The next day, early in the morning, the Soto City Great Spirit Arena was already bustling with extraordinary excitement.
Due to the immense popularity of the Shrek Team, Supervisor Ao had cleared out the main arena specifically for their match. But even in the largest arena, there wasn't an empty seat to be found.
Standing in the mentor and team viewing area of the main arena, Yu Xiaogang leaned on the railing with both hands. The spirit fight was about to begin, and a faint smile appeared on his face. "We should have this in the bag."
"I hope so," said Qin Ming, who was standing next to him. Hearing Grandmaster's confident declaration, the corner of his mouth twitched. He was filled with exasperation. This Grandmaster... really has a lot of tricks up his sleeve, all of them unconventional.
You might not believe it, but I, Qin Ming, the most outstanding graduate of Shrek Academy in twenty years and a teacher at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, was almost tricked by him into fighting in a Spirit Elder-level spirit fight. If I had actually gone, my good name, Qin Ming, would have been utterly ruined.
In the end, he had only managed to get out of it by agreeing to lend the members of the Royal Battle Team to Shrek.
To win, this Grandmaster is completely shameless!
With the addition of the Royal Battle Team, Flender and Zhao Wuji also looked much more confident, a rosy hue returning to their cheeks.
Yesterday, they had urgently selected the most suitable Spirit Masters from the Royal Battle Team to merge with the Shrek team. They had spent the entire night in intense training to build chemistry, and the results were quite good.
"Although it's a bit of a cheap trick to win, a win is a win. After all, the very survival of the academy is at stake."
"I heard that kid Su Ran didn't recruit any new students this past month. It's still those same four little ones fighting. Four against seven... hehe, it'll be hard for us not to win."
Flender smiled knowingly and smoothed his hair. "Old Zhao, Xiaogang, do you think this Su Ran has had his eye on our Shrek for a long time? Is that why he deliberately opened his academy next to ours, to attract our attention? And now, he's using this opportunity to merge Taoyuan Academy into our Shrek, so he can join us in the process?"
"If he begs me later, I might be able to let bygones be bygones and hire him as a teacher at our Shrek. I still think quite highly of him."
Flender intentionally raised his voice, making sure that Su Ran, who was also seated in the VIP section, could hear him. In truth, he had been coveting Su Ran and his students for a long time.
They had already witnessed the strength of three of Su Ran's four students. One was a tiger, even calmer and more ferocious than Mubai. Another was a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda support-type who could protect herself. And the third was a mysterious and agile Hell Civet, who was rumored to be able to use a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Mubai. The new student, Meng Yiran, was likely not far behind.
If these individuals were to join Shrek, it would be like adding wings to a tiger or a flood dragon entering the sea. Few Spirit Master teams would be able to compare with them.
"Flender, shut your dog mouth."
Su Ran just sat there calmly, but the Dragon Duke and Snake Grandma beside him shot a fierce glare at Flender and his group. The Dragon Duke thumped his staff on the ground, his aura flaring. Even Flender and Zhao Wuji, as top-tier Spirit Saint powerhouses, felt a jolt and stopped talking, turning their attention to the arena.
One Su Ran was enough of a headache for them. Now, there was also the Unrivaled Dragon and Serpent duo... they couldn't afford to provoke them.
During the month Meng Yiran had been training at Taoyuan Academy, the Dragon Duke and Snake Grandma had also stayed in Soto City, visiting her from time to time. Her special training was very arduous, and they felt sorry for her.
At first, the Dragon Duke had questioned Su Ran's teaching methods. But as Meng Yiran's progress skyrocketed, his doubt gradually turned to understanding, then to admiration, and finally, almost to worship. He had never seen such an outstanding young man. At such a young age, he was able to play with the Spirit Master system like a fiddle, even innovating upon it. In just one short month, he had not only greatly increased Yiran's strength but had also truly enabled her to surpass her limits and absorb a third Spirit Ring of over two thousand years.
He would absolutely not allow this rabble from Shrek to be so arrogant.
However, respect was one thing; they were still a little worried. Su Ran's four disciples were all dragons among men, but two fists are no match for four hands. A team of four fighting a team of seven was simply too difficult.
"It's a pleasure to see all of you esteemed guests again. It is my, Doudou's, honor to once again host a team battle spirit fight in the main arena for you..."
"This match is a special PK between our strongest Silver-ranked team, Shrek, and the mysterious team—the Taoyuan Team."
"Before the match begins, I need to specifically explain the rules to everyone. This match is a battle for the survival of the Shrek and Taoyuan academies. The teacher of the winning side will take over the opposing students, receive a compensation of ten thousand Gold Spirit Coins, and also receive a share of the Great Spirit Arena's profits."
"Additionally, at the request of Grandmaster of Shrek Academy, this match will not restrict the use of powers outside of one's Martial Soul. Weapons are permitted."
"Next, let us welcome the members of both teams to the stage!"
"From the left, the Shrek Team!"
The female host looked to be only eighteen or nineteen, dressed in an elegant white gown, with long, brown, wavy hair. She held a cone-shaped sound-amplifying spirit tool, a professional smile on her pretty face, as she stood on the golden pillar in the very center of the fighting stage, providing commentary for the audience.
As her voice fell, the starry path on the left opened, and several young men and women walked out.
"I'm sure many in the audience watched yesterday's duel between Shrek and the Royal Battle Team. Through that fight, the two teams came to know and respect each other. Today, the two great teams have merged to face the Taoyuan Team together."
"I believe their names are no longer unfamiliar to everyone."
"Evil Eye White Tiger! Martial Soul: White Tiger. A Rank 38 Power-Attack type Battle Spirit Master!"
"Thousand Hands Asura! Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass. A Rank 32 Control-type Battle Spirit Master!"
"Evil Fire Phoenix! Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix. A Rank 29 Power-Attack type Spirit Grandmaster!"
"Soft Bone Demon Rabbit! Martial Soul: Soft Bone Rabbit. A Rank 32 Close-Quarters Power-Attack type Battle Spirit Master!"
"Yu Tianheng! Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. A Rank 39 Power-Attack type Battle Spirit Master!"
"Dugu Yan! Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent. A Rank 38 Control-type Battle Spirit Master!"
"Ye Lingling! Martial Soul: Nine Heart Flowering Apple. A Rank 35 Support-type Tool Spirit Master!"
"Their Spirit Ring configurations are all two yellow and one purple—the optimal configuration!"
With the announcement of the Shrek lineup, the entire arena erupted in a fervent uproar! The number one and number two teams of the Silver rank had merged into one! Who could possibly contend with them? Four power-attack types, two control-types, and one healer! This Spirit Master configuration was too ferocious. It was clear they were here for a brutal, all-out assault, aiming to crush their opponents!
Feeling the audience's enthusiasm, Yu Xiaogang also enjoyed the atmosphere. They had originally planned for a more conservative lineup, using the Royal Battle Team's Black Tortoise defense-type Spirit Master. They had even considered benching Ma Hongjun because his rank was too low; the other members of the Royal Battle Team were all above Rank 35, giving them a better chance of winning. But considering the better chemistry between Little San and his original teammates, they ultimately chose to let Ma Hongjun play.
But when he learned that Taoyuan Academy was only sending out four people, Grandmaster was overjoyed and immediately changed the Shrek lineup to its current, extremely aggressive configuration.
The goal was singular—to crush Taoyuan Academy!
Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but look at Su Ran smugly. Tremble, young man. Watch and learn. You didn't expect me to use this lineup, did you? And I even changed the rules of the spirit fight. This is my trump card. With Little San's hidden weapons, this is why I dared to say victory was certain.
But to his disappointment, even after hearing the change in the rules, Su Ran showed no reaction at all. He just sat there calmly, watching the arena peacefully, as if the excitement and noise had nothing to do with him.
Oscar, sitting next to Flender, had his head bowed, too embarrassed to show his face. <(..)> I'm the only one who got kicked off the team. This is so humiliating! I feel like I'm being targeted. Will no one speak up for me? Am I really worse than that Ye Lingling? (╥╥)
(End of Chapter)