Star Emperor Hotel, the most luxurious hotel in Star Luo City, was established by the imperial family. This time, it was specially cleared out to serve as the residence for the contestants from the Advanced Spirit Master Academies and Soul Engineer Academies of various countries.
As the defending champions and the number one Spirit Master academy on the continent, the members of the Shrek Academy team were arranged in luxury suites on the top floor. Not only did everyone have their own bedroom, but there was also a dedicated meeting room for their use.
At this moment, all ten team members, along with the leading teacher Wang Yan and the leader Furina, were sitting in the meeting room, holding a pre-match mobilization meeting.
Elder Xuan did not come in, but instead stood guard outside the meeting room with full concentration. This was Furina's request.
Because even in a hotel founded by the imperial family, it wasn't necessarily safe; they had to remain vigilant at all times. What if an Evil Soul Master or a Titled Douluo powerhouse barged in? No one could say for sure.
Having experienced two incidents and being criticized several times by Elder Mu, plus having to follow Furina's orders this time, Elder Xuan had no objections. He had already discarded the wine gourd he usually carried, showing his determination to quit drinking through practical action.
With Elder Xuan's help in traveling and the assistance of flying spirit tools, the group only arrived at Star Luo City as night fell. Originally, they should have been preparing to rest at this hour, but Furina felt there was no rush. Since the competition wouldn't start until the day after tomorrow and the night was still long, it would be better to discuss competition strategies first. Thus, everyone gathered in the meeting room.
Wang Yan spoke first, his gaze turning toward Furina. "Furina, you are the leader this time. How do you think we should handle the upcoming matches? As a teacher, I will follow your command. After all, the losses last time were so small thanks to the help you provided indirectly through Huo Yuhao."
The others also focused their attention on Furina. Not to mention Ma Xiaotao, who had already recognized him as her Godmother and joined the Axis Cult, even Dai Yueheng had to hold a bit of respect for him. Aside from Elder Xuan, this young second-year New Student was the highest-ranked existence among them. His spirit ring configuration was even more terrifying; his sixth and seventh spirit rings were both at the one-hundred-thousand-year level.
Under these circumstances, even an Inner Court Disciple and former captain of the Shrek Seven Devils would feel respect for him.
Furina spoke indifferently, his tone calm yet unquestionable. "First of all, I am only here to plan for you as a consultant; I will not be taking the field. Secondly..."
He looked at Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luochen. "The three of you will not go on stage before the semi-finals. Cultivate well, buy some spirit tools to use, and learn more; they will be useful in the future."
Before the three could answer, Wang Yan was shocked first. "Ah? Are you really sure about doing this?! If we encounter a strong enemy before the semi-finals, for example, the team from Sun Moon Academy, I'm worried that with Huo Yuhao and the others' strength, they might not be able to handle it."
Furina gestured for him to calm down and held up a finger. "Aren't you being a bit too lacking in confidence regarding Huo Yuhao and the others? Back during the New Student Assessment tournament, the Martial Soul Fusion Skill performed by Yuhao and Wang Dong could even injure Teacher Du Weilun. Now, both of them are nearly at Rank 40. They might even achieve a Breakthrough to become a Spirit Ancestor while fighting. By then, the Martial Soul Fusion Skill they unleash will only be stronger."
He paused and continued, "Both of them have twin spirits, and they don't just have one Martial Soul Fusion Skill, but three, and it might even become four. Even against an opponent of a higher Rank, if they get hit, they can only wait to be eliminated."
"Bei Bei's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon can evolve at any time; Jiang Nannan is also close to breaking through Rank 50; Xu Sanshi's Mysterious Underworld Shield has the Black Tortoise Bloodline, and its DEF is quite good; He Caitou is both an Advanced Soul Engineer and a Food-type Support Soul Master; Xiao Xiao's Three Lives Soul Suppressing Cauldron is also very strong in terms of control."
He counted them off one by one on his fingers. "As long as they perform well, reaching the semi-finals won't be a problem."
Wang Yan frowned slightly, still having doubts. "What you say is correct. However, once too many Moves are used and their Martial Soul and Martial Soul Abilities are seen through, it will be very easy for subsequent opponents to target us."
Furina rolled his eyes at him, walked to Wang Yan's side, and placed a hand on his shoulder, his tone carrying a bit of helplessness. "Teacher Wang Yan, you've probably forgotten what Huo Yuhao's Second Soul Skill is, haven't you?"
"You mean... Simulate?" Wang Yan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized. "If it's as you say, you want Yuhao to use Simulate to disguise all our spirit rings, Martial Souls, and Spirit Ability effects, so the opponents can't see our true trump cards?"
He thought about it and shook his head again. "But how is that possible? Although the consumption of Simulate is small and its duration is long, it would be too difficult to accurately change everyone's information—including spirit rings, Martial Souls, and Martial Soul Abilities—all at once, wouldn't it?"
Huo Yuhao spoke, his voice steady. "Teacher Wang Yan, I can do it. My mental force far exceeds that of ordinary people. Previously, in the mixed match organized by Elder Xuan, I also tried using Simulate to forge everyone's attacks to interfere with the opponents."
He raised his head, a rare confidence showing in his eyes. "For me, this kind of thing is not difficult in theory; it can also be considered a form of training."
Ma Xiaotao, who was nearby, nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's not like we haven't seen Yuhao's abilities. They are truly monstrous. If the opponent's Martial Soul is fire or ice, as long as it's not an Ultimate attribute, they will be suppressed by him."
Ling Luochen also added, "That's right, my ice element has no effect at all when facing Huo Yuhao."
Dai Yueheng also spoke up. "Huo Yuhao's First Soul Skill has super strong support capabilities and consumes very little. The Spiritual Shock constructed by his mental force is something even Ma Xiaotao and I can't withstand. His Third Soul Skill, Demon Eye, can control at least a Spirit King level for more than ten seconds. On the battlefield, ten seconds is enough to turn the tide."
He paused and added, "Even an average Spirit Emperor would be hard-controlled for more than five seconds. So I think, relying just on Huo Yuhao and the others, reaching the top four is absolutely no problem. Unless other teams have the same strength as Sun Moon Academy, it's unlikely otherwise."
Furina took over the conversation. "That's right. Besides, while others can target us, we can also target others. When we have nothing else to do, we can collect intelligence on those key targets. Of course, we should also collect info on the non-key ones just in case."
He glanced at Wang Yan. "In addition, we can also arm ourselves with spirit tools. So, Teacher Wang Yan, don't let your thinking be limited."
Wang Yan opened his mouth, finding that he indeed had nothing to refute.
He sighed and smiled bitterly. "Alright, everything you said makes sense, and I have no way to argue. So, shall we end today's meeting here? Everyone, go and rest first?"
"Mhm." Furina nodded. "We will discuss the detailed strategies tomorrow. By the way, Teacher Wang Yan, please go and register tomorrow. While you're at it, see if there's any intelligence from the academy's side. Get as much information on the current opponents as possible."
Wang Yan agreed, his tone solemn. "No problem, leave this to me. As a teacher, I must take responsibility."
Everyone stood up one after another and returned to their rooms. The night was deep, and the lights of Star Luo City flickered outside the window; more things awaited them tomorrow.
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