The arena shook again with the crowd's restless energy as the next round of matches was called. By now, the pale frost boy in Shrek's ranks was no longer regarded as oddity—he was the wall, the impossible barrier many academies feared. Whispers of strategies spread among coaches of rival schools. Some advocated overwhelming him with simultaneous attacks, others to isolate him early and strike at his weaker cultivation before wall rose.
Their opponent was Thunderclap Academy, specialists in lightning martial spirits. Their speed was notorious, their precision deadly, and their leader declared arrogantly before fight, "Today frost will shatter under thunder."
The battle began in burst of noise. Bolts lanced skyward, thunder exploding sound that rattled seats. Floors scorched under energy. Tang San coordinated with vines, Dai Mubai attempted to intercept aggression, but arcs of lightning dodged nets easily.
Leng Xue stepped forward despite nerves burning spine. First ring flared—Veil expanded absorbing some static. Second ring surged—Bind snapped upon ankle of lightning striker, though resisted heavily. Then third ring erupted—Glacial Barrier curved tall across field, intercepting bolts sizzling against ice. Steam and lightning sparks danced, audience roaring at clash of elements.
For a moment, barrier held. But leaders of Thunderclap smirked, channels of electricity surging continuously at same point. Cracks spread spider‑like.
"Focus barrier!" Tang San shouted, weaving more vines. Oscar and Rongrong boosted supplies and defense. Still cracks deepened.
Leng Xue gritted teeth, recalling creed, Frost above flame, frost above thunder. With tremors, he doubled layers reinforcing cracks using frost threads like weaving loom. The wall shimmered, not pure but scarred, still unyielding.
Tang San seized chance, releasing nets across slowed lightning users, Mubai lunged roaring, Hongjun blasted flame ironically shielded behind frost once more.
Roars erupted as final Thunderclap member collapsed. Leng Xue swayed but remained upright, blood dripping lips.
Crowd deafened themselves chanting again: "Frost! Frost!"
But among noble strategists, one muttered cold: "Barrier can shatter with focus. He bleeds too easily. We find way."