Xiao Wu instantly rushed to Tang San's side and pulled him into her arms. Just as she let out a breath of relief, countless Blue Silver Grass suddenly burst forth, wrapping around her. Tang San, who had just vomited blood and looked about to faint, opened his bloodshot eyes.
At that moment, Xiao Wu realized that this hateful Little San had deliberately acted this way to lure her in.
But it was already too late. Her soul power was no longer enough to support her in using her fourth soul skill again. In the next moment, she was wrapped up like a dumpling by countless Blue Silver Grass.
Tang San also released Blue Silver Grass to wrap himself, and the two of them fell to the ground together.
Because of the Blue Silver Grass cushioning, Tang San's injuries were greatly reduced. Retracting the grass, he staggered to his feet, then directly threw the bound Xiao Wu off the stage.
Xiao Wu had tried to use Tang San's affection for her against him. Indeed, Tang San could not bring himself to harm her braid, but he was no fool.
The moment Xiao Wu launched her Waist Bow, he had already activated the Mysterious Heaven Technique with full force. Moreover, he had been wearing a layer of soft armor beneath his clothes beforehand, which greatly reduced the terrifying power of the Waist Bow.
Finally, he pretended to be gravely wounded and dying, deceiving Xiao Wu into trying to save him. Then, the Blue Silver Grass seeds he had planted on himself all along suddenly activated parasitically, allowing him to counterattack.
Tang San's condition was indeed poor, but he did not leave the stage. Instead, he used his third soul skill again. Countless Blue Silver Grass extended wildly toward the flowers, grass, and trees around the villa. Relying on the life force trait of this skill, his injuries began to recover rapidly.
However, his third soul skill could only affect Blue Silver Grass now. Its effect on other plants was negligible. Although there was quite a lot of Blue Silver Grass around the villa, it only allowed him to recover to about half of his peak state.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing knew him too well and coordinated flawlessly. Even though Tang San also understood them, fighting two against one was still difficult. After all, Xiao Wu had even used his feelings for her to set him up.
But unfortunately for her, he was Tang San!
On the second-floor balcony, three figures suddenly landed beside Oscar. It was Flender, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji.
Oscar gave a small salute. "Dean, Vice Dean, Dean Liu."
Flender waved his hand. "What, not joining in yourself today?"
Oscar smiled. "If I acted, they'd stand no chance. It's more interesting to let them fight in teams."
Liu Erlong's beautiful eyes shifted as she watched the young people on the stage. "Boss Fu, are these the geniuses of Shrek? Truly, heroes emerge from youth."
Zhao Wuji laughed. "Teacher Liu, you'll be even more surprised later! This isn't even their full strength."
As Zhao Wuji spoke, Tang San had just recovered much of his soul power and injuries. The next instant, a deafening tiger's roar shook the sky. A Nether White Tiger, over four meters long, two meters tall at the shoulder, with wings on its back, appeared on the stage.
Ma Hongjun, who had been pressing Dai Mubai down, was instantly swatted away by the Nether White Tiger's claw.
The Nether White Tiger soared into the air, pouncing on Ma Hongjun as he flew backward.
Dai Mubai, level forty-five, and Zhu Zhuqing, level thirty-five, had completed their fusion. Their tacit understanding was nearly perfect. The moment the Nether White Tiger appeared, it completely suppressed Ma Hongjun.
Seeing the beast, Liu Erlong slapped the table in surprise. "Martial Soul Fusion Skill?!"
Flender chuckled. "Correct. And these two children have already honed their fusion skill to a high level. Their future achievements are limitless."
Hearing this, Liu Erlong nodded in agreement. She had already reached level seventy-eight, so her judgment was solid.
At this moment, even against a Soul King, the Nether White Tiger would not necessarily be at a disadvantage.
But Ma Hongjun was not weak either. His foundation was even stronger than Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's. Even against the Nether White Tiger, he was not without options.
The flames of his wings flared, stabilizing him in the air. His third soul ring glowed.
As his third soul skill released, a loud phoenix cry echoed. Behind him, a massive fire phoenix formed, covering the sky.
"Third Soul Skill: Phoenix Piercing Cloud Strike!"
The giant fire phoenix locked onto the Nether White Tiger, but the tiger did not dodge. Black and white energy condensed in its mouth, and it suddenly spat out a huge light sphere.
"Nether White Tiger Light Wave!"
Boom!
The two massive attacks clashed, setting off a storm. Ma Hongjun was blown away again, while the Nether White Tiger was forced back to the ground.
Before it could take off again, countless green Blue Silver Grass erupted, instantly binding the Nether White Tiger.
Inside the fusion beast, Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Tang San, who was pouring his soul power into his martial soul. Her brows furrowed. "Xiao Wu was defeated?"
The Nether White Tiger reacted swiftly. Powerful soul power surged from its body, and sharp claws shredded all the Blue Silver Grass in less than a second.
But Tang San could only restrain it briefly to buy Ma Hongjun time. If the Nether White Tiger broke free now, Tang San had no more means to stop it.
So he ignored his soul power consumption, activating Source of Life again. The torn grass instantly regenerated, with more surging forward.
The Nether White Tiger roared, its jaws releasing another light wave, obliterating all grass in its path toward Tang San. Its claws then shredded more vines. But just as it was about to take off, countless fiery meteors rained down.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Phoenix Meteor Shower!"
Ma Hongjun's fourth soul skill was an area attack. The Nether White Tiger had no way to dodge.
It gathered all its strength instead, unleashing a powerful blast.
"Nether White Tiger Break!"
The attack blocked most of the meteor shower but still left it damaged. The once-solid fusion beast now appeared faint and unstable.
Hovering above, Ma Hongjun's flames surged. On his right leg, soul power condensed into a massive phoenix claw.
He dove, aiming straight for the weakening Nether White Tiger.
"Phoenix Nine Styles: Phoenix Seal!"
At the same time, Tang San faced a light wave he could not defend against. Instead of taking it head-on, his feet traced a mysterious pattern. Using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step, he narrowly dodged.
Panting, he stumbled aside, eyes locked on the giant Nether White Tiger. His right hand brushed his waist, and a cylindrical weapon appeared in his grip.
It was an hidden weapon he had crafted during his three-month break, named Sand-Piercing Shadow.
At the right moment, it could be fatal even to Dai Mubai.
The giant claw mark crashed down. The Nether White Tiger had no time to defend and was shattered. Zhu Zhuqing was hurled backward, landing heavily on the stage, unable to rise.
Her soul power was completely spent, and after taking part of both the Meteor Shower and the Phoenix Seal, she was utterly exhausted.
"Zhuqing!" Dai Mubai, though also drained, could not help but cry out in concern.
Seeing this, Tang San quietly put away his weapon. Under Ma Hongjun's control, Dai Mubai could no longer stir up any trouble.
Ma Hongjun landed steadily before Dai Mubai, flames dimming slightly. He too had consumed much, but it was more than enough against the exhausted Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
Dai Mubai did not surrender. Crouching low, he suddenly lowered his head. With a faint click, a long crossbow bolt shot at Ma Hongjun.
At the same time, he flicked his wrist, sending out two sleeve darts. His right foot stomped hard, releasing a hidden foot-blade, and he lunged.
He was using the Tight-back Crossbow, Silent Sleeve Darts, and Stomping Blade—hidden weapons crafted by Tang San.
But Ma Hongjun was unshaken. Flames surged, melting the arrows and darts into slag.
He crouched, right hand forming a claw, soul power and fire compressed into a dark-red talon.
"Phoenix Nine Styles: Phoenix Explosive Claw!"
The strike hit before Dai Mubai's blade could land. He was sent flying, spitting blood, unable to stand again.
Below the stage, Xiao Wu, having just broken free of the Blue Silver Grass, watched with regret.
In her eyes, if she had not softened and tried to save Tang San, he would never have been able to restrain the Nether White Tiger.
If the fusion beast had not been restrained, Ma Hongjun might not have won.
According to their original plan, Xiao Wu could have kept one last teleport in reserve. That move might have been the key to victory.
But now, it was too late. She only felt guilty toward Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. If this had been a real battlefield, her actions might have caused their deaths.
After over a year learning under Oscar, she no longer excused herself with "this isn't war." She could already imagine Oscar scolding her later.
On the rooftop, Liu Erlong's eyes brightened. "So young, yet already at this level, with such mastery of self-created soul skills. Boss Fu, you've truly found treasures."
"These children's talents are all top tier. To be their teacher is my good fortune."
Flender smiled. "And mine as well."
He glanced at Oscar. "But honestly, I haven't guided them that much. The real credit goes to this genius beside us."
Liu Erlong looked at Oscar. He smiled. "Teacher Erlong, don't listen to the Dean exaggerating. I only helped them develop their strengths. In the end, it was their own talent and determination."
Liu Erlong said, "Don't be so modest. Boss Fu may be playful, but he doesn't joke about such things. Since you have this ability, could you also help guide other students in the academy? It would set a good example."
Oscar nodded. "Of course, Teacher Erlong. Even without your words, I would have done so."
By now, Ma Hongjun had retracted his martial soul. He turned to Oscar. "Boss, we won!"
Oscar looked back with a smile. "Not bad. Teacher Erlong just praised you all."
He tossed out five Super Recovery Sausages. Ma Hongjun caught them, giving some to Tang San and Xiao Wu, then placing the rest into Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's mouths.
Both had consumed much energy, and Dai Mubai was injured. They needed time to recover.
Seeing the fight conclude, Flender and the others left. Liu Erlong had seen enough of the children's strength and potential. She no longer had any doubts about Shrek's reforms.
After they left, Oscar came onto the stage and gathered the five before him.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing sat weakly, eyes filled with regret and envy. Ma Hongjun and Tang San, however, were excited, because the winners' prize was a soul bone.
Oscar looked at their faces, then waved his hand. His soul tool flashed, and two ornate boxes appeared.
"I always keep my promises." He handed the boxes to Ma Hongjun and Tang San. "These two soul bones are the forty-thousand-year Hellfire Bird Left Arm Bone and the twenty-thousand-year Sky Blue Vine Torso Bone. Since you are the winners, they now belong to you."
Ma Hongjun and Tang San received them with trembling hands, unable to hide their excitement.
Both bowed deeply. "Boss (Senior), we will not let down your guidance and expectations."
Ma Hongjun added, "Boss, one day I'll surpass you, and I'll find two soul bones for you too!"
Compared to their excitement, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were full of regret. But they still sincerely congratulated their companions. After all, they had earned this reward with strength.
And since Oscar was willing to provide two soul bones now, there was no reason he wouldn't do so again in the future.
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