Word Count: 2,829 Words
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The Hongchen siblings walked onto the competition stage side by side. Xiao Hongchen glanced at the darkened sky where torrential rain poured down. A layer of misty vapor filled the air. The brother and sister were drenched by the rain and only avoided becoming like drowned rats by evaporating the water with their spirit power.
"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
"Seraphim! Seraphim! Seraphim!"
"Spirit Guidance Masters, go back to the Sun Moon Empire!"
The spectators ignored their soaked clothes and stood up to cheer wildly for Shrek Academy. Most of them were people from the original three empires. Rather than seeing the Spirit Master Tournament championship fall to the Sun Moon Empire, they preferred to see Shrek defend its ten thousand years of glory.
"Meng, it feels so good to be enemies with the whole world..."
Xiao Hongchen slowly curved his lips upward amidst the sky full of boos. He even waved to the audience in all directions, as if what they had just blurted out were not various vulgarities but heartfelt blessings for him.
"Stop being an idiot, foolish brother. Victory is right before our eyes."
Meng Hongchen's eyes reflected the figures of Ling Bai and Ning Tian ascending the stage. As an incorrigible face-con, her heartstrings were inevitably tugged the moment she saw Ling Bai.
"Younger sister, don't you dare go easy on that Seraphim later!" Xiao Hongchen keenly caught his sister's unusual behavior.
"National interests always come before personal feelings. I know where I stand."
Meng Hongchen enunciated each word with an icy and sharp tone. Face-con or not, Ling Bai now stood opposite the Sun Moon Imperial Academy and even the entire Sun Moon Empire. She was a super genius cultivated by the Sun Moon Empire and would not betray her country for a momentary infatuation.
The four people stood on opposite sides, facing each other from afar. Their gazes collided as if invisible cyclones flowed between them. Xiao Hongchen recalled his conversation with Ling Bai at the Star Emperor Hotel during their first encounter and declared loudly:
"Seraphim, I, Xiao Hongchen, stand before you and issue my challenge!"
Xiao Hongchen considered this a fated battle. The divine beast bloodline of the Sun Moon Continent would clash with the God-level Martial Spirit of the Douluo Continent. Their powerful dialogue was bound to continue into the next Spirit Master Tournament. He wanted to orchestrate a perfect beginning for this battle.
In Xiao Hongchen's imagination, Ling Bai should have arrogantly uttered harsh words. The animosity between them would intensify, and the confrontational atmosphere would gradually heat up. However, Ling Bai instead asked Ning Tian beside him in a low voice:
"Xiao Tian, how much spirit power do you have left?"
"Around forty percent."
Ning Tian replied. Her spirit power had been completely depleted when she used Rings Fusion to unleash Medusa's Gaze against the Death Lance. She had only recovered some spirit power by relying on a self-made Class 3 Milk Bottle.
"Step down after you apply the three amplifications. I might not be able to protect you this time," Ling Bai said frankly.
Ning Tian's Rechargeable Class 7 Spirit Barrier had been pierced by the Death Lance, and the Hongchen siblings were not easy opponents. With only twenty-five percent of his spirit power remaining, he had to calculate every expenditure carefully and could hardly spare the energy to look after her.
"Okay."
A Spirit Master could not activate Rings Fusion consecutively. Ning Tian would certainly not allow herself to become Ling Bai's burden. The spirit skill effects of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could last for a quarter of an hour. Her continued presence on the stage indeed served no purpose, so she might as well leave Shrek's fate for Ling Bai alone to decide.
"Contestants from both sides, prepare!"
Heavenfiend Douluo Huang Jinxu shouted. This was the last match he would officiate. He focused his attention to the utmost, ready to rush up at any moment to save the lives of these living ancestors.
"The match begins!"
"The Seven Treasures revolve to produce a Glazed Pagoda!"
The moment Heavenfiend Douluo left the center of the competition stage, Ning Tian immediately summoned the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. She poured out all her remaining forty percent spirit power at once. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shot out three brilliantly colored beams of light. The three major amplifications of strength, speed, and attack instantly fell upon Ling Bai.
After doing all this, she leaped lightly off the competition stage. Shadow Dragon Douluo's suspended heart immediately settled by half when he saw the number one little ancestor return safely. He didn't ask for a one-versus-two victory, only that the number two little ancestor Ling Bai remained with all his parts intact.
At the same time, the Hongchen siblings released their respective Martial Spirits. This was their first appearance in this tournament. No one knew what their Martial Spirits actually were.
Golden light flashed brilliantly. A third leg emerged from Xiao Hongchen's hip. This leg appeared as pure gold. His back arched slightly, and golden protrusions bulged from under his clothes one after another, emitting a soft golden halo.
Meng Hongchen's wine-red hair had now turned snow-white. All her exposed skin became as white and translucent as jade, crystalline and flawless. Only that pair of blood-red eyes that seemed to burn with flames looked incredibly frightening.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black spirit rings of the standard optimal configuration rose from beneath their feet. The Sun Moon Empire's two hidden Spirit Kings finally bared their fangs!
"Metal Controller Three Legged Golden Toad, the King Within the Crevice Red Eyed Ice Toad..."
Wang Yan recognized them. The Three Legged Golden Toad was a descendant of a divine beast, innately possessing the ability to control metal and capable of absorbing the energy of rare metals to aid cultivation. The Red Eyed Ice Toad survived in the Extreme North and was known as the 'King Within the Crevice'. The lethality of its ice-and-fire-infused Ice Toad poison was almost comparable to that of the Death Spider Emperor's poison.
These two toads were undoubtedly top-level Martial Spirits on the Douluo Continent. Even if placed in Shrek Academy, the only one whose Martial Spirit could firmly suppress the Hongchen siblings was the Seraphim. Neither the Xuanwu nor the Ice Jade Scorpion could completely dominate them.
Rustling sounds came from the side. Wang Yan turned his head to see Ma Xiaotao surprisingly forcing herself to stand. Her dark red eyes stared intently at the golden figure opposite the two toads.
"Young lady, the evil fire is attacking your heart and your internal organs are burning. Your body is about to give out. Quickly calm your mind and spirit to stabilize your heart meridians."
Immortal Doctor Douluo couldn't help but remind her. The Phoenix Evil Fire was not an injury but an evil attribute from the depths of the Martial Spirit's origin. She was powerless against it.
This was quite normal. If a healing-type Spirit Master could cure the Phoenix Evil Fire, Elder Zhuang of Shrek's Sea God Pavilion would have taken action long ago.
"No, I must see Shrek Academy win the championship..."
Ma Xiaotao pressed her red lips tightly together. Her ample bosom heaved violently several times as the Phoenix Evil Fire rampaged within her body. The great battle with Ma Rulong had exhausted her last bit of spirit power and spiritual power. Before the evil fire burned her out, she had to witness Ling Bai protect Shrek Academy's ten thousand years of glory with her own eyes. Otherwise, she would die with eternal regret.
Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei and White Tiger Duke Dai Hao were no longer conversing. Both men pressed their palms on the green bricks and tensely watched this match. If the Sun Moon Imperial Academy won the championship, it would undoubtedly allow the Sun Moon Empire to regain momentum and might even make the Sun Moon Empire feel the time was ripe to prematurely start a continental war.
On the competition stage, Xiao Hongchen felt exceptionally furious that Ling Bai had ignored his challenge. His first and third spirit rings lit up simultaneously. He waved his hands with a gloomy face and threw out over a hundred metallic spheres. Using those metallic spheres as cores, thick metallic cannon barrels grew out one by one.
First Spirit Skill, Metal Manipulation
Third Spirit Skill, Golden Coagulation
The metallic spheres Xiao Hongchen scattered were Class 5 core arrays. The two spirit skills combined with the Three Legged Golden Toad Martial Spirit's innate Metal Control helped him instantly create one hundred twenty-eight Class 5 Spirit Cannons. This number far exceeded the Spirit Fortress of an ordinary Class 5 Spirit Guidance Master.
The second and fourth spirit rings replaced the brilliance. Countless golden points of light suddenly appeared in the air and surged toward the one hundred twenty-eight Spirit Cannons like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea. A dense metallic aura swept across the entire field.
Second Spirit Skill, Golden Surge—greatly enhanced the power of metal.
Fourth Spirit Skill, Golden Sacrifice—burned the spirit power stored within the metal to supply the Spirit Cannons.
This meant Xiao Hongchen did not need to consume his own spirit power. His sustained combat capability completely surpassed Spirit Guidance Masters of the same rank.
With the infusion of Golden Surge and Golden Sacrifice, each metallic cannon barrel emitted a dazzling brilliance. All the cannon barrels automatically calibrated and pointed toward Ling Bai in the distance.
Fire!
One hundred twenty-eight Class 5 Spirit Cannons fired in unison and spewed out cannonballs that blotted out the sky. Ling Bai's gaze was cold and sharp. The angelic wings on his back folded. When they spread again, his entire person had already rushed into the boundless net of firepower.
The angelic wings opened, closed, flapped, and shifted. Each change caused a micro-adjustment to his flight posture. Those Spirit Rays and Spirit Cannon shells continuously slid past him.
"What the hell!"
Xiao Hongchen's expression gradually changed from anger to shock because no matter how dense the cannon fire, Ling Bai could always find those barely perceptible gaps. A series of flickers left dazzling afterimages in mid-air. The most terrifying part was that he was actually advancing in a straight line!
The one hundred twenty-eight Spirit Cannons posed not the slightest threat to him. They couldn't even serve a depleting function!
Ling Bai's speed grew faster and faster. His sharp brows and eyes gave him an added sense of oppression. The Seraphim's invincibility in aerial combat was no empty boast. In the sky, the Seraphim was like a fish in water. Its speed and agility were by no means comparable to ordinary flying-type Martial Spirits.
Under normal circumstances, Ling Bai couldn't be bothered to dodge those weak attacks. But today, every drop of spirit power had to be carefully calculated. The spectators immediately erupted with excited shouts as they watched the brilliantly flowing afterimages in the sky.
Xiao Hongchen started to panic. He watched helplessly as a ball of golden light forcefully withstood the attack of one hundred twenty-eight Spirit Cannons and rushed before him like something braving wind and waves. The newcomer was brimming with killing intent. The Angel Sword blazed with intense golden light, and its ringing blade soared skyward!
The sword's might pierced through the curtain! Killing intent soared to the heavens!
Spirit skills consumed spirit power, but sword techniques did not!
Seven Kill Sword Technique—Kill!
The massive 'Kill' character seemed to carry an abyss-like blood color. Xiao Hongchen discovered in horror that his entire array of Spirit Cannons hadn't brought him even a shred of security. In a daze, he saw within this 'Kill' character an endless sea of blood and bobbing white bones, as if it would tear him to pieces and drag him into the netherworld!
"Damn it, what an absolute monster!"
Xiao Hongchen cursed angrily. The Sun Moon Imperial Academy had already tried its best to overestimate Ling Bai. Otherwise, the Death Lance's first surprise attack with the highest success rate wouldn't have locked onto him. Unexpectedly, they had still underestimated him.
Even if his spirit power was insufficient, even if he couldn't use those high-power spirit skills, he could still rely on his Martial Spirit's innate talent and sword techniques to firmly suppress the Sun Moon Empire's strongest Spirit King.
The 'Kill' character flashed past. Xiao Hongchen's body narrowly melted into a mass of dark golden liquid. The Seven Kill Sword Technique's attack was so terrifying. The wildly rampaging killing aura instantly reached its peak. The liquid that Xiao Hongchen had transformed into was cut into pieces.
The liquid solidified. Xiao Hongchen reappeared in everyone's sight, covered in wounds. Dozens of cuts hung on his body, and he continuously spat out several mouthfuls of blood mist. The pitch-black fifth spirit ring beneath his feet slowly rotated.
Three Legged Golden Toad's Fifth Spirit Skill, Golden Yearning
Xiao Hongchen transformed into metallic liquid and neutralized eighty percent of physical attacks. Nevertheless, enduring even one-fifth of the Seven Kill Sword Technique's damage left him with severe internal injuries. Large volumes of blood gushed forth, staining his clothes red.
An indescribable sense of fear suddenly appeared in Xiao Hongchen's heart at this moment. His heart trembled uncontrollably. The pressure came from within his heart, or rather from the source of his power—his Martial Spirit.
Xiao Hongchen forced himself to lift his head and look at Ling Bai. Behind him, the ethereal, sacred illusory figure of a six-winged angel silently emerged.
It resembled the figure of a woman, graceful but with an indistinct face. Only a pair of brilliant and icy golden eyes could be faintly seen. That soul-deep oppressive feeling made Xiao Hongchen laugh self-mockingly:
"So he never revealed his true strength from beginning to end... Seraphim... a God-level Martial Spirit... How unfair the heavens are!"
The Three Legged Golden Toad actually had an intention to submit before the Seraphim. This directly shattered Xiao Hongchen's confidence. His proudly regarded divine beast bloodline amounted to nothing more than this. His eyes turned ashen, and for the first time ever, the thought of giving up the match arose.
Regardless of what Xiao Hongchen thought, Ling Bai's attacks would not cease. Whether Shrek Academy won the championship was irrelevant to him. His only bottom line was one thing: he absolutely could not lose any match he personally fought in!
Ling Bai didn't want to one day reach the pinnacle of the continent only to have some fool jump out, point at his nose, and say:
"Hey, you were defeated by so-and-so back then!"
Seven Kill Sword Technique—Kill!
The Angel Sword slashed down another massive 'Kill' character. Xiao Hongchen stared blankly at Ling Bai, unable to muster any resistance. However, two icy-blue light shadows appeared in mid-air like lightning and crossed into an X-shaped slash that came cutting over.
Meng Hongchen!
She wore a set of exquisite ice-blue armor, on which magnificent blue-gold patterns were carved. Already very beautiful, she looked even more heroic and valiant in this Class 6 full-body armor.
Boom—
The X-shaped slash shattered and exploded into a sky full of white mist. Ling Bai narrowed his eyes slightly. Something seemed to be boring into his body from every possible opening.
"Poison? Ridiculous."
Holy fire ignited on his body and instantly obliterated the Ice Toad poison. To be fair, the Red Eyed Ice Toad's poison surpassed that of a single Jade Phosphor Serpent poison. However, compared to Dugu Lin's Jade Phosphor Five Poisons combined into the Jade Phosphor Absolute Poison, it still fell short and fundamentally could not break through the Seraphim's Ultimate Holy.
The X-shaped slash only blocked the 'Kill' character for a fraction of a second, but it was enough for Meng Hongchen to use her Class 7 Spirit Guidance Device Teleportation Ring to move in front of her brother and activate an Invincible Barrier to block the Seven Kill Sword Technique.
Ling Bai saw this and casually slashed out two more 'Kill' characters. After the intense booming sounds subsided, Meng Hongchen spat out a mouthful of blood. Her body swayed precariously. The Class 6 Spirit Guidance Sword blade in her hand broke, and most of her armor was damaged.
Elder Ma had studied the Seraphim during this period and understood how much Meng Hongchen, who primarily used Ice Toad poison and close combat, was countered by Ling Bai. Hence, they had determined a battle plan before the match with Xiao Hongchen as the main attacker. They simply hadn't expected Xiao Hongchen to be so useless, his Dao heart shattered and almost unable to recover.
Meng Hongchen used the broken sword to support her body and prevent herself from falling. Her gaze met Ling Bai's sharply, not yielding an inch. Bright red blood flowed down her pale face like red plum blossoms reflected on snow. She shouted loudly:
"Brother, stand up! We still have a chance!"