Team Battle.
As for the formation of Qianyu Academy…
There really wasn't any formation to speak of.
Wang Zhangzhi, with the strongest physical body, simply stood at the very front. Behind him, on either side, stood Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu.
As for the remaining four members, they were essentially just there to make up the numbers, forming a loose protective line in front of the three core members.
And this match between Qianyu Academy and Qingtian Academy did not attract too much attention.
On the contrary—
The first match between Shrek Academy and the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team had all the attention and hype.
Shrek reputation preceded them.
Most people looked down on Shrek Academy.
Meanwhile, Heaven Dou Royal Academy held an undeniable high status within the empire, so almost everyone assumed it would be a crushing victory for the Royal Academy's second team.
However, the members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team had all watched the battle between Shrek and Li Yu previously.
Naturally, they did not dare to underestimate them.
When the battle began, the result was clear—Shrek won.
As soon as Tang San revealed his 47th-level spirit power and his spirit rings—two yellow, one purple, and one black—the entire scene fell into dead silence.
Due to the fact that Shrek had only eight people participating in this tournament, Dai Mubai didn't join the battle this round.
But it was still a one-sided domination.
In just a brief moment, the fight was over.
Otherwise, how else could the battle between Qianyu Academy and Qingtian Academy have already begun just while Li Yu was momentarily lost in thought?
And this—
Was also why the scene was somewhat quiet at this moment.
The first match had already pushed the audience to their peak excitement. Who still had the energy to climax again? They were all catching their breath and savoring the aftermath.
At the end of the first battle—
Prince Xue Xing provocatively raised his eyebrows at "Xue Qinghe" and Li Yu, but received no response.
His heart suddenly sank.
Could it be… Li Yu really wasn't participating in this tournament?
Was his assumption wrong?
Wait a minute...
Prince Xue Xing suddenly realized—wasn't his behavior just now a blatant exposure of his collusion with Shrek?
Immediately—
Prince Xue Xing quickly lowered his eyes and held his breath, pretending as if nothing had happened.
"Xue Qinghe" and Li Yu merely smiled slightly, showing no concern.
At this moment, everyone's attention returned to the arena...
"Match, begin!"
With a single command from the referee—
Both teams began to reveal their martial spirits...
Only then did the audience truly focus on the arena, eager to see the quality of the team members from Qianyu Academy and Qingtian Academy.
Among them—
Those most invested were undoubtedly the members of Shrek, whose match had just ended.
Tang San's gaze remained calm. To him, Zhu Zhuqing's departure was insignificant.
If he met her again and she acted reasonably, he might show mercy out of past sentiment.
But if not, he would not hold back.
Dai Mubai, on the other hand, clenched his fists, his eyes filled with complex emotions—mostly anger.
Losing Zhu Zhuqing as a fiancée meant he had lost his chance to contend with Davis for the throne.
Because of this, he had developed some resentment toward Zhu Zhuqing!
She had cut off his path to a promising future!
He was eager to see how much Zhu Zhuqing, who had advanced her spirit power level by over-drafting her potential, had grown.
Meanwhile, in the main spectators' stands—
Emperor Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and others were casually chatting.
Their conversation mainly revolved around Tang San. After the previous incidents, Tang San's identity was no longer a secret to them.
Even the people from Spirit Hall were aware, but because this tournament carried extraordinary significance, no one wanted to tear off the façade just yet.
Tang San's displayed strength had surprised Ning Fengzhi and the others.
So, they had no interest left to spare on this little-known Qianyu Academy and Qingtian Academy.
At that moment...
"Wow!"
"Wait—am I seeing things?!"
"Damn! I thought Shrek was already an overpowered dark horse, but it turns out Qianyu Academy also has a hidden monster!"
"…"
In the blink of an eye, the spectator stands erupted with excitement.
Everyone's eyes were drawn to the arena.
What they saw—
From Qianyu Academy's side—
At the front, Wang Zhangzhi's martial spirit [Black Hand] manifested, and his spirit rings—two yellow and two purple—appeared.
A 42nd-level four-ring Spirit Ancestor. That should have been impressive enough, but Tang San had set the bar earlier, so it didn't stir much reaction.
Then came Zhu Zhuqing.
Yellow! Yellow! Purple! Black!
Four spirit rings shimmered—spirit power level revealed: 45.
Next was Xiao Wu. Of course, she had now taken on a different appearance, and with the aura-masking effect of the "Gate of Life," not even the Shrek group recognized her.
Yellow! Yellow! Purple! Black!
Again, four rings shining brightly—spirit power level: 41.
As for the others, no one paid much attention. They were merely three-ring Spirit Elders.
The first three—or rather, the two in the middle—had already seized all eyes.
The fourth spirit ring was a black 10,000-year ring.
To see one such monster was already astonishing.
But today…
First Tang San, now Zhu Zhuqing, and then… that unnamed girl.
Three appeared in one day!
One could imagine how shocked the crowd was.
"How could this be…"
"Zhuqing actually..."
The Shrek members, who were originally seated, all stood up.
Zhu Zhuqing had utterly stunned them.
She was already at level 45? Even had a black spirit ring?
They suddenly realized—maybe Shrek's path to the championship wasn't going to be that easy after all.
And that other girl…
They hadn't noticed anything strange before.
But once she released her martial spirit, and a pair of rabbit ears appeared above her head, a sense of familiarity surged within them.
Could it be… Xiao Wu?
They weren't sure.
After all, rabbit-type martial spirits weren't exclusive to Xiao Wu.
And her appearance, and level, all seemed completely unrelated to the Xiao Wu they knew.
Tang San's reaction was even more intense.
Though her appearance remained the same under the effect of his "Purple Demon Eye," he had a gut feeling—it was her.
His gaze fixed tightly on the girl in the arena, eyes filled with bitterness.
"Xiao Wu, is that you?"
"If it is, why do you look like this now? Why have you been avoiding me?"
Tang San whispered softly, but only he could hear.
Still, everyone's gaze involuntarily turned toward him.
What they saw was only a stunned Tang San, his lips trembling slightly. No answers were given.
But deep down, they had already accepted it.
"How did Qianyu Academy manage to snatch away such good talent from us?!"
Flender was visibly displeased.
With Zhu Zhuqing now at level 45, and with a spirit ring combo no less powerful than Tang San's...
If she were to perform a spirit fusion technique with Dai Mubai, and add in that girl who might be Xiao Wu...
With a team like that, who could possibly defeat them?
Wouldn't the championship be theirs by default?
So, he was furious!
But just as this thought passed through his mind, his aura suddenly trembled, and his face turned pale.
He quickly steadied his spirit, banished the distracting thoughts, and regained composure.
At that moment, the battle in the arena finally began...