Blue Tyrant Academy III

"Lu Long," he introduced himself. "Martial Spirit: Devil-Armed Monkey."

The instructor stepped forward, raising his hand. "Begin!"

Lu Long charged forward, his enhanced arms glowing with a dark, sinister energy. His martial spirit gave him immense strength, and he aimed to overwhelm Dugu Yan with sheer brute force.

Dugu Yan, however, remained unfazed. With a flick of her wrist, her dragon roared, releasing a swirling wave of frost and fire. The dual energies collided with Lu Long's attack, creating a burst of steam that obscured the arena for a moment.

When the steam cleared, Lu Long was struggling to maintain his footing. The frost had slowed his movements, and the lingering fire scorched his arms.

"Is that all?" Dugu Yan asked, her tone almost teasing. She raised her hand, and her dragon released a poisonous mist that shimmered with an eerie green hue.

Lu Long gritted his teeth and tried to counter with his enhanced strength, but the poison quickly sapped his energy, leaving him unable to fight back. With one final roar from her dragon, Dugu Yan knocked him out of the ring, ending the match decisively.

"Winner: Dugu Yan!" the instructor declared, his voice filled with admiration.

The crowd erupted into applause, even louder than before.

Dugu Yan turned and walked off the stage gracefully, her frosty aura dissipating. She rejoined Yuan and the others, a triumphant smile on her face. Yuan nodded in approval.

"Impressive," he said simply.

Dugu Yan smirked. "I couldn't let you have all the spotlight, could I?"

As the day progressed, more students took to the stage, showcasing their martial spirits and abilities. While many were impressive in their own right, the matches involving Yuan and Dugu Yan remained the highlight.

Soon, the instructor called for a break, allowing the students to rest before the next round of combat training.

Yuan and his group found a shaded corner near the training grounds. The three Zhang sisters, Dugu Yan, and Sisi sat together, chatting animatedly about the earlier matches. Yuan leaned back against a tree, quietly observing them.

"You're unusually quiet," Zhang Mei teased, nudging Yuan with her elbow. "Still thinking about your next opponent?"

Yuan smirked. "Not really. I'm just enjoying the show."

Dugu Yan raised an eyebrow. "Enjoying the show? Are you implying our fights are just entertainment to you?"

"Not at all," Yuan replied smoothly. "Watching you all fight gives me insight into your abilities. It's... educational."

Sisi giggled. "He's trying to sound smart, but we all know he's just planning his next strategy to impress everyone."

The group laughed, easing the tension from the earlier matches. However, their lighthearted banter was interrupted by the arrival of the instructor, who clapped his hands to gather their attention.

"Alright, break time is over!" he announced. "For the next round, we'll focus on team battles. You'll form groups of three, and I'll assign your opponents."

The students quickly formed their groups. Naturally, Yuan, Dugu Yan, and Zhang Mei teamed up. The rest of the Zhang sisters and two guys formed a second group.

Their opponents were announced shortly after: Yuan's team would face a trio of upperclassmen known for their strong coordination and unique martial spirits.

As both teams took their positions, the instructor raised his hand. "This is a test of teamwork, strategy, and adaptability. Begin!"

The opposing team wasted no time. Their leader, a tall boy with a martial spirit resembling a Flame Tiger, charged forward, creating a fiery barrier to cut off Yuan's team from each other. Meanwhile, his teammates—a girl with a Wind Serpent spirit and a boy with a Stone Bear spirit—flanked Dugu Yan and Zhang Mei.

"Stay close," Yuan instructed calmly, his Supreme Sun and Moon Concentric Rings glowing as he activated his first spirit ability, Scorching Sun and Chilling Moon Splicer. Twin beams of fire and ice shot toward the Flame Tiger, forcing him to retreat and dispelling the barrier.

Dugu Yan summoned her Frostfire Poison Dragon King, using its frostfire breath to neutralize the Wind Serpent's agile attacks.

Zhang Mei, with her Red Dragon Spear, engaged the Stone Bear in close combat, her precise strikes countering his heavy blows.

The fight intensified, with both teams showcasing their skills and strategies. However, Yuan's team quickly gained the upper hand, their synergy far superior.

"Let's end this," Yuan said, his voice steady. He activated his second spirit ability, Protection of Twin Rings, boosting his team's speed and strength. With their newfound advantage, the three launched a coordinated assault, overwhelming their opponents and forcing them to concede.

"Victory goes to Yuan's team!" the instructor declared, his tone filled with approval.

The crowd erupted into cheers once more, acknowledging the team's flawless execution and teamwork.

As Yuan and his team left the stage, the next set of participants climbed up, eager to showcase their skills. The battles that followed were no less captivating, each combatant displaying their unique martial spirits and creative strategies.

One of the standout matches featured a pair of twins, Lan Feng and Lan Yu, who had martial spirits that complemented each other perfectly. Lan Feng wielded the Azure Sky Hawk, a spirit known for its incredible speed and precision, while Lan Yu controlled the Steel Feather Raven, a spirit that combined sharp attacks with powerful defense.

Their opponents were equally impressive—a boy named Qin Lei with the Thunderstrike Panther spirit, known for its explosive attacks, and two others who had spirits of the earth element, creating a balance of offense and defense.

The match began with an electrifying clash. Lan Feng took to the skies, weaving through Qin Lei's lightning strikes with remarkable agility, while Lan Yu stayed grounded, using his Steel Feather Raven to shield both himself and his brother from the earth-based attacks.

"What a combination," Zhang Mei murmured, observing from the sidelines.

Yuan nodded. "Their coordination is impressive. They've trained together for years, judging by how seamlessly they move."

The twins executed a coordinated attack: Lan Feng distracted Qin Lei with a flurry of aerial strikes while Lan Yu's Steel Feather Raven unleashed a rain of sharp steel feathers, forcing their opponents to scatter. Seizing the opportunity, the twins converged on Qin Lei, overwhelming him with a final, synchronized assault.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the twins were declared the winners.