Studying the Enemy at Night, Poised for Battle

Dusk gradually shrouded Shrek Academy. The daytime clamor slowly faded, while the sunset dyed the horizon a warm orange. The scattered buildings and dense woods were bathed in a soft glow. Only the Inner Academy's training grounds remained brightly lit, brimming with the tireless vitality of youth.

Tang Wulin entrusted Na'er to one of the academy teachers, repeatedly reminding them to look after her before heading to the training grounds with Xu Xiaoyan. Their companions had already all arrived. No one was late, and their expressions were grave, without a trace of the relaxation that might have followed their winning streak earlier that day. A soul guidance screen displaying tournament information stood inside the training grounds, clearly listing the records, martial soul lineups, and tactical styles of the remaining strong teams in the exchange competition. The atmosphere was quiet and solemn.

Xu Lizhi thoughtfully set the prepared soul power buns and warmed fruit-and-vegetable juice on the table, smiling honestly. "Eat while we talk. Don't wear yourselves out. You need to replenish your soul power before you can properly analyze our opponents." Xie Xie grabbed a bun and stuffed it into his mouth, then leaned close to the soul guidance screen. His eyes were fixed on the information, and the usual playfulness was nowhere to be seen.

Tang Wulin stepped before the soul guidance screen and raised a hand to light it up. His gaze swept over the displayed information as his steady, clear voice reached everyone's ears. "According to the advancement list released by the tournament organizers, our next opponent is the Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team. They were runners-up in the previous exchange competition. They're stronger than both Star Luo and Dou Spirit Academy. Every member is at the Soul Ancestor level, and their martial soul composition has no weaknesses. They have assault, control, support, and ambush roles, with an extremely mature tactical system. They're the strongest opponents we've faced so far."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's expressions grew even more serious. They moved closer to the soul guidance screen and carefully reviewed the Heaven Soul team's detailed information.

Xu Xiaoyan pointed at the screen and spoke softly, her tone analytical. "Their captain is an assault-type battle Soul Ancestor. His martial soul is the Blazing Sun Tiger, a fire attribute martial soul with tremendous explosive power. He's the team's primary damage dealer. They also have a control-type soul master whose martial soul is the Illusive Vine. It can not only bind opponents, but also create illusions. He's even harder to deal with than Dou Spirit Academy's control-breaking soul master. Their support lineup combines food-type and holy-type abilities, maximizing their soul power endurance and recovery. Their ambush position is a speed-type soul master. He's extremely fast and specifically targets our control and support members."

She studied the information with exceptional care, sorting through their opponents' key strengths and weaknesses one by one. As the team's control-type soul master, she had to understand the enemy's battlefield control methods in advance so she could respond precisely during the match and avoid being forced onto the defensive.

"The Illusive Vine is troublesome. It excels at both mental and physical control. My elemental power can disrupt its illusions. Xiaoyan, you'll restrain their assault and ambush members, while I'll help you break through the Illusive Vine's illusions." Gu Yue spoke at once, her eyes sharp. She had already devised a response. Her elemental soul power naturally countered this kind of mental battlefield-control martial soul, and together with Xu Xiaoyan, she could dismantle the opponent's control advantage.

Tang Wulin nodded, agreeing with Gu Yue's assessment as he continued laying out their tactical plan. "The Heaven Soul team's strength is their balance. They have no obvious weaknesses, but they also have no absolutely outstanding powerhouse. We won't compete with them in a war of attrition. We'll go for a fast assault. At the start of the match, I'll hold back the Blazing Sun Tiger captain head-on. Xie Xie and Yehui will work together to contain their speed-type member and keep him away from Xiaoyan and Lizhi. Xinglan will circle behind them and suppress their support members. Gu Yue will help Xiaoyan break their illusions throughout the battle. Zhengyu will enhance everyone, and Lizhi will be ready to resupply us at any time."

"Once Xiaoyan successfully binds one of their core members, I'll immediately unleash Golden Dragon Power and end it quickly. We can't give them a chance to adjust their formation." Tang Wulin's tone was firm, and his eyes were filled with confidence. He knew well that against a balanced powerhouse team, the longer they dragged things out, the more disadvantageous it would become. Only by seizing the initiative and winning through speed could they remain in control.

Everyone listened intently, occasionally nodding and adding their own thoughts as they sorted out their respective combat duties. No one interrupted. The training grounds contained only Tang Wulin's calm explanations and the occasional tactical discussion, creating a focused yet harmonious atmosphere.

Xu Xiaoyan held a pen and swiftly wrote down the tactical points, marking out her timing for battlefield control and every point at which she would coordinate with Gu Yue. Her handwriting was neat and clear. She looked up at Tang Wulin, her gaze resolute. "Brother, don't worry. I'll keep the field under control. I won't let the Illusive Vine disrupt our formation, and I'll hold the Blazing Sun Tiger tightly enough to create an opening for you to attack."

"I believe in you." Tang Wulin looked at her, his gaze full of an elder brother's trust and encouragement. After these matches, Xu Xiaoyan's growth had been obvious to all. She had long since grown from an inexperienced young girl into the team's dependable control core. He had never doubted her abilities.

The tactical discussion lasted nearly two hours. They thoroughly analyzed every detail of the Heaven Soul team and every possible style of play, devising three response plans to ensure that they could calmly handle any unforeseen changes during the match. Only when the night had grown deep and all matters had been settled did Tang Wulin announce that they were done.

"Go back and get some proper rest. Build up your energy. Tomorrow morning, we'll practice together early and refine the new tactics."

"Alright!"

The companions gradually left the training grounds. Xie Xie and Xu Lizhi walked together, discussing the details of the match along the way. Ye Xinglan, Yuanen Yehui, and Le Zhengyu departed at an unhurried pace. Gu Yue left last. She looked back at Tang Wulin, who was still organizing the materials, and calmly reminded him, "Get some rest early," before turning and leaving.

Before long, only Tang Wulin and Xu Xiaoyan remained in the training grounds. Xu Xiaoyan helped Tang Wulin pack up the documents, paper, and pens from the table, moving briskly as she spoke softly. "Brother, you should go back and rest early too. You've been competing and discussing tactics nonstop these past few days. You must be exhausted. Na'er is still waiting for you in the dormitory."

"It's fine. I'll go through the Heaven Soul team's information one more time to make sure nothing was missed. You go back first. Be careful on the way." Tang Wulin smiled, but his eyes remained on the soul guidance screen. He did not dare be careless in the slightest.

"I'll stay with you. Once we finish packing, we can leave together. That way, we can look out for each other." Xu Xiaoyan shook her head and insisted on staying. She knew Tang Wulin was always meticulous and never careless when it came to competitions. All she could do was remain by his side and help ease his burden a little.

The two quietly packed up. The lights in the training grounds were gentle, while the night beyond the windows was still. The occasional chirp of insects drifted in, bringing an unusual sense of peace. Once they had finished, Tang Wulin switched off the soul guidance lamps and left the training grounds with Xu Xiaoyan.

The night air was slightly cool. Moonlight spilled over the stone path, casting their side-by-side shadows across it. Neither spoke along the way, yet there was perfect understanding between them. At a fork in the road, Xu Xiaoyan stopped and smiled at Tang Wulin. "Brother, I'm heading back. You should hurry to the dormitory and check on Na'er too. See you at practice tomorrow."

"Alright. See you tomorrow. Get some rest when you get back." Tang Wulin waved farewell. Only after watching Xu Xiaoyan's figure vanish into the night did he turn toward his own dormitory.

When he returned, Na'er had already washed up and was sitting obediently by the bed, waiting for him. The moment she saw Tang Wulin return, she threw herself into his arms. Tang Wulin held his sister and spoke to her gently. The exhaustion of the day melted away completely in the warmth of their family bond.

He lay in bed, gazing at the moonlight beyond the window as he replayed their planned tactics over and over in his mind. He was not nervous in the slightest, only filled with confidence. With his companions united and their tactics carefully prepared, he believed that no matter how strong their opponents were tomorrow, they would win again.

As the night deepened, all of Shrek Academy sank into sleep. Young Tang Wulin gradually drifted off, certain of victory. That late-night study of their enemy had already fully prepared them for tomorrow's hard battle. The youths were poised for action, waiting only to display their brilliance once more on the battlefield.