"Match—begin!"
As the referee's resounding voice faded, the seven members of Canghui Academy on Soul Duel Stage Two instantly released their Martial Souls. Brilliant Soul Ring lights flashed as they aggressively surrounded Marco, who stood alone at the center of the stage.
Yet most of the audience's attention was focused on Soul Duel Stage Two. Everyone wanted to see how this Marco—who dared to form a team alone and was hailed as Heavenly Dou Royal Academy's top genius—would handle a seven-person siege!
The announcer's impassioned voice echoed throughout the venue: "Ladies and gentlemen! What you're witnessing now is the first round of the preliminary matches—Heavenly Dou Royal Academy's first team versus Canghui Academy! Representing Heavenly Dou Royal Academy's first team is their captain Marco fighting alone! Marco, Martial Soul: Azure Flame Undying Phoenix, with unfathomable Soul Power levels! Hailed as the top genius among the younger generation of the Heaven Dou Empire, his strength is said to surpass that of ordinary Soul Emperors! With numerous astonishing battle achievements to his name, he stands as one of the strongest contenders for the championship in this tournament!"
The announcer used a series of praising terms when introducing Marco, eliciting continuous exclamations from the stands.
"And their opponents, Canghui Academy, are a team renowned for their illusion and control-type Spirit Abilities. With seamless coordination and considerable strength, this one-versus-seven showdown will test whether Marco can create a miracle! Let's wait and see!"
The seven members of Canghui Academy wore grim expressions. Though angered by the disrespect, none dared to lower their guard against an opponent like Marco. Their captain, a pale-faced youth, shouted sharply: "Formation! Seven-in-One!"
Their Soul Power surged, faintly forming an encircling momentum as strange spiritual fluctuations began to permeate the air!
Yet facing the seven's vigilant preparations, Marco remained with his arms crossed, expression calm—he hadn't even released his Martial Soul! His gaze swept over the tense seven, finally settling on the subtly interconnected Soul Power fluctuations among them. The corner of his mouth lifted in a faint arc as he suddenly spoke, his voice clearly carrying throughout the arena:
"I've heard your Canghui Academy has cultivated a Seven-in-One Fusion Technique? Don't hide it—show it to me."
The moment these words were spoken, the entire arena fell silent! Then erupted into even greater uproar!
"Seven-in-One Fusion Technique?!"
"Canghui Academy has such a trump card?"
"How does Marco know? And he dares to actively tell them to use it?"
In the VIP seats, several important figures also showed surprise.
Emperor Xue Ye slightly frowned: "Seven-in-One Fusion Technique? Canghui Academy actually possesses such heritage?" His gaze turned to Meng Shenji beside him. Meng Shenji quickly whispered: "Your Majesty, rumors exist, but they've never been confirmed. I didn't expect Marco to know about this."
A trace of astonishment and interest flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes: "The Seven-in-One Fusion Technique is extremely difficult to cultivate, with a very low success rate. This Canghui Academy actually has such capability? Young friend Marco's action—is it confidence, or..."
Sword Douluo Chenxin remained with closed eyes, but the corner of his mouth seemed to twitch almost imperceptibly.
Bishop Salas's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes grew sharper.
Emperor Xue Ye turned his gaze to Ye Zhaoyan with a hint of inquiry. Li Zhaoyan's face was calm as he slightly bowed, his tone steady yet filled with confidence: "Your Majesty, rest assured. Since Ke'er dares to do this, he must have complete certainty." He held absolute trust in Marco.
Below the stage, although the members of the Royal Dou Team Two were locked in fierce combat, they still spared some attention for the other side. Hearing Marco's words, their hearts tightened.
"Isn't the boss being too overconfident? He dares to take on a Seven-in-One Fusion Technique head-on?" Osler exclaimed.
Yu Tianheng said gravely, "Brother Marco never acts without certainty!"
Dugu Yan whispered, "Since he dares to say that, he must have a way to handle it!"
Ye Lingling and Li Qiuyao nervously clenched their small hands, silently praying, "Brother Marco won't lose!"
Upon hearing Marco's words, the seven members of Canghui Academy first paled drastically, their faces showing disbelief, then quickly shifted to shock and fury!
"You... how could you know?!" the pale-faced captain cried out in astonishment—this was their highest secret!
"Arrogant! Even if you're the number one genius of Heaven Dou, you can't insult us like this!" the vice-captain roared angrily.
"Since you're asking for death, we'll grant your wish! Form the Seven Shura Illusion Realm!"
Thoroughly enraged, the seven hesitated no longer! Their Soul Power surged wildly, emitting an eerie, hazy seven-colored radiance! The Soul Power of the seven merged perfectly, forming a massive seven-colored barrier that instantly enveloped the entire Soul Duel Stage! Inside the barrier, thick seven-colored mist churned, blurring vision and severely disrupting Mental Power perception, as if they had fallen into an isolated illusionary world!
"The Seven Shura Illusion Realm! It really is the Seven-in-One Fusion Technique!" Exclamations of shock erupted from the spectator stands!
"It's over! Trapped in such a fusion technique, even a Soul Emperor would be severely tested!"
"Marco is far too overconfident!"
In the VIP seats, Emperor Xue Ye frowned deeply. Ning Fengzhi's expression was grave: "As expected, it's the Seven-in-One Fusion Technique. Judging by its momentum, it has taken shape and is enough to trap experts at the Soul Emperor level." Bishop Salas's eyes flashed with a hint of schadenfreude.
The seven-colored mist completely swallowed Marco's figure, making it impossible to see the situation inside from the outside. All that could be felt was the chaotic, distorted mental energy and the powerful pressure of Soul Power contained within the dense mist!
"Brother!" Ye Lingling couldn't help but cry out in alarm.
"Brother Marco!" The hearts of the Royal Dou members leaped into their throats.
Inside the thick mist, Marco sensed the distorted light around him and the constant assault of mental illusions on his Sea of Consciousness, nodding slightly. "For Soul Honour cultivators to barely manage a Seven-in-One illusion fusion technique of this level is indeed quite remarkable. This illusion not only confuses the senses but also stirs inner demons, amplifies negative emotions, and its erosion of Mental Power is not weak either."
The faint curve at the corner of his mouth remained. "However, that's all there is to it."
The next moment, his brow furrowed slightly, and a brilliant light erupted from his eyes! An indescribably terrifying aura burst forth from him, centered around his body!
Conqueror's Haki, release!
There was no fluctuation of Soul Power, no manifestation of a Martial Soul, but an invisible yet tangible pressure of a king, like a tidal wave, swept out! Faint, dark red electric sparks seemed to flicker in the air! This aura was domineering, majestic, and looked down upon the world! It acted directly on the soul level!
"Boom—!"
The seven-colored barrier enveloping the Soul Duel Stage, as if struck by a heavy hammer, instantly cracked all over, then shattered with a "bang," completely dispersing! The dense seven-colored illusion mist melted away in an instant!
"Pfft—!"
The seven members of Canghui Academy were as if struck by an invisible giant hammer in their chests. They simultaneously vomited blood violently, their eyes instantly losing focus. Carrying boundless fear and bewilderment, they were sent flying backward, crashing heavily at the edge of the Soul Duel Stage before directly losing consciousness!
Yet this terrifying Haki pressure was not entirely confined to the Soul Duel Stage, as its residual waves spread outward!
In the spectator stands, those seated closer with weaker strength felt an irresistible majestic force assault their souls. Their vision went dark as they fainted in droves! Even some Soul Masters at the Soul Ancestor and Soul King levels felt their minds violently shaken, their faces turning pale!
In the VIP seats, Emperor Xue Ye, Xue Qinghe, Ning Fengzhi, Salas, and others abruptly changed expressions! Though their high strength kept them unaffected, they could clearly sense that terrifying pressure sweeping through the entire arena—purely originating from spirit and will!
Sword Douluo Chenxin's eyes snapped open, releasing Soul Power that transformed into a barrier protecting everyone. An unprecedented sharp light erupted from his gaze as he stared fixedly at the figure standing proudly on the Soul Duel Stage!
Ye Zhaoyan suddenly stood up, his face filled with shock and disbelief, but even more so with immense pride and excitement!
The entire Great Soul Arena fell into dead silence! Everyone was completely stunned by this sudden, incomprehensible scene!
Without throwing a single move, using only his Domain Momentum, he instantly shattered the Seven-in-One Fusion Technique, knocked out seven Soul Honours unconscious, with the residual waves even causing spectators to faint in groups!
Marco slowly lowered his crossed arms, his calm gaze sweeping over his unconscious opponents before turning to the stunned referee. He spoke lightly:
"Referee, you may announce the result now."
His voice wasn't loud, yet it struck like thunder in the hearts of everyone who had been shocked into losing their ability to think!