Chapter 126: Yu Xiaogang Gets Repeatedly Slapped in the Face

Chapter 126: Yu Xiaogang Gets Repeatedly Slapped in the Face

The next day, the new round of the knockout tournament officially began.

Both the Nine Stars Battle Team and Shrek Academy were undefeated, so their match was placed in the second round.

The first round saw Godwind Academy face off against Tianshui Academy. While the seven beauties of Tianshui Academy were stunning, the Soul Battle was about strength, not appearance.

Tianshui Academy had only three Soul Elders, while Godwind Academy boasted not only Feng Xiaotian, a Soul King, but also three other Soul Elders with higher levels than Tianshui's. The outcome was already predetermined.

Tianshui Academy's captain, Shui Bing'er, who possessed the top-tier ice attribute Beast Martial Soul, Ice Phoenix, gave her all to eliminate Godwind Academy's vice-captain, whose soul power was one rank higher than hers. But she soon faced Feng Xiaotian himself.

In terms of talent, Shui Bing'er wasn't much inferior to Feng Xiaotian, but she was only sixteen, while Feng Xiaotian was nearing twenty-five. The eight-year gap was an insurmountable barrier for Shui Bing'er, and she ultimately suffered defeat.

"The second round of the knockout tournament, Nine Stars Academy versus Shrek Academy, will now begin. Please send out your first contestants!"

Both Godwind and Tianshui belonged to the Five Elements Academies, so their match was more of a sparring session than a battle to the death. As a result, the arena remained mostly intact, and it took only about ten minutes before it was ready for Nine Stars Academy and Shrek Academy's match.

Shrek's first contestant was Jing Ling, a Soul Elder with a Skeleton Martial Soul. It was fortunate for Jing Ling that this match took place during the first part of the series (Douluo Continent I). If it had been during the events of the second series, his Skeleton Martial Soul would almost certainly have been classified as an evil soul master.

Xiao Yu didn't need to guess—this kind of brute-force classification, which judged martial souls without considering personal conduct, was surely the work of the Tang Godking's idealistic hand.

As per the original plan, Ian stepped onto the stage for Nine Stars Academy.

Seeing that Nine Stars Academy hadn't sent out Huo Wu as expected, Yu Xiaogang frowned, "Why did Nine Stars suddenly change their lineup?"

Hearing this, Tang San showed concern. "Teacher, could this affect our strategy?"

Yu Xiaogang's eyes flashed with worry, but he quickly regained the confidence—bestowed by some unknown deity—that he always had. He patted his beloved disciple's shoulder lightly, reassuring him, "Don't worry. That Huo Wu girl must be fatigued after fighting seven consecutive matches. That's probably why they're sending out a few Soul Elders first. Besides, with the advice I gave Jing Ling before the match, that Soul Elder is sure to be eliminated!"

At that moment, the big screen on the Soul Battle Stage displayed Ian's information: Ian, Martial Soul: Sea Mirage Beast, Level 45 Assault System Battle Soul Elder.

The information hit Yu Xiaogang like a silent slap in the face, causing his mouth to twitch. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

"Martial Soul Possession!"

Although the situation was clearly different from what Yu Xiaogang had predicted, Jing Ling stuck to the pre-match plan: evade!

"Second Soul Skill: Evil Wolf Fangs!"

While Jing Ling, using his Martial Soul Possession, employed his agility to move swiftly across the stage, Ian activated his second soul skill.

Soul power surged as Ian's yellow second soul ring glowed. The ring expanded and gradually merged into Ian's body.

Awooo!

In the next instant, a wolf's howl echoed across the stage. Ian had transformed into a green wild wolf, baring his fangs.

"A soul beast!"

The audience erupted into an uproar.

Even Emperor Xue Ye, who was watching, looked stunned and immediately turned to Ning Fengzhi beside him. "Sect Master Ning, what is going on with this Nine Stars Academy student? How did he suddenly turn into a soul beast? Is he a transformed soul beast?"

Ning Fengzhi, also startled by Ian's transformation, quickly recovered and shook his head. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. If this Nine Stars student were a soul beast in human form, it would be impossible for someone with a soul power of over forty levels to escape Bone Douluo's detection. If I recall correctly, this student's Martial Soul is the Sea Mirage Beast. If my analysis is correct, the secret behind his transformation lies in the 'mirage' aspect. His soul skill likely allows him to transform into the soul beast from which he absorbed his soul ring."

"I see!"

Emperor Xue Ye nodded, satisfied with Ning Fengzhi's explanation.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the match between Ian and Jing Ling had already concluded.

Yu Xiaogang had instructed Jing Ling to dodge—relying on the agility of an agility-type Soul Master to avoid the opponent's soul power attacks and drain their energy as much as possible.

But this strategy depended on one critical factor: Jing Ling had to be faster than his opponent. Otherwise, how could he evade the soul skills?

As it turned out, Ian, having transformed into a wild wolf, was clearly faster than Jing Ling. Despite several attempts to dodge, Jing Ling couldn't escape Ian's attacks. After suffering several blows from Ian's wolf claws, Jing Ling was ultimately eliminated.

With Jing Ling out, Shrek's second contestant, Huang Yuan, stepped up. Initially, Yu Xiaogang's advice to Huang Yuan was similar to that given to Jing Ling: rely on his agility to dodge and exhaust the opponent's soul power.

However, after seeing Ian's clear speed advantage in the last fight, Yu Xiaogang quickly changed tactics. He instructed Huang Yuan to forget about conserving soul power and instead go all out, using his strongest soul skill to engage Ian in a direct confrontation, negating Ian's speed advantage.

"Third Soul Skill: Heavenly Wolf Transformation!"

Huang Yuan followed the plan and, as soon as he stepped onto the stage, activated his third soul skill, which increased both his attack and defense by 50%. He then charged directly at Ian.

"Third Soul Skill: Grizzly Bear Slam!"

Just as Huang Yuan was about to reach Ian, a flash of purple light emitted from Ian's third soul ring. In an instant, the green wolf disappeared, replaced by a massive gray grizzly bear, towering several meters tall.

The grizzly bear raised its enormous paw and struck down at Huang Yuan.

Bears are naturally known for their immense strength, and with Ian's soul power nearly ten levels higher than Huang Yuan's, the outcome was inevitable.

With a single swipe, Huang Yuan was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, crashing out of the arena. His body suffered multiple fractures, and he fell unconscious on the spot.

"Huang Yuan is out. Ian wins. Shrek Academy, please send out your next contestant!"

Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth but said nothing, staring at the injured Huang Yuan being carried off the stage. It was as if he had just been slapped in the face again.

(End of Chapter)

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