The spectators were left stunned in silence. Even Hu Liena, standing beside Bibi Dong, was momentarily caught off guard.
She had just witnessed Lin Fan defeat the Star Luo Royal Academy Team with a single sword strike.
Her pupils shrank slightly. While she had always looked down on the Star Luo team's strength, she had to admit—even she wasn't confident she could end the match so decisively. Let alone in just one move.
And Lin Fan had only used a single century-level soul skill.
Yes, he had been assisted by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, but that shouldn't have made his attack overwhelming enough to end the entire match in one blow.
Sensing her disciple's change in mood, Bibi Dong turned her gaze and asked calmly:
"Na'er, what do you think?"
"Teacher, his strength is certainly impressive," Hu Liena replied solemnly. "But just how strong exactly, I can't say for sure. I doubt even an average Soul Emperor could beat him. If I want to defeat him, I might have to use the Martial Spirit Fusion Technique with my brother—Demonic Enchantment."
"But what worries me most is... my charm-type control might not work on him at all."
Hu Liena looked toward Lin Fan on stage, analyzing him with a heavy expression.
"Good. Recognizing your opponent's strength is the first step to defeating them. I'm pleased," Bibi Dong nodded calmly.
"Teacher, what about you?" Hu Liena asked. "Did you see anything unusual?"
"This young man's mental strength is remarkable," Bibi Dong said thoughtfully. "I'm not sure if it's due to his Martial Spirit, but he carries a natural killing aura. I suspect he didn't just train in some academy—he's been through real-life-and-death battles."
"I'm not surprised anymore. After all… he is his nephew," Bibi Dong added with a cold laugh.
"Oh?" Hu Liena lowered her eyes, quietly beginning to plan her approach.
Meanwhile, Xue Qinghe was also watching Lin Fan, visibly surprised by the sudden display of strength. He glanced at Bibi Dong and mused to himself:
Lin Xuan's power is beyond what I expected. Good. If he leads Shrek Academy to defeat the Spirit Hall's elite team, I'd love to see the look on her face. Would she finally doubt her disciple? Would she finally feel disappointment?"
As Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, gazed at Hu Liena, a flicker of jealousy flashed through her eyes. At that moment, she truly hoped Lin Fan would win the championship—just to ruin Bibi Dong's pride.
Even Ning Fengzhi was privately impressed.
Lin Xuan's talent is beyond my expectations. The next time I see him, I must talk to him seriously—if I can persuade him to marry Rongrong, that would be ideal. He's a few years older than her, but more than worthy."
Over time, Ning Fengzhi had become increasingly satisfied with Lin Fan's performance. So much so that he was already imagining their future marriage alliance.
Thanks to the Illusion Star Grass, Lin Fan used to disguise himself, so no one recognized that Lin Xuan and Lin Fan were the same person. Coupled with the fact that he hadn't used his real Martial Spirit, and that his innate spirit power was only level six, even Bibi Dong never suspected he had twin spirits.
After all, who would ever believe a twin Martial Spirit user could be born with such a weak innate soul power?
Elsewhere in the arena, watching from the stands:
"Sister… I think we seriously underestimated Lin Xuan," said Huo Wushuang, sounding nervous. "And with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda backing him, he's nearly unstoppable."
"It must have been his full-power attack," said Feng Xiaotian bitterly. "Even if it's just a hundred-year skill, poured with all his soul power… the effect speaks for itself."
Though Blazing Fire and Godwind had fused into one team, Feng Xiaotian still felt an overwhelming sense of defeat every time he faced Lin Fan.
"This is ridiculous!" Huo Wu snapped, slamming the railing in front of her. "That kind of power… doesn't belong to a Soul King!"
Back on the stage, Dai Mubai and the others were still wide-eyed, staring at Lin Fan.
Just a few minutes ago, the Star Luo Royal Team had been taunting them. And now? All of them were lying unconscious on the floor.
"Pfft—Hahaha! I knew it! Once Lin Xuan steps up, Dai Boss and the others are just there for decoration!" Ma Hongjun howled with laughter from the stands.
"Dude, what the hell?! We didn't even release our Martial Spirits!" Dai Mubai grumbled, still stunned.
"Too noisy," Lin Fan said flatly. "Don't talk when you can fight. And the arena isn't your therapy room for family drama."
With that, he withdrew his Martial Spirit and calmly walked off the stage.
"Uhh…" Zhu Zhuqing was speechless.
"Seriously?" Xiao Wu pouted. "The finals, and we didn't even get to do anything?"
"Well, I released both my spirit and a skill," Ning Rongrong giggled. "So I count as participating!"
Seeing that the entire Star Luo team was down, He Si officially announced:
"Winner: Shrek Academy Team!"
Back below the stage, Flender exhaled deeply.
"Xiaogang… maybe we overthought this," he admitted. "All that time we spent analyzing Star Luo's strengths last night, and Lin Xuan just took them down in one move."
Yu Xiaogang stayed silent. He had planned the formation carefully, hoping to give Tang San and others a bit of spotlight, but none of them had even released their spirits.
"It's not just the students… I didn't even get to participate," he thought glumly. All those tactics, all that theory—completely meaningless.
As Dai Mubai's group walked over, Ma Hongjun teased:
"Dai Boss, why so quiet? Where's the 'Gaga'?"
"Huh? What?" Dai Mubai blinked.
"Lin Xuan said it himself—'In the finals, I'll handle the slaughter, you guys just provide the gaga!'" Ma Hongjun laughed. "Good thing I didn't go up, or I'd have just stood there, confused like you!"
"You fat pig, looks like you need a beating tonight," Dai Mubai glared.
"Yeah! I've been itching to use my Eight Stage Throw!" Xiao Wu added, cracking her knuckles.
"Ah—no, no! Dai Boss, Xiao Wu, I was wrong, I'm sorry!" Ma Hongjun instantly folded.
"Teacher, we won," Tang San quietly said to Yu Xiaogang.
"Good job," Yu Xiaogang replied stiffly.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Lin Fan again, who had already sat down with his eyes closed as if nothing had happened. Silently, she walked off to the side.
The arena was quickly cleared for the next match.
"Next match: Spirit Hall Academy vs. Heaven Dou Empire's seed team—Heaven Dou Royal Academy!" He Si announced.
"Spirit Hall is finally taking the stage," Flender said to Yu Xiaogang. "We can't afford to miss this one."
"Indeed," Yu Xiaogang nodded. "They've got three Soul Kings. If anyone can match Lin Xuan, it's them."
Back at the Spirit Hall resting area, Hu Liena stood and said:
"Teacher, I'll head down to prepare."
"Don't let Spirit Hall lose face," Bibi Dong said calmly.
Hu Liena nodded and made her way to the team's private prep room.
"Sister, what's the plan?" a male student who looked very similar to her asked.
"Teacher said our aura mustn't lose to the Soul King of Shrek," she replied.
Then we'll have to end it quickly, said a flame-haired youth. Time to use our Martial Spirit Fusion—Demonic Enchantment—and dominate the stage.