The stadium rumbled like a quake. Tens of thousands had gathered, nobles clad in silks and merchants elbowing for view. Rumors already spread: "Shrek's pale frost wall carried them through impossible odds. But in semi‑final, against Dragonfang Academy? Will frost still stand?"
Dragonfang students shimmered with power. Their martial spirits all variations of draconic scales and fangs, their leader boasted innate rank nine, three rings blazing already at fifteen. Confidence oozed.
Flender huddled Shrek students before the match. "Listen—we cannot outshine them with pure power. Tang San, Mubai—you push offense. Ning Rongrong, Oscar, constant support. Hongjun—controlled flames. Frost boy—" his narrow gaze lingered meaningfully, "you already know. Survive."
Leng Xue only bowed silently, heart whispering. Even if dragon bites, frost endures.
The horn blared. Dragonfangs stormed forward, aura blazing like scaled beasts descending. Mubai roared in return, clashing claws. Tang San's vines spread nets.
But leader's dragon spear smashed directly toward Leng Xue, as everyone predicted. Instant kill target. Audience gasped as spear struck straight.
Barrier erupted instantly, glacier tall. Spear cracked it brutally, shards exploding outward. Xue staggered but reinforced again, frost mist sprawling ten meters. Steam hissed from friction. Crowd roared, tension sky‑splitting.
Tang San seized opportunity during clash. His vines lashed dragon students slowed by cold ground. Hongjun shot erupted fire directly through narcotic mist created by Oscar's garlic sausage fusion. Roars deafened.
The semi‑final turned titanic—barrier and vine versus dragon scale and fang. Every collision echoed continent‑wide, whispers spreading: "Frost fights dragon!"
After exhausting brutal hour, Shrek emerged staggering but undefeated. Dragonfang collapsed unable to pierce combined glacier‑forest.
Arena howled. "Frost never falls!"
Leng Xue fell coughing blood, Yan and Huan dragging him upright, but smile faint lit lips. He whispered to Tang San hoarse, "Roots held. Frost endures." Tang San nodded firmly—bond carved deeper.