The next three matches would all be hard battles—against Thunder Academy, Godwind Academy, and Shrek Academy.
In each of these, Li Chang'an would have to fight personally. Otherwise, either Hu Liena would be forced to reveal more of her true power, or Zhu Zhuqing and the others would be pushed into exhausting themselves.
And truth be told, Li Chang'an had always felt a twinge of regret that he hadn't yet crossed swords with these so-called geniuses.
This tournament was the perfect opportunity to make up for it.
---
The match began soon after. Once Li Chang'an entered the waiting area, he handed over his team's roster.
Thunder Academy's strength was undeniable.
Their team consisted entirely of lightning-attribute spirit masters, whose attack power and explosive bursts of speed made them a devastating force.
They had four Spirit Masters above the fortieth rank, on par with Godwind Academy.
While Blazing Academy had caught up somewhat, they still couldn't compare to the long-established Thunder Academy.
Thunder Academy clearly viewed this match seriously: all four of their high-ranking members were placed at the end of their lineup.
They'd sacrifice momentum if necessary—just to study Crimson Rose Academy's opening order before sending in their strongest.
---
The first fighter from Crimson Rose Academy was none other than Hu Liena, who had been eager for action.
Thunder Academy's first contestant was only a three-ring Spirit Master, which made Hu Liena feel mildly insulted.
She was already Level 58—and even without releasing her martial soul, she could have crushed a three-ring opponent with ease.
Needless to say, the fight ended quickly.
In less than three minutes, her opponent was off the stage. Hu Liena stepped down immediately after, per Li Chang'an's plan.
His purpose was simple: to give other girls a chance to warm up.
---
Next up was Meng Yiran, who faced another three-ring Spirit Master.
Unlike Hu Liena, she used her spirit abilities—and with her venomous attacks, the battle ended like autumn leaves swept away by the wind.
After that came Zhu Zhuqing, against the last of Thunder Academy's three-ring fighters.
Her victory was equally decisive.
---
At that point, Thunder Academy's spirits were high.
Aside from Li Chang'an, their biggest worries had been Hu Liena the mysterious controller, Meng Yiran the poison specialist, and Zhu Zhuqing with her ten-thousand-year soul ring.
Now, all three had already left the stage.
That left only Xiao Wu and Li Chang'an as the remaining combatants.
Thunder Academy still had four Spirit Elders—four-ring fighters—waiting. If they managed things carefully, they still had a solid chance!
---
The fourth round began.
Xiao Wu stepped onto the stage. Her opponent was Lei Tian, a Level 42 power-attack Spirit Master with the martial soul Thunder Eagle.
Both teams knew everything there was to know about each other by this point.
Thunder Academy had been studying Crimson Rose for days, and with Liu Erlong overseeing the girls' training, there was no hiding information.
At this critical stage, Lei Tian understood one thing clearly—he must not lose.
Even if victory came at a cost, he needed to defeat Xiao Wu while conserving as much energy as possible for the next match.
Facing Li Chang'an afterward would already be a nightmare, but if he could at least weaken him, it would be worth it.
"End it quickly,"
was his teacher's order.
---
A loud crack of thunder resounded as Lei Tian released his martial soul.
Lightning twisted and danced across his body as a pair of shimmering electric wings burst open behind him.
His third soul ring—a deep violet—flared brightly as his body shot into the air.
Flying Spirit Masters had a natural advantage—especially against opponents without long-range attacks.
But Lei Tian wasn't just using flight for defense. His goal was to empower his strike.
Xiao Wu stood calmly below, her bright eyes following his every movement.
She didn't move an inch.
From above, Lei Tian spread his arms.
His fourth soul ring lit up, glowing in tandem with the third.
The air vibrated as lightning energy gathered frantically, pulling the surrounding electric elements into a vortex.
He was going all out—using his strongest combination of skills right from the start.
---
Xiao Wu narrowed her eyes slightly, still unmoving.
Her delicate fingers toyed idly with her long braid, giving off the impression of a charming, innocent girl next door.
Electric-blue light surged around Lei Tian.
The lightning condensed into serpentine arcs that crackled and danced across his body.
Behind him, a massive shadow took form—the spirit image of his Thunder Eagle.
As the arcs converged upon it, the eagle's body swelled, expanding until it spanned five meters from wingtip to wingtip.
Lei Tian merged with the glowing form, his eyes turning sharp and electric-blue—the eyes of a predator.
The energy pressure rolling off him was overwhelming.
Even from below, Xiao Wu's robes trembled under the force.
Still, she didn't move.
Not because she didn't want to attack—but because she couldn't.
She was a close-combat Spirit Master.
Her agility and teleportation could help her close distance—but Thunder Academy had studied her thoroughly.
Lei Tian's altitude was precisely calculated to stay out of her range.
No matter how high she jumped or how she moved, she couldn't reach him.
And if she tried to leap into the air, she'd lose her mobility, leaving herself exposed to a deadly counterstrike.
So she waited.
---
Above, Lei Tian continued charging his attack.
The thundercloud forming around him darkened the entire arena, flashes of violet lightning writhing like serpents through the gloom.
The Thunder Eagle's cry split the air—a shrill, metallic screech.
Then, locking eyes on Xiao Wu, the massive eagle dived.
The attack was so wide that it blanketed her entire area—even her teleportation range.
At that moment, Xiao Wu finally moved.
Her third soul skill—Teleportation!
Her body blurred and vanished, reappearing five meters away in a flicker of pink light.
But Lei Tian's spiritual lock-on tracked her immediately.
The Thunder Eagle twisted midair, changing direction to dive again.
And that's when Xiao Wu's eyes flashed.
Her second soul skill—Charm!
A soft, pink radiance blossomed in her gaze, and the Thunder Eagle's sharp eyes met hers for an instant.
The enormous bird hesitated.
The flow of energy wavered for just a heartbeat.
It was enough.
Xiao Wu's legs bent, and with explosive strength she launched herself sideways, escaping the strike zone by a hair's breadth.
---
Her strategy was flawless.
Every opponent thought they knew her abilities inside and out: four skills, all well-documented.
But even when the enemy knew, could they react?
Lei Tian had been careful—he'd deliberately avoided meeting her gaze since the start.
But when she teleported, his Thunder Eagle's dive shifted to follow her.
The eagle's eyes were his own—and the instant it changed direction, he instinctively looked straight at her.
And saw those entrancing, rose-pink eyes.
Her teleportation hadn't been an escape—it was bait.
A perfect setup for Charm to take effect.
The result: his lock-on was broken, and her timing carried her safely clear.
Lei Tian shook himself free of the daze almost immediately—he was, after all, a Level 42 Spirit Master fighting at full power.
His soul force stabilized, and he quickly tried to reestablish control.
But as he focused, he realized something horrifying—
He couldn't.