Assassination Attempt by Soul Saint Shi Nian!

Following the referee's loud announcement, this match—arguably the most shocking showdown since the preliminaries began—officially came to an end.

Both sides regrouped into formation and bowed to each other.

Supported by his teammates, Huyan Li had regained some ability to move thanks to the powerful physique granted by his Diamond Mammoth Martial Soul. His blazing eyes remained fixed on the calm-faced Tang San. His voice was somewhat hoarse from exhaustion, yet exceptionally solemn and earnest:

"You are strong. Very strong!

"We lost this time, but it won't be long before we meet again!"

Tang San merely smiled faintly at that, his tone calm yet full of confidence. "Anytime."

However, after leading his team off the arena, Tang San—who had seemed to win with ease—swayed slightly.

Using the Blue Silver Four-Pillar Prison and Blue Silver Shadow Killing Bind in succession, along with precisely controlling Blue Silver Parasite, had greatly drained both his Soul Power and mental strength.

Xiao Wu hurriedly stepped forward to support him, and the group quickly returned to the rest area.

Oscar immediately handed him a Recovery Big Sausage. Only after Tang San ate it did the pallor in his face ease somewhat.

Meanwhile, the observing Tang San continuously replayed the battle in his mind, especially the Blue Silver Parasite, whose power and strangeness far exceeded anything he understood.

Is this really my second Spirit Skill? With the devouring effect fused into it, it's practically an entirely new and powerful Spirit Skill! Had my future self actually developed my Martial Soul to such an extent?

He desperately wanted to understand the principles and activation methods behind these powerful Self-Created Soul Skills, but as an observer, he could not sense the subtle shifts in Soul Power circulation. He could only futilely observe their outward effects, which left him somewhat agitated.

After this battle, the cohesion within Shrek Academy reached unprecedented heights.

Whether regular members or substitutes, all eleven placed their hands atop one another and shouted in unison:

"Shrek will win!" Their voices were filled with soaring fighting spirit and deep camaraderie.

Meanwhile, in an unnoticed corner, the members of Canghui Academy watched the Shrek group with dark expressions.

Their leading teacher, Shi Nian, had a venomous gleam in his murky old eyes. He spoke coldly to the students beside him, who wore fearful expressions:

"Do not let them frighten you. Shrek Academy's problem... I will personally 'resolve' it."

Over the following days, Shrek Academy fought several more matches, all of which they won with ease.

About a week later, just as they were preparing to face their next opponents, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang brought unexpected news—the opposing team had voluntarily forfeited.

While everyone was still surprised by this, they ran into the Canghui Academy group at the entrance as they came in from outside, led by Shi Nian.

After exchanging hostile looks, the two sides ultimately parted on bad terms.

Afterward, everyone could not help grumbling a few words about Canghui Academy and Shi Nian.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Yu Xiaogang gathered everyone and began a detailed analysis of the strong teams they might encounter later, as well as the corresponding tactical arrangements. He stressed that they absolutely could not become complacent because of their winning streak.

After the tactical meeting ended, the Shrek group walked out of the rest area, preparing to return to the academy, only to be startled by the scene in the stands—nearly one-third of the audience had put on the same shit-green uniforms as theirs!

Though the sight was still rather ridiculous, it also directly proved that Shrek Academy's popularity was skyrocketing.

After joking a little about the "unexpectedly fashionable" uniforms, Tang San spoke privately with Yu Xiaogang for a moment. Then, claiming that he needed to quietly review the day's tactics, he informed the others and set off alone for the academy.

At that moment, the rest of Shrek was still engrossed in discussing the matches and amusing stories about the uniforms, and did not notice Tang San leaving ahead of them.

However, Shi Nian, who had been lurking in the shadows, keenly noticed that Tang San was alone, like a poisonous spider spotting its prey.

His figure silently vanished into the shadows as well.

Tang San walked alone along the street leading back to the academy.

At first, everything seemed normal, but gradually, an indescribable sense of discord arose in his heart.

The street seemed far too quiet, while the scenery around him carried a faintly unreal blur.

"Something's wrong."

"There's a problem!"

At almost the exact same moment, both the simulated Tang San and the observing Tang San felt a powerful sense of alarm rise within them!

Their thoughts synchronized, and they began silently counting their steps.

"Six hundred and five steps."

By all reason, he should have reached the gates of Shrek Academy long ago, yet before him remained the same seemingly ordinary street that nevertheless felt strange in every way.

"There's definitely something wrong!"

The simulated Tang San's gaze sharpened. Without the slightest hesitation, the Mysterious Heaven Skill within him suddenly accelerated. Dark blue light surged from his right palm as his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul was summoned in an instant, ready to strike!

At the very instant he summoned his Martial Soul, the environment around him abruptly changed!

Every sound—the wind, the distant clamor—was instantly wiped away as if by an invisible hand, plunging the world into utter silence.

The scenery before him seemed covered by a warped veil. The light dimmed, and even space itself appeared to ripple faintly.

A faint, blurry, twisted figure slowly condensed not far in front of Tang San, changing from illusory to solid and gradually becoming clear.

The newcomer wore the robes of a Canghui Academy instructor. His face was sinister, and a cruel, mocking sneer hung at the corner of his lips. He was Canghui Academy's leading teacher, the Soul Saint—Shi Nian!

Those eyes of his, as though capable of devouring souls, stared fixedly at Tang San as if he were an insect already trapped in a spiderweb, helpless to struggle.

"As expected of Shrek Academy's finest disciple. Your vigilance truly is impressive."

Shi Nian's hoarse voice echoed through the silent space, carrying the teasing amusement of a cat playing with a mouse.

"Unfortunately, you noticed far too late."

Both the simulated Tang San and the observing Tang San felt their hearts sink.

Flender's warning still rang in their ears, while the strange and dangerous nature of the Canmeng Martial Soul was even more intimidating.

The observing Tang San could not help recalling how he had only recently been considering how to deal with illusion-type Soul Masters. He had never expected danger to arrive so quickly and so directly!

The simulated Tang San forcibly steadied himself, his sharp gaze falling on Shi Nian as he spoke in a low voice:

"So it is Teacher Shi Nian of Canghui Academy. May I ask why you have stopped this student here? What guidance do you have for me?"

A cold smile twisted across Shi Nian's sinister face, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

"Guidance? I have no guidance to offer.

"I merely... need you to disappear from this world."

His tone was as calm as if he were discussing the weather, yet his words sent chills down one's spine.

"For the past few days, I have been looking for an opportunity."

He slowly paced forward as invisible pressure spread through the air. "Unfortunately, you were always together with the people from Shrek Academy, leaving this old man unable to act.

"But today, I have finally waited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...

"What a pity. A genius like you, yet you are not a disciple of my Canghui Academy."

The killing intent in his words was no longer concealed in the slightest!

Seeing that words could not shake the other man's intent to kill, the simulated Tang San's muscles instantly tensed. His mind raced, searching for even the slightest opening or chance of escape.

The Mysterious Heaven Skill surged rapidly through his body, his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul stood ready, and his Purple Demon Eye was pushed to its utmost limit as he tried to see through the reality of this illusion.

Yet just as he was fully on guard and preparing to fight to the death, the hazy, distorted scene around him suddenly changed without any warning!