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As the top competitor in this round of the promotion matches, Feng Xiaotian's performance left a deep impression on Tang San.
Tang San spoke gravely, "Feng Xiaotian is stronger than I expected. Fortunately, aside from him, the other six members of Godwind Academy aren't too formidable. Defeating them isn't impossible."
Dai Mubai responded, "Xiao San is right. While Feng Xiaotian is strong, we also have hidden strengths. Fatty hasn't even entered the battlefield yet, and Xiao San still has his trump card. So, the outcome is far from certain."
Ma Hongjun, feeling indignant, stood up.
"Exactly! Today, Feng Xiaotian only faced weak opponents, and with the intimidation of two ten-thousand-year spirit rings, he easily crushed them. But we from Shrek Academy aren't a weak team! Does he really think he can beat all seven of us?"
The others nodded in agreement.
None of them believed Feng Xiaotian could defeat the entire Shrek Academy on his own.
Yu Xiaogang, maintaining his serious demeanor, cautioned,
"It's good that you're confident, but I must remind you all—Feng Xiaotian also has hidden strengths, and they are unimaginable. So far, we know he can fly, create wind barriers, and use his skills like Thousand Blades As One and Tornado Storm. Just these are enough to overwhelm most teams.
According to the rules, as long as he uses his Tornado Fist Storm to blow you off the stage, he wins. However, any skill requires locking onto the opponent to be effective. Therefore, spirit masters with speed advantages will be better suited to wear him down. Besides Mubai and Xiao San, Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun will also need to fight."
Initially, Shrek Academy had planned to keep Ma Hongjun's strength hidden, but now Yu Xiaogang wanted him to experience the competition's pace in advance.
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's arrangement, Ma Hongjun was thrilled.
"Great! I'll finally get to step in and fight alongside everyone."
Oscar, teasing from the side, added,
"Don't get too excited, Fatty. Who knows when we'll actually face Godwind Academy?"
"Alright, today's match took a lot out of Xiao Wu, so let's all get some rest and prepare for tomorrow's match," Yu Xiaogang ordered.
However, Yu Xiaogang couldn't shake a bad feeling. He suspected that Feng Xiaotian was hiding far more than they had seen, and it made him uneasy.
Later that evening, the representatives of each academy went to draw lots.
For Shrek Academy's next match, they were paired against Blazing Academy—the same team that had defeated them during the preliminaries.
After dinner, Yu Xiaogang gathered the group again.
"Tomorrow's opponent is Blazing Academy. Are you all prepared? What lineup do you plan to use?"
It truly felt like enemies meeting on a narrow road.
Old grievances resurfaced, intensifying the tension.
During the preliminary round, Dai Mubai had been knocked out of the match by Blazing Academy's strategy, getting thrown off the stage by Huo Wu's Defying Flame Ring.
That day's events were still fresh in his mind—it was a humiliation he could never forget. He used it as a constant reminder to push himself harder.
Dai Mubai declared, "Master, we underestimated Blazing Academy in the preliminaries, and their teamwork caught us off guard. But this time, we won't lose. Blazing Academy is the weakest of the Four Elemental Academies. Only Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu are strong. Based on their usual lineups, one of them will definitely fight early. Let me be the first to go. Xiao San can close things out."
As soon as Dai Mubai finished, Tang San interjected,
"No! I'll go first this time."
Like Dai Mubai, Tang San had been brooding over their loss to Blazing Academy. He had been waiting for the chance to redeem himself, and now that opportunity had come.
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"Mubai is right, but I agree with Xiao San's idea. Tomorrow, Xiao San will go first, followed by Mubai, Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, and Hongjun."
Yu Xiaogang only assigned five fighters, confident that they would be enough to defeat Blazing Academy.
Hearing his name called, Ma Hongjun grew even more excited.
"Finally! I'll get to fight tomorrow!"
"You'll get a feel for the match's pace so that when we face Godwind Academy, you'll be able to perform even better."
"Understood," Ma Hongjun replied eagerly.
Against Blazing Academy, the Shrek team was feeling confident.
On the other side.
Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang were excited when they found out their opponent for the next day was Shrek Academy.
While the promotion matches focused on individual skills, strategic planning was just as crucial to gaining an advantage.
Feng Xiaotian had already warned Huo Wushuang and the others that if they faced Shrek Academy, they should conserve their strength for later, letting the other team members fight first to drain their opponent's spirit power.
The Huo siblings knew that their previous victory over Shrek Academy during the preliminaries had an element of luck.
Shrek Academy had underestimated them, and now, with Feng Xiaotian's intel, the Blazing Battle Team was even more prepared.
However, this time was different—Shrek Academy wouldn't be so careless again.
The next day arrived quickly.
Shrek Academy and Blazing Academy were set to compete in the fifth match.
Godwind Academy's match came earlier.
Facing a weaker opponent today, Feng Xiaotian didn't need to take on seven opponents as he did yesterday. Instead, his teammates took the lead.
Before it was even his turn, the opposing team had already been wiped out.
It was an easy win.
Finally, it was time for Shrek Academy and Blazing Academy to face off.
Students from academies across the kingdoms and duchies watched with anticipation.
One was an established powerhouse, the other boasted spirit masters with ten-thousand-year spirit rings. This battle was bound to be thrilling.
Everyone wanted to see just how strong Tang San really was.
Tang San stepped into the arena, representing Shrek Academy.
When the Shrek team saw that Blazing Academy's first fighter was Huo Yun, they were surprised.
It was unexpected.
They had assumed the first to enter would be either Huo Wushuang or Huo Wu.
Tang San smirked coldly.
It didn't matter what lineup Blazing Academy used; he was confident he could handle it.
Without the distraction of a team battle, he believed he could defeat any member of Blazing Academy one-on-one.
And sure enough, Tang San easily secured the first victory.
The members of Blazing Academy knew that Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was immune to fire, so they aimed to wear him down with explosive attacks.
But someone like Tang San, with strong control skills, wasn't so easily overcome.
He had learned from his mistakes in the preliminaries.
This time, his tactics were more refined, and he had complete control, both offensively and defensively.
Off the field, Shui Bing'er watched Tang San, concerned.
"Tian, Tang San is really strong. Can Huo Wu and her brother stop him?"
Feng Xiaotian shook his head.
"Tang San still has a trump card. If they can avoid getting defeated by him one by one, they'll be lucky."
(End of chapter)