Because this was the second round of the qualifiers, today's competition area had been adjusted slightly. In addition to the central arena where Shrek Academy had competed in the first round, four equally-sized auxiliary arenas had been constructed around it. Due to their stunning performance yesterday, Shrek Academy was once again assigned to compete in the central arena. At this moment, both teams had already arrived at their designated platform.
Of the original eight team members, four from Shrek were participating in this match—among them were three Spirit Ancestors: Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Dai Mubai. Lin Jie had no concern whatsoever that they might lose to the Elephant Armored Academy. In fact, with Zhu Zhuqing's current strength, even Tang San might not necessarily gain the upper hand against her.
Since Lin Jie wasn't participating in this match, he accompanied Ning Rongrong, Jiang Zhu, Tai Long, and Ma Hongjun to the spectator area. As the supervising teacher, Liu Erlong took her seat in the designated instructor's section near the arena.
Pushing through the crowd, Lin Jie arrived at the exclusive viewing platform reserved for competing academies. He picked a good spot and sat down. Ning Rongrong came over and sat beside him without hesitation.
Jiang Zhu had originally planned to sit next to Lin Jie, but Ning Rongrong had taken the seat already, and with someone already on Lin Jie's left, she had to settle for sitting beside Ning Rongrong instead.
Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up when he saw Jiang Zhu take her seat. He had long been admiring this mature and beautiful senior sister, but unfortunately, it was clear her eyes were only for Lin Jie, with seemingly no interest in him.
Ma Hongjun sighed inwardly. Compared to Lin Jie, who was strong and handsome, he really didn't have much to compete with.
The group sat in a row. Since this was a platform specifically for competing teams, they had a clear view of the entire arena.
At this moment, both teams were in position, and the match was about to begin.
Up in the VIP stands, the one seated in the main seat remained the same: Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire. Flanking him were Ning Fengzhi, the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and Salas, the Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall.
However, today two additional figures had appeared in the VIP section. Seated beside Ning Fengzhi was a large-framed figure—none other than Bone Douluo Gu Rong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
On Salas's other side was a figure even larger than Gu Rong. Standing at least two and a half meters tall, he took up no less than three VIP seats. He sat like a mountain of flesh. His skin was dark as iron, and his copper-bell-like eyes were as fierce as they were intimidating. Judging from his appearance, he seemed to be around seventy years old, with white hair and beard. This imposing man was Huyan Zhen, the current patriarch of the Elephant Armored Clan.
On the continent, the strongest faction was undoubtedly Spirit Hall. The lower four clans maintained close ties with Spirit Hall—while not officially its subordinates, they were aligned in interest. Huyan Zhen's close relationship with Spirit Hall, coupled with his status as head of the Elephant Armored Clan, certainly entitled him to a front-row VIP seat.
"Fengzhi, why is that old coot Huyan Zhen here?" Bone Douluo transmitted his voice privately.
Ning Fengzhi replied in kind, using voice-threading: "I didn't expect him either. But it seems he was invited by Salas. Clearly, he's here for this match." He then turned his gaze toward the arena.
Although Gu Rong hadn't been present at the first match, he had already heard the full report. He smiled and said, "It seems this year's Elite Spirit Master Tournament is becoming more and more interesting. Fengzhi, your prediction that they'd be the next Golden Generation might just be coming true."
Ning Fengzhi glanced at Shrek's lineup on the field and couldn't help rubbing his temples in exasperation. "Even when facing the Elephant Armored Academy, they're still not going all out. They're confident, that's for sure… Let's just hope they don't miscalculate." As he spoke, his eyes drifted toward Salas and Huyan Zhen seated across from him—just in time to meet Salas's gaze, filled with undisguised malice.
Salas had already understood from the first match that Shrek Academy was closely tied to Ning Fengzhi. That meant recruiting them was out of the question—his only option now was suppression.
With Spirit Hall as the tournament's host and the two empires merely co-hosting, suppressing Shrek was well within his power. The method? Two simple words: backstage manipulation.
And now that Huyan Zhen had shown up at his side, the implication was clear.
On the arena, the seven Shrek team members had taken formation. Though they had already heard of the Elephant Armored Academy's strength, seeing their opponents in person was still daunting.
Each member of the opposing team stood like a walking fortress. The tallest stood at two and a half meters, and the shortest was still over two meters. Lin Jie estimated that not a single one of them weighed less than 400 jin (approx. 200 kg).
The seven lined up in a row, their imposing presence radiating like a tidal wave as they glared down at Tang San's group.
From the center of the Elephant Armored team, a deep and gruff voice sounded: "Elephant Armored Academy, Team Captain Huyan Li. Level 43 Defense System Battle Spirit Master." As he spoke, the fat on his body visibly quivered. His small eyes locked onto Dai Mubai with undisguised hostility.
Dai Mubai stepped forward, not backing down in the slightest. "Shrek Academy Battle Team, Captain Dai Mubai. Level 43 Power Attack System Battle Spirit Master."
With both sides reported, the referee raised his voice: "All team members, salute!"
The two sides exchanged bows. The atmosphere on the platform grew visibly tense.
"The second round, first match of the preliminary stage—begin!" As the referee's voice rang out, the other four platforms announced the start of their matches simultaneously.
With the announcement, all five arenas lit up at once as sixty participants released their Spirit Rings, flooding the field with brilliant light.
On the central platform, the seven from Elephant Armored Academy threw off their upper garments, revealing layers of fat beneath. But in the instant of Spirit Possession, that fat began to harden and morph, quickly transforming into slabs of solid muscle. Then, a dark yellow chitin-like armor spread across their skin, gleaming with metallic luster. Their noses began to elongate into trunks, and a pair of tusks grew from beneath them.
All seven completed Spirit Possession in perfect sync. Then, as one, they raised their right feet and stomped down heavily onto the ground—BOOM! The stage trembled under their combined force.
Of the seven, three in the center bore Spirit Rings of two yellow and two purple—clearly Spirit Ancestors—while the remaining four had two yellow and one purple each.
In the VIP stands, Huyan Zhen looked at his grandson on the platform with a satisfied nod. He turned to Salas and said in a low voice, "Ali is the most outstanding disciple of our clan. His talent even surpasses mine. We're pinning our hopes on him to one day reach the rank of Title Douluo."
He didn't lower his voice, and everyone in the VIP section heard it clearly.
Emperor Xue Ye offered a polite smile. "Patriarch Huyan, to have such a talented grandson is indeed a cause for celebration."
Huyan Zhen laughed heartily. "Your Majesty flatters me. Let's see how Ali performs. Our goal this year is nothing less than a top-three finish in the tournament."
"But," Emperor Xue Ye added lightly, "his opponents today don't appear weak either. Two Spirit Ancestors at level 44, and another at 43. The rest aren't lacking in strength either."
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