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In the days that followed, due to the various countermeasures they faced, Shrek Academy's team managed to secure victories, but each match was a struggle.
All opponents targeted Shrek Academy in two key ways. First, they focused on Tang San, the team's sole control-type soul master, whose weaknesses were glaringly obvious. This left Tang San feeling disheartened and frustrated.
The second focus was on Shrek Academy's two auxiliary soul masters. It was well known that auxiliary soul masters tended to progress more slowly in cultivation. As a result, many teams either lacked auxiliaries or had only one. Having too many auxiliary soul masters could significantly weaken a team's overall combat power.
However, Yang Xiong, the defensive-type soul master, stood like an unbreakable wall in front of Oscar and Ning Rongrong throughout the matches. He never overextended himself to join the offensive.
Yang Xiong's strength far exceeded everyone's expectations. Even when opponents broke through the frontline formed by the first four members of the team, they were quickly defeated by one or two punches from Yang Xiong.
As Yang Xiong's role as a defensive soul master began to attract attention, opponents began studying him. However, no matter how much they analyzed him, Yang Xiong remained an enigma. He hadn't used any soul skills throughout the competition, relying solely on his fists and claws to resolve battles swiftly.
When the tournament reached the one-third mark, another focal match arrived: Tian Dou Imperial Academy's Shrek Academy team versus Blazing Fire Academy. Among all the academies, it was strange to see what was essentially Tian Dou Imperial Academy's "Team Two" maintain an undefeated record. Though they hadn't faced many powerhouse teams, their top-ranked performance was surprising. Even Emperor Xue Ye, who rarely smiled, wore a satisfied expression. If Team Two advanced to the finals, it would be the best performance in Tian Dou Imperial Academy's history.
Traditionally, all the elite students of Tian Dou Imperial Academy were selected for Team One, leaving Team Two as little more than a token team for noble children to gain experience. Their current performance was nothing short of astonishing.
Especially noteworthy was the praise the three Elder Committee members received from Emperor Xue Ye, validating their decision to bring Shrek Academy into Tian Dou Imperial Academy.
So far, Shrek Academy's team had achieved a perfect record of ten wins and zero losses, tying with Godwind Team, Thunder Team, and Sky Water Team for first place. Blazing Fire Academy, having lost only to Sky Water Academy, ranked fifth despite their single defeat.
Tang San and Yu Xiaogang took this match extremely seriously, even preparing themselves mentally for the possibility of defeat.
Upon stepping onto the arena, Yang Xiong carefully observed the seven members of Blazing Fire Academy. All of them wore fiery red outfits, making them appear dazzling.
The captain, Huo Wushuang, was heavily muscled, clearly a product of long-term training. His martial soul, the One Horned Fire Dragon (I swear some of these wiki names are goofy), was a top-tier beast-type martial soul, excelling in raw power and surpassing even Dai Mubai's White Tiger martial soul.
But the most eye-catching member was their vice-captain, Huo Wu. Clad in a revealing red outfit, her fiery red hair and flame-shaped mark on her forehead made her undeniably beautiful. No wonder she had captured the infatuation of Feng Xiaotian, the infamous "number one simp" of Douluo.
Blazing Fire Academy's lineup was unique: one power-type Soul Ancestor (Huo Wushuang), one control-type Soul Ancestor (Huo Wu), two auxiliary soul masters with Fire Spark martial souls (Huo Yun and Huo Yu), and three agility-type soul masters—two with flying fire crane martial souls and one with a fire leopard martial soul.
(T/N: On the wiki Huo Yun and Huo Yu have Fire Crane as their martial soul, not Fire Spark.)
It was clear to anyone that this was a highly explosive combination, potentially one of the strongest offensive lineups in the competition.
True to form, as soon as the match began, Huo Wushuang charged forward, his massive Unicorn Flame Tyrant Dragon surging toward Shrek Academy. Behind him followed the soul master with the fire leopard martial soul, while two enormous fire cranes soared through the sky.
Tang San initially attempted to use his Blue Silver Grass to control the enemy, but the moment he did, flames erupted from the opponents, instantly incinerating the grass.
In an instant, Huo Wushuang clashed with Dai Mubai. The two were evenly matched, but the overwhelming heat from the Unicorn Flame Tyrant Dragon caused immense pain, as if their bodies were being scorched.
At the same time, Huo Yun and Huo Yu unleashed a massive Fire Spark energy orb, which fused into the other five members, intensifying their flames.
Even Yang Xiong, positioned farthest back, felt the temperature on the stage skyrocket as if he were standing in a sea of fire. The ones suffering the most were likely Tang San and Xiao Wu at the front lines. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass and Xiao Wu's Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul were both highly vulnerable to fire. In contrast, Tai Long and Dai Mubai fared slightly better.
Ning Rongrong's massive Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda emitted three beams of light, landing on Dai Mubai, Tai Long, and Xiao Wu. She chanted, "The Seven Treasures have names: first is strength."
Clearly, Ning Rongrong had activated her tower's ability to enhance everyone's strength.
Oscar quickly handed a sausage to Ning Rongrong. Augmenting four people simultaneously was extremely taxing on soul power.
Compared to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, food-based soul powers had limitations. Food needed to be passed to teammates, creating a time delay, unlike Ning Rongrong, who could provide support instantly.
After receiving the boost, Dai Mubai faced Huo Wushuang head-on. Both unleashed their second soul skills. Dai Mubai's White Tiger Fierce Light Wave released a golden beam from his mouth, while Huo Wushuang's Tyrant Dragon Flame unleashed a fiery blast from his Unicorn Flame Tyrant Dragon.
The collision of these powerful energies forced both combatants back a step. However, it was evident that Dai Mubai's hand trembled slightly, and burns appeared on his skin. Clearly, Huo Wushuang's soul skill was incredibly potent, with devastating fire attributes.
Seeing the two locked in combat, Huo Wu acted swiftly. Her third soul ring flashed, and a massive fiery ring launched toward Dai Mubai. It was clear she intended to coordinate with Huo Wushuang to surround and defeat Dai Mubai, the only Soul Ancestor on Shrek Academy's team.
Others tried to intervene, but to everyone's surprise, the fiery ring unleashed terrifying power, sending all of Shrek Academy's members flying. Even Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, which he had attempted to use for support, was instantly incinerated. Shrek Academy's formation collapsed in an instant.
Yang Xiong watched as Huo Wu unleashed her third soul skill, Repulsive Fire Ring. His lips twitched. This defensive soul skill was indeed exceptional, yet Huo Wu had repurposed it as an offensive tool. No wonder she was considered one of the strongest two control-type soul masters in the Tiandou region.
By now, the Tiandou regional preliminaries had reached the one-third mark. The two strongest control-type soul masters were unanimously recognized to be Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er—one wielding fire, the other ice. Their control abilities were impressive. In comparison, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass control seemed less remarkable, though his combat strength remained commendable.
With the Repulsive Fire Ring scattering everyone, Huo Wushuang, the fire leopard soul master, and the two fire crane soul masters moved with incredible speed, all charging toward Tang San. It seemed they intended to gang up on him.
Tang San was startled. He immediately activated his third soul skill, Blue Silver Hurricane Array, hoping to injure his enemies while protecting himself.
However, the opposing trio simultaneously unleashed their third soul skills. Huo Wushuang transformed into a massive Unicorn Flame Tyrant Dragon, its roar echoing across the arena. A colossal dragon shadow surged toward Tang San—it was his third soul skill: Tyrant Dragon's Wrath.
The other three's soul skills were equally swift, all flame-based and immensely powerful. It was clear they were determined to defeat Tang San at all costs.
Ning Rongrong reacted quickly, her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda emitting three beams of light that infused Tang San. She chanted, "The Seven Treasures have names: first is strength, second is speed, third is soul!"
Despite this, Tang San's Blue Silver Hurricane Array was instantly burned away. Flames enveloped him, threatening to consume him entirely.
Seeing Tang San surrounded, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and Tai Long rushed to his aid without hesitation. They unleashed their third soul skills. Xiao Wu teleported directly to Tang San's side, attempting to shield him.
A massive explosion erupted on the stage. Tang San and the others were struck by flames, each sustaining severe injuries. Yang Xiong even smelled the acrid stench of burnt flesh, though it was unclear who had been injured the worst.
Witnessing his friends injured—especially Xiao Wu—Tang San's rage ignited. His eyes filled with hatred for the opposing team.
But then, a terrifying sight unfolded. The two auxiliary soul masters of Blazing Fire Academy radiated intense flames, and endless Fire Spark energy began flowing into Huo Wu. They had simultaneously activated multiple fire-attribute enhancement skills.
Huo Wu raised her hands high, clutching what appeared to be a massive sun between them. The sun brimmed with terrifying fire energy, on the verge of exploding. This was her fourth soul skill: Blazing Sun.
The audience held their breath. Huo Wu's Blazing Sun was already renowned as one of the most devastating soul skills in the Tiandou region. With the full support of two auxiliary soul masters amplifying its power to the extreme, it was nearly impossible for anyone below the Soul Venerable level to withstand it.
Huo Wu herself seemed unstable, shouting, "You should surrender now! My fourth soul skill is too powerful—I can barely control it myself."
Yang Xiong observed the attack. From a purely offensive standpoint, this skill pushed fire-element power to its absolute limit. Not even Hu Yan Li, known for his unmatched defense, could withstand it. It was possible this attack could severely wound—or even kill—him outright.
Yang Xiong shouted, "This soul skill's power is overwhelming. We can't possibly withstand it in our current state."
Even after Yang Xiong's warning, Tang San clutched Xiao Wu tightly, his eyes filled with unwillingness. "Yang Xiong, I won't forgive anyone who harms Xiao Wu. They must pay the price."
Seeing Tang San's determination, Yang Xiong didn't know what to say. This was just a duel, yet it felt like a life-or-death battle.
Without hesitation, Yang Xiong glanced at Yu Xiaogang. However, Yu Xiaogang's full attention was on Tang San, seemingly unaware of Yang Xiong's gaze.
As the massive Blazing Sun descended, Dai Mubai urgently called out, "Xiao San, calm down! This is a Spirit Duel competition. Xiao Wu's injuries aren't severe. Our bodies can't withstand this attack."
Tang San's eyes turned icy cold. "Boss Dai, I promised Xiao Wu I wouldn't let anyone hurt her—no one."
Yang Xiong didn't hesitate. Instead, he turned to Ning Rongrong and Oscar. "How's your soul power? How much longer can you hold out?"
Ning Rongrong and Oscar immediately understood Yang Xiong's intent. They quickly activated their soul skills, pouring enhancements onto Tang San and the others. Multiple sausages flew toward them.
On the opposing side, Huo Wu gritted her teeth in frustration. She had deliberately given her opponents time to consider surrender, yet they were still enhancing themselves. Was she really being forced to unleash the full force of her attack against them?
Yang Xiong seemed to recall something and quickly looked toward Flender. Flender seemed to understand Yang Xiong's meaning, his eyes flashing with resolve. He closed his eyes and nodded.
With Flender's approval, Yang Xiong raised his hand and declared, "We forfeit this match."
But before Yang Xiong's words had fully left his mouth, Tang San roared, "If you want to surrender, go ahead. I will not surrender."
Seeing Tang San's unwavering stance, Yang Xiong didn't hesitate further. He swiftly pushed Ning Rongrong and Oscar off the stage, then stood alone at the edge of the arena.
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