Tang San felt quite helpless in his heart. Squaring off against the Hell White Tiger alone was far more taxing than a duel with Feng Xiaotian; after all, a Spirit Fusion Skill combined the soul power of two people, placing much greater pressure on him.
His current state was not ideal, but fortunately, he had not yet utilized his Blue Silver Grass. Though his body was strained, his soul power remained relatively abundant due to the switch in Martial Souls.
Hovering in the air, Tang San suddenly erupted with the light of his four soul rings, pouring out his soul power as if it cost him nothing.
"First Soul Skill: Binding!"
"Second Soul Skill: Parasite!"
"Third Soul Skill: Spider Web Restraint!"
"Fourth Soul Skill: Blue Silver Cage!"
Four skills were released in rapid succession. Endless Blue Silver Grass surged forth frantically, instantly enveloping the three people below.
The first skill, Binding, sought to tie down his opponents. Though the first skill of Blue Silver Grass was largely ineffective against Soul Ancestors, just as they broke free from the vines, Spider Web Restraint controlled one person again. Two rising Blue Silver Cages trapped the remaining two.
While these were two thousand-year soul skills, it would take the three Star Luo Soul Ancestors at most three seconds to break free. However, at that moment, the effect of the second skill, Parasite, manifested, further slowing their struggle to escape the Blue Silver Grass's grip.
It was in this window that Tang San brought Dai Mubai and Meng Yiran charging down. The Blue Silver Grass in Tang San's right hand vanished, replaced once more by the Clear Sky Hammer in his left. Dai Mubai and Meng Yiran each used their fourth soul skills to lock onto an opponent.
Under normal circumstances, where they could dodge or defend, the duo's attacks wouldn't have been feared, but with their movements restricted, the three Star Luo members' faces paled. 'Are Twin Martial Souls really this overpowered? Do you care nothing for the consumption of your Blue Silver Grass soul power?' they thought. He had literally gone "all-in" just to buy time for one clean strike.
Tang San used the Clear Sky Hammer's first skill to instantly eliminate one Soul Ancestor, while Dai Mubai and Meng Yiran's fourth skills heavily injured the other two. Tang San immediately followed up with the hammer.
Finally, supported by Dai Mubai and Meng Yiran, Tang San emerged victorious. His consumption had been massive; fortunately, there was a one-day rest period after every match in the Grand Finals.
Furthermore, in this battle against the Star Luo Imperial Academy, he had used all his trump cards. Aside from his soul bone skill, all his combat techniques and styles had been exposed. The subsequent matches would be even more difficult. His only remaining chance to turn the tide would be the final ace he had kept in reserve—the Stone-Armored Bear torso bone.
As the referee announced Shrek Academy's victory, a light shone in Dai Mubai's eyes. His team had beaten Dai Weisi's team, meaning he had won this round and suppressed his brother in a public forum. Many high-ranking officials from the Star Luo Empire had come to watch, looking to decide where to place their future allegiances. Though Dai Weisi's influence was far greater than Dai Mubai's, he didn't hold the sky with one hand; Dai Mubai's current strength and team were now sufficient to mark him as a true rival.
The match had certainly provided a spectacle, leaving many in regret that such a powerful team like the Star Luo Imperial Academy had fallen so early. Considering this was only the second round of the Grand Finals, it was a testament to how shocking this year's competition truly was.
In the Spirit Hall Academy team's lounge, three young people in embroidered robes watched the departing Shrek Academy with cold eyes. Their gaze was primarily focused on Tang San and Oscar.
Tang San's strength was beyond doubt; he was a powerful existence capable of contending with a high-tier Soul King. Unless there was a Martial Soul counter, a soul master of the same level could not be Tang San's match, especially given his shocking soul ring configuration.
The focus on Oscar was because, without him, Shrek's victory—though still possible—would never have been so easy. Everyone realized at this moment how terrifying a Support Type Oscar was; his skills included healing, recovery, attribute boosting, and even the rare ability of flight. To the Spirit Hall team, Oscar was now the first person who needed to be eliminated. Without him, Shrek's combat power would drop by at least half.
Aside from Shrek's match, the other games today held little excitement. The major powerhouses rarely lost unless they faced one another. Following today's results, the third round would grant a bye to the second-place team from the Promotion Competition, meaning Shrek Academy earned three days of rest: tomorrow's rest day, the day of the third round, and the following rest day.
Because every round was followed by a day off, Tang San had dared to gamble by withholding his soul bone and fighting the Hell White Tiger to the point of heavy injury.
Beyond the arena, the Heaven Dou Imperial Team's lounge was also witnessing a "spectacle." Gu Xuan had just brought Zhu Zhuqing back to his room, intending to check her for serious injuries, when Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling walked in.
It turned out that after Ye Lingling followed Gu Xuan out, she had been caught by Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong. They didn't stop him immediately because they wanted to see where he was taking her. Then, they watched him carry Zhu Zhuqing into a private room...
How could they stand for that?
The three fiances hadn't even shared a bed with Gu Xuan yet, and Zhu Zhuqing was already going in?
Just as Gu Xuan set her down and prepared to give her a pill, the three ladies burst in. Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong stared at Zhu Zhuqing like tigers watching prey, while Ye Lingling stood to the side with a faint, silent smile. She had seen Zhu Zhuqing with Gu Xuan several times before.
Seeing three beauties who were no less stunning than herself burst in, Zhu Zhuqing froze, her mouth stalling just as she was about to take the pill. She recognized all of them: Ye Lingling, Ning Rongrong—the prominent member of the Seven Treasure team—and Dugu Yan, the captain who had captivated everyone during the awards ceremony. Seeing them here, she realized their relationship with Gu Xuan was likely not simple.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't particularly mind if Gu Xuan had other confidantes; born into the Zhu Clan, her own father had over a dozen women. Why would a genius like Gu Xuan be any different?
Before Gu Xuan could speak, Dugu Yan smiled and said, "Xiao Xuan, aren't you going to introduce us to this little sister?"
Gu Xuan popped the pill into Zhu Zhuqing's mouth and replied helplessly, "Yanzi, the way you three burst in... it feels a bit like a sting operation."
Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan exchanged a look before Ning Rongrong said, "Brother Gu Xuan, you are currently engaged to us. Even if you don't have 'ideas' about this sister, bringing her directly to your room is a bit much, don't you think?"
Ning Rongrong was a clever one. Her words put Gu Xuan on the spot. If he said he had no interest in her, it would be hard to explain if anything happened later. If he admitted it, it would be like confessing to a crime.
Gu Xuan rolled his eyes at Ning Rongrong and gave her a playful flick on the forehead. "You little devil!"
He then looked at Zhu Zhuqing and said seriously, "I do indeed have a favorable impression of Zhuqing, but I wouldn't be so unrefined. Besides, what kind of person do you take me for? I haven't even made a move on my three lovely fiancées yet! Why would I have 'those' thoughts about her right now?"
Hearing this, Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling couldn't help but roll their eyes. 'Can you be any more shameless?' they thought.
However, Zhu Zhuqing was surprised. Even after Gu Xuan said that, they showed no signs of losing their tempers. Was Gu Xuan's charisma really that high?
'Wait! What did Brother Gu just say? He has ideas about me? Since when?' she wondered. 'I thought it was one-sided... Do I actually have a chance?'
(End of Chapter)
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