Chapter 162: Jing Ling's Despair

Seeing Bibi Dong’s infatuated gaze whenever Yu Xiaogang was mentioned, Xiao Yu could only internalize a sigh—romantic obsession is truly a curse.

Bibi Dong exchanged a few more pleasantries with Tang San, managing to drag Yu Xiaogang into two out of every three sentences, as if terrified the entire world might forget about the existence of that pathetic excuse of a man.

Finally, Chrysanthemum Douluo, standing behind Bibi Dong, could no longer bear to watch and gave a soft cough, abruptly interrupting her conscious and subconscious praising of Yu Xiaogang.

Only then did Bibi Dong realize her loss of composure. Snapping back to reality, she instantly felt a gaze of utter disdain land upon her, belonging to none other than her own biological daughter, Qian Renxue.

Those eyes, somewhat similar to her own, seemed to say: Bibi Dong, you are truly pathetic!

Bibi Dong emitted an imperceptible, light hum, flicked her hand, and three soul bones radiating distinct radiances appeared suspended mid-air.

The sudden appearance of the soul bones instantly captured everyone's attention. Except for Qian Renxue's family, who sat upon mountains of wealth, and Xiao Yu's group, who possessed even greater fortunes and could afford to casually distribute them to others, everyone else stared with glowing eyes, their pupils burning with consuming desire.

Ghost Douluo, standing behind Bibi Dong, appropriately stoked the atmosphere. "These three soul bones are respectively: the Blazing Burning Flame Right Arm Bone, the Swift-Striding Wind-Chasing Left Leg Bone, and the Spirit-Condensing Wisdom Skull. All three of these soul bones originated from ten-thousand-year soul beasts. Among them, the Spirit-Condensing Wisdom Skull was personally acquired by the previous Supreme Pontiff陛下 after slaying a soul beast exceeding fifty thousand years of age.

"There is only one recipient for these three soul bones, and that is the ultimate champion of this tournament. Therefore, unleash your absolute strength and claim the glory that rightfully belongs to you!"

As his voice faded, Shrek Academy and the Spirit Hall delegation—excluding Qian Renxue—all erupted with intense fighting spirit. Among them, only Tang San possessed a thousand-year external soul bone, alongside the Illusory Wisdom Skull obtained from Shi Nian. The others had rarely laid eyes on a soul bone, including Ning Rongrong, the young miss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

While the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School possessed a fair number of treasured soul bones, Ning Rongrong had been merely twelve years old and fiercely willful when she ran away from home. Ning Fengtuo would never dare reveal the locations of the school's precious collections to her, heaven only knew if she would take them out to play.

Huy Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan exhibited the most surging fighting spirit, as these three soul bones had originally been prepared specifically for them. The Spirit-Condensing Wisdom Skull belonged to Hu Liena, the Swift-Striding Wind-Chasing Left Leg Bone should belong to Xie Yue, and as for the Blazing Burning Flame Right Arm Bone, its attributes made it quite obvious that it was meant for Yan.

However, due to fierce opposition from the Elder Hall and the Concession Halls, Bibi Dong had been forced to compromise, designating these three soul bones as the grand prizes for the Soul Master Tournament.

Seeing that the atmosphere of the entire arena had been thoroughly ignited, Bibi Dong proceeded to announce the tournament format. "This morning, the three teams entering the final three will engage in an individual elimination match, fielding up to seven participants. The ultimately victorious team will secure the initiative, advancing directly to tomorrow's championship showdown. The two defeated teams will engage in a team battle this afternoon to contend for the other finalist spot. Now, you may send forth your first combatant onto the stage."

With Bibi Dong's announcement, the final battle officially commenced.

Representing the Nine Stars Team, Xiao Yu strode onto the arena stage.

As if sharing a telepathic connection, Qian Renxue followed closely behind him.

Representing Shrek Academy was the agile-attack soul master Jing Ling. Upon seeing that the opponents fielded by the other two groups were actually Xiao Yu and Qian Renxue, he nearly fainted from fright on the spot.

Yu Xiaogang's task for him was to utilize his agility to drain the opponent's soul power as much as possible, but the problem was that both opponents were Title-level powerhouses—wait, soul emperor-level powerhouses. Regardless of which one he faced, he was destined to be swatted to death with a single palm.

"Will the three participating members please draw lots!"

Prompted by the Spirit Hall staff, Xiao Yu, Qian Renxue, and Jing Ling each completed their draws.

The Goddess of Fortune did not seem to favor Shrek this time. Jing Ling did not receive a bye as he had in the original timeline, and his complexion instantly turned deathly pale.

"You might as well surrender!"

Xiao Yu also failed to draw the bye, meaning the first round would be a direct confrontation between Xiao Yu and Jing Ling.

Xiao Yu cast an indifferent glance at the utterly horrified Jing Ling and stated, "You are no match for me. Staying here is entirely meaningless; step down!"

"I surrend—"

"Jing Ling!"

Jing Ling subconsciously nodded to concede defeat, only to be brutally interrupted by Yu Xiaogang outside the arena.

Yu Xiaogang stared at Jing Ling with a gloomy expression, shouting coldly, "Jing Ling, even if Shrek loses, we refuse to lose our spine! Do not disgrace the honor of Shrek!"

Yu Xiaogang's beloved disciple, Tang San, also fixed Jing Ling with a haunting gaze. "Jing Ling, Shrek's glory cannot be tainted. Defeat without a fight is not the Shrek way!"

Romance-brain number two, Liu Erlong, offered a look of encouragement. "Jing Ling, stay strong! Believe in yourself!"

*Damn it all to hell!* You make it sound so easy! That is a soul emperor! What is a thirty-fifth-rank soul elder rookie like me supposed to do?!

Jing Ling was on the verge of tears, yet he dared not defy their wishes. Yu Xiaogang, a twenty-ninth-rank great soul master, was one thing, but the other two were clearly not people to be trifled with.

Especially Liu Erlong. As a veteran student of Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Academy, Jing Ling knew that former dean's explosive temper all too well. If he dared disobey Liu Erlong, this mother-dragon would surely beat him so badly his own mother wouldn't recognize him later.

Left with no other choice, Jing Ling could only brace himself and step forward.

"Suffering just to save face!"

Xiao Yu cast a disdainful glance at Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, the contempt in his eyes instantly making those two individuals with their towering pride feel utterly humiliated.

"The match is about to begin. Both competitors, please release your martial souls!"

As the referee's voice fell, Jing Ling summoned his skeleton martial soul, while Xiao Yu remained standing in place without moving.

Noticing this, the referee promptly reminded him, "Contestant Xiao Yu, you may release your martial soul!"

Xiao Yu glanced sidelong at Jing Ling and unhurriedly replied, "There is no need. Dealing with him does not require it. Let us begin right away!"

Given the strength Xiao Yu had previously displayed, he had long since become a focal point of attention for Spirit Hall. The referee said nothing further; a soul emperor dealing with a soul elder indeed required no martial soul release, and immediately announced the start of the match.

"Third soul skill: Frenzied Combat!"

Facing a soul emperor-level powerhouse—even one who had not released his martial soul—Jing Ling dared not harbor the slightest carelessness, and instantly deployed his only thousand-year soul skill, which simultaneously amplified his own attack speed and attack power by fifty percent.

"First soul skill: Bone Blade!"

Amplified by his third soul skill, the first yellow, hundred-year soul ring on Jing Ling lit up. The dual arms of the skeleton martial soul behind him instantly transformed into sharp blades, and his right leg fiercely kicked off the ground as he lunged toward Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu sneered. The moment Jing Ling was about to reach him, Xiao Yu flicked aside with a flash, causing Jing Ling's fully charged strike to hit empty air.

Taking advantage of the moment, Xiao Yu casually delivered a kick straight to Jing Ling's chest. Jing Ling let out a miserable shriek as he was sent flying backward, landing well outside the boundaries of the arena stage.