Outwitting the Grandmaster, Overpowering the White Tiger

After achieving eleven consecutive victories, Shrek Academy finally faced Thunder Academy.

On Thunder Academy's side, Chen Long was discussing tactics with the other six.

"Today, the other side's tactics will be arranged by the Grandmaster," Chen Long said. "That Grandmaster has an exceptionally precise grasp of tactics, but fortunately, I understand his personality. Unless something unexpected happens, the order of their lineup should be Tailong, Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun. I can also roughly guess the tactics they will use. Later, you should do this, this, and this..."

Just as expected, Shrek Academy's first fighter was Tailong. Thunder Academy, meanwhile, directly sent out Lei Tian, a Rank 42 Assault-type Battle Soul Master with a Thunder Eagle Spirit.

Under the Grandmaster's guidance, Tailong relied on his powerful defense to keep resisting. Under normal circumstances, he naturally would have been able to defeat his opponent. But if the opponent already knew their tactics, that was another matter.

Lei Tian was a Four-Ring Soul Sect, so dealing with Tailong came easily to him. Following Chen Long's reminder, he conserved his Soul Power as much as possible and defeated Tailong after using less than thirty percent of it.

Next, Xiao Wu unexpectedly defeated two Soul Elders from Thunder Academy in succession. Although the Grandmaster's guidance for Xiao Wu had mainly been aimed at Lei Tian, it was equally effective against the other three.

Even though Chen Long had known in advance what strategy Xiao Wu would use, he had no particularly good solution. He could only have his teammates face Xiao Wu while minimizing their expenditure.

As a result, after Xiao Wu defeated two Soul Elders in a row, she also left the field after exhausting her Soul Power.

Then, Shrek Academy's fifth fighter was Dai Mubai, while Thunder Academy's fourth was Chen Long. Without question, Thunder Academy still held the lead in terms of numbers.

Chen Long had not deliberately arranged for himself to face Dai Mubai. In fact, by his calculations, even if Xiao Wu could defeat Thunder Academy's second fighter, she should have lost to the third. That would have allowed that fighter to consume some of Dai Mubai's Soul Power as well, creating favorable conditions for Chen Long to defeat him.

However, things clearly had not developed in the most ideal manner. Even so, the current situation was not too far removed from the plan. As long as he could defeat Dai Mubai, or even Zhu Zhuqing, then with the strength of the remaining three, they would still have a chance to defeat Little Fatty and claim victory.

Thus, under these circumstances, Chen Long and Dai Mubai each stepped onto the arena.

Dai Mubai's Soul Power had now reached Rank 45. Chen Long's was a level higher, at Rank 46.

He understood very well that in this world, strength was the foundation. Only powerful strength could turn the tide. For that reason, like his companions, he trained tirelessly—if anything, even more diligently than they did.

His plan for this battle was simple. There would be no tricks; he would fight Dai Mubai head-on. He believed that with his strength, there was no reason for him to lose, even if his opponent possessed an equally top-tier Assault-type Beast Spirit, even if his opponent had consumed a Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.

Two Yellow, Two Purple—four Spirit Rings—shone around Dai Mubai, his mismatched pupils radiating dominance. Two Yellow, Two Purple—four Spirit Rings—also shone around Chen Long, while both of his arms underwent Dragon Transformation, giving him an imposing presence even without anger.

Their first Spirit Rings lit up at the same time, and the White Tiger Body Protection Barrier collided head-on with the Thunder Dragon Claw.

There were no flashy techniques, only a pure clash of Spirit Abilities.

Following the collision, both men staggered back at the same time. Neither had gained the upper hand.

Chen Long's expression became solemn for the first time. He had originally believed that his one-rank advantage in Soul Power would be enough to defeat Dai Mubai, perhaps even leave him with a considerable amount of Soul Power to deal with Zhu Zhuqing. But now he realized he had been wrong. Dai Mubai was not much weaker than him. If so, he would have to truly go all out to defeat Dai Mubai.

Their Third Spirit Rings lit up simultaneously. Dai Mubai's White Tiger Vajra Transformation and Chen Long's Wrath of Thunder activated, and the two clashed once more.

This time, Dai Mubai gained the upper hand. After all, his White Tiger Body Protection Barrier was a boosting effect and had not been withdrawn. With the enhancement of two major boosting abilities, he barely managed to gain a slight advantage.

Their Second Spirit Rings lit up simultaneously once more. Dai Mubai unleashed the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, while Chen Long released Thunderous Force. The golden ball of light collapsed beneath the concentrated barrage of countless Blue-Purple lightning bolts, and Dai Mubai was blasted black all over by the lightning.

Ignoring his badly injured body, Dai Mubai lit up his Fourth Spirit Ring. The Evil-Eyed White Tiger's Fourth Spirit Ability, White Tiger Meteor Shower, activated.

Chen Long's expression shifted from surprise to solemnity. He could tell that Dai Mubai was preparing for one final desperate strike. He also knew that Dai Mubai insisted on continuing despite his severe injuries for the dignity of the Evil-Eyed White Tiger.

And the best response he could give was to fight with all his strength.

Chen Long's Fourth Spirit Ring lit up. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's Fourth Spirit Ability, Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Swift Strike, activated.

A small blue dragon bared its fangs and brandished its claws as it charged toward the meteors that had dyed the sky gold.

As the rumbling gradually faded, the Mushroom Cloud formed from condensed soil dispersed, slowly revealing the figures of the two men.

Neither of them had fallen, though both were clearly covered in wounds.

"Your full strength really is powerful," Dai Mubai said with a hearty laugh. "I lost this battle."

"No, you did not lose. Your will still stands at the very peak," Chen Long said. "I look forward to fighting again next time."

"Good." Dai Mubai laughed heartily, and his body involuntarily toppled backward.

Zhu Zhuqing moved swiftly. The moment Dai Mubai fully fell, she caught him and helped him up.

"Please take good care of him." After saying that, Zhu Zhuqing handed Dai Mubai over to Tang San, then stepped onto the arena.

In the following match, Chen Long's unexpectedly excessive expenditure left him able to consume only part of Zhu Zhuqing's Soul Power before he was defeated.

Perhaps Dai Mubai's serious injuries had triggered Zhu Zhuqing's outburst. She unexpectedly defeated the remaining three opponents in succession, completely crushing Thunder Academy.

"Chen Long, you lost too?" Little Fatty asked through mental communication.

"I didn't perform well this time. Next time, I'll still crush you all," Chen Long said.

"Forget it, I'll avenge you," Li Hong said. "I'm the only one left in the promotion tournament who has a chance to defeat them."

"I'm looking forward to your performance," Little Fatty said.

"To be blunt, I don't think you can win," Qi Xiaomin said.

"+1," Wang Haochen said.

"You don't believe me, do you?" Li Hong snapped. "Just watch how I crush them."