished conceding defeat, Huang Jinxu, the Heavenly Fiend Douluo on the stage, announced loudly: "After confirmation by this referee, Shrek Academy forfeits the remaining individual matches and concedes defeat in this match. Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy wins the individual match. Both sides will take a one-minute break. After one minute, the 2-2-3 battle will begin."

Shrek Academy has conceded defeat? Ma Rulong, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen all showed expressions of astonishment. Their opponents still had two players left in the individual competition, and their own side was almost exhausted. If the fight continued, Shrek Academy would win. How could they just concede defeat like this?

The instructor leading the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy team said with a livid face, "What a Shrek Academy."

Ma Rulong frowned and asked, "Old Ma, what's going on?"

Old Ma's face was extremely grim. He said in a deep voice, "Their decision to forgo the individual competition is a strategic retreat, or perhaps they simply don't care about the outcome of the elimination rounds. Their goal is to wear you down. It seems that we only have a few of you left, and most of you are seriously injured. Shrek Academy still has two Soul Emperors, two Soul Grandmasters, one Great Soul Master, and one Soul Venerable. Apart from the two Soul Emperors, they all possess Martial Soul Fusion Skills. The individual elimination rounds are purely to allow them to recover to their peak combat strength."

After listening to Elder Ma's analysis, Ma Rulong and the others felt increasingly heavy-hearted. They deeply realized the depth of Shrek Academy's schemes and understood that the upcoming 2-2-3 battle would be even more difficult.

Xiao Hongchen clenched his fists, his eyes burning with an indomitable flame: "So what if they have a conspiracy? We won't give up easily. Our Sun and Moon Team isn't so easy to deal with."

Meng Hongchen nodded firmly, her eyes filled with determination.

In the Shrek Academy team's rest area, Wang Yan had already begun arranging tactics. The first match would be between Dai Yueheng and Ma Xiaotao. If nothing unexpected happened, the two Soul Emperors would likely win the first match. The second match would be between Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao. The final match would be between Ye Qian and Gu Yuena, who would be the last line of defense. Even if they lost one match, they would still have two victories to secure the final championship.

"Teams from both sides, take your places." Tian Sha Douluo's voice rang out again.

At this moment, both the audience in Xingluo Square and the Xingluo Empire's monarch and ministers on the city walls were completely silent. Both sides had won one match each in the team battle and the individual elimination rounds, and the final battle was about to begin. The 2-2-3 battle was the most unpredictable type of competition, with six students from each side able to participate, resulting in three 2-on-2 matches.

Ma Rulong and Xiao Xiafeng stood up from the Sun Moon Team's waiting area and strode onto the competition stage. After their previous rest, they had recovered quite well. On Shrek Academy's side, the two Soul Emperors, Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, took the stage.

The two teams stood still, their eyes meeting as if sparks were flying. Ma Rulong and Xiao Xiafeng looked serious, while Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng looked calm and confident.

The Heavenly Fiend Douluo looked at both teams and said in a deep voice, "The match begins!"

As soon as they finished speaking, Ma Rulong and Xiao Xiafeng immediately sprang into action. Working in perfect harmony, Xiao Xiafeng swiftly summoned various soul tools to launch ranged attacks on Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, attempting to disrupt their rhythm.

Ma Xiaotao snorted coldly, flames rising from her body. With a wave of her hands, a powerful fire shockwave blasted towards Xiao Xiafeng's soul tool. Taking advantage of the gap in Ma Xiaotao's defense, Dai Yueheng quickly approached Xiao Xiafeng. Ma Xiaotao was not to be outdone and attacked Ma Rulong, activating Phoenix Meteor Shower.

Ma Rulong had been waiting for this opportunity. He clasped his hands together in front of him, and a burst of intense golden light appeared. One by one, the spirit rings on his body flashed, revealing a giant golden-red sword.

Ma Rulong gripped the hilt of the golden greatsword with both hands and slowly raised it. Intense golden light emanated from the sword, and his eyes gradually turned golden as well.

Seeing Ma Xiaotao rapidly approaching, Ma Rulong shouted, "Awaken, Sword of Judgment!" He poured his soul power into the giant sword at an astonishing speed.

"They are darkness, and heresy is condemned."

Ma Rulong gripped the giant sword with both hands, pointed it in Ma Xiaotao's direction, and simultaneously turned the black side of the blade towards Ma Xiaotao. Instantly, a black light flashed in the air and disappeared.

Ma Xiaotao's entire body was engulfed in flames, but when the black light arrived, all her defenses were rendered useless. The black light flashed and merged into her body in an instant.

Suddenly, Ma Xiaotao felt a strange sensation in her body. The originally crimson phoenix flames turned black in an instant. A dark and cold feeling spread throughout her body, and even the evil energy that had been suppressed within her surged out and condensed with the black flames, giving the impression that it was about to get out of control.

Just then, Ma Rulong flipped his greatsword over, and the golden sword light shone brightly. The aura of light instantly swept across the entire area. Ma Xiaotao screamed as the black flames on her body began to turn into large swaths of mist. At the same time, she felt as if she was about to be disintegrated by the power of light. Ma Rulong suddenly took a step forward, and the Sword of Judgment in his hand slashed fiercely at Ma Xiaotao.

Seeing that Ma Rulong's attack was about to land on Ma Xiaotao, Elder Xuan, who had been watching the match from the Shrek Academy rest area, disregarded the outcome of the match and flashed onto the stage. He blocked Ma Rulong's attack with one hand while suppressing the mutated Ma Xiaotao with the other.

Elder Xuan looked at the sword in Ma Rulong's hand and snorted coldly, "Shrek Academy concedes defeat in this match."

The sudden appearance of Elder Xuan caused an uproar. Although the members of the Sun and Moon Team were somewhat dissatisfied with the result, they dared not say anything in the face of Elder Xuan's powerful presence.

The Shrek Academy students looked at Ma Xiaotao, who was being controlled by Elder Xuan, with worried expressions. Ma Xiaotao's face was pale and an evil aura was surging around her, indicating that her situation was very critical.

"The match is over, Sun and Moon Team wins." Huang Jinxu's somewhat hurried voice rang out.

Elder Xuan quickly led Ma Xiaotao back to the Shrek Academy rest area and immediately began to suppress the evil energy aroused by the Sword of Judgment. Wang Yan's expression also became extremely solemn, as this unexpected event had changed their plans.

Huo Yuhao immediately tried to catch Ma Xiaotao from Elder Xuan's hands, but Elder Xuan released a layer of yellow light to block him, and said in a deep voice, "You can't."

Huo Yuhao was taken aback: "Elder Xuan, why is that? Isn't it normal?"

Elder Xuan shook his head, his face extremely grim, and said, "This time it's probably not just the effect of simple evil energy. Her martial spirit has been stimulated and has undergone a serious mutation. I'm afraid..."

Wang Yan's expression changed drastically in horror: "Elder Xuan, could it be that Xiao Tao...?"

Elder Xuan nodded slightly, his eyes filled with regret.

Wang Yan asked anxiously, "Then what should we do? Is it because of that soul tool from the Sun and Moon Team? Should we settle the score with them?"

Elder Xuan shook his head and said, "It's no use. Although Xiao Tao's martial soul mutation was caused by the other party's soul tool, it can no longer be affected by that soul tool after the mutation. Xiao Tao's condition is very unstable now, and I can only suppress the mutated martial soul in her body by continuously outputting soul power."

Huo Yuhao, completely bewildered yet extremely anxious, asked, "Elder Xuan, what happened to my sister?"

Elder Xuan glanced at him and sighed, "Xiao Tao is in big trouble this time. If things go wrong, she might become an evil spirit master."

"What?"

Xuan Lao's eyes were filled with pain: "Xiao Tao's Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul was already a top-tier beast Martial Soul. This mutation did indeed change her towards greater power. However, the evil energy within her body was completely tainted by dark energy and evolved, but the direction of evolution was also towards darkness. Even her mind was greatly affected..."

Huo Yuhao gasped, and couldn't help but cry out in anguish, "Sister!"

"I'll do it. There's still time. The Time Reversal Domain should be able to do it," Ye Qi'an said as he approached Ma Xiaotao.

Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze immediately fell upon Ye Qi'an.

Elder Xuan frowned slightly, and said hesitantly, "Your time travel is extremely risky, and Xiao Tao's situation is so complicated. Are you really confident?"

Ye Qi'an shook his head and said, "There's no better way now, we can only give it a try."

After saying that, the green-gold light emanating from Ye Qi'an gradually enveloped Ma Xiaotao, and the Time Reversal Domain slowly unfolded, making the surrounding spacetime seem to distort.

Everyone watched this scene with tension, not daring to breathe. As the Time Reversal Domain took effect, the evil aura on Ma Xiaotao's body began to slowly weaken, and her expression gradually became peaceful.

However, the time reversal was not smooth sailing. During the reversal, Ye Qi'an's soul power was constantly being consumed, and fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on his forehead. Seeing this, Elder Xuan came behind Ye Qi'an and used his own strength as a level 98 Title Douluo to provide him with soul power replenishment.

With the support of Elder Xuan's soul power, Ye Qi'an unleashed the Time Reversal Domain with all his might. The changes in Ma Xiaotao became more and more obvious. The evil aura continued to recede, and the phoenix flames that were originally tainted by darkness gradually regained their crimson light.

Hope surged in everyone's hearts as they nervously watched Ma Xiaotao, hoping she would fully recover. Huo Yuhao clenched his fists, staring intently at his sister, silently praying in his heart.

Time passed second by second, and Ye Qi'an's face grew paler and paler, but he never gave up. Finally, the last trace of evil energy was expelled from Ma Xiaotao's body, and Ma Xiaotao slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes were still somewhat confused, but they quickly regained their clarity.

"What's wrong with me?" Ma Xiaotao asked softly.

Wang Yan breathed a sigh of relief and explained, "You were affected by the Sun and Moon Team's soul tool, causing your martial soul to mutate and almost go out of control. Fortunately, Ye Qian used his Time Reversal Domain to save you."

Ma Xiaotao looked at Ye Qi'an gratefully: "Thank you, Ye Qi'an. I would have been in trouble if it weren't for you."

Ye Qi'an waved his hand, seemingly unconcerned, and said to Ma Xiaotao, "It's alright, everything is under control."

Wang Yan looked at Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong and said in a deep voice, "The situation is not very favorable for us right now, so we can't afford to lose the next two matches. Yuhao, Wang Dong, are you sure you can do it?"

Huo Yuhao nodded heavily and said, "Teacher Wang, we will definitely do our best and never back down for the glory of Shrek Academy."

Wang Dong straightened his back and said, "Don't worry, teacher, we won't let you down."

At this moment, the atmosphere on the field was extremely tense. Huang Jinxu looked at the two teams and said in a deep voice, "The second match of the 2-2-3 strategy, both teams' players are on the field."

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong exchanged a glance, and in each other's eyes they saw their own reflections. For a moment, it was as if time stood still.

They knew that this match was crucial for Shrek Academy, and they had to go all out to win it and fight for Shrek's glory.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong strode confidently toward the competition arena, their hearts filled with only one belief: to win this match at all costs for the glory of Shrek Academy.

.........

(End of this chapter)