As that figure stepped indifferently onto the central main soul battle platform, the entire Star Luo Grand Soul Battle Arena fell as silent as if someone had pressed the mute button. Countless eyes gathered as if tangible, watching his every move.
Chen Yi!
Recognized as the number one genius among the young generation of the Mainland! At last, he intends to take action himself!
Hearts trembled among the crowd, excitement, curiosity, and questions intermingling in their gaze.
What exactly is his strength? Under such a brilliant name, does he truly live up to it? Is he truly invincible?
This was not merely a battle of personal victory or defeat, but would also slightly affect the future pattern of the Continent.
In the VIP banquet area, Emperor Dai Liang of Star Luo, Dawn Douluo of Spirit Hall, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed TileSect, and other major figures of all factions unconsciously straightened up, their eyes solemnly fixed on the ring. Even they were filled with the desire to probe the mysteries of this young Body Sect master who had seemingly emerged from nowhere.
Far away, in the Spirit Hall's preparation area, Qing Yao's pupils suddenly contracted. The moment Chen Yi stepped onto the ring, an invisible pressure enveloped her. She knew very well that if they fought one-on-one, none of her teammates were his match. Yet, Chen Yi's gaze did not pause on Wang Jie, who had been waiting, but passed right over him, landing calmly but sharply on Qing Yao.
The next moment, a clear and indifferent voice, like thunder, echoed through the stands.
"There's no need to waste time."
"All of you—come at me together."
"Wah—!"
The crowd instantly erupted, as if cold water had been dropped into a sizzling oil pan.
Incredible!
Is he really challenging the entire Spirit Hall team by himself?
This team was recognized as one of the strongest in the tournament. Even with Kuang Shi injured, four Soul Kings and two Soul Ancestors still made for a luxurious lineup!
Who does he think he is? A titled Douluo?
Qing Yao's beautiful face darkened in an instant, her expression turning icy and sharp. This was no longer mere provocation, but blatant humiliation of the entire Spirit Hall team. As captain, she felt a rage she had never before experienced.
The referee was stunned, mouth agape, looking up to Emperor Dai Liang of Star Luo for help. Never in the history of the Soul Master Tournament had a single person challenged an entire team.
Dai Liang's eyes shone, and then he laughed heroically, shaking the audience:
"Ha! Good! As expected, heroes emerge from the youth!"
"If Young Sect Master Chen has the courage, my Star Luo Empire will grant his wish!"
"No precedent? Then today, we'll make one!"
Dai Liang had his own plans. If Chen Yi managed to win one against six, Spirit Hall would suffer a huge humiliation.
As soon as the Emperor's golden words fell, after a brief silence, the crowd erupted into an even more enthusiastic uproar of cheers and whistles. Everyone watched the figure in the ring with burning eyes, eager for this unprecedented spectacle.
Qing Yao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her swirling anger. She knew that any words now would lose their weight. Turning around, she glanced at her team—Wang Jie, Jin Yue, Guang Yu, Li Zhengxuan, and another powerful attack-type Soul Ancestor. Their eyes, too, burned with humiliation and fighting spirit.
"Let's go!"
Qing Yao shouted coldly, leading her five teammates step by step to confront Chen Yi from across the ring.
"Chen Yi, you will pay for your arrogance!"
Qing Yao's voice was as cold as a blade.
Chen Yi remained indifferent, calmly surveying the six who spread out in a fan, faintly encircling him, the corners of his mouth curving into an imperceptible arc.
"Arrogance requires ability."
"And as it happens, I have it."
His gaze returned to Qing Yao, his tone brimming with fighting spirit as if remembering something.
"Looking at all of you… Even she will be defeated in the end, won't she?"
The day they arrived at Star Luo City, the Grand Elder said that Qian Renxue was here too, likely as Spirit Hall's final trump card.
As soon as those words left his mouth, Qing Yao, Guang Yu, and the others' eyes simultaneously trembled, a storm of shock stirring in their hearts.
He knows. How does he know about the Young Miss?
The referee took a deep breath, suppressing his own turmoil, and walked to the center of the ring. His voice trembled as he announced,
"Both teams, salute!"
"Martial Soul Possession!"
Qing Yao led the charge. The cry of the Azure Luan Phoenix echoed, blue light enveloped her body, and beautiful wind wings unfurled behind her as powerful wind elemental soul power swept out.
Level 56 Power Attack System, Azure Luan Battle Soul King!
Immediately after, Wang Jie and several others completed their possessions one after another, soul power fully unleashed! With two Level 45+ Soul Ancestors and four Soul Kings, the terrifying lineup exuded such pressure that those in the front rows of the audience felt breathless.
How could Chen Yi possibly resist such a lineup alone?
The same question echoed in countless hearts.
Qing Yao's eyes fixed on Chen Yi, her voice cold:
"Spirit Hall Academy Team, Captain, Qing Yao, Level 56 Power Attack Department, Azure Luan Battle Soul King!"
Chen Yi's eyes grew sharper as he stepped forward. The aura enveloping his body surged like a waking dragon.
"Grand Martial Academy Team, Captain, Chen Yi, Level 58 Power Attack System, Body Battle Soul King!"
"Level 58?!"
"He's not even thirteen yet, is he?!"
Before the exclamations could finish, the next scene left everyone completely speechless.
"Buzz——!"
With a magnificent fluctuation of soul power, Chen Yi's entire body transformed into the King of Thunder and Lightning. Five soul rings slowly rose from his feet, their colors plunging the entire Star Luo Grand Soul Arena into a deathly silence.
It was enough to topple the dome!
Purple! Purple! Black! Black! Black!
A soul ring configuration that broke the iron-clad rules of the Soul Master world unfolded before everyone's eyes like a miracle.
"The first ring is a millennium! The third ring is ten thousand years! How… how is this possible?!"
"Monster! He's a monster!"
"Under thirteen years old, level 58… The Golden Crocodile Douluo's evaluation… it was too conservative! He'll definitely break through the Title Douluo rank before twenty-five!"
In the VIP seats, the bigwigs shot upright in shock. Ning Fengzhi's scepter trembled slightly in his hand, disbelief on his face. Dawn Douluo's face was as heavy as water, his gaze deeply sullen. As a direct descendant of the Angel Clan, he knew one could extend soul ring age through the Angel God's trial, but Chen Yi's body bore no traces of such divine intervention.
This meant—this was a configuration one could only call a "Heaven-defying Soul Ring," achieved by his own power!
Even the golden eyes hidden in the shadows were now filled with awe and solemnity.
Amidst the commotion and fear, Chen Yi seemed not to hear, simply gazing at the referee, who, dazed, double-checked,
"Can we… begin?"
The referee snapped back, hastily shouting,
"Both sides, ready!"
"Battle, start!"
"Do it!"
Qing Yao's clear phoenix cry roused her teammates instantly. Though shocked by Chen Yi's soul ring, the four figures shot toward him like arrows from strings, attacking from different directions with their fastest combined assault, determined to utterly defeat this madman who had insulted Spirit Hall.
A flash of lightning appeared in Chen Yi's eyes as his first and second soul rings shone simultaneously:
"First soul skill, Thunder Reversion!"
"Second soul skill, Eight Desolate Penetration!"
After absorbing the soul ring and soul bone of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, his second soul skill had already evolved, greatly increasing in power and overcoming the time-limit flaw.
The next moment, he faced the four-person encirclement head-on, transforming into a humanoid lightning bolt and boldly charging into the melee.
"Fifth soul skill, Sky Phoenix Cry!"
Qing Yao transformed into the Azure Luan, wings cutting through the air with a powerful storm as she charged Chen Yi.
"Fifth soul skill, Mighty Stomp!"
Jin Yue, like a humanoid Tyrannosaurus, projected the phantom of the Golden Crocodile King. With a stomp, the ground cracked and a terrifying shockwave roared at Chen Yi.
"Fifth soul skill, Thousand Jin Lift!"
Wang Jie's coiling dragon staff swept up against the wind, smashing down on Chen Yi's head with mountain-crushing force.
At the same time, the Speed-type Soul Ancestor, ghostlike, stabbed at Chen Yi's heart with a serpent spear.
Guang Yu, meanwhile, remained at the rear, his five soul rings beginning to fuse—fusion rings, an extremely rare talent! The Glowing Feather Bow in his hand emitted a dazzling glow, the bowstring drawn to its fullest, a massive arrow of condensed soul power already fixed on Chen Yi.
"Nice!"
Even faced with such an overwhelming onslaught, Chen Yi did not panic but smiled, his fighting spirit high.
He used Flowing Light Chasing Shadow footwork, his body moving like a swimming dragon, dodging Jin Yue's shockwave without hesitation. His left hand clenched, lightning and blood aura intertwining, he punched Jin Yue again.
"Boxing skill, Sky Uppercut!"
"Boom!"
Fist and claw collided, erupting with a muffled thunderclap! Jin Yue felt an irresistible force surge up her arm, the pain excruciating. Snorting, her robust body was sent flying out of control, left arm twisted unnaturally and crashing hard at the ring's edge, struggling to stand.
Almost simultaneously, Chen Yi half-turned, his right palm imbued with lightning and dark energy, striking Wang Jie's dragon staff cleanly.
"Palm technique, Stacked Wave!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Waves of dark energy surged through the staff!
Wang Jie's face flushed, feeling as if his insides were battered by huge waves, his hands cracking and bleeding. Roaring, he tried desperately to stabilize his soul power, but the third surge of dark energy exploded—he couldn't withstand it and vomited blood, flying out after Jin Yue.
The Speed-type Soul Ancestor, seizing the chance, stabbed at Chen Yi's back with the serpent spear. Chen Yi seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, bouncing off Wang Jie's right palm and using the backflow to unleash a "Stacked Wave" trick.
"Pop!"
First came the palm wind, printing onto the serpent spear, which bent in a thrilling arc. The Soul Ancestor was struck hard, blood spurting, and was sent flying out of the ring even faster than before.
Having swept aside three in a flash, Chen Yi now faced Qing Yao, the strongest, head-on. The wind blades from Azure Luan's wings clashed with the lightning-wreathed fists of Chen Yi.
"Boom!"
Wind and thunder roared, soul power blazing fiercely! Chen Yi's figure shook slightly but steadied, while Qing Yao was sent flying like a broken kite, tumbling in the air and barely stabilizing herself with her wind wings, face pale and blood trickling from her lips.
At the moment Chen Yi's old strength was exhausted and new strength not yet born, a sharp, immature voice rang out—Guang Yu's long-prepared fusion ring arrow finally fired.
The arrow transcended space and time, and as soon as it left the string, it appeared before Chen Yi's chest, the terrifying soul power within it roaring through the air.
Seeing the Divine Bow Soul King's arrow coming, Chen Yi's eyes finally turned solemn. He murmured inwardly,
"Blood skill—Blood Shifts Yin and Yang!"
Buzz!
Blood-colored energy erupted more violently, wild aura surging from his body, blood and qi intertwining and surging anew. He transformed his palm into a claw, condensing lightning and blood demon energy into a massive claw phantom—he didn't dodge, but caught the fatal arrow directly.
"Boom——!!!"
A deafening explosion sounded as a shockwave of soul power rippled from Chen Yi. His upper clothes were instantly shredded, revealing a body with perfect lines and flowing lightning and blood patterns on his skin. His feet sank deep into the ring, spinning violently as he gripped the arrow, veins bulging.
"Break!"
Chen Yi roared, five fingers exerting force, lightning and blood energy erupting!
"Crack!"
The arrow, which had condensed most of Glowing Feather's soul power and the fusion ring's strength, was pinched by him and exploded into light, vanishing.
Taking advantage of Chen Yi's distraction, Qing Yao, barely stable, gathered her soul power, flapped her wings, and once again transformed into a blue streak, slashing at Chen Yi's neck with a blade as sharp as a knife.
But Chen Yi seemed to have expected this—light flashed in his eyes, and an invisible spiritual shock, sharp as a sword, pierced Qing Yao's mind like a cone.
"Ah!"
Qing Yao was caught off guard, a sharp pain stabbing her brain, her vision going black, and her movements freezing.
In that instant, Chen Yi recovered his right hand, clenched his fist, and unleashed a backhand punch without looking, lightning condensing into a fierce dragon's head.
"Bang!"
The punch struck Qing Yao's crossed arms.
"Boom——!"
Unable to resist any longer, Qing Yao spat blood as her soul power shield instantly collapsed, her body sent flying like a blue bird with broken wings, crashing out of the ring unconscious.
Outside the ring, seeing four of her main teammates fallen and the nearly exhausted Guang Yu pale, the only remaining support soul master, Li Zhengxuan, was filled with despair. Guang Yu clenched his teeth, wanting to draw the Divine Bow for one last stand.
But how could Chen Yi give him another chance?
He appeared before Guang Yu like a ghost, and with a gentle knife-hand to the neck amidst shrinking pupils, Guang Yu collapsed quietly.
Now, of the six Spirit Hall team members in the ring, five were out, and one was unconscious. Only the healing-type Li Zhengxuan remained, standing alone and facing the proud, war-god-like Chen Yi, still surrounded by lightning and blood, bare-chested and exuding wild, powerful beauty.
The audience was utterly silent.
Only the shattered rings and Chen Yi's proud stance quietly spoke of this shocking victory!
…