In the days that followed, the Shrek Team found themselves facing increasingly difficult challenges. While they managed to secure victories in their matches, each battle became a grueling test of their abilities. Various teams had begun developing targeted strategies specifically designed to counter Shrek's strengths.
The opposing teams focused their attention on the Shrek Team for two primary reasons. First, Tang San served as their sole control-type Spirit Master, and this singular dependency created an obvious vulnerability in their formation. The weight of being the team's only controller began to weigh heavily on Tang San's shoulders, causing him to feel somewhat disheartened by the constant pressure and targeting he faced.
The second point of focus was Shrek's possession of two auxiliary-type Spirit Masters. It was common knowledge throughout the Spirit Master world that auxiliary-type Spirit Masters cultivated at a much slower pace compared to their combat-oriented counterparts. This natural limitation meant that most teams either operated without any support specialists or possessed only one at most. Having too many auxiliary Spirit Masters would significantly impact a team's overall combat effectiveness, making Shrek's dual-support configuration both a strength and a potential weakness.
However, Yang Xiong, their stalwart defense-type Spirit Master, positioned himself like an impenetrable fortress before Oscar and Ning Rongrong. From the beginning to the end of every match, he never rashly participated in offensive maneuvers, maintaining his protective stance with unwavering discipline.
Moreover, Yang Xiong's true strength far exceeded what anyone had initially imagined. Even when multiple opponents managed to break through the defensive line formed by the front four team members, they found themselves swiftly defeated by Yang Xiong's devastating punches and claw strikes. His efficiency in combat was both impressive and mysterious.
As the competition progressed, Yang Xiong became an increasingly studied figure among opposing teams. Unfortunately for his opponents, no matter how extensively they analyzed his fighting patterns and techniques, Yang Xiong appeared almost like an enigmatic figure who never revealed his true capabilities. From the very beginning to the present moment, he had never once used any visible Spirit Ability, consistently resolving conflicts with nothing more than his physical prowess—a single punch or claw strike was usually sufficient to end any confrontation.
Approximately one-third of the way through the competition schedule, another highly anticipated match arrived: the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Academy Team would face off against the formidable Blazing Academy. Among all the participating academies, the so-called Heaven Dou Royal Academy second team had surprisingly maintained a perfect, undefeated record. Although they had not yet encountered many of the tournament's strongest teams, their first-place ranking position was genuinely surprising to spectators and officials alike.
Even Emperor Xue Ye, who typically maintained a stoic expression during public appearances, gradually began displaying signs of satisfaction and pride. If the Heaven Dou second team could successfully advance to the finals, it would represent the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's best historical performance in the competition's long history.
It was important to understand that traditionally, almost all elite students from the entire Heaven Dou Royal Academy would be selected first for the primary team. In previous years, the second team essentially served as a supporting role or provided valuable experience for noble children seeking to test their abilities in a competitive environment. The current exceptional performance was therefore particularly delightful and unexpected.
The three great deans of the academy, in particular, found themselves receiving praise from Emperor Xue Ye himself. This recognition served as validation that the controversial decision to allow Shrek Academy to represent Heaven Dou Royal Academy had been the correct choice.
The Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Academy Team had achieved an impressive record of ten wins and zero losses thus far, sharing the coveted first-place position with three other formidable teams: the Divine Wind Team, Thunder Team, and Heaven Water Academy. Blazing Academy, despite their considerable strength, had suffered only a single defeat—against Heaven Water Academy. However, this one loss had relegated them to fifth place in the overall standings.
Both Tang San and his mentor Yu Xiaogang approached this particular match with exceptional seriousness, understanding the significance of the challenge ahead. They had even begun mentally preparing themselves for the possibility of their first defeat in the competition.
After stepping onto the arena platform, Yang Xiong carefully observed and assessed the seven members of Blazing Academy. Each opponent wore striking, fiery red uniforms that created a dazzling and intimidating visual display under the arena's lighting.
Their captain, Huo Wushuang, possessed remarkably well-developed muscles that clearly indicated years of intensive physical training and conditioning. His Spirit was the prestigious Firestorm Tyrant Dragon, which ranked among the top-tier Beast Spirits in existence. This particular Spirit also classified as a supreme power-type Spirit, with capabilities that potentially surpassed even Dai Mubai's formidable White Tiger Spirit in terms of raw destructive force.
Of course, the most visually striking member of their team was undoubtedly their vice-captain, Huo Wu. She wore an elegant, fiery red off-the-shoulder outfit that perfectly complemented her vibrant red hair. Most notably, a distinctive flame-shaped mark adorned her forehead, marking her as an exceptional beauty. It was no wonder she had captured the devoted attention of Feng Xiaotian, who was widely known throughout the continent as the most persistent pursuer among young Spirit Masters.
Blazing Academy's team configuration followed a very unconventional and aggressive approach: one attack-type Spirit Ancestor in Huo Wushuang; one control-type Spirit Ancestor in Huo Wu; two auxiliary-type Spirit Masters who both possessed the Spark Spirit—Huo Yun and Huo Yu; plus three additional agility-attack-type Spirit Masters. Among these three, two wielded the flying Fire Crane Spirit, while the third possessed the swift Fire Leopard Spirit.
Any experienced observer could immediately recognize this as an extremely aggressive and offense-oriented combination. Their collective attack power likely ranked among the strongest of all participating teams in the entire tournament.
As expected, the moment the match officially began, Huo Wushuang charged forward with overwhelming momentum. His massive Firestorm Tyrant Dragon Spirit manifestation rushed directly toward the Shrek formation with intimidating force. Close behind him followed the Spirit Master wielding the Fire Leopard Spirit, while two enormous Fire Cranes took to the sky above, creating a three-dimensional assault pattern.
Tang San immediately attempted to employ his Blue Silver Grass to control and restrict the advancing enemies. However, a brilliant flash of fire erupted across each opponent's body, instantly incinerating his Blue Silver Grass tendrils to nothing but ash and smoke.
In just a single moment, Huo Wushuang collided directly with Dai Mubai in a powerful frontal confrontation. Neither combatant yielded ground in their initial clash, but the intense fire attribute emanating from the Firestorm Tyrant Dragon caused excruciating pain throughout one's body, creating a sensation similar to being slowly roasted alive.
Simultaneously, massive sparks emerged from both Huo Yun and Huo Yu's positions. These sparks instantly merged with the other five team members' bodies, causing the flames surrounding them to intensify dramatically and burn with renewed vigor.
Even Yang Xiong, who maintained his position at the furthest distance from the main conflict, could feel the temperature of the entire arena rapidly rising to uncomfortable levels, as if they were all trapped within a blazing sea of fire. The most adversely affected were undoubtedly Tang San and Xiao Wu, who stood directly in front of him. Tang San's Spirit was the plant-based Blue Silver Grass, while Xiao Wu possessed a rabbit-type Spirit. Both of these Spirit types possessed natural vulnerabilities to fire-based attacks. Tai Long and Dai Mubai, with their more physically robust Spirit types, would fare slightly better under these harsh conditions.
Ning Rongrong's magnificent Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda immediately manifested and released three brilliant rays of light, which precisely landed on Dai Mubai, Tai Long, and Xiao Wu respectively. She clearly chanted her incantation: "Seven Treasures have a name: first is strength."
Obviously, Ning Rongrong had activated her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's enhancement abilities to amplify the physical strength of her three teammates simultaneously.
Oscar quickly handed a Recovery Sausage to Ning Rongrong, understanding that amplifying four people simultaneously consumed substantial amounts of spirit power and required immediate energy replenishment.
When compared to the instantaneous support provided by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, food-type Spirit abilities still possessed certain inherent limitations. Food items needed to be physically passed to teammates for consumption, which inevitably involved time delays and coordination challenges. This differed significantly from Ning Rongrong's ability to provide immediate support enhancement whenever the tactical situation demanded it.
After receiving Ning Rongrong's strength amplification, Dai Mubai engaged Huo Wushuang in direct combat without yielding any ground. Both fighters simultaneously unleashed their second Spirit Abilities in a spectacular display of power. Dai Mubai's second Spirit Ability, White Tiger Light Wave, manifested as a brilliant golden beam of energy that shot forth from his mouth. In response, Huo Wushuang's second Spirit Ability, Tyrannosaurus Flame, created a devastating flash of fire that erupted from his Firestorm Tyrant Dragon manifestation.
The two powerful auras collided with tremendous force, causing both combatants to take a step backward almost simultaneously. However, careful observation revealed that Dai Mubai's hand trembled slightly from the impact, and faint burn marks were visible on his skin. This clearly demonstrated that Huo Wushuang's Spirit Ability possessed exceptional power, with fire attributes strong enough to overcome even Dai Mubai's formidable defenses.
Just as both sides appeared ready to become thoroughly entangled in prolonged combat, Huo Wu moved with exceptional speed and precision. Her third spirit ring flashed with brilliant light, and a massive fire ring attacked Dai Mubai directly. Her clear intention was to coordinate with Huo Wushuang in a two-against-one assault, hoping to quickly defeat the Shrek Team's only Spirit Ancestor-level combatant.
The other Shrek members initially attempted to provide rescue support, but unexpectedly, Huo Wu's fire ring generated absolutely terrifying power that sent every member of the Shrek Team flying backward through the air. Even Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, which he had intended to use for defensive support, was instantly burned to complete ash. The Shrek Team's carefully maintained formation immediately fell apart and became completely disorganized.
Yang Xiong observed Huo Wu's deployment of the Repulsion Fire Ring technique, and his mouth twitched slightly in recognition. Huo Wu's third Spirit Ability was indeed exceptional—a top-tier defensive-type Spirit Ability that she had cleverly adapted for offensive purposes. As it turned out, Huo Wu's control capabilities were far more impressive than anyone had initially imagined. She possessed the remarkable skill to transform a traditionally defensive Spirit Ability into an effective offensive weapon. She truly lived up to her reputation as one of the two strongest control-type Spirit Masters in the entire Heaven Dou region.
It must be acknowledged that the Heaven Dou region's preliminary competition rounds had already progressed to the one-third completion mark, and the two most widely recognized control-type Spirit Masters were indeed Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er. One specialized in ice-based control, the other in fire-based manipulation, and both demonstrated excellent control abilities. In comparison, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass control capabilities, while effective, were not as immediately spectacular or visually impressive, though his overall combat performance remained solid and reliable.
Since the Repulsion Fire Ring simultaneously pushed all Shrek members backward, Huo Wushuang, the Fire Leopard Spirit Master, and both Spirit Masters wielding Fire Crane Spirits moved with extraordinary speed. All four rushed directly toward Tang San's position, apparently intending to overwhelm him through coordinated assault tactics.
Tang San found himself startled by this sudden concentrated attack and immediately activated his third Spirit Ability, Blue Silver Hurricane Array. He clearly intended to create a defensive barrier that would simultaneously injure approaching enemies while protecting himself from their coordinated assault.
However, the four opponents simultaneously unleashed their own third Spirit Abilities in a devastating display of coordinated power. Huo Wushuang, in particular, transformed into a massive Firestorm Tyrant Dragon manifestation, its thunderous roar echoing throughout the entire arena. A giant dragon shadow charged directly toward Tang San—this was his third Spirit Ability: Tyrannosaurus Rage.
The other three attackers' Spirit Abilities proved equally swift and devastating, all featuring fire-type abilities with immense destructive potential. It appeared they would not cease their assault until Tang San was completely defeated and eliminated from the match.
Ning Rongrong reacted with exceptional speed and precision. Her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda instantly emitted three rays of brilliant light, rapidly injecting enhancement energy directly into Tang San's body. Simultaneously, she chanted her full incantation: "Seven Treasures have a name: first is strength, second is speed, third is spirit!"
Despite these powerful enhancements, Tang San's Blue Silver Hurricane Array was instantly and rapidly burned through by the overwhelming fire-based assault. Various flames seemed determined to completely engulf Tang San in their destructive embrace.
Witnessing Tang San surrounded by enemies and in immediate danger, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and Tai Long all rushed to provide rescue support. All three immediately unleashed their third Spirit Abilities in a desperate attempt to reach their teammate. Xiao Wu, demonstrating particular urgency, used her Teleportation ability to appear directly beside Tang San, hoping to help him resist the incoming attacks.
A tremendous explosion erupted across the arena floor. Tang San and his three rescuers were attacked by flames almost simultaneously, and everyone appeared to have sustained severe injuries in the blast. Yang Xiong could even detect a distinct scorched smell emanating from the entire arena, though he could not determine which unfortunate individual was responsible for the unpleasant odor.
Tang San witnessed his three teammates suffering injuries while attempting to rescue him, especially Xiao Wu, and he instantly became filled with incredible rage and extreme animosity toward their opponents. His protective instincts had been fully activated.
However, an even more terrifying scene began unfolding on the arena. The two auxiliary-type Spirit Masters of Blazing Academy began glowing intensely with fire energy, and endless spark energy started merging into Huo Wu's form. Both support specialists had clearly used multiple fire-attribute amplification Spirit Abilities simultaneously to maximize their team's offensive potential.
Huo Wu raised both hands high above her head, appearing to grasp a miniature sun between her palms. This concentrated sun contained absolutely terrifying flame energy that seemed ready to explode at any moment. This was Huo Wu's fourth Spirit Ability: Fire Dance, Sun's Radiance.
Every spectator in the arena held their breath during this critical moment. Huo Wu's Fourth Soul Skill: Fire Dance, Sun's Radiance was already recognized as one of the most potent Spirit Abilities among all Spirit Masters throughout the Heaven Dou region. Now, with the complete support of two auxiliary Spirit Masters, its destructive power had been maximized to its absolute limits. It would prove extremely difficult for anyone within the Spirit Elder realm to successfully withstand such an attack.
Huo Wu herself appeared somewhat unsteady and shouted with visible strain: "You should surrender immediately! My fourth Spirit Ability possesses too much power; even I cannot fully control it in this enhanced state."
Yang Xiong carefully observed this Fourth Soul Skill: Fire Dance, Sun's Radiance. From a purely offensive perspective, it absolutely maximized the destructive potential of fire elemental energy. This was simply not an attack that any Spirit Ancestor could realistically withstand. Even Hu Yanli, who was widely known for possessing the strongest defensive capabilities among their generation, would likely suffer severe injuries from this technique, or potentially face direct elimination.
Yang Xiong also called out in warning: "The power of this Spirit Ability is far too great; we cannot withstand it in our current condition."
Even with Yang Xiong's clear assessment of the situation, Tang San, who was protectively holding Xiao Wu, displayed eyes filled with unwavering determination: "Yang Xiong, I refuse to let any enemy who has hurt Xiao Wu escape without consequences. I want them to pay the appropriate price for their actions."
Seeing Tang San's emotional state, Yang Xiong found himself uncertain about how to respond appropriately. This was supposed to be a standard arena competition match, yet the atmosphere had transformed into something resembling a life-and-death struggle between mortal enemies.
Yang Xiong did not hesitate and looked directly toward Yu Xiaogang for guidance, but at this critical moment, Yu Xiaogang's complete attention remained focused entirely on Tang San's condition, as if he had not noticed Yang Xiong's meaningful gaze seeking direction.
Seeing the massive Fourth Soul Skill: Fire Dance, Sun's Radiance preparing to descend with devastating force, Dai Mubai quickly attempted to reason with his teammate: "Little San, you must calm down and think clearly. This is a Spirit fighting competition match, and Xiao Wu's injuries are not severe or life-threatening. Our current physical condition simply cannot block or withstand this incoming attack."
Tang San's eyes remained exceptionally cold and determined at this moment: "Boss Dai, I made a promise to Xiao Wu that I would never allow anyone to hurt her. No one will be permitted to harm her while I draw breath."
Yang Xiong did not hesitate further and instead addressed Ning Rongrong and Oscar directly: "How is your current spirit power situation? How much longer can you continue providing support?"
Both Ning Rongrong and Oscar instantly understood Yang Xiong's meaning and tactical intention. They quickly activated their respective Spirit Abilities, sending various amplifications toward Tang San and the other three injured teammates, while multiple Recovery Sausages flew through the air toward their positions.
Huo Wu, observing the Shrek members' continued resistance, gritted her teeth in visible frustration. She had specifically provided her opponents with adequate time to consider surrender, yet they continued amplifying themselves for further combat. Did they truly intend to force her to severely injure everyone on the opposing team?
Yang Xiong seemed to recall something important and quickly looked toward Flender's position in the distance. Flender appeared to understand Yang Xiong's unspoken message, and a resolute expression appeared in his eyes as he closed them briefly and nodded his approval.
Having received Flender's permission for his intended action, Yang Xiong quickly raised his hand and declared: "We surrender this match."
However, the moment Yang Xiong finished speaking, Tang San roared in defiant response: "If you want to surrender, then you surrender for yourself. I will never surrender under any circumstances."
Witnessing Tang San's determined emotional state, Yang Xiong did not allow himself to hesitate too extensively. He directly pushed both Oscar and Ning Rongrong off the arena platform to safety, while he alone remained standing at the edge of the arena, prepared to face whatever consequences would follow.
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