Some spectators outside the arena who noticed this scene were also surprised.
"Whoa. A fifteen year old Soul King with two ten thousand year spirit rings?"
"Whose little monster is this? I have not seen her on the Junior Genius Rankings."
"Maybe she does not want to be on the rankings. But I think I remember this girl. She once competed with Shrek's prodigies and seems to be connected to those two deities."
"Watching this match today was worth it. Quite a few prodigies and monsters have come out. Hurry up and start the fight. I want to see blood flow."
Wang Li swallowed.
He looked at Xu Xiaoyan's five spirit rings, especially those two pitch black ten thousand year ones, and his heart pounded. But since things had come to this, he could not concede. What if this girl's spirit rings were just for show and she was not good at actual combat?
He could not be defeated before the fight even started.
He gritted his teeth and released his martial soul.
A battle blade appeared in his hand, its surface gleaming with cold light. Then, five spirit rings, yellow, yellow, purple, purple, purple, rose from beneath his feet and slowly revolved around him.
Soul King.
In his hometown, this cultivation level was enough for him to walk sideways among his peers.
But at this moment.
Wang Li gripped the hilt of his blade, staring at the harmless-looking girl across from him. He only had one thought.
She had better really not know how to fight.
Unfortunately, wishful thinking was not allowed.
"Fourth spirit ability, Starlight Protection."
The stars were eternal. Starlight Protection.
Xu Xiaoyan directly switched her martial soul to the star phase attribute and called out her spirit soul.
"Go. I choose you, Starry Sky Beast ancestor."
Seeing that giant beast seemingly condensed from countless stars, Wang Li's suspended heart finally died.
At the Soul King level, as long as one was not a battle armor master, a ten thousand year spirit soul was still very strong against opponents of the same level.
And he was not a battle armor master.
The battle that followed was completely one-sided. Under Xu Xiaoyan's small combo of using Star Wheel Chain to control Wang Li and then having the Starry Sky Beast deliver the finishing blow, she won easily.
"Thank you for the match."
Xu Xiaoyan smiled slightly, flicked her ponytail, and walked off the field, cleanly securing a victory, leaving Wang Li staring at her with complicated eyes.
If this had not been a points competition, he would have been eliminated in the first round.
As she left the stage, a voice of praise reached Xu Xiaoyan's ears. "Not bad. Keep it up."
Recognizing Huo Yuhao's voice, Xu Xiaoyan beamed with joy and bounced off the stage.
"With Xiaoyan's combo, ordinary people simply cannot stand it."
In the stands, Tang Wulin smiled and shook his head. "Control plus finishing blow. Clean and efficient."
Xie Xie pouted. "She is just bullying people. Star Wheel Chain is already a cheap spirit ability. Once it locks on, it is absolutely effective. She can attack freely. Plus, that Starry Sky Beast ancestor. Tsk tsk, how could an ordinary Soul King be a match for her? It would be hard even to force her to go all out."
In the past, Xu Xiaoyan had only been truly formidable at night. Her star phase attribute spirit abilities were too strong in support and control. However, that Xu Xiaoyan had not been very aggressive and was better suited as a team's control position.
But now, she had the ability to freely switch her martial soul's form. Because she had long known this day would come, Xu Xiaoyan had chosen strong attack type ice spirit abilities. Now she could handle both control and attack, transforming into a versatile battle soul master.
Xie Xie had been disgusted when sparring with Xu Xiaoyan at the Soul Ancestor level. Her two sets of spirit abilities could basically switch seamlessly, and she also had a ten thousand year spirit soul as a bodyguard. If he made a single mistake and was controlled by a star phase spirit ability, defeat awaited him.
With such strength, ordinary Soul Kings were no match for her.
In the box, Wang Hongchen saw Xu Xiaoyan leave and also smiled. "This young lady's martial soul is interesting. The Xu family has produced some notable figures before. The Spirit Transmission Tower's new generation is truly outstanding. Mingde Hall is far behind in this regard."
Huo Yuhao nodded. "Indeed."
Wang Hongchen said, "..."
When you just agree like that, it makes me feel awkward.
That hurts.
Fortunately, Huo Yuhao then added, "Mingde Hall's researchers are devoted to their studies. Their talent mainly comes from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. And there are quite a few Good Prospects there now. Do not let them all be Poached by others."
Wang Hongchen was startled, then nodded with a smile.
"Thank you for the reminder."
With Shrek Academy's collapse, more talent was now gathering at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. Future geniuses would also concentrate there.
He had previously been absorbed in research and promoting the combat network system, neglecting this matter. As the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's backer, Mingde Hall should keep a closer eye on things and not let those Good Prospects be Cut In on by other forces halfway.
As they spoke, the matches below grew increasingly intense. Because there were so many participants, matches across different spirit power divisions were being held simultaneously.
Even in just the points competition, many people had already displayed astonishing strength and talent.
On the arenas, various martial souls shine brightly. Spirit ring lights flickered constantly. Some contestants crushed their opponents with absolute strength. Others relied on exquisite tactics to defeat the strong with the weak. Still others, with masterful soul tool skills, left their opponents with no ability to fight back.
The audience would occasionally erupt in exclamations and cheers.
"What is that young man's martial soul? Why are his spirit rings all gold? They could not be million year spirit rings, could they?"
"Look at that sword user. He took down his opponent with a single strike."
"Is that the Ice Phoenix martial soul? I have not heard of her. Is she from a reclusive family?"
"Quick, look. Over in the Soul Douluo division, Mingde Hall's Wang Skull is also taking the field."
Huo Yuhao's gaze wandered across the various arenas. He saw quite a few rising soul masters. There were people from the Spirit Transmission Tower, such as Ji Wufeng and Tang Wulin. There were also people from reclusive sects, and.
"Wang Skull?"
Huo Yuhao glanced at a certain competition area, then looked at the smiling Wang Hongchen, curious. "What is the point of Mingde Hall participating in the selection?"
A smile appeared on Wang Hongchen's face. "He is quite good. His soul tool talent is even greater than my son's. I intend to cultivate him as Mingde Hall's successor. I plan to gradually Build Momentum for him."
Huo Yuhao understood upon hearing this.
Although Mingde Hall's new generation did not seem particularly strong, their middle generation had some notable figures, such as Wang Hongchen's son and this Wang Skull.
Wang Hongchen's son needed no explanation. As long as the Three-Legged Golden Toad martial soul was passed down, it was an extremely excellent existence, whether as a soul master or a soul tool researcher. But the Three-Legged Golden Toad martial soul was based on bloodline inheritance. Outsiders could not learn it, nor could they envy it.
And this Wang Skull, although from a great family, had a martial soul that was basically unrelated to soul tools. He had a body martial soul, and not the spiritual type, but bones.
Yet someone like him, at only twenty seven, had become a Grade Nine Manufacturer with Mingde Hall's resources. This showed his talent.
Although Divine Craftsmen were rare, the Federation did not have many Grade Nine Manufacturers either, fewer than thirty. This was accumulated because Mingde Hall had continued its legacy, and spirit beasts had also learned mecha manufacturing. In the original work, there were even fewer, only thirteen Grade Nine Manufacturers, fewer than Limit Douluo.
For Wang Skull to become a Grade Nine Manufacturer at this age and also reach the Soul Douluo level, with the potential to reach the Grade Ten Manufacturer level, obviously made Wang Hongchen want to nurture his talent.
Suddenly, Huo Yuhao thought of something. His eyes flickered.
"Speaking of which, since he is a member of Mingde Hall, will he use those tactical soul tools researched by Mingde Hall?"
In the original work, Wang Skull had not had Mingde Hall as a backer, and the competition he had participated in was a mecha competition. But this selection tested overall strength. If he brought out all kinds of soul tools researched by Mingde Hall, then.
"The soul tools used in this selection must be designed and manufactured by the soul master themselves. But he is a Grade Nine Manufacturer."
As he spoke, Wang Hongchen fell silent.
A Grade Nine Manufacturer backed by Mingde Hall would find it very easy to manufacture some powerful soul tools.
And Wang Skull had seen the blueprints for tactical weapons like proton beams and heavy ion beams. He could apparently make them. Fixed-Type Soul Tool Shells, as an Old Craft, he could apparently also make them.
Thinking this, Wang Hongchen coughed somewhat awkwardly. "This selection is meant to test ability. Moreover, soul tool researchers are inherently weaker in combat. His ability to manufacture various soul tools to arm himself is also part of his skill. Besides, the registration time for the selection was not long. The number of soul tools he could prepare was limited."
Even as he said this, he also felt that with such a format, the advantage for Wang Skull was a bit too great. Having him participate felt like taking advantage.
Huo Yuhao glanced at him but did not refute.
"That is true. And with him here, the Soul Douluo division looks more like a Group of Death."
Wang Hongchen looked at him with some surprise, then thoughtfully looked at the arena below.
It seemed there were quite a few strong people in the Soul Douluo division.
Facing his opponent, Wang Skull directly summoned his Black Grade Mecha, and summoned two at once. He piloted one himself, while a spirit soul piloted the other.
One of the mechas was covered in dense soul tool cannon muzzles. Each barrel glowed with a cold light under the sun. A rough count showed at least thirty to forty, piloted by Wang Skull.
The other was a close combat Black Grade Mecha, piloted by Wang Skull's spirit soul. Its movements were no less nimble than a human's.
Had they ever seen a human transformed into a spirit soul?
Wang Skull's spirit soul was exactly that. It was very special, a spirit soul formed after a soul master's death. Now, at seventy thousand years old, it had extremely high intelligence. So the tactic of having a spirit soul pilot a mecha was, in Wang Skull's view, a Match Made in Heaven for him.
Wang Skull's opponent was a Two Word Battle Armor Master. Facing two Black Grade Mechas equivalent to Titled Douluo, he was beaten without any ability to fight back.
In the end, without using any other soul tools, Wang Skull won with just the coordination of those two Black Grade Mechas.
The next person to take the field in the Soul Douluo division was someone Huo Yuhao knew, Wu Changkong.
He had also broken through to the Soul Douluo level.
And this usually cold and aloof male god's face wore a rare trace of gravity.
Because his opponent was not ordinary.
This could be seen just from his spirit rings.
Purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red, red.
Wang Hongchen looked at the slightly greenish man across from Wu Changkong and quickly recalled his information.
"Lin Moxuan. Martial soul, Emerald Crystal Qilin. This is someone from your Spirit Transmission Tower, is it not? An Eighteen Heavenly Pillars candidate?"
Looking at these spirit rings, the probability of being connected to the Spirit Transmission Tower was extremely high.
Huo Yuhao nodded. "Yes."
Lin Moxuan was a mid-generation expert of the Spirit Transmission Tower, a Three Word Battle Armor Master. Similar to Xie Xie and the others, he was an expert trained by a branch tower master.
The difference was that Xie Xie and the others still needed time to grow, while this one was already about to take over his teacher's position.
And his Emerald Crystal Qilin martial soul was a mutated Qilin martial soul with an innate domain. This showed its strength and potential. He had the potential to reach Limit Douluo.
However, Wu Changkong was no easy opponent either.
With Long Bing still alive and his state of mind complete, his strength was definitely not to be underestimated. Not to mention that he was now also a Three Word Battle Armor Master.
From the start, the battle entered a white-hot stage. Lin Moxuan's Emerald Dream Domain was fully unfolded. The entire arena was dyed emerald green. The light was so rich it almost solidified. An Emerald Qilin phantom condensed above the arena, roaring at the sky. The terrifying pressure, like a tangible force, poured down, making many spectators hold their breath.
Wu Changkong erupted with cold aura. Frost white sword energy shot straight into the sky, contending with the emerald light. The temperature of the entire arena plummeted by dozens of degrees. Countless ice crystals condensed in the air and fell.
The two figures intertwined. Each collision produced a thunderous roar.
Lin Moxuan slapped out with his palm. Emerald light turned into a towering wave, enough to level a small mountain. Wu Changkong swung his sword. Ice The sword energy condenses into a hundred foot ice dragon, roaring as it charged at his opponent.
This kind of battle, no less than a Super Douluo fight, attracted the attention of many spectators.
"What terrifying pressure."
"Is this really a Soul Douluo level battle? I thought I was watching a Super Douluo duel."
"They are not Two Word Battle Armor Masters. They are both Three Word Battle Armor Masters. One could say they are Super Douluo."
Exclamations rose and fell in the audience. Many people even stood up, afraid of missing a single moment.
In the box, Wang Hongchen was also slightly moved.
"How many more figures like this are there?" He looked at Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao said, "Among the participants, I know of three others. One of them you also know, Qianku Zhangting. The other two you might not be familiar with."
He was naturally referring to Sima Jinchi and A Ruheng.
Because Sima Jinchi had only broken through to Titled Douluo the night before the competition started, the grouping had already been completed. There was no time to adjust, so he was naturally placed in the Soul Douluo division. And although he was only a Two Word Battle Armor Master, his true strength was definitely not inferior to a Super Douluo.
And A Ruheng, in the originl work, at the Soul Douluo level and as a Two Word Battle Armor Master, also had combat power not inferior to a Super Douluo. Not to mention that Huo Yuhao had given him a little help.
With A Ruheng's body having reached the Golden Body level, he could not only bear Three Word Battle Armor, but even Four Word Battle Armor. Yet in the original work, at the Soul Douluo level, he only had Two Word Battle Armor.
If there had been no connection, that would be one thing. But Mu Ye and Zhen Hua were good friends. That was somewhat hard to understand.
Earlier, when Huo Yuhao thought of this, he had taken advantage of A Ruheng's early arrival in Mingdu to use his connections to have a Saint Craftsman of the Spirit Transmission Tower help him complete his Three Word Battle Armor. Naturally, his strength was even greater.
Hearing Huo Yuhao's explanation, Wang Hongchen looked at the battle below and said softly with emotion, "Truly a Gathering of Heroes, a time of great talent."
This Soul Douluo division was indeed a Group of Death.
A Ruheng, Wang Skull, Wu Changkong, Lin Moxuan, Qianku Zhangting. Although they were Soul Douluo, they all had Super Douluo level strength.
Moreover, Wang Hongchen could see in these people, including Sima Jinchi, a potential, the potential to reach Limit Douluo.
They were the Federation's next generation of pillars.
The Federation's future, Having Successors.
***
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(End of Chapter)
