Word Count: 2,965 Words
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"Awesome!"
"We won!"
Shen Ce conceded defeat on behalf of the Thousand Spirits Advanced Spirit Master Academy. The six members of Shrek Academy's Reserve Team high-fived each other in celebration, their somewhat youthful faces brimming with smiles. Stepping onto the grand stage of the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament for the first time, it would be a lie to say they weren't nervous under the gaze of tens of thousands. However, after overcoming that initial awkwardness, things flowed much more smoothly. They were taking steps toward maturity.
Ling Bai returned the Blazing Tiger and Frost Bear to the Twin Controllers of Ice and Fire. The two girls bowed repeatedly, tears of gratitude streaming down their faces. They had truly experienced what it meant to be suppressed in both Martial Spirit and spirit power.
Just moments before, the ice-controlling beauty's Frost Bear had barely bared its fangs for half a second when Ling Bai slapped it backhanded. The massive, three-meter-tall Frost Bear spun in place three times like a ballerina before collapsing into a heap. This sight frightened the adjacent Blazing Tiger so much that it instantly turned into a docile kitten, allowing Ling Bai to knead and shape it at will.
Shen Ce stepped forward to shake hands with Ling Bai and exchanged a few words. The gist was that while he regretted not being able to fight the Seraphim directly, he had experienced the vast difference between them—in a one-versus-six situation, he had been beaten senseless by Shrek's Reserve Team, while Ling Bai single-handedly chased six opponents around. He felt the immense gap between them and vowed to work even harder in the future.
After exchanging friendly gestures with their opponents, the Shrek team filed off the stage. Just like after their opening elimination match, the members didn't stay to watch subsequent battles but headed directly for the exit passage to return to the Star Emperor Hotel and rest.
"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
"Seraphim! Seraphim! Seraphim!"
The spectators cheered as Shrek Academy left, eagerly anticipating Ling Bai leading the team to victory all the way to the championship.
While laymen enjoyed the spectacle, the experts observed the subtleties. Most leading teachers from the various academies wore grim expressions because Shrek had won this match far too easily. The outcome had been decided the moment Xu Sanshi used Mystic Deep Replacement to send Ling Bai into the Thousand Spirits' backline. The Seraphim hadn't revealed any true trump cards.
Angelic Domain, fifth spirit ring, secret techniques, spirit bones; none of the things they hoped to see were revealed. They could only hope Shrek's next opponent would put up more of a fight.
The night following the battle against Thousand Spirits Academy, all eleven Shrek Academy participants gathered in the conference room. Two days and nights of rest had fully restored the Reserve Team's energy. The baptism of the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament had clearly taken effect; they seemed to possess a sharper aura now.
The recovery speed of the three main team members was also going well. Ling Luochen, who had the lightest internal injuries, would be able to participate in the competition in another two days. Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng could also return for the fifth round-robin match. By then, with two Spirit Emperors and two Spirit Kings, complemented by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, and Mystic Deep Turtle, Shrek Academy would finally possess championship-contending strength.
"Teacher Wang, who are our opponents tomorrow?"
Xu Sanshi asked nonchalantly as he lounged in his chair. No wonder he was so relaxed; they only needed to win this next match. Once Ling Luochen returned, Shrek Academy wouldn't need to worry about losing the 2-2-3 Collaboration Battle format.
The first round could go to Ling Bai and Ning Tian, the second to Ling Luochen and Huo Yuhao; Seraphim plus Ultimate Ice offered two deadly poisons for opponents to choose between.
The others directed questioning gazes at Wang Yan, only to notice suddenly that the supervising teacher's expression wasn't as relaxed and cheerful as anticipated. Instead, he looked quite grave.
"Tomorrow's opponent is... Justsky Advanced Spirit Master Academy."
As soon as the name fell from his lips, Dai Yueheng and Ling Luochen, who had both participated in the previous tournament, immediately remembered that team. The former blurted out, "Justsky Academy… they were among the top eight last time, right?"
"That's correct."
Wang Yan answered with a sigh. "They have a powerful lineup of three Spirit Kings and four Spirit Ancestors. Moreover, two of the three Spirit Kings have absorbed 10,000-year spirit rings. Their combat strength is far beyond what Thousandstrike Lance Shen Ce and the Thousand Spirits Academy can compare to.
It would be best if we could draw the individual battles tomorrow. That way, we'd still have a glimmer of hope. Team battles would be very difficult no matter what, and if we're unfortunate enough to draw the 2-2-3 format, we might face the outcome of losing a match in the round-robin.
The Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament has a total of eight groups, with an average of two teams from the top sixteen of the last tournament in each group. Therefore, the Justsky team is our strongest enemy.
Each group in the round-robin can advance two teams. My suggestion is to conserve our strength. Ling Bai doesn't need to go to Star Luo Plaza tomorrow and can stay at the Star Emperor Hotel. I'll take the Reserve Team to go through the motions. Advancing as the second-place team in our group won't affect the overall situation."
In the face of an absolute disparity in strength, regardless of the competition format, Shrek would be at a disadvantage across the board. The 2-2-3 format went without saying—the other side's three Spirit Kings could each take on one match while Shrek could only watch helplessly.
Both the team battles and individual battles would rely almost entirely on Ling Bai to hold up the sky alone. Wang Yan was worried that Ling Bai would be too heavily depleted or even injured. If that happened, Shrek would be in real trouble, and even advancing from the round-robin would become uncertain.
"Fine by me."
Ling Bai leaned back in his chair and smiled. Having a legitimate reason to slack off—what working person wouldn't like that?
He had come to participate in the tournament because he didn't want to miss the grandest Spirit Master event on the Douluo Continent. Ling Bai didn't care about Shrek's ten-thousand-year glory. Although he would fulfill his duties as a main team member and use his strength to win every match he participated in, he wouldn't refuse to rest or tactically concede either. One couldn't expect him to fight to the point of spilling blood on the stage like those students who had received many years of education from Shrek Academy.
"Absolutely not!"
A sudden shout rang out as Bei Bei slammed the table and stood up abruptly. His usual gentle and refined demeanor was completely gone.
"Teacher Wang, I know you and Ling Bai are considering the bigger picture, but Shrek is the number one academy on the continent and hasn't lost a single match in ten thousand years. We Reserve Team members cannot accept such an easy surrender!"
Bei Bei was like a just-awakened giant dragon. The dragon might of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon permeated the air, exuding an unbridled dominance. He declared resolutely, "The academy has treated us well. We will do our utmost in both team battles and individual battles. If we draw the 2-2-3 format, Ling Bai will win one match, and we Reserve Team members will risk our lives to clinch another!"
"Senior Brother is right!"
"I support Senior Brother!"
"Bei Bei finally said something sensible!"
"We will defend Shrek's ten-thousand-year glory ourselves!"
Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, Jiang Nannan, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong—the six of them were filled with righteous indignation, all demanding to face Justsky Academy.
"Children..."
Wang Yan's eyes were moist, clearly moved to tears.
Ling Bai and Ning Tian remained very calm. The two of them had long since come to terms with it; responsibilities that didn't belong to them shouldn't be forcibly shouldered.
Wait a minute, they're getting all fired up over there, but it seems that I'm the one who has to work overtime...
Ling Bai suddenly realized, then sighed inwardly. He sensed someone watching him and turned just in time to meet Ma Xiaotao's pink eyes. That gaze seemed to hold no emotion at all, yet also mixed with a myriad of unspoken feelings.
"Is something the matter?"
Ma Xiaotao's rosy lips moved, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. She gently shook her head. "No, nothing."
"Bai-ge, she seems a bit strange," Ning Tian whispered.
"Don't worry about it. She'll say it when she's ready," Ling Bai was completely unconcerned.
Wang Yan wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and said, "Children, if you can return home safely this time, you will surely become the most outstanding generation in the academy in nearly a thousand years. Without getting too sentimental, let's start planning our tactics."
When it came to tactics, the theory-oriented teacher instantly turned serious. "Justsky Academy was a quarterfinal team last time, and the students they've sent this time are especially powerful. Their captain, Ye Wuqing, is known as Justsky's once-in-a-millennium super genius.
Elder Xuan also led our team in the last tournament. He personally evaluated Ye Wuqing, saying that if he could enroll in Shrek, he would definitely break through to Spirit Emperor before the age of twenty, and his achievements would not be inferior to Yueheng's."
Dai Yueheng added, "I've crossed swords with Ye Wuqing. At that time, we were both Spirit Ancestors. His Martial Spirit, Golden Leaf, left a deep impression on me—sharp, versatile, and extremely troublesome to deal with."
"It's a pity that Justsky Academy hindered his progress, causing him to ultimately fail to break through to Spirit Emperor. In the first round-robin match, it was revealed that his spirit power was stuck at Rank 58 when he led Justsky on stage," Wang Yan said.
"The plan for the individual battles is simple. Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, Jiang Nannan—you four should try your best to wear down the Justsky team members; the rest will be handled by Ling Bai."
Wang Yan automatically overlooked the three less powerful second-year students and continued, "The lineup for the team battle will be the same as last time. The five of you, plus Ning Tian and Huo Yuhao, will take the field."
"What about me?"
Wang Dong immediately became unhappy. He had already sat on the bench for two matches. If he continued sitting out, his self-esteem might be crushed.
"Don't worry; you'll be in the 2-2-3 format," Wang Yan smiled. "Ling Bai is Shrek's trump card. In the 2-2-3 format, whoever encounters him is doomed. Justsky Academy will definitely try to find a way to have Ye Wuqing avoid Ling Bai and bully our Reserve Team instead.
If Ling Bai and Ye Wuqing each win one round, but Justsky still has a Spirit King to hold the fort in the third match, Shrek will still have a lower chance of winning.
Our key to victory is for Ling Bai to capture Ye Wuqing and eliminate Justsky's ace in advance. The combat strength of the other two Spirit Kings is far inferior to Ye Wuqing's. As long as we catch Ye Wuqing, Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi can take the stage together and secure the match.
Normally, Ling Bai and Ning Tian can display the strongest combat power, but Ling Bai doesn't need the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to easily handle Justsky Academy. Therefore, Wang Dong, you'll go on stage with Ling Bai, while Ning Tian will be kept in reserve to cooperate with Bei Bei and the others."
"Ah???"
Wang Dong glanced at Ling Bai. His pretty face couldn't help but reveal a hint of aversion, as if a deep-seated disgust toward angels flowed in his veins. He wanted to refuse teaming up with Ling Bai, but Wang Yan was both his class teacher and the supervising teacher. He didn't feel comfortable opposing him openly and could only sulk silently.
Ling Bai couldn't help but be slightly stunned. Working overtime was one thing, but how did he end up paired with this little princess Tang after all the twists and turns?
With the plan formulated, Wang Yan quickly sent everyone back to their rooms to meditate and rest. After the last person left the conference room, he muttered to himself:
"Children, once you climb over this mountain, you will surely continue writing the glorious three-hundred-year history of Shrek Academy."
...
"Second round of the round-robin, first match! Shrek Academy versus Justsky Academy! Both teams, please enter the waiting area. Team captains, please come on stage to draw the match format."
The referee's voice traveled far through the amplifying Spirit Guidance Device as he ascended the competition stage.
All sixty-seven teams were present without exception. They looked at the familiar eight faces of Shrek Academy but couldn't figure out what was going on.
Due to the intelligence capabilities of the various teams, it was common knowledge that Shrek Academy had hidden away three main team members. Justsky Academy was a quarterfinal-level team; Shrek should have sent out one or two main team members to share the pressure on Ling Bai. They couldn't shear all the wool from one sheep.
The spectators were equally puzzled. Although the Seraphim was ridiculously strong, the seven Reserve Team members had spirit powers that were too low and didn't seem to be opponents for Justsky Academy. However, Shrek's longstanding prestige still successfully convinced them to cheer for Shrek.
Opposite Ling Bai stood Ye Wuqing, proud and tall, his handsome face expressionless. Only when he looked at Ling Bai did his eyes occasionally flash with a cold light.
The Seraphim had a formidable reputation. Ordinary Spirit Masters were fearful and avoided him, but geniuses were eager to climb this high peak. Talents like Shen Ce, Ye Wuqing, Xiao Hongchen, and Ma Rulong were even more eager to challenge Ling Bai.
A minute later, the drawing was complete. It was the result Shrek Academy least wanted to see: the 2-2-3 format!
"What a pity..." Ye Wuqing said regretfully. "If it weren't for Justsky's interests, I would like to challenge the God-level Martial Spirit Seraphim and have a one-on-one battle with you. I hope we can face each other in the third round of the advancement matches."
Justsky Academy had arranged their 2-2-3 tactics in advance. The core idea was for Ye Wuqing to avoid Ling Bai. The chance of them meeting was only one-third.
"Alright."
Ling Bai nodded slightly, walked off the stage, and informed everyone of the result of the draw. Wang Yan licked his lips, trying to guess in which round Justsky Academy would send Ye Wuqing up.
I guess you'll throw rock, so I'll throw paper. But then I guess you've guessed that I'll throw rock, so I'll change my mind and throw scissors. This was a battle of logic and counter-logic—an infinite loop.
"Ling Bai, you and Wang Dong will go up first."
Wang Yan made the final decision. It was possible for Ye Wuqing to fight in any round. But no matter whether Ling Bai could catch Ye Wuqing in the first round, it would set a victorious tone for the subsequent Reserve Team.
"Mm, let's go, Wang Dong."
Ling Bai had no objections and called out to Wang Dong, who was secretly clenching his fists and psyching himself up, to go up to the stage.
On Justsky Academy's side, a male and a female student stepped onto the stage. The girl was pretty, with dazzling golden hair, while the boy was rather ordinary-looking, without any distinctive features.
"It's over, we didn't catch him!"
Wang Dong cried out. The plan to capture Ye Wuqing had failed. The Shrek members below the stage shook their heads in disappointment, their morale slightly dampened.
"The match begins!"
With the referee's shout, the match between Shrek Academy and Justsky Advanced Spirit Master Academy officially commenced.
On Justsky's side, the male student's Martial Spirit was a dagger. With spirit power around Rank 42, he transformed into a black shadow and rushed toward Ling Bai and Wang Dong.
"I'll handle this one."
Wang Dong dropped this line and released his Bright Goddess Butterfly. His first spirit skill, Guillotine Wings, made the edges of his butterfly wings incomparably sharp. He flew low to meet that black shadow.
The golden-haired girl's Martial Spirit was much more dazzling than a dagger. A pair of pure white wings burst from her back with intense golden light, followed by the appearance of five spirit rings in the optimal configuration: two yellow, two purple, and one black.
An Angel!
The audience erupted. The Seraphim and an Angel—two people with angelic Martial Spirits appearing on the competition stage simultaneously!
The golden-haired girl's eyes met Ling Bai's. He stood motionless as a pair of brilliant golden wings suddenly spread open with a boom, exuding a holy aura that made people want to prostrate themselves in worship.
Moments later, the girl's feet left the ground. Her flight was slow and cautious as she carefully took out something resembling a pen from her Storage Spirit Guidance Device.
Just when everyone thought this was some terrifying Spirit Guidance Device, the girl landed in front of Ling Bai, retracted her angelic wings, and gazed at him with starry-eyed anticipation:
"Hello, idol! My name is Yu Mengdi! I'm a descendant of the Spirit Hall's Angel Legion from ten thousand years ago! Could I get your autograph?"