Douluo Phoenix

Chapter 22 The Soul Master Competition Begins

A week later, the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is about to begin. Everyone from Blazing Fire Academy has arrived in Heaven Dou City. Huo Tianchen and the other deans of the five elemental academies went to a gathering, while Huo Lie and Huo Yi took all the students to a hotel.

The team uniforms for the academy team had already been prepared in advance, and everyone was now wearing their specially made uniforms. Huo Wu's outfit was particularly eye-catching; she wore an off-the-shoulder top with two crisscrossing red and black straps. A red and gold dress partially covered her body, with the top partially exposed. Combined with her fiery red hair, a red flame mark on her eyebrow, and a gold choker around her neck, she exuded sexiness, fiery passion, unrestrained energy, arrogance, and nobility. If one had to describe her, it would be in two words: Queen.

Huo Wushuang, on the other hand, was rather lackluster. He had golden hair, but wore a headband, and his shirt was draped over his shoulders, revealing his eight-pack abs. He looked a bit like a chuunibyou (a Japanese term for someone with delusions of grandeur), somewhat like a boxer from a past life. Actually, Huo Wushuang could have taken inspiration from Dai Mubai's attire; that would have made him appear more arrogant and spirited.

Xiao Fei, on the other hand, dressed in a more conventional manner, just like the other trainees, wearing a dark red outfit and sporting flowing black hair, looking very energetic. Huo Wu had suggested that Xiao Fei also order a competition outfit, but Xiao Fei glanced at Huo Wushuang and decisively refused.

As time continued, it was finally time for the competition to begin. Accompanied by the host's emotional rousing speech, the teams entered in order. Finally, it was Blazing Academy's turn. Huo Wushuang, Huo Wu, and Xiao Fei led the way, with Huo Wushuang in the middle, Huo Wu and Xiao Fei on either side of him, followed by the rest of the team. The lights shone on the team, and cheers and screams erupted from the crowd. Blazing Academy, as expected of a veteran powerhouse, received a tremendous roar of applause.

Walking to the center of the arena, the other teams followed suit. Xiao Fei carefully examined the platform in front, where several tall seats stood. In the very center was an old man holding a scepter, appearing both kind and authoritative. This must be Emperor Xue Ye. To his left was a middle-aged man with a cane, possessing a refined air; this must be Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. To his right was a gaunt, gloomy old man, Salas, the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall. Slightly behind from the left was an old man with white hair and a youthful face, his eyes sharp and piercing; this was Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. The second from the right was another gaunt old man, his aura noticeably weaker than the others; this must be Prince Xue Xing.

Xiao Fei's gaze remained fixed on Sword Douluo, the continent's number one attack Douluo, whose strength had reached level 96. In his previous life, Sword Douluo was also one of Xiao Fei's favorite characters.

Amidst cheers, teams marched onto the arena. Suddenly, a chorus of disdain erupted from the crowd. A team dressed in green entered, their uniforms bearing the words "Seeking Sponsorship" (a sarcastic expression of disdain). Xiao Fei found it rather cringeworthy. He was always speechless whenever he saw this scene. This was the Shrek Academy team, the protagonist's team. Now that Shrek no longer had any magical herbs, he wondered if they could reach the level of their previous life. Upon closer inspection, the Shrek team only had two Soul Masters, Tang San and Dai Mubai; the rest were Soul Venerables. However, judging by their Soul Power, they were all High-Level Soul Venerables. If they reached the finals, there would probably be four Soul Masters. Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing's improvement would likely be limited, at most reaching High-Level Soul Venerables.

After speeches by Emperor Xueye, Ning Fengzhi, and Salas, Salas drew lots, and as expected, Shrek Academy faced off against the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team. Xiao Fei left the arena with his team, leaving only the Shrek Academy team and the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team on the field.

Apart from Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar, the rest of the Shrek Academy team played.

Suddenly remembering something, Xiao Fei went to the entrance alone. Sure enough, there was a betting area at the entrance, and Shrek Academy's odds were as high as 1 to 3. Without saying a word, Xiao Fei decisively bet 100,000 gold soul coins on Shrek Academy to win before returning to the main hall.

As expected, Shrek Academy won the match within a minute. Although the others were slightly weaker, Tang San and Dai Mubai performed quite well, their strength not significantly diminished. Perhaps the real weakness lies in their future potential. Without the Rooster Crest Phoenix Sunflower, Ma Hongjun might face difficulties in his later cultivation. Ning Rongrong, without spirit evolution, will only reach the peak of Soul Saint at best. Tang San, without the Ice and Fire Body Refinement, will struggle to overcome the Blazing Fire barrier. The others, however, have all suffered various forms of weakening.

The next day, Blazing Fire Academy took to the field, this time with Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and Huo He leading four substitutes. Huo Wushuang's soul power of level 48, combined with Huo Wu's level 47, instantly shone brightly. All the teams looked at Blazing Fire with serious expressions. It's important to know that Huo Wushuang currently holds the highest soul power level in the Heaven Dou region, and he's only 20 years old. Huo Wu is second, at level 47, and is only 18. Feng Xiaotian is third, at level 44, but he's already 24. This means Huo Wu can still participate in the next Soul Master Competition, and will definitely reach the Soul King level then.

Each of the other teams only has one or two Soul Masters. The largest team is the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, with five Soul Masters, but even they only have a Soul Power level of 43. There is a significant difference in strength between high-level and low-level Soul Masters.

The opponent was the Auckland Academy team. Auckland Academy only had one Soul Master, and he had just reached that level. After both teams entered the arena, Huo Wushuang took the lead, sending a fiery dragon directly into the opponent's formation. Then, several others rushed in and launched a coordinated attack. Finally, Huo Wu unleashed a wide-range attack skill, blasting all the opponents off the field. Most of the players used only one Soul Skill. A cheer erupted from the entire arena. The other teams fell silent.

In the Shrek Academy team's area, everyone fell silent. Finally, Yu Xiaogang analyzed the Blazing Academy team: "The Blazing Academy team's fighting style is very simple. Huo Wushuang aggressively charges into the opponent's formation, Huo Wu controls the field, and multiple agility-type Soul Masters swarm in, squeezing the opponent's movement space. Finally, Huo Wu delivers a decisive blow. While the method is simple, it's somewhat unbeatable. After all, they have three Soul Masters, and two of them are high-level Soul Masters. In the entire region, no one should be able to stop Huo Wushuang's aggressive attacks. Moreover, Blazing Academy is extremely fast and their teamwork is excellent, demonstrating their rich combat experience and well-trained discipline."

Observing the opposing team's morale, Yu Xiaogang said, "Blazing Fire Academy also has its weaknesses. Due to the explosive power and aggressiveness of fire elements, Blazing Fire Academy doesn't have a single support class, while we have Ning Rongrong and two support geniuses. Blazing Fire's endurance will be very poor. This also results in their matches being very short and extremely intense."

Tang San thought for a moment and asked, "Teacher, does the Blazing Fire Academy team know their weaknesses?"

Yu Xiaogang said, "Of course they know their shortcomings, but Blazing Fire Academy has a long history. The first requirement for admission is that one must be a fire elementalist. Fire elementalists are basically not support-type soul masters."

(End of this chapter)