Chapter 87: Give It Your All!

Qing Bao looked at Xiao Wu, momentarily stunned, and gruffly muttered, "Little girl, are you in the wrong place? This isn't where you should be. Go on home."

Xiao Wu smiled sweetly. Even at twelve, her innocent smile had a powerful effect, especially on someone like Qing Bao, a straightforward, strength-based fighter. Her delicate appearance sparked his protective instincts.

"Missy, go back down. It wouldn't be good if you got hurt; look how delicate you are."

Qing Bao hesitated, earnestly urging Xiao Wu to surrender.

Xiao Wu frowned, twisting her slim waist slightly in annoyance. "Why so much talk? Hurry up and use your spirit. Don't blame me for not warning you."

Just as Qing Bao was about to say something more, Xiao Wu, never known for patience, darted forward with a swift leap toward him.

Xiao Wu's speed was incredible, closing the distance of several meters in an instant. She kicked her leg gracefully at Qing Bao's neck.

Strength-based Spirit Masters excel in defense, so as Xiao Wu's foot approached, the sturdy Qing Bao didn't bother dodging—nor could he have evaded her quick attack even if he'd tried. He thought to himself that this young girl didn't understand what she was getting into. Letting her land a few hits might tire her out, and then she'd likely leave.

But before he could finish this thought, the duel was already over.

Xiao Wu's foot landed on Qing Bao's thick neck with a touch that was gentler than he expected. Rather than bouncing off, her foot hooked around his neck. At the same time, her other foot pressed firmly against his solid chest.

A pink glow surged forth as two bright yellow rings and a purple ring appeared around Xiao Wu, confirming her rank as a Spirit Elder.

On the spectator platform, Yun Feng saw Xiao Wu's foot expertly hook around Qing Bao's neck and murmured with a slight smile, "Goodbye."

Xiao Wu activated her first spirit ability, Waist Bow.

Qing Bao felt a powerful force hit both his chest and the back of his neck simultaneously. With a deft flip, Xiao Wu hurled him skyward as if he were weightless.

As Qing Bao began to fall, Xiao Wu took a running start, leaped into the air, and locked her legs around his waist. With a twist of her waist, she spun them mid-air, executing a flip that sent Qing Bao crashing diagonally. He bounced once off the protective ropes at the edge of the platform before falling off entirely.

Thud.

The entire fourteenth sub-arena fell silent. Even the announcer was left with his mouth agape.

No one had anticipated the duel to end so swiftly, nor that the victor would be this seemingly young girl.

Not only was the battle quick, but Xiao Wu's Waist Bow ability looked graceful and powerful, especially against an opponent as massive as Qing Bao, who hadn't even managed to use his spirit before being defeated.

Out of respect for Qing Bao's gentlemanly approach, Xiao Wu hadn't used much spirit power in her attacks. Thanks to his natural resilience, he was already starting to rise unsteadily from the ground.

"You're amazing, little miss. I lost," Qing Bao admitted earnestly.

Though simple-minded, Qing Bao wasn't foolish. The moment Xiao Wu used her ability, he realized her strength far surpassed his own. Despite their similar spirit power, her higher spirit ring quality and unusual techniques made him understand that even if he'd fought at full strength, he wouldn't have won.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu retorted, "What's with the 'little miss' stuff? Call me Sister Xiao Wu! Haven't you heard of respecting the strong?"

"Oh, Sister Xiao Wu," Qing Bao replied, blushing, then walked away.

On the spectator platform, Yun Feng chuckled, recognizing Xiao Wu's commanding presence. She'd been the same way back at the Nuoding Academy for Elementary Spirit Masters.

Boom!

The audience erupted into applause, captivated by the young girl's skill and charm.

Xiao Wu waved cheerfully at the crowd, basking in their admiration.

The announcer recovered his composure and hurried back to the platform to announce, "Victory goes to Spirit Elder Xiao Wu, with a record of one win, zero losses. Qing Bao now has a record of 21 wins and 14 losses. Spirit Elder Xiao Wu, please proceed to register your points."

The match schedule moved quickly, and perhaps because of the brief but thrilling fight, the audience seemed more engaged.

What Xiao Wu and her friends hadn't expected was that the next duel would be an internal Shrek Academy match.

The opponents? Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Tang San seriously and said, "Tang San, I hope you'll fight me seriously."

With that, she stepped into the battle corridor. Tang San nodded subtly before following her.

Watching this, Yun Feng nodded in understanding. He knew that Zhu Zhuqing's intense drive to grow stronger meant she wouldn't waste any opportunity to improve herself.

Tang San was skilled, not too far beyond her level, and sparring with him would provide the kind of challenge she sought.

With two fresh faces stepping onto the platform and another girl whose beauty rivaled Xiao Wu's, cheers started even before the duel began.

After a quick introduction from the announcer, signaling the names and spirits of the two competitors, the duel officially began.

"Please," Tang San said politely, gesturing to Zhu Zhuqing.

"Give it your all!" she replied coolly.

Having witnessed Tang San and Yun Feng's battle against Zhao Wuji, Zhu Zhuqing understood she wasn't a match for Tang San. However, she was eager to see how her strength as a Spirit Master compared to his.

Unlike the previous duel, both Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing immediately released their spirits at the start of the match. Zhu Zhuqing's eyes turned color—her left eye a dark green, her right eye a bright blue. With cat ears pricking up and her fingers flexing to reveal claw-like spikes, she crouched, coldly fixing her gaze on Tang San like a predator eyeing prey.

Two yellow spirit rings encircled her, radiating a sharp, chilling aura that felt almost suffocating.

The same two yellow rings appeared around Tang San as blue-black vines unfurled from his feet, spreading across the floor like silent, slithering snakes, covering a radius of over ten meters around him and nearly occupying half of the arena's platform.

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