Just as Hu Liena was secretly fantasizing, a burst of laughter suddenly rang out.
"Hahahaha—Hu Liena, you really are a complete fool!"
"I already expected you to use a perception-altering technique on me. After all, a twenty-something-year-old with nine rings, a Title Douluo? That's obviously fake—even an idiot wouldn't believe it."
"But deep down, I did believe it a little, which meant there had to be an external force influencing my judgment."
"When I asked you to state my soul power level to verify the authenticity of your nine-ring strength, I kept hypnotizing myself into believing I was a level 56 Soul King."
"And as expected, you said I was a level 56 Soul King. That means you must have asked me about it earlier, then erased or blocked my memory afterward."
"If I'm not mistaken, this conversation we just had wasn't the first time we've had it, right?"
"For you to alter my memory so casually—your strength alone wouldn't be enough. That can only mean… we're inside an illusion, aren't we?"
"Of course, that's not even the biggest flaw. The biggest mistake in your illusion is this—if you were truly a nine-ring Title Douluo, why would you even need to participate in the Soul Master Tournament?"
After delivering his taunt, Mu Yang spoke with absolute certainty.
Hmm, not bad at all.
Mu Yang secretly gave himself a mental pat on the back for his own acting skills.
Hearing this, Hu Liena fell silent.
There were that many flaws? Why didn't I notice?!
No, no, it's not that my illusion has too many flaws—it's that Mu Yang is too cunning! Plus, his spiritual power isn't much weaker than mine, even with my attribute-boosting soul skill. That's why he saw through it!
"Mere illusion—break!"
The next second, a powerful shout echoed in Hu Liena's ears.
Immediately after, the illusion shattered, and both of their consciousnesses returned to reality.
"Ugh—"
The moment she returned, Hu Liena felt a sharp pain in her mind, her face turning deathly pale.
The Heavenly Fox Illusion Realm had been broken.
Although Mu Yang hadn't used his full strength to shatter it, she still suffered a minor spiritual backlash.
Of course, compared to Hu Liena, Mu Yang, who forcefully broke the illusion, seemed to be in even worse shape.
As his consciousness returned, Mu Yang secretly adjusted his internal energy and blood flow. Then, he made his face appear ghostly pale, his eyes bloodshot, and even let some blood trickle from the corners of his mouth and nostrils—crafting the illusion that he had paid a heavy price to forcibly break free from the illusion.
"A decent illusion, but this is where it ends! Secret Art: Iceflame Dragon!"
With the secret art activated, an incredibly lifelike ice-blue divine dragon suddenly soared into the air behind Mu Yang.
"Roar—"
"Go!"
With a single motion from Mu Yang, the Iceflame Dragon charged straight toward Hu Liena.
The moment the ice-blue divine dragon appeared, Hu Liena knew she was done for.
There was nothing she could do.
She was a spiritual control-type soul master—without her mental techniques, even as a five-ring Soul King, she likely couldn't even defeat an ordinary four-ring battle soul master.
Since even her strongest spiritual techniques were useless against Mu Yang, she had no other options left.
More importantly, even Xie Yue and Yan—both five-ring Soul Kings—couldn't defeat this Iceflame Dragon condensed from a secret technique!
In less than ten seconds, Hu Liena, unable to dodge in time, was struck directly by the Iceflame Dragon's Icy Flame Breath.
Moments later, Mu Yang voluntarily extinguished the Icy Flame Fire that had latched onto Hu Liena, then turned to look at the referee.
After three seconds of silence and a deep breath, the referee, with a rigid expression, solemnly announced, "Blazing Academy team versus Spirit Hall Academy team—Blazing Academy team wins! Congratulations to Blazing Academy for advancing to the championship match. Spirit Hall Academy team, please prepare for the team battle this afternoon."
Defeating the Spirit Hall team in a one-versus-seven battle and securing a spot in the final championship match, Mu Yang nodded in satisfaction.
Then, with a flash of soul power in his hand, his Icefire Immortal Jade Ginseng martial soul manifested.
As his first and second soul rings lit up one after another, he silently chanted the incantation, summoning the Red Jade Revival Ginseng and Orange Jade Blood-Replenishing Ginseng.
After consuming both soul-powered ginseng, Mu Yang pretended to recover from his 'injuries.'
He glanced at the dejected Hu Liena, who had just suffered defeat, then at the remaining six members of the Spirit Hall team standing outside the arena. Finally, his gaze landed on Bibi Dong, seated high on the gilded throne in front of the Supreme Pontiff Palace.
Seeing this, Bibi Dong, whose face was already dark due to the crushing defeat of the Spirit Hall team, found her expression growing even darker.
What is this kid trying to imply?
This Supreme Pontiff always keeps her word. Since the bet between the two teams was set in advance, the losing side must honor it—there's absolutely no room for reneging. Yet, you dare to doubt that I—the Spirit Hall—can't afford to lose?
Although displeased, Bibi Dong didn't bother arguing with Mu Yang. Instead, she moved her lips slightly and sent a voice transmission to Hu Liena and the other six members of the Spirit Hall team.
Soon after, Xie Yue and the other six walked onto the stage, standing in a line beside Hu Liena.
The next moment, above the Supreme Pontiff Mountain, seven synchronized voices echoed—
"Huo Wu of Blazing Academy is the most beautiful girl on the continent!"
Huo Wu: Ah~ So embarrassing~!
Then,Yan stepped forward, raising his hands, where crimson flames flickered, and ran them across his own head.
As the scent of burnt hair filled the air, Fei Yan's striking red hair was completely gone in no time.
Of course, since Yan's technique wasn't the best, Mu Yang didn't get to see a completely shiny bald head.
Mu Yang clasped his hands toward the seven of them and said with a casual smile, "A small bet is just for fun, I hope none of you take it too seriously."
Then, he turned around and walked off the stage, his demeanor relaxed and carefree.
A small bet for fun? Don't take it too seriously?
That may be the principle, but why does it feel like you're rubbing salt in the wound on purpose?!
Watching Mu Yang's departing figure, the seven members of the Spirit Hall team all had flames of vengeance burning in their eyes.
Among them,Yan's fury was the most intense.
A head can be cut off, blood can be shed, but the hairstyle must not be ruined!
And now… he doesn't even have a hairstyle left?!
Even with his handsome hairstyle before, Nana had rejected his advances. Now that he had no hair at all, she would never accept him—so painful, so frustrating!
Seeing the burning determination in the eyes of the seven on stage, Bibi Dong secretly nodded in satisfaction.
Compared to merely losing a match, she felt that this bet had been incredibly well-placed—brilliant, even.
Not only had the Spirit Hall team lost the battle, but they had also lost the bet. This was, without a doubt, their most humiliating moment.
Bibi Dong was certain that the greatest desire in the hearts of these seven right now was to defeat Mu Yang and the Blazing Academy team to reclaim their lost dignity.
It is said that a desperate army fights with the greatest strength—she was sure that in the upcoming matches, the Spirit Hall team would unleash their full potential.
Even if they could ultimately defeat the Blazing Academy team using their martial soul fusion technique and reclaim the championship title, the humiliation of today would be a lifelong lesson.
This would ensure that all seven of them—especially her personal disciples, Hu Liena and the other two—would cast aside their arrogance and complacency and understand the true meaning of "there is always someone stronger, and a sky beyond the sky."
This was undoubtedly a lesson that would benefit them greatly.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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