Chapter 76: The Unexpected Opening Match
"Let's not talk about the domineering name of your Mirror Flower Water Moon for now. Are you sure this is really a soul guide? I don't feel any soul power fluctuations coming from it at all," Ma Rulong said, staring at the blade Xiao Qiang had taken out, his face full of confusion.
"Brother Ma, don't underestimate this soul guide I specially crafted. It's made of rare metals and has a unique property. Once activated, it can completely control the five senses of anyone who sees it. What they see, hear, and feel will all be under my control. With my current cultivation, anyone below the level of Soul Saint won't be able to resist it. They'll be completely at the mercy of Mirror Flower Water Moon."
Hearing Xiao Qiang's explanation, everyone around was stunned. However, the most shocked was Tianmeng, who spoke directly to Xiao Qiang through their spiritual sea.
"A soul guide that can completely control the five senses? When did you make such a thing? How come I didn't know about it? Besides, it doesn't even seem like a proper soul guide. It's just a knife made from high-strength rare metals. At most, it's sharper and tougher, but it has no other special features at all," Tianmeng asked, his voice filled with question marks.
"That's because this explanation is just for outsiders, Brother Tianmeng," Xiao Qiang replied calmly. "Think about it. If I reveal that I possess powerful illusion techniques right now, wouldn't I attract unwanted attention?"
"It's easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to defend against an arrow from the dark. I can't constantly stay on guard against every enemy. But if my illusions are said to be the effect of soul guides, then anyone trying to target me would likely prioritize stealing or disabling my so-called 'soul guides' instead of directly targeting me."
"The effect might not be too significant, but even the smallest precaution is worth it when it comes to ensuring my survival."
"So you're actually trying to trick people?" Tianmeng asked suspiciously.
"Not tricking, Brother Tianmeng," Xiao Qiang corrected him. "Just taking precautions. It's better to have more layers of insurance, even if it seems insignificant."
Hearing this, Tianmeng nodded in satisfaction. After all, as someone who hoped for immortality, he was very pleased that his host had such a cautious mindset — better a careful host than one eager to court death.
"You said your Mirror Flower Water Moon can control the five senses, even against Soul Emperors?" Ma Rulong asked again, staring hard at the blade, unable to see any hidden features.
"Of course. Brother Ma, would you like to experience it firsthand?" Xiao Qiang offered with a smile.
"Come on, show me."
At Ma Rulong's request, Xiao Qiang recited the release chant of Mirror Flower Water Moon. At the same time, he activated the Sharingan in coordination with Tianmeng's million-year soul skill, Mental Interference.
In an instant, Ma Rulong experienced the illusion that had once trapped even Kakashi. Only a second passed before he cried out and surrendered. Xiao Qiang immediately dispelled the illusion.
"Hiss… It hurts!" Ma Rulong gasped, clutching his chest, his whole body drenched in cold sweat. Though there were no visible wounds, the pain from the illusionary injuries felt frighteningly real. If he hadn't surrendered so quickly, he might have ended up bedridden for days.
"Boss, are you alright?" The other team members rushed forward in concern, seeing Ma Rulong suddenly collapse after Xiao Qiang activated the blade.
"I'm fine," Ma Rulong waved them off, still breathing heavily. "With this, we really don't have to worry about Dai Yueheng this time. But you better prioritize using this against Gong Yangmo first. His auxiliary abilities are too terrifying. If he assists the Shrek Seven Devils, it'll be very troublesome for us."
"Don't worry, Senior Ma. Gong Yangmo won't be an issue," Xiao Qiang said with a chuckle.
Given the current circumstances, Dai Yueheng might barely survive using explosive combinations of his soul skills like White Tiger Body Barrier, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, and White Tiger Demon God Transformation. But Gong Yangmo? As an auxiliary system soul master, without Huo Yuhao's timely warnings, there was no saving him — his body likely wouldn't even remain intact.
Rather than worrying about Gong Yangmo, it was better to focus on Ma Xiaotao. Without Extreme Ice to suppress her evil fire this time, her physical condition was precarious. She might not even have the opportunity to compete. Without her, Dai Yueheng would be left to carry the team alone — and if Xuan Lao's previous actions were any indication, Dai Yueheng might end up the only surviving regular team member.
In that case, Shrek would have no choice but to send Ma Xiaotao into battle, unstable condition or not, for the sake of their academy's pride.
Just then, as the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy team was talking among themselves, their team leader, Ma Lao, walked in.
"Ma Rulong!"
"Father, what's the matter?" Ma Rulong straightened at once.
"The situation has changed," Ma Lao said grimly. "I don't know the exact details, but the first match, which was originally assigned to Shrek Academy, has now been given to us."
"What?!" Everyone froze in shock.
The first match always belonged to Shrek Academy — it was tradition, the perfect stage for them to show off. But now, somehow, it had fallen to the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy instead. How could this be normal?
"Father, is there some hidden reason behind this?" Ma Rulong asked cautiously.
"I don't know," Ma Lao admitted, shaking his head. "I heard bits and pieces — something about the Medical Immortal Douluo. But the specifics are unclear. In any case, be ready. We're playing first. As long as we win, it's a good thing."
"I understand, Father," Ma Rulong said seriously.
Under Ma Rulong's leadership, Xiao Qiang and the others quickly made their way to the competition arena.
Meanwhile, in the VIP stands, Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire frowned deeply when he saw that the opening match wasn't Shrek Academy's.
"What's going on? Wasn't the first match supposed to be Shrek's? Why is it the Sun Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy instead?" Xu Jiawei asked a nearby Titled Douluo guarding him.
"Your Majesty," the Titled Douluo whispered, "it's because of the Medical Immortal Douluo, Wang Xian'er."
"The Medical Immortal Douluo? Isn't she in seclusion? How is this related to her?" Xu Jiawei asked, confused.
"Your Majesty, Shrek Academy's Elder Xuan forcibly broke into the place where the Medical Immortal Douluo was cultivating and pulled her out of seclusion."
Xu Jiawei: "…"
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Pump up the power stone if you guys want mass release