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When faced with something hurtling toward their face, a normal person would instinctively dodge.
Ma Xiaotao was no exception. However, she only slightly shifted her body to avoid the critical hit, disregarding the rest as she recklessly charged toward Tang Ya. At this point, Ma Xiaotao's sole thought was to drag Tang Ya down with her in mutual destruction.
Seeing Ma Xiaotao's berserker-like determination, Tang Ya inwardly exclaimed, "What a madwoman!"
But hadn't Tang Ya herself been just as reckless moments ago?
As Ma Xiaotao drew near, Tang Ya realized that this was as far as she could go.
"Got you!" Ma Xiaotao wrapped her arms around Tang Ya's waist, her voice tinged with a sickly joy.
Then, the fiery wings on her back erupted with a surge of flames, propelling both of them off the arena stage and into the air.
Even with the protection of her soul-guided armor, Tang Ya still felt an unbearable heat.
"Let go of me, you lunatic!"
Knowing she had lost, Tang Ya angrily shook off Ma Xiaotao's arms. But upon seeing the battered and exhausted Ma Xiaotao, she couldn't help but remark:
"You're just as crazy—how dare you directly endure my ultimate fire?"
With those words spoken, Ma Xiaotao seemed to have expended all her strength. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she collapsed into unconsciousness.
Witnessing such an intense and spectacular match, the audience, who had been momentarily stunned by the outcome, erupted into enthusiastic applause.
As Ma Xiaotao was carried back, the members of Shrek Academy watched her with complex emotions. However, the two guardians solemnly remarked, "Xiaotao is a good child. Though she lost, she fought honorably, upholding the spirit and pride of Shrek."
Wang Yan, relieved that the two Title Douluo hadn't blamed him for Ma Xiaotao's defeat, let out a sigh of relief. But his mood quickly turned somber once again.
From the current state of the battle, it was almost certain that Shrek Academy would lose.
And the reason behind it was undoubtedly the soul-guided device used by Ye Wen's disciples—a device capable of forcibly boosting a soul master's cultivation to Level 70. It was simply too overpowered.
However, Wang Yan knew his voice carried little weight; he couldn't prohibit the use of such a soul-guided device.
The principle that "what isn't illegal is legal" was something Wang Yan understood well. His frustration stemmed from the need to find some justification for their humiliating defeat.
But Wang Yan resolved that upon returning, he would submit a proposal to the Sea God Pavilion's master to amend the rules of the Soul Master Tournament, banning the use of cultivation-boosting soul-guided devices.
He was confident his proposal would pass.
After all, if Tianxing Academy continued to compete like this in future tournaments, how could other academies—whose strongest members were at most Soul Emperors—hope to compete? This was clearly a game-breaking advantage.
As for this time, there was nothing they could do.
As Wang Yan had predicted, the third contestant sent by Ye Wen's side was Xiao Xiao, who, under the enhancement of her full-body armor-type soul-guided device, had reached the terrifying power of Level 70.
In the face of overwhelming cultivation, even the prodigies of Shrek Academy could only be suppressed.
Compared to Ma Xiaotao's ultimate fire, the other members of Shrek Academy could also be considered talented. But unfortunately, they were facing a dimension-dominating force. Not even one of them could defeat Xiao Xiao before begrudgingly accepting Shrek's first-ever second-place finish in history.
It was precisely this stark contrast that made the audience truly appreciate Ma Xiaotao's strength.
As Huo Yuer accepted the championship trophy as team captain, the majority of the spectators' gazes weren't on her but instead fixed on Ye Wen sitting in the main stand.
Shrek's defeat this time not only signified that they were no longer the undisputed leaders of the Three Kingdoms of Douluo, but it also marked the resurgence of turbulent times on the long-quiet Douluo Continent.
Late at night, Huo Yuer and her close companions celebrated the beginning of their brilliant future with a lavish feast.
Meanwhile, deep into the night, Xu Jiujiu and Wei Na finally mustered the courage to step into Ye Wen's room, their resolve firmly set.
Upon seeing the other senior sisters already gathered in the room, Xu Jiujiu and Wei Na seemed to realize something—a secret that would bind them together in life and death.
Upon learning Ye Wen's true identity, they were initially shocked, then knelt halfway with complex expressions.
Thus, the foundation of the future Valkyrie Alliance was formed.
After formally inducting Xu Jiujiu and Wei Na into the Tianxing Sect's system, Ye Wen spared no effort in nurturing the two empires.
Soul-guided technology? Granted! Metal forging techniques? Granted! Rare medicinal herbs? Granted!
The Star Luo Emperor and Heavenly Soul Emperor were ecstatic upon learning that their sisters or daughters had received such opportunities. This meant their empires would rise to new heights.
However, two empires on the Douluo Continent were far from pleased.
The unhappiest was undoubtedly the Spirit Empire.
As one of the Three Kingdoms of Douluo, Tianxing Academy hadn't extended an invitation to them—not even to enroll their royal family members as disciples!
Wasn't this blatant national discrimination?
Unfortunately, there was no "beauty card" to play for justice in this world.
The Spirit Empire began to realize that if things continued this way, their hard-won independence from the Heavenly Dou Empire would soon crumble.
As the saying goes, "A dying man sits up in shock." The Spirit Empire began seeking solutions, frantically selecting high-potential citizens to send to Tianxing Academy. After all, Tianxing Academy didn't hold back when it came to teaching soul-guided technology—it was just a matter of how much one could learn. Moreover, their focus was primarily on soul-guided armor, unlike the more diverse technologies of the Sun Moon Empire.
Of course, reaching the level of mastery displayed by Huo Yuer and her teammates might take years—or even decades.
But at least there was hope.
The other unhappy empire was naturally the Sun Moon Empire.
The aging Sun Moon Emperor, whose days were numbered, stared grimly at the intelligence report in his hands.
"I never imagined the situation would be worse than what Red Dust Hall's master described. I deeply regret my past decisions," sighed the Sun Moon Emperor.
Jing Hongchen sat to the lower left, his expression grave and silent.
At this moment, a burly old man seated opposite him spoke gruffly:
"Your Majesty, there's no need to worry. We still have a chance. According to the intelligence, this Tianxing Douluo doesn't seem to be someone who meddles in continental affairs."
The Sun Moon Emperor nodded in agreement but still sighed softly.
"But we can't ignore the possibility of unforeseen circumstances, Great Elder."
As the saying goes, "A suspicious mind sees everything as suspicious."
Kong Deming, despite his advanced age and position as the Sun Moon Empire's Great Elder, wasn't exactly a paragon of virtue. He knew that while Tianxing Douluo appeared uninterested in worldly matters now, any encroachment on his interests in the future could disrupt the balance at any time.
His earlier words were merely meant to comfort the Sun Moon Emperor.
For a moment, the vast study fell into silence.
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