Yu Tianxin vs. Dai Mubai

After Jiang Huai finished his meal, he headed to the Shrek gathering spot, where Gu Yue and the others were already discussing tactics.

As Jiang Huai walked over, everyone stood up, but he waved his hand to signal them to sit back down.

Jiang Huai asked how far their discussion had progressed. Dai Mubai told him they were debating this afternoon's match against the Plant Academy. Because the Plant Academy team members all possessed plant-type martial souls, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong had unanimously decided that Tang San, who also possessed a plant-type martial soul, should be the one to take the stage.

However, Gu Yue, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar were all of the opinion that Ma Hongjun, with his fire attribute, should be the one to compete.

The fact that a single Plant Academy had split the Shrek Nine Devils into two factions left Jiang Huai feeling somewhat speechless.

Jiang Huai asked, "Tang San, you could certainly take the stage, but the Plant Academy, much like the Tianshui Academy, consists entirely of women. Furthermore, women generally possess greater physical flexibility than men, and they have all focused their attributes on the toughness and control of their own plants. Do you believe your abilities can compete with theirs?"

Upon hearing this, Tang San wanted to argue his case, but after reflecting on the shortcomings in his own control abilities, he kept his mouth shut.

Jiang Huai looked at everyone and said, "As your captain, I am going to assign the matchups. Ma Hongjun will take the stage. Your Evil Fire is more than just 'evil'; fire has the power to burn all things, and the temperature of your Evil Fire is exceptionally potent. Therefore, I want you to perform a one-on-seven sweep!"

Ma Hongjun was stunned by these words, and the others were equally dumbfounded.

Dai Mubai said, "Boss, are you sure about this? It's true that Fatty's martial soul is fire-attributed, but his soul power will inevitably drain significantly after match after match. What if something happens to him?"

Jiang Huai raised his hand to interrupt the others, saying, "I have my own considerations. Do not be anxious about these things."

Soon, the match time was approaching, and Flender, Liu Erlong, and Yu Xiaogang led Jiang Huai and the others into the competition arena.

Not long after the Shrek Academy team entered, the other participating teams arrived one after another.

Following this, Xue Ye, Xue Xing, and Xue Qinghe took their seats in the judges' area, followed by Salas, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and the three Soul Douluo from the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Education Committee.

With that, the competition officially began. The battle between Shrek Academy and the Plant Academy would have to wait a while; currently, it was the fight between the Elephant Armored Academy and the Tianshui Academy.

Shui Bing'er had been easily defeated by Jiang Huai during the preliminary rounds, which led most people to misunderstand her true strength.

Huyan Li was the captain of the Elephant Armored Academy team and their strongest member.

However, just as the spectators assumed Huyan Li would be able to resist the cold and defeat Shui Bing'er, the thick-skinned Huyan Li proved unable to withstand the freezing temperatures. He was forced back by Shui Bing'er's third soul skill, Resistance Light, until he stepped to the edge and was eliminated.

Just like that, the Elephant Armored Academy was officially eliminated. Having lost their chance to continue in the subsequent matches, they had no choice but to leave the Royal Hunting Ground and head to Spirit City to await the finals.

Before long, the host announced the next match: Shrek Academy versus the Plant Academy.

Ma Hongjun glanced at Jiang Huai and said, "Brother Huai, I'm going in. Wait for my good news!"

Jiang Huai nodded and said, "Remember, fire can forge weapons and incinerate all things; yours is no exception."

Hearing this, Ma Hongjun nodded firmly. As he walked toward the stage, he silently repeated Jiang Huai's words in his heart.

Suddenly, the temperature of the flames on Ma Hongjun's body rose sharply. The first to take the stage for the Plant Academy was a soul master with the Azure Vine martial soul.

The young woman introduced herself, "Lin Shan, martial soul Azure Vine, level 42 Control System Battle Soul Ancestor. Please advise!"

Ma Hongjun introduced himself in return, "Ma Hongjun, martial soul Evil Fire Phoenix, level 44 Assault System Battle Soul Ancestor. Please advise."

Upon hearing Ma Hongjun's martial soul, Lin Shan was suddenly flustered. A Phoenix martial soul, especially one with the word 'Fire' in it, was undoubtedly a formidable fire-type martial soul, and Ma Hongjun was two levels higher than her.

Yao Zi, the captain of the Plant Academy, had already furrowed her brows; she was beginning to worry about her sister.

The match started quickly. Ma Hongjun immediately unleashed his third soul skill, Phoenix Wings Soar, and took to the air. Seeing this, Lin Shan released her first soul skill, Green Vine Entanglement.

Ma Hongjun didn't dodge or evade, allowing himself to be entangled where he hovered. Seeing this, he didn't panic; he coated his body in flames, and the vines of the Azure Vine were burned to ash.

Just as Lin Shan was still in shock, Ma Hongjun remarked, "My turn!"

"First soul skill: Phoenix Fire Line!"

Ma Hongjun spat a ball of fire from his mouth. Seeing this, Lin Shan immediately used her Azure Vines to protect her body, layering the vines over and over to wrap herself up.

Jiang Huai called out toward the ring, "Fatty, stop, or she'll die."

Jiang Huai was speechless at the Plant Academy's teaching methods; to think they would let students use such a method to save their lives. If Ma Hongjun hadn't stopped, the Lin Shan inside would have become a roasted chicken.

Ma Hongjun stopped spitting fire. The Azure Vines had turned into charred remains, and the Lin Shan inside had fainted from the high heat.

Yao Zi immediately stepped forward to help her sister up and check on her. The temperature on Lin Shan's body was frighteningly high, and Shui Bing'er, watching from the stands, could no longer sit idly by; she went onto the stage to use her ice to cool Lin Shan down.

Before long, Yao Zi carried her teammate back to the spectator area and sent her other sisters onto the stage one by one to exhaust Ma Hongjun's soul power.

But Ma Hongjun didn't panic in the slightest, defeating the Plant Academy's Mu Yun, Lin Wei, Su Rui, Lin Na, and Ye Ling one after another.

Seeing all her teammates defeated by this fatty's flames, Yao Zi was furious. With the other six teammates defeated, it was finally her turn to take the stage.

After stepping up, Yao Zi introduced herself, "Yao Zi, martial soul Blazing Thorn, level 44 Control System Battle Soul Ancestor. Please advise."

Hearing this, Ma Hongjun braced himself. Whether he could achieve a one-on-seven sweep like Xiao Wu depended on this final round. However, he began to worry that his soul power was insufficient, as he was at the same level as his opponent, and after six rounds of consecutive fighting, he had very little soul power left.

Suddenly, Ma Hongjun launched the first attack with his first soul skill, Phoenix Fire Line, as flames erupted from his mouth.

Yao Zi flicked her right hand, and a thorn vine whip appeared. She lashed out with the whip, scattering the flames, and said, "Your flames are indeed impressive, but it's a pity—my Blazing Thorn is fire-immune!"

"What!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed in shock. He was truly panicked now; his remaining soul power was no longer enough to execute Phoenix Roaring Sky Strike, so he could only use the first stage of his fourth soul skill, Phoenix Magma Rush.

Suddenly, Ma Hongjun's eyes narrowed as he roared, "I'll risk it! All or nothing!"

"Fourth soul skill: Phoenix Roaring Sky Strike!"

Ma Hongjun soared high into the air. The ground tore apart, revealing cracks as magma erupted into the sky—this was the Phoenix Magma Rush.

Just as Ma Hongjun was about to execute the second stage, Phoenix Burst Strike, he ran out of soul power. This meant his damage output wasn't fully realized, but the high temperature of the Phoenix Magma Rush still forced Yao Zi back until she stepped to the edge of the ring.

Yao Zi was eliminated, and Ma Hongjun won the match. Ma Hongjun achieved the feat of a one-on-seven sweep, and Shrek also advanced to the final match of the day, where they would compete against the Kamikaze Academy for the final spot.

Although neither the Kamikaze Academy nor Shrek Academy would be eliminated regardless of who lost, both had already secured their qualifications to enter the finals and compete for the championship.

Early tomorrow morning, there would be a match between Tianshui Academy and the Plant Academy. The two all-female academies would compete for the third-place spot in the promotion tournament, primarily because only the top three in the promotion tournament could enter the final competition venue.

Therefore, Tianshui Academy and the Plant Academy would fight for the final qualification spot, while Shrek Academy and Kamikaze Academy had already secured their places.