During the fifth match of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, Shrek Academy finally encountered a truly formidable opponent: the Elephant Armor Academy team.
Both Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang and Tang San approached this match with utmost seriousness. The intensity of their preparation was evident when Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang even suggested they should consider forfeiting the match, as their opponent's strength far exceeded what they had initially anticipated.
However, Tang San, displaying his characteristic stubborn determination, made the decision to fight with everything they had, even if it meant the team would suffer injuries in the process. His resolve was unshakeable – they would face this challenge head-on.
When the Shrek Academy team stepped onto the competition stage, every member couldn't help but swallow nervously at the sight before them.
Yang Xiong, now fourteen years old, stood nearly 1.85 meters tall with an impressively strong build. His height and muscular development were almost identical to Dai Mubai's mature physique.
Among the Shrek team members, only Yang Xiong, Dai Mubai, and Tai Lung possessed heights approaching 1.75 meters, while the others were considerably shorter.
But the Elephant Armor Academy members presented an absolutely terrifying sight. Each opponent stood at least two meters tall, their bulging muscles making them resemble the sumo wrestlers Yang Xiong remembered from Earth. Every single member appeared to weigh at least 300 pounds, creating an intimidating wall of muscle and power.
After Tang San completed his tactical arrangements, Tai Lung found himself excluded from the starting lineup for this crucial match. Instead, Tang San had arranged for Zhu Zhuqing to participate, a decision that surprised both Tai Lung and Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang.
Tang San had carefully analyzed the situation facing both teams, particularly focusing on the Elephant Armor Academy's primary weakness: their relatively poor agility and speed. Having Tai Lung participate would actually be disadvantageous given his own limitations in mobility. Therefore, Tang San chose the much faster Zhu Zhuqing, hoping her exceptional speed could secure them a strategic advantage.
While excitement filled the stage and the entire Great Spirit Arena, the VIP stands buzzed with even greater tension and anticipation.
Emperor Xue Ye maintained his presence at the match, accompanied by the notable figures of the spirit master world. Standing beside Ning Fengzhi was an exceptionally tall man – none other than Huyan Zhen, the Sect Master of the Elephant Armor Sect.
Huyan Zhen's expression showed visible displeasure as he spoke: "Sect Master Ning, I've heard that you support the second team representing Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and that even your own daughter participates in this team. It appears you possess considerable confidence in achieving the championship."
Ning Fengzhi maintained his characteristic calm demeanor as he replied: "Sect Master Huyan is surely joking. The Shrek Academy team representing Heaven Dou Royal Academy consists merely of a group of children. How could they possibly compare to the Elephant Armor team, whose members have nearly reached full adulthood?"
Although Ning Fengzhi's words appeared casual and diplomatic, they contained a subtle mockery of the Elephant Armor team for taking advantage of their significantly older age compared to their opponents.
Huyan Zhen's face immediately turned cold: "Once competitors step onto that stage, age becomes irrelevant. I sincerely hope these little children won't end up crying when they receive their beating."
Before Ning Fengzhi could formulate a response, Platinum Bishop Salas interjected smoothly: "Sect Master Huyan, it seems you possess tremendous confidence in the Elephant Armor team's abilities."
A distinct hint of arrogance appeared on Huyan Zhen's weathered face: "Of course I do. My grandson, Huyan Li, achieved the Spirit Elder realm at merely twenty years of age. He represents the most outstanding disciple my Elephant Armor Sect has ever produced, possessing even superior talent compared to what I displayed in my younger years. Perhaps he will become the only Titled Douluo my Elephant Armor Sect produces in the future."
Bone Douluo, standing behind Ning Fengzhi, responded with only a cold snort upon hearing these boastful words, obviously dismissing Huyan Zhen's claims entirely.
Salas spoke with meaningful undertones: "Sect Master Ning, I hadn't expected you would actually place your daughter on the competition stage. This clearly indicates that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stands firmly behind this Shrek Academy team."
Ning Fengzhi smiled diplomatically and replied: "Salas, you're reading far too much into this situation. This represents the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team. Ning would never dare claim credit for their achievements."
Observing that the distinguished guests were approaching an argument, Emperor Xue Ye finally intervened with his authoritative voice: "Everyone, let's focus our attention on the match first. It's quite rare for our Heaven Dou Royal Academy to produce such promising young talents."
Given Emperor Xue Ye's supreme status, everyone immediately directed their attention toward the competition stage.
On the stage, after both teams completed their formal introductions and displayed their Spirit Rings, nearly everyone present felt shocked by what they witnessed.
The Elephant Armor Sect fielded three Spirit Elders and four top-level Spirit Grandmasters. Most significantly, their captain, Huyan Li, had reached level 43, making him one level higher than even Dai Mubai.
In stark comparison, Shrek Academy possessed only one Spirit Elder, and their Spirit Power levels were generally suppressed across the board.
When all seven members of the Elephant Armor Sect team stepped onto the stage simultaneously, their seven towering, muscular figures created an imposing sight that seemed to make the entire stage tremble beneath their combined weight.
As the referee announced the official start of the match, Tang San immediately called out his first command: "Retreat!"
The team, who had originally prepared to launch an immediate attack, actually began retreating instead. Every member retreated with extreme speed while maintaining their formation relatively intact. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing positioned themselves on the left and right flanks, Dai Mubai held the center position, and Yang Xiong stayed close to Ning Rongrong's side for protection.
Tang San and Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang had clearly analyzed the Elephant Armor team's tactical approach in advance. The opposing team excelled at overwhelming opponents with raw strength and powerful counterattacks. Their greatest weaknesses lay in their limited speed and poor flexibility.
As the Shrek team executed their strategic retreat, the Elephant Armor Academy responded by advancing aggressively in a direct frontal assault.
Tang San reacted with lightning speed, summoning his Blue Silver Grass to quickly wrap around the legs of the advancing Elephant Armor Academy members, obviously attempting to halt their forward momentum.
Whether the Elephant Armor Academy members reacted too slowly or simply underestimated the technique, several of them quickly found their legs entangled by the constraining vines.
Tang San felt initially overjoyed. The entanglement of his Blue Silver Grass typically proved extremely difficult to escape. He hadn't expected to control the enemy forces so easily. A powerful pulling force manifested through the Blue Silver Grass as he attempted to trip his opponents.
However, unexpectedly, the Elephant Armor Academy members showed virtually no reaction to his technique. The Blue Silver Grass completely failed to move their bodies, each weighing over 300 pounds of solid muscle.
The few individuals whose feet had been entangled by the Blue Silver Grass simply exerted their raw strength, and the vines that had been wrapped around their feet suddenly shattered completely. The backlash even caused Tang San's body to lose control momentarily.
Tang San felt extremely surprised by this development. These opponents possessed pure physical strength that probably exceeded even Dai Mubai's capabilities. Huyan Li in particular likely surpassed most Spirit Elders in terms of raw power.
The Elephant Armor Sect members appeared to completely ignore Tang San's Blue Silver Grass technique, maintaining their tight formation while continuing to press forward relentlessly. Even the Shrek team began feeling intense pressure, as their members generally stood around 1.7 meters tall while their opponents measured at least two meters in height. The visual disparity resembled adults fighting children, making the Shrek team appear relatively small and vulnerable.
Tang San's eyes suddenly focused with determination, and countless Blue Silver Grass vines wrapped around the waists of Yang Xiong and four other teammates. He quickly called out to Oscar: "Xiao Ao!"
Oscar had obviously prepared for this moment, immediately creating two Flying Mushroom Sausages. He consumed one himself and handed the other to Tang San. With Oscar's current spirit power level, he couldn't produce too many Flying Mushroom Sausages, since it required his thousand-year spirit skill.
In an instant, both Tang San and Oscar took flight. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass simultaneously pulled Yang Xiong and the other four teammates up with them. This tactical choice represented another reason Tang San had selected Zhu Zhuqing over Tai Lung – her significantly lighter weight.
Witnessing all seven Shrek Devils suddenly airborne, the pressure from the Elephant Armor Academy team instantly vanished. Instead, the Shrek team now held the advantageous high ground position.
Following Oscar's characteristically provocative commentary, the opposing team became instantly enraged and formed an unusual formation. Huyan Li was directly lifted into the air by his teammates' combined strength.
But at the crucial moment, countless Blue Silver Grass vines suddenly sprouted from Huyan Li's body, and even all the other Elephant Armor Academy members found themselves covered in the constraining vegetation. Tang San's second spirit skill, Parasite, had activated successfully.
Yang Xiong, positioned at the rear of the formation, observed both Huyan Li and Oscar with a hint of embarrassment crossing his features.
One possessed a sharp tongue and quick wit, while the other seemed extremely simple-minded and direct – neither resembling the sophisticated geniuses that spirit masters were supposed to represent.
Tang San's strategy of 'luring the snake out of its hole' demonstrated excellent tactical thinking, but he had clearly underestimated his opponents' overwhelming strength. In just an instant, the Blue Silver Grass covering Huyan Li and his teammates shattered completely under their raw power. The technique did succeed in preventing Huyan Li's aerial attack, which represented probably its only meaningful effect.
Tang San's eyes flashed with renewed determination: "Take the initiative! We must defeat Huyan Li as quickly as possible."
In just an instant, everyone descended from their aerial positions. Yang Xiong remained at the rear of the team formation, continuing to protect both Oscar and Ning Rongrong, while Tang San and the other three members launched a full assault against Huyan Li. According to Tang San's strategic plan, attacking a single Spirit Elder with the combined strength of four teammates should prove relatively straightforward.
However, he had clearly underestimated Huyan Li's exceptional physical resilience. Completely ignoring the attacks landing on his body, Huyan Li directly summoned his massive Diamond Mammoth spirit, activating his fourth spirit skill: Diamond Mammoth Body Protection. A huge protective barrier appeared around him, and the Diamond Mammoth's thunderous roar seemed to shake the entire arena structure.
The four attackers struck against the massive Diamond Mammoth's defensive capabilities, but this type of pure defensive technique could not be easily broken through conventional means.
Huyan Li appeared clearly enraged by Oscar's earlier provocative words, and instead of maintaining a defensive posture, he charged directly at the four opponents with imposing momentum, his expression showing complete fury.
When Dai Mubai and Huyan Li's fists collided in direct combat, Huyan Li's advance only slowed slightly, while Dai Mubai was forced to retreat several meters backward. The vast difference in raw strength between the two combatants became immediately apparent.
Zhu Zhuqing reacted with exceptional speed, employing her third spirit skill: Netherworld Hundred Claws. Countless shadowy claw attacks struck toward Huyan Li with deadly precision.
However, Huyan Li's Diamond Mammoth Body Protection proved extremely powerful, and he directly smashed forward with his head, forcefully sending Zhu Zhuqing flying along with completely negating her spirit skill's effects.
The Elephant Armor Sect's reputation as possessing the world's number one defensive capabilities proved well-deserved – their power and defensive abilities were truly terrifying to witness.
Tang San and his three teammates continued their relentless siege without any hesitation, but the other members of the Elephant Armor Academy team all joined the attack, immediately transforming the scene into chaotic close-quarters combat. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass techniques clearly could not effectively control the Elephant Armor Academy team members.
Considering the Shrek team's current tactical situation, they would likely face defeat quickly as their carefully planned formation crumbled under pressure.
Observing that both sides were about to engage in completely chaotic battle, Ning Rongrong summoned her magnificent Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Multiple enhancement buffs landed precisely on the four front-line fighters, dramatically improving Tang San and his teammates' strength and speed capabilities.
As captain of the Elephant Armor Academy, Huyan Li's tactical intelligence might have been relatively limited, but he clearly understood the critical importance of eliminating support-type spirit masters. He directly broke free from the ongoing siege and charged toward Ning Rongrong like an enraged bull, his massive frame thundering across the stage.
The Elephant Armor Academy's numerical advantage in Spirit Grandmaster-level fighters became immediately evident. The other two Spirit Elders, Huyan Shan and Huyan Ba, respectively engaged Tang San and Dai Mubai in individual combat, while the remaining four members began coordinating to besiege both Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. All four front-line Battle Spirit Masters found themselves instantly restrained and unable to provide mutual support.
Yang Xiong responded with only a cold sneer, facing Huyan Li's direct charge toward his position. He threw a single, decisive punch. Yang Xiong and Huyan Li's fists collided with tremendous force. Yang Xiong remained firmly planted in place, while Huyan Li was directly pushed backward several meters.
Huyan Li immediately became enraged: "You, a mere Spirit Elder, actually possess such incredible strength! In terms of pure physical power, I should definitely not lose to anyone at my level."
Huyan Li's second spirit ring flashed with brilliant light, activating his second spirit skill: Mammoth Strength Enhancement. His already imposing body seemed to become even more powerful and threatening.
When the two combatants clashed again, Yang Xiong still stood firmly in place, while Huyan Li found himself forced to retreat several additional steps. Yang Xiong clearly possessed far superior strength compared to Huyan Li's enhanced capabilities.
Before Huyan Li could launch another attack, Yang Xiong moved with extreme speed, particularly transforming his hands into open palm strikes. The moment Huyan Li's fist attacked, it felt like striking soft cotton, and his entire body began tilting uncontrollably.
Before he could regain his balance, Yang Xiong's hands suddenly transformed into claw-like grips with five extended fingers, directly grabbing hard onto Huyan Li's exposed arm. Regardless of how strong his defensive capabilities and raw strength were, five deep bloody marks instantly appeared on his arm, and sharp pain coursed through his entire body.
Yang Xiong's reaction speed proved countless times faster than his opponent's. A silver-glowing fist, seemingly fully charged with concentrated power, struck hard against Huyan Li's chest. Huyan Li was sent flying more than ten meters backward, with a distinct fist-shaped impression even appearing on his protective chest armor.
Blood began flowing from the corner of Huyan Li's mouth, clearly indicating that he had sustained serious internal injuries.
The other Elephant Armor Academy members had originally assumed that Huyan Li could charge straight toward the enemy's rear support, since the opponents only had a single Spirit Elder defensive-type spirit master remaining for protection. Now the situation appeared completely reversed – like he was trapped and being systematically dismantled.
Yang Xiong's devastating punch technique was called Bone Shattering Thrust, which involved condensing both physical power and spirit power into a single focused point on his fist, then using his body's complete strength to deliver a full-power blow. This represented an offensive spirit skill he had recreated and refined through countless battle experiences, making it extremely difficult for any Spirit Elder-level opponent to successfully resist or defend against.
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