Word Count: 2,823 Words
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Ma Xiaotao strode confidently at the forefront, while Ling Bai, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, Ning Tian, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong followed behind her.
The team members from Dou Spirit Imperial Academy likewise walked toward the stage, their expressions solemn as they gazed at Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng making their first appearance.
During the round-robin matches, Ling Bai and Ling Luochen had been unstoppable with Ning Tian and Huo Yuhao's amplifications. The Seraphim and Ultimate Ice Element combination had already left the Dou Spirit team struggling. Now, they faced two additional main team members who appeared to be around twenty years old and were at least at the Spirit King rank. One could see the heavy pressure etched on every Dou Spirit member's face.
Before the match began the two sides exchanged courtesies. The Dou Spirit team's captain, a tall and slender young man, stepped forward and stopped five meters away from the Shrek Academy team before saying:
"It is a great honor to be the first opponents facing Shrek Academy's full lineup. My teammates and I will give our absolute best."
With that said, his gaze shifted to Dai Yueheng as he smiled. "I saw you in the last Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament. Shrek Academy's Reserve Team Captain, White Tiger Dai Yueheng."
"Gu Zhujian, Martial Spirit: Purple Brilliant Bamboo."
Dai Yueheng returned the smile as he addressed him by both name and Martial Spirit, silently acknowledging, 'I remember you too.' Though they had only been reserve team members supporting the main selections in the previous tournament, they had both represented their academies in battle. As reserve team captains, Dai Yueheng and Gu Zhujian had left quite deep impressions on each other.
The teams separated and retreated to opposite sides of the competition ground to set up their formations. The Shrek side positioned White Tiger, Evil Fire Phoenix, and Seraphim—their three main assault-type Spirit Masters—in an arrowhead formation. Behind them stood the control-type Ling Luochen and three relatively weaker reserve team members.
Opposite them, a towering youth standing well over two meters tall positioned himself at the forefront of the Dou Spirit team. Gu Zhujian and the others were positioned behind him, seemingly concealing some secret.
"Match, begin!"
At the referee's command, both teams instantly sprang into action. On Shrek's side, Ning Tian was the first to act. A magnificent Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda hovered above her palm, and its three great amplifications for strength, speed, and attack descended upon the four official team members.
With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the world's foremost auxiliary Martial Spirit, Huo Yuhao didn't need to use his Spirit Eyes to gild the lily. He only needed to release his Ice Jade Scorpion to provide Ling Luochen with Ultimate Ice conversion.
Huo Yuhao felt deeply depressed. Ever since Ling Luochen had absorbed the Ice Jade Scorpion spirit bone, he no longer wanted to act as her support. Yet for the sake of Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year glory, he had no choice but to hold his nose and continue.
Ling Luochen pointed her ice staff forward. The azure sky quickly filled with dark, swirling clouds as the temperature on the competition grounds plummeted. An ice and snow storm gradually began to gather within the cloud layer.
Meanwhile, Ma Xiaotao's scorching Phoenix flames surged upward with a whoosh! Throughout the eight matches from the elimination round to this advancement round, she had heard the excited cheers from the live audience at the Star Emperor Hotel every time a Shrek Academy match concluded. In those moments, she had truly longed to throw caution to the wind, join the fray, and bask in the glory of victory alongside Ling Bai and the others. Now her wish was finally being granted.
"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
The Fire Phoenix was one of the divine beasts widely known among the common folk. The audience stared blankly for a second, then burst into deafening cheers.
"What is she doing?"
Dai Yueheng rubbed his eyes in disbelief from nearby. I haven't even had time to release my spirit rings, and you're already showing off?
"The active volcano couldn't help but erupt."
Ling Bai said with a smile, this diligent worker expressing his delight at Ma Xiaotao going all out. Slacking off for a moment is bliss; slacking off all the time is even more blissful.
In contrast to the audience's excitement, Wang Yan in the Shrek rest area nearly kicked over the table in anger. Ma Xiaotao's actions clearly showed she had no intention of hiding her strength. She wanted to fight to her heart's content!
Dai Yueheng hailed from the White Tiger lineage, and the White Tiger Martial Spirit was a frequent sight in the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament. Anyone with some experience would know his characteristic abilities and his few, unchanging spirit skills. Thus, the strategic value of concealing his strength was relatively low. That was why Wang Yan had arranged for him to lead the main offense, while Ma Xiaotao was to hide her strength as much as possible, saving a surprise for the Sun Moon Imperial Academy in the finals.
The plan itself was sound, but the problem was Ma Xiaotao's fiery temperament. Having been benched for eight matches, she was itching for action. How could she possibly listen? Six spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black—shone brilliantly as the scorching crimson flames coalesced into a majestic Fire Phoenix, perfectly accentuating the beauty and dominance of this Evil Fire Phoenix Spirit Emperor.
"Sigh..."
Dai Yueheng was left speechless as he quietly withdrew his White Tiger Martial Spirit. He was no longer needed for this match.
Screech—
A piercing phoenix cry resounded throughout the arena. Wild Phoenix flames erupted, amplified by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's 40% enhancement. Ma Xiaotao's third spirit ring flashed as her massive flaming wings beat down fiercely. A ring of scorching flames spread outwards, and with that single flap, her figure shot upward like a meteor, swooping directly toward the Dou Spirit team.
The muscular youth watched the meteor-like red figure approaching, took a deep breath, and manifested a massive platinum shield in his hands. Five spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—rose from beneath his feet.
Vajra Shield, a Rank 52 defense-type Spirit King!
The youth slammed the Vajra Shield heavily into the ground. The oppressive pressure emanating from the Evil Fire Phoenix needed no description. His black fifth spirit ring lit up, and a brilliant white light burst forth. The huge Vajra Shield expanded rapidly, splitting from one to two, two to four, four to eight...
Within moments, the Vajra Shields formed a vast shield wall like a fortress, blocking attacks from all directions. Powerful white light illuminated each Vajra Shield, creating a sense of solidity that seemed even stronger than Xu Sanshi's Mystic Deep Shield.
Vajra Fortress, an incredibly formidable group defense spirit skill.
To withstand Ma Xiaotao's first wave of attacks, the Dou Spirit Academy's efforts extended far beyond this. In front of the Vajra Fortress, thick earthen walls rose one after another. They also possessed a rare elemental-type Spirit Master; this earth-element Spirit Ancestor's fourth spirit skill, Earthen Wave, combined with the Vajra Fortress to make their defense seem like an impenetrable wall of bronze and iron.
"Excellent!"
The more her opponents resisted, the more excited Ma Xiaotao became. Her 10,000-year spirit ring gleamed brilliantly. Under the astonished gazes of the six Dou Spirit team members, she plunged downward from midair without hesitation.
Her second, fifth, and sixth spirit rings shining with dazzling light. Her entire body blazed with scorching flames, resembling a Phoenix descending upon the world. Half the competition stage was dyed fiery red from her Phoenix flames.
Boom—
The impact resembled a high-explosive bomb detonating within the Dou Spirit team's formation. Ma Xiaotao used her second spirit skill, Bathing Fire Phoenix, to enhance her flame's power. Her fifth spirit skill, Phoenix Cloud Piercing Strike, broke through the Vajra Fortress at a single point. Finally, her sixth spirit skill, Phoenix Meteor Shower, rained down from above as massive burning meteors plummeted toward the Dou Spirit team.
No one on the Dou Spirit team could have anticipated that their pride and joy, the Vajra Fortress, would crumble like wet tissue under Ma Xiaotao's relentless attack. They were instantly thrown into chaos.
Seeing this opening, Ling Luochen's long-prepared Ultimate Ice Sky Fury and Ling Bai's instantly cast Ten Thousand Blades Radiant Glory began harvesting opponents. Ma Xiaotao, meanwhile, relentlessly pursued Gu Zhujian, the Dou Spirit team's captain, and another Terrorclaw Bear Spirit King. Along the way, she casually delivered a couple of punches, knocking out the Vajra Shield Spirit King and the earth-element Spirit Ancestor.
Crack—
The Purple Brilliant Bamboo snapped in half in Ma Xiaotao's hands. The Dou Spirit team's final member, Captain Gu Zhujian, swayed and collapsed. The team battle's outcome was clear.
The match concluded. The vast disparity in combat strength between the two sides meant that the series of trump cards meticulously prepared by the Dou Spirit team had no chance of being used.
Before stepping off the stage, Ma Xiaotao fixed her burning gaze on the Sun Moon Imperial Academy. Her full red lips parted slightly as she silently mouthed:
You are next.
The watching members of the Sun Moon Imperial Academy were shrouded in silence. Shrek Academy's full lineup was simply too terrifying.
Evil Fire Phoenix Spirit Emperor Ma Xiaotao had nearly dominated the entire field single-handedly. Although Dai Yueheng hadn't fought, judging by his strength from five years ago, he had likely broken through to the Spirit Emperor rank.
Ling Bai's individual combat strength surpassed even Ma Xiaotao's. In nine matches so far, no one had managed to force him to reveal his trump cards. Ling Luochen in her Ultimate Ice state was also a top-tier control-type Spirit Master.
"Seraphim, Fire Phoenix, White Tiger, Ice Element, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Ice Jade Scorpion, and then either Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon or Mystic Deep Turtle… This must be the strongest team battle lineup Shrek Academy can field."
Elder Ma sighed. Shrek's four official members were each more formidable than the last. Ning Tian and Huo Yuhao each had their specialties. The last member was merely to complete the team; it hardly mattered who it was.
Xiao Hongchen could no longer maintain his pre-match confidence. His fists clenched and unclenched several times before he finally declared fiercely, "Elder Ma, Shrek effectively only has four official members who pose a threat. The others are just a disorganized rabble. Once Grandfather's items arrive, Sun Moon... will definitely win!"
"Sun Moon will win!" the Sun Moon team cheered in unison.
"Could you try not to hurt Ling Bai though?"
Meng Hongchen raised her hand to interrupt the heated atmosphere and said timidly. "Especially his face. He's so handsome; it would be a shame to see it ruined."
Xiao Hongchen, Elder Ma, and the rest of the Sun Moon team: "..."
…
The Shrek party returned to the Star Emperor Hotel to prepare for the next day's individual matches.
"Ma Xiaotao, come with me."
Wang Yan opened the door to the Shrek meeting room and, in front of everyone, called Ma Xiaotao away separately. She held her head high and strode into the room without a trace of fear.
Outside the door, the others exchanged glances. After a moment, Dai Yueheng gave a thumbs-up and said admiringly, "Teacher Wang is a brave man, daring to provoke the Inner Courtyard's active volcano. Isn't he afraid Ma Xiaotao will roast him like a kebab in a fit of rage?"
His words drew chuckles from the group. After a brief conversation, they all returned to their rooms to rest.
…
Two hours later, Ling Bai suddenly heard a door slam heavily in the corridor, followed by rapid knocking on his own door.
Ling Bai smiled helplessly as he got up to open it. Unsurprisingly, Ma Xiaotao's pretty face, flushed with anger, appeared behind the door.
"Oh, someone's feathers are ruffled."
Ling Bai teased, looking at Ma Xiaotao's disheveled crimson hair with an expression that suggested he enjoyed watching drama unfold.
"I'm about to be driven mad by that useless Spirit King!"
Ma Xiaotao huffed as she stormed in, plopped down on the sofa, and very naturally picked up the teapot and poured herself a cup of tea. She gulped down three large cups in succession. Still fuming, she said:
"I fight tooth and nail on the competition stage, and Wang Yan just criticizes me when we get back. We clearly won so beautifully, yet he actually says I don't consider the bigger picture!
You be the judge, did I not consider the bigger picture?!"
From a strict team perspective, Wang Yan's stance was understandable. But from the perspective of personal interests, in Ling Bai's eyes, a genius Spirit Emperor like Ma Xiaotao, a future Titled Douluo, was countless times more important than a theoretical teacher like Wang Yan. With a faint smile, he said:
"We've known Teacher Wang for almost a month now. Haven't you figured out his coaching style yet?
'There's no perfect individual, only a perfect team.' He repeats that seven or eight times in every meeting. It doesn't surprise me at all that he's lecturing you."
"What right does he have to lecture me! An Outer Courtyard teacher who only reached Spirit King at forty! I seriously doubt he could even defeat Xu Sanshi. The Inner Courtyard has dozens of experienced Spirit Saint and Spirit Douluo teachers, yet he's the one assigned to arrange tactics. Did that guy get in through the back door or something?"
Ma Xiaotao was truly furious and dared to say anything. Her ample bosom rose and fell with each heavy breath. Those pinkish-red eyes seemed about to spew fire. She said resentfully:
"What he said just now was that if I don't follow tactics and continue with my individualism, even at the risk of being expelled from Shrek, he'll bench me!"
"Oh, so he's trying to clip the bird's wings."
Ling Bai wore an expression of sudden realization.
"Can you not be so blunt?!"
Ma Xiaotao grew even more furious. I'm a phoenix, not some bird!
"You have eight hundred schemes up your sleeve. Hurry up and help me think of a solution!"
"Would it kill you to ask nicely when requesting help?"
Ling Bai was somewhat displeased. How could she scold someone while asking for help!
"Back then, I single-handedly defeated Tian Ling Academy and made him submit. You just need to do the same."
The armchair strategist Ling Bai came online and pointed out, "The official team is unified. No matter what happens, Ling Luochen, Dai Yueheng, and I will support you. Tonight, privately tell the reserve team that you want to go first in tomorrow's individual match against Dou Spirit.
You are the mighty Evil Fire Phoenix Spirit Emperor and Dean Yan's only direct disciple. Teacher Wang lacks both strength and influence; benching you is utter nonsense.
Why worry so much? Just go up there, take down the entire Dou Spirit team, and prove it to him. In the face of absolute strength, tactics become optional.
Continue to perform brilliantly in the quarterfinals. In the team battles, crush the entire field by yourself. In the individual matches, also go up first and strive to take out all seven opponents. The same goes for the semifinals and finals. Use the overwhelming power of the Evil Fire Phoenix to slap him in the face."
"Yes, slap his face hard!"
After Ling Bai's persuasive speech, Ma Xiaotao immediately became fired up. Her imagination ran wild as she pictured Wang Yan's jaw dropping in shock. But as she thought about it, she suddenly sensed something was amiss. Suspiciously, she asked, "Wait a minute, in group battles I dominate the field, and in individual matches I defeat entire teams. I am the one fighting every battle; what exactly will you be doing?"
"Eh?" Ling Bai nearly jumped, as if pricked by a thorn. "Who are you? Get out of Ma Xiaotao's body immediately! She couldn't possibly have realized that!"
"Alright, alright, so you've been treating me like an idiot all along, haven't you?" Ma Xiaotao squinted her eyes. "I fight battles to prove myself while you slack off in the background? Your scheme is so obvious that your abacus beads are practically hitting me in the face!"
Seeing his plan exposed, Ling Bai simply shrugged and declared righteously, "I've fought battles all my life. Can't I enjoy myself a little?"
"You've already enjoyed yourself for seven matches..."
Ma Xiaotao counted on her fingers. Since the first round-robin match against Thousand Spirits Academy's Ice Fire Dual Control Thousandstrikes Lance, Ling Bai had hardly made any serious moves. 'Fighting battles' was clearly just his excuse!
"Ahem, well... I've been enjoying myself my whole life. What's wrong with enjoying a few more times?"
Ma Xiaotao: (._.)