DD Black White [148-150] (Patreon)

Chapter 148: The Sinister Gem

Haiyuan City’s atmosphere grew ever more intense as the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Battle Tournament entered its final stage.

After the semifinals concluded, both St. Freya Academy and Shrek Academy were given two days to rest.

Due to the surge in crowd numbers, Haiyuan City urgently expanded its military forces to maintain order. Xu Jiawei, with a grand gesture, shipped in large quantities of supplies from nearby cities to make up for Haiyuan’s shortages.

This month-long soul master tournament brought deep, all-round benefits to Haiyuan City.

Whether it was the city’s rapidly skyrocketing fame, drawing endless attention, or the leap in economic income driving prosperity in every sector, the results were remarkable.

All of this more than justified the great effort Lu Jingming had put in to win the right to host the tournament in Haiyuan City.

Now, with the finals stage already set up, only two teams remained in the spotlight—Shrek Academy and St. Freya Academy.

Shrek Academy, the undisputed strongest academy in the soul master world, boasted the legendary title of “Number One for Ten Thousand Years,” with a staggering number of fans.

Meanwhile, St. Freya Academy, the local powerhouse of Haiyuan City and the previous tournament’s dark horse champion, also had its own legion of passionate supporters.

Fans from both sides fiercely debated who would ultimately claim the crown, each convinced that their own team was invincible and destined to win.

At last, the grand finals officially began.

On finals day, the entire coastline was packed tight with fervent spectators from early morning.

The crowd was so dense it looked like a moving sea of people, stretching as far as the eye could see.

St. Freya Academy and Shrek Academy’s team members arrived in cool, tech-filled soul-guided airships, descending slowly onto the Eye of Abyss.

The airships traced dazzling arcs across the blue sky as if heralding the magnificent prelude to this peak showdown.

The finals’ schedule was tight and demanding: three matches—team battle, individual elimination, and the two-two-three battle—all to be completed within a single day.

This high-intensity format tested the competitors’ stamina, soul power, willpower, and teamwork to the fullest, ensuring that only the strongest of the strong would emerge victorious.

This meant no chance to catch their breath; every fight had to be fought with everything they had, with no room for slacking.

St. Freya Academy kept their original lineup without any changes.

On Shrek Academy’s side, they fielded Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yaoheng, Ling Luocheng, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Bei Bei, and Xu Sanshi.

Xi Xi, one of Shrek’s main team members, had mostly recovered after a month of treatment, but considering the final’s importance and brutality, she chose to give this precious chance to Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi.

Bei Bei possessed the Holy Light Dragon state, and Xu Sanshi’s Black Tortoise martial soul was also extremely powerful—neither inferior to Xi Xi, and in some aspects, even stronger.

More importantly, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong had a unique Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Shrek’s secret weapon for this tournament.

As Huo Yuhao followed the team onto the stage, his body suddenly jolted uncontrollably, his gaze locked on a figure on the main platform.

That man, with blond hair and blue eyes, tall and imposing in a crisp military uniform, exuded the unique might and dominance of a battle-hardened soldier.

He was none other than the White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao, stationed at the Mingdou Mountain Range frontline. He now stood quietly beside Xu Jiawei, gaze fixed on the stage.

White Tiger Duke Dai Hao was famed throughout the soul master world, long stationed at the Mingdou frontlines in confrontation with the Sun Moon Empire, with many military exploits to his name.

This time, despite his busy schedule, he had come specifically to watch the soul master tournament finals—mainly because his son, Dai Yaoheng, was competing.

As a father, he wanted to see how much Dai Yaoheng had grown under Shrek’s training.

However, Dai Hao didn’t recognize the other young man on stage—his own son, Huo Yuhao. He didn’t even know he had another son!

Dai Yaoheng soon spotted his father, excitement and fighting spirit flaring instantly in his eyes.

Both Dai Yaoheng and Dai Huabin—though proud and arrogant outwardly—deep down felt immense reverence and admiration for their father, the White Tiger Duke.

His arrival was like a shot of adrenaline for Dai Yaoheng, filling him with strength.

He secretly vowed: no matter how tough the match or strong the opponent, he must not lose before his father. He would give his all to win honor for Shrek and glory for his father.

Meanwhile, a storm of negative emotions surged in Huo Yuhao’s mind.

He knew clearly this was yet another attack from the dark red gem’s side effects.

This gem always insidiously eroded his heart, drawing out his most painful, sorrowful memories.

Though he tried to suppress his emotions, Dai Hao’s appearance made it nearly impossible. His face darkened, gloom and coldness radiating from him.

Noticing this, Wang Dong grew worried.

“Yuhao, are you okay?” Wang Dong asked anxiously, concern in his eyes.

Just as Huo Yuhao was about to be drowned by these emotions, golden light flashed in his eyes. A cooling sensation, like a clear spring, surged from his heart and spread through his body, instantly quenching the turmoil.

It turned out the Skydream Iceworm had sensed Huo Yuhao’s danger and used its origin power to pull him back from the edge.

“Yuhao, that gem’s too sinister. Let’s get rid of it!” Skydream Iceworm’s voice was full of worry.

In its long life, it had seen many things, but never anything so bizarre.

The gem seemed to have its own consciousness, always striking when Huo Yuhao’s willpower was weakest, trying to lure him into darkness.

“It’s fine, Brother Skydream. I was careless just now, it won’t happen again. Besides, these negative emotions aren’t all bad—tempered by them, my mental power is becoming purer.”

Huo Yuhao gently shook his head, disagreeing.

To him, though the dark red gem brought trouble, as the saying goes, “Fortune lies within misfortune.” Its power wasn’t wholly harmful.

On the contrary, fighting these negative emotions had toughened and purified his mind like never before.

The gem could help Electrolux recover his strength, subtly accelerate Huo Yuhao’s cultivation, and let him forge his spirit through adversity to reach higher realms.

He would never abandon such a rare treasure just for a few drawbacks.

Besides, he wasn’t facing this alone.

He had Electrolux, the Skydream Iceworm’s million-year spiritual origin, and the Ice Empress.

He believed he could resist the negative emotions’ corrosion and not be consumed.

To Huo Yuhao, these emotions were just echoes of past suffering.

From childhood, he had endured life’s hardships, which had forged his unyielding character and indomitable spirit.

He was confident he could master this mysterious gem, grow stronger with its power, fulfill his dreams, and become a true powerhouse.

“Well… okay!” Skydream Iceworm nodded helplessly, still uneasy, but choosing to trust Huo Yuhao.

After all, it trusted its own million-year spiritual origin, and it had faith in Electrolux. With them there, Yuhao should be fine.

“I’m fine, Wang Dong. We absolutely can’t lose this match!” With Skydream’s timely help, Huo Yuhao broke free from the tide of negativity.

He slowly withdrew his gaze from Dai Hao, his expression clearing, a determined look in his eyes.

Seeing Huo Yuhao’s calm return, Wang Dong let out a long breath.

He knew all about Yuhao’s background—Yuhao had never hidden it from him.

He knew how shocking Dai Hao’s sudden appearance was for Yuhao.

Fortunately, Yuhao didn’t seem too affected, and Wang Dong’s worries eased.

…

At this moment, as both teams lined up on the stage, Dan Heng appeared at the center right on time.

With a solemn expression, he swept his gaze over the arena, then began to announce the finals’ rules, word by word.

As the rules were announced, the previously noisy venue fell into tense silence. Millions of spectators listened intently, afraid to miss a single detail—they knew the coming battle would be a heart-stopping, glory-defining showdown.

“I’ve explained the rules. Both sides, step back and prepare.” As Dan Heng finished, both teams stepped back in unison.

Ma Xiaotao narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of challenge in her gaze as she looked straight at Lu Jingming.

She knew they had no advantage in this match, but she would never allow herself to show weakness—her pride and stubbornness kept her unafraid even at this tense moment.

Facing her provocation, Lu Jingming smiled confidently.

To him, the outcome was already decided. No matter how Shrek struggled, nothing could change it—St. Freya would not lose.

He already knew every detail about Shrek’s competitors, even their hidden Martial Soul Fusion Skills.

But above all, absolute strength was his true backing.

Chapter 149: Heaven-Shaking Phenomena vs. True Phoenix Form

At this moment, both teams were highly focused, ready to burst into action.

After retreating a hundred meters as required, Dan Heng raised his right hand and calmly announced, “Begin!”

With that, as if a fuse had been lit, both sides instantly released their martial souls.

In a flash, soul ring lights shone across the arena, beams intertwining to create a dreamlike spectacle.

“One Sky’s Finale!” Gu Yue struck first, unleashing her powerful skill without mercy.

A dragon roared as countless cyan streaks, like a meteor shower, rained down over Shrek’s side.

Wherever the cyan lights passed, the air seemed to tear, producing a sharp howl.

“I’m coming too—Ice Carved Arrow Rain!” March 7th followed up, quickly drawing her bow.

Her longbow glimmered with icy light, and with her motion, a barrage of cold arrows traced crystalline arcs, merging with Gu Yue’s attack for a powerful offensive.

Robin also unleashed her soul skill instantly, bathing the team in gentle light, boosting all allies.

Shrek would not be outdone.

“White Tiger Meteor Shower!”

Dai Yaoheng’s fourth soul ring glowed, white light shooting skyward and becoming countless white meteors, crashing toward St. Freya’s team.

“Phoenix Meteor Shower!”

Simultaneously, Ma Xiaotao’s flames soared, a phoenix’s cry echoing through the stadium.

A giant phoenix phantom spread its wings behind her, taking flight.

Countless fireballs rained down from its mouth like a torrential downpour.

In an instant, the arena was illuminated with flame and heat.

The battle erupted into a clash of soul skills. The dazzling spectacle sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Thunderous explosions rang out, as ice and fire clashed, wind and light intertwined.

Energies collided, creating a fantastic tapestry of color in the sky.

“Black Tortoise Shield Array!” Xu Sanshi shouted, as a black tortoise phantom appeared behind him.

Massive black shields formed a sturdy formation, shielding his teammates.

“Cuteness is Justice!”

March 7th wasn’t to be left behind, activating her first soul skill.

A layer of icy blue shield, formed from ultimate ice, quickly covered Lu Jingming and his teammates.

The cold aura and defensive power rivaled Xu Sanshi’s shield.

Both sides’ soul skills collided, unleashing huge energy shockwaves that spread wildly.

But under the combined defense of Xu Sanshi’s Black Tortoise and March 7th’s ice shield, the shockwaves caused no real harm.

“Dragon’s Shattering Roar!” Jinhsi’s clear shout rang out, as light power blazed like the sun.

With a dragon’s roar, a platinum dragon, holy and majestic, charged at Shrek.

“Thunder’s Wrath, Lightning Dragon’s Head!” Bei Bei activated his Holy Light Dragon bloodline.

Golden scales appeared, shining like armor, as two soul rings burst with light.

Bei Bei used his third and fourth skills together—a golden light dragon, unusually bearing wild blue lightning, clashed with Jinhsi’s platinum dragon.

The two dragons soared and collided, their roars shaking the stadium.

Light and lightning intertwined in a spectacular display.

But the gap in soul power became clear. Bei Bei, slightly weaker, could not match Jinhsi’s Time Dragon.

The golden lightning dragon began to fade and was finally torn apart by the platinum dragon’s power.

Undeterred, the platinum dragon crashed toward Xu Sanshi’s shield.

“Black Tortoise Power!” Xu Sanshi gritted his teeth, his third ring flashing.

Jet-black water surged from him, forming a huge dark vortex to block the dragon.

After fighting Bei Bei, the platinum dragon’s strength had waned.

Though it struck the vortex with a thunderous boom, it could only push the shield back a bit, failing to break through.

At this point, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong exchanged looks. They knew they only had enough soul power to use their Fusion Skill twice.

Thus, it had to be saved for the most critical moment, as their teacher Wang Yan had repeatedly instructed.

On the other side, a cold glint flashed in Lu Jingming’s eyes. His left hand shone with dark gold.

Slowly spreading his fingers to the sky, he intoned, “Soul Bone Skill: Heaven-Shaking Phenomena!”

A creepy crack echoed, and the sky seemed to tremble.

Everyone watched, dumbfounded, as cracks appeared in the sky like glass, then shattered entirely.

More precisely, space itself broke under immense gravity.

A huge rift tore open, revealing a vast, dead starfield.

Next, a small meteorite fragment drifting in space was instantly captured by gravity, and dragged into Douluo’s world at terrifying speed.

As it fell, air friction ignited the meteor, turning it into a flaming star trailing a long tail—hurtling straight for Shrek’s formation with world-ending force.

Seeing this, Ma Xiaotao and the others were shocked.

The audience was left speechless by this miraculous, terrifying soul skill—pulling a meteor from beyond the world by warping space with gravity.

Though its power was less than a real meteor, it was still more than enough to inspire awe.

“Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul True Body!” At this critical moment, Ma Xiaotao knew she could not hold back.

Gritting her teeth, she unleashed her Martial Soul True Body.

Only this could block the world-ending meteor—otherwise, Xu Sanshi’s defense would be shattered, and the rest would be eliminated instantly.

As her True Body activated, Ma Xiaotao was engulfed in flames, her figure growing massive.

A phoenix’s cry echoed as fiery wings spread, and a huge fire phoenix soared skyward.

Her soul rings flashed one after another, amplifying her second and third skills.

Now, her flames neared the ultimate fire, burning hot enough to scorch space.

She charged at the plummeting meteor like a burning comet.

Heaven-Shaking Phenomena versus True Phoenix—every eye was glued to the sky.

The fire phoenix climbed higher, racing to intercept before the meteor’s destructive force peaked.

“Boom!”

Phoenix and meteor collided in the sky with a deafening roar.

For a moment, the sky seemed to host a second sun, its light blinding and heat searing.

With an unyielding cry, the phoenix held the meteor, its flames furiously burning to melt it.

At last, just before impact, the meteor was incinerated to ashes by the phoenix’s fire.

Ma Xiaotao, having used all her strength, successfully blocked Lu Jingming’s devastating Heaven-Shaking Phenomena soul skill.

Shrek’s team breathed a sigh of relief, and the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers at this breathtaking spectacle.

“I’ll praise you for that—but this is as far as you go!” Lu Jingming smiled.

In an instant, lightning flashed, and he vanished, reappearing above Ma Xiaotao’s phoenix form.

His spear had become a massive lightning lance, blindingly white.

“Judgment Sky Spear!”

Lu Jingming’s cold voice sent a chill through Ma Xiaotao. Having exhausted her soul power, she now faced a deadly crisis.

“Sister Xiaotao!” Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong turned pale, panic in their eyes.

They knew if Ma Xiaotao fell, Shrek would have no chance left.

Tension peaked—everyone held their breath.

“Black Tortoise Switch!” At the last second, Xu Sanshi roared—

Chapter 150: End Echo & Holy Lance Reversal

As Xu Sanshi shouted, his Black Tortoise shield shot out a black beam, instantly striking Lu Jingming.

Space twisted, and before everyone’s eyes, Lu Jingming vanished from the sky, reappearing inside Shrek’s formation.

“White Tiger Annihilation Slash!”

“Thunder’s Wrath!”

“Ice Prison!”

“Blazing Amidst Frost, Heaven Emperor’s Hammer!”

In a split second, the battle shifted dramatically. Shrek’s team launched a coordinated assault.

Dai Yaoheng’s soul rings shone, as he unleashed three potent skills at once, aiming to finish Lu Jingming.

A blood-red “kill” character, brimming with murderous, destructive energy, raced toward him.

Bei Bei’s thunder gathered into a massive ball as he charged in for a decisive blow.

Ling Luocheng’s ice staff erupted with cold, trapping Lu Jingming in a prison of ice.

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong unleashed their second martial souls—a giant Clear Sky Hammer entwined with the Ice Jade Scorpion, as a huge humanoid phantom appeared, resembling an older, more imposing Yuhao.

Lu Jingming’s lips twitched—he had expected Xu Sanshi might use the Black Tortoise Switch but hadn’t imagined Shrek would focus everything on eliminating him at once.

Even Ma Xiaotao, at full strength, would struggle to withstand such an onslaught.

The audience was stunned by the sudden turn—a moment ago, Ma Xiaotao was doomed; now, the crisis had shifted to Lu Jingming.

In Shrek’s rest area, Wang Yan cheered—this was his carefully crafted plan: eliminate Lu Jingming first, then defeat the rest.

Xu Sanshi’s Switch was the key. If it succeeded, Wang Yan was eighty percent sure they could win.

In his mind, Lu Jingming—though strong—was not a defense type; facing such an assault, he should have no escape.

Many shared Wang Yan’s view.

On the main platform, Xu Jiujiu stood up in shock, her face full of concern for Lu Jingming.

Xu Jiawei frowned deeply, seeing the unfavorable turn.

But Duke Dai Hao, the veteran general, actually smiled faintly, clearly pleased with his son’s performance.

Xu Jiujiu was anxious at first, but seeing Changli’s calm smile, she felt reassured—Changli knew Lu Jingming’s strength best; if she wasn’t worried, Lu Jingming must have a plan.

She fixed her gaze on Lu Jingming, not daring to look away for even a second.

“Should I thank you for taking me so seriously? But you’re underestimating me!”

Facing the siege, Lu Jingming laughed, his confidence unwavering.

His third soul ring flared, and his black spear flew from his hand.

It spun rapidly, splitting into five black beams that pierced through Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Dai Yaoheng, Bei Bei, and Ling Luocheng.

A strange scene followed.

Dai Yaoheng’s blood-red kill skill, Bei Bei’s thunder orb, and Ling Luocheng’s ice prison all vanished like bubbles.

Only Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong’s Heaven Emperor’s Hammer fusion skill continued to crash down on Lu Jingming.

“Almost forgot, that’s a fusion skill!”

Lu Jingming watched the incoming hammer, calmly.

His fifth soul ring blazed with blood-red light—his hundred-thousand-year soul skill activated.

The black spear reappeared, a thick black light wrapping around Lu Jingming.

As black energy surged, the Heaven Emperor’s Hammer smashed down.

Boom!

A thunderous blast sent shockwaves outward.

Debris flew, dust rose, and the arena was shrouded in chaos.

As the dust cleared, Lu Jingming stood revealed.

He now wore pitch-black armor, sleek and radiating immense power, as if nothing could harm him.

He caught the Heaven Emperor’s Hammer in one hand; apart from the ground beneath him caving in, he was unharmed—as if the world-shattering blow was nothing.

“How… how is that possible?” Wang Yan stared wide-eyed, stunned.

He never imagined Lu Jingming could withstand such a terrifying assault, especially the soul emperor-level fusion skill.

The crowd was equally shocked.

Everyone was confused—why did Dai Yaoheng and Bei Bei’s skills vanish? They couldn’t figure it out.

Lu Jingming caught the Heaven Emperor’s Hammer, marveling at its power—a soul elder and a soul Grandmaster’s fusion skill could reach soul emperor level!

Furthermore, he knew Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong had more than one fusion skill.

Clear Sky Hammer, Ice Jade Scorpion, Light Goddess Butterfly, and Spirit Eyes—four utterly different martial souls, all able to pair up for fusion skills, nearly all at perfect rates.

Lu Jingming was sure there was trickery here—Tang San, the Sea God, must have meddled to lock Huo Yuhao’s fate.

But as powerful as Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong were, Lu Jingming was no ordinary person.

He had easily countered the attacks thanks to his third soul skill—End Echo.

This skill could virtualize the Black Abyss Spear, forcibly dispelling any triggered enemy soul skills and preventing their re-use for ten minutes.

Thus, Dai Yaoheng’s Annihilation, Bei Bei’s Thunder, and Ling Luocheng’s Ice Prison were all instantly dispelled.

The black armor on Lu Jingming was his fifth soul skill—Holy Lance Reversal.

When activated, the Black Abyss Spear became invulnerable armor, massively boosting his stats and granting absolute defense.

The armor carried a withering power, destroying any attack that landed on it.

Lu Jingming, wreathed in black energy and armor, looked every bit the final boss.

He casually unleashed a wave of black lightning, shattering the huge phantom, revealing the battered Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong.

At the same time, the rest of the battlefield shifted dramatically.

Firefly seized the moment, burning with light, her silver-white mecha soaring upward, delivering a mighty punch to Ma Xiaotao’s phoenix form and slamming it to the ground.

Jinhsi flashed to Bei Bei, a dragon phantom biting him and slamming him into the arena barrier.

Castorice appeared behind Dai Yaoheng, her scythe wreathed in death energy, slashing down with a chill that froze Dai Yaoheng’s blood.

March 7th’s fourth soul ring lit up as she used her fourth skill—Memory’s Flowing Ice.

She teleported along Ling Luocheng’s ice, appearing at her side and freezing her solid.

Gu Yue, holding her silver dragon spear, descended from the sky amid a whirlwind, tossing her spear to sweep Xu Sanshi into a tornado he could not escape.