Seven dark-blue Blue Silver Grass cages shot up from the arena, trapping all seven members of the Royal Academy Second Team, including Oscar.
"Boss Dai."
Dai Mubai didn't hesitate. He planted his feet, jumped, and unleashed his sole area-of-effect attack, the White Tiger Meteor Shower.
Countless bright meteors rained down on the Royal Academy Second Team. Just before impact, Tang San removed the Blue Silver Prison's restriction, allowing Dai Mubai's fourth spirit skill to reach its maximum destructive potential.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Ahhh!"
Three members of the Second Team were blasted off the arena entirely, while the remaining four collapsed, severely injured.
"You…!"
Oscar, their captain, glared at Tang San, filled with fury and helplessness. He barely had the strength to speak.
From the audience, the Royal Academy Second Team's leader shouted at the referee in anger,
"Referee! I accuse the Shrek team! This isn't a duel—it's a premeditated attempt at murder!"
Tang San calmly stepped forward,
"Referee, have any of them died?"
Then he looked toward Jiang Zhu, the team's healer,
"She's been healing the opponents since the match began, by the way."
The host glanced at the competitors. Since the Second Team's healing was still active, he loudly announced the result:
"Fifth prelim match: Shrek Academy wins!"
The crowd erupted in applause, cheering for the decisive victory.
In the VIP section, Emperor Xue Ye did not appear disappointed by the Second Team's loss; in fact, he seemed pleased. He turned to Ning Fengzhi.
"Clan Master Ning, this team, led by a ten-thousand-year fourth-ring Spirit Master, must be the second team you were expecting, right?"
"Your Majesty, this Shrek team is personally trained by the Master. The Blue Silver Grass controller, Tang San, is the Master's final disciple. My daughter is also in this team."
"Indeed. That name may have vanished from the Spirit Master world, but Tang San is remarkable."
Emperor Xue Ye respected the genius of the Empire's second ten-thousand-year fourth-ring Spirit Master, Tang San, but he held no special regard for the Master himself.
As for why Ning Rongrong, the young sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, chose Shrek over the Royal Academy, Xue Ye was displeased. Yet, given the current political ties between her clan and the royal family, he didn't pursue the matter.
"Your Majesty, if one wishes to reach Tang San, one must start with the Master," Ning Fengzhi suggested.
"Very well. I suppose I'll pay him a visit soon."
Meanwhile, Ignaz, seated in the VIP area, wore a serious expression. Tang San had absorbed a ten-thousand-year fourth ring without the aid of immortal herbs. How?
Fortunately, the Shrek team's current strength was still noticeably weaker than in the original accounts.
The next day, a new match awaited Ignaz and his team. Their opponents: Elephant Armor Academy, famed among the five great elemental academies as an unbeatable defensive squad.
In the resting room, Ignaz and his teammates were calm. Their first victory had been effortless—their opponents had forfeited. Clearly, their team was formidable.
"Brother Ignaz, Shrek only needed thirty seconds to win last time. How long do you think it will take us against Elephant Armor Academy?"
"With Xiao Mei on our side, no more than a minute," Ignaz replied. He wasn't boasting. Using analysis of Dugu Yan's spirit and her skills, he had drawn a precise conclusion.
His expression turned serious.
"This Elephant Armor team all wields Diamond Mammoth spirits. Their defense is incredible, but their attack is weak. As an Earth-element spirit user, Xiao Mei, you'll have no trouble against them. You only need to…"
Dugu Yan blinked in surprise.
"Ignaz, you're the highest-ranked Spirit Master here. Why are you letting us handle the fight while you stay in the back?"
"Against a team with only three Spirit Ancestors, you six are more than enough. I only need to protect our second core, Lingling. As team captain, shouldn't you lead by example?"
"Besides, as long as I guard Lingling, the Royal Academy First Team's strength will be fully unleashed."
Ignaz had no real interest in this match. Elephant Armor's captain, Huyan Li, was merely a Rank 43 Spirit Ancestor—not worthy of Ignaz's direct intervention. This was also a chance to test the results of Dugu Yan's recent training.
Dugu Yan led the six team members out of the resting room. The crowd rose, their excitement palpable. As they entered the arena from one side, the audience cheered even louder when Ignaz appeared.
"The last team was too weak. They forfeited before facing the Royal Academy First Team. I hope Elephant Armor Academy can last longer," a spectator murmured.
"I still have high hopes for them. Their Diamond Mammoth spirits are among the continent's top defensive spirits. Even with two Spirit Kings, the Royal Academy may not break their defenses," another added.
Meanwhile, a towering figure over three meters tall, nearly a ton in weight—Huyan Zhen—led by Salas, approached the VIP area. His eyes gleamed with confidence in Huyan Li's ability to defeat the Royal Academy First Team.
On the arena platform, Elephant Armor Academy and the Royal Academy took their positions on opposite sides. Huyan Li, arrogantly addressing Ignaz, sneered,
"Just a spear-type spirit? You think that can defeat us?"
"Brothers, release your spirits!"
Seven Diamond Mammoth spirits, each over three meters tall, appeared behind Huyan Li's team, trumpeting loudly. Ignaz and his teammates activated their own spirits in response, refusing to be outdone.