In the following days, despite continuing to win, Shrek Academy's matches became increasingly difficult and messy due to constant targeting by opponents.
The teams targeting Shrek focused on two main points. First, Tang San, the only control-type spirit master on the team, had clear weaknesses. This left him looking quite embarrassed in some battles.
Second, Shrek had two support-type spirit masters. As is well known, support-type spirit masters progress slower in cultivation. Because of this, many teams either have no support or just one. Having too many support members can significantly affect overall combat power.
However, Yang Xiong, the team's defense-type spirit master, stood like an impenetrable wall in front of Oscar and Ning Rongrong. From start to finish, he rarely joined in the offense.
What surprised many was that Yang Xiong's strength far exceeded expectations. Even when opponents managed to break through the front line, they were typically defeated by him within one or two hits.
As a result, Yang Xiong began to draw attention from opposing teams for analysis. But no matter how much they studied him, Yang Xiong seemed like a mystery. He never used spirit abilities, he simply punched or clawed his way to victory.
When the tournament reached about one-third completion, Shrek Academy (as the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Team 2) faced off against Blazing Academy in a highly anticipated match. Despite being labeled the second team, Shrek had remained undefeated. Though they hadn't faced many strong teams yet, holding the top spot in the rankings was surprising to many, especially Emperor Xue Ye, who now often wore a smile. If this second team could also reach the finals, it would mark the best performance in the Royal Academy's history.
Typically, the best talents of the Royal Academy are picked by Team 1. The second team often consists of noble children or filler roles. But this time, their performance stunned everyone.
The three chief education officers of the academy were even praised by the emperor. At the very least, the decision to admit Shrek Academy had proven wise.
So far, Shrek Academy had achieved ten wins and no losses, tying with Divine Wind Academy, Thunderclap Academy, and Water Mist Academy for first place. Blazing Academy had lost only to Water Mist Academy, placing them fifth overall.
Tang San and Yu Xiaogang took this match very seriously, even preparing themselves for the possibility of defeat.
Once on stage, Yang Xiong observed the seven members of Blazing Academy. All wore bright red uniforms, making them look striking.
Their captain, Huo Wushuang, had a muscular, well-trained physique. His spirit, the Unihorn Fire Tyrant Dragon, was a top-tier beast spirit with overwhelming strength, arguably even stronger than Dai Mubai's White Tiger.
However, the most eye-catching member was their vice-captain, Huo Wu. She wore a fiery red outfit with exposed shoulders and had long red hair. The flame mark on her forehead made her a true beauty—no wonder Feng Xiaotian, famously infatuated, pursued her so earnestly.
Blazing Academy had a unique setup: one power-attack Spirit Ancestor (Huo Wushuang), one control-type Spirit Ancestor (Huo Wu), two support-type spirit masters with Mars spirits (Huo Yun and Huo Yu), and three agility-type spirit masters. Two of those had fire crane spirits capable of flight, and one had a fire leopard spirit.
Anyone could see this was a highly aggressive lineup, arguably one of the strongest in terms of pure attack power.
Sure enough, at the start of the match, Huo Wushuang charged ahead. His massive Unihorn Fire Tyrant Dragon roared toward Shrek Academy. Behind him followed the fire leopard spirit master, while two fire cranes soared above.
Tang San tried to restrain them with Blue Silver Grass, but as soon as the grass touched them, it was instantly burned to ashes by the flames on their bodies.
In the blink of an eye, Huo Wushuang clashed with Dai Mubai. Their strengths were evenly matched, but the intense fire attribute of the dragon spirit inflicted significant pain, as if Dai Mubai were being scorched alive.
Meanwhile, Huo Yun and Huo Yu released a massive Mars fire orb, which merged into the other five teammates, enhancing the fire on their bodies considerably.
Even Yang Xiong, standing at the edge of the battlefield, felt the temperature skyrocket, it was like being in a sea of flames. The worst off were Tang San and Xiao Wu at the front. One had Blue Silver Grass, the other a rabbit spirit, both inherently weak against fire. Tai Long and Dai Mubai fared a little better.
Ning Rongrong quickly activated her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, sending three beams of light to boost Dai Mubai, Tai Long, and Xiao Wu. She chanted, "The Seven Treasures shine: one grants strength."
Clearly, she was using her spirit to enhance the team's power.
Oscar immediately passed her a sausage to restore her energy. Enhancing four people at once drained her spirit power quickly.
Compared to the pagoda, food-type abilities like Oscar's had limitations. The food had to be consumed, introducing a time delay, unlike Ning Rongrong, who could support teammates in real time.
With Ning Rongrong's boost, Dai Mubai held his ground and launched his second spirit ability, White Tiger Light Wave, a golden beam from his mouth. Huo Wushuang countered with his second ability, Tyrant Dragon Flame, a fiery attack from the Unihorn Dragon.
The two forces clashed, forcing both back a step. However, Dai Mubai's hand trembled slightly, showing minor burns, it was clear Huo Wushuang's fire attribute had the edge.
As the fight intensified, Huo Wu acted swiftly. Her third spirit ring lit up, and she released a massive fire ring toward Dai Mubai. The goal was clear: to coordinate with Huo Wushuang and defeat Shrek's only Spirit Ancestor.
Just as the others moved to assist, the fire ring emitted a shockwave that sent everyone flying. Even Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was instantly incinerated. The Shrek formation completely fell apart.
Yang Xiong's mouth twitched at the sight of Huo Wu's attack. Her third spirit ability was an exceptional defensive skill, yet she used it offensively with powerful control. She truly lived up to her reputation as one of the two strongest control-type spirit masters in the Heaven Dou region.
The regional qualifiers were now one-third complete, and the most recognized control-type spirit masters were Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er, one fire, one ice, both with outstanding control. Compared to them, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass didn't stand out as much in control, though his combat ability was impressive.
As the fire ring scattered the team, Huo Wushuang, the fire leopard spirit master, and the two fire crane spirit masters all rushed straight at Tang San to take him down with full force.
Startled, Tang San immediately used his third spirit ability, Blue Silver Hurricane Array, hoping to injure them and protect himself.
But the three enemies activated their third spirit abilities simultaneously. Huo Wushuang transformed into a giant Unihorn Fire Tyrant Dragon. His third ability, Tyrant Dragon's Wrath, unleashed a massive dragon-shaped flame attack.
The others' flame-based abilities followed quickly, and it was clear they wouldn't stop until Tang San was defeated.
Ning Rongrong reacted swiftly, sending out three beams from her Seven Treasure Pagoda and chanting, "The Seven Treasures shine: one grants strength, two grants speed, three grants spirit!"
Despite her help, Tang San's Blue Silver Hurricane Array was instantly destroyed. The fire seemed intent on engulfing him.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and Tai Long rushed to help. They all activated their third abilities. Xiao Wu even teleported to Tang San's side to help him block the attacks.
A huge explosion erupted on stage. Tang San and his three teammates were all caught in the flames and badly injured. Yang Xiong could smell something burning and wasn't sure who it was.
Seeing his teammates injured while protecting him, especially Xiao Wu, Tang San was filled with rage and stared at the enemy with intense hatred.
Then, a terrifying scene unfolded. The two support spirit masters from Blazing Academy released an even stronger flame light. Their combined energy poured into Huo Wu, who held her hands above her head as if grasping a miniature sun, her fourth spirit ability: Flame Dance Radiance.
The audience held their breath. Flame Dance Radiance was already considered one of the most powerful abilities among all Heaven Dou spirit masters. With the support of two auxiliary flame abilities, its power now peaked. Even Spirit Elders would struggle to withstand it.
Huo Wu, visibly shaken, shouted, "Surrender now! I can't fully control this ability. If I release it, someone might get seriously hurt!"
Yang Xiong observed the technique. From a pure power standpoint, it had pushed fire attributes to their limit. Not even Hu Yanzhi, known for defense, could take a hit like this unscathed, he might even die.
Yang Xiong shouted, "This spirit ability is too powerful. We can't withstand it in our current state!"
But Tang San, cradling the injured Xiao Wu, looked filled with hatred. "Yang Xiong, I won't let anyone who hurt Xiao Wu get away. I want them to pay."
Seeing his expression, Yang Xiong didn't know what to say. This was supposed to be a tournament match, why did it feel like a life-or-death battle?
He looked toward Yu Xiaogang, but the teacher's full attention was on Tang San and didn't seem to notice.
As Flame Dance Radiance neared release, Dai Mubai quickly said, "Xiao San, calm down. This is just a match. Xiao Wu isn't seriously injured. None of us can take that hit."
Tang San's gaze turned cold. "Boss Dai, I promised Xiao Wu I'd never let anyone hurt her. No one."
Yang Xiong then asked Ning Rongrong and Oscar, "How's your spirit power? Can you still hold out?"
They immediately understood his meaning and launched their support abilities again, sending boosts and sausages to Tang San and the others.
Huo Wu gritted her teeth at the sight. She had paused to give them a chance to surrender, but they were still powering up. Did they really want her to injure them all?
Yang Xiong suddenly looked toward Flender. The latter seemed to understand and gave a solemn nod.
With that signal, Yang Xiong raised his hand and declared, "We surrender this match."
But just as he said it, Tang San roared, "If you want to surrender, go ahead. I won't!"
Yang Xiong didn't argue. Instead, he shoved Oscar and Ning Rongrong off the stage, then stood alone at the edge of the arena.
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