At this critical moment, Yu Xiaogang and Flender had an extensive collection of intelligence documents spread across the table before them, containing detailed information about the seven members of a formidable opposing team.
The Royal Fight Team consisted of seven members, all holders of prestigious Silver Spirit Fight Badges.
Captain: Yu Tianheng, Spirit: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Level 39 Power Attack System Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Vice-Captain: Dugu Yan, Spirit: Jade Phosphor Serpent, Level 38 Control System Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Ye Lingling, Spirit: Nine Heart Begonia, Level 35 Support System Tool Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Shimo, Spirit: Xuanwu Turtle, Level 38 Defense System Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Plus three additional members: Yu Feng and Osler, along with another teammate.
Flender spoke with obvious concern. "Xiaogang, you should understand the significance of these individuals' spirits and spirit ring configurations, especially their captain with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon spirit. He should be from your own family lineage."
Yu Xiaogang responded with visible anger. "Enough, Flender! I didn't arrange for the children to participate in this competition because of personal feelings toward the captain. Although our students have been performing excellently recently, you should also understand that they haven't encountered any truly powerful opponents yet. This team can serve as the perfect verification of our children's actual strength."
Flender pressed his concerns. "Have you considered the possibility that our children might lose decisively, or even suffer devastating psychological damage? This team is obviously professionally trained and almost meets the standards required for the Advanced Spirit Master Competition."
"Furthermore," Flender continued seriously, "you should focus on analyzing their spirits carefully. Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Jade Phosphor Serpent, Xuanwu Turtle—none of them possess even slightly weaker spirits, and their family backgrounds are undoubtedly very deep and powerful."
Yu Xiaogang remained silent for several moments before speaking. "Let's see what the children think about this challenge. Perhaps they also want the opportunity to fight against opponents of this caliber."
Flender considered this approach thoughtfully. "Very well, it's time for these children to experience the wider world. Let's hear what our students have to say specifically about this opportunity."
Yu Xiaogang nodded in agreement, though a hint of personal determination and unwillingness was revealed in his eyes.
The following morning, Yu Xiaogang addressed the entire team with serious gravity. "A very powerful Spirit Master team has arrived in Soto City. Their collective strength far exceeds the Crazy Battle Team you once defeated. I have already registered you for this competition. If anyone feels afraid of losing or concerned about potential danger, please speak up now."
After carefully examining the detailed opponent information, everyone's expressions became noticeably serious and focused.
Dai Mubai took the initiative and spoke with confidence. "Isn't it just the Royal Fight Team? Although they are undeniably strong, we are also very confident that we can achieve victory against them."
Yu Xiaogang nodded approvingly. "Among the many opponents you'll face, you should pay special attention to the student named Dugu Yan. Her spirit is the Jade Phosphor Serpent, which represents both a top-tier beast spirit and an extremely rare poison-type spirit master."
Tang San examined the information carefully and asked with obvious puzzlement. "Teacher, can this kind of beast spirit also be effectively used as a control system spirit master?"
Yu Xiaogang explained thoroughly. "Yes, but this particular Dugu Yan utilizes the poisonous attributes of the Jade Phosphor Serpent specifically for crowd control purposes."
"When fighting against this type of poison spirit master, you must pay extremely careful attention to safety," he continued with emphasis. "If you're not cautious, you can easily fall victim to her schemes, especially if you become isolated. Poison attacks can easily cause permanent damage to people's bodies, and the toxins employed by many poison spirit masters cannot be detoxified using conventional methods available in the spirit master world."
The team composition was still decided through their standard lottery system, and unfortunately, Zhu Zhuqing was not selected to participate in this crucial battle.
Dai Mubai quickly interjected with urgent concern. "Master, Tang San, the enemies in this spirit fight are tremendously powerful. I strongly suggest that Zhuqing should remain on the field, as we may be able to form a spirit fusion skill during critical moments."
After experiencing numerous battles recently, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had developed increasingly perfect coordination, and there was growing resonance between their spirits. It seemed that successfully forming a spirit fusion skill should only be a matter of time and opportunity.
Unfortunately, even though Yu Xiaogang was somewhat tempted by this strategic suggestion, since the lottery had already been conducted fairly, it wouldn't be appropriate to change the results arbitrarily.
At this moment, Ning Rongrong suddenly spoke up with valuable insight. "Master, Tang San, I believe we should focus our primary attention on the spirit master who possesses the Nine Heart Begonia spirit. The Nine Heart Begonia is relatively unique among all spirits. No matter how many spirit rings they absorb, regardless of what type of spirit rings they obtain, they consistently possess only one spirit skill, which is advanced healing."
"The healing ability of the Nine Heart Begonia is extremely terrifying and formidable," she continued with authority. "Legend states that as long as the spirit master with the Nine Heart Begonia spirit is not completely eliminated from the battlefield, their powerful healing ability can restore injured teammates to full health almost instantaneously."
Both Yu Xiaogang and Tang San appeared shocked by this revelation. They had never heard specific details about the Nine Heart Begonia spirit, and Ning Rongrong's description seemed almost too powerful to believe.
The following evening, after carefully rearranging their tactical strategies, Yang Xiong followed the other six team members onto the arena platform.
According to their established battle plan, Tang San would maintain his role as primary controller, Xiao Wu and Dai Mubai would serve as strong attackers, Oscar and Ning Rongrong would provide auxiliary support, Ma Hongjun would be responsible for countering the opponent's flying spirit master, and Yang Xiong would handle both strong attacks and agility-based elimination of priority targets.
After both teams stepped onto the stage and completed their preparations, the competition officially commenced.
Yang Xiong didn't particularly concern himself with the so-called Royal Fight Team's reputation, but he understood that this spirit fight competition would serve as the catalyst for Shrek Academy's next major actions and advancement.
In the arena formation, Tang San positioned himself at the center of their group, while Yang Xiong, Dai Mubai, and Xiao Wu advanced toward the front lines, with Yang Xiong maintaining the very center position for maximum tactical flexibility.
However, the opposing Royal Fight Team didn't appear to show much concern or special preparation for Shrek's approach.
With the referee's official signal, Yang Xiong and Dai Mubai took the lead and charged directly toward the opposing team with coordinated aggression.
The enemy team actually met their advance head-on, with their captain, Yu Tianheng, directly confronting Yang Xiong in single combat.
With just one powerful exchange of punches, both combatants were forced to take two steps backward. This represented the first time Yang Xiong had been forced to retreat during a head-on confrontation in any arena battle.
Yu Tianheng appeared equally surprised by the exchange. He hadn't expected that he, a dignified level thirty-nine Spirit Elder, would be forced backward by a mere level twenty-eight Spirit Grand Master. The situation felt somewhat embarrassing and concerning.
The entire battlefield seemed to divide into separate combat zones, with each fighter finding their designated opponent according to tactical matchups.
Dugu Yan's second spirit ring flashed with deadly intent, and a red aura spread onto the bodies of all Royal Fight Team members. Everyone seemed to be stimulated and enhanced, with their attack power and speed dramatically improved. This was her second spirit skill: Jade Phosphor Red Poison.
However, Yang Xiong remained completely unconcerned by this development. At his current stage of physical conditioning, he felt no fear of either poison-based attacks or lightning-based assaults.
Both teams quickly fell into an intense stalemate. In terms of raw power levels, the Royal Fight Team averaged at least five levels higher than Shrek Academy's current capabilities.
Just as Dugu Yan was preparing to release additional poison attacks, Tang San surprisingly produced large quantities of realgar powder and strong wine from his storage. Under Tang San's careful instructions, all the poisonous substances were burned to ash under Ma Hongjun's intense phoenix flames.
Dugu Yan appeared genuinely surprised. She hadn't expected that her carefully prepared poison could be neutralized by the unknown substances that Tang San had produced.
The two teams initially appeared evenly matched, but the significant difference in spirit power levels between them was becoming increasingly apparent. Only a few minutes into the battle, Shrek Academy began showing signs of potential collapse.
However, this was exactly the opportunity that Shrek Academy had been waiting for. Yang Xiong and Dai Mubai suddenly moved with coordinated precision. Dai Mubai immediately engaged Yu Tianheng's attacks, while Yang Xiong's new opponent became Shimo, the defense system spirit master who possessed the Xuanwu Turtle spirit and thirty-eight levels of spirit power.
Yang Xiong launched a series of continuous punches, and Shimo felt his body receiving severe impacts repeatedly. Even with the defensive capabilities of his Xuanwu Turtle spirit, he couldn't adequately resist the overwhelming force.
Ye Lingling of the Royal Fight Team summoned an enormous Nine Heart Begonia flower, and blue healing aura quickly merged into the bodies of all Royal Fight Team members. Their injuries began healing at an extremely rapid pace.
At this critical moment, Yang Xiong directly forced Shimo backward, then his figure suddenly flashed with incredible speed. His entire body appeared instantly in front of Ye Lingling. Before she could react properly, a massive glowing attack was already descending toward her.
Ye Lingling's face turned pale when confronted with this sudden assault. Shimo desperately attempted to block the attack, and even their flying spirit master rushed over with urgent desperation.
At this precise moment, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass suddenly changed tactics, launching coordinated attacks with other team members while immediately beginning to harass and impede anyone attempting to rescue Ye Lingling.
Shimo, positioned next to Ye Lingling, directly blocked Yang Xiong's path and activated his third spirit skill: Xuanwu's Defense. A massive turtle shell suddenly materialized in front of his entire body. The shell was covered with ancient protective patterns and appeared extremely formidable in terms of defensive capability.
However, at this crucial moment, Yang Xiong's Spiral Pill technique had already been activated, and it smashed directly against this Xuanwu's Defense with tremendous force. Even though it was a powerful thousand-year spirit skill, it was shattered instantly under the overwhelming impact.
Shimo immediately spat out a mouthful of blood, obviously suffering serious internal injuries.
But Yang Xiong couldn't afford to focus on Shimo's condition. He accelerated once again and charged directly toward Ye Lingling.
Ye Lingling was merely a plant-based spirit master, and her defensive capabilities and speed were inadequate in all aspects for this type of confrontation.
Just at this critical moment, there was a sudden sonic boom behind Yang Xiong, accompanied by a blue figure rushing toward him with incredible speed. The figure seemed to contain countless lightning power and electrical energy.
Yu Tianheng's right hand had transformed into something resembling a massive dragon claw, and his entire right arm had become thicker by a full circle. This was Yu Tianheng's third spirit skill: Thunder Fury. Yu Tianheng had desperately broken away from his engagement with Dai Mubai to execute this rescue attempt.
However, Yang Xiong couldn't afford to worry about this new threat. He directly struck Ye Lingling with a powerful palm attack.
Before Ye Lingling could react or defend herself, her entire body was launched into the air. Yang Xiong immediately followed up by grabbing her hand and delivering a forceful kick that sent Ye Lingling flying directly out of the arena boundaries.
Just as Yang Xiong sensed the approaching sonic boom, he quickly executed a precise hand knife strike directed at the blue figure flying toward him.
This time it was Yu Tianheng's offensive spirit skill, and his strength was dramatically greater than his previous attacks.
Yang Xiong used his hand knife to resist the spirit skill, and his entire body was forced to retreat six or seven meters from the impact.
However, Yang Xiong only paused momentarily before immediately regaining his footing. His hands transformed into claw-like weapons, and he engaged Yu Tianheng's enhanced appendages directly.
Observing Yu Tianheng's arm enhancement, this appeared to be the dragon transformation technique of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family. This ability could instantly strengthen their attack power while also dramatically improving their defense and speed capabilities.
Yang Xiong's pair of silver claws and Yu Tianheng's azure blue claws engaged in continuous combat. In just a few seconds of lightning-fast exchanges, the two had fought countless rounds, though Yang Xiong wouldn't be able to gain significant advantage in such a short timeframe.
However, with the Royal Fight Team having lost Ye Lingling's critical healing support, their subsequent battles would become significantly more difficult to sustain.
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