The moment the evil fire within Jiang Qingtong's body ignited, Jiang Shengyu's expression changed instantly.
Both of them clutched their chests, gasping for breath.
Ye Xishui had originally been focused solely on Jiang Qingtong—but soon noticed Jiang Shengyu's condition as well. He appeared to be suffering the same symptoms as if his evil fire had been triggered too, and her brows furrowed slightly in confusion.
What's going on with him?
Jiang Shengyu gripped the Twilight Sword tightly, using the cold aura it emitted to briefly restore clarity. He quickly swept his eyes across the spectator stands, searching for whoever had acted in the shadows.
Just now, he had distinctly felt a burst of soul power invade Jiang Qingtong's body—someone had definitely interfered from behind the scenes!
In the stands, as Ye Xishui saw Jiang Shengyu scanning his surroundings, her previously furrowed brow suddenly relaxed, and a strange smile curled at her lips. "So… that's how it is."
Hearing her murmur, Long Xiaoyao frowned. "Did you figure something out, Xishui?"
He hadn't been paying attention to what was happening onstage—he was just helpless about Ye Xishui acting on impulse.
Ye Xishui wiped the smile from her face and said flatly, "Nothing. Let's go."
She stood up and headed to the side. Long Xiaoyao glanced briefly at the arena, then silently followed her away.
Whatever happened between Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong was not his concern. He only cared about Ye Xishui—not wanting her to stray any further down the wrong path.
Jiang Shengyu didn't manage to identify the culprit, but in his heart, he had already made the connection.
Ye Xishui!
It has to be her!
Damn it! She actually came to Star Luo City?
After everything that happened with Mu En… she dares to return to the lands of the original Douluo Continent? And even someone like Elder Xuan didn't notice her?!
Level 98 and level 99…
Is the difference between these realms really so vast? Like a chasm between worlds?
No… Not here—this can't happen here!
Jiang Shengyu couldn't be sure that the power which had once awakened deep within their souls would appear again. What if it had only been a lingering trace from their soul-split resonance?
The evil fire must not be allowed to erupt here!
Without hesitation, he dashed toward Jiang Qingtong.
Having witnessed Ma Xiaotao's evil fire going out of control in the past, Elder Xuan immediately recognized the signs when he saw the black-red flames curling around Jiang Qingtong's body. He was just about to intervene and pull her back—but when he saw Jiang Shengyu rushing toward her without a second's pause, he stopped himself.
In his judgment, since Jiang Shengyu's martial soul was ultimate ice, it was the most effective counter to evil fire.
And Jiang Shengyu would never stand by and watch his sister fall to its corruption.
If he were to intervene, it might even make things worse.
On stage, Jiang Shengyu had already reached Jiang Qingtong's side. Using the freezing aura from the Twilight Sword, he temporarily suppressed the evil fire engulfing her, forcing it back toward her martial soul.
Without delay, Jiang Shengyu picked Jiang Qingtong up in his arms and shouted down at Xiao Hongchen, "I'm leaving this to you!"
With those words, he swiftly activated the Void Godflight—a ninth-tier soul tool he wore—and broke through the arena's protective soul barriers, vanishing into the distance in a streak of light.
Xiao Hongchen frowned as he watched Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong disappear. "What's going on? Qingtong…"
Meng Hongchen shook her head. "I don't know. But for Shengyu to use the Void Godflight… it must be something really serious."
"What do we do now?" Nana hesitated before turning to Xiao Hongchen and the others.
Huang Jinxu had already returned to the stage by now. He looked in the direction they had left and found himself at a complete loss.
In all the years of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, nothing like this had ever happened before.
And just now—the speed at which Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong had burst forth—was comparable to a Titled Douluo!
Ordinary soul tools couldn't achieve that kind of velocity.
That had to be a ninth-tier soul tool—no doubt about it!
Left with no other option, Huang Jinxu turned toward Xu Jiawei and Dai Hao behind him for guidance. What now? Someone needs to say something, right?
But before they could respond, Elder Xuan and Gu Lingjun both stepped onto the stage.
Huang Jinxu blinked, startled. What's happening? Are these two going to fight?
Gu Lingjun gave a respectful nod toward both Elder Xuan and Huang Jinxu and said, "Your Excellencies, due to an issue with one of our team members, I propose this match be declared a draw. What do you say?"
Elder Xuan nodded. "No objections from this old man."
Huang Jinxu looked awkward. He wanted to glance back at Dai Hao and Xu Jiawei for their decision, but Elder Xuan narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "What are you looking at? You're a Titled Douluo, and for something this minor you need permission? Just follow my lead—consider it settled."
Under Elder Xuan's immense pressure, sweat beaded on Huang Jinxu's forehead. He quickly nodded. "Yes, Senior. Then… a draw it is."
After wrapping things up with Huang Jinxu, Gu Lingjun returned to the Sun Moon Empire Academy's rest area. She looked to her team and said, "No need to worry too much. I believe the two of them will be fine. Nana—you're up next."
"Yes, Dean Gu!" Nana nodded resolutely.
Elder Xuan also returned to the Shrek Academy rest area. He gave a few words of comfort to the remaining students, assuring them to stay focused on the matches. As for himself, he immediately took to the skies, chasing in the direction Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong had gone.
But all he knew was the general direction—not the exact destination.
It would take some time to find them.
---
In a stretch of untouched wilderness, Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong crashed into the forest, enveloped in the white light of the Void Godflight. The impact shattered surrounding trees and left the earth trembling.
Both of them were panting heavily. Sweat beaded on their flushed faces, the color of fever. Their evil fire had surged beyond control.
They slowly raised their heads—and saw two nearly identical, red-tinged faces staring back at each other.
The icy aura of the Twilight Sword could no longer keep their minds clear.
The burning evil fire roared around Jiang Qingtong's body, setting her clothes alight.
A strange, creeping sensation surged over them like waves—especially the soul-deep trembling that came with it.
It was as if ants were crawling along their bones—tingling, numbing, making their bodies tremble involuntarily.
"Haah—"
Jiang Qingtong exhaled a searing breath and crawled toward Jiang Shengyu.
The Twilight Sword had vanished.
Jiang Shengyu, mirroring her movement, crawled toward her as well. Under the influence of the evil fire, the distinction between self and other blurred. They could no longer maintain the boundaries of their individual personalities.
This time… the soul-deep force from before did not appear.
They fell into each other's arms.
The black-red flames raged wildly, transferring from Jiang Qingtong's body onto Jiang Shengyu's.
Fire licked at their bodies, consuming them.
They held one another tightly, whispering:
"So hot… it's so hot…"
(Note: Rest assured—canonically, both characters are only thirteen or fourteen years old. While early maturity is common in the Douluo Dalu universe, nothing explicit or inappropriate occurs.)
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