That evening, the Grandmaster gathered everyone and placed the same file Han Feng had already read on the table.
"Tomorrow at this time," he said, "you'll be facing a team with a Silver Spirit Arena Badge. Their name is the Emperor Battle Team—a full lineup of Spirit Elders."
Ma Hongjun snorted in disdain.
"Tch! Spirit Elders? So what? With Boss Dai here, what's there to be afraid of? Didn't we already beat the Mad Battle Team when all of them were Spirit Elders? We'll crush them too! Forget Oscar—let me fight! My flames have been itching for some action! "
Han Feng rolled his eyes, grabbed Ma Hongjun's belly fat, gave it a hard squeeze, and doused his arrogance with cold water.
"I'd advise you not to be so optimistic."
He spread the file across the table.
"The Mad Battle Team's average rank was only around thirty-two or thirty-three. But this Emperor Battle Team? Every single member is above thirty-five. And just look at their martial spirits—these aren't goats and monkeys. They're on a whole different level."
His words made everyone tense. When they skimmed through the profiles, their expressions grew heavier.
"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon… the strongest attack-type beast spirit on the entire continent! "
Dai Mubai's heterochromatic eyes narrowed sharply, solemnity flooding his gaze.
As a member of the Dai Clan of the Star Luo Empire, he had heard this name since childhood. Besides the Evil-Eyed White Tiger, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon was the most coveted among beast spirits.
But sadly, his clan hadn't produced a single Title Douluo in years.
"Level 39, Attack-Type Battle Spirit Elder—Yu Tianheng! Martial Spirit: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon! Level 38, Control-Type Battle Spirit Elder—Dugu Yan! Martial Spirit: Jade Phosphor Serpent! "
When Tang San read the first two names on the sheet, his face darkened.
Among the Shrek Seven Devils, Dai Mubai had the highest spirit power—and he'd just broken through to Level 38.
"The Jade Phosphor Serpent is extremely rare," the Grandmaster said gravely. "That's why I suspect this Dugu Yan may be a disciple of that person."
"That person? " Oscar frowned in confusion.
"Could it be that Control-Type Title Douluo? The most ruthless one? "Zhu Zhuqing and the others gasped, whispering in horror.
"I'm afraid so." The Grandmaster nodded.
The very name Title Douluo carried an aura of dread across the entire continent.
"B-But that should be fine, right? " Oscar forced a laugh that even he didn't believe. "If I remember right, that guy used poison, yeah? My second spirit ability should counteract it, right? "
"Of course," Han Feng said with a smirk, slinging an arm around Oscar's shoulder and speaking in a teasing tone. "A man who's mastered poison his entire life, beaten by your sausage skill? Sure. And the next day, he'll pay you a visit to 'discuss the mysteries of life and death.' By next year, we'll be lighting incense at your grave."
"Han Feng! I was wrong! Stop talking! " Oscar shivered all over, frantically waving his hands.
Xiao Wu frowned, even forgetting her carrots.
"If Dugu Yan's that dangerous, can't we just take her out first? Boss Dai can stall—"
"That won't work! "Tang San cut her off, shaking his head as he pointed to the file.
"Look at these brothers—Level 37 and 38 Defense-Type Battle Spirit Elders, Martial Spirit: Black Tortoise Turtle. In the world of defensive spirits, they rank as highly as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon does for attack spirits. Even if Mubai keeps Yu Tianheng busy, breaking through these two will cost us dearly. And don't forget—they also have two Agility-Type Spirit Elders at Level 36 each. If we all rush to eliminate Dugu Yan, Han Feng will be under unbearable pressure."
"Uh…"
Ma Hongjun's cocky grin froze. A moment ago, he'd been picturing himself looking cool in battle—now he just wanted to opt out.
Han Feng narrowed his eyes, a mysterious smile tugging at his lips.
"Black Tortoise Turtle, huh? Heh."
"Grandmaster… do we really have to fight these monsters? " Oscar swallowed hard.
"Yeah," Ma Hongjun muttered miserably. "They're all above Level 35. Aside from Boss Dai, only Han Feng and a couple of others barely reached Spirit Elder. The rest of us are still stuck as Spirit Masters. How do we even win this!? "
"Not just that," Ning Rongrong spoke up, her voice solemn. "Look at this name—Ye Lingling."
She continued, her tone sharp.
"In my opinion, the most dangerous member of the Emperor Team isn't Yu Tianheng or Dugu Yan—it's her. Ye Lingling's martial spirit is Nine-Heart Begonia. It's a one-lineage spirit—the strongest healing-type martial spirit. No matter how many spirit rings it has, it only has one ability: healing. Group healing. She can even bring people back from the brink of death! "
Her lips tightened in frustration.
"If not for their lineage's strict limit of two existing Nine-Heart Begonias at a time, the title of 'Number One Support Spirit' wouldn't belong to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"We surrender! "Oscar and Ma Hongjun, they said in unison, faces turning ashen.
The Grandmaster ignored their defeatist attitude and turned to Han Feng and Dai Mubai.
"Han Feng! Mumbai! Do you have the confidence to win? "
Han Feng grinned.
"When Tang San said the Black Tortoise was the strongest defensive martial spirit, we'd already won. My Seraphim Shield will become the greatest shield on the continent! "
"Of course I'm not afraid! " Dai Mubai's eyes burned with fighting spirit.
The Grandmaster smiled, then shifted his gaze to Tang San.
"Xiao San—do you have a strategy to defeat them? "
Tang San understood immediately—the Grandmaster had asked Han Feng and Mubai about courage; now he was asking him about wisdom.
But shame prickled in his chest. He didn't have a sure-fire plan.
"Teacher… if you allow me to use hidden weapons, I'm confident I can defeat the Emperor Team."
The Zhuge Crossbow alone could slay a 2,000-year-old man-faced demon spider!
The Grandmaster wasn't disappointed. This was within his expectations—Tang San's arsenal was limited, and the restrictions he imposed were strict.
"That's right—you have nothing to fear." The Grandmaster's voice rang firm and loud.
"I'll be blunt—your odds of beating the Emperor Battle Team are over 50%! "
"What!? " Everyone stared in shock.
The Grandmaster pointed at Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Your Spirit Fusion Technique alone raises your odds by 20%."
Both were stunned.
"Grandmaster, you knew? "
He smiled gently.
"I guessed from your spirits. Don't worry—you're Shrek's students, and Shrek will protect you."
Relieved, Dai Mubai laughed boldly.
"Rest assured, Grandmaster! Our Spirit Fusion won't disappoint you! "
The Grandmaster didn't give anyone time to ask questions. He looked at Han Feng next.
"Han Feng—your defense can hold Yu Tianheng. Do that, and our odds go up another 20%."
"I've never lost since the day I debuted! " Han Feng declared, brimming with confidence.
Finally, the Grandmaster turned to Tang San.
"Xiao San! For this match, I permit you to use the Eight Spider Spears. Do you have the confidence to beat Dugu Yan? "
"Yes! " Tang San's eyes shone with determination.
Even without the Eight Spider Spears, with the Xuan Tian Record and his knowledge of poisons, he could counter the Jade Phosphor Serpent's venom. With them, he could even go toe-to-toe with Yu Tianheng.
The trio's fearless confidence swept through the group like wildfire, burning away the heavy tension. Even Oscar and Ma Hongjun felt their fighting spirit reignite.
"Grandmaster, who's on the roster this time? " Xiao Wu asked casually—instantly making Oscar and Ma Hongjun nervous.
Dai Mubai, Tang San, and Han Feng were guaranteed. Zhu Zhuqing had to join for the fusion skill, Ning Rongrong was essential support, and likely Xiao Wu as well. That left the two boys with slim chances.
The Grandmaster thought for a moment before deciding.
"Oscar—your flying sausages might prove vital. Ma Hongjun, you'll be the substitute."
Hearing this, neither knew whether to laugh or cry.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at patreon.com/c/Shinazuki