The next day, early in the morning, the Soto City Great Soul Arena was bustling with activity.
Because the Shrek Team's popularity was too high, Manager Ao directly cleared out the main Great Spirit Arena for Shrek to play this match.
But even in the largest main Great Spirit Arena, it was still packed to capacity.
Standing in the mentor and team member viewing area of the main Great Spirit Arena, Yu Xiaogang leaned his hands on the railing. As the Spirit fighting competition was about to begin, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face:
"We should have a stable win."
"I hope so."
Qin Ming, standing beside Yu Xiaogang, twitched his mouth upon hearing Grandmaster's confident statement, his face filled with vexation.
This Grandmaster... truly has a lot of tricks up his sleeve, all unexpected moves.
You might not believe it, but I, Qin Ming, the most outstanding graduate of Shrek Academy in the past twenty years, a teacher at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, was almost tricked by him into participating in a Spirit Elder level Spirit fighting competition.
If I had really gone, my good name, Qin Ming, would have been utterly ruined.
In the end, he only managed to get away by agreeing to lend the Royal Fight Team members to Shrek.
To win, this Grandmaster has truly become shameless!
With the addition of the Royal Fight Team, Flender and Zhao Wuji's faces also looked much rosier, and there was a hint of confidence in their brows.
Yesterday, they urgently selected the most suitable Spirit Masters from the Royal Fight Team members to merge with the Shrek Team, and they trained together overnight. The effect was quite good.
"Although the win might be a bit opportunistic, as long as we win, it's fine. After all, it concerns the academy's survival."
"I heard that kid Su Ran hasn't recruited any students this month, and only those four little fellows are participating this time. Four against seven... Hehe, it's truly hard for us not to win."
Flender smiled knowingly, stroking his hair:
"Old Zhao, Xiaogang, do you think that Su Ran has been coveting our Shrek for a long time? That's why he deliberately opened his academy next to ours to attract our attention, and now he's using this opportunity to merge Peach Blossom Spring Academy into our Shrek, so he can join us as well?"
"If he begs me then, I might overlook past grievances and recruit him as a teacher for our Shrek. I still think highly of him."
Flender deliberately raised his voice a few decibels, intending for Su Ran, who was also sitting in the VIP section watching the match, to hear him.
In truth, he himself had coveted Su Ran and Su Ran's students for a long time.
Of Su Ran's four students, Shrek had already witnessed the strength of three: one was a tiger even more composed and fierce than Mubai, one was a support with self-preservation abilities from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and another was a mysterious and agile Hell Civet, rumored to be able to use a Spirit fusion skill with Mubai. That new student, Meng Yiran, shouldn't be far behind.
If these people joined Shrek, it would truly be like adding wings to a tiger or a dragon entering the sea; few Spirit Master teams could compare to Shrek.
"Flender, shut your dog mouth."
Su Ran merely sat there calmly, but the Dragon Duke and Snake Woman beside him glared fiercely at Flender and the others.
The Dragon Staff thumped the ground, its Aura emanating outwards, causing even Flender and Zhao Wuji, who were top-tier Spirit Saint powerhouses, to tremble and cease speaking, turning their gaze to the arena.
One Su Ran was enough to give Shrek a headache, and now there was also a pair of Peerless Dragon and Snake... they couldn't afford to provoke them.
During the month Meng Yiran underwent special training at Peach Blossom Spring Academy, the Dragon Duke and Snake Woman also stayed in Soto City, visiting Meng Yiran from time to time.
Meng Yiran's special training was very tough, and they felt a bit heartbroken for her.
Initially, the Dragon Duke would question Su Ran's teaching, but as Meng Yiran made rapid progress, his skepticism gradually turned into understanding, then admiration, and even a bit of worship.
He had never seen such an outstanding young man; at such a young age, he could play with the Spirit Master system, even innovating it. Not only did he significantly improve Meng Yiran's strength in just one month, but he also truly enabled Meng Yiran to cross her limits and absorb a third spirit ring of over two thousand years.
He would absolutely not allow those scoundrels from Shrek to shout there.
However, respect was respect, but they still had some worries in their hearts.
Su Ran's four Disciples were all exceptional individuals, but two fists are hard to beat four hands. A four-person team fighting seven teams was simply too difficult.
...
"It's a pleasure to see all distinguished guests again. It is Doudou's honor to once again host the team Spirit fighting competition in the main Great Spirit Arena for all of you..."
"This match is a special PK between our strongest team in the Silver Spirit Arena, Shrek, and the mysterious team—Peach Garden Battle Team."
"Before the match begins, I need to specifically explain the rules to everyone: this match is a battle for survival between Shrek and Peach Garden Battle Team. The winning side's teacher will take over the opponent's students, compensate the opponent with ten thousand gold coins, and receive a share of the Great Spirit Arena's rewards."
"Additionally, at the request of Grandmaster of Shrek Academy, this match does not restrict the use of powers outside of Spirit, and weapons can be used."
"Next, let's invite the members of both teams to enter."
"On the left, Shrek Team!"
The hostess looked to be only eighteen or nineteen years old, wearing an elegant white long dress and having long, wavy brown hair. She held a conical amplifying spirit tool in her hand, a professional smile on her pretty face, as she stood on the golden pillar in the center of the Spirit fighting stage, explaining to the audience.
As the hostesses' voice fell, the star-studded path on the left opened, and several men and women walked out.
"I believe many spectators watched yesterday's match between Shrek and the Royal Fight Team. Shrek and the Royal Fight Team became acquainted through combat. Today, the two great teams have merged to face the Peach Garden Battle Team together."
"I'm sure their names are no strangers to anyone."
"Evil Eyes White Tiger! Spirit: White Tiger, a Level 38 attack system Battle Spirit Master!"
"Thousand Hands Asura! Spirit: Blue Silver Grass, a Level 32 control system Battle Spirit Master!"
"Evil Fire Phoenix! Spirit: Evil Fire Phoenix, a Level 29 attack system Spirit Grandmaster!"
"Soft Bones Demon Rabbit, Spirit: Soft Bones Rabbit, a Level 32 close-combat attack system Battle Spirit Master!"
"Yu Tianheng! Spirit: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, a Level 39 attack system Battle Spirit Master!"
"Dugu Yan, Spirit: Jade Phosphor Serpent, a Level 38 control system Battle Spirit Master!"
"Ye Lingling, Spirit: Nine Heart Begonia, a Level 35 support system Tool Spirit Master!"
"Their spirit ring configurations are all two yellow and one purple, the optimal spirit ring configuration!"
As Shrek's lineup was announced, the entire arena erupted in fervent cheers!
The first and second ranked teams of the Silver Spirit Arena had merged into one; who could contend with them?
Four attack, two control, one healing—this Spirit Master configuration was too ferocious, clearly intended for a fierce, overwhelming assault to crush the opponent!
Feeling the audience's enthusiasm, Yu Xiaogang also enjoyed the atmosphere.
They had originally planned a conservative lineup, using the Royal Fight Team's Black Tortoise defense system Spirit Master.
He even thought about pulling Ma Hongjun out because his level was too low. The other members of Royal Fight Academy all had spirit power above Level 35, which would give them a greater chance of winning. However, considering the better synergy among Little San and the other two, he ultimately decided to let Ma Hongjun play.
But upon learning that Peach Blossom Spring Academy only had four people participating, Grandmaster's heart bloomed with joy, and he immediately changed the Shrek Team to the current extremely offensive lineup.
The goal was only one—to crush Peach Blossom Spring Academy!
Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but look at Su Ran smugly, 'Tremble, young man, watch and learn carefully. You never expected this lineup from me, did you? And I even changed the Spirit fighting rules.'
This is my trump card, with Little San's Hidden Weapons blessing, that's why I dare say we will definitely win.
But to his disappointment, even after hearing the change in competition rules, Su Ran remained unmoved, simply sitting there calmly, watching the arena as if the excitement and noise of the arena had nothing to do with him.
Oscar, sitting next to Flender, hung his head, too embarrassed to face anyone:
<(._.)> I'm the only one who got kicked out of the team, it's too embarrassing!
I feel like I'm being targeted.
Is anyone speaking up for me?
Am I really worse at support than that Ye Lingling?
(╥_╥)