Chapter 55: A Den of Snakes and Rats
Six dazzling beams of light shot into the Shrek Seven Devils, amplifying their speed and strength significantly.
Ma Hongjun's first and second soul rings lit up simultaneously, unleashing his Phoenix Fire Wire, a blazing torrent aimed straight at Yu Tianheng.
On the other side, Shi Mo and Shi Mo were ready. Their sturdy Tortoise Shell Armor absorbed the phoenix flames effortlessly, the fire barely leaving a mark on their defenses.
"Unbelievable!"
Meanwhile, Oslo moved with lightning speed, disappearing from view and reappearing behind Zhu Zhuqing. His razor-sharp Black Panther Claws slashed toward her vulnerable back.
At the critical moment, Xiao Wu intervened with a quick sweep kick, deflecting Oslo's strike. Turning back to Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu offered her a cheerful smile, as if trying to bridge the growing rift between them.
However, Zhu Zhuqing remained cold and distant.
"Thanks," she muttered curtly before leaping into battle with Oslo.
Xiao Wu sighed in disappointment, her smile fading. What have I done wrong? Why does everyone seem to push me away?
Shi Mo and Shi Mo's flawless defense rendered Ma Hongjun's attacks ineffective. The fiery mobile cannon was now panting from exertion, his flames useless against the unbreakable tortoise shells.
Frustrated, Ma Hongjun's eyes darted to Ye Hao. His earlier taunts came flooding back, igniting Ma Hongjun's fury.
Fueled by Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda speed boost, Ma Hongjun charged straight at Ye Hao, his mouth brimming with fiery energy as he unleashed another Phoenix Fire Wire.
Ye Hao raised an eyebrow, bemused by Ma Hongjun's audacity.
"Oh, you've picked the wrong target this time, fatty," he murmured, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Without breaking a sweat, Ye Hao's eight spider spears shifted forward, splitting the flames in midair. As Ma Hongjun's attack dissipated, Ye Hao lunged forward with blinding speed, his spears poised to strike.
Ma Hongjun froze. He remembered vividly the terrifying sting of Tang San's Eight Spider Lances, an experience that had left him poisoned and unconscious, nearly costing him his life. Now, face-to-face with Ye Hao's spider spears, his legs trembled uncontrollably.
"Do I look like someone you can mess with?" Ye Hao asked, his tone cold and mocking.
Ma Hongjun clenched his fists. Fire flared in his mouth, signaling his second soul skill: Phoenix Fire Array, which would amplify his flames by 30%.
Before he could release it, Ye Hao's hand swung in a blur, landing a solid slap across Ma Hongjun's face.
"Spin for me, fatty," Ye Hao jeered.
Dazed, Ma Hongjun spun in place like a top, disoriented and defenseless.
"Fatty!" Dai Mubai roared, his anger erupting.
Fueled by rage, Dai Mubai activated his second soul skill, White Tiger Light Wave, sending a sphere of white energy hurtling toward Ye Hao.
Tang San joined in, rushing to support his captain.
"You're nothing but a nest of snakes and rats," Ye Hao spat disdainfully, raising his own hand.
"Second Soul Skill: Spider Web."
Two large, black webs shot out, one enveloping Dai Mubai's attack and the other hurtling toward him and Tang San.
"First Soul Skill: Bind!"
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass shot up, entwining the webs. Yet, to his shock, the vines began to wither and decay upon contact, turning into blackened ash that scattered in the air.
"It's poisoned!" Dai Mubai shouted, leaping backward with Tang San.
Ye Hao's eyes locked onto Dai Mubai. Ignoring Ma Hongjun, who was still spinning, Ye Hao charged at Shrek's leader, his spider spears gleaming ominously.
Dai Mubai roared, meeting Ye Hao's attack head-on. Fists and claws collided in a flurry of blows, neither side gaining the upper hand.
Seizing the opportunity, Tang San launched another attack, his Blue Silver Grass weaving its way toward Ye Hao.
"Hmph!"
Dugu Yan scoffed. Green venom surged from her Jade Phosphor Serpent, creating a poisonous wave that surged toward Tang San.
In the VIP box, Qin Ming watched anxiously.
Among the Emperor Team, only Yu Tianheng and Ye Hao were capable of standing up to Tang San, and Dugu Yan was fiercely protective of Ye Hao. She had long hoped Ye Hao would become her grandfather's disciple, tying them closer together as a family.
Yet, Qin Ming knew Ye Hao too well. The boy was fiercely independent and had no interest in such arrangements.
On the battlefield, Tang San remained unfazed. His lips curled into a smug smile as he reached into his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges, retrieving several small pouches.
Tossing the pouches into Dugu Yan's poison cloud, Tang San shouted, "Fatty, Phoenix Fire Wire!"
Ma Hongjun shook off his dizziness, spitting flames at the pouches. Upon contact, the bags exploded, dispersing their contents into the air. The green poison dissipated almost instantly.
"Impossible!" Dugu Yan gasped. "How did you neutralize my poison?"
Tang San smirked. "In my eyes, your snake venom is nothing more than trash."
With Dugu Yan's poison neutralized, Tang San activated his Eight Spider Lances, their venomous tips glinting dangerously. His gaze locked onto Dugu Yan, and he charged, ready to strike her down.
The Emperor Team moved to defend, but Shrek's team intercepted them. Dugu Yan, however, stood her ground, unafraid of Tang San's attack.
Just as the Eight Spider Lances were about to pierce her, a sharp metallic sound echoed across the battlefield.
"Clang!"
Ye Hao appeared in front of Dugu Yan, his own spider spears intercepting Tang San's lances.
"Tang San," Ye Hao said, his voice calm yet taunting. "You call her poison trash, but what does that make you?"
"You're nothing but garbage."
Tang San's face twisted with fury, his killing intent surging. "Ye Hao, you're courting death!"
Raising his right hand, Tang San unleashed a hidden weapon: The Silent Sleeve Dart.
The dart shot forward at an incredible speed, aimed directly at Ye Hao's head.
Ye Hao's eyes widened in surprise. "Silent Sleeve Dart?"
At the last moment, he tilted his head and caught the dart between his teeth.
Spitting it out, he glared at Tang San.
"You despicable coward!"