Qin Ming looked at the Emperor Battle Team and said, "Alright, the match is about to begin. Go make your final preparations." With that, he turned and walked out.
At the center of the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena lay the main battle ring—a location far larger than any of the side stages. Unlike the open-air side arenas, this one was fully enclosed, its size at least several times greater.
Surrounding the central arena were various VIP booths equipped with one-way crystal glass. Behind these mirrored panels sat numerous distinguished guests—powerful nobles, wealthy merchants, and even members of the royal family. Unlike the commoners who shouted and cheered freely in the stands, these individuals preferred to look down on the world from on high, basking in their superiority.
Suddenly, the once-dim main stage lit up. Over a dozen golden spotlights illuminated the arena in a radiant glow, showcasing the immense wealth behind the Spirit Arena. Various Spirit Tools scattered throughout the venue added to the extravagance.
From the center of the stage, a three-meter-wide circular platform rose into view. Standing atop it was a strikingly beautiful young woman in her early twenties, dressed in an elegant white gown that exuded nobility and poise.
She smiled professionally and spoke with a warm, refined voice. "It's an honor to welcome all of our distinguished guests once again. Hosting tonight's match is Doudou's greatest pleasure. And tonight… we have a truly special event. Just one match—but it's the highlight of the evening! Now, allow me to introduce the teams."
Team Emperor Battle
Captain: Yu Tianheng
Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon
Rank 39 Power Attack System Battle Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Vice-Captain: Dugu Yan
Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent
Rank 38 Control System Battle Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Team Member: Ye Lingling
Martial Soul: Nine-Hearted Begonia
Rank 35 Support-Type Tool Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Team Member: Yufeng
Martial Soul: Wind Chime Bird
Rank 36 Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Team Member: Shimo
Martial Soul: Black Tortoise
Rank 37 Defense System Battle Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Team Member: Shimo (twin brother)
Martial Soul: Black Tortoise
Rank 38 Defense System Battle Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Team Member: Oslo
Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard
Rank 36 Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Team Shrek
Captain: Evil-Eyed White Tiger (Dai Mubai)
Martial Soul: White Tiger
Rank 38 Power Attack System Battle Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Vice-Captain: Swift Lightning Shadow (Lin Jie)
Martial Soul: Lightning
Rank 34 Control System Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Vice-Captain: Thousand-Handed Asura (Tang San)
Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass
Rank 32 Control System Battle Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Team Member: Hell Spirit Cat (Zhu Zhuqing)
Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat
Rank 34 Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Team Member: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda (Ning Rongrong)
Martial Soul: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda
Rank 31 Support-Type Tool Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Team Member: Soft-Boned Charm Rabbit (Xiao Wu)
Martial Soul: Soft-Boned Rabbit
Rank 31 Melee Power Attack System Battle Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Team Member: Evil Fire Phoenix (Ma Hongjun)
Martial Soul: Evil Phoenix
Rank 29 Power Attack System Battle Spirit Master
Spirit Rings: Two yellow
Doudou's voice rang out across the Spirit Arena: "That concludes the introductions. Now, let's welcome our stars of the evening—both teams, please take the stage!"
Twin doors opened on opposite sides of the Spirit Arena as both teams stepped out. While the Emperor Battle Team wore elaborate and colorful uniforms, Shrek appeared in a unified, custom outfit. Originally, Flender had wanted to make their uniforms a hideous shade of "poop green," but the entire team, led by Lin Jie, had flat-out refused. Using his own funds, Lin Jie had paid for proper uniforms and silenced Flender for good.
As the two teams ascended the platform, Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng's eyes locked in an intense stare that practically sparked in midair.
Doudou raised her voice again. "Spirit Masters of both teams, please prepare to summon your Martial Souls. You will have one minute to do so. Attacks may only commence after I give the signal. The match ends when one side concedes or is entirely defeated."
With her announcement complete, both teams sprang into action.
Dai Mubai let out a thunderous tiger's roar. His muscles expanded, bones crackled, claws extended, and the White Tiger Martial Soul fully manifested.
Standing beside him were Lin Jie and Xiao Wu, with Tang San just behind. Further back stood Ning Rongrong, flanked by Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun. Shrek's formation was a 3-1-3.
Xiao Wu bounced lightly, her rabbit Martial Soul flaring to life. Lin Jie extended his right hand, summoning a stream of crackling lightning—the manifestation of his Lightning Martial Soul. He turned back briefly to exchange a look with Tang San, who instantly understood.
Tang San flicked his wrist, and five dark purple strands of Blue Silver Grass emerged, swiftly wrapping around the waists of everyone except Lin Jie—an anchor for his next move.
At the rear, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun also summoned their Martial Souls.
On the Emperor Battle Team's side, their formation differed: the twin Shimo brothers with Black Tortoise Martial Souls stood at the front, forming an impenetrable shield. Behind them stood Yu Tianheng with his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, while Dugu Yan stuck close behind him. Oslo and Yufeng, the Agility Attack System members, took up positions just behind her. At the very rear, hidden from view, was Ye Lingling with her Nine-Hearted Begonia, completely obscured by her teammates.
At Doudou's cue, the Shimo brothers' bodies glowed a dull earthy yellow as their Spirit Power surged. Their clothes had already been removed to accommodate their Martial Souls' physical transformations. Roars echoed as they fully armored up with the Black Tortoise.
Behind them, Yu Tianheng's brow lit up with a bolt of blue light, which then spread into writhing electric serpents across his body. His transformation wasn't dramatic—aside from a lightning-shaped mark at his brow, the only major change was to his arms, which were now wrapped in dragon-like scales. His hands had morphed into dragon claws, crackling with lightning.
Dugu Yan pressed close to Yu Tianheng, her gaze sharp and predatory. Her legs transformed into a serpent's tail, and a chilling aura radiated from her.
The Ghost Leopard Spirit Master Oslo had minor visible changes, but Yufeng, with his Wind Chime Bird Martial Soul, took to the sky. His arms became feathered wings as he soared through the arena, even sending flirtatious winks toward Doudou.
Ye Lingling remained entirely unseen, surrounded and protected by her teammates.
All seven members of the Emperor Battle Team revealed their Spirit Rings—two yellow and one purple each, glowing as they pulsed up and down their bodies. Shrek, having one team member below Spirit Elder rank, was at a slight disadvantage in terms of Spirit Rings.
Doudou's voice rang out: "Let the match… begin!"
Immediately, Dai Mubai let out a powerful roar as a golden light engulfed his body. He activated White Tiger Barrier and shot toward the Emperor Battle Team like a blazing arrow.
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