"And entering from the right—the members of the Taoyuan Academy team!"
"Taoyuan Academy is entering the battle with only four members. It is unknown whether they possess unparalleled confidence in their strength or are truly masters of unique skills. Their average spirit power is far lower than the Shrek Team's, yet they have steadfastly chosen to fight with only four people."
"For Shrek to treat them with such seriousness, even joining forces with the Royal Battle Team to contend with them, they must have some extraordinary qualities."
"The Taoyuan Team!"
"Team Captain—Peach Blossom's Little Warm Disciple, Warming My Teacher for Ten Thousand Years: Martial SoulSeven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, a Rank 32 Support-type Spirit Master, with two yellow and one purple Spirit Rings."
"Hell Spirit Cat—Martial SoulHell Spirit Cat, a Rank 33 Agility-Attack type Spirit Master, with two yellow and one purple Spirit Rings."
"Necromancer—Martial SoulNecromantic Snake Staff, a Rank 31... Summoning-type... Summoning-type Spirit Master? With two yellow and one purple Spirit Rings."
"Tiger Subduing Grandmaster—Martial SoulBattle King Tiger, a Rank 31 Power-Attack type Battle Spirit Master, with one yellow... and two purple Spirit Rings?!"
"Rongrong, that name of yours..."
When the host announced Ning Rongrong's name, both Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran were taken aback.
Ning Rongrong, however, lifted her head proudly. "What do you think? It's nice, right?"
"Uh..." Meng Yiran and Zhu Zhuqing were speechless.
In the audience, the usually calm and composed Su Ran sighed and rubbed his forehead upon hearing the name. He had a headache. A look of helplessness appeared on his world-stunning face beneath the mask. "I...唉..."
Why is this girl, Rongrong, so fond of messing around? Isn't she just trying to make trouble for me? When people hear that name, they'll think I'm some kind of improper teacher.
In truth, Su Ran had already changed her name for her during registration yesterday. Originally, Ning Rongrong had wanted to call herself [Teacher's Little Beloved for Dual Cultivation]. Su Ran had made her change it to [Seven Treasure Glazed Tile] or [Vajra Glazed Tile]. The girl had agreed readily at the time. But in the blink of an eye, she had changed it to this long and embarrassing name.
Rongrong, ah, your teacher has a reputation to maintain! Can you please not do this to me?
Ning Rongrong: I don't want to 'do' Teacher, I just want to be 'done' by Teacher!
When the members of the Taoyuan Team were introduced, the host was clearly baffled for a moment, and the audience began to analyze the two teams' situations.
"The captain of the Taoyuan Team is actually a support-type? The captain holds the command authority! It's usually the strongest member of the team!"
"This must be the first time we've seen a support-type captain in a spirit fight, right?"
"And what's a 'summoning-type'? Does that type of Spirit Master even exist?"
"And who is this 'Tiger Subduing Grandmaster'? His second Spirit Ring is actually a thousand-year ring!"
"Who cares what type they are? So what if his second Spirit Ring is a thousand-year one? It's still seven against four, the few against the many. The Taoyuan Team's members have lower spirit power too. They think they can win? That's impossible!"
The audience was abuzz with discussion, with most people not favoring the Taoyuan Team, especially since they had placed heavy bets on Shrek.
Grandmaster's expression changed slightly. He rubbed his eyes, finding it hard to believe there was actually a Spirit Elder whose second Spirit Ring was a thousand-year one. He muttered to himself, "It's just as Flender and the others said. This Taoyuan Academy also has a student who has absorbed a Spirit Ring beyond the limit... No, it's probably just luck. Besides, Little San's third Spirit Ring also surpassed the limit. This isn't an exclusive advantage of theirs."
"Go for it, Little San."
"This Su Ran chose the weakest support-type, Ning Rongrong, to be the captain. This is enough to prove he doesn't know how to fight a team battle. You can use this as a breakthrough point. Combined with your hidden weapons, you can catch them off guard." Grandmaster looked at Tang San on the stage, placing high hopes on him.
But Grandmaster seemed to have overlooked one thing. In his own past as the "wisdom corner" of the Golden Iron Triangle, he had also been responsible for commanding the team, yet his own strength was very weak, his rank far below the other two.
As if sensing the audience's doubt and disdain for a support-type captain, Ning Rongrong pursed her lips and snorted coldly. "Go ahead and laugh. You'll be crying soon enough."
What's wrong with a support-type being the commander? I'll show you what it means for the support to be the core of the team!
Teacher said that those with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul are actually the most suitable to be commanders. The buffs from the pagoda's spirit abilities must be applied based on the changing battlefield situation and the needs of the teammates. This means she needs to have a very clear understanding of the battle and her teammates' strengths to provide the buffs at the optimal time. Moreover, the support usually stays in the center or at the rear of the team, having more energy to observe and analyze the battle, making them the most suitable for command!
"I declare the match... begin!"
At that moment, a brilliant light flashed on the stage. The host, Doudou, soared into the air as white dove feathers fluttered past, and the golden pillar beneath her descended. She announced the official start of the spirit fight.
On the stage, the four students of the Taoyuan Team and the members of the Shrek Team walked to the center of the arena. When the opposing sides met, the expressions on their faces were priceless.
"Little San, I've been waiting for this day for too long. This time, I will definitely wash away my previous shame!"
"Hehe, pink-haired girl, this time I will definitely break your Golden Bell Shield! This young master will conquer you!"
"Hmph, you fat chicken, in your dreams. The only one who can break my shield is my teacher. What kind of chicken are you?"
On the stage, Ma Hongjun cracked his knuckles and, without hesitation, released his Martial Soul, looking at Ning Rongrong with fiery eyes as he jeered.
This pink-haired girl actually named herself 'Peach Blossom's Little Warm Disciple—Warming Teacher for Ten Thousand Years'. What are you going to use to warm him? This young master thinks you're more like 'Pink Little Butterfly Warming Teacher for Ten Thousand Years'. Sigh, this big bro also wants such a pretty and sweet support girl. But, as long as we win this duel, all the students from Taoyuan Academy will have to join Shrek. Then I'll have plenty of opportunities to conquer her!
As Ma Hongjun thought this, he recalled their harsh special training this past month. Through numerous spirit fights, their combat skills had improved dramatically. Moreover, he had learned that so-called Point Strength Method from Little San, the perfect counter to the Golden Bell Shield!
Dai Mubai shrugged and walked to the front of the team, looking at Zhu Zhuqing calmly. "I'll say it again. I've always been very lenient with my women. As long as you are willing to walk over to me now, give me a kiss, and say something nice, I can let bygones be bygones and forgive you for severely injuring me before, regardless of whether we win or lose."
"Alright."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded and, to everyone's surprise, actually started walking toward Dai Mubai.
A bright light flashed in Dai Mubai's evil eyes, and he grew extremely excited. He had only said it casually, not expecting Zhu Zhuqing to actually agree. This feeling of winning back his fiancée was something he had never experienced with other women. Even he, who had been with countless women, could feel his heart pounding at this moment, waiting for Zhu Zhuqing's fragrant lips to press against his cheek.
A faint, intoxicating fragrance wafted toward him, but just at that moment:
Weng—
Movement Technique: Crossing the Yellow Springs!
"Spirit Ability: Hellish Thrust!"
Zhu Zhuqing's face suddenly turned ice-cold. Although Dai Mubai still held a trace of caution, he had not anticipated that her movement speed was even faster than it had been a month ago! The safe distance he had judged he needed to react was, in fact, already within her strike range!
Zhu Zhuqing's figure shot forward in an instant.
Under Su Ran's guidance, her Hell Civet had evolved, producing hellish qi. Her first spirit ability, Hellish Thrust, had also transformed into the more lethal Hellish Thrust. Her hellish claws extended and plunged directly into Dai Mubai's abdomen. The scent of blood instantly filled the air.
Teacher taught me the ultimate principle of an agility-attack type Spirit Master: All is fair in war; strike when least expected! If the enemy tries to use sweet words to disrupt your state of mind, it's better to play along and deliver a devastating blow!
Withdrawing her bloody claws, Zhu Zhuqing's figure drifted past Dai Mubai, leaving behind only a single, cold sentence: "You will never understand what Teacher has given me."
"It was over between us long ago, back in the Star Dou Great Forest. You are no longer my opponent."
"..."
(End of Chapter)