"Xiao Wu!"
Tang San's voice cracked with worry, his tone panicked. Before he could even activate his first spirit ability, Ignaz's foot snapped upward, his shin driving mercilessly into Xiao Wu's stomach.
Thud!
The blow nearly pierced straight through her. Her lower back bent grotesquely, and she plummeted from the sky, crashing onto the already-ruined stage.
The strike came so fast Tang San couldn't react. He darted forward with Ghost Shadow Steps, catching Xiao Wu in his arms before she hit again. His tears welled up as he whispered, almost pleading,
"Xiao Wu… Xiao Wu!"
No matter how many times he called, she didn't respond. Probing her condition, he realized in horror that her injuries were catastrophic: multiple fractures, a snapped lumbar spine, damaged meridians throughout her body. It was a miracle she was still breathing.
Tang San lifted his head, glaring furiously at Ignaz not twenty meters away.
"This is supposed to be a spirit battle, not your personal killing ground! Hurting Xiao Wu this badly—this is just revenge against Shrek Academy!"
Ignaz didn't strike again. Letting Tang San cradle her was, in his mind, already a kind of mercy. With a faint, mocking smile, he said,
"Tang San, while I was attacking you, Lingling was already healing your people. Without her, that girl in your arms and Tai Long would be corpses by now."
"This whole thing? Nothing but a long-planned payback. Healing you is just the excuse that makes it palatable."
The words made Tang San's chest tighten. He hated how true they felt. Shrek had beaten the Royal Academy's second team with the very same tactics. Now the first team was turning those methods back on them. It was bitter enough—but what he couldn't accept was that even under the Nine-Heart Begonia's healing, Xiao Wu's wounds remained that severe.
Slowly, he rose. The Clear Sky Hammer vanished from his left hand as hatred twisted his expression. Eight sharp spider legs sprouted from his back.
"Third Spirit Ability — Spider Web Restraint!"
Blue Silver Grass erupted, spearing toward Ignaz. At the same instant, Tang San blurred forward with Ghost Shadow Steps, closing the gap.
Ignaz didn't flinch. Since Tang San used his strange speed technique, Ignaz answered with his own: Treading Waves, Crossing Seas.
Their movements blurred into afterimages. From the stands, spectators rubbed their eyes, dizzy from trying to follow.
"Did Tang San just use some kind of self-created speed ability?"
"Doesn't matter. He's running on fumes, while Ignaz looks like he's only warming up. The outcome's obvious."
...
As the insightful ones predicted, no matter how fierce Tang San's assaults became, Ignaz countered them all.
"Ahhh!"
The sound of metal clashing rang across the stage, mixed with Tang San's agonized cries. His body twisted in torment until finally, with one last roar, he collapsed. His eight spider spears shattered, their core bones nearly snapped apart.
"Third Brother!"
Still in the air, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Jiangzhu watched helplessly, their eyes burning with worry and hatred for Ignaz.
"First Spirit Ability—"
Before Ma Hongjun could even finish, Oscar cut him off.
"Fatty, look! They haven't lost a single fighter, and we've only got you left who can still stand. What's the point of going on? Ending it now means Tang San and Xiao Wu can get treated right away."
Ma Hongjun clenched his fists, glaring down at Ignaz. At last, he gritted his teeth and said,
"Referee, we surrender."
The announcement sent a shockwave through the arena. The crowd erupted, cheering the Royal Academy's victory.
On Shrek's side, Yu Xiaogang's face was grim as he watched his disciples carried off the stage. His heart twisted with worry over their injuries, but even more so with disgust at what he saw as the Royal Academy's malicious intent to kill.
While healers worked on Tang San and Xiao Wu, Yu Xiaogang stormed to the tournament committee.
"Respected Elders, Bishop Salas, if Tang San hadn't collapsed from exhaustion, Ignaz would've killed him. You must give us an explanation!"
Though the three refereeing Elders were from the Royal Academy, Yu Xiaogang believed they would be fair. Everyone had seen Ignaz's brutality. It couldn't simply be swept aside.
The three exchanged troubled glances. At last, Zhi Lin spoke.
"Master, no one died. And during the fight, Ignaz's team's healer was actively treating your people. By those standards, the Royal Academy team violated no rules. Battles always involve risk, even fatal risk."
Yu Xiaogang's temper flared, but with his meager spirit power, he dared not cross four Spirit Douluo. He swallowed his anger, then pushed harder.
"Ignaz has disgraced the Royal Academy with his actions. I suggest expelling him from their squad. That way, the Academy keeps its qualification while still punishing those who step out of line. What do you say, Bishop Salas?"
As he spoke, Yu Xiaogang deliberately revealed the Elder Token of Spirit Hall tucked inside his robe.
Salas flinched at the sight, but his expression soon smoothed into calm dismissal.
"I see no fault in Ignaz's actions. Master, perhaps you're biased. With healers, your students will recover. Given Shrek's condition, the committee will grant you ten days before your next match."
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