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

The pre-dawn whistle hadn't blown yet, but Tang San was woken by footsteps outside the dormitory. Pushing open the window, he saw Flender standing in the center of the training grounds, accompanied by an unfamiliar middle-aged man. Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and the others had already arrived. He slowly folded his blanket, deliberately checking the buckles on his Spirit Combat armor twice as he put it on. Seeing the setup today, it was highly likely an important announcement was coming. "Checking the Spirit Combat armor for any oversights" would both delay his arrival and prepare him for any unexpected tasks. By the time he reached the training grounds, Flender had already begun the introduction: "This is Master Yu Xiaogang. He will be assisting me in guiding you from now on. Starting today, the seven of you officially form the 'Shrek Seven Devils,' and we'll depart for the Suo Tuo City Great Soul Arena for training in three days!"

[Delayed arrival under the guise of "checking Spirit Combat armor for oversights" to avoid excessive high-intensity gathering and consumption, Slacking Value +1, current total 85 points]

Master Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, holding seven Soul Power test sheets. "For the three days before departure, we'll practice 'Seven Devils Team Cooperation' every morning and 'Spirit Combat Basic Tactics' every afternoon. Tang San, you'll be the core of the control system. Focus on 'Blue Silver Grass field control linkage,' ensuring each control covers at least three people's defensive range."

Team cooperation training began. Dai Mubai, as the assault system, charged forward, 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 just formed a team and haven't figured out everyone's movement rhythm yet. Controlling too large an area could entangle teammates. It's safer to practice with two people first and gradually expand the range," he said, adjusting the entanglement angle of the Blue Silver Grass. He always waited for his teammates to stabilize before releasing his control, avoiding interference with the offensive rhythm.

"Tang San! Why is your control range so small? The requirement is to cover three people!" Yu Xiaogang frowned, still recording data on the test sheet in his hand.

"Master, Dai Mubai's offensive rhythm is fast, and Ma Hongjun's flames have a wide range. If my control is too large, it will block their paths. I'll adapt to their rhythm first and expand the range after a couple of days of practice. Otherwise, coordination errors are likely," Tang San said, deliberately letting the Blue Silver Grass lightly brush against Dai Mubai's clothes. "See? I almost tripped him just now. If the range were any larger, there would definitely be a problem."

[Shrinking control range under the guise of "adapting to team rhythm to prevent coordination errors" to avoid excessive consumption, Slacking Value +1, current total 86 points]

Morning training ended. Xiao Wu came over. "Tang San, you can clearly control a larger area, so why did you deliberately shrink it? Master's brows were almost furrowed."

"We've just formed a team, so we can't rush. Slow integration will prevent mistakes. We still need to conserve Soul Power for the afternoon Spirit Combat tactics training," Tang San said, taking a sausage from Oscar. He only took a small bite before putting it away – he'd save it for replenishing energy during the afternoon tactics training. Eating too much now would just make him sleepy.

For the afternoon Spirit Combat tactics training, Flender divided the seven into three groups: Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Oscar in one; Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing in another; and Ning Rongrong and Ma Hongjun in the third, simulating a "2v2v2" Spirit Combat scenario. Tang San's group was responsible for auxiliary control. He deliberately slowed his tactical reaction speed, always waiting for the other two groups to engage before releasing his Blue Silver Grass. "It's more effective to observe the other groups' tactical styles first and then control accordingly. Controlling immediately makes you a target and wastes Soul Power," he said, letting the Blue Silver Grass entangle Dai Mubai's ankle, only restricting his movement speed by half. This neither affected the battle nor wasted his control Soul Power.

"Tang San! Why aren't you actively controlling? Didn't you see Dai Mubai about to reach Xiao Wu?" Flender's voice came from the sidelines, his teaching whip still pointing at the battlefield.

"Dean, Dai Mubai's charge is a feint. Ma Hongjun's flames are the real killing move behind him. I'll entangle Dai Mubai first and then control Ma Hongjun when he's charging up. This will save half the Soul Power," Tang San said. As Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Flame ignited, Tang San suddenly tightened the Blue Silver Grass, precisely wrapping around Ma Hongjun's wrist. "See? This targeted control is more effective. Controlling immediately wouldn't allow us to grasp the key points."

[Delayed reaction under the guise of "observing tactical styles for targeted control" to avoid excessive consumption, Slacking Value +1, current total 87 points]

Training ended in the evening. Flender announced, "Tomorrow morning, pack your luggage. In the afternoon, we'll practice 'Spirit Combat Soul Power Distribution.' Everyone needs to create their own Soul Power usage chart for Spirit Combat. Tang San, as the control system, you need to clearly mark the Soul Power ratios for control, support, and emergencies!"

Back in the dormitory, Tang San sat at his desk to create the chart, deliberately lowering the control Soul Power ratio by 20% and increasing the emergency Soul Power by 30%. "There are many variables in Spirit Combat. It's safer to keep more emergency Soul Power. If the control ratio is too high, you might not have enough Soul Power to deal with unexpected situations," he mused as he wrote. He figured that during tomorrow's distribution practice, he could use the "emergency Soul Power reserve" as an excuse to reduce actual combat consumption.

During the Soul Power distribution training on the afternoon of the second day, Yu Xiaogang frowned as he reviewed the charts. "Tang San, why is your control Soul Power so low? According to the standard, you should reserve 50%, but you've only marked 30%!"

"Master, my Blue Silver Grass control consumes little Soul Power. 30% is enough to handle basic situations. The extra 20% is for emergencies. If I encounter an opponent whose Soul Skills counter mine, I'll still have Soul Power to adjust my tactics," Tang San said, taking out the emergency Soul Tool he had packed that morning. "See? I've also prepared low-level Soul Power recovery potions. With less control Soul Power and the recovery potions, I can last an entire Spirit Combat match without wasting Soul Power."

[Lowering control ratio under the guise of "Spirit Combat emergency Soul Power reserve" to avoid excessive consumption, Slacking Value +1, current total 88 points]

On the morning of the third day, the seven set off for Suo Tuo City with their luggage. Along the way, Dai Mubai explained the rules of the Great Soul Arena. "There are single, double, and team Spirit Combats. Winning earns Spirit Combat Points, which can be used to upgrade titles. We'll start with double Spirit Combats to practice." Tang San deliberately walked at the end of the group, slowing his pace to observe his surroundings. "We've just left Shrek. We might encounter Soul Beasts or people from the Martial Soul Hall on the road. Slowing down and observing more will allow us to avoid risks in advance," he thought, quietly letting his Blue Silver Grass scout ahead, releasing only 10% of its Soul Power to sense the surroundings, avoiding unnecessary attention.

[Slowing down travel speed under the guise of "avoiding risks on the road" to avoid excessive consumption, Slacking Value +1, current total 89 points]

By evening, the seven finally arrived at Suo Tuo City. Flender led them straight to an inn near the Great Soul Arena. While checking in, Tang San deliberately chose a room facing the corridor. "A room facing the corridor makes it easy to observe people coming and going. Staying in a stable environment before Spirit Combat allows me to gather enough energy for tomorrow's fights." He entered the room and opened his system panel – 89 Slacking Value points, 11 points away from the next Soul Power increase.

As night fell, Tang San sat by the window meditating, deliberately slowing his Soul Power circulation to 80% of its normal speed. "Tomorrow is our first Spirit Combat. Slow meditation will make my Soul Power more stable. Going too fast might cause fluctuations during the fight," he thought to himself. He mused that the training at the Suo Tuo City Great Soul Arena had just begun. As long as he found the right excuses like "adapting to Spirit Combat rhythm" and "emergency reserves," he was sure he could accumulate Slacking Value faster, and his "peak slacking path" could continue.