Opposite Zhu Zhuyun stood Xie Yue and his two companions at the forefront, their expressions noticeably more solemn.
Choosing to face the Star Luo Royal Team in the third round had a clear purpose—to establish dominance and eliminate what appeared to be their most threatening opponent early on.
This way, they could focus entirely on dealing with Dugu Feng in the finals.
Ultimately, it was the immense pressure Dugu Feng exerted that forced the Golden Generation to proceed with caution.
The Star Luo Royal Team, with Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Wei capable of executing the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Netherworld White Tiger, posed a credible threat to them.
If all three teams were to meet in the finals, the Spirit Hall Team might find themselves jointly targeted by both the Gem Academy Team and the Star Luo Royal Team.
Though the chance of an upset was slim, no one truly knew the extent of Dugu Feng's current strength.
Thus, they opted for the most prudent approach—eliminating one rival first, then concentrating all efforts against Dugu Feng.
"Release your Martial Souls!" commanded the referee.
As the order rang out, Spirit Rings shimmered across the stage. Four Soul Kings unleashed four black Spirit Rings, their formidable aura overwhelming the arena.
Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena each bore the optimal configuration of two yellow, two purple, and one black Spirit Ring—five in total—while their four remaining teammates were Soul Ancestors.
The collective radiance of their seven Spirit Rings coalesced into an imposing force, crashing down upon the Star Luo Royal Team like a tidal wave.
"Begin!"
The referee's voice signaled the start of battle.
From the Spirit Hall Team's side, Hu Liena erupted with intense crimson light. It spread from her body like a mist of blood, rapidly enveloping the entire stage.
Her Spirit Rings flickered in tandem as her form grew increasingly bewitching.
Beside her, Xie Yue gripped two blood-red crescent blades. With effortless grace, he extended his arms and collided with Hu Liena.
They had immediately activated their Martial Soul Fusion Skill—Alluring Demon.
The crimson glow transformed into an expansive scarlet curtain, obscuring Hu Liena and Xie Yue from the spectators' view.
In an instant, the luminous veil expanded, swallowing the entire arena.
The sheer magnitude of this radiance, pulsating with Soul Power far surpassing Soul King level, made it clear: Hu Liena and Xie Yue intended to crush their opponents outright.
Yet from the opposing side came an equally staggering surge of energy—a towering black pillar of light.
Within it materialized a colossal white tiger, its form translucent, fur white with black stripes, and eyes gleaming violet with double pupils.
The Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Netherworld White Tiger, had emerged.
To outside observers, however, only the scarlet curtain remained visible. The transformations within were completely concealed.
This crimson mist possessed the power to befuddle spiritual perception.
Dugu Feng understood perfectly—Hu Liena sought to prevent other teams from gauging their true strength.
By shrouding the arena in this deceptive red haze, all spectators could hear were the explosive clashes echoing from within. The actual combat remained invisible to all.
But to Dugu Feng, this posed no hindrance whatsoever.
Instead, an odd sensation stirred within him.
He currently possessed eight Core Pearls in total.
Three of them were present on this very stage—residing within Zhu Zhuyun, Yan, and Hu Liena.
Each carried a fragment of Dugu Feng's essence within them.
Under such circumstances, he could not only perceive everything clearly but also intervene in the match at any moment.
Of course, this was precisely his intention.
"How interesting it would be if the eldest prince of the Star Luo Empire were to die at the hands of the Golden Generation!" Dugu Feng sneered coldly.
On the arena, within the crimson mist.
Xie Yue, leading the Martial Soul Fusion Skill he shared with Hu Liena, fixed his gaze on the opposing Netherworld White Tiger.
How could he not recognize the renowned Soul Skill of the Dai and Zhu Families?
Moreover, during the preliminary matches in Heaven Dou City, the Martial Soul Fusion Skill of Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had even resulted in the death of Yu Tianxin.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were only a Soul Ancestor and a Soul Expert, yet their power had been immense.
What more of Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Wei, one a Soul King and the other a high-tier Soul Ancestor?
Xie Yue did not underestimate his opponents in the slightest—this was precisely why he and Hu Liena had immediately unleashed their Martial Soul Fusion Skill at the start of the battle.
Against the Heaven Dou Royal Team, their opponents had been too weak, rendering the Martial Soul Fusion Skill unnecessary.
But facing the Star Luo Royal Team was an entirely different matter.
Naturally, they would use the Alluring Demon to defeat them.
At full power, the Alluring Demon could reduce an opponent's senses by fifty percent, suppress their Soul Power by fifty percent, and slow their movements by fifty percent.
Compared to a Domain, aside from lacking the amplifying abilities of a Domain, its weakening and restricting effects surpassed even those of a Domain.
Under such debilitation, the opponent could barely even move.
Both of them were Soul Kings, and the fluctuations of their Alluring Demon had already reached the level of a Soul Emperor.
In Xie Yue's eyes, the battle was about to end in a single strike.
"Zhu Zhuyun, she's quite the talent.
The Netherworld White Tiger—a formidable Martial Soul Fusion Skill. What a pity they encountered us!"
Xie Yue delivered his cool assessment.
In his vision, the massive Netherworld White Tiger opposite him seemed momentarily dazed, its charging movements noticeably slower!
As if affected by the Alluring Demon.
But the next moment, Xie Yue froze.
A flash of light streaked past, and the enormous white tiger vanished.
No!
It hadn't vanished—it had moved too quickly, instantly escaping Xie Yue's line of sight.
Faster than his eyes could follow!
The colossal Netherworld White Tiger lashed out with a gentle yet devastating swipe, slamming directly onto Yan.
Yan was in the midst of executing his Fourth Soul Skill, Magma Hell. With the opponent slowed by the Alluring Demon, this was the perfect moment for an area-of-effect attack. Moreover, with his strength as a Soul King, none of them could escape his Fourth Soul Skill.
And how could the Netherworld White Tiger possibly compare to the controlling power of the Alluring Demon?
Yan never dreamed the Netherworld White Tiger could break free from the Alluring Demon's restrictions.
The Netherworld White Tiger stood five meters tall, with a body length exceeding ten meters.
A creature of such immense size.
Its claws alone were as large as two people.
"Crunch!"
The claws descended.
Yan was smashed straight into the arena's granite floor.
His entire body was embedded in the stone.
Of course, with his Soul King-level strength and indestructible defenses, his body was harder than granite.
This strike wouldn't kill him!
But the sound of shattering bones echoed clearly across the arena.
Yan collapsed limply to the ground.
Simultaneously, the Core Pearl within his body spun violently, draining another portion of his Soul Power and vitality.
Instantly, Yan appeared even more pitiful.
A glimmer of intelligence flashed in the Netherworld White Tiger's massive eyes.
The one controlling the Netherworld White Tiger wasn't Dai Wei—it was Zhu Zhuyun.
Her strength surpassed Dai Wei's, so naturally, she was the one in control.
"This Core Pearl is truly miraculous! Just now, a surge of heat helped me break free from the Bewitchment effect!"
Zhu Zhuyun was exhilarated.
She held no illusions about winning the championship.
With Dugu Feng's Core Pearl inside her body, it could be said that her victory or defeat rested entirely in his hands - if he wanted her to win, she would win; if he wanted her to lose, she would lose.
Moreover, even if she faced the Spirit Hall Team, she wouldn't be their match.
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