Shrek Seven Devils Assemble for Training, Spirit Combat Preparations Steadily Build Slacking Value

Before the dawn whistle even sounded, Tang San was awakened by footsteps outside the dormitory. Pushing open the window, he saw Flender standing in the middle of the training ground beside an unfamiliar middle-aged man, while Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and the others had already arrived one after another. He leisurely folded his blanket, then deliberately checked the buckles on his spirit combat gear twice while putting it on. Judging by the lineup today, they would most likely be announcing something important. Using "checking the gear to prevent oversights" as an excuse would not only buy him time, but also prepare him for any unexpected assignments. By the time he reached the training ground, Flender had already begun the introductions. "This is Master Yu Xiaogang. He'll assist me in guiding you from now on. Starting today, the seven of you officially form the Shrek Seven Devils. In three days, you'll depart for training at Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena!"

Delayed arrival under the pretext of "checking spirit combat gear to prevent oversights," avoiding the drain of an overly early high-intensity assembly. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 85 points.

Master Yu Xiaogang stepped forward with seven Soul Power test forms in hand. "For the three days before departure, you'll practice 'Seven Devils team coordination' every morning and 'basic spirit combat tactics' every afternoon. Tang San, you'll serve as the core control-type member. Focus on practicing 'Blue Silver Grass battlefield control links.' Each use of battlefield control must cover the defensive range of at least three people."

Team coordination training began. Dai Mubai, as the assault-type member, charged at the front, while Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Flame provided cover. Tang San summoned his Blue Silver Grass, deliberately shrinking the control range to cover only two people's defensive circles. "We've only just formed a team and haven't figured out everyone else's movement rhythms yet. If the control range is too large, it could entangle our teammates. We should practice coordination between two people first, then gradually expand the range. That'll be more reliable." As he spoke, he adjusted the angle of the Blue Silver Grass's bindings. Each time, he waited until his teammates were steady before activating battlefield control, avoiding any disruption to their attack rhythm.

"Tang San! Why is your control range so small? It needs to cover three people as required!" Master Yu Xiaogang frowned, still recording data on the test form in his hand.

"Master, Senior Dai Mubai attacks quickly, and Ma Hongjun's flames cover a wide area. If my battlefield control is too broad, it'll block their routes. I should first adapt to the rhythm of the two of them and expand the range after we've trained together for two days. Otherwise, it could easily cause coordination mistakes." As Tang San spoke, he deliberately let the Blue Silver Grass lightly brush Dai Mubai's clothes. "Look, it nearly tangled his leg just now. If the range gets any bigger, there'll definitely be problems."

Reduced the battlefield control range under the pretext of "adapting to team rhythm to prevent coordination mistakes," avoiding excessive consumption. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 86 points.

After the morning training ended, Xiao Wu came over. "Tang San, you can obviously control a much larger area. Why did you deliberately make it smaller? Master was practically frowning."

"New teams can't rush things. Only gradual adjustment prevents mistakes. We still need to conserve Soul Power for this afternoon's spirit combat tactics training." Tang San took the sausage Oscar handed him, only bit off a small piece, and put it away. He would save it to replenish his stamina during the afternoon's tactical training. Eating too much now would only make him sleepy.

During the afternoon spirit combat tactics training, Flender split the seven of them into three groups: Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Oscar in one group; Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing in another; Ning Rongrong and Ma Hongjun in the third. They simulated a "2v2v2" Soul đấu Arena scenario. Tang San's group was responsible for support and battlefield control. He deliberately slowed his tactical response, waiting for the other two groups to engage before releasing his Blue Silver Grass. "It's more effective to first observe the other groups' tactical styles and then control the field accordingly. Controlling the field immediately would make us everyone's target and waste Soul Power instead." As he spoke, he had the Blue Silver Grass wrap around Dai Mubai's ankle, limiting his movement speed by only half, neither affecting the battle nor wasting too much Soul Power on battlefield control.

"Tang San! Why aren't you taking the initiative to control the field? Can't you see Dai Mubai is about to reach Xiao Wu?" Flender's voice came from the edge of the field, his teaching whip still pointing toward the battle.

"Headmaster, Senior Dai Mubai is just feinting. Ma Hongjun's flames behind him are the real killing move. I'll tie up Dai Mubai first, then control Ma Hongjun when he starts charging his attack. That way, I can save half my Soul Power." Tang San waited until Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Flame lit up before suddenly tightening the Blue Silver Grass around Ma Hongjun's wrist. "See? Targeted battlefield control like this is more effective. If I controlled the field right away, I wouldn't be able to catch the key point."

Delayed response under the pretext of "observing tactical styles for targeted battlefield control," avoiding excessive consumption. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 87 points.

When training ended that evening, Flender announced, "Tomorrow morning, pack your luggage. In the afternoon, you'll train in 'spirit combat Soul Power allocation.' Everyone must create your own Soul Power usage chart for spirit combat. Tang San, as a control-type member, you need to clearly mark the proportions for battlefield control, support, and emergencies!"

Back in the dormitory, Tang San sat at the desk making his chart. He deliberately lowered the proportion allocated to battlefield control by twenty percent and raised emergency Soul Power by thirty percent. "There are too many variables in the Soul đấu Arena. Keeping more Soul Power for emergencies is safer. If the battlefield control proportion is too high, I might not have enough Soul Power left to respond to unexpected situations." As he wrote, he calculated that during tomorrow's allocation training, he could use "emergency Soul Power reserves" as an excuse to reduce practical consumption again.

During the Soul Power allocation training on the next afternoon, Master Yu Xiaogang frowned as he examined the chart. "Tang San, why is the Soul Power allocated to battlefield control so low? The standard calls for fifty percent, but you've only marked thirty percent!"

"Master, my Blue Silver Grass battlefield control consumes very little Soul Power. Thirty percent is enough for ordinary situations. If I reserve another twenty percent for emergencies, then if I encounter an opponent whose Soul Skills counter mine, I'll still have Soul Power to adjust my tactics." Tang San took out the emergency Soul Tool he had packed that morning. "Look, I also prepared low-grade Soul Power Recovery Potions. With less Soul Power devoted to battlefield control, the potions will be enough to sustain me through an entire spirit combat match without wasting Soul Power."

Lowered the battlefield control proportion under the pretext of "emergency Soul Power reserves for spirit combat," avoiding excessive consumption. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 88 points.

Early on the third day, the seven set out for Suotuo City with their luggage on their backs. Along the way, Dai Mubai explained the Great Soul Arena's rules. "There are solo, duo, and team spirit combat matches. Victories earn Spirit Combat Points, and once you accumulate enough points, you can upgrade your title. We'll start by practicing duo spirit combat." Tang San deliberately walked at the back of the group, slowing his pace to observe their surroundings. "We've just left Shrek. We might encounter soul beasts or people from Spirit Hall on the road. Slowing down to observe more carefully will help us avoid danger in advance." As he spoke, he quietly sent Blue Silver Grass ahead to scout, using only ten percent of his Soul Power for detection so as not to attract unnecessary attention.

Slowed the travel pace under the pretext of "avoiding risks encountered on the road," avoiding excessive consumption. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 89 points.

By evening, the seven finally arrived in Suotuo City. Flender led them straight to an inn near the Great Soul Arena. While checking in, Tang San deliberately chose a room near the corridor. "A room by the corridor makes it easier to watch who comes and goes. If we rest peacefully before spirit combat, we'll have enough energy to face tomorrow's matches." Entering the room, he opened the system panel—89 points of Slacking Value, still 11 points short of the next Soul Power Increase.

As night fell, Tang San sat by the window meditating, deliberately slowing the circulation of his Soul Power to eighty percent of its normal speed. "Tomorrow is my first spirit combat match. Slow Meditation will make my Soul Power more stable. Going too fast could cause fluctuations during the match." He silently thought to himself, The training at Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena has only just begun. As long as I find the right excuses, like "adapting to spirit combat rhythm" and "emergency reserves," I can definitely accumulate Slacking Value faster and keep walking the path to the pinnacle of slacking.