At this moment, Yu Xiaogang and Flender had several documents spread out on the table in front of them, detailing the profiles of a seven-member team.
The team was called the _Emperor Battle Team_—all seven members were holders of silver soul badges.
Team Captain: Yu Tianheng
Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon
Level 39 Assault-Type Battle Soul Master
Soul Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Vice-Captain: Dugu Yan
Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent
Level 38 Control-Type Battle Soul Master
Soul Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Ye Lingling
Martial Soul: Nine-Hearted Begonia
Level 35 Support-Type Tool Soul Master
Soul Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Shi Mo
Martial Soul: Black Tortoise
Level 38 Defense-Type Battle Soul Master
Soul Rings: Two yellow, one purple
Shi Mo's teammates: Shi Mo, Yu Feng, and Oslo
Flender said, "Xiaogang, you should understand the significance of these martial souls and soul rings. Especially the captain with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul—he must be from your clan."
Yu Xiaogang shouted, "Enough, Flender! I didn't enter them into this match because of that captain. Although the kids have performed well recently, you should know they haven't encountered truly powerful opponents. This team is the perfect test of their abilities."
Flender replied, "Have you considered the possibility that they might lose? They could be dealt a serious blow. This team has clearly undergone professional training, and they're nearly at the level of the Advanced Soul Master Tournament."
"Also, look closely at their martial souls, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Jade Phosphor Serpent, Black Tortoise, not a single weak one among them. Their backgrounds are also extremely deep."
Yu Xiaogang stayed silent for a while before responding, "Let's hear what the kids think. Maybe they also want to face such high-level opponents."
Flender thought for a moment. "Fine. It's about time the kids see the real world. Let's see what they say."
Yu Xiaogang nodded, though a trace of reluctance was visible in his eyes.
The Next Morning
Yu Xiaogang addressed everyone: "A very powerful soul master team has arrived in Soto City. Their strength far surpasses the Mad Battle Team you've fought before. I've already signed you up to face them. If anyone is afraid of losing or getting hurt, now is the time to speak up."
After reviewing the opponent's data, everyone became noticeably serious.
Dai Mubai spoke first. "It's just the Emperor Battle Team. They may be strong, but we're confident we can win."
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Among your opponents, pay special attention to a student named Dugu Yan. Her martial soul is the Jade Phosphor Serpent, a top-tier beast martial soul, and she's also a rare poison-type soul master."
Tang San looked puzzled. "Teacher, how can a beast-type martial soul make someone a control-type soul master?"
Yu Xiaogang replied, "It's possible. Dugu Yan uses the poison from the Jade Phosphor Serpent to control the battlefield."
"When facing poison-type soul masters, you need to be extremely cautious. A small mistake could lead to being taken out. Their poisons are particularly destructive and often incurable, even among soul masters."
The team members were selected by random draw, and unfortunately, Zhu Zhuqing was not chosen to participate.
Dai Mubai quickly said, "Master, Tang San, this opponent is incredibly strong. I suggest Zhuqing stay in the lineup. We might be able to use a martial soul fusion technique."
After recent battles, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had grown more in sync. Their martial souls seemed to resonate, and it looked like a fusion technique was becoming a real possibility.
Unfortunately, even if Yu Xiaogang was tempted, the draw had been made and couldn't easily be changed.
At this moment, Ning Rongrong spoke up. "Master, Tang San, I think we should focus on that soul master with the Nine-Hearted Begonia. It's a unique martial soul. No matter how many rings they absorb or what types, they only ever have one soul skill: healing."
"Especially the Nine-Hearted Begonia, it has terrifying healing power. Legend says that as long as the soul master remains in the fight, their healing can instantly restore allies."
Yu Xiaogang and Tang San were shocked. They had never heard of the Nine-Hearted Begonia, but Ning Rongrong's serious expression made it clear she wasn't exaggerating (though her knowledge was limited).
That Evening
After revising their battle strategy, Yang Xiong joined the other six team members and stepped onto the stage.
As planned:
Tang San – Control
Xiao Wu & Dai Mubai – Assault
Oscar & Ning Rongrong – Support
Ma Hongjun – Defense against flying soul masters
Yang Xiong – Assault and agility, clearing enemies
Once both teams entered the stage, the match officially began.
Despite the reputation of the Emperor Battle Team, Yang Xiong didn't take them too seriously—but this match would ignite the coming actions of Shrek Academy.
Tang San stood in the center. Yang Xiong, Dai Mubai, and Xiao Wu stood at the front, with Yang Xiong right in the middle.
Across from them, the Emperor Battle Team didn't seem too concerned.
As the referee shouted, Yang Xiong, Dai Mubai, and Xiao Wu charged straight toward the opposing team.
Their opponents met them head-on, and the Emperor Team's captain, Yu Tianheng, directly confronted Yang Xiong.
After just one punch each, both were forced back two steps. This was the first time Yang Xiong had ever been pushed back in a head-on clash in the arena.
Yu Tianheng was just as shocked. He couldn't believe that as a Level 39 Soul Elder, he was forced back by a mere Level 28 Grand Soul Master. It was a bit humiliating.
The battlefield was quickly divided, with each person finding their opponent.
Yang Xiong and Yu Tianheng clashed repeatedly, and neither seemed to gain the upper hand.
Yu Tianheng's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul was indeed powerful, and its thunder attribute packed a violent punch. Every time they clashed, Yang Xiong felt an explosive force and a numbing electric effect.
While Yang Xiong and Yu Tianheng dueled, chaos broke out elsewhere.
Dugu Yan activated her second soul ring, and a red aura spread across the Emperor Team, boosting their attack and speed significantly. It was her second soul skill: Jade Phosphor Red Poison.
But Yang Xiong was unfazed. With his current physical condition, neither poison nor electricity could harm him much.
Soon, both sides were locked in a dead heat. The Emperor Team's overall soul power average was at least five levels higher than Shrek's.
Just as Dugu Yan prepared to poison again, Tang San released a wave of realgar and strong alcohol from his body. Following Tang San's lead, Ma Hongjun used Phoenix Flame to burn away all the poison.
Dugu Yan was shocked, her poison had been neutralized by some unknown liquid Tang San had used.
Although the fight began evenly, the huge gap in soul power soon became evident. Within minutes, Shrek Academy was on the verge of collapse.
But this was what they had been waiting for. Yang Xiong and Dai Mubai suddenly switched roles. Dai Mubai intercepted Yu Tianheng, and Yang Xiong faced Shi Mo, the defensive soul master with the Black Tortoise martial soul.
Yang Xiong delivered several powerful punches. Shi Mo felt his body reel from the impacts—even his Black Tortoise shell couldn't fully absorb the blows.
Ye Lingling then summoned a massive Nine-Hearted Begonia flower. A blue aura spread across the Emperor Team, healing them rapidly.
Yang Xiong, having pushed Shi Mo back, suddenly flashed forward and appeared right in front of Ye Lingling. Before she could react, he struck with a massive glowing attack.
Caught off-guard, Ye Lingling turned pale. Shi Mo rushed to block, and even the flying soul master tried to help.
At the same time, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass extended wildly, wrapping around and harassing anyone who tried to assist Ye Lingling.
Shi Mo stood in front of Ye Lingling and activated his third soul skill: Black Tortoise Defense. A massive turtle shell appeared in front of him, covered in ancient patterns, its defense looked impenetrable.
But Yang Xiong had already unleashed his Spiral Sphere attack. It struck the turtle shell head-on, shattering it instantly despite being a thousand-year soul skill.
Shi Mo spat out a mouthful of blood, clearly severely injured.
Ignoring him, Yang Xiong accelerated again and lunged toward Ye Lingling.
As a plant-type soul master, Ye Lingling had poor defense and mobility.
Just then, a sonic boom erupted behind Yang Xiong. A blue figure charged at him, Yu Tianheng, bursting with lightning energy, his right arm transformed into a massive dragon claw. It was his third soul skill: Thunder Fury, used after breaking away from Dai Mubai.
But Yang Xiong didn't care. He struck Ye Lingling hard, sending her flying. He then grabbed her arm, kicked her, and knocked her out of the ring.
As the sonic boom closed in, Yang Xiong raised his hand and chopped toward the incoming blue figure.
Yu Tianheng's soul skill struck with overwhelming power. Yang Xiong was sent flying back six or seven meters.
But he quickly stabilized, formed claw-shaped hands, and clashed again with Yu Tianheng.
Yu Tianheng's transformed arm suggested a partial dragon transformation, typical of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family. This greatly enhanced his attack, defense, and speed.
Yang Xiong's silver claws clashed rapidly with Yu Tianheng's blue claws. In just a few seconds, they had exchanged dozens of blows, neither able to gain a clear upper hand.
However, with Ye Lingling, their healer, knocked out, the Emperor Battle Team now faced a far more difficult battle.
If you want to read 40 advanced chapters and 3 new chapters daily, please subscribe to my : patreon.com/Moorowkeel