Dou Spirit Takes the Field, a Tough Battle Ahead

The afternoon sun had warmed the arena slightly, while the stands roared with noise, even livelier than yesterday's opening match.

The Dou Spirit Empire Academy Team had already marched onto the field in formation. Dressed uniformly in dark, fitted combat uniforms, every one of them carried the fierce air of someone hardened by real battle. Their stances were taut, their gazes cold and unyielding. They were clearly a team that favored ruthless practical combat, completely unlike Star Luo Academy's proud and flamboyant style from yesterday.

The referee briefly checked both sides' rosters, then announced through a soul amplification device, his voice echoing throughout the arena:

"Today's match—Shrek Academy Team versus Dou Spirit Academy Team! The rules remain unchanged: team melee, stop at the proper point!"

Tang Wulin raised a hand to his waist, signaling his companions to spread out and take their pre-match positions.

He stood at the front. Gu Yue supported the left with her elements, Xu Xiaoyan controlled the field from the rear, Xie Xie roamed along the right, Ye Xinglan and Yuanen Yehui held the two flanks, Le Zhengyu bolstered them with holy attributes, and Xu Lizhi guarded the rear. Their formation was as steady as a rock, without the slightest hint of complacency after yesterday's first victory.

Xu Xiaoyan lightly gripped the Starwheel Ice Staff, icy-blue soul power slowly flowing around her fingers.

She could clearly sense that the oppressive force of the Dou Spirit Team's soul power was far stronger than that of the Star Luo Team. Every one of them had a heavier, fiercer presence. They were obviously the sort who had truly fought through life-and-death battles. She took a deep breath and fixed her gaze firmly on the enemy formation, waiting only for Tang Wulin's command.

"Brother, be careful of their aggressive assault rhythm," she reminded him quietly.

Tang Wulin nodded slightly, his eyes sharp as blades.

"They specialize in crushing opponents with fast attacks. We won't compete with them in opening explosive power. Xiaoyan, slow the field over a wide area first. Gu Yue, block their front line's vision. I'll take the first wave head-on."

As soon as he finished speaking, the referee loudly declared:

"Match—begin!"

Almost at the exact same moment, the entire Dou Spirit Team erupted into motion!

There was no probing, no flashy maneuvering. Five figures charged straight toward Shrek's formation like starving wolves. At the front, the captain's earth-yellow soul power surged wildly. He was clearly a hardline soul master skilled in both defense and offense. Behind him, his teammates activated all their soul rings, pouring out soul skills as if they cost nothing, their momentum savage and overwhelming.

"Good!"

Tang Wulin barked, and the Golden Dragon Claw formed with a roar. Instead of retreating, he charged forward to meet them head-on.

At the same time, Xu Xiaoyan raised her hand. The Starwheel Ice Staff swept across the air, and a vast expanse of frigid starlight instantly spread over the front field. The air suddenly froze, trying to ensnare every Dou Spirit member charging at the forefront.

But the enemy had clearly come prepared. A person in the rear suddenly lit up a purple soul ring, and a twisted surge of soul power exploded outward, forcibly scattering part of the starlight and leaving the front line's assault completely undiminished.

"They have a control-breaking soul master!" Xie Xie cried out.

Gu Yue's eyes turned cold. Her fingertips flicked repeatedly, weaving wind and fire into a barrier before Tang Wulin.

Boom!

The Dou Spirit captain's heavy fist slammed viciously into the elemental barrier. The barrier shuddered violently, yet it ultimately did not break.

Tang Wulin seized that instant of opening. The Golden Dragon Claw swept out, golden light ripping through the air and forcibly driving his opponent back two steps.

The battle instantly reached a stalemate.

The Dou Spirit Team's attacks came like crashing waves, one after another, giving Shrek no chance to breathe or adjust. Their style was brutal and tightly coordinated, clearly a tactic specially honed to counter control-oriented teams. Xu Xiaoyan tried several times to shrink her control range, only to have it interrupted by the enemy's control-breaking soul skills. For a time, she found herself on the back foot.

"Xiaoyan, don't be greedy with the range! Just lock down their front line!" Tang Wulin shouted.

Xu Xiaoyan immediately understood. She withdrew her power at once, and the starlight abruptly contracted, tightly binding only the three opponents at the forefront.

The move was incredibly precise, and the enemy's assault immediately stalled.

Ye Xinglan's sword light tore through the air, Yuanen Yehui swept out with overwhelming force, and Xie Xie took the opportunity to slip into the rear and harass them. Le Zhengyu's holy enhancement spread across the field, while Xu Lizhi's recovery buns had already been quietly passed into everyone's hands.

The Shrek Seven Monsters' formation had finally steadied itself amid the storm-like assault.

Cries of shock rose from the stands. No one had expected Dou Spirit Academy to fight so desperately from the very start, much less expected these young Shrek students to withstand such a crushing opening.

Na'er gripped the railing tightly, her little face filled with anxiety as she murmured, "Go, Brother... Don't lose, Brother..."

At the center of the arena, Tang Wulin and the Dou Spirit captain clashed head-on once more, soul power shockwaves exploding outward in every direction.

He could clearly feel that his opponent's strength and real combat experience both surpassed yesterday's Star Luo captain.

This was the true tough battle of the exchange tournament.

And the longer Tang Wulin fought, the brighter his eyes became, his battle intent blazing fiercely.

He neither retreated nor dodged. He faced the enemy head-on, using the most direct method to hold up Shrek's entire battle line.

Xu Xiaoyan steadied her breathing in the rear, her gaze growing firmer as her control became more precise with every attempt.

Each of her companions performed their own role, and not a single one panicked.

The sunlight blazed, and soul power thundered.

This confrontation had only truly begun.