"Wow! In under a minute, the Shrek Academy team's agile attacker has taken out the support soul-user from Heaven Dou Team Two!" the hostess exclaimed.
"The speed was so fast, it was hard for me to track," she added.
Qian Renxue, watching the match, was impressed: "That girl appears to be the same age as the others. I believe that's the Ghostly Spirit Cat as her soul skill, at Soul Mage level 44. Very interesting."
"Nice one, Zhu Zhuqing—awesome job!" Oscar called out in support.
Zhu Zhuqing remained calm at the cheers. It felt like the results were expected.
After eliminating the enemy support, she smoothly turned back to face the ranged attackers from Team Two.
Immediately, the opposing team of six felt surrounded. Their formation collapsed; they didn't know whether to defend left or right.
"Ning Rongrong, use your Seven Treasures support—first power boost!" Tang San directed.
Prompted by Ning Rongrong's tone control, the Seven Treasures soul skill enhanced both Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.
They glanced at each other and unleashed their full force:
Fourth Skill from Ma Hongjun: White Tiger Meteor Shower!
First Skill from Dai Mubai: Phoenix Flame Assault!
"One Soul Mage and one Soul Lord, boosted by Seven Treasures support—this strike can't be stopped," thought the captain of Team Two.
In under five minutes, Shrek Academy achieved a major victory.
"Congratulations to Shrek Academy—for one point!" the hostess announced.
Lin Fan glanced at Yu Xiaogang, who wore a troubled expression. Shrek's victory relied solely on Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, and Ning Rongrong. Tang San merely used Blue Silver Entangle as a disruption.
This deviated from Yu Xiaogang's plan—he had hoped the spotlight would be on Tang San.
Instead, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong stole the show.
No surprise—those with talent and looks are always favored. With Tang San missing his original fourth soul ring, his performance seemed ordinary in comparison.
"Little monsters performed well—but remember, Team Two wasn't the hardest opponent. We can't get complacent," Yu Xiaogang cautioned the team.
"Yes, Master," they responded.
The next day: second-round match against the Elephant Carapace Academy (Earthstone element).
Yu Xiaogang's expression hardened. He knew they'd struggle to break the defensive Diamond Mammoth spirit skills wielded by their seven opponents.
"I advise we forfeit this match," he announced.
Lin Fan remained silent. If Yu Xiaogang chose withdrawal, he would not intervene.
Tang San shook his head:
"Teacher, entering the match is about mental exercise as much as winning. We shouldn't forfeit just because it's tough."
Zhu Zhuqing added, her tone calm:
"Yes. Only by facing close matches can we truly grow."
Flender turned to Dai Mubai:
"Captain, what do you say?"
Dai Mubai, with Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing in agreement, spoke firmly:
"Even if we lose, we refuse to forfeit without a fight."
Yu Xiaogang relented, stating:
"All right. Use Oscar's Flying Sausage to circle-attack—they might be vulnerable to aerial maneuvers."
Xiao Wu spoke up:
"Master, if there's even a tiny chance with Zhu Zhuqing on the field, why not send Lin Xuan?"
Yu Xiaogang eyed the impassive Lin Xuan and replied:
"The Elephant Carapace team is strong, and I want to save him for later challenges."
Xiao Wu shrugged.
"Alright then."
The host announced:
"Round Two, Match Six: Shrek Academy vs. Elephant Carapace Team—enter the ring!"
Facing seven burly power-type combatants, Tang San's group appeared small and delicate.
Qian Renxue thought silently:
If Shrek Academy can beat them, I might finally believe Lin Fan's prediction.
But she still doubted—they looked fundamentally mismatched.
The host called the start.
"Diamond Mammoth soul skill—activate!"
"First skill: Bronze-Wall Iron Defense!"
The Elephant Carapace team advanced in tight formation, taking center ground.
"They're strong—a lineup of three Soul Mages with four powerful soul lords, overall much stronger than us," Dai Mubai muttered.
Tang San replied with a plan:
"Their strength is clear, but their weakness is speed. Oscar!"
Oscar immediately crafted two Flying Sausages—one for Tang San, another for Zhu Zhuqing.
"Launch—fly!" Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing took to the air.
"Entangle!" Tang San cast Blue Silver Entangle, lifting Dai Mubai and the others through the air.
"Zhuqing, your speed—boosted by Rongrong and Oscar's sausages—run their defenses and test them!" Tang San advised.
"Understood," Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
The captain of the Elephant Carapace team spotted them:
"They're airborne! That's food-attribute ability—got it."
The vice-captain whispered:
"Our advantage is on the ground. We can't hit them up there."
The captain answered:
"It's from that food soul skill—they won't sustain it long. If that fails, use the secret weapon we reserved for the Galewind Academy—race them on terrain. Understood?"
Though airborne, Zhu Zhuqing attacked individually—Earthstone's defenders had no support soul-users, so she had to pick off the lowest-level opponent.
"Second skill: Ghostly Hundred Claws!" Zhu Zhuqing launched a flurry of claw strikes, pushed to the limit of her speed.