The semifinal loss shrouded the Tang Sect in a heavy gloom. Huo Yuhao hung his head, his clenched fists betraying his simmering inner unwillingness.
He had ultimately failed to lead the Tang Sect to the final stage.
Though Wang Dong'er also felt disheartened, seeing Huo Yuhao's despair, she rallied her spirit and gently comforted him:
"Yuhao, don't blame yourself too much. You've already done everything possible."
"Natural Sect's three Soul Saints truly surpassed imagination—especially that Bo Xi, summoning rainstorms, his soul skills flowing like tsunamis. We lost honorably."
"At least we gave our all. We've made the Tang Sect's name resound across the continent. We can build from here."
"Mm." Huo Yuhao nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "You're right. Since that's the case, we'll focus on preparing to leave Mingdu safely after the tournament ends."
"I have a feeling the Sun Moon Empire won't let us leave easily. Elder Xuan's 'safe route' might not be safe at all."
Just then, muffled sobs echoed through the room.
Xu Sanshi sat with his face buried in his hands, tears streaming—still trapped in the female form Yin Wansheng had transformed him into. He looked utterly ashamed to be seen.
Jiang Nannan watched him—this "pitiful" sight (Xu Sanshi: Bullshit!)—not with sympathy, but with an amused upward curve of her lips.
Bei Bei, He Caitou, and the others barely suppressed their laughter. The air filled with cheerful energy (for everyone but Xu Sanshi—this was pure social death for him).
Hearing his companions' stifled giggles, Xu Sanshi nearly broke down. He snapped his head up, fixing desperate eyes on Wang Dong'er—who had regained her womanly form—and asked with final hope:
"Sister Dong'er! How did you change back? Tell me—can I turn back into a man early? I can't face anyone like this!"
Wang Dong'er covered her mouth, laughing softly. "I reverted because my Light Goddess Butterfly martial soul naturally leans feminine. The martial soul fusion skill 'Raiment of Light' amplified that tendency, overriding Yin Wansheng's effect. As for you…" She paused, pity in her eyes. "…you'll just have to wait for the skill's duration to run its course."
At those words, the last vestige of color drained from Xu Sanshi's face. Utter despair settled over him.
Watching Xu Sanshi's lifeless expression, the Tang Sect members finally erupted in unrestrained laughter. The sound washed away the gloom of defeat—a bittersweet comfort, easing their pain through shared jest.
—
The day of the finals arrived swiftly. The atmosphere differed entirely from any prior match.
Gu La's main body had long returned to Shrek Academy's team. Now, facing the Natural Sect across the arena, invisible sparks crackled in the air between them.
In truth, the two sides might as well have been one and the same.
On the stands, from Titled Douluos to ordinary spectators, all held their breaths, anticipation thick.
A Soul Saint wielding dual Ultimate Attributes and three hundred-thousand-year soul rings, versus three equally enigmatic, bizarrely skilled Soul Saints and their teammates—this promised a clash for the history books.
High on the platform, Xu Tianran's eyes hid a flicker of anticipation.
He secretly hoped Gu La would lose control, using that domineering Ultimate martial soul to "accidentally" kill a few Natural Sect members. Let these two top forces forge an unbreakable blood feud—that would best serve the Sun Moon Empire's interests.
Of course, he knew this hope was near-impossible. But everyone dreams; Xu Tianran simply woke from his faster.
Just as Referee Zheng Zhan prepared to announce the start of indivitwin matches, both Shrek Academy and Natural Sect's rest areas stood simultaneously.
From Shrek's side, Gu La spoke calmly. From Natural Sect's, Bai Yuan represented them. Both conveyed the same intention:
"Referee, we request skipping indivitwin matches and proceeding directly to a decisive team battle."
Zheng Zhan paused briefly, then confirmed with the organizing committee. Receiving approval, he announced loudly: "By mutual agreement, the finals proceed directly to the team battle! Both teams, take the stage!"
A flicker of surprise crossed Xu Tianran's eyes, then understanding.
Natural Sect and Shrek already had a tacit understanding. This realization only intensified his murderous intent. The cooperation of these two forces was the Sun Moon Empire's worst nightmare.
But then he reconsidered—would Gu La fear his suspicions?
Natural Sect's "monsters" would likely return to their sect after this battle. Shrek and the Sun Moon Empire's conflicts were already irreconcilable. Too many debts to count—just who could Xu Tianran threaten now?
This thought made him feel mocked by Gu La and the others. His face darkened; he itched to unleash slaughter immediately.
Both teams took the arena stage.
Shrek Academy: Gu La, Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Cao Jinxuan, Zhou Sichen, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo.
Natural Sect: Bai Yuan, Mu Yi, Bo Xi, Yin Wansheng, Liu Niandao, Qing Liuli, Ming Baixue.
Ning Tian, Cao Jinxuan, and the others knew they likely couldn't withstand even one strike from Natural Sect's Soul Saints. Yet as teammates, they stood resolutely beside Gu La.
Besides, Cao Jinxuan's Time Elapsing Clock martial soul—rare time-attribute control—might yield unexpected results.
"Begin!"
The instant Zheng Zhan's voice fell, Ning Tian unleashed the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda's full support onto Gu La without reservation.
Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo, sisters in sync, activated their martial soul fusion skill—Inescapable Net!
Countless blue hair strands grew like living vines, weaving into a vast, sky-covering silk net that descended to restrict Natural Sect's movements.
Cao Jinxuan's eyes widened fiercely. His soul rings flared wildly!
Second Soul Skill: Time Lock!
Fourth Soul Skill: Time Riddle Chain!
Two time-based control skills activated simultaneously!
Instantly, the air around Natural Sect's seven members thickened. Time's flow seemed forcibly slowed—their movements visibly dragging.
"I… can't hold on!" Cao Jinxuan roared. His face turned deathly pale as soul power gushed from him like a breached dam. For a Soul King to control three Soul Saints and four Soul Emperors—even for one second—was near-suicidal.
Only a time-attribute martial soul's power made it possible.
"Enough." Gu La's voice remained calm.
Holy Angel wings spread behind him. He ascended instantly! The Holy Radiance Domain expanded to full power, gathering infinite light and heat.
Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Skill—Solar Nuclear Fusion Explosion! One second of charge time!
A condensed white-hot orb, radiating destruction, plummeted like a meteor toward the temporarily restrained Natural Sect formation.
Yet the Natural Sect had prepared for Cao Jinxuan's interference!
Bai Yuan roared. Abyss Devourer True Body manifested again. Devouring Domain opened wide. Amplification skills activated. His giant maw yawned like a bottomless black hole, greedily swallowing the light and fire.
For his martial soul, this wide-area energy assault—even with its holy attribute slightly countering abyssal energy—was the perfect nourishment.
Bo Xi simultaneously expanded his Steam Domain and Deep Sea High-Pressure Domain. Ultimate Water surged, repelling the incoming light and heat.
Mu Yi took the simplest route—activating Golden Awakening. His skin turned radiant gold, like an immortal war god. He stepped forward, shielding the support-type Ming Baixue behind him, body braced to absorb the explosion's backlash!
Protected behind him, Ming Baixue's eyes flashed with resolve.
Her soul rings lit up. Netherworld Paradise activated to heal allies. Netherworld Domain and Netherworld Snow merged into the stronger Netherworld Cycle Domain.
Her lips parted. A voice carrying the weight of law:
"This place… forbids high temperature!"
Word of Law!
The apocalyptic explosion's core temperature plummeted instantly. Its power dwindled to a fraction.
Ming Baixue's face paled from forcibly twisting local laws—her soul power drained violently.
As the explosion weakened, Gu La vanished like a ghost. The next moment, he reappeared beside Ming Baixue, holy sword thrusting at her vitals.
Clang!
A crisp ring echoed. Liu Niandao's third soul skill for his Mind Force martial soul—Fortify!—activated. An invisible barrier materialized, perfectly blocking the killing strike.
This pseudo-invincible skill could nullify any single attack below divine level!
Simultaneously, Mu Yi's golden form flashed back, an unbreakable wall repositioning before Ming Baixue.
"Hahaha! Enough testing! Let's fight properly!" Yin Wansheng laughed wildly. His Yin-Yang Ghost Emperor True Body manifested.
Sixth Soul Skill: Yin-Yang Avatar!
Amplified under True Body, the skill's effect doubled.
Instantly, four phantoms—identical in presence to the original—appeared.
Five "Yin Wanshengs" arranged in an abstruse formation around the original. Yin-yang energy swirled, subtly transforming into metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The Five Elements!
Five Elements generating and overcoming each other—endless cycle!
This was Yin Wansheng's legion-style combat method!
One body dealt five times damage, received one-fifth damage.
The second dealt four times damage, received one-fourth damage…
Combined, their total output reached a terrifying fifteenfold amplification!
All five Yin Wanshengs raised hands simultaneously. Their sole attack skill—Yin-Yang Entanglement!—activated!
Savage yin-yang energy detonated wildly around Gu La.
Meanwhile, Liu Niandao's Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch Knife Array stood ready. Hundreds of phased knives—physical and spiritual—swept like a metallic storm!
Qing Liuli's spiritual attacks, though unable to breach Gu La's Spiritual Domain defenses, clung like curses, disrupting his focus.
Facing this ferocious, perfectly coordinated assault from his avatars, Gu La sighed lightly.
"Looks like I can't hold back anymore."
Local laws twisted by Ming Baixue restricted Ultimate Fire's power. He refused to reveal his disguised martial soul too early.
Thus, under countless astonished gazes, Gu La's seven angelic soul rings abruptly retracted.
Next, an even more ancient, boundless power—brimming with life and mystery—awoke within him.
Green-gold light blazed skyward!
Seven green-gold soul rings rose beneath his feet like living jade divine rings.
Their unprecedented color ignited the entire stadium!
"Twin martial souls! Gu La has twin martial souls!"
"What color is that? Green-gold? Never seen before!"
"His first martial soul has dual Ultimates… what terrifying power must his second possess?!"
The stands erupted in chaos.
In the Tang Sect area, Xu Sanshi forgot his predicament, exclaiming: "I've always heard Gu La has twin martial souls—today I finally see it! But I don't recognize it. Do you know what it is?" He looked at Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Xiao watched Xu Sanshi's childlike curiosity, fighting a laugh. Under his glare, she straightened her face and explained:
"Gu La's second martial soul is called Celebi. It's… an Ultimate Wood and Spiritual dual-attribute martial soul."
Bei Bei sucked in a breath: "Twin martial souls already so close in power… His original is Ultimate Fire. This second soul's quality… no wonder he's so terrifying. But can it handle the Natural Sect's seven people?"
Huo Yuhao had been silently observing. Now he spoke slowly, disbelief lacing his voice: "Those uniquely colored soul rings… I feel their power might rival… hundred-thousand-year soul rings."
"What?! Impossible!" Everyone gasped together—this defied all their understanding.
High on the platform, Zhongli Wu's pupils contracted at the green-gold rings and the familiar life-and-spiritual energy. Realization dawned: "So that's it! No wonder!"
Xu Tianran pressed immediately: "National Preceptor, what have you recalled?"
Zhongli Wu's voice turned grim: "Years ago, I personally moved to eliminate this boy but was blocked by a Super Douluo with Ultimate Wood attributes—Level 98."
"Now I see—it was likely Gu La's elder. His origins… are far more profound than we imagined!"
Xu Tianran's face darkened further. "So what? Is your sect's preparation flawless?"
A cruel smile curved beneath Zhongli Wu's mask. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. Everything is arranged. The so-called 'geniuses' of the three Douluo nations won't leave Mingdu alive."
—
On the arena stage, Gu La—now wielding Celebi—and surrounded by life-infused green-gold light, gazed calmly at the seven battle-ready Natural Sect members.
The fiercest collision of the finals was about to erupt, ignited by this unprecedented display of a second martial soul!
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