After lunch and a short rest, afternoon arrived.
Xu Tianxi, full of energy, and Xu Sanshi, whose legs were shaking slightly, once again stepped onto the Soul Dueling Platform, under the eager gazes of Xu Xiaoyun and the others.
Xu Sanshi wore a bitter expression. He glanced at Xu Fu, who had just helped him recover his soul power after the meal, with a deeply resentful look. Even his lips were trembling slightly.
He knew his father wouldn't help for no reason. Restoring his soul power was just so he could serve as a live target for Tianxi.
Xu Tianxi waved at him with a smile and reminded him:
"Sanshi, this first soul skill of mine comes from the Evil Eye Clan's strongest innate ability—Evil Eye Gaze. Be careful."
Evil Eye Gaze was one of the strongest spiritual-type innate soul skills from the Evil Eye Clan. It was a pure spiritual attack, with powerful offensive and destructive capabilities.
There were rumors in the soul master world that when the strongest member of the Evil Eye Clan, the Evil Eye Emperor, challenged the Beast God Di Tian of the Star Dou Great Forest, he used this move. Even Di Tian was stunned for five full seconds—an example of its terrifying power.
Hearing this, Xu Sanshi's heart sank. But on the surface, he showed no fear. He slapped his chest, forcing a smile as he said:
"It's fine. Don't underestimate me. I'm a Rank 24 Grandmaster, with two hundred-year soul rings. You're only Rank 12. Just attack however you like—I can handle it."
"I've been at Shrek for a year and haven't met a strong spiritual-type soul master. None of the Year One assault-type students could break through my defense. I've been looking forward to trying out something new."
"Come on. Use your full strength. If you hold back, I'll be offended."
As he spoke, he activated his second soul ring and summoned the Xuanming Tortoise Shell Shield, entering full defense mode.
A wave of deep black light spread from the shield. In an instant, the shield seemed to multiply into hundreds, layering in front of him and forming a wall. A dense black-water glow flowed across its surface.
—Second Soul Skill: Xuanming Shield Formation
Xu Sanshi's body behind the wall was fully tensed. His normally lazy, smiling face was now completely serious—carrying the composure of a defense-type soul master.
As a direct heir of the Xuanming Sect and a core disciple of Shrek Academy's Outer Court, Xu Sanshi carried a strong sense of pride. His ambition to become "The Eternal Shield" wasn't just empty talk.
He hadn't expected that a short trip home would lead to his title as the Xuanming Sect's top junior being challenged, but he was still confident he could suppress Xu Tianxi for a few more years.
No matter what, this was Rank 24 vs. Rank 12—he had the clear advantage.
And spiritual-type soul masters were rare. Being exposed to one now could help him train his defenses better.
Xu Tianxi glanced at Xu Sanshi in surprise. He'd never met someone who asked to be hit like this. Nodding, he quietly said:
"Then be ready—Cold Moon Gaze."
His first soul ring, over six hundred years in age, lit up. The cold moon deep in his pupils burst out in rippling waves, then condensed into soft, silvery light that filled both of his eyes.
The crescent mark at the center of his brow began to glow faintly. However, perhaps because his previous battle had used up too much spiritual energy, Xu Tianxi couldn't fully feel his spiritual power.
In the next instant, his pupils focused into two sharp points, and a pair of narrow silver beams shot forward. Though barely visible, they were real, spiritual and soul power condensed together—moving so fast they were nearly undetectable.
The beams pierced straight toward Xu Sanshi's fully formed Xuanming Shield Formation.
From the outside, it looked like Xu Tianxi's attack had no windup at all. As soon as the soul ring lit up, the attack followed immediately. It was so fast there was no time to dodge—like chasing stars and catching the moon.
Clang—!
"Argh!"
A clear impact rang out. Almost instantly after the beams hit the shield, a scream came from behind it. Xu Sanshi felt like his brain had been stabbed with an ice pick. His vision went black as golden stars flashed before his eyes. His strong body shook uncontrollably, and he stumbled backward.
"Damn it, I underestimated him! Xuanming Shock!"
Without hesitation, Xu Sanshi ignored all pride and activated his first soul ring.
—First Soul Skill: Xuanming Shock
The black glow on the Xuanming Shield doubled in intensity. A dark aura expanded outward in a wide circle, covering dozens of square meters, releasing a low, booming sound like thunder rolling through the air.
Xuanming Shock was an area-of-effect knockback skill with a chance to stun. As the black wave expanded, Xu Tianxi's spiritual beam visibly slowed. It couldn't penetrate like before.
Seeing the wave getting close, Xu Tianxi didn't force it. He withdrew the rest of his spiritual power and leapt off the platform.
As a spiritual-type soul master, Xu Tianxi had high offense but weak defense. Only an idiot would take a full hit from a physical AoE soul skill like this. Xuanming Shock was on par with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's Thunderclap Dragon Claw.
Standing below the platform, Xu Tianxi—now pale—watched the black wave spread out, eyes sharp.
"That was strong. His Xuanming Shock actually blocked my Cold Moon Gaze. Impressive."
He reflected on his performance. Could he have fired the beam faster? Could he have adjusted the angle?
After thinking it through, he looked to Xu Xiaoyun.
"Grandmaster, how strong was that attack? Any weaknesses?"
But Xu Xiaoyun didn't respond immediately. His expression was hard to describe.
Boom—!
A loud crash echoed from the platform. Xu Tianxi turned and saw that the Xuanming Shield had fallen.
Xu Sanshi, who had been behind it, seemed to lose all strength. He spun around like he was drunk and fell backward.
"Elder Yue!"
Xu Fu shouted, instantly teleporting to the stage. He caught Xu Sanshi and fed him a pill.
Elder Yue activated a healing-type soul tool. A few streams of green light covered Xu Sanshi's body.
Xu Xiaoyun finally spoke, his face serious:
"Tianxi, your spiritual attack was too strong. Sanshi had his defense up and still got knocked out. If you hit a normal Grandmaster with that, they could be crippled—or even die on the spot."
"You need to know: the Xuanming Tortoise is one of the strongest defense-type martial souls. Even standing still, Sanshi couldn't block your spiritual attack."
"If it had been another Grandmaster, even one with a top-tier martial soul, they'd be worse off."
"Also, your energy output was too high. That strike nearly drained all your spiritual and soul power. Unless it's life or death, don't use it at full power."
Xu Xiaoyun had sensed clearly that after fusing with the top-grade Evil Eye Soul Ring, Xu Tianxi's spiritual power had reached the level of some Spirit Elders—even with just one ring.
Combined with the Evil Eye Clan's signature move and a powerful martial soul, even a Spirit Elder could fall if caught off guard.
Xu Tianxi hadn't expected the attack to be that powerful. He nodded and asked seriously:
"Grandmaster, do you think that strike can be improved further? It was my first time using it. There must be room for refinement."
Xu Xiaoyun: "…"
After thinking carefully, Xu Xiaoyun replied:
"When you're fully recovered, try it on me. I'll test it myself."
Meanwhile, in Shrek City—far to the west.
Inside Shrek Academy.
Yan Shaozhe, looking pale and tired, walked through the vast academy grounds. He arrived at an area filled with the smell of wine. His eyes showed a trace of helplessness.
A sloppily dressed old man sat there, holding a wine gourd in one hand and a chicken leg in the other.
Yan Shaozhe respectfully bowed and said:
"Elder Xuan, the Headmaster has called for a Sea God's Pavilion meeting. I've come to notify you."