Word Count: 2,772 Words
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"Angel Legion?"
"Yes, yes!"
Yu Mengdi nodded rapidly like a pecking chick. Tears welled in her eyes like a fellow countryman seeing another. "The Angel Legion members were all subordinate angels to the Seraphim. Ten thousand years ago, I would have had to respectfully address you as Young Lord. It seems 'Young Lord' isn't quite in fashion now, so I'll just call you Idol!
Idol, could you sign an autograph? Please!"
She presented a pen with both hands after speaking, countless stars twinkling in her eyes. Ling Bai felt awkward refusing such a small request, so he took the pen and asked:
"Sign where? Give me a notebook?"
"A notebook isn't worthy! Sign here!"
Yu Mengdi tugged at the fabric over her bosom and declared proudly, "I'll take this piece of clothing back and hang it up. I'll bow to it three times every morning."
"That's unnecessary, really unnecessary..."
Ling Bai finally understood why celebrities in his previous life feared obsessive fans; it was truly terrifying.
Two distinctly different scenes unfolded on the competition stage. On one side, Wang Dong battled the dagger-wielding man. Their blades clashed back and forth with sparks flying, making for a splendid and colorful fight. On the other side, Ling Bai and Yu Mengdi, the two angel descendants, experienced a moment of quiet serenity. The former carefully inscribed two large, flamboyant characters on the latter's prominent chest.
In the Shrek rest area, Jiang Nannan suddenly felt a slight chill beside her. She shivered involuntarily before turning her head, just in time to see Ning Tian gripping the corner of the table, dark energy rising from her body.
"Junior Sister Ning? You seem... to have darkened a bit..."
Ning Tian offered a warm smile. "How could that be? I'm not some petty person who'd seethe just because Bai-ge touched that girl's chest with a pen."
"Huh, I don't think I mentioned anything about Ling Bai…"
"Senior Sister, don't say any more. If you do, I might have to silence you."
Meanwhile, at the Sun Moon Imperial Academy, Xiao Hongchen looked helplessly at the darkened Meng Hongchen. "Sis, calm down!"
"Brother, silencing someone wouldn't be a problem for us, right?"
"What???"
Completely unaware of the situation below the stage, Ling Bai finished signing and returned the pen to Yu Mengdi. He said, "Alright, let's fight."
"Not fighting at all."
Yu Mengdi waved her hand dismissively. She stared intently at the signature on her chest and calmly stated without looking up, "When a higher-ranked Martial Spirit faces a lower one, it brings absolute suppression, just like how Blue Silver Grass wouldn't dare act presumptuously before the Blue Silver Emperor."
"That analogy of yours..."
"Fitting, isn't it?"
"Fitting."
Ling Bai nodded with a wry smile. Comparing the angel lineage to the Blue Silver Grass lineage, the Seraphim was akin to the Blue Silver Emperor, ruling over the entire angel race. Ordinary Angels were like Blue Silver Grass, the common folk, while the Holy Angel was the Blue Silver King in the middle, connecting the upper and lower ranks.
An Angel challenging a Seraphim was equivalent to Blue Silver Grass challenging the Blue Silver Emperor. If the two faced off, one outcome was highly probable: Ling Bai would flex slightly, the domineering aura of the Seraphim would leak out, and Yu Mengdi would kneel and beg for mercy within three seconds.
Yu Mengdi's move was very wise. Justsky Academy's original plan involved their three Spirit Kings each leading a team. As long as Ye Wuqing avoided Ling Bai, Justsky Academy would hold the upper hand. If Yu Mengdi or Justsky's third Spirit King, Tang Xiaolei, encountered Ling Bai, they could choose to concede to avoid suffering physical pain in vain.
"Once that Bright Goddess Butterfly fellow of yours and Yang Yifan settle their match, I will concede on behalf of Justsky."
Yu Mengdi offered proactively.
"Alright."
Ling Bai agreed. This conveniently gave Wang Yan more time to think, carefully considering which round Ye Wuqing might appear in.
Yu Mengdi blinked curiously and asked, "By the way, Idol, have you joined Shrek Academy?"
"No, I'm just studying there."
"Then do you have any faction supporting you?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I plan to graduate from Justsky in two or three years once I break through to Spirit Emperor. Idol, I want to come join you!"
Yu Mengdi giggled. Having felt the Seraphim's holy aura earlier, every cell in her body had entered a state of extreme excitement.
Cultivating near the Seraphim would at least triple an Angel's growth rate and offer a chance to advance to Holy Angel. Naturally, she hoped to cling tightly to Ling Bai's thigh.
"I'm with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. You're welcome to come over anytime."
Angels were exceptionally rare top-level Martial Spirits. In terms of development potential, Yu Mengdi was no less promising than the Golden Leaf Spirit King Ye Wuqing, whom Elder Xuan thought highly of. He had no reason to refuse her.
BOOM—
The Bright Goddess Butterfly's third spirit skill, Butterfly Goddess Slash, erupted following a loud explosion, shattering the defense of the dagger-wielding Yang Yifan. Wang Dong achieved victory, defeating a Rank 42 Spirit Ancestor despite being at a lower rank.
"As expected of Shrek Academy, battling above one's rank is commonplace."
Yu Mengdi praised, then abruptly changed the subject. "But Idol, if I'm not mistaken, your Shrek Academy seems to have encountered some problems."
"How so?" Ling Bai asked back with a smile.
"For ten thousand years, Shrek Academy has unshakeably sent fourteen participants—one main team and one reserve team. When have they ever registered only eleven people?"
Yu Mengdi calmly analyzed. "Before today, the prevailing opinion among outside academies was that Shrek was overly confident, believing four main members and seven substitutes could easily win the championship.
Yet, facing a team like ours, Justsky, a top-eight team from the last tournament, Shrek still only rotates eight members. That clearly isn't right. My personal bold guess is that the three main members aren't unwilling to compete, but are unable to for some reason."
She backed away from Ling Bai, raised a small fist in a boxing gesture, and declared, "I lost, but Justsky Academy hasn't. Since our plan to trade a lower-tier horse for a higher-tier one succeeded in the first match, Justsky Academy is determined to break Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year undefeated streak.
Idol, you are very powerful, possibly the strongest individual combatant in this tournament. But the 2-2-3 format exists precisely to keep monsters like you from single-handedly overturning team matchups. The outcome between Shrek and Justsky depends on our teammates.
First match, Justsky Academy concedes!"
Yu Mengdi dragged Yang Yifan off the competition stage, while Wang Dong strode proudly to Ling Bai's side like a victorious general.
Ling Bai watched Wang Dong's triumphant display and smiled helplessly. You were just on stage to make up the numbers. As the God King's 'beloved' daughter, can't you even see this much? Acting like a silly fawn all day.
Ah well, laugh when you win, cry when you lose. Being simple-minded isn't so bad.
The two returned to the Shrek rest area and instantly noticed the expressions on the other six members and Wang Yan were so grave they could almost drip water.
"Do we gamble? Send Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi to stake it all? What if the opponent sends out both their Spirit Kings? Then the third match would be two Spirit Ancestors and one Spirit Elder against Justsky's three Spirit Ancestors... Unstable, too unstable!
Taking a step back, if the Golden Leaf Spirit King pairs with a strong Spirit Ancestor, Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi would still have a very difficult fight..."
Wang Yan muttered continuously to himself. His white shirt was already soaked through with sweat, which gathered and dripped down his cheeks, illustrating the immense psychological pressure he was under.
The six formed a circle, awaiting Wang Yan's final decision. Wang Dong saw this and decisively joined them. Ling Bai, however, half-reclined on the soft sofa provided by the Star Luo Imperial Family for participants, picked up a succulent blue fruit, and took a bite, juice splashing.
Having won the first match, he had a clear conscience. He couldn't participate in the remaining matches anyway, so he chose not to get involved in further decisions.
Truthfully, it wouldn't matter much if Shrek lost a round-robin match; they could advance to the top sixteen as the group's second-place team at worst. It was just that Bei Bei and the other Reserve Team members were unwilling to abandon Shrek's ten-thousand-year legacy of undefeated glory.
"He Caitou, Jiang Nannan, you fight the second match. Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Ning Tian, you are responsible for the decisive third match."
Wang Yan said in a heavy voice. "I'm betting Justsky Academy sends Ye Wuqing out to secure the second match. You two do your best, and make absolutely sure not to get injured."
This time, Shrek Academy was the one employing the Tian Ji horse racing strategy: trading their lower-tier horses, He Caitou and Jiang Nannan, against the higher-tier horse, Ye Wuqing. Then, they would use the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's amplification on Bei Bei's awakened Light Holy Dragon bloodline and Xu Sanshi's Xuanwu outburst to face Justsky's third Spirit King, Tang Xiaolei.
"Teacher Wang, there's a small problem..." Xu Sanshi said weakly. "My Xuanwu isn't as stable as Bei Bei's Light Holy Dragon..."
"What do you mean?" Wang Yan was baffled.
"It needs… a catalyst."
"Stop beating around the bush; spit it out!" Wang Yan snapped, exasperated by Xu Sanshi's evasiveness at such a critical juncture.
Xu Sanshi squeezed his eyes shut and shouted, "Nannan must be by my side!"
"..."
Everyone was utterly floored. Something this important, you should have said earlier!
Jiang Nannan's face darkened even further; she wished she could give this guy an eight-stage throw followed by a bone-relaxing massage combo.
Wang Yan could only let out a long sigh. "Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan will fight the final match. He Caitou, Ning Tian, you two..."
His voice trailed off. He Caitou and Jiang Nannan, two Spirit Ancestors, still had a fighting chance. Now, replacing Jiang Nannan with Ning Tian, no one believed they could win. They were merely sacrificial pawns in this chess game.
"Will the contestants for the second match please come to the stage!"
The referee shouted loudly.
The pair stood up and headed toward the stage. Suddenly, a voice reached Ning Tian's ear:
"Xiao Tian, if you encounter Ye Wuqing, just come back. Shrek's glory isn't worth you risking your life. Let the third match decide the outcome."
Voice transmission; this was a little trick Ling Bai also knew.
Ning Tian paused her steps for a moment. Her rosy lips moved slightly, transmitting a voice back to Ling Bai, crisp and firm:
"I have never cared about Shrek's ten-thousand-year glory. But I care very, very, very much about whether I can keep up with your pace.
You won, but I absolutely refuse to lose."
Ning Tian lifted her head high and strode onto the competition stage, leaving Ling Bai with a dazzling view of her back.
Ling Bai was momentarily stunned, then smiled with understanding. A weak girl wouldn't stay weak forever. She would eventually grow into an independent and powerful woman through wisdom and diligence.
Ning Tian had found her own path. Regardless of victory or defeat, right or wrong, he was genuinely happy for her.
Two male students from Justsky Academy slowly walked onto the stage. The one leading was none other than Ye Wuqing, the Rank 58 Golden Leaf Spirit King.
The eyes of the Shrek members lit up. He really did appear in the second round! The Tian Ji horse racing tactic was a great success!
"Excellent!"
Wang Yan clenched his fist tightly. Tang Xiaolei, the third Spirit King, ranked last among Justsky's three Spirit Kings. He possessed the Purpleflower Bow Martial Spirit and had not even absorbed a 10,000-year spirit ring for his fifth spirit skill. Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan, three Spirit Ancestors united, had a great hope for victory!
Justsky Academy's teacher wrung his hands in regret. He had thought Shrek Academy might greedily send out two strong players to end the battle directly. Instead, they had switched to playing mind games, sacrificing the advantage gained in the first round.
Shrek, Justsky, the teachers and members of various academies, and the audience, everyone believed Justsky Academy had already won the second match. Only Ning Tian on the stage refused to believe it. She asked softly:
"Senior Brother He, do you want to concede?"
"I don't want to concede."
He Caitou gritted his teeth. He was willing to give everything for Shrek, having been picked up by Fan Yu and brought to Shrek Academy as a child. His fighting spirit was no less than Bei Bei's and the others'!
Ning Tian and He Caitou exchanged a look. In that glance, they saw the intense desire not to admit defeat deep within each other's eyes.
"A year ago, I lost a match. The feeling of being haunted by that loss is still fresh in my memory. That day, I swore I would never again accept any defeat in this life."
A kind of determination seemed to form around Ning Tian and soar toward the sky. He Caitou looked at her with new eyes.
"Senior Brother He, do you have a Spirit Guidance Device powerful enough to settle the outcome with one strike?"
He Caitou nodded. At this moment, the wild aura usually hidden within him awakened, stimulated by his burning fighting spirit. His eyes narrowed, a cold light flickering within them.
"I do. But it has to be charged up."
"I will buy you time."
The four stood facing each other. Ye Wuqing's expression was utterly cold. A Spirit King and a Spirit Ancestor versus a Class 4 Spirit Guidance Master and an auxiliary-type Spirit Elder. In his eyes, this battle was meaningless. The Seraphim Ling Bai, and the White Tiger Dai Yueheng whom he fought last tournament, those were real opponents.
"Match begins!"
After the announcement, the referee did not move far away, ready to rescue Ning Tian and He Caitou at any moment.
As the battle started, He Caitou took a large stride forward, adopting a half-squatting posture. A giant cannon barrel, two meters long, appeared on his right shoulder. It looked very similar to a large Stationary Spirit Cannon, its muzzle pitch-black and bottomless, as if it could devour life.
"Holy crap, a Super Energy-Gathering Spirit Cannon!"
The Sun Moon Imperial Academy instantly recognized this Spirit Guidance Device. Captain Ma Rulong's jaw nearly dropped. The Hongchen siblings also widened their eyes; Meng Hongchen even momentarily forgot about admiring Ling Bai.
Elder Ma exclaimed in shock, "The Super Energy-Gathering Spirit Cannon is a destructive Spirit Guidance Device used for large-scale warfare! Even a Spirit Saint wouldn't feel good taking a hit from that. To think a mere Class 4 Spirit Guidance Master can actually use it!"
He Caitou had four Mind Stimulating Thick Cigars clamped in his mouth. The cigars instantly burned down by half with just one deep inhale. The Super Energy-Gathering Spirit Cannon began its charging sequence. Its muzzle glowed with a dazzling white light, radiating an intense sense of threat that made Ye Wuqing and his partner start taking this Class 4 Spirit Guidance Master seriously.
"The Seven Treasures revolve to produce a Glazed Pagoda!"
Brilliant seven-colored light flashed as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's three amplification spirit skills poured into He Caitou's sturdy frame, reducing the cannon's charging time.
"Xue Lang, stop him together!"
Ye Wuqing ordered coldly. Five spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—rose. A narrow Golden Leaf floated quietly in mid-air. He raised his right hand, firmly pinching the golden leaf between his index and middle fingers.
Justsky's second participant was named Xue Lang. He was slightly shorter than Ye Wuqing but considerably more muscular, with broad shoulders and thick arms, a typical close-combat, assault-type Spirit Master.
Xue Lang let out a savage roar and charged forward like lightning. As he charged, his Martial Spirit, the Soul Wolf, manifested. His fur grew wildly, his muscles and bones expanded at an astonishing rate, and his hands transformed into sharp wolf claws.
The Golden Leaf, as a rare plant-type assault Martial Spirit, had an even more peculiar attack method. Ye Wuqing flicked the leaf held between his fingers. It shot out like a flying knife, stabbing toward Ning Tian who stood protectively in front of He Caitou.
BOOM—