Tactics

"Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong and I have set our sights on the top rankings of the Freshman Assessment, and for that, we need your strength."

Bai Cai reached out an inviting hand, speaking with sincerity: "An excellent performance in the Freshman Assessment is a massive boost, whether one is applying to become a core disciple or seeking entry into the Shrek Inner Court."

"Xiao Xiao, your goal should be to enter the Shrek Inner Court, shouldn't it?"

Most ordinary students only aim to pass the Freshman Assessment to enjoy the cultivation resources provided by Shrek.

However, as the face of the defense-type Soul Masters in Freshman Class One, Xiao Xiao would surely surpass those students who were just coasting, and she would not stop at the Shrek Outer Court.

Xiao Xiao said softly: "Who wouldn't want to join the Shrek Inner Court?"

"Exactly. That is why choosing one's teammates is a matter of great importance."

The delicate girl smiled mischievously: "I was almost tricked, just by a hair's breadth."

The forest by the Sea God Lake was lush and verdant.

Thick layers of fallen leaves crunched rhythmically under their feet.

A pair of blue butterfly wings instantly unfurled, the colors at the tips of the forewings shifting between deep blue, azure, and light blue.

The entire surface of the wings resembled a string of brilliant halos embedded in the blue sky, or the white foam cresting upon a vast azure sea; the patterns were complex and magnificent, shimmering in shades of violet-blue.

At times deep blue, at times azure, at times light blue, they looked like inlaid precious jewels, radiant and mesmerizing.

With the Goddess of Light Butterfly possessed, yellow and purple soul rings pulsed in rhythm with the wings on either side. Wang Dong said proudly: "Wang Dong, level 24 Assault-type Battle Soul Grand Master, Goddess of Light Butterfly martial soul, second soul ring is thousand-year level."

Specks of pink light gradually coalesced, and the little blue-haired creature suddenly appeared, sitting perched on Bai Cai's left shoulder. "Bai Cai, level 20 Control-type Battle Soul Master, Ralts, spirit-type external martial soul."

Two yellow soul rings rose slowly, and a mass of light condensed rapidly above Xiao Xiao's head, transforming in the blink of an eye into a black, two-eared, three-legged cauldron about three feet in diameter.

"Xiao Xiao, level 22 Control-type Battle Soul Grand Master, martial souls, Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron and Nine-Phoenix Flute."

The delicate girl explained: "My positioning overlaps somewhat with Bai Cai's, and the control intensity of the Nine-Phoenix Flute is currently quite weak. Therefore, I will use the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron as my primary martial soul, leaning toward defense and support."

"No problem." Flapping her blue butterfly wings lightly, Wang Dong stretched and said: "As long as I can protect Little White, it's fine. Little White and I have great synergy; two against three will be a breeze."

Wang Dong had sparred with Bai Cai many times and was already well aware of his weaknesses.

The psychic intensity of the Ralts martial soul was tied to mental power; if it sealed two soul skills in a short time, the psychic intensity would drop significantly, indirectly affecting the structural integrity of the Psychic Lock and Psychic Shield.

In other words, if the number of sealed soul skills exceeded two, the control and defensive capabilities of the Ralts martial soul would plummet, allowing level 1 or 2 Assault-type Battle Soul Grand Masters to easily break through the Psychic Lock and Psychic Shield to attack Bai Cai directly.

Of course, unless the opponent's Assault-type Soul Master could flank them much faster than Wang Dong, they would only face a righteous three-on-one.

"Bai Cai, what is the effect of Ralts's first soul skill?" Xiao Xiao asked, curious. Aside from the first soul duel he lost to Wang Dong, Bai Cai's battle record was a blank slate, making him extremely mysterious.

"So, does this mean Xiao Xiao is willing to prepare for the Freshman Assessment with us?" Wang Dong blinked her large, pink-blue eyes.

"Mhm." Xiao Xiao nodded.

"The name of Ralts's first soul skill is Imprison, and its effect is to seal a soul skill the opponent has already used."

Bai Cai paused slightly before adding: "Furthermore, Imprison can interrupt soul skills that require continuous channeling, such as certain status-based or buff-type soul skills."

"This effect!" Xiao Xiao's expression turned to shock. "That's cheating, that's completely broken!"

"You can use the first soul skill several times, right?" The delicate girl counted on her slender fingers. "Disabling one skill each time, after a few rounds..."

Freshmen were no older than twelve; a Soul Grand Master with two soul rings was already considered an elite student, and the super-geniuses who reached Soul Elder by twelve were few and far between.

A Soul Elder and two Soul Grand Masters—even a top-tier seed team would have no more than seven soul rings in total.

As a first soul skill, Imprison had a low consumption; surely he could seal more than three soul rings in a short period?

With Wang Dong's Goddess of Light Butterfly martial soul, innate flight capabilities, a powerful level 24 soul power, and a thousand-year second soul ring, wouldn't they just slaughter the competition?

"It doesn't work like that." Bai Cai seemed to see through Xiao Xiao's thoughts. "If I seal more than two soul skills, Ralts's control intensity drops sharply, and I lose my ability to protect myself."

"Furthermore, Wang Dong's second soul ring consumes a massive amount of soul power; as our trump card for victory, it cannot be used lightly."

Bai Cai smiled: "Against weaker enemies, I will be responsible for controlling their bodies and locking their joints, while Xiao Xiao uses the Soul-Suppressing Cauldron to knock them out of the arena, allowing Wang Dong to conserve strength."

"It's not the Soul-Suppressing Cauldron." Xiao Xiao bared her teeth. "It's the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron."

"Fine, the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron."

Bai Cai continued: "Against enemies of equal level, I will selectively seal their soul skills and control their movements at critical moments."

"Wang Dong will handle the offense, while Xiao Xiao handles protection and looks for opportunities to disrupt the enemy. Unless necessary, Wang Dong must not use her second soul ring to conserve strength."

"Finally, when facing seed teams led by a Soul Elder, during the probing phase, I will try to stall for time and attempt to seal all of the Soul Elder's soul skills."

"When I lose my ability to defend myself, Wang Dong will strike the enemy Soul Elder directly, and Xiao Xiao will provide support, pinning down the two Soul Grand Masters. The rest of the battle will be up to your own judgment."

"Little White, what about you?" Wang Dong stepped closer, looking worried. "Soul skills have no eyes; if you lose your psychic protection..."

"If I'm not prepared to sacrifice myself, how can I pursue the championship?" Bai Cai said calmly. "Burn the bridges and fight to the death; without sacrifice, how can victory be won?"

"If it truly comes to it, I will voluntarily withdraw." Bai Cai raised his hand, gently smoothing Ralts's blue hair. "Besides, I have always kept one trump card in reserve."

Through three years of secret practice, Ralts could now slightly control the output of soul power; at the critical moment, Healing Wish would be the straw that broke the camel's back.

"Is the Freshman Assessment championship really that important to you?" Wang Dong hesitated. "What could Shrek Academy possibly give you?"

The blue ring-shaped Soul Tool, the Mystic Water Pill—could these be rewards Little White had already received in advance?

Little White almost never got angry, yet he had been so dejected after losing that soul duel... Was it really because of the soul ring he had promised her?

Wang Dong realized, with a dull ache, that there was a side to Bai Cai she had yet to see.