Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 177: The Thunder God Moves, The Vermilion Bird Sings, Racing Against Time (Part 2)

With the referee's signal, both teams simultaneously summoned their spirit abilities.

Among the seven members of the Shinfeng Academy, four were Spirit Elders, exuding a powerful aura that none of the twenty-eight teams in the tournament could match.

All seven of them sprouted wings, soaring into the sky amidst the heavy rain, pushing forward with increasing speed.

The torrential rain, rather than hindering the flight-type spirit masters, only seemed to enhance their abilities. With the aid of the wind from the storm, Shinfeng Academy's speed accelerated even further.

Feeling the lightness of his body as he floated in the air, Feng Xiaotian couldn't help but smile inwardly. He looked at Dai Yao below with a sense of ease.

"Dai Yao, fate is on my side. In this storm, our offense will only get stronger. Just accept your defeat—Fire Dance belongs to me!"

A sinister expression appeared on his face as he thought this.

Focusing intently on the opponents below, he couldn't help but be surprised upon seeing the formation of the Auckland team.

"Two Spirit Elders... and they've also sent out that Spirit Master with one white and two yellow spirit rings. Dai Yao, without that girl who could fuse spirits with you, how can you possibly win against me?"

"If you had your spirit fusion technique, I might have some hesitation. But with your current lineup, there's no chance of victory!"

As the seven members of Shinfeng Academy flew across the sky, their spirit power surged, with yellow and purple spirit rings flashing brightly. Their gazes were sharp like eagles, meticulously analyzing Auckland's formation, searching for any weaknesses.

At that moment, a sudden gasp of surprise echoed through the Soul Fighting Arena.

To everyone's astonishment, Auckland had changed its strategy completely. Dai Yao had slowly retreated to the center of the formation, with the remaining six team members surrounding him.

"What is Auckland doing? A new tactic?"

Not only the audience, but the nobles in the VIP section were also stunned. Auckland had begun the match by deviating from its usual aggressive strategy. The core attacker, Dai Yao, was now positioned in the center, and without his usual blocking role, Shinfeng Academy's offensive would have no resistance.

Feng Xiaotian frowned, confused by Auckland's strategy.

"Dai Yao, do you have some new trick up your sleeve?"

Dai Yao's expression was serious as he slowly retreated into the middle of the formation, speaking softly:

"Give me ten seconds."

Feng Qianli nodded, his gaze sweeping over the other five members. Through the thick rain, he saw the trust in their eyes and their determination to delay for at least seven seconds.

With unwavering resolve, he said:

"Dai Yao, don't worry. We'll delay for ten seconds."

Feng Wutong, though silent, had a glint of determination in her narrow eyes.

Currently, besides Dai Yao, they only had one Spirit Elder left. Meanwhile, Shinfeng Academy had four Spirit Elders. Trying to delay them for ten seconds would be quite difficult.

But for them, the task was simple—delay the enemy for ten seconds, no matter what it cost. They would give everything they had to help Dai Yao win.

Dai Yao smiled and nodded, his tense body slowly relaxing. He trusted his teammates.

In truth, he still had other hidden cards, but those were for Shrek Academy. More specifically, for Tang San.

Against Shinfeng Academy, he didn't want to reveal his full hand.

Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he let the fresh scent of the rain seep into his body. Then, he suddenly opened his eyes, and blue-purple lightning flashed within his pupils!

The ten-thousand-year spirit ring around him glowed with an eerie light, and a massive surge of soul power erupted into the air!

Sensing the enormous energy wave, the audience gasped, their hearts skipping a beat. They widened their eyes, staring at Dai Yao with rapt attention.

"Ten-thousand-year spirit ring!"

"After all this time, is Dai Yao finally going to use his ten-thousand-year soul skill?"

Throughout the tournament, the most intriguing topic among the audience had undoubtedly been Dai Yao's fourth soul skill.

The fourth soul skill of a ten-thousand-year spirit ring had never been seen before in history. Until yesterday, Dai Yao had not used it, and everyone had been speculating about its power.

How strong would this soul skill be?

Meanwhile, in Shrek's resting area, the Shrek Seven Devils, along with the four recent additions, were huddled under the heavy rain, trying to get as close to the Soul Fighting Arena as possible to see the match clearly.

As spirit masters, they could better appreciate the terrifying power of Dai Yao's fourth soul skill. The increasing energy fluctuations left the Shrek Seven Devils dumbstruck.

"Is this a soul skill that a Spirit Elder can use? My little brother, just what kind of monster are you?" Dai Mubai's face twitched slightly as he bitterly smiled.

Six or seven years ago, his strength far surpassed Dai Yao's. If he hadn't been too eager for victory, he might not have lost to Dai Yao.

When they met in the Star Dou Great Forest, he had hoped that his years of hard training would help him overcome Dai Yao, but reality was cruel. Dai Yao had easily defeated him without even using his spirit. If Dai Yao hadn't held back, he probably would have been severely injured.

And now, just Dai Yao's aura when using his soul skill made Dai Mubai feel like he was left in the dust.

"My gap with him is getting wider and wider."

A bitter feeling rose in his chest as he thought of it.

Tang San's eyes glowed purple. After activating his Purple Extreme Magic Eyes, he could see every detail of the match.

When he noticed the electric arcs sparking around Dai Yao as the ten-thousand-year soul skill activated, his heart sank, and he thought to himself:

"As expected, my teacher and I weren't wrong. Dai Yao's fourth soul ring is connected to lightning."

His thoughts raced back to when Dai Yao had emitted electric light at his feet when facing Chihuo and when he had used the shocking Thunder Immunity technique against Thunder Academy. It was clear now that everything was related to that fourth soul ring.

In the VIP area, Ning Fengzhi watched Dai Yao's movements. While his face remained calm, there was a hint of disappointment in his heart.

"Auckland's change in formation is to allow you to use your ten-thousand-year soul skill, huh? But even though the skill is powerful, it won't be enough to defeat Shinfeng Academy's seven members."

Now a Soul Douluo, Ning Fengzhi knew better than anyone the power of a ten-thousand-year soul ring. Even a five-ring Spirit King, fighting all-out, could not win against Shinfeng Academy. Moreover, Dai Yao was only a four-ring Spirit Elder.

On the other hand, Chen Xin, the former Sword God, watched the battle with a calm face but was visibly surprised.

As a titled Douluo, his perception of changes in the world around him was far sharper than Ning Fengzhi's. He could distinctly feel that after Dai Yao's fourth soul skill activated, the thunderous power in the air seemed to boil, as if the storm was coming to life.

"Wait, Fengzhi, this kid's fourth soul skill is different!"

His usually composed face now showed signs of shock.

Feng Xiaotian, witnessing everything from above, felt a sudden jolt of unease when Dai Yao's ten-thousand-year spirit ring activated. He had a bad feeling.

He instinctively sensed that if Dai Yao succeeded in using his ten-thousand-year soul skill, they would lose the match, and perhaps... even worse.

His face shifted as his spirit power surged. He shouted:

"Not good! We can't let him use his ten-thousand-year soul skill! We must stop him!"

Upon hearing this, Shinfeng Academy's seven members were equally startled. They too sensed the threat of Dai Yao's ten-thousand-year soul skill. Dozens of spirit rings flared up around them, and without any regard for spirit power consumption, azure wind blades rained down on Auckland's formation.

At the same time, several gusts of wind suddenly appeared in the arena, with many audience members unable to open their eyes. The whirlwind gathered rainwater and moved toward Auckland like a grinding mill.

On their wings, Shinfeng Academy's seven members had faint gray glimmers, resembling sharp blades.

With the sound of several eagle shrieks, Feng Xiaotian took the lead. His wings cut through the air with a sharp screech, bringing a fierce gust of wind, carrying countless azure blades as they charged at Auckland with overwhelming momentum.

"Shinfeng Academy is going all out from the very beginning!"

Tang San's eyes narrowed. He quickly realized that Shinfeng Academy was not holding back at all. They were fully focused on preventing Dai Yao from using his soul skill!

From the sky to the ground, the trio's all-out assault was indeed hard to defend against.

At this moment, the attack from Shenfeng Academy was something even Thunder Academy might struggle to block. Countless gazes turned to Oaklan, filled with deep concern!

Could Oaklan's few odd members possibly defend against it?

"Defense!"

As they looked up at the fierce attacks, Feng Qianli roared.

With his third and fourth soul rings glowing simultaneously, he raised his Xuanwu Turtle shield to firmly block the oncoming tornado's assault.

When he saw the tornado being stopped, Feng Xiaotian's eyes showed no sign of wavering. This tornado was merely a distraction to hold off Feng Qianli.

After all, among Oaklan's team, aside from Dai Yao, the only one worth taking seriously was Feng Qianli.

The real killing blow… was himself!

At that moment, a fiery red figure burst from Oaklan's ranks, soaring into the sky to meet Feng Xiaotian head-on.

It was Feng Wutong.

A wave of astonishment swept through the audience. Was Oaklan seriously sending just one woman to stop Shenfeng Academy's attack? Wasn't this like a stone trying to stop a mountain?

When Feng Xiaotian saw the figure rushing toward him, his heart trembled.

Feng Wutong was clad entirely in red.

Her flowing red hair, her red dress, and even her pupils seemed to burn with fire.

Under her phoenix-eyed gaze, all the spectators felt an immense, unapproachable pressure, as though they were facing a noble divine bird!

"What a beautiful woman!"

Feng Xiaotian shook his head to dispel the thoughts in his mind, and his eyes grew cold as he looked at Feng Wutong.

"Facing us, you still dare to come forward. I admire your courage. But that courage will be your undoing!"

Just as he thought disdainfully, before he could continue, the next moment, he suddenly stopped in midair. It wasn't just him—everyone from Shenfeng Academy froze as well.

Below them, an unbelievable scene unfolded.

In an instant, a sea of white flames appeared five meters above Oaklan's camp.

Countless blue wind blades shot into the sea of fire and were instantly melted away, disappearing without a trace.

As they looked at the fire, every spectator's heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran down their spines. Even though they were still far from the scene, it felt as if their skin was being scorched, their wings melting.

This white flame was Feng Wutong's innate fire, known as the Vermilion Bird's Divine Fire, or the South Ming Li Fire!

Next, the falling raindrops were instantly evaporated by the white flames, and a massive mist of water vapor floated upward. As it collided with the falling rain, a thick fog formed, making it impossible to see.

But the members of Shenfeng Academy weren't so fortunate.

The rising water vapor had been boiled by the South Ming Li Fire, and the temperature was so high that one careless move would burn them.

The flames continued to rise, and the range of the white mist grew wider.

Feng Xiaotian gritted his teeth and reluctantly commanded:

"What terrifying flames… fall back!"

As Feng Xiaotian gave the order, the seven members of Shenfeng Academy flapped their wings and quickly retreated from the fog-covered area.

Feng Xiaotian's eyes widened in disbelief as he gazed at the fiery red-clad woman. He felt a pressure that made his body tremble.

That was the pressure from the difference in their martial soul qualities.

Feng Xiaotian couldn't believe it. His mutated Gale Demon Wolf martial soul was a top-tier martial soul, with innate full soul power. He hadn't even bothered to look at the so-called number one beast martial soul, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.

But now, the terrifying pressure he felt proved that someone's martial soul quality was actually higher than his own!

A flash of shock crossed his gaze as he thought:

"Damn it! How does Oaklan hide such a monster?"

The scene unfolding in the arena made the audience gasp in astonishment.

"Wasn't Oaklan about to lose? How do they still have a trump card?"

"What's with that white fire? It looks so terrifying! Even sitting in the audience, I can feel the heat!"

At the Blaze Academy.

Everyone at Blaze Academy, experts with fire, knew the terrifying nature of that white flame and all watched gravely.

Compared to their flames, it was like comparing fireflies to the moon; there was no comparison!

Huo Wu gritted her teeth, her gaze on Feng Wutong filled with regret and pain.

If Feng Wutong had joined Blaze Academy, they would have had the strength to challenge the first place in the qualifiers! Even facing Shenfeng Academy and Thunder Academy, they'd have been a match.

Feng Wutong's fire not only had immense power, but also enhanced the attack power of other fire-type soul masters.

Had she not been careless, losing to Dai Yao back then, Feng Wutong would have already joined Blaze Academy. She hated herself for being so arrogant.

Sword Douluo Chenxin, his gaze sharp as a sword, looked at the white flames around Feng Wutong and had an expression rarely seen on his face—concern.

"What a Vermilion Bird martial soul! If this woman's rank increases further, this terrifying fire would make even me cautious."

Then his gaze shifted slowly to Dai Yao, and he couldn't help but sigh:

"How is it that every woman around this kid is so outstanding? First Zhu Zhuqing, now this girl with the Vermilion Bird martial soul. Sigh, this kid's romantic luck is even higher than his talent!"

Feng Wutong, her wings spread wide, lightly waved, standing in the middle of the white fire sea.

Her clothes and hair, once soaked from the rain, had been completely evaporated by the intense heat.

The audience had just now noticed that Oaklan had such a beautiful woman on their team.

Feng Wutong stood tall, facing Feng Xiaotian's fierce glare without backing down.

This South Ming Li Fire was powerful, but it consumed a lot of energy, especially in such a large fire sea.

Feng Wutong could clearly feel her soul power depleting rapidly, and she could only sustain it for a few more seconds.

But those few seconds were enough—just ten more seconds, and Dai Yao would be able to decide the outcome.

At this moment, only five seconds had passed since Dai Yao activated his fourth soul skill!

Szzzz—

Three silver snakes appeared, cutting through the heavens with lightning speed, their electric arcs lighting up Feng Xiaotian's face, making it look deathly pale.

He sensed the terrifying thunder elements gathering, even more fearsome than Thunder Academy's, and the epicenter of this power was Dai Yao!

"We can't let them delay him! We must stop Dai Yao from using his soul skill!"

He gritted his teeth and, using wind attribute energy as armor, flapped his wings and charged toward Oaklan's formation, seemingly intent on charging straight through the fire sea.

The others from Shenfeng Academy followed suit, without hesitation, charging into the fire sea!

Feng Wutong, her phoenix eyes narrowing, shouted:

"Seeking death!"

The terror of the South Ming Li Fire was not something ordinary soul masters could withstand.

But at the moment they were about to make contact with the fire sea, a fierce wind suddenly appeared, centered around Feng Xiaotian, opening a large gap in the fire sea!

Though it was just for an instant, the white flames quickly closed the gap again. But the seven from Shenfeng Academy had already passed through the fire sea in that fleeting moment.

Oaklan's formation was within striking distance!

(End of Chapter)

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