Facing Yang Xiong's direct words, Ning Fengzhi exchanged meaningful glances with Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang then spoke with authority, "Yang Xiong, I've always known you were concealing your true strength. Based on our current capabilities, it might be extremely difficult for us to defeat the Spirit Hall team, but I have a strategy that might break this seemingly impossible situation, or at least prevent Spirit Hall from being so arrogantly dominant."
Yang Xiong immediately became interested in this development, "Grandmaster, do you truly have an effective method? Could it be that you still have other tactical approaches that haven't been revealed yet?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression became more serious, "It's not simply a matter of new tactics. Based on the current tournament situation, the Heaven Dou First Team should have four Spirit Ancestors who can participate in the final rounds. At that critical time, I will transfer you, Tang San, and Dai Mubai into one unified team, and then we will have almost seven Spirit Ancestors' worth of combat power, which can definitely contend with the formidable Spirit Hall team."
Yang Xiong considered this proposal carefully, "This is indeed a creative idea, but none of us currently have a support-type Spirit Ancestor, and our highest spirit power right now is Yu Tianheng's level 43, which is at least eight or nine levels lower than those in Spirit Hall. The fundamental gap remains enormous and challenging."
"Not to mention that there has been no cooperation or coordination between the first and second teams, and it will probably be quite chaotic if they really get on the arena stage together."
Yu Xiaogang nodded in acknowledgment, "What you said makes considerable sense, and I understand those concerns completely. Therefore, the preliminary round of the Soul Master Elite Competition represents our last opportunity for strategic reorganization. Team members can still be adjusted before the final rounds, so I plan to transfer Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the two Stone Brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo, to the Heaven Dou Second Team. This approach will make our combined strength significantly more formidable."
"However, this reorganization will create a major flaw in our team composition, which is that our team will not have a dedicated agility-attack type Spirit Master. With your exceptional speed and mobility, you can completely function as an agility-attack type Spirit Master."
When Yang Xiong heard this suggestion, he couldn't help but feel exasperated internally. What kind of ridiculous tactical idea was this? He had been functioning as a defense-type Spirit Master for two years, so why was he suddenly being reassigned as an agility-attack type Spirit Master? How was he supposed to coordinate with completely new tactics? And which brilliant strategist had suggested combining the two teams? Wouldn't that destroy all the original cooperation and teamwork they had developed?
However, Yang Xiong maintained his diplomatic composure and smiled, "Grandmaster, Sect Master, please don't worry about my adaptability. I will definitely perform excellently as an agility-attack type Spirit Master."
Yu Xiaogang's expression became even more serious and demanding, "It's not simply about performing well as an agility-attack type Spirit Master. You also must give your absolute maximum effort, otherwise we won't be able to achieve victory at all, especially when no one knows what your actual Spirit Abilities are."
Yang Xiong nodded in agreement, "Very well, if it truly comes to a crucial and decisive moment, I will allow people to witness what my Spirit Abilities actually are. However, my Spirit Abilities are all self-enhancing buffs, so I'm concerned they won't have any significant impact on overall team tactics."
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi spoke again with obvious intent, "Yang Xiong, I know your strength is truly formidable and exceptional. If you win the championship, the Spirit Bones obtained will be divided among the Upper Three Sects, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's portion is guaranteed to be yours."
Even though Yang Xiong complained countless times internally about this arrangement, he finally nodded in agreement. However, among those three legendary Spirit Bones, besides the skull bone, he really didn't have much interest in the other two pieces. But given Tang San and Yu Xiaogang's nature and priorities, how could they possibly give the most valuable skull bone to him?
After Tang San and Yu Xiaogang departed, Ning Fengzhi spoke privately, "Yang Xiong, this matter is of tremendous importance to our future. Even if you reveal the Spirit Bone attached to your body, I can guarantee your complete safety with the full protection of our clan. From now on, when you go out for training expeditions, you will have at least Spirit Douluo level experts protecting you constantly. In addition, whatever Spirit Bones or Spirit Beasts you need for advancement, we will make every effort to help you obtain them."
Yang Xiong remained silent for a considerable time before speaking, "Thank you for your generosity, Sect Master, but I also have an important question I want to ask you. Please consider it very carefully."
Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo displayed traces of curiosity and concern, "Just say whatever you want to express. From now on, don't call me Sect Master in private—just call me Uncle Ning."
Yang Xiong's expression became extremely serious, "Sect Master, you are very well aware of the current situation facing the Upper Three Sects. The Clear Sky Sect has long been living in complete seclusion, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has also rarely ventured out in recent years. If we really proceed with this plan, I'm afraid Spirit Hall will develop intense hatred toward us, and they might target us specifically for retaliation. At that critical time, those two families may not necessarily have the strength or willingness to offer meaningful assistance."
Ning Fengzhi's face became grave upon hearing this analysis, and he remained thoughtfully silent for an extended period. Finally, he spoke with quiet determination, "I have also thoroughly considered this serious issue, but our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is ultimately based on support Spirit Masters, and we are at a certain disadvantage compared to the other two families in direct combat. Moreover, if we don't advance our position now, we will inevitably retreat and lose influence. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is currently in its prime period, and there is absolutely no turning back from this path."
Yang Xiong nodded with understanding, "Sect Master, I completely understand your position. I will definitely work with maximum effort and not lose to anyone."
After Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo left his quarters, Yang Xiong couldn't help but release a deep, worried sigh.
As the Sect Master, Ning Fengzhi's strategic level was much higher than his own, and the political considerations he had to account for were naturally completely different from Yang Xiong's perspective. Especially since he had brought the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to its peak strength and influence, in addition to being a successful businessman, he could also be considered a formidable political figure, and he was probably quite ambitious himself.
Looking back at the entire original timeline, Ning Fengzhi had also maneuvered back and forth between different factions. On one hand, he contended with Spirit Hall's growing influence, and on the other hand, he collaborated with the Heaven Dou Royal Family, and even made tremendous efforts to protect Tang San and the others. These were all major violations of Spirit Hall's interests, and ultimately led to Spirit Hall taking ruthless action against the clan.
Especially since everyone had missed one crucial element, which was that his trusted disciple was actually a spy for Spirit Hall. In the end, he tried to be clever but outsmarted himself. Even he himself was feared by the Heaven Dou Empire, otherwise, no matter what circumstances, the position of National Teacher would never have fallen to Yu Xiaogang, who had no real power or political influence.
The Heaven Dou Empire indeed acted with remarkable speed and soon gathered all personnel from both the Heaven Dou First Team and Second Team, quickly reorganizing and redistributing all team members.
Among the reorganized members, the current Second Team included Yang Xiong, Tang San, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Ye Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong.
Poor Oscar was transferred to the Heaven Dou First Team, but with Qin Shuang accompanying him, the two were not completely isolated or lonely.
As for bringing Zhu Zhuqing into the Second Team, it was primarily because Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai could perform the Spirit Fusion ability Hell White Tiger, which might have a decisive effect at crucial moments.
Only then did Yang Xiong fully understand why Dai Mubai had wanted to speak with him privately. This lineup was indeed impressive, but there remained a certain gap compared to the Star Luo Royal Academy team, particularly since Zhu Zhuqing did not possess the strength to be a primary force.
Yang Xiong couldn't help but glance sympathetically at Flender. Compared to others involved, Flender appeared much more isolated and melancholy. Although the name of the Second Team remained the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Academy Team, it no longer maintained the original character and spirit of Shrek Academy.
Especially painful was that his direct disciple Ma Hongjun had also been transferred to the First Team. The First Team, lacking not only Spirit Ancestors but even high-level Spirit Elders, clearly indicated that they were being completely abandoned as a competitive force.
The original leader of the First Team, Qin Ming, became Yu Xiaogang's deputy, as if there was a tacit understanding in the background, indicating that they had completely given up on the First Team's chances.
Normally, this type of extensive player reorganization would not be allowed, but the Heaven Dou First Team and Heaven Dou Second Team originally belonged to the same academy. Especially since Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo were both members of the referee committee, even if Salas objected strongly, it wouldn't have much practical effect.
One should remember that Wind Spirit Academy and Blazing Fire Academy in the original timeline had done even more excessive things—they had exchanged players between two completely different academies.
When the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Academy Team appeared again in public, everyone present erupted in shocked exclamations, especially Salas and Hu Yan Zhen in the distinguished guest seats, whose faces turned noticeably pale. They absolutely did not want the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to become this powerful.
After the two teams were completely reorganized, the first lineup to appear consisted of Yu Tianheng, Dai Mubai, Dugu Yan, Tang San, Yang Xiong, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo.
Their designated opponent was the Purple Star Academy, but unfortunately, the notable Yang Wei did not participate in this particular match.
The reorganized Shrek Academy team now boasted a total of five Spirit Ancestors, with Yu Tianheng serving as captain and Tang San and Dai Mubai functioning as vice-captains.
Even the experienced Wind Spirit Academy and Heaven Water Academy teams were unusually serious about this development. The strength of this reorganized team was significantly stronger than they had initially imagined, particularly their attack power, which would be absolutely terrifying, as there were two control-type Spirit Masters who could dominate the battlefield.
Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, and Shui Bing'er's expressions were unusually serious, and they immediately identified a potential tactical problem.
Feng Xiaotian observed, "That's not quite right. Although this team appears formidable on paper, they don't have a dedicated agility-attack type Spirit Master, and their flexibility on the arena stage will be greatly reduced. They couldn't have overlooked this fundamental tactical problem."
Huo Wushuang nodded in agreement, "I believe the Heaven Dou Royal Academy is not as simple as they appear. They might have other compensatory measures we haven't considered."
Although agility-attack type Spirit Masters on the arena were not as capable of forcefully breaking through opponents' formations and attracting attention like attack-type Spirit Masters, nor were they as strategically important as control-type Spirit Masters who served as the team's tactical brain, they remained extremely important.
Agility-attack type Spirit Masters needed to identify opponents' weak points and deliver fatal strikes, and even provide rescue and assistance to teammates when necessary. The flexibility of the entire formation was basically maintained by agility-attack type Spirit Masters.
The Shrek Academy team arranged themselves in a two-two-one-two formation. At the very back were the two control-type Spirit Masters, Tang San and Dugu Yan, followed by the two defense-type Spirit Masters, the Stone Brothers, with Yang Xiong positioned as the agility-attack type Spirit Master. At the very front were Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng functioning as primary attackers.
As expected, when the match officially began, Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng directly charged into Purple Star Academy's formation. The White Tiger martial soul and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon were both top-grade powerful martial souls, extremely domineering and fierce in combat, and they quickly disrupted their opponents' formation significantly.
Tang San and Dugu Yan controlled the battlefield expertly, and immediately countless Blue Silver Grass appeared across the entire arena stage, quickly wrapping around everyone from Purple Star Academy, while Dugu Yan's Jade Scale Snake emitted various deadly toxins, instantly covering the entire battlefield area.
Although the Stone Brothers were defense-type Spirit Masters, they possessed tremendous physical strength. Unfortunately, their movement speed was relatively slow, and they continued following the main group's advance.
Yang Xiong, on the other hand, was surpassed by the Stone Brothers in just a brief moment. When their opponents were still not paying adequate attention to his position, Yang Xiong's figure flashed dramatically and he arrived at the rear of Purple Star Academy's formation, directly attacking their control-type Spirit Master.
Especially since Yang Xiong possessed extraordinary speed and had mastered the Teleportation ability, his five fingers transformed into silver dragon claws, forcefully grabbing toward the opposing control-type Spirit Elder.
In just a few rapid exchanges, Purple Star Academy found themselves completely unable to coordinate mutual support. Their original support and control-type Spirit Masters had already been eliminated from the stage by Yang Xiong's swift assault, and their formation was quickly dispersed by the four primary attackers. In less than two minutes, everyone from Purple Star Academy had been knocked off the arena stage, and the newly reorganized Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Academy Team achieved their impressive first victory.
Feng Xiaotian and the other academy representatives looked at the arena with even more serious and concerned expressions. Huo Wu appeared somewhat confused, "Isn't this Yang Xiong supposed to be a defense-type Spirit Master? How did he suddenly become an agility-attack type Spirit Master?"
Feng Xiaotian shook his head thoughtfully, "It's not nearly that simple to categorize him. This individual is not only a defense-type Spirit Master, but he can also function effectively as attack and agility-attack type Spirit Master. His strength, speed, defense, and all other aspects are remarkably outstanding. I'm afraid even I may not be able to defeat him easily in direct combat."
Huo Wu expressed her indignation, "The Heaven Dou Royal Academy is being too manipulative and underhanded. They're reorganizing and changing players at this critical time. I think their behavior is completely shameless and unfair."
Huo Wushuang, standing nearby, offered a more measured perspective, "They are all legitimate students of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and they also possess direct qualification status, so reorganizing players is technically reasonable and allowed."
In contrast, Hu Yan Zhen was even more furious about this development. Originally, the Elephant Armor Academy's performance had been average, consistently ranking at the bottom of the Five Element Academies, but they could still compete with the original Shrek Academy team for the final qualification spots. How could they possibly compete now? It was entirely possible that this would mark the first time the Elephant Armor Academy would miss the promotion rounds in many years.
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