When Hu Yanli was severely injured, the other members of Elephant Armor Academy rushed to his aid without hesitation.
This situation quickly transformed into a classic siege-to-rescue-reinforcements strategy. Tang San's reflexes proved exceptional as he instantly activated his third spirit skill, Blue Silver Hurricane Array. The emerald-green Blue Silver Grass, now sharp as razor blades at the tips, enveloped many Elephant Armor Academy members. Despite their renowned defensive capabilities, the academy students found themselves suffering countless wounds across their bodies.
Simultaneously, Dai Mubai unleashed his devastating fourth spirit skill, White Tiger Meteor Shower. Under this relentless barrage, four Spirit Grand Masters from Elephant Armor Academy collapsed directly onto the competition stage.
However, the remaining two Spirit Elders, Hu Yanba and Hu Yanshan, quickly coordinated their response. Both activated their fourth spirit skill, Thousand Jun Guidance, creating a protective barrier around the injured Hu Yanli. Members of prestigious clans who share the same martial spirit typically possess identical spirit skills—this represents the inherited legacy of each clan's bloodline.
Witnessing the renewed assault from multiple opponents, the wounded Hu Yanli released a thunderous roar. A terrifying force erupted from his head, sending all four Shrek Academy members flying backward. Yang Xiong, understanding his role as protector of the support-type spirit masters, maintained his position near Ning Rongrong and Oscar rather than joining the aggressive offensive.
Golden radiance suddenly emanated from Hu Yanli's head, resembling a magnificent helmet adorned with two prominent fangs.
The audience collectively gasped in amazement. A head spirit bone—this was an authentic head spirit bone! Judging by the overwhelming spiritual pressure it emanated, this was likely no ordinary relic but a ten-thousand-year-level spirit bone. This marked the first appearance of any spirit bone throughout the entire Soul Master Competition.
Yang Xiong merely snorted dismissively, remaining steadfast beside the two support-type spirit masters.
Meanwhile, Hu Yanli, Hu Yanba, and Hu Yanshan simultaneously channeled their third spirit skill, Death Suppression. The entire competition stage trembled violently as an overwhelming pressure descended upon everyone present, affecting even Yang Xiong, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar despite their considerable distance from the epicenter.
The revelation of the head spirit bone sent shockwaves throughout the audience. Ning Fengzhi couldn't suppress his admiration as he turned to comment, "Sect Master Hu Yan, your grandson possesses truly remarkable talent. I never expected him to possess a head spirit bone at such a young age. His future potential appears limitless."
Hu Yanzhen responded with a cold snort, choosing silence over conversation. Spirit bones represent the most precious treasures in the spirit master world. His grandson had only reached level forty-three, and publicly revealing such a valuable spirit bone would inevitably make him a target for those with malicious intentions.
Under the combined Death Suppression technique from three Spirit Elders of Elephant Armor Academy, the pressure exerted on Spirit Grand Masters reached crushing levels.
Unfortunately for them, the Shrek Academy team had undergone rigorous training that prepared them for precisely such large-scale offensive spirit skills.
Hu Yanli, despite the formidable power of his head spirit bone, had already expended three spirit skills consecutively. His remaining spirit power reserves were rapidly dwindling.
Oscar quickly distributed Super Recovery Sausages to his teammates. After consuming these miraculous provisions, everyone's spirit power returned to peak levels. Combined with Ning Rongrong's amplification spirit skills, they resumed their coordinated assault on the three remaining Elephant Armor Academy members.
Although Tang San maintained the rank of Spirit Grand Master, his combat effectiveness genuinely rivaled that of a Spirit Elder. Dai Mubai's strength proved equally formidable in the ongoing battle.
After several intense minutes of combat, the final member of Elephant Armor Academy finally crashed to the ground. Shrek Academy achieved victory, though this battle against a team containing three Spirit Elders provided everyone with a sobering reminder of the challenges ahead.
However, observant spectators recognized that this battle represented a complete tactical disaster. Tang San failed to demonstrate his usual brilliant control techniques and even exposed a critical vulnerability in their formation. If Yang Xiong's strength hadn't significantly exceeded Hu Yanli's capabilities, the enemy would likely have broken through their defenses entirely. The two Spirit Grand Master support members certainly couldn't have withstood a direct assault from a Spirit Elder.
As the team departed the competition stage, Oscar expressed his relief: "Brother Xiong, thank goodness you protected us just now. Otherwise, Rongrong and I would have been in serious danger. That big guy looked absolutely terrifying."
Yang Xiong smiled warmly. "Aren't I a defensive spirit master now? My primary responsibility is protecting our two support members and maintaining our formation's integrity."
Ning Rongrong murmured thoughtfully, "Little Xiong, if you had attacked directly, maybe those big guys would have been defeated much sooner. Why did it have to be so complicated?"
Yang Xiong simply smiled without responding to her observation. He never particularly wanted to participate in the Soul Master Competition initially, and certainly never considered risking his life for any championship glory.
Despite their victory over the powerful Elephant Armor Academy, Tang San remained silent. Rather than observing other matches or celebrating with his teammates, he departed with Yu Xiaogang.
Yang Xiong found himself dragged away by Ning Rongrong for shopping. With his straightforward personality, he genuinely couldn't understand what girls found so entertaining about wandering through markets and stores.
Yu Xiaogang observed Tang San's dejected expression and offered comfort: "Little San, don't overthink the situation. You performed excellently in this match. Your combat power certainly equals Hu Yanli's capabilities."
Tang San shook his head firmly. "Teacher, I understand the reality clearly. Although we won this spirit battle, my Blue Silver Grass was thoroughly countered by their tactics."
"Against spirit masters with particularly robust physical capabilities, my Blue Silver Grass lacks sufficient toughness to effectively control them. While my self-created spirit skills provide certain advantages, they can only barely bridge the gap between Spirit Grand Masters and Spirit Elders—they cannot achieve absolute dominance."
Yu Xiaogang quickly interjected, "Little San, don't burden yourself with such thoughts. You're still young, and your journey stretches far ahead. Besides, remember that your true strength lies in your second martial spirit, the Clear Sky Hammer. You'll truly shine when you begin adding spirit rings to the Clear Sky Hammer."
Tang San looked puzzled. "Teacher, why won't you and Father allow me to add spirit rings to the Clear Sky Hammer? I could clearly become much stronger."
A bitter smile crossed Yu Xiaogang's features. "Twin martial spirits are extraordinarily rare, especially considering your talent exceeds even my highest expectations. However, twin martial spirits carry a major drawback: cultivating two spirits simultaneously can easily cause repulsion between them, potentially leading to death."
"Throughout these years, despite my best analytical efforts and extensive research, I still cannot unravel the secrets of safely cultivating twin martial spirits. This may represent the greatest unsolved problem in our field's history."
Tang San fell silent upon hearing this revelation.
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