Word Count: 2,687 Words
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The team battle's second day marked the official start of individual matches between Shrek Academy and Dou Spirit Imperial Academy.
Although Ma Xiaotao was quite displeased with Ling Bai's blatant slacking, she was even more determined to prove to Wang Yan that even if all six of her spirit skills were laid bare, she would remain the unstoppable Evil Fire Phoenix.
And indeed, this proved to be the case. Dou Spirit team captain Gu Zhujian took the stage first, only to be knocked out of the ring by this Rank 68 Evil Fire Phoenix Spirit Emperor in just five minutes. The other Dou Spirit Spirit Kings went up one after another with no different outcome. They entered the stage on their own feet only to be carried off on stretchers.
Under Ma Xiaotao's dominating power that overwhelmed the entire field, Shrek Academy smoothly advanced to the quarterfinals. Lady Luck stayed on their side in the next draw, as they faced an old rival from the round-robin stage—Justsky Academy, which had barely managed to place second in their group.
Justsky Academy's supervising teacher's face turned green upon seeing that their opponents were the complete lineup of Shrek Academy. Justsky team's overall strength was not even on par with the Dou Spirit team. They had only reached the quarterfinals because their opponents had been even weaker.
Ma Xiaotao once again stole the spotlight in the group battle. Then, during the individual matches between the two teams, Ye Wuqing fulfilled his bold declaration from the round-robin stage, demanding a one-on-one 'true man's battle' with Ling Bai.
Ling Bai granted his wish, and the result was...
"Bang! Smack! Ah! Mooo—om!!!"
In barely two and a half minutes, Xue Lang was dragging the foaming-at-the-mouth Ye Wuqing off like a sack of grain. Yu Mengdi hopped onto the stage for Justsky Academy and waved a white flag in surrender.
Shrek Academy steamrolled their way into the semifinals. The other three teams were Star Luo Imperial Academy, Sun Moon Imperial Academy, and Imperial Mystical Academy, which had the backing of the Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial family.
Half an hour before the semifinals were to begin, all four teams had assembled. Sunlight washed over the vast Star Luo Plaza, casting a faint golden sheen across the ground.
Shrek Academy emerged from the contestant tunnel in their classic dark green competition uniforms, immediately triggering thunderous cheers from the crowd.
After a fair, just, and open draw, the semifinal matchups were determined: Shrek Academy versus Star Luo Imperial Academy, and Sun Moon Imperial Academy versus Imperial Mystical Academy.
Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei personally announced the opposing pairs to everyone. Most of the audience consisted of Star Luo Empire locals, who instantly split into two factions upon hearing that Star Luo's seeded team would face Shrek Academy. The majority blindly supported their home team, Star Luo Imperial Academy, while a smaller portion, admiring strength, hoped Shrek would maintain its ten-thousand-year undefeated streak in the Spirit Master tournaments.
The reigning champion, Shrek Academy, was to compete first. Wang Yan held his notebook and called out, "Ling Bai, Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, Bei Bei, Ning Tian, Huo Yuhao—the seven of you will go up.
As discussed in yesterday's meeting, the rules for the semifinal and final have changed. A team can only advance by winning both the team battle and the individual elimination matches. If each side wins one match, there will be an additional 2-2-3 format tiebreaker. Therefore, you must win the team battle.
This is Shrek's second-to-last match on the path to clinching the Spirit Master tournament championship. Ling Luochen, preserve your Ice Explosion Technique for the Sun Moon Imperial Academy if possible. For the rest of you six, I impose no restrictions. There is only one requirement: win!"
"Shrek will prevail!"
Ma Xiaotao's tone was resolute, like a fiercely burning flame, as she led the others toward the competition stage.
Wang Yan watched them, a relieved smile appearing on his face. He truly didn't dare bench Ma Xiaotao. If Shrek Academy were to lose its ten-thousand-year glory because of it, the Sea God Pavilion elders would likely reduce him to mincemeat.
He had come to terms with it now. Spirit Masters ultimately spoke with their fists. While it was true that Ma Xiaotao had an impetuous and fiery temperament, she fought wholeheartedly for Shrek. He decided he might as well turn a blind eye and let her be.
"Isn't that Auctioneer Jiu Jiu?"
Dai Yueheng's sharp eyes noticed a previously unseen contestant on the opposing Star Luo Imperial Academy team. It was none other than Xu Jiujiu, the Star Luo Empire princess and auctioneer from the Starlight Auction House.
Xu Jiujiu wore a well-tailored bright yellow combat outfit. Her usual noble demeanor was replaced by a valiant and heroic air. Her golden hair was neatly tied into a ponytail, and an elegant smile graced her stunningly beautiful face.
"Not that it matters. All that matters is beating them."
Ma Xiaotao was brimming with fighting spirit. Her phoenix eyes were firmly locked onto Xu Jiujiu, who stood at the center surrounded by her teammates.
Ling Bai suddenly narrowed his eyes. Xu Jiujiu was actually ignoring Ma Xiaotao, who had recently been making the biggest waves, and instead stared directly at him. Her gaze clearly carried a provocative challenge, as if beckoning with a finger saying, 'Come at me!'
The semifinals had not yet begun, but under the intense exchange of gazes between the team members, a thick smell of gunpowder already permeated the air.
To ensure the safety of the contestants, Xu Jiawei had specially invited Heavenfiend Douluo Huang Jinxu to serve as the referee for the semifinals and finals.
The Heavenfiend Douluo wore a cold expression as he sternly declared "Match start!" then soared into the sky, disappearing from view.
Buzz—
A magnificent golden crown descended upon Xu Jiujiu's head. She immediately released the Star Crown, the inherited Martial Spirit of the Star Luo imperial family. Five spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—flashed, displaying her Spirit King strength. The other six members were all Spirit Kings as well, forming a well-balanced all–Spirit King team.
The third purple spirit ring of the Star Crown lit up, and a dazzling golden pillar of light burst forth. The interior of the golden pillar was mist-like, with specks of starlight swirling and ascending within it, creating a rather strange sight. Instantly, every Star Luo team member was enveloped in a layer of gold, as starlight continuously poured from Xu Jiujiu's Star Crown.
Star Crown's Third Spirit Skill: Starglory Spell!
Shrek Academy launched their offensive. Ling Bai and Ma Xiaotao flew at a low altitude, heading straight for Xu Jiujiu at the center of the Star Luo formation. Ma Xiaotao glanced incredulously at Ling Bai beside her. This guy had been slacking for so many matches, always secretly launching long-range spirit skills from high above. Was he finally planning to get serious this time?!
The roars of a dragon and a tiger, capable of shaking hearts, resounded as Dai Yueheng and Bei Bei completed their Martial Spirit Manifestations and followed closely behind. The seven-colored radiance from Ning Tian's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was timely infused into the four assault-type Spirit Masters, its three amplifications for strength, speed, and attack helping their teammates' combat power ascend to a higher level.
Ling Luochen summoned her ice staff while Huo Yuhao, the 'tool man,' activated Ultimate Transformation. His second Martial Spirit, the Ice Jade Scorpion, pushed the Ice Element to evolve into Ultimate Ice.
Immediately following this, her Ice Element fourth spirit ring lit up. The tip of her ice staff scattered patches of pale blue mist that spread outward with astonishing speed, forming a massive arc that seemed to pincer the opponents.
Seraphim, Evil Fire Phoenix, White Tiger, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—Shrek's four premier assault-type Martial Spirits attacked in concert. However, the Star Luo side dispatched only three Spirit Kings to engage them.
Their method of engagement was simple yet peculiar. The Netherworld Crazed Lion Spirit King pounced toward Ma Xiaotao, the Darkdemon Tiger Spirit King intercepted Dai Yueheng, and Bei Bei was entangled by the Lightning Warfalcon Spirit King. As for Ling Bai, Shrek Academy's strongest member, the Star Luo team seemed to ignore him, allowing him to approach the seemingly vulnerable Xu Jiujiu.
Even more outrageous, as Ling Bai loomed larger in their field of vision with the Angel Sword's edge nearly within reach, the Wind and Fire Dual Control Spirit King and the Gigant Eagle Spirit King beside Xu Jiujiu hurriedly moved aside, as if offering the princess as a sacrifice to the 'evil dragon' Ling Bai.
However, Xu Jiujiu was by no means a helpless, incapable princess. She and her teammates deeply understood one thing: in terms of individual combat strength, the Seraphim was virtually invincible. Furthermore, both the darkness-attribute Darkdemon Tiger and the sky-type Martial Spirit Gigant Eagle were suppressed by the Seraphim. If they wanted to defeat Shrek, they had to avoid engaging Ling Bai directly, prioritize dealing with his teammates, and then gang up on him!
"Shrek Academy, times have changed!"
Xu Jiujiu let out a cold laugh. Her jade-like hand cast out a golden light barrier with both locking and defensive capabilities. An Evil-Banishing Slash struck it, causing only ripples as it forcefully contained Ling Bai inside.
Brilliant light radiated from within the barrier. It contained one hundred and eight rapidly rotating golden orbs. The orb at the very top was the size of a fist, shimmering with an incomparably dazzling brilliance.
In the Shrek rest area, He Caitou, a Class 4 Spirit Guidance Master, abruptly stood up, exclaiming in shock, "An Absolute Defense Spirit Guidance Device?!"
"What is that?" Wang Yan asked urgently.
He Caitou smiled bitterly. "The Absolute Defense Spirit Guidance Device, also known as the Absolute Defense Barrier, is a one-time-use, sealing-type, rechargeable Class 7 Spirit Guidance Device worth millions of spirit gold coins.
Once activated, the person sealed within faces Spirit Douluo-level defenses for a quarter of an hour. The barrier's defense is identical both internally and externally. To destroy the core orb at its apex, one would need at least the strength of a 7-ringed Spirit Saint or higher even to have a chance.
Currently, only the Sun Moon Empire can produce this kind of Spirit Guidance Device. The core array is a closely guarded secret. Our three original nations on the Douluo Continent don't even have the capability to make it. I never thought it would appear in the tournament."
"A quarter of an hour..."
Wang Yan clenched his fists tightly. Losing Ling Bai was like having Shrek's strongest arm broken. On the competition field, situations changed in an instant; a quarter of an hour was enough time for countless unexpected developments.
"A sealing-type Class 7 Spirit Guidance Device worth millions, and it can be recharged to avoid consuming spirit power..."
Xu Sanshi clicked his tongue, feeling that this thing was not much different from cheating.
Jiang Nannan said indignantly, "If Star Luo Imperial Academy doing this is considered reasonable, won't the Spirit Master tournament devolve into a competition of money and Spirit Guidance Devices? The Illustrious Virtue Hall could just create rechargeable Class 9 Spirit Guidance Devices, and opponents wouldn't dare to move."
"There's nothing to be done. The rules of the tournament are only relatively fair..." Wang Yan sighed deeply.
But the tactics targeting Ling Bai didn't end there. Just as the Absolute Defense Barrier took effect, the five spirit rings on Xu Jiujiu's body flashed in succession. With her body as the center, dense starlight erupted outward, enveloping Ling Bai in radiance as dazzling as the sun.
A hint of a satisfied smile appeared on the face of Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei upon seeing this. "I wonder how long it's been since the Star Crown lineage displayed the power of the Star Barrier. The Spirit Master world has probably forgotten about this attribute-isolating spirit skill.
Facing a Class 7 Absolute Defense Spirit Guidance Device under the Star Barrier's attribute isolation, even the most powerful Martial Spirit can only sigh in helplessness."
"Jiujiu's strategic deployment has been very successful," the Empress said softly. "The Star Crown is the bane of attributes. The Seraphim's proud Ultimate Holy attribute is rendered completely useless. Shrek Academy can't complain about losing this team battle."
"Exactly so."
Xu Jiawei nodded slightly, putting his arm around the Empress's shoulder. "We may not be able to match Shrek Academy's geniuses in the individual battles and 2-2-3, and the ones advancing will most likely still be Shrek. But through this group battle, I want to convey one thing to them: times have changed. Blindly pursuing Martial Spirit strength is outdated. Combining Spirit Masters with Spirit Guidance Devices is the true path forward."
"Your Majesty is wise."
On the competition stage, Shrek Academy—now fighting six against seven—quickly fell into a disadvantage. Compared to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's pure enhancements, the Star Crown added weakening and control effects. Under the golden starlight, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's amplifications were greatly reduced.
The Fire Control Spirit King absorbed Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix flames. Combined with the Starglory Spell's assistance, the Netherworld Crazed Lion Spirit King actually reached a stalemate with the Phoenix Spirit Emperor, whose spirit power far surpassed his own.
Nearby, tiger roars echoed as black and white tigers clashed fiercely. Dai Yueheng battled the Darkdemon Tiger Spirit King in an evenly matched contest, while Bei Bei—being one ring short—was beaten black and blue by the Lightning Warfalcon Spirit King and had no choice but to awaken his Light Holy Dragon bloodline to contend.
The Wind Control Spirit King, collaborating with the Gigant Eagle Spirit King, summoned fierce winds that gradually suppressed Ling Luochen's ice mist. Huo Yuhao, with spirit power barely over Rank 20, couldn't maintain the Ultimate Ice Transformation for long; his internal spirit power was nearly exhausted.
Xu Jiujiu surveyed the battlefield. Shrek's defeat was merely a matter of time. This was undoubtedly a victory belonging to money and tactics.
Crack, crack, crack—
Just as Xu Jiujiu thought Star Luo had it in the bag, she suddenly heard a faint cracking sound by her ears. She quickly looked toward the sound, and her pupils abruptly contracted to the size of pinpoints. Cracks had actually appeared on the Absolute Defense Barrier, whose strength was comparable to a Spirit Douluo's!
Web-like fissures slowly spread amid the tooth-aching cracking sounds. The next second, the Absolute Defense Barrier shattered with a boom, revealing Ling Bai's tall, upright figure. In his left hand now gleamed an incomparably exquisite ice-blue longsword.
The moment the ice-blue sword appeared, the arena's temperature plummeted dramatically. The air seemed to freeze into frost patterns as bone-chilling cold enveloped everyone. Teeth chattered uncontrollably as spectators began to shiver involuntarily.
700,000-year Snow Empress Spirit Bone Skill, Empress' Sword: Unparalleled Chill!
'Truly troublesome...'
Ling Bai smiled helplessly. The Star Barrier and Absolute Defense Spirit Guidance Device were truly maddening. Conventional spirit skills really couldn't break through their seal. The terrifying cutting power of the Empress' Sword: Unparalleled Chill was the simplest and most effective method.
He then slashed toward the still-stunned Xu Jiujiu. Wherever the Empress' Sword passed, sunlight and starlight were split apart, then entwined around the blade as it moved forward. Beneath the ice-blue blade lay golden starlight; above the magnificent blade blazed the sun's light. The world divided in two, and Unparalleled Chill became the boundary between them.
With a single slash, Unparalleled Chill drew a gold-white arc through the air. Snowflakes drifted silently on either side of the blade. Xu Jiujiu witnessed the moment the sword fell. No one could protect her in time. She could only desperately gather all her spirit power to form a starlight barrier.
Boom—
A flash of sword light sliced through the starlight barrier. Xu Jiujiu felt as if her heart had been struck by immense force. The barrier shattered into countless fragments, and the magnificent Star Crown on her forehead emitted a mournful wail, as if it were about to break…