The waves surged, and the second Azure Whirlpool, filled with countless sharp water blades, struck the outer layer of the Flaming Ice Mirror's protective triangular prism.
Once again, ear-piercing sounds of grinding and slicing rang out, but Mu Yang's Flaming Ice Mirror secret technique had a defense far stronger than the Flame Star Guard cast by Huo Chui and Huo Jun.
After blocking the second and third clone-cast versions of the Azure Whirlpool, the Flaming Ice Mirror was finally shattered by the fourth one.
Huo Wu's Extreme Flame Mirror had weaker defense than Mu Yang's Flaming Ice Mirror, but it still managed to block the weakened fourth Azure Whirlpool before also withstanding the fifth.
However, after the four of them had successively blocked five clone-cast versions of the Azure Whirlpool, what awaited the frozen Huo Wushuang was the full-powered Azure Whirlpool, unleashed by Shui Yue'er's main body.
Seeing that Huo Wushuang was about to be swallowed by the Azure Whirlpool, facing potential irreversible injury or even life-threatening danger, the red-clothed cardinal serving as the match referee couldn't help but hesitate.
If he chose to intervene, Huo Wushuang wasn't a member of the Spirit Hall, and from the Hall's standpoint, the best outcome would be for all talented soul masters from other factions to perish.
But if he didn't intervene, as the match referee, he had a duty and responsibility to protect the contestants when their lives were at risk.
Moreover, this final match was hosted by Spirit Hall, and if a contestant died or became crippled, it would damage the Hall's reputation.
Of course, the main issue was that the Pope hadn't given any instructions on how to handle such situations. If he had, there wouldn't be any dilemma.
'Forget it, I'll step in.'
With that thought flashing through his mind, the referee ultimately decided to save Huo Wushuang before he was swallowed by the Azure Whirlpool.
After all, Huo Wushuang's father Tyrant Dragon Douluo Huo Lie, was watching from the Pope's Hall. Even if he didn't act, Huo Lie, a Titled Douluo, would step in at the last moment.
Since Huo Wushuang was going to be saved anyway, it was better for him to be the one to do it—fulfilling his duty as a referee while also showcasing Spirit Hall's fair and just image as the tournament host.
However, just as the referee was about to act, six ice-blue mirrors suddenly descended from the sky, once again shielding the frozen Huo Wushuang.
Mu Yang's calculations were precise.
After his Flaming Ice Mirror shattered, Huo Wushuang still had Huo Wu's Extreme Flame Mirror for protection.
And since the Extreme Flame Mirror could hold off the incoming Azure Whirlpool for a brief moment, that short window was enough for Mu Yang to reform another Flaming Ice Mirror.
As expected, Shui Yue'er's strength was inferior to his, and the Azure Whirlpool wasn't even the most powerful single-target attack in terms of offensive capabilities.
Although it shattered the Flaming Ice Mirror, this ten-thousand-year soul skill had already lost its full power, failing to cause any harm to the now unprotected Huo Wushuang.
At that moment, the ice encasing Huo Wushuang shattered, and he broke free from Shui Bing'er's Ice Sealing soul skill.
The next second, a voice rang out:
"Referee, I surrender!"
As the words fell, Yu Hairou from the Sky Water Team casually walked off the stage.
That's right—Mu Yang, the ultimate strategist, had struck again. Using his mind control secret technique, he had eliminated another Sky Water Team member.
"Damn it~!"
Watching Mu Yang eliminate yet another teammate, Shui Yue'er was furious, gritting her teeth with rage, wishing she could pin Mu Yang down and bite him repeatedly.
"Secret Technique: Extreme Ice Dragon!"
"Roar—!"
With another teammate eliminated, Shui Bing'er's expression remained calm, but ice-blue light flashed around her.
As her powerful soul force surged, a lifelike Ice Dragon suddenly soared into the sky behind her, its majestic presence overwhelming.
As a Control-Type Soul Master, Shui Bing'er's soul skills were primarily focused on control, and up until now, she had never used an actual offensive soul skill.
However, given the current situation, she could no longer afford to remain just a control-type soul master.
Fortunately, where soul skills fell short, secret techniques could compensate.
And for offensive abilities, "Extreme Ice Secret Art" was more than sufficient to make up for her lack of attack techniques.
"Roar—!"
Immediately after, a deep-blue dragon rose behind Shui Yue'er as well.
Mu Yang had passed down the "Extreme Ice Secret Art" to Shui Bing'er and Shui Yan Yu. Naturally, as her younger sister, Shui Yue'er had also received the water-element version, known as "Extreme Water Secret Art."
…Though the name didn't sound great, it didn't really matter—as long as the secret technique was effective.
However, compared to the Extreme Ice Dragon, the Extreme Water Dragon that Shui Yue'er summoned was clearly weaker in aura.
Her soul power level was lower, and her proficiency with the secret technique was inferior as well.
Naturally, Shui Yue'er's Extreme Water Dragon couldn't compare to Shui Bing'er's Extreme Ice Dragon.
That said, it still wasn't something any Soul Master below the five-ring level could even think about challenging.
As Sky Water Team's twin dragons gathered, the Blazing Team was not about to back down.
Dragon roars echoed, and two Extreme Flame Dragons rose into the air as well, controlled by Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang, charging toward the Extreme Ice Dragon and Extreme Water Dragon.
As for Mu Yang?
He was busy being the ultimate strategist, eliminating the remaining weaker members of Sky Water Team.
"Referee, I surrender!"
"Referee, I…"
"Referee…"
Not long after, with one surrender after another, the only two members left on Sky Water Team were Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er.
On the other hand, although Huo Yun and Huo Yu had been shivering uncontrollably from the freezing effects of Ice Seal and Extreme Cold Frost, forcing them to retreat from the battlefield, Blazing Team still had five members remaining:
Mu Yang, Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Huo Chui, and Huo Jun.
At this point, the outcome of the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was clear—the championship had undoubtedly been decided.
Ten minutes later—
After being completely locked down by Huo Wu, Shui Bing'er saw Shui Yue'er defeated under the combined assault of Huo Wushuang, Huo Chui, and Huo Jun.
A look of helplessness flashed across her face.
She turned to Huo Wu and said, "You win."
Then, she glared at Mu Yang from a distance, clearly annoyed.
If this bastard hadn't eliminated Xue Wu ahead of time, with their Martial Soul Fusion Technique,Sky Water Team might have still had a chance.
Of course, Shui Bing'er knew—if Mu Yang had gone all out, he could have single-handedly wiped out the entire tournament.
Even their Martial Soul Fusion Technique wouldn't have been able to stop him.
After all, no matter how powerful a fusion skill was, it still needed time to activate.
And against Mu Yang's instant-cast mind control, there was simply no chance to react.
Not to mention, he had already gone easy on them by not forcing teammates to betray each other.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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