During the fifth match of the Soul Master Competition, Shrek Academy's team finally faced a formidable opponent: the Elephant Armor Academy team.
Yu Xiaogang and Tang San took this match very seriously. In fact, Yu Xiaogang even suggested forfeiting the match, as the opponent's strength was even more terrifying than they had anticipated.
However, Tang San, with his stubborn personality, decided to fight with everything they had, even if it meant sustaining injuries in the process.
When the members of Shrek Academy stepped onto the arena stage, everyone couldn't help but swallow nervously.
Yang Xiong, now fourteen years old, stood at nearly 185 cm tall and had an extremely muscular physique. His height and build were almost on par with Dai Mubai.
In comparison, aside from Yang Xiong, Dai Mubai, and Tai Long, the others were at most 175 cm tall.
On the other hand, the members of the Elephant Armor Academy were terrifying. Each of them was over two meters tall, their bodies covered in massive, intimidating muscles, resembling sumo wrestlers from Yang Xiong's previous life. Their weight likely exceeded 300 jin (150 kg).
After Tang San made his arrangements, Tai Long did not take the field this time. Instead, Zhu Zhuqing was sent out. Even Tai Long and Yu Xiaogang were somewhat confused by this decision.
However, Tang San had carefully analyzed both teams' situations. Given the Elephant Armor Academy's relatively poor flexibility, Tai Long entering the field would put him at a disadvantage. Therefore, he chose Zhu Zhuqing, who was faster. Perhaps she could use her speed to catch the opponents off guard.
While the stage and the entire Spirit Arena buzzed with excitement, the stands were filled with even more tension.
Emperor Xue Ye still attended the match, and beside Ning Fengzhi sat an exceptionally tall man—Huyan Zhen, the sect leader of the Elephant Armor Sect.
Huyan Zhen clearly seemed displeased. "Ning Sect Leader, I've heard that this second team of Tian Dou Imperial Academy is supported by you, and even your own daughter is on this team. It seems you're quite confident about winning the championship."
Ning Fengzhi remained calm. "Sect Leader Huyan is jesting. The Shrek Academy team of Tian Dou Imperial Academy is just a group of children. How can they compare to the members of the Elephant Armor team, who are nearly adults?"
Though Ning Fengzhi's words sounded casual, they subtly mocked the Elephant Armor team for relying on their older age to gain an advantage.
Huyan Zhen's expression turned cold. "Once they step onto the stage, age doesn't matter. If these kids get beaten and cry, don't blame us."
Before Ning Fengzhi could respond, Salas interjected. "Sect Leader Huyan, it seems you have great confidence in your Elephant Armor team."
Huyan Zhen smirked arrogantly. "Of course. My grandson, Huyan Li, reached the Soul Ancestor level at twenty. He is the most talented disciple of our Elephant Armor Sect, surpassing even my own abilities when I was young. Perhaps one day he will become the only Title Douluo of our sect."
Behind Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo let out a cold snort, clearly unimpressed by Huyan Zhen's words.
Salas, however, hinted at something else. "Sect Leader Ning, I didn't expect you to send your own daughter onto the stage. It seems this Shrek Academy team has the backing of your Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "Salas, you're overthinking things. This is a Tian Dou Imperial Academy team; I wouldn't dare take credit for it."
Seeing the tension rise, Emperor Xue Ye finally spoke. "Let's all focus on the match. It's rare to see such promising talents emerge from Tian Dou Imperial Academy."
With Emperor Xue Ye's high status, everyone shifted their attention to the stage.
After both teams introduced themselves and displayed their spirit rings, everyone was shocked.
The Elephant Armor Academy had three Soul Ancestors and four top-tier Soul Elders. Their captain, Huyan Li, was at Level 43—higher than Dai Mubai by one level.
In contrast, Shrek Academy had only one Soul Ancestor, and their spirit power levels were overwhelmingly inferior.
When the seven towering members of the Elephant Armor Academy stepped onto the stage, their imposing presence caused the entire arena to tremble slightly.
As soon as the referee announced the start of the match, Tang San shouted, "Retreat!"
Instead of attacking, the team began retreating quickly, maintaining their formation. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing flanked the sides, Dai Mubai stayed in the center, and Yang Xiong positioned himself near Ning Rongrong.
Clearly, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang had already analyzed the tactics of the Elephant Armor team. They excelled at overpowering their opponents with brute force and defensive counterattacks. Their greatest weakness was their lack of speed and agility.
As Shrek Academy retreated, the Elephant Armor Academy charged forward aggressively.
Tang San reacted swiftly, and his blue Silver Grass vines shot out like tendrils, wrapping around the legs of the opposing team. It seemed he intended to stop their advance.
Surprisingly, the members of the Elephant Armor Academy reacted too slowly, allowing the vines to entangle multiple people.
Tang San felt a flicker of joy. The restraint of the Silver Grass wasn't easily broken. To think he could control his enemies so easily! The vines exerted a powerful pulling force, attempting to trip them.
Unexpectedly, the members of the Elephant Armor Academy showed no reaction. The Silver Grass couldn't budge their bodies, which weighed over 300 jin.
Moreover, when the entangled members exerted force, the Silver Grass binding their legs shattered instantly. Tang San even lost some control over his own body.
Tang San was astonished. These individuals were far stronger than Dai Mubai in terms of sheer strength. Especially Huyan Li—few Soul Ancestors could surpass him in physical power.
The members of the Elephant Armor Academy completely ignored Tang San's Silver Grass, advancing steadily while maintaining their formation. Even the members of Shrek Academy felt immense pressure. After all, the average height of Shrek's team was around 170 cm, while the opponents were all over two meters tall. It was like adults fighting children—the Shrek team appeared small and insignificant.
At this moment, Tang San's eyes narrowed. Countless strands of Silver Grass wrapped around the waists of Yang Xiong and the others, and he quickly called out to Oscar: "Xiao Ao!"
Oscar was prepared. He immediately produced two flying mushroom sausages—one for himself and one for Tang San. Given Oscar's current spirit power, he couldn't produce many flying mushroom sausages, as it was a thousand-year soul skill.
In an instant, Tang San and Oscar soared into the air. Tang San's Silver Grass pulled Yang Xiong and the others up with them. This was another reason Tang San had chosen Zhu Zhuqing—she was much lighter than Tai Long.
Seeing the entire Shrek team take to the skies, the pressure from the Elephant Armor Academy vanished. Now, Shrek Academy looked down on their opponents from above.
Oscar taunted them with words, infuriating the opposing team. They formed a strange formation, and Huyan Li was lifted into the air by his teammates.
But at the critical moment, countless strands of Silver Grass suddenly sprouted from Huyan Li and the other members of the Elephant Armor Academy—it was Tang San's second soul skill, Parasitic.
From the back of the formation, Yang Xiong watched Huyan Li and Oscar with a wry smile.
These two—one with a glib mouth and the other seemed foolish—didn't look like genius soul masters at all.
Tang San's strategy of luring the enemy out was clever, but he clearly underestimated the raw strength of the opponents. In an instant, the Silver Grass on Huyan Li and the others shattered under their immense power. However, it did manage to prevent Huyan Li's aerial attack—that was its only success.
Tang San's eyes flashed. "Attack! We must defeat Huyan Li as quickly as possible."
In an instant, everyone descended from the sky. Yang Xiong remained at the back, guarding Oscar and Ning Rongrong, while Tang San and the other three attacked Huyan Li. According to Tang San's plan, it should be easy for four people to overwhelm a single Soul Ancestor.
However, he clearly underestimated the robustness of Huyan Li's body. Ignoring the attacks on him, Huyan Li summoned a massive Diamond Mammoth and unleashed his fourth soul skill: Thousand-Jun Guidance, creating a giant protective barrier. The mammoth let out a thunderous roar, causing the entire arena to tremble.
The four attackers struck the mammoth, but this pure defensive skill wasn't easily broken.
Enraged by Oscar's earlier taunts, Huyan Li charged toward the four with overwhelming momentum, his anger evident.
Dai Mubai and Huyan Li exchanged punches. While Huyan Li's advance slowed, Dai Mubai was forced back several meters—clearly, there was a significant gap in their strength.
Zhu Zhuqing reacted swiftly, using her third soul skill: Netherworld Hundred Claws. Countless shadowy claws reached for Huyan Li.
But Huyan Li's Thousand-Jun Guidance was incredibly resilient. He directly charged forward, smashing Zhu Zhuqing along with her soul skill, sending her flying.
The Elephant Armor Sect was known as the strongest defense in the world. Their power and resilience were truly terrifying.
Tang San and the others continued their assault without hesitation, but the rest of the Elephant Armor team launched a counterattack. The situation quickly devolved into chaos. Clearly, Tang San's Silver Grass couldn't control the Elephant Armor team.
Given Shrek Academy's situation, it was clear that once their formation collapsed, they would soon be defeated.
Seeing the impending melee, Ning Rongrong summoned her massive Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, bestowing multiple enhancements on the four fighters. Their strength and speed increased significantly.
As the captain of the Elephant Armor team, Huyan Li, though not particularly intelligent, understood the importance of support for a team. He broke free from the encirclement and charged at Ning Rongrong like a raging bull.
At this point, the advantage of the Elephant Armor team's three Soul Ancestors became apparent. The other two Soul Ancestors, Huyan Shan and Huyan Ba, engaged Tang San and Dai Mubai, while the remaining four surrounded Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. In an instant, the four frontline battle soul masters were completely restrained.
Yang Xiong sneered. Facing Huyan Li charging directly at him, Yang Xiong threw a punch. Their fists collided, and Yang Xiong stood firm in place, while Huyan Li was pushed back several meters.
Huyan Li roared in anger. "You're just a Soul Elder, yet you possess such strength? In terms of raw power, I won't lose to anyone!"
Huyan Li's second soul ring lit up, activating his second soul skill: Mammoth Giant Strength. His already massive frame seemed to grow even more formidable.
However, when their fists collided again, Yang Xiong remained unmoved, while Huyan Li stumbled backward several steps. Clearly, Yang Xiong's strength far surpassed Huyan Li's.
Before Huyan Li could attack again, Yang Xiong moved with incredible speed. His hands transformed into palms, and when Huyan Li's fist came crashing down, it felt as though it had struck cotton. Huyan Li's body lost control, beginning to tilt sideways.
Before he could regain his balance, Yang Xiong's fingers curled into claws, grabbing Huyan Li's arm with brutal force. Despite Huyan Li's formidable defense and strength, five deep gashes appeared on his arm, accompanied by intense pain.
But Yang Xiong's reaction speed was incomparably faster. A silver fist, brimming with power, struck Huyan Li's chest with full force. Huyan Li was sent flying over ten meters, a distinct fist mark imprinted on his chest.
Blood trickled from the corner of Huyan Li's mouth—he was clearly injured.
The others had assumed Huyan Li would break through the defenses, as only one defensive-type Soul Elder remained on the opposing side. But now, it seemed like Huyan Li had been caught like a turtle in a jar.
Yang Xiong's punch was called the Bone-Crushing Punch. It concentrated his physical and soul power into his fist, unleashing a devastating impact fueled by his body's strength. It was an offensive soul skill reimagined from various battles—impossible for a Soul Ancestor to withstand.
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