Chapter 75: Counter Zu Zong? Keep Dreaming
"Martial soul attribute suppression?" everyone exclaimed.
Yu Xiaogang smiled confidently. It was once again time for Master Yu to present one of his "invincible theories."
"Yes. Just like the five elements restrain one another—wood overcomes earth, earth overcomes water, water overcomes fire, fire overcomes metal, metal overcomes wood. No matter how powerful Zu Zong's mutated Blue Silver Grass martial soul is, it's still a plant-type. And all plant-type souls naturally fear fire."
"Ma Hongjun's martial soul, Evil Fire Phoenix, possesses extremely strong flame power. Not only is it high in temperature, but it also clings and is hard to extinguish. It just happens to counter Zu Zong's mutated Blue Silver Grass."
Ma Hongjun's small eyes lit up with excitement. "Master, really? I can really counter that monster-like guy?"
Yu Xiaogang's stiff smile remained as he nodded.
"Oh yeah! That makes me feel a whole lot better," Ma Hongjun cheered.
Knowing there might be a way to suppress Zu Zong, the team's previously low morale soared—Tang San included.
Only Zhu Zhuqing's lips twitched. Sure, fire suppressed plant-type martial souls in theory, but timing mattered. She had seen Zu Zong's Blue Silver Emperor in action. The sheer heat it emitted was at least on par with, if not beyond, Ma Hongjun's flames.
At this rate, it wasn't Evil Fire Phoenix suppressing Blue Silver Emperor—it was more likely the other way around.
Still, she said nothing. First, she didn't want to ruin the rare uplift in morale. Second, she refused to reveal anything about Zu Zong.
Yu Xiaogang, noticing her odd expression, frowned slightly and narrowed his eyes. "Zhuqing, you seem unconvinced. Do you have something to add?"
Ma Hongjun turned to her as well. "Come on, Zhuqing. You're the one who knows Zu Zong best. You must know his weak points. Tell us. Otherwise, our odds are still low."
The rest of Shrek looked at her expectantly.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression turned cold. Whether she knew anything or not, the idea of exposing her boyfriend's weaknesses for the sake of one battle—what did they take her for? A fool? Or were they the fools?
"Sorry. No comment. Xiao Zong has never asked about Shrek's secrets, and I won't reveal his," she said flatly. True to her nature, she spoke directly and without evasion.
Ning Rongrong suddenly understood. "Right. Zu Zong is probably the person Zhuqing is closest to. We shouldn't try to guilt her."
"Uh..." Yu Xiaogang looked rather embarrassed.
Clearing his throat, he quickly changed the subject. "Ahem… Let's move on to Dugu Yan's poison."
—
Soto Great Spirit Arena. VIP Rest Area. Room No. 3.
This luxurious room measured over 200 square meters. A massive white leather sofa stretched more than fifteen meters, enough for over a dozen people to rest comfortably. The decor was drenched in gold—golden wall lamps, golden wallpaper, and golden embellishments everywhere. The whole room radiated opulence.
In front of the giant sofa stood a crystal tea table covered with elegant snacks and various drinks.
Most notably, one entire wall was a single piece of specially treated transparent crystal. From inside, the occupants could clearly see the main arena outside—but from the outside, no one could see in. That arena was the very heart of the Soto Great Spirit Arena.
Inside the room, ten people were present, including Zu Zong, Xiao Wu, and the rest of the Huangdou Battle Team.
Team leader Qin Ming retrieved a file from his storage soul tool and handed it out.
"Today is your final group battle at Soto Arena. If you win, all of you will earn the Team Gold Spirit Fighter title."
Shrek Seven Devils Team – All Members: Silver Spirit Fighter Rank
Shrek Seven Devils – Team Roster
Captain
• Title: Evil-Eyed White Tiger
• Martial Soul: White Tiger
• Rank: 38
• Type: Power Attack System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
Vice-Captain
• Title: Thousand-Handed Asura
• Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass
• Rank: 32
• Type: Control System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
Member
• Title: Serpent Cane Overlord
• Martial Soul: Serpent Cane
• Rank: 31
• Type: Power Attack System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
Member
• Title: Evil Fire Phoenix
• Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix
• Rank: 28
• Type: Power Attack System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow
Member
• Title: Nether Spirit Cat
• Martial Soul: Nether Spirit Cat
• Rank: 29
• Type: Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow
Member
• Title: Sausage Vendor
• Martial Soul: Sausage
• Rank: 31
• Type: Auxiliary Tool Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
Member
• Title: Seven-Treasure Glazed Tile
• Martial Soul: Seven-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda
• Rank: 27
• Type: Auxiliary Tool Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow
Looking over the report in their hands, the members of the Huangdou Battle Team frowned slightly. While Shrek's overall strength wasn't overwhelming, the key factor was their age—most of them were only twelve or thirteen. That level of talent couldn't help but make them feel wary.
"Oh? Little brother Zu Zong, that Nether Spirit Cat must be your little girlfriend, right? Pretty impressive—jumped from Rank 27 to Rank 29 in just four months. She's almost catching up to you." Dugu Yan glanced at Zu Zong with a teasing smile.
At the same time, she was also inwardly shocked. Zu Zong had just reached Rank 38 four months ago, but in only two or three months since, he had already advanced another level—catching up to her boyfriend Yu Tianheng. At their stage of cultivation, advancement was nothing like the early Soul Master days; sometimes it took half a year to move up a single level. That made Zu Zong's cultivation speed downright terrifying.
Zu Zong nodded with a light smile and didn't deny it. Zhu Zhuqing's improvement had included some help from him, but most of it was the result of her own relentless effort.
No one knew just how hard Zhu Zhuqing trained. Even during their time alone, she would often insist he spar with her for practice.
Seated next to Zu Zong, Xiao Wu clearly wasn't happy. She glanced at Dugu Yan, then turned her gaze to Zu Zong. Her face puffed up red, eyes glistening with moisture.
"Hmph! I'm Rank 34 too," she pouted.
Her expression screamed: Praise me right now or I'll cry on the spot.
Zu Zong gave a helpless smile, reached out to pat her on the head, and praised warmly, "Xiao Wu is amazing too."
"Heehee! Of course I am." Xiao Wu beamed at his compliment, closing her eyes as she enjoyed his touch.
"Ahem—Zu Zong, Xiao Wu. You two, show some restraint. We're discussing strategy for the next team battle. Let's stay serious." Qin Ming spoke sternly.
Before Zu Zong got together with Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu used to be shy about this sort of thing. But ever since Zhu Zhuqing entered the picture, Xiao Wu had sensed danger—and had become far more liberal with public displays of affection.
For Qin Ming, a man who had been single for over thirty years, watching this unfold was torture.
"Now then," Qin Ming continued, "let me go over the detailed battle plan for the next round."
(End of Chapter)
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