Douluo: The Ultimate Self

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Given the situation in the battle between Shrek and Star Luo Imperial Academy, if the fight dragged on, Shrek would likely suffer a significant disadvantage. Tang San, as a control-type soul master at the Soul Elder level, was already at a disadvantage due to the one-level gap in soul power between the two teams.

According to Yu Xiaogang's strategy, Tang San's primary role was to protect Ye Lingling and maintain battlefield control, not to unleash overwhelming attacks. His main task was to quickly support others with his Blue Silver Grass.

However, it was clear that Star Luo Imperial Academy had tailored their lineup specifically to counter Shrek's formation from their match against God Wind Academy, particularly targeting Tang San, the core of Shrek's control system.

The previous match where Yang Xiong faced Feng Xiaotian had drawn attention, so this time they deliberately assigned Zhu Zhuyun to restrain him. It was evident that Zhu Zhuyun wasn't aiming for a quick victory—her goal was simply to contain Yang Xiong while seizing brief opportunities to attack him.

After ten minutes of intense fighting, Yang Xiong and Zhu Zhuyun had practically covered the entire arena. Neither could bypass the other to target the opposing team's support members.

Even when Yang Xiong used teleportation, Zhu Zhuyun's reaction was extraordinarily sharp. She directly activated her third soul skill, Netherworld Springfall, disregarding her soul power consumption. Of course, she could afford it with her Level 47 soul power.

Though Tang San was being suppressed, Zhu Zhuyun still couldn't approach easily, let alone attack Ye Lingling.

Compared to Yang Xiong, Dai Mubai and the Shi brothers were having a much tougher time. They had to face Dai Weisi and Ying Wei while also dealing with sneak attacks from Agility Attack-type soul masters. Their performance seemed somewhat lacking in comparison.

Especially Dai Mubai, who had been hit several times by Dai Weisi's soul skills. If not for his stubborn and resilient nature, combined with Ye Lingling's healing, he would have collapsed long ago.

Most of Ye Lingling's healing efforts focused on Dai Mubai, and Dai Weisi deliberately targeted him. This was why Shrek had managed to hold on thus far.

Seeing his team gradually fall into a disadvantage, Tang San, who had been suppressed all along, finally grew angry. His fighting spirit intensified.

In the instant after Dai Mubai and Dai Weisi collided, Tang San activated his first soul skill: Entangle. Countless Blue Silver Grass suddenly sprouted from the ground, rapidly wrapping around Dai Weisi and others—his second soul skill: Parasitic.

Lin Yao, who had been closely watching Tang San, immediately activated his third soul skill: Fire Shadow Meteor. Feathers from his Flame Eagle rained down from the sky, turning the arena into a sea of flames.

Just as the Blue Silver Grass was about to be incinerated, Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng exchanged glances. Dai Mubai unleashed his fourth soul skill: White Tiger Meteor Shower, while Yu Tianheng activated his fourth soul skill: Blue Lightning Dragon Strike. Clearly, they aimed to seize this moment to deal heavy damage to Dai Weisi.

Seeing Dai Weisi under siege, Ying Wei also activated his fourth soul skill: Water Buffalo Charge, positioning himself in front of Dai Weisi to withstand the combined attacks of Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng.

Dai Weisi gritted his teeth and unleashed his fourth soul skill: White Soul Annihilation. The massive White Tiger emitted endless light, appearing even more powerful than Dai Mubai's White Tiger Meteor Shower.

Meanwhile, Tang San moved with incredible speed. In that instant, he wielded the Haotian Hammer and struck directly at Dai Weisi, clearly unwilling to relent until Dai Weisi fell.

Both sides ignored the cost of soul power collisions, but Dai Weisi's strength was undeniable. Even after taking such a heavy blow and being sent flying tens of meters, he stood firm despite spitting blood, showing signs of injury.

At this moment, Zhu Zhuyun launched her fourth soul skill: Netherworld Slash at Yang Xiong. Yang Xiong countered with a direct punch, but Zhu Zhuyun feinted, retreating swiftly like a shadow to reappear beside Dai Weisi.

The coordinated attack from Yu Tianheng, Tang San, and Dai Mubai was indeed powerful and well-executed, but Star Luo Empire's two Agility Attack-type soul masters employed a diversion tactic, striking heavily at Yu Tianheng and Dai Mubai. Only Tang San, using his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps, managed to evade the attack.

Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun exchanged glances, then quickly moved together. Their martial souls fused rapidly—the massive White Tiger and the agile Netherworld Spirit Cat combined into a colossal black tiger, their spirit fusion technique: Netherworld White Tiger.

Simultaneously, the Benevolent Flowing Water sisters activated their fourth soul skill. Two streams of water-attribute energy merged into the enormous Netherworld White Tiger, which let out a thunderous roar, displaying the awe-inspiring might of the Beast King.

Before anyone could react, the Netherworld White Tiger leapt into the air, bypassing Shrek's team. A massive paw descended directly toward Ye Lingling. Though Tang San attempted to use Blue Silver Grass to rescue her, he was too far away due to his earlier attack on Dai Weisi. Ye Lingling was struck off the stage by the Netherworld White Tiger.

Yang Xiong's figure flashed, and he appeared before the Benevolent Flowing Water sisters. With fists clenched, he unleashed a devastating punch, knocking both sisters off the stage simultaneously.

At this point, both teams began to lose members. Both sides' support members were eliminated, making the subsequent battle even more intense.

The Netherworld White Tiger proved formidable, possessing the strength of a top-tier Soul King. Its speed was extraordinary, completely ignoring Yang Xiong's attacks on their support members as it swiftly approached the Shi brothers.

Despite the Shi brothers' best efforts to resist, their slower reaction speed and lack of flexibility left them vulnerable. Their turtle shells were shattered by the Netherworld White Tiger, and they were knocked off the stage.

Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng had intended to assist the Shi brothers, but both were already injured. The Netherworld White Tiger was simply too fast, combining the brute strength of a White Tiger with the agility of a Netherworld Spirit Cat. It was one of the most powerful spirit fusion techniques.

The tide of battle gradually shifted in favor of Star Luo Imperial Academy. Shrek clearly couldn't withstand the Netherworld White Tiger. However, without Zhu Zhuyun restraining him, Yang Xiong's speed was unmatched.

As time passed, the Netherworld White Tiger became the focal point of Star Luo Imperial Academy's attacks, targeting Dai Mubai, Yu Tianheng, and Tang San. Meanwhile, Yang Xiong used his speed to attack their Agility Attack-type soul masters, exploiting gaps to dismantle the enemy.

Whether Tang San used his fourth soul skill: Spider Web Restraint, or wielded the Haotian Hammer, the Netherworld White Tiger utterly dominated in both power and speed. The web restraint was quickly broken, and even the Haotian Hammer was swatted away.

Seeing Dai Mubai and the others battered yet still resisting the Netherworld White Tiger, especially Dai Mubai's unyielding defiance, Yang Xiong felt a pang of sympathy. After two years together, though Dai Mubai's behavior was sometimes reckless, he carried a sense of responsibility as captain and recognized his place.

Yu Xiaogang and the others watched the stage intently. This battle wasn't just about victory or defeat—it was a matter of life and death for Dai Mubai. Even Tang San and Yu Tianheng were now fighting desperately to shield him from the Netherworld White Tiger.

Even Ning Rongrong, who often clashed with Dai Mubai, showed rare sympathy and despair. At this rate, Shrek's defeat seemed inevitable.

Yang Xiong sighed: "Enough. We're classmates after all—I can't watch you die in vain. I'll help you one last time. Don't disappoint me."

The Netherworld White Tiger raised its massive paw to strike. Dai Mubai, ignoring his injuries and using his remaining soul power, prepared to activate White Tiger Protective Shield.

But in that instant, Yang Xiong appeared before Dai Mubai with lightning speed, pushing him out of harm's way.

The once-arrogant Netherworld White Tiger growled: "I thought I'd finish you off later, but you've come to die. Very well, I'll oblige."

Yang Xiong sneered: "You think the two of you are enough?"

His entire body turned silver, his towering frame swelling with terrifying muscles.

The Netherworld White Tiger's paw struck, sending Yang Xiong flying back several meters. Its attack and power were indeed extraordinary.

But in that moment, Yang Xiong pushed his soul power to the limit. His Level 39 soul power surged, breaking through a bottleneck and reaching Level 40.

The crowd gasped. No one expected Yang Xiong to break through to the Soul Ancestor level under such immense pressure. His combat potential was frightening. Despite being only a Soul Elder, he was holding his own against the Netherworld White Tiger, a top-tier spirit fusion technique.

As the Netherworld White Tiger lunged again, Yang Xiong, who had seemed tense moments earlier, suddenly relaxed. Thick armor appeared on his chest and back, resembling the Shi brothers' turtle shells but without the shell on his back. The silver armor looked ancient yet compact.

Now clad in armor, Yang Xiong punched the Netherworld White Tiger. Though his strength might not match the tiger's, the armor provided unparalleled defense.

The crowd erupted in astonishment. Even the Title Douluos stared intently at Yang Xiong's armor.

The Netherworld White Tiger's might was well-known, but Yang Xiong's armor was even more terrifying. Even when struck on the chest, he remained unscathed, countering with a punch to the tiger's head, eliciting a piercing cry of pain.

After multiple collisions, the dark Netherworld White Tiger began to fade, indicating Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun were nearing their limits.

With a final roar, the Netherworld White Tiger channeled all its remaining power into a terrifying black beam aimed at Yang Xiong—a desperate final strike.

Yang Xiong smirked. His Xuanming Armor glowed, forming a massive silver shield before him—its soul bone ability: Impregnable Defense.

The black beam struck the silver shield, which remained unmoved, completely negating the attack.

The Netherworld White Tiger gradually faded, reverting to Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, who collapsed unconscious from exhaustion and injuries.

Yang Xiong moved swiftly, knocking Star Luo Imperial Academy's final member off the stage. With that, Star Luo Imperial Academy was defeated.

The referee announced Shrek's victory.

But all eyes were fixed on Yang Xiong's external soul bone. The Xuanming Armor's strength exceeded everyone's expectations, capable of withstanding attacks surpassing two major cultivation stages. As an external soul bone, it could grow stronger, making its future defensive capabilities potentially terrifying.

Especially since Yang Xiong's martial soul was his body, which was relatively fragile. With the Xuanming Armor, he could fully compensate for this weakness, achieving both offense and defense. Such an external soul bone offered absolute defense, its value surpassing even the three rewarded soul bones.

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