At that critical instant, the Absolute Defense Barrier of the seventh level shattered like a fragile eggshell. With a burst of dazzling light, Ye Guyi, wielding the Holy Sword of Light, and Ma Xiaotao, brandishing the Phoenix God Spear, shot forth like twin streaks of brilliance, descending like meteors. "Second Soul Skill: Holy Spirit Slash!" Ye Guyi’s second yellow soul ring lit up in a flash. As her figure swooped down, the Holy Sword in her hand released a radiant golden arc of sword qi, stretching five meters long. Like a bolt of golden lightning, the sword qi carried unstoppable, majestic force. In an instant, it cleaved apart the combined assault of Yi Chen and Wang Shiying. The raging flames and howling wind they unleashed were instantly obliterated, dispersing into nothingness under the overwhelming brilliance of that golden strike. At the same time, Ye Guyi, moving with blinding speed, descended directly above Huang Heyun. Her fourth purple soul ring flared to life, exuding a mysterious and powerful aura. "Fourth Soul Skill: Radiant Spirit Array!" A massive formation of golden light abruptly rose around Huang Heyun. The array pulsed with radiant glow, runes flowing endlessly within it, suppressing his dark power. Moments later, a golden storm burst forth, rising like a colossal dragon of light that roared across the sky. Fınd the newest release on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⟡𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦⟡𝘯𝘦𝘵 The array not only neutralized Huang Heyun’s fierce offensive but also trapped him and the three teammates channeling soul power into him, locking them inside a luminous prison of divine radiance. Elsewhere, Ma Xiaotao, now freed from her restraints, unfurled her blazing phoenix wings. Each powerful beat ignited the very air, sending searing waves of heat surging outward. Her eyes sharpened. The Phoenix God Spear gleamed in her hands, its tip locked firmly onto Xu Jiujie, her chosen prey. Her fifth black soul ring lit up, its deep glow radiating boundless power. "Fifth Soul Skill: Phoenix Pierces the Clouds!" As her soul skill activated, a gargantuan fire phoenix materialized, its blazing form filling the sky. The inferno surrounding it burned so hot it seemed capable of reducing all things to ash. The phoenix’s wings stretched wide, blotting out the heavens. With a piercing cry that rattled souls, it unleashed its power, merging fully with Ma Xiaotao’s spear. The Phoenix God Spear, originally a seventh-level soul tool, now under the amplification of a ten-thousand-year soul skill, transcended into a weapon of divine destruction. Gripping it with both hands, Ma Xiaotao hurled it forward with all her might. The spear transformed completely into a blazing phoenix, leaving a dazzling trail of fire across the sky. Its cry echoed through the arena as it dived straight for Xu Jiujie, flames twisting the air into molten distortions. Yi Chen and Wang Shiying reacted swiftly. Their gazes locked, and without words, their teamwork snapped into place. Yi Chen unleashed her fifth soul skill, summoning a raging hurricane that roared across the battlefield, threatening to engulf all within it. Wang Shiying followed with her own fifth soul skill, flames surging into existence, merging with Yi Chen’s gale. The fusion birthed a monstrous beast—its body forged of storm winds, its frame wreathed in fire. With massive wings sprouting from its back, it roared like a demon from hell, surging forward to clash with the flaming phoenix. The explosion rocked the arena. The phoenix and the storm-fire beast collided, their clash birthing a terrifying shockwave. The blast unleashed scorching waves of energy, rolling outward like a tsunami. The shockwave battered against the Guardian Star barrier, shaking it violently and draining its protective power. Already weakened, the Guardian Star’s glow dimmed further under the impact. Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, Dugu Xianmeng and Ling Luochen continued their unrelenting assault on the Guardian Star. Dugu Xianmeng loosed arrow after arrow, each tipped with deadly toxins that released corrosive mists upon impact. Ling Luochen spread layers of chilling ice mist, encasing the barrier in frost that steadily gnawed at its strength. Under their combined siege, only two faintly flickering stars remained to sustain the Guardian Star—like candles in a storm, ready to be extinguished. But the phoenix’s terrifying power, bolstered by a seventh-level soul tool, was overwhelming. The storm-fire beast could stall it only briefly before being pierced through. The phoenix spear, wreathed in infernal flames, drove onward, unstoppable, tearing the very air apart as it targeted Xu Jiujie. At the same time, Ye Guyi pressed her attack against the trapped Huang Heyun. Hovering gracefully midair, her angelic wings beat softly, scattering divine light across the battlefield. The Holy Sword of Light flared like a miniature sun. Her voice rang out, solemn and divine. Though she invoked no named soul skill, the Radiant Spirit Array’s empowerment magnified her sword strike into a judgment imbued with sacred might. The golden blade cleaved downward, its force so absolute it seemed to split even space itself. At that very moment, the Guardian Star—battered by relentless fire, ice, poison, and impact—finally shattered. Its protective brilliance exploded into countless motes of light, scattering across the arena like fireworks. The toxic fog and icy mist, once held back, surged forth unhindered, sweeping across the battlefield like a tide of death. The air turned frigid, ice instantly sheathing the arena floor. Poison choked the air, its acrid stench instilling dread. And with the Guardian Star gone, and darkness no longer veiling the stage, Gongyang Mo acted instantly. Retracting his soul tool cannon, his Rainbow Dragon spirit blazed once again, radiating dazzling multicolored light. His soul rings shone, releasing beams of brilliance that flowed like living sprites, merging seamlessly into his teammates. The light infused them with surging strength, amplifying their abilities with pinpoint precision. In that instant, the tide of battle flipped entirely. Barely a minute ago, Shrek Academy had been cornered, seemingly destined for defeat. But with Ye Guyi and Ma Xiaotao breaking free, the momentum swung back with overwhelming force. Shrek’s team exploded with power, striking like unleashed tigers. The reversal happened so swiftly that even the spectators could scarcely react. All they saw was Shrek Academy suddenly turning the tables, and the once-dominant Xingluo Academy team drowning beneath a storm of devastating attacks. The crowd erupted, stunned beyond belief. Eyes widened, mouths hung agape—none could believe what they were witnessing. And yet, even in this crisis, Xingluo’s team refused to surrender. They activated their trump cards. One by one, protective shields blossomed around them, radiating faint light—Invincible Barriers. Every member of the Xingluo team had one. Though only disposable fifth-level soul tools, these barriers could withstand the full-force strike of a Contra for three whole seconds. Three seconds of absolute protection. But three seconds... in a battlefield this fierce, was it truly enough? When the barriers faded, the Xingluo team would face Shrek’s unrelenting storm of attacks, with poison and ice lurking at the edges, ready to finish them. And just as annihilation loomed— A figure streaked through the sky like a meteor, descending onto the arena. Heavenly Fiend Douluo. His presence was suffocating, his aura vast and immeasurable. Nine soul rings rose around him—two yellow, two purple, and five black—radiating overwhelming might. As a Titled Douluo, his power crashed across the arena like an ocean tide. Raising his hand, his fourth purple soul ring flared. A mysterious brilliance swept out, reshaping reality itself. In moments, Xingluo’s team was lifted from peril, shielded by his formidable strength. Even the spreading poison and frost were obliterated, dissipating like snow under the sun. Before a Titled Douluo, Dugu Xianmeng’s proudest toxins were nothing but child’s play. With his intervention, the match’s outcome was sealed. Xingluo Academy lost—but their performance earned admiration. They had fought with courage, discipline, and unity. Against three Soul Emperors from Shrek, their team of lower-level cultivators pushed the battle to its limits. In the eyes of the audience, they were defeated, yet honorable. As the match ended, Xu Jiujie deliberately walked past Zhou Sichen. Their eyes met, and she flashed him a sweet yet knowing smile—filled with both satisfaction and recognition. Zhou Sichen returned it with quiet understanding. Though some theatrics had played a part in this battle, the result remained unchanged. For them, it was not a scandal, but strategy. The rest of Shrek’s team gathered around Zhou Sichen, laughing and smiling as though the brutal match had been nothing more than a lively game. On the surface, only Zhou Sichen and Dai Yueheng bore minor injuries. In truth, these were but superficial acts. Compared to the benefits gained from their "performance," such wounds were meaningless. To Zhou Sichen, the rewards far outweighed the pain. If you want to support me or read advanced Chapters (21+), consider checking out my pat. patr*on.com/Salsita2k