The night passed without incident. The next day, in the Great Spirit Arena of Heaven Dou City.
"Preliminaries, Round 17, Match 1—Shrek Academy versus Godwind Academy." Amidst thunderous cheers, the host's voice rang out. From one of the tunnels, Tang San, Yu Tianheng, Dai Mubai, Tai Long, Jiangzhu, Oscar, and Ning Rongrong entered the stage.
At the same time, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team also began their match. But since their opponents were far weaker, the fight was not held on the main stage. Thus, Yang Yunhai did not need to go on the field. Instead, he went to the spectator stands, his attention naturally focused on the main platform.
"Three support-types?" The audience was surprised by Shrek's lineup.
Feng Xiaotian narrowed his eyes. He had watched Shrek's previous fight against Elephant Armored Academy.
Keeping his composure, he stepped forward to the center of the arena, facing off against Shrek.
After the customary salute, both sides activated their martial souls and adjusted formations.
"...Begin!" The referee's crisp voice fell, and the two teams immediately sprang into action.
On Shrek's side, the thick-skinned Tai Long took the central position, Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng flanking him. Behind them stood Tang San, with the three support-type soul masters.
On Godwind Academy's side, there was nothing fancy—everyone immediately spread their wings and soared into the air. Under Feng Xiaotian's lead, they dove toward Shrek's formation.
"The Seven Treasures are Glorious, Three Says Soul." Ning Rongrong lifted her martial soul, bathing Tang San in a radiant pillar of light.
"Xiao San, here." Oscar handed over a recovery sausage.
Tang San grabbed it and shoved it into his mouth. His right hand flicked upward. "Third Soul Skill, Spider Web Restraint!"
A blazing orb shot skyward, reaching high above before the Godwind team arrived.
Swish, swish, swish!
Countless vines burst out, covering nearly the entire 50-meter-wide arena in an instant.
Jiangzhu pressed her palm to Tang San's back, channeling gentle soul power to support him.
"No defensive soul master, weaker vines than mine, and you still dare attempt the Birdcage Tactic?" Yang Yunhai shook his head slightly. "But for Shrek, this really is their best option. After all, the enemy can all fly and mostly use ranged soul skills."
Truthfully, he himself had once been forced into using such a tactic—it really was hard to hit flying enemies.
"Brothers, let's use that move!" In the air, Feng Xiaotian gave a soft command. He twisted his body midair, circling in a wide arc.
Yu Xiaogang had insulted Huo Wu a few days ago. This was a perfect chance to test their new technique and return the favor.
"Alright!" His teammates quickly scattered.
"What's this?" The audience looked on in amazement. From afar, Godwind's seven members intersected paths midair, circling continuously within a six-meter diameter.
Whish—whish—whish!
Their wings beat furiously, raising powerful winds.
"Interesting." Yang Yunhai's eyes lit up.
On the arena floor, Tai Long, Yu Tianheng, and Dai Mubai, who had been preparing to attack, all stiffened.
The battle wasn't unfolding as planned. Tang San frowned, clenching his right hand. "First Soul Skill, Binding!"
Vines sprouted from the existing net, weaving like webs upward, reaching for the Godwind team.
Snap, snap!
Some were dodged, some were snapped by the growing gales, others flung aside by the violent winds.
"As expected, Tang San's vines are too weak." The audience shook their heads.
The storm intensified, wind pressure growing rapidly. At its center, the Godwind team drew the gales into a massive tornado. Dust and debris filled the air.
"His vines and parasitic seeds can't even get in. I can't stop laughing." Yang Yunhai chuckled.
'If Godwind had thought of this earlier, even I would've had to resort to lightning to fight back.'
Even his vines would be knocked aside in high-altitude turbulence. If he struggled, Tang San stood no chance.
"We can't sit and wait!" Dai Mubai grit his teeth. "Fourth Soul Skill, White Tiger Meteor Shower!"
Light spheres blasted upward.
Boom, boom, boom!
The attacks scattered, dispersed by the wind, vanishing instantly.
"Damn it!" Dai Mubai growled.
"Third Soul Skill, Thunder Fury! Fourth Soul Skill, Blue Lightning Dragon Assault!" Yu Tianheng unleashed a lightning dragon.
Boom!
The tornado briefly trembled, opening a gap, but instantly closed.
"Everyone, move to the side!" Tang San shouted, leading a dash toward the edge.
But Feng Xiaotian's cold voice drifted from the air. "Think you can run?"
The tornado shifted, surging after them, its diameter still expanding.
'Damn it. If we'd had more time to perfect the Fusion Technique…' Tang San's jaw tightened.
"Xiao San, what do we do?" Oscar sounded desperate.
The tornado was already 15 meters wide, with a 20-meter danger zone of violent winds. The arena itself was only 50 meters across—they couldn't outrun it.
"Flying sausages! We'll escape above the arena!" Tang San barked. "Their technique must drain soul power fast. If we wait until they exhaust themselves, we can counterattack."
But Oscar's face paled. "I can only make 4."
"Then 4 it is." Tang San said quickly. "Rongrong, buff us, then you and Jiangzhu retreat!"
"Alright!" The plan was carried out swiftly.
Soon, wings sprouted from Tang San, Dai Mubai, Yu Tianheng, and Tai Long as they took to the sky. Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Jiangzhu jumped down from the arena's edge.
"Naïve!" Feng Xiaotian sneered. Their move wasn't a true fusion technique. Once formed, the tornado consumed little soul power—just an occasional push to keep it spinning. They could even control its direction.
And Oscar's flying sausages? One minute at most.
"I'll wait for you to fall." He smirked, signaling his teammates.
The Godwind team split into groups, sustaining the tornado with methodical wingbeats, steering it toward Tang San's group.
Tang San glanced upward, eyes flashing. "Ascend higher! From above, we'll strike into the eye!"
His teammates brightened—yes! Break in from the top!
They soared upward, while Feng Xiaotian's lips curled. "Then let's lure them in."
As the four dove into the tornado's eye, Tang San released his Spider Web Restraint, vines raining down. Dai Mubai unleashed White Tiger Meteor Shower. Tai Long powered up with Demon Ape Golden Body and Burst Force. Yu Tianheng prepared a lightning strike.
But Feng Xiaotian suddenly called, "Retreat inside!"
With wings folded, he and his team dove into the tornado they had created, letting its winds carry them upward safely.
'Good thing it's man-made, or else they'd be shredded.' Even Yang Yunhai had to admit, it was clever.
Soon, Shrek's flying sausages wore off. Tang San and his teammates were forced back to the ground.
Feng Xiaotian and his team hovered above, completely in control of the battlefield.
"First Soul Skill, Wind Blade Burst!" He unleashed a barrage downward.
"Damn it!" Tang San snarled, deploying his Eight Spider Lances. "Tai Long, lead the charge! We'll break out from the left!"
They crashed into the weakened tornado walls, but were met by more wind blades. Dai Mubai barely raised his White Tiger Barrier before the group was battered by attacks and sucked skyward.
"Brothers, finish it!" Feng Xiaotian roared.
Wham, wham, wham!
The four were pummeled midair, flung out like rag dolls.
"We surrender!" Qin Ming's voice cut through.
But it was too late.
Bang, bang, bang, bang!
They slammed into the ground from over 20 meters up, the arena floor cracking beneath them.
Tang San coughed blood, collapsing unconscious. Dai Mubai, Yu Tianheng, and Tai Long writhed in agony.
The referee finally raised his hand. "Godwind Academy, victory!"
Cheers erupted. "Well done!" Huo Wu pumped her fist.
Yang Yunhai only shook his head.
…
Later, back at Shrek Academy, Tang San awoke weakly, fury flashing in his eyes.
"Damn it!" He smashed a fist into his bed.
Over the next two days, Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Shrek both won their matches against weaker opponents. But in Shrek's training grounds, Yu Xiaogang pushed them to attempt fusion techniques again.
"Hold each other close, reduce the distance. Maybe then your soul power can merge."
Oscar's eyes lit up, but Ning Rongrong blurted, "No!" Jiangzhu also frowned.
Yu Xiaogang scowled. "Rongrong, this is for the team's victory. It's just physical contact."
"No, Master," Ning Rongrong argued firmly. "This is about a girl's reputation. Fusion skills depend on hearts, not on bodies pressed together."
'Isn't he supposed to be part of the Golden Iron Triangle? How can he not understand this?'
"If you insist on that method, then forgive me—I cannot agree. I'd rather leave the academy."
She turned to Dai Mubai. "Master, if you want to learn fusion skills, ask Boss Dai. He knows far more than we do."
Let her hug a man? She'd rather quit school.
"Xiaogang, Rongrong is still a maiden, and from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect at that. This isn't just about her reputation, it's about her clan's. If you force her into this, you'll be courting disaster." Flender cut in quickly.
'Xiaogang, you idiot. If Ning Fengzhi hears of this, he'll tear the academy down.'
Yu Xiaogang finally relaxed his brow and looked to Dai Mubai. "Mubai, share your thoughts on fusion techniques."
"Alright." Dai Mubai sighed, but knowing it was important for beating Dai Weisi, he began to explain seriously.
From the corner of her eye, Ning Rongrong calmed, saying no more.
(End of Chapter)
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