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The day of the finals had arrived.
Though it was just a freshman tournament, today's match was drawing significant attention. The two teams that had made it this far were no ordinary competitors.
Even Yan Shaozhe, the dean of the Soul Martial Arts Department, and Qian Duoduo, the dean of the Spirit Tool Department, had personally come to watch the battle.
"Ah, Lao Yan, who are you rooting for today?" Qian Duoduo asked with a smile.
Yan Shaozhe replied, "I'm leaning toward Dai Huabing's side. Though in terms of individual strength, Yuwen Tuo's combat abilities rival those of a Soul Elder, this match is about overall team strength. Dai Huabing's team is stronger as a whole. Especially his two teammates—they're no pushovers either. Both have the potential to enter the inner academy in the future."
"The most important factor is the ultimate trump card of the Dai and Zhu families from the Star Luo Empire. Against an opponent of equal strength, it's practically unstoppable. No matter how strong Yuwen Tuo is, I still don't see him winning this time."
The referee entered the spacious arena and gestured for both teams to come forward.
"Are you ready? You can give it your all during the match—no need to hold back. I'll be monitoring the situation. Anyone I remove from the arena will be considered eliminated. Do you understand?"
"Yes," both sides answered in unison.
Dai Huabing exuded an overwhelming aura of battle intent, even tinged with killing intent. However, he wasn't truly out to kill Yuwen Tuo. As the legitimate son of the White Tiger Duke, though not the eldest, Dai Huabing had received the finest education since childhood. He wasn't just trained in martial arts but also in warfare and tactics. His father, the White Tiger Duke, was the supreme commander of the Star Luo Empire's military, and his sons were expected to follow in his footsteps.
From a young age, Dai Huabing had honed his killing intent through rigorous training, including hunting soul beasts and even taking human lives as early as five years old. This upbringing had shaped him into a decisive and ruthless individual, far colder and harder than his peers. He carried himself with the disciplined demeanor of a soldier, embodying the qualities expected of a future heir to the White Tiger Duke title.
"State your names," the referee instructed.
"Yuwen Tuo."
"Lian Yue."
"Xiao Xiao."
"Dai Huabing."
"Zhu Lu."
"Cui Yajie."
The referee extended his arms to either side. "Take your positions at the edges of the arena. The match begins when I give the signal."
Both teams slowly backed away, positioning themselves strategically across the field. Once the referee announced the start of the match, Dai Huabing's team, like all previous opponents, immediately went on the offensive against Yuwen Tuo.
They couldn't allow him to unleash his blade dance—it was simply unstoppable once activated.
Yes, Dai Huabing had claimed to have studied Yuwen Tuo's matches extensively and devised a strategy to counter his blade technique: prevent him from using it altogether.
It was a straightforward solution, albeit one that no one had managed to execute successfully so far.
In truth, Dai Huabing had no real answer to Yuwen Tuo's blade dance. His earlier boasts in front of Zhu Lu and Cui Yajie were nothing more than bravado.
Dai Huabing charged forward, shouting as he ran, "White Tiger, empower me!"
A surge of pale white light erupted around him as the White Tiger spirit fused with his body. His muscles bulged, making him appear significantly larger and more imposing. The White Tiger spirit—one of the most legendary and powerful soul spirits on the continent—was a force to be reckoned with, its prestige rivaling even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Zhu Lu's spirit was the Ghostly Shadow Cat, while Cui Yajie's spirit was none other than the Celestial Fox. Whether she shared any connection to Hu Liena, the famed Celestial Fox user from ten thousand years ago, remained unknown.
Cui Yajie, as the control-type soul master, was the first to act. Her goal was simple: immobilize Yuwen Tuo before Dai Huabing could strike.
Upon releasing her spirit, Cui Yajie appeared to age several years. From a twelve-year-old girl, she transformed into a radiant young woman with flowing pink hair cascading down like a waterfall. Her clear, sparkling eyes exuded an innocent allure, while her stunning beauty was enhanced by the two long fox tails swaying behind her. Their shimmering pink fur glowed under the sunlight, tempting anyone to reach out and touch them.
"Hehe, my first soul skill: Charm!"
Cui Yajie's target was, naturally, Yuwen Tuo. She knew brute force alone wouldn't stop him from wielding his blade; the key lay in controlling him.
Though Xiao Xiao was already by Yuwen Tuo's side, Cui Yajie intended to prove that cuteness paled in comparison to sensuality. Winking flirtatiously, she blew him a kiss brimming with charm.
Xiao Xiao, infuriated, stomped her feet. What was this woman doing? After finally finding someone she liked, was this vixen trying to steal him away?
No, she couldn't tolerate this anymore. Where was her cauldron?
"National Treasure, Resonance of the Cauldron!"
Enraged, Xiao Xiao abandoned all pretense of strategy and unleashed her strongest move right from the start. Three cauldrons merged into one, producing a deafening roar. A colossal cauldron, twice the size of any she'd summoned before, emerged into existence. Strange runes flickered across its surface, radiating an indescribable sense of majesty.
"Flaming Sun Finger!"
A streak of fire followed closely behind. Yuwen Tuo channeled his finger technique into a blazing pillar of flames, launching it directly at Cui Yajie.
Xiao Xiao had worried unnecessarily. Yuwen Tuo hadn't been swayed by Cui Yajie's charm for even a second. To him, enemies were merely skeletons wrapped in flesh, regardless of their beauty. In battle, he was the epitome of a steelhearted straight man.
"What?" Cui Yajie gasped in shock. She had never encountered a man completely immune to her charms before.
With her seduction failing, she tried to evade, but Xiao Xiao's Resonance of the Cauldron was no less powerful than a Soul Elder-level control skill. The resonating waves disoriented her, causing her head to spin.
The flames struck next, igniting her beautiful fox tails. The two elegant appendages burst into flames, sending her into a panic.