Word Count: 2,876 Words
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A gentle drizzle fell from the sky, and dark clouds loomed overhead. Every member of the Sun Moon Imperial Academy, from Elder Ma to the reserve team Spirit Ancestors, wore expressions as dark as the storm clouds above. Their earlier grand visions of crushing Shrek Academy and seizing the championship in one fell swoop now felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over them, chilling their hearts to the core.
"We must personally avenge our six fallen comrades."
This was the first sentence Ma Rulong uttered to his team after stepping off the stage. He then retrieved a Class 7 Milk Bottle and swiftly restored his spirit power, striving to return to peak condition as quickly as possible.
All members of the Sun Moon team nodded heavily, their eyes bloodshot with rage. Veins bulged on their clenched fists as they longed to charge onto the stage immediately and fight Shrek Academy to the death.
Elder Ma began arranging the participants for the individual matches. They had lost six of their fourteen members from the main and reserve teams; nevertheless, they still had enough replacements. Ma Rulong and the Hongchen siblings were set to compete, and Elder Ma selected two Class 4 Spirit Guidance Masters along with two Class 5 Spirit Guidance Masters to join them.
"You four will go up first. Aim to buy time for Ma Rulong to recover his spirit power. If a chance arises, do your utmost to inflict serious injuries on Shrek's team members."
"Understood, Elder Ma!"
Fierce killing intent and unflinching resolve shone in their eyes as they vowed to avenge their six comrades who had tragically died at the hands of Shrek Academy.
…
On Shrek's side, everyone gathered around the gravely wounded Ling Luochen, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and Huo Yuhao. The atmosphere plummeted to an icy low. Although they had won the team battle, the cost was horrific.
"Doctors, how are they?"
Wang Yan pushed past Bei Bei and He Caitou and anxiously asked the Star Luo Empire's medical team.
He had just submitted the roster for the individual matches and sprinted back, drenched in sweat. Shrek hardly needed to consider who would participate next, as only seven people could still stand. Among them, Ling Bai, Ma Xiaotao, and Ning Tian had expended enormous spirit power fending off the Death Lances, making it difficult for them to reach peak condition for the individual matches.
The medical team leader was an elderly man with graying hair. Four emerald-green vines extended from his palms into the bodies of the injured. He shook his head and sighed after a moment of examination:
"The other three are manageable. At least this old man can guarantee their lives are not in imminent danger. The tricky one is this child named Xu Sanshi. He withstood two Death Lances, and the death energy originating from the Death Spider Emperor has invaded his internal organs. My Martial Spirit is far inferior to the Death Spider Emperor. I can only send someone to request the presence of Her Excellency the Miracle Healer.
Her Excellency has always loved tranquility and resides alone in an estate outside Star Luo City. I'm afraid Xu Sanshi might not hold on until she arrives."
"What?!"
Wang Yan paled. Xu Sanshi was one of the Twin Stars of the Outer Courtyard and a prospective member of Shrek's Inner Courtyard. His identity was also of great importance: he was the eldest son of the Xuanwu Sect Master and bore royal blood from the Dou Spirit Empire. Wang Yan dared not imagine the pressure Shrek Academy would face if Xu Sanshi died in the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament.
"However, there is another way," the old man said slowly.
"Please, tell me!" Wang Yan urged.
"Doesn't your team have a Seraphim? Have him purify a portion of the death energy to prolong Xu Sanshi's life until Her Excellency arrives to treat him."
"Purifying the death energy will consume a vast amount of my spirit power."
A clear voice suddenly rang out. Wang Yan spun around and saw Ling Bai absorbing energy from a Class 7 Milk Bottle. One of his hands was pressed against Ma Xiaotao's shoulder, continuously emitting golden light to suppress her rampaging Phoenix Evil Fire.
"I need to suppress Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Evil Fire. Adding Xu Sanshi on top of that would exceed what a single Class 7 Milk Bottle can handle."
Ling Bai's expression was cold and detached, as if he were about to discuss something utterly trivial.
"Make a choice. Do you want Ma Xiaotao's and Xu Sanshi's lives, or do you want the championship of the tournament?
If I save them, my spirit power will be nearly exhausted, making it difficult to participate in the individual matches and the 2-2-3 round. If I don't save them, Xu Sanshi will undoubtedly die, and in the worst-case scenario, Ma Xiaotao could become the next Death God Envoy."
Boom—
His words struck everyone like a thunderclap. Shrek Academy had claimed the tournament championship for ten thousand years, and they prided themselves on this legacy. Now, having won the team battle, they were just one step away from reaching the pinnacle. Theoretically, they only needed to sacrifice Ma Xiaotao and Xu Sanshi. By arranging for Ling Bai to appear last in the individual matches, the other team members could fight desperately to buy him time to recover.
"No... absolutely not!"
Bei Bei roared, his entire body trembling. He had bickered with Xu Sanshi for many years, and although he often teased him, in his heart, not even a hundred tournament championships could compare to Xu Sanshi's life.
Ning Tian remained silent. She cared only for Ling Bai. Wang Dong, likewise, could not agree to sacrifice Xu Sanshi. A championship tainted with the blood of their comrades was too heavy a burden for him to bear.
"Heavenfiend Douluo is urging us. I'll go up first."
He Caitou spoke in a gruff voice. He had only known Xu Sanshi for a month. Emotionally and logically, it wasn't his place to decide. He therefore decisively chose to take the stage, sidestepping this thankless, difficult situation.
An intense pain creased Wang Yan's brows. The championship and lives seemed to be like the fish and the bear's paw that couldn't both be obtained. Losing either would deal a devastating blow to Shrek Academy.
"Don't mind me, save Xu Sanshi!"
Just as Wang Yan wrestled with his dilemma, a fiery-hot palm shoved Ling Bai aside. Ma Xiaotao had awakened. Her dark crimson eyes glittered with a twisted killing intent, and her entire being struggled to contain the urge to incinerate everything with her Phoenix Evil Fire. In a hoarse voice, she said:
"Neither the championship nor Xu Sanshi's life can be lost. Leave me; I'll handle the evil fire alone!"
"Are you sure?" Ling Bai gazed into her discolored eyes and asked.
"Don't underestimate me. Before Xu Sanshi enrolled, I was the one who suppressed my evil fire by myself!"
Ma Xiaotao forced out a smile. This was the most perfect solution she could think of. Saving only Xu Sanshi would at least halve Ling Bai's spirit power consumption, allowing Shrek Academy to retain a sliver of hope for the championship.
As captain of the main team, it was her duty to shoulder the responsibility of winning the championship and protecting her teammates; therefore, she would bear the pain herself.
"... Very well."
The instant Ling Bai withdrew his hand from her shoulder, the Phoenix Evil Fire, no longer contained by the Seraphim's power, burst out violently. Black-red flames surged from her body. Ma Xiaotao inhaled deeply, steadied her mind, and forcibly reabsorbed the Phoenix Evil Fire, bringing it back under control.
"Senior Sister Ma, I thank you on Sanshi's behalf," Bei Bei said gratefully as he approached.
"It's what I should do. Remember to take down a few more Sun Moon Empire people later!"
"Absolutely!"
It was rare for Bei Bei to display such killing intent. Since the end of the continental war, the Sun Moon Imperial Academy had joined the Spirit Master Tournament, and every encounter with Shrek Academy was a life-and-death battle. Both sides had long since been stained with each other's blood. Even so, this final was shaping up to be the bloodiest in history.
By deploying the Death Lances, the Sun Moon Imperial Academy had made clear their resolve to fight to the death. Shrek Academy would show no mercy in return. Ling Bai and Ling Luochen had already retaliated fiercely. Now, it was Bei Bei and the others' turn!
Boom—
Amid the loud explosions of cannon fire, a Class 5 Spirit Guidance Master from the Sun Moon team blasted He Caitou off the stage, leaving his sturdy body scorched black.
Although He Caitou was a once-in-a-millennium genius in the Spirit Guidance Department, the Sun Moon Imperial Academy was the continent's premier institution for Spirit Guidance Masters, equipped with exceptionally refined and comprehensive sets of Spirit Guidance Devices.
As soon as the match began, both he and his opponent made the same decision as if by tacit agreement: a direct confrontation between Spirit Fortresses!
When all was said and done, the Class 5 Spirit Guidance Master possessed heavier firepower and superior equipment. The Star Luo medics hastily ran to treat He Caitou; he was clearly in no condition to participate in the 2-2-3 round.
"Senior Brother, I'll go next."
Wang Dong blocked Bei Bei from entering. That Class 5 Spirit Guidance Master had been heavily injured by He Caitou, and his only thought was to expend his strength to exhaust the next opponent. If Bei Bei were to take the stage now, Shrek would suffer a huge loss, so it was better for him to act as the sacrificial pawn.
After several fierce exchanges, Wang Dong's Clear Sky Hammer crashed down, shattering the opponent's Spirit Fortress into a flurry of flying metal fragments before the injured Class 5 Spirit Guidance Master was carried away by his teammates.
The next to appear from the Sun Moon team was a Class 4 Spirit Guidance Master, who again employed the highly offensive Spirit Fortress tactic. Wang Dong was defeated without suspense. Heavenfiend Douluo Huang Jinxu finally fulfilled his role as referee by rescuing the heavily injured Wang Dong before the cannon fire consumed him.
Compared to the chaotic fourteen-person team battle, Heavenfiend Douluo could firmly control the one-on-one individual matches. Although team members might be injured, at least their lives were not in danger, which was acceptable to both academies.
"Senior Brother Dai, it's my turn."
"Be careful."
Bei Bei took the stage while Dai Yueheng, Shrek's strongest individual fighter, closed his eyes to rest. The responsibility on his shoulders was even heavier, for he had to hold out until Ling Bai purified Xu Sanshi, Ning Tian recovered her spirit power, and Ma Xiaotao suppressed the Phoenix Evil Fire. He also needed to injure the Sun Moon team members to alleviate pressure for the upcoming 2-2-3 round.
The moment he stepped onto the stage, Bei Bei immediately activated his Light Holy Dragon Awakening. The fury of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, contained within his Tyrant Emperor's Thunderous Domain, allowed him to defeat the Class 4 Spirit Guidance Master with a single strike.
Ultimately, after defeating two Class 4 Spirit Guidance Masters, Bei Bei forced the fourth participant from the Sun Moon team, a Class 5 Spirit Guidance Master called Michael, to activate his Invincible Barrier before collapsing from exhaustion of his spirit power.
Bei Bei, He Caitou, and Wang Dong completed a three-for-three exchange, taking out two Class 4 Spirit Guidance Masters and one Class 5 Spirit Guidance Master in an illustrious battle record.
Dai Yueheng stood up, breaking through the curtain of rain as he walked forward slowly. His entire aura seemed to have undergone subtle changes. Though his pace was not swift, the distance of each step was exceptionally even, and his aura gradually grew more solemn, as if a mountain were taking shape.
"Brother Dai, it looks like Yueheng is finally entering. He must have been holding back for a long time..."
Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei spoke to Duke White Tiger Dai Hao as they watched the impending confrontation.
Fixing his tiger-like eyes on his son, Dai Hao said wistfully, "The Spirit Master Tournament championship is not just Shrek's glory; it is the glory of the Douluo Continent's original three nations. I hope Yueheng can defend it. We mustn't let the championship fall into the hands of the Sun Moon Empire..."
On the competition stage, facing a White Tiger Spirit Emperor, Michael dared not show a shred of carelessness. A rapid series of metallic clangs resounded as bright blue metal swiftly unfurled from his back, covering his upper torso before extending down to his waist and legs.
Class 5 Spirit Armor.
The Martial Spirits of Spirit Guidance Masters were generally on the weaker side. Among the three major Spirit Guidance cultivation paths, close-combat Spirit Guidance Devices had always been unpopular, yet the formidable power of Spirit Armor was undeniable. Clad in Spirit Armor, a Spirit Guidance Master's close-combat strength soared, even surpassing that of assault-type Spirit Masters of the same rank.
Blue light flashed on Michael's hand, and a large sword, the same color as his armor, materialized in his palm. Blue halos emanated from the core array at its hilt. This Class 6 Spirit Sword had been custom-made for him by a Class 7 Spirit Guidance Master from Illustrious Virtue Hall, perfectly aligning with all his abilities.
The White Tiger's prowess in close combat was world-renowned. Dai Yueheng instantly activated three enhancements: White Tiger Shield Body Barrier, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, and White Tiger Devilgod Transformation. With a fierce stomp, the ground cracked and stones flew as he transformed into a beam of light, charging toward Michael.
Michael remained composed; without any unnecessary flourish, his Spirit Sword swept horizontally in a simple, clear move aimed directly at Dai Yueheng's head, leveraging the sword's seven-foot reach.
The large sword brought a series of explosive sounds, entwined with arcs of lightning as it cleaved through the air. Close-combat Spirit Guidance Devices usually came with attached skills; this sword was imbued with thunder and lightning attributes. Yet, facing the Class 6 Spirit Sword, Dai Yueheng made a domineering move: he swept out his left hand, and his sharp tiger claws gripped the blade.
In team battles, the collective combat effectiveness of Spirit Guidance Devices was excellent. However, in individual matches, relying solely on them to bridge the gap between a Spirit King and a Spirit Emperor was challenging. Moreover, Dai Yueheng was no ordinary Spirit Emperor. He was an elite specially cultivated by Shrek Academy, backed by the immense resources of both the White Tiger lineage and Shrek Academy itself. At this critical moment, he unleashed his combat power without reservation.
Having watched his teammates fall one after another, the pent-up fury in Dai Yueheng's heart finally found an outlet. His left tiger claw forcibly halted his opponent's sword, and his tiger palm proved as solid as steel; no matter how much strength Michael used, he could not advance an inch. Then, opening his mouth, Dai Yueheng released a White Tiger Intense Light Wave that blasted onto Michael's chest at point-blank range.
The Spirit Armor trembled violently. Michael staggered back half a step, with seven or eight ribs fractured and his internal organs suffering severe concussive injuries. Without the Spirit Armor, the White Tiger Intense Light Wave would have easily penetrated his body.
Dai Yueheng's anger was far from vented. His right claw smashed through Michael's face armor, and as Michael's tear-filled eyes pleaded for mercy, the White Tiger Intense Light Wave gathered once more.
"Stop!"
Heavenfiend Douluo shouted, but Dai Yueheng's killing intent was so overwhelming he paid no heed. Their previous close combat had left them perilously near, and by the time Heavenfiend Douluo's starlight descended, Dai Yueheng had already unleashed his attack. Michael's head exploded like a watermelon, splattering Dai Yueheng with gore and making him appear even more like a wrathful god of slaughter.
Dai Yueheng casually wiped the blood off himself, turned around with a cold expression, and looked toward the Sun Moon team's waiting area, hooking his finger at them.
"Next."
Xiao Hongchen stood up abruptly, head down, ready to charge onto the stage.
"Xiao, let me handle this."
Ma Rulong's tall figure stepped in front, blocking him.
Xiao Hongchen cast a questioning glance at him, and Ma Rulong explained, "Dai Yueheng is likely the last member Shrek will send in the individual matches. He's here to kill. You and Meng should conserve your strength for the 2-2-3 round. I've recovered most of my spirit power. Let me put an end to him."
When he saw Ma Rulong step forward as his challenger, Dai Yueheng's expression turned dead calm. His eyes narrowed as his tiger claws rubbed against each other. The combat roster couldn't be changed. The four Sun Moon participants who had gone up before had resulted in one death and three severe injuries. If he could cripple Ma Rulong here and now, Shrek Academy's chances of winning the championship would increase exponentially!