Within seconds, the distance between the teams narrowed to just 50 meters. The slowing effect of Xiao Xiao's Nine Phoenix Dancing Flute began to take hold. Dai Huabin and his teammates' speed dropped drastically, especially Zhu Lu, whose illusory shadows decreased by two, making her much easier to identify.
As soon as the opposing team entered Huo Yuhao's spiritual detection range, every movement of the enemies was clearly mapped out in vivid three-dimensional images within Huo Yuhao and his teammates' minds.
This unique ability gave their team a significant tactical advantage.
Team Dai Huabin launched a coordinated assault with impressive precision. Zhu Lu, with her Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul, dashed forward with speed that remained formidable despite the slowing effect.
Each of her steps left behind confusing illusory shadows, while her main focus locked onto Huo Yuhao as the commander of the opposing team.
On the other side, Dai Huabin let out a loud roar as he activated his second soul ring, unleashing a blazing ball of white energy directly at Wang Dong. His strategy was clear—separate Wang Dong from the team's formation.
Meanwhile, Cui Yajie skillfully switched targets to Xiao Xiao, attempting to neutralize the disrupting effects of the Nine Phoenix Dancing Flute. Her charming smile remained, though it began to falter under the pressure of battle.
Utilizing his spiritual detection to its fullest, Huo Yuhao managed to read the opponents' attack patterns even before they could fully execute their offensive moves.
Rather than being tempted to join Wang Dong—which would have left Xiao Xiao unprotected—he chose a more cunning strategy.
At the precise moment when Cui Yajie changed her target, Huo Yuhao launched a deadly mental counterattack. His "Spiritual Shock" technique, completely invisible and silent, struck with devastating effect. Cui Yajie suddenly felt a sharp pain as if her head were being pierced by needles, causing her to stumble and collapse helplessly. This psychic strike proved the overwhelming superiority of Huo Yuhao's significantly enhanced mental abilities.
Huo Yuhao's spiritual power, equivalent to that of a Spirit Elder, came as a deadly surprise for Cui Yajie, who was unprepared. While most mental attacks required eye contact, Huo Yuhao's could strike without warning.
In perfect coordination with Huo Yuhao's mental assault, Xiao Xiao activated her main Martial Soul—the Three Lives Soul Suppressing Cauldron. The large black cauldron shot forward at incredible speed, precisely blocking the path of Zhu Lu, who was closing in on Huo Yuhao.
Zhu Lu, with admirable reflexes, narrowly avoided it at the last second as the cauldron suddenly split into three parts. The three cauldrons formed a perfect triangular formation with precise spacing. At the moment of separation, Xiao Xiao activated her first skill, Cauldron Shock, unleashing a tremor-inducing impact.
The resulting shockwaves rumbled throughout the battlefield, generating vibrating energy ripples that formed an invisible barrier in front of Huo Yuhao. Even Zhu Lu, known for her exceptional speed, couldn't penetrate the barrier instantly.
Faced with this unexpected situation, Zhu Lu demonstrated her cleverness. In a split-second decision, she canceled the first skill she had been preparing, spun around in a near-perfect motion, and dodged outside the range of the cauldron's deadly shockwave. Her evasive maneuver left behind illusory shadows in the air, showcasing her elite agility.
At that moment, another loud crash was heard. Wang Dong, who had been airborne, landed beside Huo Yuhao.
He used his first soul skill, Guillotine Wings, to block Dai Huabin's second soul skill, White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, and suffered some damage. However, he did not sustain any serious injuries—only a small stream of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Dai Huabin also took a hit and suffered equally.
It turned out the gap in soul power between them wasn't as large as Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao had expected. Even though Wang Dong was only at Spirit Grandmaster level 28, due to the compression of his soul power, it was equivalent to that of a Spirit Elder. Moreover, because of Wang Feng's influence, Wang Dong's body had also undergone significant strengthening. At this point, it could be said that among those of the same level, Wang Dong was virtually unbeatable.
Dai Huabin refused to accept this outcome. He roared like a tiger and charged forward, sharp light gleaming in his eyes.
As his body shot ahead, his first soul ring lit up. A layer of white light transformed into a protective shield that covered his entire body, especially his head. Clearly, he was being cautious of Huo Yuhao. This was his first defensive soul skill—White Tiger Body Barrier. Not only did it provide strong protection, but it also enhanced his overall combat ability.
In Dai Huabin's team, only two members remained—Dai Huabin himself and Zhu Lu. Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao's team was still fully intact with three members. Cui Yajie had immediately collapsed when Huo Yuhao used Spiritual Shock on her. The referee quickly removed her from the arena.
Zhu Lu, on the other hand, was still dodging and maneuvering, contending with the Three Lives Soul Suppressing Cauldron. Her speed was astounding. Even with the slowing effect of the Nine Phoenix Dancing Flute, Xiao Xiao had to remain extremely alert. With the help of Huo Yuhao's mental detection and the assistance of her Soul Suppressing Cauldrons, she was able to block Zhu Lu's path and prevent her from approaching Huo Yuhao to launch an attack.
Both Dai Huabin and Wang Dong were powerful assault-type soul masters, though their focus differed. Wang Dong, with his Radiant Butterfly Goddess Martial Soul, excelled at energy-based attacks—such as his second soul skill, Radiant Butterfly Goddess Light, which was incredibly powerful. In contrast, Dai Huabin's White Tiger Martial Soul was famous for its dominance in close-range combat. As the distance between them continued to shrink, the situation clearly favored Dai Huabin.
Even so, Wang Dong hadn't activated his second soul skill yet. Once his wings stabilized, he continued to face Dai Huabin's tiger claws with his Wing Guillotine.
With lightning speed, Wang Dong dashed toward Dai Huabin. His eyes locked onto the energy shield protecting his opponent's head. Thanks to Huo Yuhao's mental detection, he understood the target of their strategy.
Dai Huabin snorted coldly. Without hesitation or retreat, he attempted to grab Wang Dong's wings with his tiger claws—completely ignoring the sharp edges of the wings.
However, anticipating this move, Wang Dong suddenly spun his body 180 degrees in the air. His right wing slashed straight at Dai Huabin's head protector.
Cracks immediately appeared on the surface of the protective shield.
Wang Dong didn't give him time to react. He swiftly followed with a strike from his left wing to the exact same spot. The two consecutive attacks finally shattered the shield protecting Dai Huabin's head.
Seeing this opening, Huo Yuhao sprang into action from a distance. He unleashed his mental shock technique once again.
Sensing danger, Dai Huabin urgently poured all his strength into reinforcing his White Tiger Body Barrier, attempting to cover his head once more.
But in that crucial moment, Xiao Xiao suddenly appeared. Her three cauldrons, which had previously been used to contain Zhu Lu, now closed in on Dai Huabin and began to emit a special vibration frequency that suppressed mental energy.
Huo Yuhao seized the opportunity. He launched a direct mental attack on Dai Huabin, channeling his full spiritual power.
"AAARRGGHH!"
Dai Huabin staggered backward, clutching his head with both hands. The "王" character on his forehead flickered erratically.
Seeing this, Zhu Lu panicked. She hesitated between rescuing Dai Huabin or taking the opportunity to strike at Huo Yuhao.
But due to her moment of indecision, she failed to notice that Xiao Xiao had already returned to her position and was once again blocking her path.
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