At this moment, Ma Xiaotao paid no heed to anything else. After unleashing such a formidable attack, even she was left gasping for breath and collapsed onto the ground.
This all-out strike had drained half of her soul power, but Ma Xiaotao believed it was worth it. If she had continued to engage in a war of attrition with Tang Ya, she would have consumed even more soul power.
Seeing that the referee hadn't yet declared her victory, Ma Xiaotao wasn't in a rush. She decided to use this brief respite to recover some of her soul power—even a small amount could potentially turn the tide in the next battle.
As she recovered, a flicker of regret passed through Ma Xiaotao's mind. This was, after all, just a match, yet she had taken someone's life.
But soon, Ma Xiaotao steeled her resolve. Everything she did was for the honor of Shrek Academy!
However, in the fleeting moment when Ma Xiaotao's focus wavered, the fiercely burning Blue Silver cocoon suddenly exploded. Streams of golden light shot directly toward her.
!?
Faced with this sudden attack, Ma Xiaotao was momentarily flustered. But her strong combat instincts kicked in, and she instantly unleashed a powerful burst of ultimate fire to defend herself.
Clearly, these streaks of golden light were not as simple as ordinary Blue Silver Emperor strands.
Sharp objects pierced through her skin, causing her pain. But Ma Xiaotao knew she couldn't stay in one place—she had been locked onto by her opponent, and staying put would only result in further injury.
Flapping her wings, Ma Xiaotao retreated to the very edge of the arena.
It was then that she finally saw the true form of what had injured her.
"Blue Silver Grass?"
Though its color was slightly off, the shape was all too familiar to Ma Xiaotao. After all, Blue Silver Grass was the most common plant across any continent.
Pulling out several strands of Blue Silver Grass embedded in her body, Ma Xiaotao realized something astonishing. What she had initially mistaken for a Blue Silver Grass-like soul tool was, in fact, actual Blue Silver Grass!
The reason she had thought otherwise was because the originally pure golden Blue Silver Grass had gradually faded, revealing strands with only a single golden line running through them and tips tinged with gold.
But before Ma Xiaotao could figure out what was going on, an overwhelming barrage of Blue Silver Grass projectiles rained down, nearly sealing off all possible escape routes.
Anger flashed in Ma Xiaotao's eyes. Her earlier mistake had been due to carelessness—the power of these Blue Silver Grass strands wasn't particularly high. Now, enraged, she furiously flapped her fiery wings, creating violent gusts of wind and flames that blew away the incoming projectiles, scattering them to the ground.
Finally, Ma Xiaotao caught sight of her attacker.
Her eyes filled with disbelief as she muttered, "This can't be! Even a Soul Douluo wouldn't have been able to withstand my attack head-on! How did she survive that inferno?"
At that moment, Tang Ya slowly emerged from the flames, completely unscathed, still radiating an ethereal beauty.
The only difference was that the circular soul-guided device that had previously floated behind Tang Ya now encircled her body, having expanded in size and slowly rotating.
"It seems you're quite confident in your earlier attack. Unfortunately, you don't know who my master truly is.
Regret it, regret not becoming my fellow disciple under my master's tutelage.
Now, it's my turn."
With that, Tang Ya began channeling her soul power. One by one, strands of blue-golden Blue Silver Emperor began to materialize on the circular soul-guided device until they all turned golden.
Ma Xiaotao's expression shifted rapidly. That had been ultimate fire—there was no way the opponent should have been able to block it!
Suddenly, enlightenment dawned on Ma Xiaotao. Ignoring the impending attack from Tang Ya, she turned to the referee and said:
"Referee, I suspect foul play from the opposing side! I request the match be halted and their equipment inspected!"
Upon hearing this, not only the referee but even Tang Ya, who had been preparing to continue her assault, froze momentarily.
Meanwhile, Ma Xiaotao began explaining herself without prompting:
"My earlier attack couldn't have been fully defended against without the presence of an 85-level defensive-type Soul Douluo. Yet, the opponent clearly is a control-type plant soul master who somehow blocked the attack. I suspect interference during the match and request the referee team to thoroughly investigate!"
With that, Ma Xiaotao openly directed her gaze toward Tianxing Academy's competitor area.
The meaning behind her stare was clear—she was accusing the transcendent Douluo of cheating.
The arena fell into a deathly silence.
At first, neither the audience nor the referees could fathom how Ma Xiaotao dared to question a transcendent Douluo—it was a matter tied to the honor of a transcendent Douluo, something no ordinary person would dare challenge.
But upon recalling that Shrek Academy also had their own transcendent Douluo, it made sense. They had no reason to fear the other side.
However, while Ma Xiaotao might not be afraid, the officials of the Star Luo Empire certainly were. The referee team looked pleadingly at Ye Wen, hoping he would step forward to explain.
Ye Wen chuckled softly. Resorting to baseless accusations when faced with defeat or incomprehensible circumstances—it was both a familiar and strange farce.
Still, this situation required Ye Wen's personal explanation.
Ye Wen slowly rose to his feet, lightly pushing off the ground to float onto the arena stage. With a faint smile, he gazed at Ma Xiaotao, who was quietly recovering her soul power.
"This is the first time—and the last.
Let this serve as a warning. I do not wish for anyone to doubt me again. There are things you do not understand, but that does not mean they are impossible.
And let us not forget, this is merely a competition. Would a transcendent Douluo truly care about such trivial rankings?
Remember this, everyone: A Title Douluo must not be disrespected, and even more so for a transcendent Douluo."
As he spoke, Ye Wen unleashed a powerful surge of oppressive aura, leaving the crowd suffocated by its intensity.
But as quickly as it came, the pressure vanished, leaving only a lingering discomfort without causing any real harm.
Even so, the crowd directed their disapproving gazes at Ma Xiaotao. After all, if she hadn't caused trouble, they wouldn't have had to endure this ordeal.
Such was the way of the world—people dared not harbor resentment toward the powerful, but they didn't hesitate to direct their discontent toward the victim.
Ye Wen ignored them and raised his hand, summoning Tang Ya's circular soul-guided device into his palm.
Then, he calmly explained:
"Everyone, this is a Level 9 soul-guided device crafted specifically to complement this set of soul-guided armor—the Ultimate Golden Ring.
You heard correctly; this is a Level 9 soul-guided device. As for why a Soul Ancestor-level soul master can wield a Level 9 soul-guided device, the principle behind it is complex, and I have no intention of elaborating further."
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