Chapter 131 - 23

Chapter 23: The Assassination Attempt by Spirit Saint Shi Nian!With the referee's loud announcement, this match, arguably the most shocking since the start of the qualifiers, officially came to an end.Both sides realigned and bowed to each other.Supported by his teammates and relying on the powerful physique of his Diamond Mammoth Spirit, Huyan Li had recovered some of his mobility. He stared intently at the calm Tang San, his voice raspy from exhaustion yet exceptionally serious:"You are strong, very strong!""We lost this time, but before long, we will definitely meet again!"Hearing this, Tang San merely smiled faintly, his tone calm yet brimming with confidence: "You're welcome anytime."However, despite the seemingly easy victory, Tang San's body swayed slightly after he led the team off the stage.Continuously unleashing "Blue Silver Four-Pillar Prison," "Blue Silver Shadow Kill Bind," and precisely controlling "Blue Silver Parasite" had taken a massive toll on his spirit power and mental energy.Xiao Wu hurried forward to support him, and the group quickly returned to the lounge area.Oscar immediately handed him a Big Recovery Sausage; after Tang San ate it, his pale complexion finally improved slightly.The observing Tang San constantly replayed the battle in his mind, especially that "Blue Silver Parasite," whose power and eeriness far exceeded his understanding.[Is this really my second Spirit Ability? Integrating a devouring effect, it's almost equivalent to a brand-new, powerful Spirit Ability! Has my future self truly developed the Spirit to such an extent?]He desperately wanted to understand the principles and activation methods of these powerful self-created Spirit Skills, but as an observer, he couldn't sense the subtle changes in spirit power flow. He could only observe the external manifestations in vain, which made him feel a hint of frustration.After this battle, the internal cohesion of Shrek Academy soared to unprecedented heights.Whether official members or substitutes, the eleven of them stacked their hands together and shouted in unison:"Shrek, victory!" Their voices were filled with high-spirited fighting intent and deep camaraderie.In an unnoticed corner, the members of Canghui Academy watched the Shrek group, their faces clouded with gloom.Their lead teacher, Shi Nian, had a venomous glint in his murky old eyes as he whispered coldly to the fearful students beside him:"Don't be intimidated by them. The problem of Shrek Academy... I will personally'solve' it."Over the next few days, Shrek Academy successfully fought several more matches, winning all of them with ease.Until about a week later, as they were preparing to face their next opponent, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang brought unexpected news—the opponent had voluntarily forfeited.Just as everyone was surprised by this, they bumped into the Canghui Academy group coming in from outside at the entrance, led by Shi Nian.After a brief clash of gazes, the two sides eventually parted on bad terms.Afterward, the group couldn't help but grumble a few complaints about Canghui Academy and Shi Nian.Yu Xiaogang took this opportunity to gather everyone and begin a detailed analysis of the strong teams they might encounter later, as well as corresponding tactical arrangements, emphasizing that they must not let their guard down due to their winning streak.After the tactical meeting, when the Shrek group walked out of the lounge to return to the academy, they were startled by the scene in the spectator stands—nearly a third of the audience was wearing the same poop-green uniforms as them!Although the scene was still somewhat comical, it was a direct testament to Shrek Academy's rapidly skyrocketing popularity.After the group joked about the "unexpectedly trendy" uniforms, Tang San spoke privately with Yu Xiaogang for a moment. He then informed the group that he needed to quietly review today's tactics and set off back to the academy alone.At this time, the rest of the Shrek group was still immersed in discussing the matches and the funny uniform situation, not noticing Tang San's early departure.However, Shi Nian, who had been lurking in the shadows, was like a venomous spider catching prey, keenly noticing that Tang San was alone.His figure subsequently vanished silently into the shadows.Tang San walked alone on the street back to the academy.At first, everything seemed normal, but gradually, an indescribable sense of discord rose in his heart.The street seemed too quiet, and the surrounding scenery faintly gave off an unreal, blurred feeling."Something's not right.""There's a problem!"Almost at the same time, both the simulated Tang San and the observing Tang San felt a strong sense of alarm!Their consciousnesses synchronized as they began counting their steps in their minds."Six hundred and five steps."Normally, this many steps should have already brought him to the entrance of Shrek Academy, but before him was still a street that looked normal yet felt eerie in every way."There's definitely a problem!"The simulated Tang San's eyes sharpened. Without hesitation, he suddenly accelerated the circulation of the Mysterious Heaven Skill within his body. A faint blue light surged in his right palm as he instantly summoned the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, ready for action!At the very moment he summoned his Spirit, the surrounding environment changed abruptly!All sounds—the wind, the distant clamor—were instantly wiped away as if by an invisible hand, falling into a dead silence.The scenery before him looked as if it were covered by a layer of distorted gauze; the light dimmed, and space itself seemed to ripple slightly.A blurry, distorted, faint figure slowly coalesced not far in front of Tang San, turning from illusory to solid and becoming clear.The newcomer wore the instructor's robes of Canghui Academy. His face was sinister, and a cruel, playful sneer hung on the corners of his mouth. It was the lead teacher of Canghui Academy, the Spirit Saint—Shi Nian!His eyes, which seemed capable of devouring souls, were fixed on Tang San, as if looking at a fly that had already fallen into a spider's web and was powerless to struggle."As expected of Shrek Academy's most outstanding disciple, your alertness is indeed strong."Shi Nian's raspy voice echoed in the silent space, carrying a playful tone like a cat playing with a mouse."Unfortunately, you've realized it too late."Both the simulated Tang San and the observing Tang San's hearts sank simultaneously.Flender's warning was still ringing in their ears, and the eeriness and danger of the Remnant Dream Spirit were even more daunting.The observing Tang San couldn't help but recall how he had just been pondering how to deal with illusion-type Spirit Masters, not expecting the crisis to come so quickly and directly!The simulated Tang San forced himself to stay calm. His gaze sharpened as he looked at Shi Nian and spoke in a low voice:"So it's Teacher Shi Nian of Canghui Academy. I wonder what guidance you have for stopping this student here?"A cold smile pulled at Shi Nian's sinister face, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue:"Guidance? There's nothing to guide you on.""It's just... I need you to disappear from now on."His tone was as flat as if he were discussing the weather, but the content was bone-chilling."I've been looking for an opportunity these past few days."He paced slowly as an invisible pressure diffused. "Unfortunately, you were always with the people from Shrek Academy, making it impossible for this old man to strike.""But today, I've finally waited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... What a pity, a genius like you just happens not to be a disciple of my Canghui Academy."The killing intent in his words was no longer concealed!Seeing that words could not shake the other's murderous intent, the simulated Tang San's muscles tensed instantly. His brain worked rapidly, searching for any possible flaw or chance to escape.The Mysterious Heaven Skill surged rapidly through his body, his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul was ready to strike, and his Purple Demon Eye were pushed to their limit, attempting to see through the reality of this illusion.However, at the very moment he was on full alert and prepared to fight to the death, the originally hazy and distorted scenery suddenly changed without any warning!