After parting ways with Yan last time, Huo Wu returned to Blazing Academy and told her father, Huo Tianming, about meeting him at the Great Spirit Arena in Tokes City.
As the dean of Blazing Academy, Huo Tianming was a seasoned and well-informed Fire-attribute Spirit Master, his spirit power having reached the level of a Contra.
After hearing his daughter's account, Huo Tianming immediately connected the dots and realized that the young man she met was most likely the Fire Lord-spirit wielder from Spirit Hall Academy.
Huo Tianming explained to Huo Wu that when a Fire-attribute Spirit Master reached a certain level of mastery, they could restrain the fiery aura emanating from their body — just like how experienced Spirit Masters could conceal their killing intent.
Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang had both seen with their own eyes that Yan was able to completely control the flames within his body, releasing or suppressing them at will.
Even Huo Tianming couldn't comprehend how that young Spirit Master had achieved such control. He could only sigh in admiration, calling him a once-in-a-century genius.
After hearing her father's analysis, Huo Wu guessed that Yan Luo was very likely that same Fire-attribute Spirit Master from Spirit Hall Academy — "Yama" was probably just a false name.
Of course, it was only her speculation for now. The truth would be revealed when the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament began.
The tournament officially commenced, and Huo Wu arrived early at Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena. She waited for a long time but never saw Yan appear, so she was almost certain he wouldn't be participating.
When Shui Bing'er learned that Yan was probably part of the Spirit Hall Academy team, her feelings grew complicated.
In recent years, under the leadership of Bibi Dong, Spirit Hall's power had expanded rapidly, exerting great influence between the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires.
However, with the growth of their power came corruption. Many Spirit Masters and factions that aligned themselves with Spirit Hall began to abuse their status, and as a result, its reputation had declined sharply.
Shui Bing'er worried that if Yan truly belonged to Spirit Hall Academy, then over time he might also become like those people — something she sincerely hoped would never happen.
But of course, it was too early to dwell on such thoughts.
As Huo Wu said, they needed to focus on the tournament first — the rest could wait until the finals.
Within Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena, Emperor Xue Ye personally presided over the grand opening ceremony of the Heaven Dou Empire's regional qualifier for the tournament.
Afterward, the first match featured Shrek Academy's team against the second team of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
To everyone's astonishment, Shrek Academy achieved a clean and effortless victory, even severely injuring several of their opponents.
Previously, the Shrek Seven Devils had tried to join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, only to be rejected and humiliated by Crown Prince Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing.
This time, their overwhelming victory served as payback — a deliberate act of retribution.
After that battle, the previously obscure Shrek Academy team officially entered the public eye.
In the following matches, Shrek's momentum only grew stronger. They crushed every opponent in their path, remaining undefeated — until their next match, against Blazing Academy.
Blazing Academy, though also known for its extreme-type fighting style, possessed a far more diverse set of tactics. The team included not only strong-attack Spirit Masters, but also control, agility-attack, and support types — all of whom wielded Fire-attribute spirits.
Like Shrek, Blazing Academy had yet to suffer a single loss in the qualifiers.
Before the match, Yu Xiaogang gathered the Shrek team together.
"You're about to face Blazing Academy," he began solemnly. "Their lineup consists of Fire-type power attack, Fire-type control, Fire-type agility, and Fire-type support. Such a team will not be easy to handle. My advice is to forfeit this round. Don't be stubborn — this is only the preliminaries. As long as we can qualify, that's enough."
Tang San and the others exchanged uncertain looks.
Everyone knew that aside from Ma Hongjun, the rest of the team members were all restrained by the Fire element — especially Tang San, whose Blue Silver Grass was a plant-type spirit.
As a control-type Spirit Master, Tang San was the brain of the team. His importance to Shrek could not be overstated. Once he was suppressed, victory would become nearly impossible, even with Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's Fusion Skill — the Nether White Tiger.
Blazing Academy's captain, Huo Wushuang, was already recognized as the strongest frontal fighter among all known contestants in the qualifiers.
Not only him — the entire Blazing team possessed formidable offensive capabilities.
Facing such a powerful team, Shrek was undoubtedly facing its greatest challenge yet.
But Tang San did not hesitate. He chose to face the challenge head-on.
"Teacher, let us fight."
"Yes, Teacher," the others echoed. "Only by facing strong opponents can we truly test our strength."
Yu Xiaogang nodded slowly.
"Very well. But remember — don't push yourselves too hard. Sometimes, knowing when to retreat is also a form of wisdom."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Soon after, both teams entered the arena.
This time, Shrek Academy did not send Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun was one of their trump cards, and up to this point, he hadn't participated in a single match.
Instead, Shrek sent Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Tai Long, Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Jiang Zhu.
Blazing Academy fielded Huo Wushuang, Huo Wu, Huo Bao, Huo Yun, Huo Yu, and two auxiliary Spirit Masters with Fire Star spirits.
When Huo Wu saw Shrek's lineup, she sneered.
"What's this? That fat guy in your team too scared to show up? I thought he was supposed to be so arrogant. Don't tell me he chickened out already?"
Dai Mubai smirked, refusing to back down.
"To deal with you, we don't even need him. We're more than enough."
Huo Wushuang gave a cold laugh.
"Such arrogance. Don't delude yourselves. Your team's controller — that Blue Silver Grass user — he's indeed quite capable. Against other teams, maybe he'd stand a chance. Unfortunately for you, you're up against us, the Blazing Team."
"Enough talk!" Dai Mubai roared. "Today we'll show you the true strength of Shrek Academy!"
As he spoke, Dai Mubai released his spirit and spirit rings, the rest of his teammates following suit.
Across from them, Huo Wushuang, Huo Wu, and the others also unleashed their spirits.
In an instant, the entire arena became a sea of fire as both sides clashed head-on.
The battle raged amidst scorching flames, growing ever more intense. The Blazing Academy fighters, empowered by their Fire-attribute spirits, relentlessly suppressed Shrek's offensive.
Huo Wushuang's fiery might surged like a raging dragon. Each of his blows carried devastating power.
Dai Mubai's strength was formidable, nearly equal to Wushuang's, but ultimately, he was restrained by the fire element — and was soon forced to recognize Wushuang's superiority.
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, normally fluid and versatile, seemed powerless under Huo Wu's blazing assault.
He tried every technique he knew to entangle or restrict her, but Huo Wu moved like the incarnation of flame itself. Every attack of hers deftly evaded his control and struck back with searing heat, burning through his Blue Silver Grass with ease.
Xiao Wu, Tai Long, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling all fought with everything they had, but under the all-encompassing suppression of the Fire element, their attacks proved largely ineffective.
Gradually, Shrek Academy fell into a disadvantage. The tide of battle turned decisively against them.
Yet, they refused to give up.
Tang San steadied his breathing and tried to change tactics, seeking another way to counter Huo Wu.
His Blue Silver Grass turned into agile ropes, probing for openings between her strikes.
But Huo Wu's flames were simply too powerful. None of his attempts yielded results.
"Ah!"
With a cry of pain, Tang San was blasted to the ground by Huo Wu's raging fire.
Seeing Tang San collapse, his teammates' hearts sank into despair.
"Stop! Shrek Academy concedes!"
Yu Xiaogang's voice echoed loudly across the arena.
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