Douluo: The Ultimate Self

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By the afternoon, the fifth round of the loser's bracket in the grand finals was about to begin—Star Luo Imperial Academy versus Tian Dou Imperial Academy's Shrek Team.

The crowd buzzed with excitement. For years, relations between the two empires had been less than friendly, and this match promised to be a clash of titans.

After some deliberation, Yu Xiaogang surprisingly decided to stick with the defensive formation Yang Xiong had devised for their battle against the new God Wind Team.

Yang Xiong was speechless. This formation might have worked against God Wind because of their explosive power and lack of strong auxiliary support like Ning Rongrong or Ye Lingling, which left them with weaker endurance.

However, Star Luo Imperial Academy was the opposite. Not only were they powerful attackers, but their lineup was also balanced. Even in a war of attrition, they wouldn't fear Shrek, especially since they had two soul masters above Level 45.

Shrek's lineup remained unchanged: Yang Xiong, Yu Tianheng, Tang San, Dai Mubai, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, and Ye Lingling.

Star Luo Imperial Academy also made some adjustments to their formation.

- Captain Dai Weisi, martial soul White Tiger, Level 49 Power Attack-type Soul Ancestor.

- Vice-captain Zhu Zhuyun, martial soul Netherworld Spirit Cat, Level 47 Agility Attack-type Soul Ancestor.

- Member Lin Yao, martial soul Flame Eagle, Level 39 Agility Attack-type Soul Elder.

- Member Ying Wei, martial soul Swollen Water Buffalo, Level 44 Power Attack-type Battle Soul Ancestor.

- Member Tang Hongning, martial soul Swift Thunder Leopard, Level 43 Agility Attack-type Battle Soul Ancestor.

- Members Dong Hui and Yang Mingxi (sisters), martial soul Benevolent Flowing Water, Level 40 Auxiliary-type Battle Soul Ancestors. (I know the name sounds awkward but the original text is from a phrase from a poem and doesn't have a direct translation lol)

Yang Xiong found their lineup odd. Normally, they would field another Soul Ancestor, but instead, they sent out a high-level fire-attribute Soul Elder, likely as a countermeasure.

Yang Xiong couldn't help but feel frustrated. The opposing team had three Agility Attack-type soul masters, yet not a single defense-type soul master.

In contrast, Shrek didn't have a single Agility Attack-type member—aside from Yang Xiong, who could count as half one. Overall, their speed was far inferior.

Even so, Star Luo Imperial Academy's average soul power level was still significantly higher than Shrek's, given that Shrek had two Soul Elders.

As the referee signaled the start, both teams summoned their martial souls and soul rings. The match began.

Star Luo Imperial Academy launched the first attack. Dai Weisi charged forward like a massive tiger, aiming to break through Shrek's formation with sheer brute force.

Beside him was Ying Wei, whose martial soul was the Swollen Water Buffalo, with a soul power level of 44.

Aside from these two power attackers, the team unleashed a triple-pronged assault. Their three Agility Attack-type soul masters moved at incredible speeds, surrounding Shrek's team.

This tactic by Star Luo Imperial Academy was highly effective, and most teams wouldn't stand a chance against such an onslaught.

Initially planning to adopt a defensive stance, Tang San's expression darkened as he shouted: "Scatter!"

The group quickly dispersed into a loose formation. Tang San's reaction was swift—if they had stuck rigidly to a defensive posture, their formation would inevitably have been shattered.

The Shi brothers reacted quickly, rushing forward to engage Dai Weisi and Ying Wei. Meanwhile, Yu Tianheng and Dai Mubai moved to protect the Shi brothers while countering the multiple Agility Attack-type soul masters. These two possessed exceptional combat skills, allowing them to hold their own against faster opponents. Otherwise, the Shi brothers' lack of flexibility would have left them vulnerable to being overwhelmed.

Yang Xiong moved at lightning speed, charging toward Zhu Zhuyun. With her Level 47 strength, she was the only one on the opposing team who could match Yang Xiong's speed.

But Dai Weisi's strength exceeded expectations. Transforming into a massive White Tiger, he swiped at Shi Mo's Black Tortoise Turtle shell, sending Shi Mo flying backward several meters. Judging by his combat power and martial soul, Dai Weisi likely possessed Soul King-level strength. His attack and defense rivaled those of Yan from the Spirit Hall Team.

Dai Mubai swiftly turned to face Dai Weisi, his eyes burning with hatred.

Dai Weisi smirked: "My dear younger brother, you've been away from home for so many years. Let's see if you've improved at all."

Both activated their third soul skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation. Their bodies swelled with muscle, becoming incredibly imposing.

But after just one exchange, Dai Weisi stood firm while Dai Mubai was pushed back several meters. The gap between them was vast. In terms of raw power, Dai Weisi surpassed Feng Xiao Tian by five levels, and his strength was far superior.

Ye Lingling reacted swiftly, summoning her Nine-Heart Begonia to heal Dai Mubai and Shi Mo, restoring them to full fighting condition instantly.

While Dai Mubai and Dai Weisi clashed with brute force, Yang Xiong and Zhu Zhuyun showcased extreme speed. The Netherworld Spirit Cat lived up to its reputation as a top-tier Agility Attack-type martial soul, moving faster than any other Soul Ancestor Yang Xiong had encountered—even faster than Feng Xiao Tian.

But Yang Xiong wasn't intimidated. He pushed his speed to the limit, his hands transforming into silver claws as he lunged at Zhu Zhuyun.

Zhu Zhuyun's speed was even more exaggerated than Yang Xiong had anticipated. Her movements were unbelievably sharp, and her hands slashed at Yang Xiong like twin blades. However, before Yang Xiong could retaliate, she retreated instantly, leaving him unable to land a solid hit.

Yang Xiong was surprised. Zhu Zhuyun wasn't just fast—her combat instincts were razor-sharp, and her reflexes with the Netherworld Spirit Cat were extraordinary.

Yang Xiong prided himself on having unparalleled speed among Soul Ancestors, but Zhu Zhuyun was slippery and elusive, embodying the pinnacle of Agility Attack-type combat. She struck once, then retreated immediately, refusing to engage in prolonged exchanges of power.

This piqued Yang Xiong's interest. Zhu Zhuyun's fighting style bore similarities to Tang San's unpredictable movements. No wonder the Netherworld Spirit Cat was hailed as the fastest-reacting martial soul.

Yang Xiong's speed increased further, and his footwork became intricate. This was a technique he had developed over years of sparring with Tang San, drawing inspiration from Tai Chi principles. He called it the Eight Trigrams Step, derived from the philosophy of Yin and Yang.

As the saying goes: "Tai Chi gives rise to Yin and Yang; Yin and Yang give rise to the Four Symbols; the Four Symbols give rise to the Eight Trigrams." Though it didn't guarantee maximum speed, each step contained profound meaning, encompassing boundless possibilities.

Though Zhu Zhuyun's reflexes were extraordinary, her luck ran out after repeatedly attacking Yang Xiong. In one instant, Yang Xiong's hands formed a circular motion in front of his chest. Zhu Zhuyun felt as though she had collided with cotton, but Yang Xiong's seemingly slow palms suddenly accelerated beyond perception, striking her abdomen with unstoppable force. She was sent flying.

Tai Chi's principle of overcoming hardness with softness and countering speed with slowness seemed unavoidable in that moment.

Zhu Zhuyun's expression twisted in shock as she activated her first soul skill: Netherworld Pierce. Her fingers extended into sharp claws, doubling her attack speed—a devastating close-range skill.

Yang Xiong's body hardened instantly, encased in what looked like thick armor—his self-created defensive soul skill, Steel Muscle Iron Bone.

Zhu Zhuyun's claws struck as if hitting steel, unable to penetrate further.

Before she could react, Yang Xiong's hands moved like lightning, grabbing her body and tearing five long gashes across her skin. Her clothes were shredded, exposing her injuries.

Zhu Zhuyun snarled: "You pervert!"

She launched another desperate assault, increasing her speed even further. Yang Xiong was baffled—how had a simple duel turned him into a "pervert"? Did female soul masters not expect such risks when stepping onto the arena?

While Yang Xiong managed to suppress Zhu Zhuyun with his speed, the rest of the battlefield wasn't faring as well.

Dai Mubai was clearly no match for Dai Weisi, and Yu Tianheng struggled to suppress Ying Wei. After all, the Level 44 Swollen Water Buffalo was no pushover. Moreover, the Shi brothers' sluggishness became apparent as they struggled to deal with the three Agility Attack-type soul masters.

Tang San commanded his Blue Silver Grass to control the battlefield, but Star Luo Imperial Academy was prepared. Lin Yao, with his Flame Eagle martial soul, specifically targeted Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. His speed was incredible, and he focused solely on disrupting the grass without engaging others.

The Flame Eagle was a top-tier martial soul—fast, capable of flight, and possessing significant strength. Though Lin Yao was only a Soul Elder, his dominance in the air gave him an insurmountable advantage. Shrek's team had no counter for him.

As time passed, the battle devolved into a war of attrition, much like Shrek's fight against God Wind Academy. However, Shrek was gradually falling behind. Star Luo Imperial Academy's attacks were fiercer and more overwhelming, especially with their two elite auxiliary soul masters.

The sisters Dong Hui and Yang Mingxi, known collectively as Benevolent Flowing Water, were Star Luo Imperial Academy's auxiliary members. Their martial soul, Benevolent Flowing Water, provided excellent healing and enhancement, making it a top-tier water-attribute martial soul.

Compared to others, Zhu Zhuyun was struggling. She couldn't match Yang Xiong's speed or strength. After repeated attacks from Yang Xiong, she sustained multiple wounds and was completely suppressed. If not for her speed, she would have been knocked off the stage long ago.

The Benevolent Flowing Water sisters quickly healed Zhu Zhuyun. The treatment effect was astonishing, leading Yang Xiong to wonder if the combined efforts of two healing-type soul masters created a synergy greater than the sum of its parts.

Seeing Zhu Zhuyun repeatedly injured, Dai Weisi activated his second soul skill: White Tiger Fierce Light Wave. Dai Mubai countered with his own White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, but he was completely overwhelmed and forced back several meters.

Dai Weisi's form shifted, and his White Tiger Fierce Light Wave transformed into a rapid cutting beam, slicing directly toward Yang Xiong with considerable power.

At the same time, Zhu Zhuyun activated her second soul skill: Netherworld Hundred Claws, attacking Yang Xiong in perfect coordination with Dai Weisi. It seemed impossible for Yang Xiong to evade.

But Yang Xiong merely sneered. His hands morphed into silver dragon claws. His left hand grabbed Dai Weisi's White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, while his right hand intercepted Zhu Zhuyun's countless claw strikes.

Splitting his focus, Yang Xiong shattered both the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave and Netherworld Hundred Claws in an instant. Zhu Zhuyun was sent flying again.

With Yang Xiong's current strength, he wasn't afraid of Zhu Zhuyun's attacks. What concerned him was her ability to dodge using her speed and agility. At the very least, he couldn't allow her to target his teammates.

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