Consecutive Victories Tempered Their Hearts, Undercurrents Stirred in the Dark

Cheers rolled through the arena like waves, one after another, refusing to fade for a long while. Sunlight filtered through the Soul Power barrier overhead, casting a gentle yet scorching glow that made the Shrek Seven Monsters standing side by side shine all the brighter. The sweat on every face glimmered faintly—a vivid portrait of youth after a hard-fought battle.

Tang Wulin slightly adjusted his breathing and fully reined in his gradually calming Gold Dragon Soul Power. The golden dragon markings on his arms slowly faded, and the fierce edge that had just crushed his opponent gave way to the steady warmth unique to a young man. He turned to look at his companions, who were breathing a little heavily. Every one of them was drenched in sweat, their clothes soaked through, yet not one showed any sign of exhaustion. Their eyes were bright with the certainty and joy of victory.

Xu Xiaoyan lightly supported herself with the Starwheel Ice Staff. Her ice-blue Soul Power had long since settled, and her little face was flushed red. Sweat-dampened bangs clung to her forehead, but her eyes still curved into crescents as she smiled. Looking up at Tang Wulin, she said with relief and pride, "Brother, we really did it. We beat both Star Luo and Dou Spirit, two of the strongest teams in a row." Throughout the match, she had remained tense, carefully controlling every moment on the field, afraid of dragging the team down. Only when the referee announced their victory did the weight in her heart finally lift.

"This wasn't one person's achievement. All of us fought for it together." Tang Wulin smiled, gently patting Xie Xie on the shoulder before looking at the others. "Xie Xie's surprise attacks disrupted their backline. Xinglan's sword aura precisely suppressed their support fighters. Yehui's defense secured our formation. Zhengyu's buffs stayed active throughout. Lizhi's Soul Power supplies arrived on time. Gu Yue's elemental coordination was flawless, and Xiaoyan's crucial control broke their stalemate. Without any one of us, we couldn't have won such a tough battle."

He had never claimed victory's glory for himself. In his heart, the Shrek Seven Monsters had always been one whole, sharing honor and disgrace, victories and defeats alike. His words warmed his companions' hearts. They exchanged smiles, and the understanding between them deepened further.

Xie Xie collapsed onto the arena floor, gasping for breath. He accepted a Soul Power bun Xu Lizhi handed him and wolfed it down, speaking indistinctly between bites. "Those Dou Spirit Team guys were way too tough. They were ten times harder to deal with than the Star Luo Team. I nearly got hit by one of their soul skills just now. Good thing Yehui blocked it for me in time."

"Combat-oriented teams are like that. Their style is entirely focused on winning, with no unnecessary flair. The next time we face opponents like them, we need to identify their weaknesses faster." Yuanen Yehui stood nearby, her voice steady. She raised a hand and rubbed her arm. Taking several of the enemy's fierce attacks head-on had consumed a great deal of her Soul Power, yet her posture remained straight and firm.

Ye Xinglan sheathed her sword. A rare trace of a smile appeared on her cool face as she said calmly, "Our coordination was better than in the previous match, and we made up for quite a few shortcomings. Keep it up. We have no need to fear the matches ahead." She had always been strict, so such an assessment was enough to show her approval of both the victory and the team's performance.

Holy Soul Power slowly circulated around Le Zhengyu as he soothed the unstable Soul Power of those around him. Smiling gently, he said, "Everyone worked hard. Get some proper rest next, and restore your energy so we can face stronger opponents. This winning streak is only the beginning. Our goal is to go all the way."

Xu Lizhi carried a large bag full of Soul Power buns and handed them out one by one. His honest face was full of seriousness as he said, "I'll make more high-grade Soul Power food from now on. I'll make sure everyone has enough Soul Power whenever they need it. No one will ever go hungry."

Gu Yue stood beside Tang Wulin, lightly brushing her fingers through her hair as her gaze swept across the arena, which was gradually emptying. As both teams departed, the once-boisterous venue slowly returned to quiet, but her brows furrowed slightly and her eyes grew more solemn. She tugged at Tang Wulin's sleeve and lowered her voice. "We won this match too brilliantly. We've already become a thorn in the eyes of every competing team. The matches ahead won't go as smoothly as this one. The major academies will definitely target our tactics and create specific countermeasures. They may even resort to other little tricks."

Tang Wulin's expression turned serious at her words. He was not merely a reckless youth who understood nothing beyond fighting. Having gone through so many twists and turns, he naturally understood that a tall tree caught the wind. Shrek Academy was already the standard-bearer of the continent's Soul Master world. Now that the seven of them had defeated two powerful teams in succession with overwhelming advantages, displaying such sharp brilliance, they were bound to draw the wariness and hostility of other academies.

Xu Xiaoyan nodded as well and softly added, "During the match, I sensed several concealed Soul Power signatures in the stands. They kept their attention fixed on us. Especially when you unleashed the Golden Dragon Power, Brother, those fluctuations clearly grew stronger. It felt like they were investigating something. They didn't seem like ordinary spectators or instructors."

As a control-system Soul Master, she was naturally more sensitive than most to the auras around her. Though those hidden gazes carried no malice, they still put her on guard.

Following Xu Xiaoyan's words, Tang Wulin raised his eyes toward the empty stands, sweeping his gaze over the shadowy corners, but he found nothing. Suppressing the doubts in his heart, he looked to his companions and said firmly, "No matter what undercurrents are stirring outside, and no matter what tactics our opponents prepare to counter us, we only need to focus on ourselves. In the time ahead, we'll intensify our training together, refine more tactics, and make up for our weaknesses. As long as the seven of us stand united and respond to every change with constancy, there will be no obstacle we cannot overcome."

Just then, Na'er ran down from the spectator stands on her short little legs, her small face brimming with excitement. She plunged straight into Tang Wulin's arms, tilted up her little face, and looked at him with sparkling eyes. "Big Brother, you were amazing just now! Those bad people couldn't beat you! Na'er is so happy!"

The heaviness in Tang Wulin's heart instantly dispersed at the sight of his sister's innocent expression. He picked Na'er up, gently ruffled her hair, and smiled. "It was Big Brother and his companions working together that won the match. Na'er has to be good too, and wait for Big Brother to win the final championship."

"Mm! Na'er will always cheer for Big Brother!" Na'er nodded vigorously, wrapping her little arms tightly around Tang Wulin's neck, obedient and clingy.

Xu Xiaoyan stood to one side, watching the warm scene between the siblings with a gentle smile. She stepped forward, straightened the hem of Na'er's clothes that had been thrown into disarray by her running, and softly said, "Na'er is wonderful. You've been such a good girl, always cheering for Big Brother."

The group lingered in the arena a little longer, waiting for the Soul Power within their bodies to settle before heading outside together. Along the way, they encountered many Shrek teachers and students, who all looked at them approvingly. People continuously came forward to congratulate them. The youths thanked them politely, without a hint of arrogance. The glory of consecutive victories had not made them lose themselves; instead, it had made their hearts even steadier.

When they reached the academy's tree-lined path, sunlight fell through the leaves in dappled patches. A light breeze brought wave after wave of coolness, dispersing the exhaustion and heat clinging to their bodies.

Tang Wulin carried Na'er as he walked alongside his companions, calmly arranging what came next. "Tonight after dinner, we'll gather at the Inner Academy training grounds. We'll pull up the match records of several potential opponents, analyze their martial souls and tactical styles one by one, and prepare suitable responses. Tomorrow morning, we'll train as usual. We can't slack off just because we've won a few matches."

"Understood!" everyone answered in unison. No one objected.

What their winning streak brought them was never arrogance, but firmer conviction and steadier hearts. They knew the road of the exchange tournament was still long. Stronger opponents and greater challenges lay ahead. Only by constantly growing stronger and continually refining their team could they defend Shrek's honor and reach the end.

The group chatted and laughed as they walked, their figures gradually disappearing into the depths of the tree-lined path. Filled with youthful spirit, passion, and dreams, they moved forward with steady steps. Though hidden undercurrents quietly surged in the darkness, they could not hinder the youths' advance in the slightest. The journey of the Shrek Seven Monsters had only just entered its climax.