While Xiao Lin and the others were still travelling toward Heaven Dou City, a major event occurred at Blue Tyrant Academy.
On the Battle Spirit Arena of Blue Tyrant Academy—
Because of the three Shrek members joining, the academy's strength had increased significantly.
Right now, a match was taking place on the stage.
It was a competition to determine the candidates for Blue Tyrant Academy's Advanced Academy Tournament team.
The three Shrek members even wanted to gain control over the Blue Tyrant Battle Team, planning to defeat the current team.
On the stage, one side consisted of the Shrek trio led by Dai Mubai.
Although Dai Mubai's injuries had not fully healed, with the help of several ice-attribute resources, he could temporarily fight without issue.
Ma Hongjun had also been released after reaching an agreement with Xue Beng.
With the secret support of Xue Beng and Xue Xing, Ma Hongjun's spirit power had increased rapidly.
The only downside was that his Evil Fire was becoming more uncontrollable.
However, because he was on good terms with Xue Beng, Ma Hongjun could vent his Evil Fire every day. This made it seem like there was nothing wrong with his cultivation.
In fact, during his interactions with Xue Beng, Ma Hongjun's acting skills skyrocketed.
Even Yu Xiaogang and Flender believed that Ma Hongjun's willpower had become extremely resilient.
His fourth spirit ring had also been decided: the Evil Nether Wraith.
As for the only normal one left—Oscar—because of Ma Hongjun's increasingly frequent "fire-venting," he gradually became close to Xue Beng as well.
Before long, Oscar also obtained Xue Beng's support.
Gradually, Oscar began to resemble Ma Hongjun's situation.
Sometimes, the two even covered for each other, making excuses, and not even Flender or Yu Xiaogang noticed their change.
At this time, the Shrek trio's levels were:
Dai Mubai: Level 42
Oscar: Level 33
Ma Hongjun: Level 33
Other than Oscar, who hadn't improved, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's hatred for Xiao Lin's group had pushed their spirit power up slightly.
On the other side, the Blue Tyrant Academy trio consisted of Tailong, Huang Yuan, and Jiangzhu.
Tailong: Martial Soul – Giant Strength Gorilla, level 42
Huang Yuan: Martial Soul – Lone Wolf, level 37
Jiangzhu: Martial Soul – Healing Staff, level 37
In terms of spirit power and martial soul quality, both sides were evenly matched.
Even Liu Erlong, a Contra-level powerhouse, could not tell which side would win.
But below the stage, Yu Xiaogang and Flender were full of confidence.
"Erlong, I'm telling you—Shrek will definitely win. These are my personally trained geniuses."
Because Liu Erlong was highly interested in the outcome, Yu Xiaogang shamelessly hovered beside her, running his mouth nonstop.
He wanted to prove how effective his teaching was, so that he could become a teacher at Blue Tyrant Academy.
Yes—despite everything, Yu Xiaogang still hadn't passed Liu Erlong's teacher qualification test.
But Yu Xiaogang wasn't worried at all.
In his narcissism, he believed Liu Erlong wanted to keep him as a teacher, and was only making things difficult because she wanted to get revenge for what happened back then.
So he wasn't nervous. He had even organized this entire match himself.
He wanted to prove himself in front of Liu Erlong—
Then take over the Blue Tyrant Battle Team, adjust the training of the students, and shine during the upcoming Advanced Academy Tournament.
But this time, Liu Erlong was fed up.
A greasy middle-aged man who shamelessly visited her every day—she was about to vomit.
She hadn't hit him only because of their past relationship and because her temperament had softened after spending time studying.
But if Yu Xiaogang kept pestering her, she swore she would let him know how violent she could be.
Thus, their bet became:
If the Shrek team won, Yu Xiaogang would take over management of the Blue Tyrant Battle Team.
If Shrek lost, Yu Xiaogang would never be allowed to show up in front of her on his own again.
"Exactly, Erlong, you agreed to it. If my Shrek students win, their team name will be changed to Shrek!"
Flender added quickly. This was his last remaining wish.
"Understood."
Liu Erlong adjusted her tungsten-wire round glasses and replied calmly.
She didn't dislike Flender. In fact, she was grateful for how he took care of her during her travels years ago.
Even without Flender asking, she was willing to let Dai Mubai's group compete under the Shrek name in the Advanced Academy Tournament.
"Everyone prepare—match begins!"
At the edge of the arena, Jing Ling, acting as referee, issued the command.
—
"White Tiger Body Enhancement!"
"I've got a big sausage!"
"Evil Fire Phoenix!"
"Giant Strength Gorilla!"
"Lone Wolf!"
"Healing Staff!"
After hearing the start signal, both teams performed perfectly, summoning their martial souls immediately.
Even Liu Erlong couldn't find any fault with this opening.
"Boss Dai, Fatty, sausages for you."
Oscar produced sausages quickly—before either side even began fighting, he had already made two and tossed them to Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.
"ROAR!"
"Thanks."
After a tiger's roar, Dai Mubai transformed into a blood-red tiger. His physique was no weaker than Tailong's.
As soon as he put the sausage in his mouth, Dai Mubai's expression turned bloodthirsty.
A moment later, he charged straight at Tailong.
But Tailong had been waiting for him.
The Giant Strength Gorilla martial soul wasn't as high-quality as Dai Mubai's White Tiger, but Tailong's spirit ring combination was far more reasonable, and his older age gave him more experience.
In no time, Tailong blocked Dai Mubai like a wall.
Their hands interlocked—and they began a contest of raw strength.
Dai Mubai was shocked. Even after using multiple transformation-type abilities, he found himself weaker than Tailong.
Was his transformation bonus not enough?
No—it was simply lack of experience.
If Tailong could draw out 80% of his physical strength, Dai Mubai could barely reach 50%.
Soon, pushing with all his might, Dai Mubai felt his power draining rapidly.
He could no longer sustain his output.
"White Tiger Light Wave!"
Realizing his strength fell short, he prepared to use White Tiger Light Wave to decide the match.
But Tailong didn't fear it at all.
"Rock Defense! Demon Ape Golden Body!"
Elsewhere, Ma Hongjun was flying through the air, raining flames over the Blue Tyrant team's area, trying to defeat Huang Yuan and Jiangzhu together with his Evil Fire.
But Huang Yuan and Jiangzhu were not stupid enough to fight him alone. Under Lone Wolf Possession, Huang Yuan directly carried Jiangzhu and charged toward Oscar.
"Sky Wolf—Second Form!"
"Holy Healing!"
"What!? Oscar!"
Dai Mubai was stunned and shouted, signaling Ma Hongjun to provide support.
His combat experience was decent, but he underestimated Tailong and overestimated himself. Because of that, Tailong had locked him down, putting his team in danger.
At that moment, Oscar had just finished making new sausages when Huang Yuan and Jiangzhu appeared before him.
Faced with the fierce, massive Huang Yuan—whose size was comparable to Dai Mubai's transformed state—Oscar froze in terror.
Ma Hongjun finally reacted, but he was helpless. His Evil Fire was too destructive—if he attacked, he would hit Oscar too.
"It's over!"
Huang Yuan shouted excitedly, placing a sharp wolf claw against Oscar's neck.
And at the same moment, Dai Mubai was slammed into the ground by a powerful back-throw from Tailong, instantly dazed and pinned down.
Ma Hongjun hovered helplessly in the air, not knowing what to do.
"We lost…"
Flender couldn't believe it. His proud Shrek trio had lost just like that.
Yu Xiaogang's face turned frighteningly dark.
(End of Chapter)