In the days following their first overwhelming victory, Azure Dragon Academy's rise through the tournament ranks continued smoothly. Match after match, they claimed victory with clean, efficient teamwork and impeccable coordination. Each time, they maintained the same strategy—Jiang Yun and Dugu Yan suppressing their Soul King auras, the others disguising their cultivation and spirit ring counts. Ning Rongrong remained out of combat, her powerful support abilities and martial soul still kept in reserve for future, more dangerous situations.
No one suspected the monstrous power hidden beneath the surface.
Other academies began whispering about the mysterious new team that crushed opponents without ever looking pressured. Even Spies of Spirit Hall began to take note but with little to go on, speculation continued to swirl.
—
Meanwhile, not every academy fared as well.
Elephant Armored Academy, one of the supposedly strongest teams due to their overwhelming defense and raw strength, suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Shrek Academy—a clash that mirrored the events of the original timeline.
Oscar of Shrek had surprised everyone when he used his third soul ability—a shimmering, levitating flying mushroom sausage. Though humorous in appearance, it provided the crucial mobility boost Shrek needed to counter Elephant Armored Academy's slow but heavy attacks.
Even when Hu Yanli, captain of Elephant Armored Academy, activated his spirit skull bone, the advantage it granted couldn't overcome Tang San's meticulous control and the explosive coordination of his team. The loss was bitter.
Later, in the private tent of the Elephant Armored camp, a furious roar echoed.
"You revealed the skull bone—and still lost?!"
Hu Yanli bowed his head, sweat pouring from his brow. His grandfather, Hu Yanzhen, leader of the Elephant Armored Sect, paced in anger.
"You've humiliated the clan, the sect, and yourself!"
Hu Yanli dared not speak in his defense. All he could do was tighten his fists and vow to one day defeat Tang San.
–––
But the tournament did not wait for broken pride.
Soon, the crowd buzzed with anticipation for the next match on the schedule:
Azure Dragon Academy vs Blazing Fire Academy.
"Isn't that the team with the red-armored leader?" Whispers swirled in the stands as the two teams entered.
On Azure Dragon's side:
Jiang Yun walked ahead calmly.
Beside him was Hua Yue, wrapped in blazing red energy, eyes fierce and sharp as a tiger's.
Dugu Yan,wore a green armor which tinged with earthy hues, followed in the center.
Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Ming were already stretching lightly, eyes sharp.
Qiao Xuan stood calmly, scanning the battlefield.
Bai Ling, cloaked in soft white light, offered a gentle smile as she joined them.
On the Blazing Fire side:
Huo Wushuang, tall and confident, cracked his knuckles.
Huo Wu, radiant and determined, stood beside him.
Behind them were Huo Yu and Huo Yun, the Fire Crane twins, their lean frames tensed.
Huo Lie, Flame Leopard user, was practically pacing.
The auxiliary duo, Huo Jun and Huo Chui, stood back, prepared to cast.
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
—
BOOM!
Flames roared as the battle erupted.
Huo Wushuang charged first. "Let's see what you've got, dragon boy!"
But Jiang Yun raised a hand, calm.
"Crimson Lock."
A red glow latched onto Huo Wushuang.
"Damn it!" he cursed. "I can't dodge!"
"Mighty Kick!"
BANG!
The impact sent Huo Wushuang tumbling across the field, groaning.
"Brother!" Huo Wu shouted. "Don't lose your focus!"
Flames surged under her feet as she joined the fray.
Behind them, Feng Ming and Zhu Zhuqing had already taken off.
But it was Hua Yue who roared forward beside Jiang Yun.
"Let me go wild too!"
Flame Claw!
Blazing tiger claws slashed out and met Huo Lie's own flaming strike. Sparks exploded between them.
"You want fire, leopard boy?" she sneered. "Then burn with me!"
Inferno Charge! Her body became a blur of fire, ramming through Huo Lie's defenses and sending him flying.
Nearby—
Dugu Yan released a jade mist, forcing the Fire Crane twins back.
Bai Ling, behind her, whispered softly, "Blessing Light." Speed and strength surged through her allies.
Huo Chui tried to buff the Blazing Fire team—
Nether Stab! Zhu Zhuqing took him out instantly.
Qiao Xuan brought up Earthbind, trapping Huo Jun before he could react.
The battle intensified. Huo Yun and Huo Yu engaged Feng Ming and Dugu Yan. Speed and flame met poison and earth.
Suddenly—
Huo Wu exploded with fire.
"Third Soul Ability—Fire Repelling Ring!"
WHOOSH!
Huo Wu's third soul ability surged. A circle of flames blasted out, repelling every attacker in range.
Hua Yue landed hard, growling. "That little witch…"
"Watch it!" Feng Ming yelled as he was thrown back.
"Careful!" Dugu Yan growled, shielding Bai Ling with a wall of rock.
Even Zhu Zhuqing staggered slightly, her claws glowing red-hot.
From the crowd:
"They're really going at it!"
"This is a real battle, not just a school match!"
"Look at the Fire Repelling Ring—it knocked them all back!"
Since Huo wu has participated in the tournament she has shown her abilities and some people remembered her because of her looks and her fighting prowess as she was the number one beauty of Blazing fire academy.
Even Jiang Yun was pushed a few steps—though the flames didn't harm him.
Not a burn on him.
Huo Wu's eyes widened. "How are you…?"
"Fire," Jiang Yun said, calm and firm, "doesn't work on me."
"You arrogant—!" Huo Wu snarled. "Then try this!"
Her fourth soul ring shone. Her entire body blazed with white-gold light.
The crowd gasped.
"Fourth Soul Ability—Brilliant Sun!"
A radiant sun formed above her, rings spinning unnaturally as they fused. Solar fire condensed into a massive ball of light and flame.
BOOOOOOM!
Even the referee activated a shield.
The ball struck Jiang Yun with cataclysmic force. The entire arena trembled.
Flames surged toward the stands, forcing even the referee to conjure a barrier.
Spectators screamed. "He's done for!"
"Not even a Soul King could block that!"
But when the light faded…
Jiang Yun stood.
Steam hissed from his armor. His eyes were calm hidden beneath the mask and the big red eyes of kuuga looks like a terrifying being.
"You're strong," he admitted.
Huo Wu's face was pale. "No… that's not possible…"
"But not enough."
He moved.
Crimson Lock.
"Don't!" she gasped.
Mighty Kick.
She flew backward, crashing to the ground. Unconscious.
"W-Wu'er!"
"Huo Wu!"
Now—Hua Yue stepped forward.
"You want real flames? Take this—Crimson Roar!"
A wave of fire blasted from her mouth, stunning the already weakened Fire Crane twins.
Then—Crimson Inferno Claws. She launched them outward, and they burst into pillars of fire upon contact. The twins collapsed.
With their controller down, morale shattered.
"Let's finish this," Jiang Yun said.
Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Ming blitzed in, overwhelming the rest. Qiao Xuan trapped the last auxiliary. Dugu Yan paralyzed the twins.
—
"Match over! Azure Dragon Academy wins!"
—
The crowd was silent… then erupted.
"They withstood Brilliant Sun!"
"That guy's invincible to fire?"
"What monsters are they?!"
Even the Spirit Hall representatives narrowed their eyes.
Bishop Salas whispered, "We underestimated them…"
As Jiang Yun and his team walked off the field, the fear began to grow—
Just who were the Azure Dragon Academy?
And how deep did their strength go?