At daybreak, the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena's broadcasts began cycling through the advancement match schedule. Tang San and Xiao Wu had just entered the inn's main hall when they saw Flender waving a schedule sheet. "Two brutal matches today! The first is against the Gale Assault Combination—four level-19 Agility Attack Type Spirit Masters. The second is against the Control-Support Alliance—two control types and three support types. Win, and you'll advance to Silver Tier!"
Tang San leisurely accepted the schedule, deliberately pausing for an extra two seconds while turning the page. Two consecutive high-intensity spirit battles; using "analyzing opponent information" as an excuse to stall would leave him more energy to sort out their tactics. Only after Dai Mubai and the others had arrived did he point to the Gale Combination's profile and say, "Agility Attack Types are fast. We need to restrict their charge routes first, or the support types will be vulnerable to sneak attacks."
Using "refining the analysis of opponent information" as a reason to delay tactical discussions, avoiding the drain of overly early high-intensity preparation. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 104.
The first spirit battle began. The Gale Combination had barely steadied themselves on the Spirit Combat Stage before they used the wind's speed to rush Ning Rongrong and Oscar at the same time. Tang San did not hurriedly control the entire field. Instead, he had Blue Silver Grass weave a semicircular protective net around the support types. "Agility Attack Types target the support types. The net doesn't need to surround them completely. Leaving an opening will lure them in, letting us concentrate Soul Power and keep our attacks from missing." As he adjusted the density of the grass blades, he shouted, "Xiao Wu, watch the one on the left! Don't let him get near Oscar!"
Sure enough, two Agility Attack Type Spirit Masters slipped through the opening in the protective net. Tang San immediately tightened the Blue Silver Grass around their ankles. "Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun! Take these two out fast!" But just as they finished them off, the remaining two Agility Attack Types abruptly turned toward Xiao Wu, intending to ambush her from behind. Tang San did not panic. He split the grass blades of the protective net to either side, blocking their attack route perfectly. "Keep the net flexible so it can change direction in time. It uses less Soul Power than sealing everything off." Xiao Wu seized the chance to strike her opponent with Waist Bow, and they won the first spirit battle without any real danger.
"Tang San, why didn't you completely enclose them with the protective net just now? Xiao Wu nearly got ambushed!" Flender asked from the stands, still holding his telescope.
"Completely enclosing it consumes too much Soul Power. Agility Attack Types are fast, and the opening lures them in, making them easier to control instead." Tang San wiped away his sweat and had Oscar hand him a sausage. "Look, I still have sixty percent of my Soul Power left. It's enough for the second match."
Using "a flexible protective net to lure enemies and prevent missed targets" as a reason to adjust his field-control method, avoiding excessive expenditure. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 105.
After resting for half an hour, the second spirit battle began. The five Spirit Masters of the Control-Support Alliance had barely stepped onto the stage before releasing their martial souls—two web-control types in front and three recovery support types behind, forming a "control-support coordination" formation. The instant the referee announced the start, webs spread toward the Shrek Seven Devils. Ning Rongrong immediately used the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda to boost Tang San's Soul Power. "Tang San, break the webs quickly!"
Yet Tang San did not rush to smash through them head-on. Instead, he had Blue Silver Grass circle around the side of the webs and lightly hook their edges. "The center of the webs is dense with Soul Power. Breaking it head-on will cause a rebound, but hooking the edges can shift the web and leave Dai Mubai an opening to attack." As he adjusted the angle of the grass blades, he shouted, "Dai Mubai, charge the support types! Don't get tangled in the webs!"
But the support-type Spirit Masters immediately used recovery soul skills to replenish the control types' Soul Power, making the webs even denser. Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Flame scorched them, but it only burned through a few strands and was completely useless. "Tang San, what do we do? They're recovering too fast!" Ma Hongjun shouted anxiously.
Tang San remained calm. He split the Blue Silver Grass in two, with one half continuing to hook the web's edges while the other wrapped around his teammates' wrists. "Pull us into a line, stay outside the web's coverage, then take down the support types one by one." He deliberately slowed the pulling speed, allowing the team to gradually move to the edge of the webs. "Look, the support types have no protection. Dai Mubai can take them out if he charges in!"
Dai Mubai immediately understood. His White Tiger Claw cleaved through the last few web strands, and he was the first to pounce on the support-type Spirit Masters. Without the control types' protection, the three support types were quickly defeated. Seeing the situation turn against them, the remaining control types tried to surrender, only to be stopped by Xiao Wu's Waist Bow. They could only watch helplessly as Blue Silver Grass wrapped around their wrists.
"The Shrek Seven Devils win! They have successfully advanced to Silver Tier!" The referee raised the hands of all seven people. The cheers below nearly lifted the roof off the Soul đấu Arena, while staff members approached carrying Silver Rank Spirit Badges and pinned one to each of their chests.
Flender ran over with a grin and patted Tang San's shoulder. "Good lad! You chose the right tactics in both matches. Bringing you to Heaven Dou City wasn't for nothing!" Tang San touched the badge on his chest, but inwardly he calculated, I earned two Slacking Value points today. I'm a little closer to the next Soul Power Increase.
Back at the inn, Flender announced, "We'll rest tomorrow. The day after, we'll head to the Shrek Academy Main Campus. It's time for you to meet the students from the other branches!" The seven people cheered. Xiao Wu pulled Tang San out to stroll through the streets. Heaven Dou City's night scenery was livelier than Suotuo City's, and the streets were filled with dazzling Soul Tool shops.
Tang San deliberately slowed his pace, letting Blue Silver Grass quietly probe along the ground. Heaven Dou City has a lot of people. There might be people from Spirit Hall around. Walking slowly lets us observe more and avoid being followed. As he browsed the Soul Tools in the shops, he said to Xiao Wu, "Tomorrow, let's buy a low-grade Soul Guiding Recovery Device. It'll save some Soul Power in our next spirit battle."
Using "preventing pursuit by observing the surroundings more closely" as a reason to slow his pace while shopping, avoiding the expenditure caused by sudden risks. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 106.
Back at the inn, Tang San sat by the window and meditated, deliberately circulating his Soul Power ten percent slower than usual. After two consecutive spirit battles, my meridians need rest. Slow Meditation will make my Soul Power more stable. Looking at the silver badge on his chest, he secretly thought, The Shrek Academy Main Campus will definitely have more difficult trials. As long as I find the right reasons for "dealing with control-support combinations" and "flexible field control," the road to the pinnacle of slacking will surely become steadier, and I'll get closer and closer to the peak!
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