During these restful days, there was a slight but memorable incident. One night, Ma Hongjun returned from his evening activities with his entire face beaten into a swollen mess that resembled a pig's head.
Although Yang Xiong didn't particularly respect Ma Hongjun's lifestyle choices, he still followed the others to Soto City to teach that so-called "Not-Happy" a proper lesson. After all, that individual was genuinely too perverted and disgusting, and beating him up could be considered a bit of beneficial exercise and community service.
On the sixth day of their rest period, Tang San gathered everyone in his room, where various carefully crafted hidden weapons were already displayed on the table in an impressive arrangement.
After Tang San's detailed introduction, these hidden weapons included Silent Sleeve Arrows, Stomping Crossbows, Tight-Back Low-Head Crossbows, Hidden Sand Projectiles, Flying Sky God Claws, Godly Zhuge Crossbows, and several other specialized designs.
Everyone was genuinely delighted to examine these hidden weapons, as they had witnessed their devastating power before. The Godly Zhuge Crossbow in particular had shown tremendous effectiveness whether used against Zhao Wuji during training or when eliminating soul beasts in the wild.
Under Tang San's patient guidance, everyone quickly became familiar with the proper use of the hidden weapons and equipped them directly on their bodies for immediate use.
Yang Xiong carefully examined and tested many of the hidden weapons with obvious appreciation. These were essentially trigger-activated mechanisms, extremely exquisitely crafted and possessing considerable destructive power. The metals used in their construction were clearly not simple materials, demonstrating that Tang San had invested significant thought, time, and resources into creating these hidden weapons.
After carefully observing and experimenting with them for an extended period, Yang Xiong thoughtfully put them all away in his storage.
Tang San asked with obvious confusion and some concern. "Yang Xiong, are you not satisfied with these hidden weapons? Why didn't you equip them on yourself immediately like the others?"
Yang Xiong smiled warmly and responded appreciatively. "Tang San, thank you very much for your thoughtfulness. I genuinely like these hidden weapons—their attack capabilities are excellent in all aspects. However, equipping them would be somewhat inconvenient for my daily body refinement routines, so I'll store them safely and use them when the situation truly requires their power."
Tang San seemed to care deeply about everyone's attitudes toward his crafted hidden weapons and breathed a visible sigh of relief. "Yang Xiong, you need to refine your body and take specialized medicinal baths every day. These hidden weapons could indeed be easily damaged by the toxins you use, so it's definitely wise to store them properly."
The seven-day vacation period passed quickly. Under the careful organization of Yu Xiaogang and Flender, Shrek Academy began implementing the second round of training, which would take place at the Soto City Great Soul Arena.
However, according to Yu Xiaogang's specific requirements, everyone needed to obtain both an individual Silver Soul Fighting Badge and a team Silver Soul Fighting Badge simultaneously.
This requirement presented an immediate logistical problem. Normal team registrations were designed for exactly seven people, but Shrek Academy currently had eight students, meaning one person couldn't participate in each team battle.
According to Yu Xiaogang's explanation, the entire team possessed only Tang San as a control-type Spirit Master. Apart from Tang San, the other seven would take turns resting, while Tang San, serving as the control-type Spirit Master, would arrange tactics and coordinate team strategies.
Yang Xiong couldn't help but roll his eyes at Yu Xiaogang's obvious favoritism. From his transparent approach, it was clear that he wanted to cultivate and elevate Tang San's leadership position within the team structure.
However, Yang Xiong didn't particularly care about this arrangement. According to his personal plans, he would definitely participate in one solo soul fight and two duo soul fights every day regardless. A seven-person team battle seemed rather uninteresting and limiting for his development goals.
Moreover, Yang Xiong didn't pay much attention to this so-called seven-person team battle format. He cared more about his individual improvement and growth. Only the Continental Soul Master Competition would feature this kind of seven-person team battle. When they reached the Spirit King or even Spirit Emperor levels, where would there be so many people available for team battles? In the end, success still depended primarily on individual strength and capability.
Yu Xiaogang appeared full of confidence in his plan. "Although the second round of training doesn't seem particularly challenging on the surface, I require everyone to obtain their Silver Soul Fighting Badges as quickly as possible, especially your team coordination. This may prove to be the most difficult aspect of the training."
"For your safety and protection," he continued, "I will also impose certain strict restrictions on all participants. First, everyone must not reveal their original appearance and must wear masks with code names when participating in competitions. Second, everyone must not use hidden weapons during battles. Third, I require each of you to participate in at least two soul fighting matches every day."
Oscar looked puzzled and concerned. "Master, both Rongrong and I are support-type Spirit Masters, so it may not be easy for us to obtain individual Silver Soul Fighting Badges."
Yu Xiaogang's expression remained calm and measured. "This challenge is also manageable with proper strategy. You can continue the first round of physical training until everyone has successfully obtained their Silver Soul Fighting Badges. That will be considered your completion of this training phase."
Both Oscar and Ning Rongrong immediately appeared dejected upon hearing this requirement, obviously feeling intimidated by the difficulty and intensity of the first round's physical training.
However, Oscar hooked Yang Xiong's shoulder with familiar desperation. "Brother Xiong, I absolutely have to rely on you for this challenge. I can only earn points by participating in duo matches and team matches with strong partners."
Yang Xiong quickly pushed Oscar away with some annoyance. "Don't get so physically close to me like that. Don't worry about this situation—helping you obtain a Silver Soul Fighting Badge isn't that significant of a problem for me."
"However, you also need to work much harder and improve your performance," Yang Xiong continued seriously. "Don't get eliminated immediately in every match. You have to understand that when I partner with you, I'll essentially be fighting against two Spirit Grand Masters simultaneously."
As Yang Xiong had accurately assessed, he didn't consider obtaining the Silver Soul Fighting Badge particularly difficult for someone of his capabilities.
According to the established rules of the Soul Arena, individual battles awarded points, duo battles also provided individual points to both participants, and even seven-person team battles awarded individual points in addition to team points. Even support-type Spirit Masters could accumulate points through duo battles and team battles.
However, to obtain the Silver Soul Fighting Badge as quickly as possible, participants needed to engage in numerous matches consistently.
According to Yang Xiong's strategic plan, participating in three to four soul fighting matches every evening would be almost sufficient for rapid advancement. Any more than that would be meaningless and potentially counterproductive. Of course, this calculation included one team battle per day.
Without hesitation, Dai Mubai immediately approached Zhu Zhuqing, and the two formed what they called the White Tiger combination. However, they would need to fight against two Spirit Grand Masters, which represented tremendous pressure for Zhu Zhuqing, especially since she was only level twenty-seven.
Despite this challenge, Zhu Zhuqing showed no fear and seemed to trust Dai Mubai's abilities more and more with each passing day.
Tang San and Xiao Wu had already established themselves as a Spirit Grand Master duo combination, a partnership that no one could challenge or disrupt.
Ma Hongjun found himself in a much more difficult situation. He couldn't seem to locate a suitable two-person combination partner. Ning Rongrong clearly despised his lifestyle and attitude, while Zhu Zhuqing needed to partner with Dai Mubai for battles against Spirit Elders and participate in team battles. With his current strength level, it seemed impossible for him to participate in three Soul Battle matches every day. The other four were all Spirit Elders, making it extremely difficult for him, as a mere Spirit Grand Master, to team up effectively with any of them.
In the end, Ma Hongjun looked at Yang Xiong with obvious hope and desperation. "Brother Xiong, how about the two of us form a team? At worst, we don't have to appear in battles every single day."
Yang Xiong considered this proposal carefully before responding. "No problem, I can accept that arrangement. However, if we team up together, we absolutely have to participate in Soul Battle matches every day until the complete end of this training period."
Ma Hongjun appeared puzzled and concerned. "Brother Xiong, can you really handle that intense schedule? You understand that if we calculate it that way, you'll have to participate in five Soul Battle matches every single day, including at least two Spirit Elder-level Soul Battle matches."
Yang Xiong grabbed Ma Hongjun's shoulder with confidence. "Little fatty, that's not something you need to worry about or concern yourself with. It's merely a Spirit Grand Master-level Soul Battle match. Just don't cause me any trouble or hold me back."
Soon, everyone began the registration process. Yang Xiong signed up for four matches immediately, including one solo Soul Battle match and three two-person Soul Battle matches. As for the seven-person team battle, the draw results were quite fortunate—Yang Xiong didn't have to participate in today's team match.
When everyone observed Yang Xiong's Bronze Soul Master badge, they were genuinely surprised by his low ranking. Dai Mubai had participated in numerous matches over time, yet he still possessed only an Iron Soul Master badge. He had lost far too many times when he first entered the Spirit Elder realm, and no one at the academy had been willing to team up with him for two-person matches during that difficult period.
However, when Yang Xiong saw his opponent assignment for the first Soul Battle match, he was equally surprised, because his first solo Soul Battle match was actually scheduled against Zhu Zhuqing.
Dai Mubai quickly approached Yang Xiong with obvious concern. "Brother, please be gentle when you make your moves later. I'm begging you to show some mercy."
Yang Xiong smiled reassuringly. "We are all classmates and friends. I certainly won't strike too hard or cause serious injury."
Zhu Zhuqing, who was standing nearby, glared at Dai Mubai with obvious disapproval, clearly disliking his assumption that she needed special protection or consideration.
After the two stepped onto the arena stage, Zhu Zhuqing appeared extremely serious and maintained her characteristic aloof demeanor.
The normally reserved Zhu Zhuqing suddenly spoke with unexpected directness. "Yang Xiong, can you allow me to see you fighting at full strength?"
A trace of doubt and concern appeared on Yang Xiong's face. "Are you absolutely certain about this request? I might seriously injure you if I don't hold back."
During the past three months of training, Yang Xiong had fought against every team member, but each time Yu Xiaogang had arranged multiple opponents against him. It had been impossible to arrange for Zhu Zhuqing to fight him alone, since the difference in combat power between them was too significant. This represented the first time the two would engage in solo combat.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded with firm determination. "I'm completely sure about this. We are the same age, and our Spirit Power levels are relatively similar. I want to understand the real gap between your abilities and mine. Please use your full strength without reservation."
Yang Xiong nodded respectfully. "Very well, but I hope you won't become discouraged by the outcome."
According to the standard rules of the Soul Battle Arena, both fighters revealed their Spirits and Spirit Rings, and the match began with the referee's official signal.
Both combatants moved with extraordinary speed, rushing toward each other in an instant. It appeared as if there were two black shadows streaking across the stage.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't dare underestimate Yang Xiong's capabilities at all and immediately activated her Second Spirit Ability: Nether Claw Hundred Strikes.
Zhu Zhuqing's body spun rapidly with feline grace, and her claws seemed to become extremely sharp and deadly, resembling a true Nether Cat. She instantly launched countless claw strikes, and their penetrating ability appeared tremendously strong and precise.
However, Yang Xiong's speed proved to be not slower than hers—in fact, it was noticeably faster. In just an instant, his hands transformed into silver claws, forcefully intercepting and grasping the countless claw shadows attacking him.
With a powerful pulling motion from Yang Xiong, these countless shadow attacks were instantly shattered and dispersed.
Zhu Zhuqing reacted with remarkable speed. Seeing Yang Xiong's pair of silver claws advancing like a hot knife through butter, she transformed into a black shadow and attempted to escape his range.
However, Yang Xiong's speed increased dramatically at this crucial moment, becoming much faster than Zhu Zhuqing's maximum velocity. He directly appeared in front of Zhu Zhuqing and reached out to grab her again.
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip with determination and quickly activated her First Spirit Ability: Nether Thrust. Her pair of claws instantly extended with deadly precision, and her speed increased dramatically, striking directly toward Yang Xiong's chest. She was obviously attempting to force Yang Xiong to retreat defensively.
However, Yang Xiong showed no fear whatsoever. His claws suddenly changed their approach, as if drawing a perfect circle, directly deflecting and neutralizing Zhu Zhuqing's First Spirit Ability.
Before Zhu Zhuqing could react to this unexpected defense, she felt her entire body become completely weightless. Her hands involuntarily changed direction under the skilled guidance of Yang Xiong's movements. This was the 'Grasp Sparrow's Tail' technique from Tai Chi martial arts, a move that exemplified using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds, capable of redirecting any attack from opponents.
Before Zhu Zhuqing could recover her balance, Yang Xiong's palms suddenly moved as fast as lightning, forcefully striking against Zhu Zhuqing's claws. Zhu Zhuqing was directly forced backward by the impact.
Before Zhu Zhuqing could regain her footing, Yang Xiong immediately moved forward and delivered a precise punch. Even though Zhu Zhuqing reacted quickly, she couldn't dodge at this critical moment and could only attempt to block with her claws.
Zhu Zhuqing felt sharp pain shooting through her hands. Even though she bit her lip hard and wanted to continue fighting, Yang Xiong executed a powerful whip kick that struck her left shoulder. Yang Xiong's whip kick contained tremendous force, and Zhu Zhuqing was directly kicked away from the arena.
When she regained awareness, her entire body had already fallen heavily outside the ring, and her hands were trembling noticeably from the impact.
The audience erupted in shocked murmurs and discussion. This hadn't resembled a Soul Battle match between Spirit Masters of equivalent levels, but rather appeared to be a completely one-sided domination. Zhu Zhuqing had used two Spirit Abilities in rapid succession, yet she couldn't even block two basic moves from Yang Xiong before being decisively knocked off the stage.
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