Seeing everyone getting unusually excited, Yu Xiaogang continued, "Classmates, soul bones are extremely valuable. Only the champion of the finals will receive them. This is the biggest reward in the history of the Soul Master Tournament. I can promise you all that the rewards will be distributed based on individual performance."
Everyone became even more thrilled upon hearing this. However, in his heart, Yang Xiong couldn't help but complain: "It's just three soul bones. The only one truly suitable for me is that skull. But knowing Yu Xiaogang, he'll definitely give it to his disciple, Tang San. How could it be my turn? As for the other two, I'm not really interested in them."
Rather than pinning hopes on winning the tournament, he figured it would be better to go directly to Ning Fengzhi. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan might already have such treasures. At worst, he could call a couple of experts and venture into Sunset Forest or Star Dou Forest, he did have some insider information.
After Yu Xiaogang's motivational speech, the team was full of confidence as they stepped onto the arena stage, acting as if the championship was already in their grasp.
Following Yu Xiaogang's battle arrangements, Yang Xiong took the position of a single-point assault-type soul master. Ma Hongjun was responsible for aerial harassment, Zhu Zhuqing for agility-based attacks, and Qin Shuang protected the three support members.
As soon as they stepped onto the arena and saw the lineup of the Flame Radiance Academy, Yang Xiong was speechless.
The opposing team didn't field a single support-type soul master. Aside from one control-type, the rest were all assault and agility-type soul masters, not even a single defense-type among them. It was likely they had gotten wind of Shrek's formation.
Their control-type soul master used the Sky Vine as their martial spirit, but their spirit power was only level 36, and judging by appearance, they were likely older than 22.
Their team captain was the only soul ancestor among them, and his martial spirit was the Crimson Flame Tiger, an impressive spirit.
Just as Yang Xiong expected, at the start of the match, he and two others charged at the opposing formation.
But the opponents were prepared. Three of them came to intercept Yang Xiong, and countless Sky Vines rose from the ground to encircle him.
Yang Xiong teleported directly in front of the control-type soul master, and three opponents came to assist. With a single strike, he sent one flying several meters away, blood trickling from their mouth. But that soul master quickly got back up and joined the fray again.
Yang Xiong was quickly surrounded, with wave after wave of soul skills being unleashed. Even with his powerful offense, his movements were noticeably slowed.
Meanwhile, the rest of Shrek's team was faring even worse. Each of the three battle soul masters had to face opponents with over five levels of power difference, making it hard to hold their ground.
Even with Ning Rongrong's buffs and Oscar's sausages, they soon fell into a disadvantage. The three support members were taken out one by one and quickly eliminated from the match.
As the other six began to fall, the match ended with all seven opponents ganging up on Yang Xiong. Despite defeating four of them, Yang Xiong ultimately couldn't hold out and simply chose to jump off the stage.
In reality, Yang Xiong had only used about 50% of his strength, roughly that of a soul ancestor. But facing that many opponents, there wasn't much he could do. Besides, he hadn't intended to win.
In the end, Shrek Academy lost to Flame Radiance Academy, making it two losses in a row.
Although Yang Xiong defeated four opponents, the actual performance looked chaotic. The team had no clear commander. Without Yang Xiong's exceptional combat ability, it would've been a complete rout.
After the match, Yu Xiaogang's expression turned even darker. The result wasn't the explosive performance he had hoped for. While Yang Xiong did well, it was within expectations. The others were swiftly defeated by opponents with higher-level soul power.
Even the referee was stunned. He had never seen a team field three support-type soul masters in a single match.
Yu Xiaogang's face turned livid upon hearing that comment and he left in a huff. After all, the strategy had been his, and he couldn't very well scold the substitutes or blame the support soul masters for lacking combat power.
Next, they were scheduled to face a mid-tier team. This time, Flender simply declared forfeiture. The second team from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy would attract attention from many top academy officials, even Emperor Xue Ye himself would be watching. Rather than being humiliated, it was better to claim that key players were injured and withdraw in advance to preserve their image.
However, with the consecutive losses, Shrek's record now stood at ten wins and three losses, three of them in a row.
After two days of rest, Tang San and the other three had mostly recovered, and the team returned to its usual state.
Unfortunately, as soon as they rejoined, the draw paired them against Thunderclap Academy.
As everyone knew, Thunderclap Academy was one of the Five Elemental Academies and undeniably powerful. They had won thirteen straight matches and were tied for the top spot among all teams, undoubtedly a dominant force.
They had four soul ancestors, even more than Blazing Fire Academy or Elephant Armored Academy. All their martial spirits were lightning-based, giving them terrifying destructive power.
With Tang San's team back, Yang Xiong returned to his role as a defense-type soul master. The team returned to the 3-1-2-1 formation: Dai Mubai in the front, Xiao Wu and Tai Long on the flanks, Tang San in the center as control, and Yang Xiong along with the two support members in the rear.
But the moment they stepped onto the stage, the entire Shrek team felt immense pressure. The air was thick with terrifying electric energy, making it feel like explosions were about to erupt at any moment.
Thunderclap Academy's four soul ancestors included:
- Captain Yu Tianxin: Level 43 assault-type soul ancestor, martial spirit—Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
- Vice-captain Lei Dong: Level 42 control-type soul ancestor, martial spirit—Thunder Spider.
- Team member Lei Tian: Level 42 assault-type soul ancestor, martial spirit—Thunder Eagle.
- Team member Lei Mie: Level 41 agility-type soul ancestor, martial spirit—Thunder Blade.
Unexpectedly, they didn't field a single support-type soul master, and only had one control-type, the rest were all assault or agility types.
As soon as the match began, all members of Thunderclap Academy charged forward with overwhelming momentum and incredible speed, befitting lightning-attribute soul masters.
Tang San's eyes flashed as countless Blue Silver Grass vines shot up, aiming to delay their advance and disrupt their formation.
However, one of their soul ancestors immediately unleashed a large-area skill: Thunderstorm Domain. Lightning filled the entire arena and struck all the vines, charring them and turning them into ash.
Tang San was shocked. Once again, his Blue Silver Grass was countered. The restraining effect of the lightning element was just as bad as the fire from Blazing Fire Academy. Under the electric barrage, not only were the vines fragile, but even his martial spirit felt numb from the electric current.
Just as the two sides were about to clash, Ning Rongrong raised her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and chanted, "Seven Treasures, First Power!"
Three beams of light immediately enhanced Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and Tai Long's strength.
Even so, when they collided, the three of them were knocked back several meters.
Dai Mubai was matched against Thunderclap Academy's captain, Yu Tianxin, whose martial spirit was also the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, a top-tier beast spirit. With level 43 soul power, the two quickly engaged in fierce combat.
Xiao Wu and Tai Long, though buffed, were still struggling against soul ancestors.
Tang San reacted quickly. He used Blue Silver Grass to pull the three out of danger, preventing them from being surrounded.
At the same time, one vine pulled Yang Xiong from the rear to the front line.
With all seven opponents pressing in, their formation shifted. The two support members were now left unguarded, and the new formation became 2-1-2-2, with Yang Xiong and Dai Mubai holding the front.
Tang San clearly understood Yang Xiong's strength. In a flash, Yang Xiong was facing off against Yu Tianxin, while Dai Mubai fought Lei Tian, the Thunder Eagle soul master. Xiao Wu faced Lei Mie, the agility-type soul ancestor with the Thunder Blade.
The two sides began exchanging blows, but Tang San's Blue Silver Grass wasn't as effective as Lei Dong's Thunder Spider control. As a soul ancestor, Lei Dong's Thunder Spider could shoot webs charged with lightning, offering strong control and damage.
Though the webs weren't as flexible as the vines, their power was far greater due to the lightning.
Every time the two clashed, the Blue Silver Grass would be instantly charred, leaving Tang San increasingly frustrated.
With the entire Thunderclap team pressing hard, Yang Xiong and his three teammates were now facing six enemies.
Yang Xiong faced Yu Tianxin alone. Known as the Twin Stars of the Blue Lightning, Yu Tianxin had immense power and speed. But against Yang Xiong, he couldn't gain the upper hand and was clearly being held back.
Usually, the team captain serves as the spearhead. If he's held back or can't break through the opponent's formation, the entire team's offensive momentum stalls.
Yu Tianxin snorted coldly, "Does Heaven Dou Royal Academy have no one better? Trying to hold me back with a soul elder, how insulting."
Yang Xiong grinned, "Are we insulting you, or are you just too weak? A captain who can't even beat me?"
The two clashed repeatedly, but neither could overpower the other.
Yang Xiong felt the terrifying electric power from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial spirit with each strike. Even his arms went slightly numb, truly worthy of being called the most destructive elemental attribute.
At that moment, Yang Xiong understood why his sect's top rule was to avoid recklessly using soul skills. When clashing against an elemental spirit like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, even physical contact could cause serious internal damage. This was the true terror of lightning-based elements.
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