Soul Land: Legend of Saint Seiya

Chapter 162: Jing Ling's Tearless Despair

Watching Bibi Dong mention Yu Xiaogang with such infatuation in her eyes, practically dripping with affection, Xiao Yu could only sigh inwardly. A love-struck brain really knows no bounds in causing trouble!

Bibi Dong exchanged a few more pleasantries with Tang San, and two out of every three sentences she spoke seemed to involve Yu Xiaogang, as if she feared the entire world might forget this man existed.

Finally, Chrysanthemum Douluo, standing behind her, couldn't bear it any longer and let out a light cough, interrupting Bibi Dong's overt and subtle praises of Yu Xiaogang.

Only then did Bibi Dong realize her lapse in composure. As she regained her focus, she immediately felt a disdainful gaze fall upon her. Unsurprisingly, it was her own daughter, Qian Renxue.

Those eyes, so similar to her own, seemed to convey the message: Bibi Dong, you're no better than this?

Bibi Dong let out a subtle hum of displeasure and waved her hand. Three soul bones, each radiating a distinct glow, appeared suspended in midair.

The sudden emergence of the soul bones instantly captured everyone's attention. With the exception of a certain someone from a wealthy family surnamed Qian, and another even wealthier individual surnamed Xiao, who could afford to share their wealth with others, everyone else's eyes gleamed with fervent desire. In their pupils burned an intense longing.

At the opportune moment, Ghost Douluo, standing behind Bibi Dong, fanned the flames: "These three soul bones are: the Blazing Flame Right Arm Bone of Explosive Burning Fire, the Gale-Chasing Left Leg Bone of Swift Movement, and the Spiritual Condensing Wisdom Skull. Each of these soul bones comes from a ten-thousand-year soul beast. Among them, the Spiritual Condensing Wisdom Skull was personally acquired by the previous Pope after slaying a soul beast over fifty thousand years old.

"The rightful owners of these three soul bones will be determined by one person alone—the champion of this competition. So, give it your all and fight for your glory!"

As his words fell, intense battle intent surged among the Shrek team and the Spirit Hall contestants—excluding Qian Renxue. Among the Shrek group, only Tang San possessed a thousand-year-old external soul bone and the Illusion Wisdom Skull obtained from Shi Nian. The rest of them had scarcely seen soul bones, including Ning Rongrong, the young mistress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had a considerable collection of soul bones, Ning Rongrong, spoiled and willful, had run away from home at twelve. Ning Fengzhi wouldn't dare disclose their family's treasures to her, fearing she might take them out to play.

Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan radiated the strongest fighting spirit. After all, these three soul bones were originally prepared for them: the Spiritual Condensing Wisdom Skull for Hu Liena, the Gale-Chasing Left Leg Bone for Xie Yue, and the Blazing Flame Right Arm Bone for Yan. However, due to strong opposition from the Elder Hall and Worship Hall, Bibi Dong had compromised and offered these soul bones as the championship prize for the competition.

With the atmosphere fully ignited, Bibi Dong announced the tournament rules: "This morning, the three teams that made it to the semifinals will engage in an individual elimination match, with up to seven participants per team. The winning team will gain an advantage and proceed directly to tomorrow's championship match. The two losing teams will compete this afternoon in a team battle to claim the second spot in the finals. Now, please send out your first participants."

With Bibi Dong's announcement, the final showdown officially began.

From the Nine Star Battle Team, Xiao Yu strode confidently onto the stage.

Qian Renxue, as if telepathically connected to him, followed immediately after.

From Shrek's side, they sent out their agility-attack soul master, Jing Ling. Upon seeing that the other two contestants were Xiao Yu and Qian Renxue, Jing Ling nearly fainted on the spot.

Yu Xiaogang had tasked him with using his agility to deplete his opponents' soul power as much as possible. But the problem was that both opponents were at the Soul Emperor level. No matter which one he faced, his fate would likely be sealed with a single palm strike.

"Contestants, please draw lots!"

At the reminder of the Spirit Hall staff, Xiao Yu, Qian Renxue, and Jing Ling each drew their lots.

This time, Lady Luck did not favor Shrek. Unlike in the original story, Jing Ling didn't draw the bye. His face turned pale as a sheet.

"You'd better just surrender."

Xiao Yu also hadn't drawn the bye, so the first round pitted him directly against Jing Ling.

Xiao Yu cast a calm glance at the ashen-faced Jing Ling and said, "You're no match for me. Staying here is pointless. Step down."

"I—admit..."

"Jing Ling!"

Jing Ling instinctively prepared to nod and concede, but Yu Xiaogang's sharp voice interrupted him from the sidelines.

Yu Xiaogang's face was dark as he stared at Jing Ling and said coldly, "Jing Ling, Shrek might lose battles, but we don't lose our dignity. Don't disgrace Shrek's name!"

Tang San, Yu Xiaogang's cherished disciple, also gazed at Jing Ling with a faintly reproachful expression. "Jing Ling, Shrek's honor cannot be tarnished. Conceding without a fight isn't Shrek's way."

Then there was Liu Erlong, the second "love-struck fool," who looked at Jing Ling with an encouraging expression. "Jing Ling, come on! Believe in yourself!"

What the hell! That's easy for you to say! Jing Ling wailed inwardly. We're talking about a Soul Emperor here! What's a puny Soul Elder at level 35 supposed to do against that?

Jing Ling was at his wit's end. Yet, he didn't dare to defy these three. Yu Xiaogang, the level-29 Soul Grandmaster, could be ignored. But the other two were clearly not people to mess with. Especially Liu Erlong—Jing Ling, as a former student of Blue Tyrant Academy, knew all too well about her fiery temper. If he disobeyed her, the "Tyrant Dragoness" would beat him so badly his own mother wouldn't recognize him.

Left with no choice, Jing Ling forced himself onto the stage.

"Saving face will be the death of me," he muttered to himself.

Xiao Yu glanced disdainfully at Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. The contempt in his eyes made the two prideful men feel deeply humiliated.

"The match is about to begin. Contestants, please release your martial spirits!" the referee announced.

Jing Ling immediately summoned his Skeleton Martial Spirit. Xiao Yu, however, remained motionless.

The referee, noticing this, reminded him, "Contestant Xiao Yu, please release your martial spirit!"

Xiao Yu gave Jing Ling a glance and replied leisurely, "No need. To deal with him, this is enough. Let's begin."

Given Xiao Yu's already exposed strength, he was a key focus of the Spirit Hall. The referee didn't press the matter. After all, a Soul Emperor against a Soul Elder didn't really require releasing a martial spirit. The match was promptly declared to begin.

"Third soul skill: Berserk!"

Facing a Soul Emperor-level opponent, even one who hadn't released their martial spirit, Jing Ling dared not show the slightest negligence. He immediately activated his only thousand-year soul skill, enhancing his attack speed and power by 50%.

"First soul skill: Bone Blade!"

With the augmentation from his third soul skill, the first yellow century-old soul ring on Jing Ling lit up. The Skeleton Martial Spirit behind him transformed its arms into sharp blades. Kicking off with his right leg, he lunged fiercely at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu sneered. Just as Jing Ling's attack was about to land, Xiao Yu's figure flickered, and Jing Ling's strike hit nothing but air.

In a seamless counter, Xiao Yu delivered a kick straight to Jing Ling's chest. Jing Ling let out a pained cry as he was sent flying off the stage, landing outside the arena.

(End of Chapter)

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