Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San with a heavy sigh. "Little San, during the match just now, Yang Xiong had already announced our surrender. The opposing team was preparing to withdraw their martial souls, and some were even ready to step down. Why didn't you give up? Was it because of Xiao Wu, or simply because you refused to admit defeat?"
Tang San remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking. "Grandmaster, they hurt Xiao Wu. I won't let them get away with it."
Yu Xiaogang's expression grew stern. "Little San, this was an arena match—a Spirit Fighting Competition. It's normal for both sides to sustain injuries during battle. Given your condition on the stage, you truly couldn't have blocked Huo Wu's final spirit ability. That attack was unleashed with the combined power of three Spirit Masters. Even at peak condition, you might not have been able to defend against it."
"You weren't alone on that arena. There were also two relatively fragile auxiliary Spirit Masters with you, and even Dai Mubai tried to persuade you at the end. So why did you insist on going your own way?"
Tang San's voice was firm. "Grandmaster, I understand all the principles you've mentioned, but I simply cannot bear to see Xiao Wu get hurt. Every time I witness Xiao Wu being injured, I wish I could destroy our opponents completely."
He paused, then asked, "By the way, what was the final outcome of the match?"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head wearily. "This time, all of you sustained serious injuries. Although you, Mubai, Xiao Wu, and Tai Long have received treatment, you'll need to sit out at least two matches. Among the five of you on the arena, only Yang Xiong managed to avoid injury."
Tang San looked genuinely surprised. "How is that possible? I remember when we five were on the arena, even though Yang Xiong was near the edge, Huo Wu's spirit ability covered the entire stage."
Yu Xiaogang let out a deep sigh. "I'm not entirely sure how he managed it. Yang Xiong's defensive capabilities are far stronger than we initially imagined. I suspect his defensive power might even surpass that of Hu Yanli from the Elephant Armored Academy."
The two continued their conversation for quite some time before Yu Xiaogang finally left the room.
Flender quickly sought out Yu Xiaogang afterward. "Xiaogang, how did your talk with Little San go? Did he offer any explanation?"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "Flender, you know Little San's personality well. He's strong-willed, and his bond with Xiao Wu runs deep. We should support him even more; otherwise, our team will lose its unity."
Flender's face darkened with concern. "Xiaogang, what exactly are you saying? There were seven people on that arena. The other team members don't possess Tang San's robust physical constitution. Yang Xiong had clearly received my instruction to agree to surrender, but Tang San insisted on his own course and took the opponent's spirit ability head-on, resulting in four people getting injured."
"If Yang Xiong hadn't decisively pushed Oscar and Ning Rongrong off the arena, six people would have been wounded this time. Oscar and Ning Rongrong, being auxiliary Spirit Masters, would have suffered even more severe injuries. Moreover, Yang Xiong actually sought you out before requesting my instructions, but you simply didn't notice his predicament."
Yu Xiaogang fell silent for a moment before responding. "Flender, I'm truly sorry about that. At the time, all my attention was focused on Little San, and I failed to observe the situation of the others. I also didn't anticipate that Huo Wu's spirit ability would be so devastating. I simply trusted Little San's judgment in that moment."
Flender shook his head in frustration. "Xiaogang, I understand that Little San is your disciple and you've invested considerable effort in training him, but you are now the leader of this entire team. You must consider the welfare of all team members."
"This was just an arena match—an ordinary competition. It's perfectly normal for both sides to sustain some injuries. You cannot allow the entire team to fall into a disadvantageous position simply because Xiao Wu is hurt, or worse, disregard the safety of all team members."
Seeing Flender and Yu Xiaogang debating the arena incidents, Liu Erlong suddenly interjected.
"Boss Flender, aren't you making a mountain out of a molehill? I actually think Tang San and Xiao Wu demonstrate loyalty and righteousness—they dare to take action. Especially when Xiao Wu is injured, Tang San always protects her regardless of his own safety. That's what true courage looks like."
Flender couldn't help but shake his head. "When Tang San loses his composure in such situations, he loses his judgment on the arena. This is potentially fatal for a team's core and can easily lead to disastrous decisions."
Liu Erlong countered, "Isn't this just a Spirit Master Competition? The little monsters are still young, and their minds might not be fully mature yet. Besides, we're using this Spirit Master Competition as a training exercise. The little monsters will truly shine in the next Spirit Master Competition."
Flender turned to look at Yu Xiaogang. "Xiaogang, do you share the same sentiment? Do you really not place much importance on this Spirit Master Competition?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression became extremely serious. "Since we are competing on the arena, we must strive for victory. We must pursue triumph in every single match. I support Little San on this principle."
Flender observed Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong's expressions and couldn't help but shake his head. He was now uncertain how to approach this Spirit Master Competition.
Compared to the entanglement between Flender and the others, Yang Xiong was considerably more relaxed, casually holding Ning Rongrong's small hand while strolling around the academy. After spending so much time together, the two of them were already recognized as the golden couple within the academy. Others weren't surprised by their relationship, and no one even bothered to disturb the young pair.
However, before Yang Xiong could enjoy his peaceful moment too long, an extremely imposing figure appeared before him—it was Sword Douluo.
When Yang Xiong spotted Sword Douluo, his scalp began to tingle. When he first arrived at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the Sword Bone Duo had given Yang Xiong quite a difficult time, though things had improved recently, and neither had provided Yang Xiong with combat guidance lately.
Ning Rongrong was unusually delighted. "Grandpa Sword, why are you here? Didn't you see Daddy and Grandpa Bone today?"
Sword Douluo's expression softened with indulgence. "I heard you encountered danger on the arena, so I came to check on you out of concern."
Ning Rongrong smiled brightly. "I wasn't in any real danger at all. Yang Xiong made me leave the arena immediately."
Sword Douluo, who typically offered Yang Xiong no pleasantries, surprisingly gave him an approving look. "Yang Xiong, your performance this time was commendable. At the very least, you didn't damage the prestige of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. However, remember this: on the arena, Rongrong's safety must always be the top priority. As for victory or championships, those are merely children's games and aren't particularly important."
Yang Xiong steadied himself and replied, "Thank you, Elder Sword Douluo, for your guidance. This junior will definitely keep your words in mind."
By the following day, new match draws were announced. At this moment, Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and the others all looked rather grim.
Their opponent was named Flame Radiance Academy. Among all the competing teams, they were considered second-rate, with average performance. Their team had only one Spirit Ancestor.
However, compared to Flame Radiance Academy, the Shrek Team was in a miserable state. Four of their seven main players were injured, and Tang San's group would need to miss at least two matches.
Yang Xiong quickly spoke up. "Grandmaster, Dean Flender, I suggest we forfeit this match. With our current lineup, I'm afraid we cannot achieve victory."
Yu Xiaogang's expression remained serious. "Are you afraid? You should understand that you are also among Shrek's elites. Don't you want to prove yourselves?"
Everyone exchanged glances upon hearing Yu Xiaogang's words. Everyone wanted to compete and demonstrate their abilities, but they couldn't afford to be overconfident.
Currently, Shrek only had Yang Xiong, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, Zhu Zhuqing, Qin Shuang, Jiang Zhu, and Ma Hongjun available—seven people, four of whom were originally substitutes.
With the current lineup, the highest level was Yang Xiong at level thirty-eight, while Ning Rongrong and Oscar were at level thirty-six. Zhu Zhuqing and Qin Shuang were at level thirty-four, Ma Hongjun was only level thirty-three, and Jiang Zhu was level thirty-five.
It should be noted that normal Advanced Spirit Master Academy teams typically had one Spirit Ancestor, with others generally above level thirty-seven and substitutes all above level thirty-five.
Moreover, this lineup was severely unbalanced, featuring as many as three auxiliary Spirit Masters, while other teams generally had only one non-combat auxiliary, with two auxiliaries already considered quite extreme.
In other words, on the arena, four Battle Spirit Masters would have to face six Battle Spirit Masters from the opposing side. If the opponents targeted their auxiliaries, it would be extremely difficult to protect them.
Especially in the previous match, due to various poor decisions by Captain Dai Mubai and Vice-Captain Tang San, they had remained passive throughout, with both sustaining injuries.
Yu Xiaogang carefully examined everyone before finally fixing his gaze on Yang Xiong. "Yang Xiong, this time you will serve as our primary attack Spirit Master. With your offensive capabilities, you should be able to break through the opponent's formation. We might achieve unexpected results."
Yang Xiong responded helplessly, "Grandmaster, are you mistaken? Teams require coordination. For the past year, I've been cooperating with others as a defensive Spirit Master. Suddenly having me play as an attack Spirit Master means my coordination with others won't be smooth enough, making it easy for opponents to exploit weaknesses."
"Besides, we have three auxiliary Spirit Masters. As long as the opponent assigns two or even three people to restrain me, our auxiliaries will become sitting ducks."
"Furthermore, without Tang San playing, our entire team lacks a control-type Spirit Master, which means the team has no tactical brain. This puts us at a severe disadvantage."
The other team members agreed with Yang Xiong's assessment, but Yu Xiaogang's expression grew ugly.
Over the years, Yu Xiaogang had consistently treated Tang San as the tactical core to cultivate him. Most strategies were developed around Tang San, and the entire team had only one control-type Spirit Master—Tang San himself. Even the academy's three great teaching committee members had suggested adding a control-type substitute, but Yu Xiaogang had rejected the proposal.
As a result, the team was severely unbalanced now, and there was hardly any point in competing. They couldn't expect Yang Xiong to fight seven opponents alone, as every team had dedicated defensive Spirit Masters and coordinated teamwork.
Over the past year, Oscar and Ning Rongrong had privately felt somewhat unfair treatment toward Yang Xiong. Normally, Yang Xiong's attack power was stronger than both Tang San and Dai Mubai, yet he was assigned as a defensive Spirit Master. It should be understood that defensive Spirit Masters on the arena typically didn't have very eye-catching performances—certainly not as dazzling as attack-type Spirit Masters.
However, Yang Xiong seemed unusually relaxed about the situation. He would only put in a reasonable amount of effort anyway. The important thing was protecting his girlfriend and brothers.
Yang Xiong had never entertained thoughts of single-handedly turning the tide. The better he performed at this stage, the more likely he would be targeted by Spirit Hall in the future. It was better to cultivate peacefully and wait for the right opportunity.
Yu Xiaogang suddenly cleared his throat at this moment. "Little monsters, I recently received some news. The finals of this competition might be held in Spirit City, and the reward for the champion is beyond everyone's imagination: three top-grade spirit bones."
Everyone erupted in excitement upon hearing this news. Spirit bones were known as treasures rarer than phoenix feathers and were extremely scarce in the Spirit Master world. Only one spirit bone had appeared in the entire Spirit Master Competition thus far.
It was said that ever since Hu Yanli displayed his skull spirit bone, Hu Yan Zhen had been accompanying him daily, as if afraid his grandson might encounter danger, gradually realizing the attraction spirit bones held for Spirit Masters.
It should be noted that Hu Yan Zhen was an eighty-eighth level peak Spirit Douluo and also the Sect Master of the Elephant Armored School, one of the Lower Four Sects. Despite his high strength and status, he still worried about Hu Yanli's safety.
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