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Chapter 192 - Chapter 192: Soul Saint Ma Xiaotao

The two teams stepped onto the stage simultaneously.

This was the first time Shrek Academy had fielded its strongest lineup. Among the main team, only the agile Soul King Xixi was absent—a deliberate tactical choice by Wang Yan.

The arena erupted in deafening cheers, split evenly between Shrek and their home academy's supporters.

At the forefront of the opposing team stood a figure who, despite being a temporary reserve, had undeniably become the core of her team.

Her bright blue eyes shimmered with a faint golden luster, calm yet deep as the ocean. However, her gaze lingered only briefly on Ma Xiaotao before settling on Huo Yuhao, who followed closely behind.

As the sister of the Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiu Jiu was well aware of Huo Yuhao's second martial soul—Ultimate Ice. This knowledge ignited a fierce competitive desire within her.

'So what if he has an Ultimate martial soul?'

She was determined to prove that her inherited Star Crown was second to none.

On Shrek's side, Ma Xiaotao stood at the vanguard, her phoenix eyes blazing with twin flames, radiating an oppressive, fiery aura. She noticed the princess's subtle scrutiny of Huo Yuhao and immediately understood her intentions.

'Where has Yuhao gotten himself involved this time? And with the princess of Star Luo, no less.'

While Ma Xiaotao's beauty was no less striking than Xu Jiu Jiu's, her figure was more voluptuous and alluring. However, in terms of regal bearing, the free-spirited Ma Xiaotao couldn't quite match the dignified, noble aura of the imperial princess.

Xu Jiu Jiu, with her royal grace and commanding presence, naturally became the center of attention.

Yet Huo Yuhao felt no interest in her.

To others, a princess might be an object of admiration, even conquest. But to him, her status meant little—certainly not as compelling as the mission at hand.

Heavenfiend Douluo's eyes swept over Ma Xiaotao, flickering briefly with surprise before his expression hardened.

"Both sides, withdraw! No one may release their martial souls until I announce the start of the match!"

The teams retreated swiftly, their formations shifting as they moved.

Shrek's lineup: Ma Xiaotao at the front, flanked by Beibei and Dai Yueheng, with Xu Sanshi behind them. Huo Yuhao, Ling Luochen, and Tang Ya brought up the rear.

Star Luo's formation was unusual—six members arranged in a triangle (1-2-3), while Xu Jiu Jiu stood alone at the back, her confident gaze fixed on Shrek like a battlefield commander.

"Begin!" With that cold declaration, Heavenfiend Douluo shot into the sky and vanished.

Buzz—

A golden light erupted from Princess Jiu Jiu's forehead as a magnificent crown materialized above her.

The Star Crown—crafted from countless pale golden stars, tapering from a diamond-shaped gem, with eighteen larger stars forming a radiant crest.

Five soul rings — yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black flashed around her. The other six Star Luo members were all Soul Kings, each with optimal soul ring configurations—an all-Soul King team!

Shrek's Rest Area

Xiao Xiao blinked. "That's gorgeous! What martial soul is that?"

Wang Yan explained, "The Star Crown—a top-tier weapon martial soul. Ten thousand years ago, it rivaled the inherited martial souls of the Three Great Sects."

Depending on cultivation, the Star Crown could excel as a supreme support or a formidable combatant. While its pure support capabilities might not surpass the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, its battle prowess was unmatched.

Xu Jiu Jiu was a rare hybrid—an auxiliary-combat soul master.

Before the match, Wang Yan had subtly advised targeting her first.

Thus, Xu Sanshi immediately activated his fourth soul skill aimed at Xu Jiu Jiu.

"Fourth Soul Skill: Xuanwu Replacement!"

A black light surged from his Xuanwu Shield, enveloping her.

But the princess was prepared.

Her third soul ring lit up—Starglory Spell!"

A golden pillar of misty light erupted, swirling with tiny stars before dispersing into motes that settled on her teammates, cloaking them in a shimmering halo.

The skill amplified their attributes and nullified lock-on abilities.

When Xu Sanshi's black light met the golden halo, it dissolved harmlessly.

Xuanwu Replacement—failed!

Shrek's adjusted tactics were already foiled.

But Ma Xiaotao didn't mind. If the original plan was scrapped, she'd fight head-on!

Wang Yan had urged her to conserve strength for the finals against Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.

Now? Time to cut loose!

Screee!

A piercing phoenix cry split the air.

Dark red flames erupted around Ma Xiaotao as seven soul rings - yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black materialized.

"Soul Saint!" Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"How?!"

In the elimination rounds, she'd been a six-ringed Soul Emperor. Now, less than a month later—Soul Saint?!

Ma Xiaotao didn't hesitate. Phoenix wings of fire unfurled behind her as she lunged forward like lightning.

Beibei and Dai Yueheng charged alongside her, their roars—dragon and tiger—echoing across the field.

Ling Luochen summoned her Ice Staff, activating her fourth soul skill.

"Fourth Soul Skill: Icy Mist!"

Thick frost mist billowed from its tip, shrouding Shrek's members.

Combined with Huo Yuhao's Blue water Field and Tang Ya's Blue Silver Domain, the terrain rapidly shifted, forming a pincer around Star Luo.

"Defense!" Xu Jiu Jiu snapped.

"First Soul Skill: Starguiding Technique!"

Her first soul skill manifested as chains of light that lashed out, locking onto Shrek's vanguard to guide her teammates' strikes.

But Ma Xiaotao was already upon them.

First Soul Skill: Phoenix Fireline!"

A searing Phoenix Fireline spewed toward Huang Heyun, Star Luo's former captain and a power-type Soul King.

His martial soul—Dark Demon Tiger—was a rare dark attribute, comparable to Dai Yueheng's White Tiger.

Boosted by the Star Crown and a fire-controlling teammate, Huang Heyun was confident he could block the attack.

His third soul ring flashed.

"Third Soul Skill: Demontiger's Heavenshock!"

A dark-golden shockwave met the phoenix flame and shattered instantly.

The fireline pierced through, forcing Heavenfiend Douluo to yank Huang Heyun off the field.

Ma Xiaotao didn't pause. Her sixth soul ring ignited as a colossal Evil Fire Phoenix phantom formed behind her, gathering energy for the killing blow.

"Sixth Soul Skill: Phoenix Meteor Shower!"

Meanwhile, the White Tiger and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clashed with the enemy.

The balance had tipped irreversibly.

Star Luo was crumbling.

Xu Jiu Jiu gritted her teeth and hurled a golden shield—Absolute Defense Soul Guidance Device!

The golden barrier encased Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Meteor Shower, then collapsed inward, trapping her.

A multifaceted orb (108 cross-sections) spun atop the shield, radiating blinding light.

Ma Xiaotao struck furiously, but her attacks only rippled the barrier.

Shrek's Rest Area

He Caitou shot to his feet. "Absolute Defense Soul Guidance Device?!"

Wang Yan frowned. "What is that?"

He Caitou grimaced. "A one-use, rechargeable Class 7 soul tool. Worth millions. It creates a Titled Douluo-tier shield for fifteen minutes—impenetrable from inside or out. Only a Soul Sage or stronger can break the core orb. Currently, only Sun Moon Empire can produce it."

Wang Yan paled, recalling the Starlight Auction House bidding war.

This was a variable they hadn't anticipated.

Still, Star Luo had lost one member, and Huo Yuhao remained. The situation wasn't hopeless.

Xiao Xiao groaned. "Millions for a disposable soul tool? Star Luo's treasury must be bottomless."

Wang Donger scowled. "Isn't this cheating?"

Wang Yan sighed. "The rules allow it. Soul tools are part of the competition—which is why Sun Moon's team is our biggest threat."

Unbeknownst to them, this device had been sold by Sun Moon to acquire a 100,000-year soul beast embryo.

Xu Jiu Jiu had intended to use it against Huo Yuhao's teleportation.

Ma Xiaotao's sudden breakthrough had forced her hand.

Now, the question was—how long could it hold a Soul Saint Phoenix?

On the arena, Xu Jiu Jiu activated her fourth soul skill erecting a radiant shield against the encroaching frost.

"Fourth Soul Skill: Star Barrier!"

Star Luo Imperial City

The queen smiled. "Jiu Jiu's strategy seems effective."

Emperor Xu Jiawei shook his head. "The moment a Soul Saint appeared, victory became impossible. That soul tool can only delay the inevitable."

Once Ma Xiaotao broke free, even alone, she could crush Star Luo Team.

Yet he smirked. "But I'm more interested in the clash between Star Barrier and Ultimate Ice."

The Star Crown's lineage possessed a unique defensive skill—Attribute Isolation—perfect for countering elemental extremes.

'Perhaps that's why my little sister still refuses to accept my assessment of that boy.'

Ma Xiaotao prepared to unleash her Martial Soul Avatar to break free—when Huo Yuhao's voice echoed in her mind: "Save your Avatar. Leave the rest to me."

She huffed.

Their Ice-Fire Tactics relied on her Phoenix Meteor Shower to finish the fight.

Now, thanks to that damned soul tool, their opening move had failed.

'Were they targeting me?'

'So. Annoying.'

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