A deep hum rolled across the field.
Black ripples burst from the three tripods, converging above Chen Junting's head like a storm cloud.
Across the sky, Wu Yan shot upward, wind screaming past.
Using the full speed of his Wind Chime Bird martial soul and second soul skill, he seized the aerial advantage and dived at Gao Ming, targeting the vulnerable support.
But—
"First soul skill, Light of Speed."
"Second soul skill, Light of Attack."
In a flash, Gao Ming's Ruyi Disk spun to life.
Twin yellow soul rings flared as streams of light fused into Qin Lan's silhouette. His speed surged, his figure blurred, and he shot toward Wu Yan like a bolt of lightning.
Kongming Bailie unleashed a storm of claws, ripping through the air.
Wu Yan, sharp and ready, twisted midair to dodge and counter. His wings whipped a fierce wind blade toward Qin Lan's back.
But his attack met nothing.
It sliced straight through a fading afterimage.
Too late.
A shadow rose beneath him.
Claws flashed, tearing into Wu Yan's back. He grimaced as pain exploded across his body, fresh wounds burning into his skin.
On the ground, the situation worsened.
Chen Junting drove his sword into the tripod Xu Yue was guarding. With a clean break, he shattered the protective halo around Xiao Xiao's Soul-Suppressing Tripod, seized one of the massive cauldrons, and hurled it at another.
"Boom!"
The collision thundered across the arena.
Chen Junting barely flinched at the impact. It did nothing to slow him.
With a flick of his wrist, he knocked the pinned tripod aside, sending Xu Yue stumbling backward.
"What strength…!"
Xu Yue's words barely left his lips before Chen Junting vanished.
The Seven Killing Swords cut a cold arc through the air, aimed straight at Xu Yue.
"Xu Yue!"
Xiao Xiao's shout broke through the chaos.
She raised both hands, her face momentarily serene. A soft glow washed over her features before sharpening into fierce resolve. Her soul ring pulsed, and her second martial spirit emerged.
Though her tripods were still recovering, an emerald jade flute appeared in her grasp, carved with nine phoenixes.
Her aura transformed — elegant, commanding.
"Twin martial spirits!"
Gasps rippled through the audience, even from the combatants.
Chen Junting's eyes narrowed. She can wield both?
He didn't falter.
As Xiao Xiao's soul ring flared, a haunting melody filled the air. Green light rippled from her flute, wrapping the battlefield in a thick, sluggish haze.
Chen Junting's blade slowed, his movement dulled.
Xu Yue saw his chance. Soul power surged as he drove his armored fist at Chen Junting's face.
But Chen Junting's sword met the attack effortlessly, as if he'd expected it all along.
"Ding!"
Xu Yue's armored fist cracked under the impact. Agony tore through his arm as the force ripped along his meridians.
"Xu Yue, watch out!"
Chen Junting stepped forward, slicing through Xiao Xiao's suppression as if it were mist. His blade blurred, splitting into countless phantoms as it descended on Xu Yue.
Armor peeled away, layer by layer.
Xu Yue's face drained of color.
"Xu Yue is eliminated."
The referee moved fast, pulling him from the field before the final blow landed.
But the fight raged on.
Sensing another attack from behind, Chen Junting caught the flying Soul-Suppressing Tripod without looking. His Seven Killing Swords spun once, heavy and sharp, knocking the remaining tripods off course.
Xiao Xiao's chest tightened as her soul power ebbed away.
She risked a glance at Wu Yan, now bloodied and out of the fight. Despair gnawed at her.
Her eyes fixed on Chen Junting — calm, untouched, and terrifying.
He hasn't even used his thousand-year soul skill.
The gap felt insurmountable.
But then Zhou Yi's face flashed in her mind.
No.
She refused to give up.
The Nine Phoenixes Arriving Flute soared, its melody fierce and defiant. Waves of green energy pulsed outward, calling her scattered tripods back to her side.
Dark light ignited from her soul rings as all three tripods gathered. Her soul power surged.
"Brother Chen," Qin Lan warned, ready to step in.
Chen Junting raised a hand, stopping him.
"Let her finish," he said calmly. "Victory is already ours. And this is her moment. Let her show what she can do."
Qin Lan hesitated, then nodded.
But Chen Junting's mind ran deeper.
Even with twin spirits, she's a student who failed to reach the top 64. Shrek won't risk backing her. But for the Nine Treasures Sect, she's an opportunity.
His eyes never left Xiao Xiao.
Let's see the full extent of your power.
The Seven Killing Swords in his hand hummed, eager for the final clash.
Then—
The tripods trembled violently.
The three fused into one, towering twice as large as before. Strange runes crawled across its surface.
With a deafening roar, the giant cauldron emerged, radiating crushing force and ancient power.
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(End of Chapter)
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