Chapter 46: Xiao San's Moment of Glory

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Both teams set up their respective formations, and with the referee's signal, the match officially began.

Feng Xiaotian knew that Tang San's first moment of brilliance in the Soul Master Competition was about to unfold. He watched the scene quietly, then reminded Shui Bing'er and Huo Wushuang beside him, "Keep a close eye on this. As the strongest member of the Shrek Academy team, Tang San isn't as simple as you might think. Additionally, their captain, Dai Mubai, possesses formidable offensive power."

"Understood," they both replied, focusing intently on the match.

Given that the preliminary round was a round-robin format, every team would eventually face the other 27 teams in the competition. Naturally, Shui Bing'er, Huo Wushuang, and their companions were eager to assess Shrek Academy's strength early on.

On the battlefield, all 14 combatants released their martial souls and spirit rings simultaneously. The sight left the spectators stunned. Among the 14 competitors, every single one displayed the optimal configuration of spirit rings.

To conceal their true strength, Shrek Academy had chosen to present a slightly lower profile. Aside from Dai Mubai and Tang San, both of whom were Spirit Elders, the other five members of their team appeared to be at the Spirit Master level. In contrast, Tiandou Royal Academy's second team was slightly weaker, with all seven members at the Spirit Master level, and none reaching the rank of Spirit Elder.

What shocked everyone most was the appearance of Tang San's fourth spirit ring—a ten-thousand-year black spirit ring. This revelation stirred murmurs in the crowd, but none more so than from Shui Bing'er, who whispered, "Tang San's first four spirit rings are identical to yours, Brother Tian."

"Yes, it seems he's quite extraordinary," Huo Wushuang remarked, a mix of curiosity and wariness in his voice.

Feng Xiaotian, however, remained calm. "Tang San was born with full innate soul power. Absorbing a ten-thousand-year spirit ring is not an issue for someone like him. His spirit abilities are equally impressive. Watch the match carefully."

"Understood," Shui Bing'er and Huo Wushuang replied, their attention never wavering from the battle unfolding before them.

The audience's amazement grew as they processed the sight of Tang San's ten-thousand-year spirit ring. Even the VIPs in the stands were visibly intrigued by this unexpected development. Who could have anticipated that such a rare and powerful spirit ring would appear in the very first match of the preliminaries?

Ning Fengzhi, who had already regarded Shrek Academy highly, felt his excitement soar upon seeing Tang San's black spirit ring. Emperor Xue Ye, too, was pleased, finding the display of such a strong participant on the first day of the preliminaries to be an encouraging sign for the competition ahead.

The members of Tiandou Royal Academy's second team, however, were paralyzed with fear at the sight of Tang San's ten-thousand-year black ring. They had barely begun to process the situation when the Shrek Seven launched their attack with lightning speed.

Although Tiandou Academy's second team included several powerful offensive soul masters, their overall spirit power was considerably lower than that of Shrek Academy. Dai Mubai had already reached level 44, while Tang San, though at level 41, wielded a ten-thousand-year spirit ring that allowed him to overwhelm his Spirit Master-level opponents with sheer force.

Dai Mubai initiated his third spirit ability, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, amplifying his already formidable strength. At the same time, Tai Long activated his three spirit rings, transforming into a mighty and aggressive gorilla. Huang Yuan followed suit, triggering his third spirit ability, Sky Wolf Transformation, enhancing his physical abilities to their peak.

No one had anticipated that Shrek Academy's three powerful offensive soul masters would launch such a fierce assault right from the start. The black ring encircling Tang San emanated an ominous energy as he unleashed his Blue Silver Bind, ensnaring all seven of his opponents at once.

The audience was left in awe, unable to believe what they were witnessing. Even the soul masters watching from the stands were taken aback by Tang San's move. This wasn't just any control skill—it was a group control ability, a rare and powerful type of skill.

Shui Bing'er, who had experience with similar abilities, couldn't help but comment, "Brother Tian, that Blue Silver Bind of his is somewhat reminiscent of your Wind Blade Cage. But isn't Blue Silver Grass considered a trash martial soul? Its power shouldn't be that difficult to overcome, right?"

Feng Xiaotian shook his head slightly, his expression remaining composed. "Don't underestimate it. That's no ordinary Blue Silver Grass. Through special evolution, it has achieved immunity to both ice and fire."

"What? Immunity to both ice and fire?!" Huo Wushuang exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock. He had initially thought that his flames could easily break through Tang San's Blue Silver Bind, but this new information left him stunned.

The match continued as the Shrek Seven capitalized on their early advantage. Tang San's control over the battlefield was impeccable, and the combination of his ten-thousand-year spirit ring with his evolved Blue Silver Grass made him a force to be reckoned with. The Tiandou Royal Academy's second team struggled to keep up, their morale dwindling as they found themselves outmatched at every turn.

Dai Mubai, Tai Long, and Huang Yuan pressed their assault relentlessly, leaving the opposing team with little room to breathe. Each attack was executed with precision, and the synergy between the Shrek Seven was undeniable. They moved as one cohesive unit, their teamwork honed through countless battles together.

As the match progressed, it became clear that this was no ordinary preliminary round. The intensity and skill on display were more fitting for a final showdown. And at the center of it all was Tang San, whose presence dominated the battlefield. His moment of glory had arrived, and he seized it with unwavering resolve.

From the VIP stands, Ning Fengzhi watched with a mixture of pride and satisfaction. His earlier confidence in Shrek Academy was not misplaced; they were proving to be every bit as formidable as he had anticipated. Emperor Xue Ye, too, nodded approvingly, while Platinum Bishop Salas of the Spirit Hall observed the proceedings with narrowed eyes, keenly aware that this young man with the ten-thousand-year spirit ring was someone to watch closely in the rounds to come.

The match ended swiftly, with Shrek Academy emerging as the clear victor. The crowd, though initially skeptical of the team in their strange uniforms, couldn't help but be impressed by their performance. The laughter that had greeted Shrek Academy's entrance was long forgotten, replaced by murmurs of respect and admiration.

As the Shrek Seven exited the arena, Tang San couldn't help but glance toward the stands where Feng Xiaotian and the others from the Five Great Elemental Academies were seated. Their expressions were serious, their earlier dismissiveness replaced by acknowledgment of the challenge that Shrek Academy represented.

Feng Xiaotian's eyes met Tang San's for a brief moment, and in that silent exchange, there was a mutual understanding—a recognition of strength and the promise of future battles yet to come.

(End of Chapter)