Douluo Continent: The Eye of Truth

Chapter 69 Heartbreaking Defeat in the Semifinals

Jiang Nannan and Gongyang Mo's combination is not really good, but Shrek Academy doesn't have any combat power to boast about right now.

The opposing team sent out two level-five soul masters in the first match, and neither of these level-five soul masters had particularly outstanding martial souls.

A Soul Master named Xiao Xiafeng has a Food-type Steamed Bun Soul. He can use his Soul Skills and Charging Soul Tool to help his teammates accelerate their Soul Power recovery while providing them with other buffs.

However, most food-type martial souls have a longer duration, but their effects are much weaker than those of ordinary support-type martial souls of the same level.

This will be a huge advantage on the battlefield, given the complexity of the situation.

Both sides in a battle need time to probe each other and engage in a protracted struggle. This is when the advantages of food-type martial souls become apparent.

However, in a ring match, the battlefield is only so big, so even if both sides want to pull back and delay, it won't take too long.

The soul tools used are mostly mid-range ray-type soul tools, supplemented by long-range soul cannons. The quality of the soul tools is not very high; they are all level 5 soul tools.

The other Soul Master, Mika, did not reveal his Martial Soul; instead, he equipped himself with a heavy set of bright blue Soul Guidance Armor.

Meanwhile, he was using a level 5 close-range attack soul tool that matched this soul tool armor, along with other level 5 soul tool defensive methods, making the two of them stand on the arena like an impenetrable wall.

Although Jiang Nannan was agile, especially with the support of Gongyang Mo's Rainbow Dragon Martial Soul, which made it difficult for the two opponents to keep up with her speed, her attacks could not break through their defenses.

After a period of this, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, with its energy-charging soul tool and food-type martial soul for support, ultimately prevailed and quickly exhausted Jiang Nannan's soul power.

Although Gongyang Mo, as a support-type Soul Master, still has Soul Power reserves, he can't possibly take out his Soul Guidance Device and fight directly against the enemy, can he?

After all, he hadn't really learned how to use soul tools. He could manage using some trigger-type defensive soul tools and amplifying soul tools, but if he were to use soul beams and soul cannons to attack, even if the opponent was only ten meters away from him, he probably wouldn't be able to hit them.

After all, for a well-trained Soul Master, using their Martial Soul is like controlling their own hands and feet, and this is even more true for a Soul Master who possesses a Beast Martial Soul.

However, soul tools are different. After all, they are external objects. Soul masters whose martial soul is a weapon martial soul may have some advantages in this regard, because beast martial soul soul masters are constantly affected by the martial soul's possession over the years, and their own movement habits and combat thinking will also be affected by the martial soul.

Unless one is like the Soul Masters of the Sun Moon Empire, who are trained primarily with Soul Tools from a young age and secondarily with Martial Souls, it is impossible to cultivate the combat habits and mindset of a Soul Master after growing up.

The disadvantages of Jiang Nannan and Gongyang Mo's combination were obvious. After realizing this, Xiao Xiafeng and Mika did not rush into things, but instead adopted a defensive strategy.

If Jiang Nannan approached him, he would use a harmless soul-guided ray to intercept her, or use a close-range soul-guided device to force her back. Mika never strayed too far from Xiao Xiafeng, but stayed by his side, protecting him.

Xiao Xiafeng focused more of his energy on Gongyang Mo at the rear of the battlefield. Although he couldn't concentrate on attacking Gongyang Mo because he had to be wary of Jiang Nannan, the sporadic soul-guided cannon fire still caused considerable trouble for Gongyang Mo, the support-type soul master.

Finally, having exhausted all other options, Jiang Nannan and Gongyang Mo, bearing their minor injuries, signaled to the referee, Tian Sha Douluo, that they were conceding defeat in this match.

Although he was mentally prepared, Wang Yan clenched his fists tightly in the Shrek Academy rest area, hiding them in his sleeves, his slightly long fingernails even scratching the skin of his palms.

Only in this way could he force himself to calm down and issue commands.

After all, he's the one leading the Shrek Academy team now. If he also panics, then the already extremely slim chance of winning will probably disappear.

"Xixi, Beibei, keep going! Don't feel pressured, just do your best," Wang Yan said to Beibei and Xixi, who were in better spirits.

Beibei nodded: "Understood, Teacher Wang."

Now that things have come to this, they have no way out. No one can draw any conclusions until the very last moment. Perhaps a miracle will happen?

Tian Sha Douluo looked at Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, Xixi, and Beibei, who all came on stage at the same time, but whose auras and spirits were completely different, and secretly shook his head.

However, he still spoke up, saying, "I won't go into the rules of the game again. Both sides should return to the edge of the playing area."

As they approached, they exchanged a glance. For some reason, looking at Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, the brother and sister, Beibei felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on her heart, and she didn't know when it would fall.

As both sides returned to the edge of the arena, the match officially began with an announcement from Tian Sha Douluo.

With their martial spirits activating, both sides' fighting spirit surged. As the battle truly began, Bei Bei found herself unusually relaxed for some reason.

Beibei couldn't help but think of what Xu Sanshi had said before. Maybe he was right. Even if we lose, we should lose with the spirit of Shrek Academy. It can only be us who fail, not the academy.

As he comforted himself, golden lightning and a soaring dragon's roar echoed across the arena once more, and Beibei once again unleashed the power of the golden holy dragon hidden within his bloodline.

As golden lightning spread, BeiBei's entire soul power merged into the surrounding golden lightning. He didn't use any soul skills; he simply transformed his soul power into golden lightning.

Instead of acting out of character, Xixi did not rush out using the speed of an agility-type Soul Master as she usually did, or hide behind Beibei. Instead, she stood side by side with Beibei.

Overlord Thunder Domain is actually a specialized form of Thunder Fury under the influence of the Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline.

To maximize the enhancement of the thunderous power that has been altered by the Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline.

However, at this moment, Beibei did not use Thunderous Fury to control the golden lightning that was constantly being generated in the air and form it into the Overlord Thunder Domain.

Instead, they were allowed to dissipate, but at this moment, the spirit rings under Xixi's feet also began to flash.

Lightning crackled and swirled around her, drawing in the golden lightning power originating from the bloodline of the Golden Sacred Dragon.

The golden lightning power was unruly, and while it merged with Xixi's lightning, it also harmed her.

However, thanks to her superior soul power compared to Beibei and the fact that the Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline was not yet fully activated, Xixi successfully converted 80% of the golden lightning power into her own.

Seemingly slow but actually fast, a golden bolt of lightning swiftly streaked across the arena, a hundred meters apart, heading towards Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.

Bei Bei, completely exhausted, fainted and collapsed, being taken off the field by Tian Sha Douluo.

Forcibly awakening bloodline power and overdrawing soul power, although there are no physical injuries, still requires a period of recuperation.

On the other hand, Xixi was enduring the backlash from the golden lightning power; she needed to finish the battle quickly.

Because the golden lightning power was constantly fighting against her, although she could forcibly draw upon its power by using her fourth and fifth soul skills, the consumption of soul power and physical strength was enormous and could not be sustained.

Seeing Xixi rushing towards them and Beibei being sent off the stage by Tian Sha Douluo, Xiao Hongchen's eyes revealed a visible disappointment.

"Since he ran away, then let him try this!"

Seeing this, Tian Sha Douluo secretly lamented in his heart, "It's just a competition, not a life-or-death duel."

Why are the students from both colleges working so hard? If there is a next time, I will never be a referee again. It's not just a sin, it's an outrageous act.

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen exchanged a glance, and without the slightest hesitation, they embraced each other.

At this moment, everyone's eyes widened.

In the Shrek Academy rest area, Wang Yan muttered to himself, "A Martial Soul Fusion Skill? It's actually a Martial Soul Fusion Skill! Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen are both so outstanding, but how can they possess a Martial Soul Fusion Skill? The Sun Moon Empire has never had a Martial Soul Fusion Skill before."

As golden and icy blue soul power merged, a pillar of light shot into the sky, engulfing Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's bodies.

Both Xiao Hongchen's three-legged golden toad and Meng Hongchen's vermilion-eyed ice toad are considered to be martial souls of extremely high quality.

Moreover, both of them are at the Soul King level. How terrifying would their Soul Fusion Technique be if they unleashed it with full power when their bodies are unharmed and their soul power is at its peak?

Although the power and effect of a spirit fusion skill ultimately depend on the compatibility between the spirit and the spirit master.

However, as siblings who grew up and trained together, how could Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's martial soul compatibility be low? Not to mention that their martial souls are different, if they couldn't be compatible, it would be impossible for them to use the martial soul fusion skill.

Seeing this, even though Xixi knew what kind of danger lay ahead, she did not choose to retreat.

Wielding the power of golden lightning, he resolutely attacked Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, while Tian Sha Douluo was also ready to come to their rescue.

The rising two-colored beam of light condensed in the air, transforming into a giant three-legged toad that was five meters tall. Then, as the golden and ice-blue radiance faded, a crimson-gold luster rendered the giant toad incredibly magnificent.

The toad's jet-black eyes, like an abyss, drew everyone's attention, coldly looking down at Xixi. As the toad opened its huge mouth, a crimson-gold vortex spun violently, faintly spewing out light.

At this moment, Xiao Hongchen's voice couldn't hide his pride: "Shrek Academy, let me show you what a truly powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill is! Hongchen's Affection!"

A crimson-gold vortex of light surged forth, transforming into a torrent that swept towards Xixi, who was rushing towards it. Seeing this, and sensing the terrifying and powerful soul energy fluctuations around her, Xixi knew that she had already lost, and she had no chance of winning.

At this moment, Tian Sha Douluo did not hesitate any longer and quickly took action to pull Xi Xi off the competition stage.

The boiling crimson-gold light mixed with the clang of metal, the fury of flames, and the coldness of ice, causing the air and the arena to distort wherever it passed.

The violent forces clashed and merged, like flowing lava, covering the entire arena. If hit, Xixi would be certain to die.

Seeing this, Tian Sha Douluo shook his head, looking helplessly at the unconscious Xi Xi in his arms.

Just because she had come into contact with the mortal world for a moment, Xixi had already exhausted all of her protective soul power, even the golden lightning originating from the Golden Sacred Dragon was no exception.

This caused her to fall into a coma. Moreover, as the metal poison, fire poison, and cold poison entered her body, Xixi's skin was constantly changing, turning into a sickly pale, blood red, and waxy yellow color.

At this moment, the lingering attachments of the mortal world had not yet subsided. The violent power impacted the surrounding soul guide shield, even staining the originally colorless and transparent soul guide shield with a crimson gold color.

The 108 Soul Masters responsible for supplying Soul Power to the Soul Guidance Shield also showed varying degrees of poisoning symptoms.

The poison contained in worldly attachments could actually be transmitted through soul tools and soul power. Upon seeing this, Tian Sha Douluo quickly stepped in to help suppress it.

The other guardian Douluo of the Star Luo Empire also quickly intervened, which stopped Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.

Seeing the brother and sister with pride on their faces, all the spectators present felt a tightness in their chests. Shrek Academy had been defeated, and Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy had advanced to the finals.

Can the members of Xingluo National Academy alone really stop the monstrous Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen?

Could it be that the champion of this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament is about to change hands here, or even fall into the hands of the Sun Moon Empire?

The atmosphere at Xingluo Square was unusually somber, completely dispelling the previous gloomy atmosphere within the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

The sadness caused by the deaths of four team members was greatly diminished, as they had defeated Shrek Academy fair and square.

Shrek Academy, which dominated dozens of continent-wide advanced soul master academy battle tournaments.

Shrek, the mountain that forever weighs down on their Sun and Moon Empire.

And Shrek, who killed their teammates!

Among the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy team members, some even shed tears, but wore smiles on their faces, both because of the grief over the fallen teammates and the joy of defeating Shrek Academy.

The competition consisted of three rounds: team battles, individual elimination rounds, and a 2-2-3 format. If Shrek Academy were to say that the reason Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy was able to win was because their strongest member, Ma Xiaotao, was taken away, then...

The subsequent 2-2-3 victory was undoubtedly a slap in the face for Shrek Academy. Defeat is defeat, and no amount of explanation can change that.

(End of this chapter)