Cheers from the arena rose like tidal waves, one after another, refusing to die down for a long while. Sunlight filtered through the Soul Power barrier suspended overhead, casting a gentle yet blazing glow that made the Shrek Seven Monsters standing shoulder to shoulder appear even more dazzling. The sweat on every face glimmered faintly, reflecting the vivid youthfulness that followed a hard-fought battle.
Tang Wulin adjusted his breathing slightly and fully reined in his gradually calming Gold Dragon Soul Power. The golden dragon markings on his arms slowly faded, and the sharp edge that had slain his opponents moments ago gave way to the steadiness and warmth unique to a young man. He turned to look at his companions, who were breathing lightly beside him. Every one of them was drenched in sweat, their clothes soaked through, yet none showed any sign of exhaustion. Their eyes shone with the brightness and resolve of victory.
Xu Xiaoyan lightly leaned on her Starwheel Ice Staff. Her icy-blue Soul Power had long since settled, and her little face was flushed red. Damp strands of hair clung to her forehead, but her eyes still curved into a delighted smile. Looking up at Tang Wulin, she said with ease and pride, "Brother, we really did it. We defeated both Star Luo and Dou Spirit, two of the strongest teams, back to back." During the match, she had kept herself tense throughout, precisely controlling every moment on the field, terrified that she might hold the team back. Only when the referee declared their victory did the weight in her heart finally lift.
"This isn't my achievement alone. All of us fought for it." Tang Wulin smiled, gently patting Xie Xie on the shoulder before looking at everyone else. "Xie Xie's surprise attacks disrupted their backline. Xing Lan's sword aura precisely suppressed their support fighters. Yehui's defense secured our formation. Zheng Yu's buffs remained active throughout. Li Zhi's Soul Power supplies arrived in time. Gu Yue's elemental coordination was flawless, and Xiaoyan's crucial control broke the deadlock. Without any one of you, we couldn't have won such a hard battle."
He had never claimed the glory of victory for himself. In his heart, the Shrek Seven Monsters had always been one whole, sharing honor and disgrace, victory and defeat alike. His words warmed his companions' hearts. They exchanged smiles, and the unspoken understanding between them deepened once more.
Xie Xie collapsed onto the arena floor, gasping for breath. He took a Soul Power bun from Xu Lizhi and wolfed it down, mumbling through his mouthful, "Those Dou Spirit Team people 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."
"That's how combat-oriented teams are. Their entire fighting style is aimed at winning, without a single unnecessary flourish. The next time we face opponents like them, we need to find their weaknesses faster." Yuanen Yehui stood nearby, her voice calm and steady. She raised a hand to rub her arm. She had endured several of the enemy's fierce attacks head-on and expended quite a bit of Soul Power, yet she still stood tall and straight.
Ye Xinglan sheathed her sword, and a rare hint of a smile appeared on her cool face. "Our coordination was more seamless than in the last match, and we made up for quite a few shortcomings. Keep it up. There's no need to fear the matches ahead." She had always been demanding, so such an evaluation was more than enough to show her approval of both this victory and the team's performance.
Holy Soul Power slowly circulated around Yue Zhengyu as he helped soothe the restless Soul Power of those around him. He smiled gently. "Everyone worked hard. Rest properly from here on and recover your spirits so we can face even stronger opponents. This winning streak is only the beginning. Our goal is to make it to the end."
Xu Lizhi held a bulging bag of Soul Power buns and handed them out to his companions one by one. His honest face was full of seriousness. "From now on, I'll make more high-grade Soul Power food. I'll make sure everyone has enough Soul Power whenever they need it. No one will ever go hungry."
Gu Yue stood at Tang Wulin's side, lightly brushing her fingertips through her hair as her gaze swept over the arena that was gradually emptying. The once boisterous venue slowly returned to silence as both teams departed, 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 side of every competing team. The matches ahead won't go as smoothly as this one. The major academies will definitely target our tactics and develop specific countermeasures. They may even resort to other tricks."
Tang Wulin's expression turned serious as well. He was not merely a reckless youth who knew how to fight. Having experienced many twists and turns along the way, he naturally understood that a tall tree caught the wind. Shrek Academy was already the benchmark of the continent's soul master world. Now that the seven of them had defeated two powerful teams in succession with overwhelming advantages, their brilliance would inevitably draw the wariness and hostility of other academies.
Xu Xiaoyan nodded as well and quietly added, "During the match, I sensed several concealed strands of Soul Power in the stands that had been locked onto us the whole time. Especially when you unleashed Golden Dragon Power, Brother, those Soul Power fluctuations became noticeably stronger. It felt like they were investigating something. They didn't seem like ordinary spectators or instructors."
As a control-system soul master, her perception of the surrounding atmosphere was naturally sharper than most. Those hidden gazes carried no hostility, yet they still put her on guard.
Following Xu Xiaoyan's words, Tang Wulin raised his eyes toward the empty stands. His gaze swept across the dark corners, but he found nothing. Suppressing the doubts in his heart, he looked at his companions and spoke firmly. "No matter what undercurrents are moving outside, and no matter what tactics our opponents use against us, we only need to focus on ourselves. In the time ahead, we'll intensify our joint training, refine more tactics, and make up for our weaknesses. As long as the seven of us stand united and meet all changes with constancy, there will be no obstacle we can't overcome."
Just then, Na'er ran down from the spectator stands on her little legs, her small face full of excitement. She threw herself into Tang Wulin's arms, tipped up her face, and looked at him with sparkling eyes. "Big Brother, you were amazing just now! Those bad guys couldn't beat you at all! Na'er is so happy!"
Seeing his little sister's innocent expression, the heaviness in Tang Wulin's heart instantly vanished. He picked Na'er up, gently rubbed her hair, and smiled. "It was because Big Brother and his companions worked together that we won. 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 nearby, watching the warm scene between the siblings with a soft smile at the corner of her lips. She stepped forward and helped straighten Na'er's rumpled clothes. "Na'er is wonderful. You've been cheering for Big Brother so obediently."
The group lingered in the arena for a little longer, calming the Soul Power within their bodies before heading outside together. Along the way, they encountered many Shrek teachers and students, all of whom looked at them approvingly. People continually came forward to offer congratulations. The youths thanked them politely, without the slightest trace of arrogance. The glory of consecutive victories had not made them lose themselves. Instead, it made their hearts even steadier.
When they reached the academy's tree-lined path, sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, scattering mottled shadows over the ground. A breeze blew past, bringing waves of coolness that dispersed the fatigue and heat clinging to them.
Tang Wulin carried Na'er as he walked alongside his companions, calmly arranging the next steps. "After dinner tonight, gather at the Inner Academy training grounds. We'll retrieve footage of several potential opponents in the upcoming matches, analyze their martial soul traits and tactical styles one by one, and prepare corresponding responses. Tomorrow morning, we train as usual. We can't slack off just because we've won several matches in a row."
"Understood!" everyone replied in unison, without a single objection.
What a winning streak brought was never pride or complacency, but firmer conviction and a steadier mindset. They knew that the road of the exchange tournament was still long. Stronger opponents and greater challenges awaited them ahead. Only by growing stronger without cease and continuously refining their team could they protect Shrek's glory and reach the end.
Talking and laughing, the group's figures gradually disappeared into the depths of the tree-lined path. The youths strode forward steadily, high-spirited and carrying passion and dreams in their hearts. Though the hidden undercurrents moved quietly in the shadows, they could not hinder the youths' steps in the slightest. The journey of the Shrek Seven Monsters had only just entered its climax.
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