The match between Shrek Academy and Blazing Academy had begun.
Tang San's final lineup remained exactly as he had initially envisioned, with no last-minute changes.
After the customary exchange of greetings, neither side resorted to verbal provocations. Even Huo Wu maintained a dignified composure, refusing to underestimate their opponents despite Shrek Academy fielding only five members.
However, she couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment when she noticed Xiao Tianyang's absence among the five.
It wasn't just because of his striking appearance—though that certainly played a part—but because of his overwhelming strength and enigmatic presence.
Though he had not fought and Xiao Tianyang hadn't even truly exerted himself in that match, anyone with eyes and a shred of humility could see the truth: without him, Shrek Academy's victories would never have come so easily. Defeating the Elephant Armored Sect team would have been impossible.
Even with her own enhanced abilities, Huo Wu still longed to face him.
Strangely, ever since her encounter with Edward, she had found herself haunted by memories of that battle in her dreams. Despite his aloof demeanor and obscured face, his image had been seared into her mind, impossible to shake off.
At first, it annoyed her so much that she skipped training for two or three days. But later, she realized it wasn't entirely a bad thing. Her mindset had shifted—she no longer feared powerful opponents. Instead, she craved them, hoping to be challenged and defeated, using those experiences as fuel for her growth.
She no longer underestimated her adversaries—nor herself.
Perhaps it was this transformation that led to her martial soul's evolution and the newfound martial soul fusion technique she and her brother had developed. Though incomplete and far from perfected, it still managed to give Tang San and his team significant trouble.
For one, Huo Wushuang and another strong attack-type soul master managed to hold their ground against Dai Mubai's relentless assault. Though at a disadvantage, they prevented him from gaining the upper hand in the short term.
Then there was Huo Wu herself. Her martial soul's evolution granted her a shadow clone—identical to her in every way except for the subtle difference in eye color.
Her control skills were equally formidable; she immediately ensnared Tai Long and restrained Jiang Zhu, creating the perfect opening for the agility-type twin soul masters to strike.
Almost instantly, they lunged forward, their attacks primed to eliminate one opponent swiftly.
But the most critical factor was Huo Wu's caution. Right from the start, she unleashed her martial soul combination skill—Flame Hell—this time with even greater intensity, engulfing nearly the entire arena.
Within this inferno, everyone except Tang San and Blazing Academy's own members suffered immensely. It was like being tossed into a furnace. The sheer heat alone was unbearable, let alone the mental and physical strain.
Had it not been for their exceptional endurance, Shrek Academy would have been forced to surrender within five minutes.
Blazing Academy was fighting with everything they had. The two auxiliary-type soul masters poured out their remaining strength, their faces pale from exhaustion.
The two attack-types barely held Dai Mubai at bay. And Huo Wu? She pushed herself to the limit the moment the battle began.
Despite Tang San's relentless efforts—using his superior techniques and speed to counterattack—it was clear that his maneuvers could only delay the inevitable. Victory seemed impossible.
But then he remembered Xiao Tianyang's advice.
The instant he landed after dodging, Tang San pressed a hand to the ground, and his fourth spirit ring ignited. Blue Silver Grass erupted, weaving into an impervious cage faster than the eye could follow.
"Hide—!"
Huo Wu's warning came too late. Her reaction speed was sharp, and under her command, some of her teammates managed to evade. But why hadn't she moved?
Because Tang San's spirit ability wasn't aimed at the enemy—it was used on his own teammates.
"Has he lost his mind?!" Huo Wushuang stumbled back, bewildered.
But Huo Wu, ever the perceptive control-type soul master, immediately sensed the trap. "Brother, don't hesitate—attack Tang San now!"
"It's too late." A faint smirk curled on Tang San's lips as the Blue Silver Grass cage retracted, dragging his teammates toward him.
"Damn it! He disrupted our momentum!" Huo Wushuang cursed under his breath.
But there was nothing he could do. He could only watch helplessly as Dai Mubai was yanked away.
Unfazed, Huo Wu barked orders: "Listen up! Tang San's Blue Silver Grass is fire-resistant! Huo Leopard, harass him—but do not engage directly! Fei He, Huo He, stick to your original targets—I'll create openings! Withdraw Flame Hell and focus all support on my brother! Brother, take down Dai Mubai—fast!"
"Understood!" The Blazing Academy team responded in unison.
Huo Wushuang felt a surge of pride. His sister had grown—not just in strength, but in leadership. If it were him, his only thought would have been to eliminate Tang San immediately.
But all of this was still within Xiao Tianyang's predictions.
He had foreseen Huo Wu's transformation. Even if he hadn't guessed every detail, he knew how she would react to Tang San's tactics.
So when Huo Wushuang's power surged, flames roaring as he charged, Tang San's Blue Silver Prison was already descending. The moment his strike landed, the cage trembled—but held firm.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai—boosted by Oscar's enhancements—unleashed his full strength. But instead of targeting Huo Wushuang, he lunged at the twin brothers assaulting Jiang Zhu.
Tang San knew only by eliminating those two could their rear line be secured.
As for Huo Leopard, who was now closing in on him?
Truthfully, in terms of raw power, the opponent stood no chance. Whether in long-range combat or close-quarters, Tang San feared no one.
…
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