Soon, the month-long rest period came to an end.
The six qualifying teams from the Heaven Dou Division, along with four teams from the affiliated kingdoms and one from the affiliated principality, entered the competition arena one by one.
To avoid unnecessary complications, the matches were not open to civilians or most Spirit Master academies. As a result, the spectator stands were mostly empty, aside from the eliminated teams from the preliminaries.
In the waiting area outside the arena, Yu Tianheng was already on edge.
"Cousin, today is the day the Lightning Academy faces the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. We must defeat Ignaz completely. Until he falls, my grudge cannot be settled."
Yu Tianxin, the captain of the Lightning Academy's main team, smiled lightly at his overly emotional younger brother. Ever since Yu Tianheng had left the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and returned to Lightning Academy, he had become extremely volatile whenever Ignaz was mentioned.
This was exactly what Yu Tianxin wanted to see: the less rational Yu Tianheng appeared, the lower his standing within the sect. After all, would the elders prefer a successor who remained calm in a crisis, or one who acted impulsively with a troubled heart?
"Don't worry, big brother will do his best."
Yu Tianxin knew better than to claim he could surely defeat Ignaz. At this point, Ignaz was a Spirit King of level 59, thirteen levels higher than him. For Lightning Academy not to forfeit outright, it was already commendable.
As the referee called both teams to prepare, Ignaz stepped forward as Heaven Dou Royal Academy's top-ranked fighter. This was both to conceal the remaining team members' strengths and to show that he had no intention of sparring with minor opponents.
Most of the competing students gasped at the sight of this.
"Is this giving other academies any chance? They've sent their strongest in the first match. One-on-one, nobody stands a chance against him."
"Too early to judge. Lightning Academy's team members are all Spirit Ancestors, and the individual match is a seven-person rotation. If Lightning Academy plays strategically, they could exhaust Ignaz."
"That's not entirely accurate. Even if Ignaz is eliminated, Heaven Dou Royal Academy still has five fighters left. And Dugu Yan is a powerful Spirit King as well. How could they win?"
The competitors exchanged glances, suddenly realizing that Heaven Dou Royal Academy's participation made the tournament seem almost pointless. Why would the academy give up a direct spot in the finals just to compete for one of six qualifying slots?
Soon, a trembling Lightning Academy fighter entered the arena from the waiting area.
"The first fighter sent by Lightning Academy is Lei Tian. Can he…"
The host's voice, previously full of excitement, faltered. He tried to maintain composure but could not hide his doubt.
"Can he defeat Ignaz, Heaven Dou Royal Academy's top-ranked fighter? Let's find out."
"Begin the match."
As soon as the referee spoke, Lei Tian activated his third soul skill, **Thunder Wings**, swiftly taking to the air to avoid most of Ignaz's ground attacks. Though he didn't know Ignaz's remaining abilities, one thing was clear: Ignaz was a land-based Spirit Master. In the air, Lei Tian had the advantage.
"Fourth soul skill: Thunder Eagle!"
A massive lightning eagle appeared, soaring into the clouds above. Above Ignaz, a layer of storm clouds quickly gathered.
"Third soul skill: Blood Thunder Transform Three Thousand."
Ignaz tossed his Blood Thunder Spear into the sky. The storm clouds thickened, darkening the arena. Lei Tian's carefully charged lightning attack dissipated entirely.
"My fourth soul skill… where did it go?"
Shocked, Lei Tian watched as a rain of spear-shaped blood-thunder bolts poured down from above.
"We forfeit…"
Before the Lightning Academy captain could finish, the spears had already struck. Lei Tian flapped his Thunder Wings desperately, dodging as best he could, but the relentless spear rain pierced his wings.
"Ah—!"
Pain broke his rhythm. More spears pierced his body, and the violent blood-thunder surged chaotically inside him. Ignaz realized that if this continued, Lei Tian would surely die.
He immediately deactivated his spirit separation skill, ending the spear assault. Lei Tian plummeted from the sky, unconscious.
"Referee, Lightning Academy concedes this match against Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
At this, Yu Tianheng exploded in anger.
"We can't concede! How can the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect just give up after one loss?"
"Do you think you can defeat Ignaz alone? He's only shown three skills so far."
The team captain of Lightning Academy could only shake his head at Yu Tianheng's reckless behavior. If Ignaz had wanted to kill, Lei Tian would be dead. Conceding preserved the young members' reputations while preventing Lightning Academy from losing too disgracefully. Many of these students would eventually join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, so protecting their confidence was essential.
Yu Tianheng returned to the team in frustration. Given twenty years, he could reach Ignaz's level. For now, underpowered, Ignaz could not be his opponent.
Watching this, the Shrek group clenched their fists, especially Tang San, whose hatred for Ignaz grew with every display of his power.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu sensed something unusual. As Ignaz unleashed his third soul skill, she felt a faint, familiar, and abhorrent aura emanating from him. She quickly grabbed Tang San's hand.
"Third brother, Ignaz has an aura I know all too well—and detest. I'm not sure why, but it's definitely there, and it's tied to his third spirit ring."
"Oh?"
Yu Xiaogang's interest was immediately piqued upon hearing this.
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