Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

The moment a voice rang out from within the blazing white radiance, the expressions on Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and the others froze, their faces filled with disbelief.

As the blinding white light gradually dissipated, a large scorched crater was revealed on the Spirit Arena floor. And within that crater stood a figure—completely unscathed—calmly upright as if nothing had happened.

Lin Jie dispersed the faint lightning membrane that had been shielding him and casually dusted off his clothes. His expression remained composed, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"No… Impossible. How are you completely unharmed?" Huo Wu's voice trembled with shock. That had been her fourth spirit ability—Brilliant Sun—amplified by the power of three people. Even an average Spirit King wouldn't have withstood it. Yet Lin Jie stood there without a single scratch, and even looked… relaxed.

"How could this be…" Huo Wushuang's voice quivered. His expression betrayed the disbelief churning inside him.

"Whew…" Xiao Wu let out a long breath of relief upon seeing that Lin Jie was safe.

Standing beside her, Dai Mubai noticed her reaction. "Xiao Wu… you seem really worried about Lin Jie," he said with a teasing smile.

"What? I—I mean, of course I'm worried! Wouldn't you be? Isn't it normal?" she replied, eyes flickering slightly before she quickly countered with a question of her own.

"Well, yeah." Dai Mubai nodded casually, not thinking too much of it.

At that moment, Huo Wu and the others were nearly spent. Her spirit power was all but drained—less than one-tenth remained. Of the team, only Huo Wushuang and one of the Fire Crane Spirit Masters could still fight. But against Shrek Academy's full lineup, did they really stand a chance?

Lin Jie had no intention of dragging the match out any further. In truth, he had let Huo Wu use her fourth ability just to test its strength. Otherwise, with his speed, she wouldn't have had the chance to release it. Still, he had to admit—Brilliant Sun was impressive. If he didn't have immunity to fire, he might've been forced into a tougher spot.

A faint violet ring lit up beneath Lin Jie's feet—his second spirit ring. In an instant, five thick, purple-black arcs of lightning formed into beams, shooting straight toward the remaining Blazing Academy members.

Still reeling from the shock of Lin Jie tanking Huo Wu's ultimate move, the Blazing Academy members were caught off guard. And though only a second or two had passed, the lightning was far too fast—and their spirit power was too depleted to dodge.

The five lightning bolts transformed midair into five massive nets, trapping each of them within. Lin Jie was just about to activate the neurotoxin paralysis effect when a voice called out.

"We… surrender." Huo Wu forced the words out bitterly, her voice laced with reluctance. Her lips pressed into a tight line, eyes filled with frustration as she stared hard at Lin Jie. He was a little younger than her, a fellow Spirit Ancestor, and yet he gave off an unfathomable pressure—as if he stood atop a tower whose height she could not see.

As Huo Wu declared their surrender, Lin Jie dispersed the net of lightning.

The referee immediately rushed to the stage. "Preliminary Round, Match Eleven, Shrek Academy versus Blazing Academy—Shrek Academy is victorious!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

"Jiang Zhu," Lin Jie called softly, glancing toward the two unconscious members of Blazing Academy.

"Got it." Jiang Zhu understood his intent. She planted her healing staff firmly into the ground, and rings of healing light radiated out, washing over the fallen members of Blazing Academy.

Moments later, the unconscious support-type Spirit Master regained consciousness. When they realized Shrek Academy was even helping to heal them, Huo Wu gave Lin Jie a complicated look. The confidence that had once marked her face was now nowhere to be seen—replaced with unwillingness and frustration. Among the five Elemental Academies, Blazing Academy had always been a top contender. Yet they had lost—to a no-name academy like Shrek. No—she had lost to Lin Jie. That was the real blow.

Once the wounded had recovered enough, the Blazing Academy members made their way over to the center of the stage with the help of their teammates.

Lin Jie's team also approached. Both sides saluted one another respectfully before preparing to leave.

"You… how did you do it?" Huo Wu finally asked, unable to hold back her curiosity. She was fixated on how Lin Jie had completely negated her fourth spirit ability.

"Oh that?" Lin Jie replied with a grin. "That's a secret. Not telling you."

She scowled. "You—!"

Lin Jie just shrugged. He wasn't going to be like Tang San, loudly announcing to the world that he had dual immunity to ice and fire. That would be idiotic.

Huo Wu took a deep breath. "Lin Jie… I'll remember this. We'll meet again. And next time—I won't lose."

"I'll be waiting," Lin Jie replied with a calm smile.

"Hmph." Huo Wu gave a soft snort, then turned and left the arena with her teammates.

With this victory, Shrek Academy had won eleven matches in a row—undefeated.

Lin Jie looked back at the others and smiled. "Let's go."

Amid thunderous cheers, both teams left the stage.

Up on the VIP platform, Ning Fengzhi watched the retreating figures with a smile. "This Lin Jie keeps surprising me," he said, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on the boy.

"Sect Master Ning, that matter you mentioned… it's true?" Sword Douluo Chen Xin asked.

"It is," Ning Fengzhi replied, his earlier smile twitching slightly.

"This kid… bold, I'll give him that. But he's got what it takes." Sword Douluo nodded in approval.

Emperor Xue Ye, sitting on the main throne, overheard the exchange. Though curious about their conversation, he said nothing.

Just as Lin Jie and his team stepped down from the arena, Ning Rongrong and the others ran up to greet them.

"Lin Jie, that was amazing! You actually beat Blazing Academy! And they're way stronger than Elephant Armored Academy!" she said excitedly.

"It was a team effort," Lin Jie replied with a modest smile.

The others smiled at that. Even though it was clearly Lin Jie who had secured the win, the fact that he gave credit to the whole team made them feel respected and proud.

With eleven straight wins under their belt—and Lin Jie leading the way—everyone on Shrek's team now believed that the championship was within reach.

"Let's head back," Lin Jie said, still smiling.

When the team arrived at the rest area, all eyes turned to them—many filled with awe, especially those looking at Lin Jie at the center of the group. At this point in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, Lin Jie had become the most dazzling figure of all.

Meanwhile, over at Blazing Academy's resting area, the mood was grim. Even if they didn't want to accept it, they had lost. And losing meant regrouping. As their emotions cooled, so did their heads.

Just then, a low voice broke the silence. "Huo Wushuang, in a few days, I'll settle this score for you."

They turned to see a man in a teal team uniform embroidered with silver thread, his face hidden behind a veil. Several other students in matching uniforms stood behind him.

This was the team from Godwind Academy—one of the five Elemental Academies.

The one who had spoken was their captain, Feng Xiaotian, a strong assault-type Spirit Master.

Though he addressed Huo Wushuang, Feng Xiaotian's gaze never left Huo Wu. His eyes burned with undisguised affection.

Huo Wushuang snorted coldly. "Just because we lost, you think you'll win?"

Feng Xiaotian chuckled. "Come on, Wushuang. You know that's not what I meant."

While they spoke, Huo Wu paid no attention at all—she was still lost in thought, fixated on one thing: why Lin Jie had been completely immune to her fourth spirit ability.

"Little Wu? Little Wu?" Feng Xiaotian called out a few times.

"Hm? Feng Xiaotian? What are you doing here?" she asked distractedly.

"Pfft." Feng Xiaotian clutched his chest dramatically. "I've been talking to Wushuang this whole time… and you didn't even realize I was here…"

Huo Wushuang sighed. "Xiao Wu, that's kind of rude. Feng Xiaotian was trying to stand up for us."

But he understood his sister well. "Still thinking about how Lin Jie withstood your fourth ability?"

"…Yeah." Huo Wu nodded, frowning.