Douluo: The Ultimate Self

The final match had arrived, and with it, the last contest to claim three spirit bones.

The seven members of Shrek Academy's team from Tian Dou Imperial Academy stepped onto the arena in a unique 1-2-3 formation, which looked rather strange. 

Ning Rongrong stood alone at the very back. In front of her were Tang San and Dugu Yan, followed by Yu Tianheng, Dai Mubai, and Xiao Wu. Yang Xiong stood at the very front of the group.

However, the distance between Tang San, Dugu Yan, and Yu Tianheng was minimal. From afar, it almost resembled a 1-5-1 formation.

Meanwhile, the Spirit Hall Team unveiled their strongest lineup:

Xie Yue, the team captain, wielded the Spirit Moon Blade and was a 52nd-level Strong Attack Soul King.

Hu Liena, wielding the Spirit Fox, was a 51st-level Control Soul King.

Yan, wielding the Flame Lord Spirit, was a 52nd-level Strong Attack Soul King.

Zhang Ping, wielding the Golden Swallow Spirit, was a 47th-level Agility Attack Soul Ancestor.

Li Kai, wielding the Black Horned Boar Spirit, was a 47th-level Strong Attack Soul Ancestor.

Xu Yu, wielding the Golden Scepter Spirit, was a 46th-level support-oriented Soul Ancestor.

Sun Chuantao, wielding the Circular Blade Spirit, was a 48th-level Strong Attack Soul Ancestor. 

Looking at this lineup, Yang Xiong couldn't help but feel speechless. The gap was just too vast. How did those level-40 characters win in the original story? Did they really rely solely on the so-called Tang Sect hidden weapons? Not a single one of these seven Spirit Hall members had a weak spirit, and their soul power levels were frighteningly high. In this entire soul master competition, only Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun could even hope to stand a chance in this lineup—someone like Feng Xiaotian probably wouldn't even make the starting roster.

As the referee gave the signal, the match began with a one-minute preparation period. Everyone summoned their spirits. Yang Xiong's entire body turned silver, revealing his Xuanming Armor. His eyes even turned purple, activating the Purple Extreme Demon Eye.

When the Spirit Hall Team summoned their spirits and soul rings, the pressure they exuded overwhelmed the audience. Especially the three ten-thousand-year soul rings—they radiated immense power.

The crowd erupted in shock. Shrek's team had sent out two Soul Elders, and neither of the Defencive Soul Ancestors who fought yesterday were present. How could they possibly withstand the Spirit Hall Team's attacks?

As the referee announced the start of the match, everyone on Shrek's team charged forward, including Ning Rongrong.

In an instant, Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda emitted six beams of light, swiftly merging into everyone's bodies as she solemnly recited: "Seven treasures, named Power, Speed, and Soul."

This caught everyone off guard. Never had anyone seen the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda used in such a manner. Was a mere Soul Elder not afraid of exhausting their soul power? How long could she sustain such intense support?

The Spirit Hall Team's formation was impeccable. Xie Yue and Hu Liena moved to the front, standing side by side. Their spirits fused together, transforming into a towering, masked figure over two meters tall wielding dual crescent blades. A red mist seeped from its form, exuding an overwhelming aura.

The speed of this fusion skill, Yao Mei (Charm Demon), was astonishing. The red mist obscured everything within, leaving even many soul masters in the audience unable to see clearly.

Yang Xiong transformed into a streak of silver, diving headfirst into the red mist.

Once inside, he immediately felt his mental strength being disrupted. His field of vision was severely limited. Without the Purple Extreme Demon Eye and his extraordinary mental fortitude, he would have been completely disoriented.

The androgynous voice of Yao Mei sneered: "How dare you, a mere Soul Elder, challenge me? I'll deal with you first."

Yang Xiong snorted: "You, who can't even decide if you're male or female, have no right to spout nonsense."

Enraged, Yao Mei swung the crescent blades toward Yang Xiong. These blades were incredibly sharp, far surpassing Feng Xiaotian's wind blades.

But Yang Xiong showed no fear. His silver hands morphed into claw-like appendages, grabbing directly at the blades.

Even with just one strike, Yang Xiong felt as though his palms were about to be sliced open. A faint scratch appeared on his silver skin—it was a testament to the attack's ferocity.

Yao Mei sneered again: "I didn't expect you to see through my attack. But how long can a mere Soul Elder like you hold out?"

Yang Xiong roared: "Stop blabbering about your indecisiveness. If you've got the skill, prove it by defeating me."

Yao Mei seemed particularly sensitive about being called indecisive. Its attacks became increasingly fierce. Despite Yang Xiong's resilient hands, numerous wounds quickly formed, cutting deep into his bones—a weakness of Body Spirits that made them prone to injury.

Gritting his teeth, Yang Xiong's body grew more robust. His skin and bones hardened significantly, activating his self-created soul skill: Steel Muscle Iron Bone.

Meanwhile, the rest of Shrek's team surged forward like unleashed beasts, charging straight into the Spirit Hall Team's ranks.

At this moment, everyone realized Shrek's strategy. They were betting everything on Yang Xiong holding back Yao Mei while the others quickly dismantled the enemy. This explained why the support-oriented soul master was expending soul power without restraint.

Yu Tianheng transformed into a massive Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, clashing directly with Yan.

Yan's Flame Lord Spirit was a top-tier fire-earth dual attribute spirit, boasting both devastating fire attacks and formidable earth-based defenses—an all-around powerhouse.

From the initial collision, Yu Tianheng struggled, being pushed back several meters.

But blue lightning crackled around him as he unleashed his fourth soul skill, Blue Lightning Dragon Strike. His right hand morphed into a massive dragon claw, grabbing at Yan—completely disregarding soul power consumption.

Dai Mubai faced Sun Chuantao. The colossal White Tiger clashed with Sun's Circular Blade. The White Tiger was an ultimate offensive Beast Spirit. Dai Mubai even activated his third soul skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, and for a brief moment, the two were evenly matched.

Xiao Wu engaged Li Kai. Li's Black Horned Boar was incredibly swift and powerful, but Xiao Wu relied on her agility to barely keep up.

Dugu Yan unleashed waves of toxic mist, simultaneously activating multiple soul skills. Poison filled most of the arena, forcing everyone to expend soul power to resist it.

On the opposing side, Zhang Ping, the Agility Attack soul master, moved like lightning, transforming into a nimble Golden Swallow. She darted straight toward Ning Rongrong, clearly aiming to cripple Shrek's support system.

It was obvious to anyone watching that Shrek's team was at a severe disadvantage in terms of soul power. Only Ning Rongrong's exceptional support allowed them to compete. Her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda boosted everyone's strength, speed, and soul power by a full 40%, bridging the gap between the two teams.

But Tang San reacted with incredible speed. His Blue Silver Grass swiftly pulled Ning Rongrong away from Zhang Ping. In his hand appeared a jade-green scythe—the external soul bone derived from his mantis leg.

Among Shrek's team, only Yang Xiong and Tang San possessed the speed to keep up with Zhang Ping. Thus, Tang San had to both attack the enemy and protect Ning Rongrong.

From the formation, it was clear Tang San intentionally stayed close to the red mist where Yang Xiong battled Yao Mei, ready to assist at any moment.

Aside from Hu Liena, the Spirit Hall Team had no other Control soul masters.

Xu Yu's Golden Scepter emitted a radiant golden glow, enhancing the Spirit Hall Team's overall attack capabilities.

The battle grew increasingly intense. Suddenly, an unexpected twist occurred.

Yang Xiong and Yao Mei were locked in a fierce exchange. Yang Xiong alternated between claw-like strikes and punches, adopting a desperate, relentless fighting style. His ferocity was unmatched.

Thanks to the durability of his Xuanming Armor, any attack that didn't target his limbs or head was deflected, leaving only faint scratches. This defense surpassed everyone's expectations.

As their attacks grew more intense, Yang Xiong's first soul ring suddenly flashed. In an instant, he vanished, and Xu Yu stood in his place.

This was Yang Xiong's first soul skill: Xuanming Displacement. It was nothing short of a godlike technique.

Throughout the match, Shrek's team hadn't attacked Xu Yu once, allowing him to relax and provide uninterrupted support to his teammates. He had no defenses prepared.

Even Yao Mei couldn't react fast enough. Its follow-up attack, meant for Yang Xiong, struck Xu Yu instead. As a support-oriented soul master, Xu Yu's defenses were weak. Yang Xiong's angle of attack was precise, bypassing the Golden Scepter and striking Xu Yu's shoulder. The injury was severe.

Yang Xiong reappeared in Xu Yu's original position—at the rear of the opposing formation. Clenching his fists, he charged directly at Sun Chuantao, who was battling Dai Mubai. Though Sun was a Strong Attack soul master, his weapon spirit lacked the defensive prowess of a beast spirit.

Caught off guard, Sun Chuantao suffered a direct punch from Yang Xiong. He was sent flying, coughing up blood.

Meanwhile, Tang San, who had been positioned near the red mist, transformed into a ghostly shadow and darted inside using the Tang Sect's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step. His mantis leg scythe slashed Xu Yu from behind. Already injured by Yao Mei, Xu Yu now suffered another devastating blow. A deep wound opened on his back, exposing bone.

After sustaining repeated heavy blows, Xu Yu collapsed, barely alive. The injuries were severe.

The audience erupted in shock. Despite the Spirit Hall Team's overwhelming advantage, they had lost their sole support member, Xu Yu, and Sun Chuantao had been wounded by Yang Xiong.

Though the tactic was brilliant, with Shrek's team executing it flawlessly, there was a glaring flaw: no one had protected Ning Rongrong. No one could match Zhang Ping's speed, and Tang San was occupied with Yao Mei. If Yao Mei's red mist reached the others, the tide of battle would instantly turn in favor of the Spirit Hall Team.

Zhang Ping unleashed her third soul skill: Swallow Meteor Shower. Her speed was lightning-fast, and she charged directly at Ning Rongrong.

Dugu Yan, who had been releasing poison, rushed to Ning Rongrong's side. Her massive snake tail lashed out, attempting to block Zhang Ping's attack.

But Zhang Ping's speed and power were unmatched. Dugu Yan took the full brunt of the attack, flying several meters back. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Realizing he had no time left, Yang Xiong teleported instantly to Ning Rongrong's side, blocking Zhang Ping's attack.

The Spirit Hall Team erupted in fury. Losing one member and having another incapacitated dealt a significant blow to their morale and formation.

Yan unleashed his fifth soul skill: Sandstorm Blaze. This was a group attack skill and a ten-thousand-year soul skill. The arena was engulfed in flames, bombarding everyone with terrifying heat.

Yang Xiong shielded Ning Rongrong, enduring the onslaught.

Dai Mubai gritted his teeth and activated his fourth soul skill: White Tiger Meteor Rain. Countless meteors rained down, colliding with Yan's flames. Yu Tianheng also unleashed his second soul skill, Thunderous Might. The massive Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon emitted endless lightning, countering the flames.

But the disparity between ten-thousand-year and thousand-year soul skills was immense. Amidst the fiery inferno, Yu Tianheng and Dai Mubai's abilities began to falter.

Tang San faced the greatest challenge. Alone against Yao Mei, who was far stronger than anticipated, screams echoed from within the red mist.

Yang Xiong had no choice but to activate his first soul skill again: Xuanming Displacement. He swapped positions with Tang San, who now stood beside Ning Rongrong, while Yang Xiong returned to the red mist.

By this point, Tang San looked battered. After nearly two minutes of battling Yao Mei, his mantis leg external soul bone had been shattered into pieces. His left hand now gripped a Hao Tian Hammer, but even his Jade Hands were cracked, and fresh wounds marred his body.

Though Yang Xiong's earlier maneuver had eliminated one opponent, the audience fell silent. Shrek's team simply couldn't stop Yao Mei—not even Yang Xiong. His silver arms were visibly scarred, covered in cracks and cuts.

Though Sun Chuantao had taken a hit, his combat effectiveness hadn't been fully extinguished. Wielding his Circular Blade, he fought with renewed ferocity.

Time flew. Five minutes passed in the blink of an eye. Even Yang Xiong bore numerous wounds; his silver arms were riddled with slashes, resembling cracked porcelain.

More troubling was that Yang Xiong's mental strength was nearing its limit. He could no longer clearly perceive Yao Mei's attacks.

With a piercing cry, Yao Mei launched a final assault. Yang Xiong was blasted out of the red mist, gasping for breath. It was rare for him to be pushed to such a state in a fight against peers.

Meanwhile, the remaining six members of Shrek's team could only barely hold their ground against four members of the Spirit Hall Team.

Yan's defense was impenetrable, and his attacks were ferocious. His spirit rivaled even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and the White Tiger. Even when surrounded, he remained unshaken.

The other members of the Spirit Hall Team showcased their exceptional combat skills. Zhang Ping's speed was unmatched, leaving Tang San struggling to keep up. Li Kai charged recklessly, completely overwhelming Xiao Wu.

Yao Mei let out another roar: "Yang Xiong, your mental strength is nearly depleted. No one can stop me now. Shrek's team should surrender."

As Yao Mei's words faded, the red mist began to spread, soon enveloping the rest of Shrek's team.

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