As night deepened, the entire Shrek Academy sank into sleep. Young Tang Wulin gradually drifted off, certain of victory. The late-night discussion of enemy intelligence had already made thorough preparations for tomorrow's hard battle. The young fighters were poised and ready, waiting only to shine once more in the arena.
The first hint of dawn had just appeared on the horizon, while thin mist still clung to the branches in Shrek Academy's woods. Morning dew shimmered on the grass, crystal-clear and bright. The air was filled with the crisp scent of vegetation, and even the breeze carried a refreshing chill, sweeping away the last traces of nighttime drowsiness.
Tang Wulin woke naturally to his internal clock. He did not linger in bed, rising quietly for fear of waking Na'er, who was still sound asleep. His little sister was curled beneath the covers, her cheeks rosy, her breathing even, and a faint smile lingering at the corners of her lips. She must have been having a sweet dream. He bent down to tuck her blanket in, his movements unbelievably gentle, his eyes filled with the tenderness unique to an older brother.
After washing up, he changed into clean training clothes. Soul Power quietly circulated through his body; a night of meditation had completely dispelled the fatigue accumulated during the previous days of competition. Gold Dragon Soul Power flowed steadily through his meridians, filling his entire body with strength. He pushed open the dormitory window, and the morning sunlight fell across his face, warm but not harsh. Tang Wulin took a deep breath, filling his chest with fresh air. Instantly invigorated, battle intent for the coming match ignited in his eyes.
Today was their final joint practice before facing the Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team. There could be no carelessness. The Heaven Soul Team was far stronger than their previous opponents. Only by polishing their tactics to perfection could they gain the initiative in the arena.
He had just closed his door when he heard light footsteps coming from the end of the corridor. Looking up, he saw Xu Xiaoyan walking toward him. She had also changed into simple light-blue training clothes, her long hair tied back to reveal her clean, delicate features. She held the Starwheel Ice Staff in her hand, her aura steady. Clearly, she had already completed her meditation and showed no trace of morning fatigue.
"Morning, Brother." Xu Xiaoyan stopped before him, her eyes curving with a gentle smile. "I just took a look around the training ground. Li Zhi got there early and steamed some hot Soul Power buns. Xie Xie helped him too. No one was late."
"You worked hard, coming over so early." Tang Wulin smiled and nodded, warmth filling his heart. Having such dependable companions and a sister gave him even greater confidence in the coming match. "Let's go together and thoroughly work through the tactics we made last night. Especially the illusion coordination between you and Gu Yue—we need to drill it until the transitions are seamless."
"Mm, I remembered it all. I even reviewed it several times in my head before going to sleep last night." Xu Xiaoyan nodded seriously, with no fear in her eyes. After being tempered through several matches, she had long shed her initial immaturity and gained the steadiness and confidence of a control-type Soul Master.
The two walked side by side toward the Inner Academy training ground. Morning dew still covered the stone path, and their footsteps produced soft, damp sounds. Many students were already up training, every one of them standing straight with their Soul Power restrained. Shrek's rigorous academic culture showed itself in every detail.
From afar, they could see figures on the training ground. Xu Lizhi was bustling around a small soul-tool steamer, from which steam rose as the rich fragrance of buns drifted through the air, making mouths water. Inside were high-grade Soul Power buns he had prepared overnight—meat-filled and vegetable-filled, each plump and round, packed with abundant Soul Power and specially made for his companions' preparations. Xie Xie was hopping about beside him, occasionally reaching out to steal one, only for Xu Lizhi to dodge him with a grin. Their playful bickering eased the tension before the match.
Gu Yue, Ye Xinglan, Yuanen Yehui, and Yue Zhengyu had also arrived. Each stood to one side, meditating, their Soul Power circulating steadily and their expressions solemn. Gu Yue lightly wound a strand of hair around her fingertip, her eyes closed as elemental power stirred quietly around her. Wind, fire, water, and earth gently circled her, showing that she was familiarizing herself with the flow of the elements in preparation for helping Xu Xiaoyan break through illusions today. Ye Xinglan rested a hand on her sword hilt, meditating with her eyes closed; her sword aura was restrained but still sharp. Yuanen Yehui stood tall, the aura of the Titan Giant Ape faintly lurking within her, steady as a mountain. A soft holy radiance lingered around Yue Zhengyu, gentle yet powerful, ready at any moment to enhance the team.
When they saw Tang Wulin and Xu Xiaoyan arrive, everyone rose, stopped meditating, and gathered around them.
"Wulin, Xiaoyan, you're here! Hurry and eat some buns—they just came out, and they're full of Soul Power!" Xu Lizhi hurriedly lifted the steamer lid and took out several steaming buns, handing them to everyone. His honest face was full of smiles. "I specially added extra Soul Power grass. They replenish energy even better than the last batch. Eat more, everyone. You'll have more strength for training."
Xie Xie took a bun and bit into it with a huge mouthful. With his mouth full of fragrance, he said indistinctly, "Li Zhi's buns are still the best! With these, we'll definitely perform beyond our limits in today's practice. What's the Heaven Soul Team? We'll take them down easily!"
"Don't underestimate them. The Heaven Soul Team is stronger than both Star Luo and Dou Spirit. We have to bring out all our strength during practice. There can't be even the slightest bit of slacking." Tang Wulin accepted a bun and took a light bite. Warm Soul Power slid down his throat, instantly filling his limbs and bones. His tone was steady as he reminded the others, with no hint of complacency on his face.
Everyone nodded. They quickly finished their buns, replenished their Soul Power, and swiftly took up formation. Their morning joint practice officially began.
"We'll follow the first set of tactics. I'll restrain them first. Xiaoyan, start with a probing control field. Gu Yue, be ready with elemental protection at all times and guard against sudden illusion attacks!" Tang Wulin gave the order in a clear voice that pierced through the morning mist.
The moment his words fell, he moved first. Gold Dragon Soul Power erupted instantly, golden dragon patterns climbing his arms as three soul rings—yellow, purple, purple—hovered steadily around him. Holding nothing back, he charged toward the designated assault position, his steps firm and his offensive fierce. Every strike was precise and powerful, perfectly simulating the Heaven Soul Team captain, the Blazing Sun Tiger.
Xu Xiaoyan followed close behind, holding the Starwheel Ice Staff. With a light flick of her wrist, icy-blue starlight slowly spread outward. Rather than rashly unleashing her full control ability, she began with a small-scale probe. The starlight was gentle yet remarkably resilient, continuously simulating the restraint of an assault-type opponent. At the same time, she remained alert to her surroundings, guarding against illusion attacks from the Illusive Vine. Her gaze was focused, every movement exact.
Gu Yue immediately followed. Elemental power moved according to her will. Wind formed a gentle barrier around Xu Xiaoyan, while earth condensed into thin shields against sudden attacks. Fire and water alternated in circulation, ready at any moment to disrupt an illusion. Her rhythm matched Xu Xiaoyan's control perfectly. The two needed no words; their auras alone allowed them to cooperate flawlessly, vividly rehearsing the illusion-breaking tactics they had discussed the previous night.
Xie Xie flashed forward, turning into two afterimages as his agility-type martial soul erupted at full power. Swift as lightning, he rushed toward the wooden post serving as the simulated ambush position. He repeatedly practiced circling assault techniques, disrupting the "enemy" formation. Ye Xinglan drew her sword, its light cold and sharp as she precisely circled behind to target the simulated support position. Her sword aura was fierce, yet perfectly controlled. Yuanen Yehui unleashed the aura of the Titan Giant Ape and firmly guarded the flank, protecting Xu Xiaoyan and Xu Lizhi with flawless defense. Yue Zhengyu released his holy Soul Power at full force, and golden enhancement light enveloped the entire team, noticeably increasing his companions' speed and strength. Xu Lizhi remained at the rear, constantly monitoring everyone's Soul Power consumption, ready to hand out Soul Power buns as logistical support at any moment.
Soul Power fluctuations continuously surged across the training ground. The young men and women trained until they were drenched in sweat. The morning dew evaporated in the heat, and their clothes gradually became soaked, yet not one of them complained of exhaustion or stopped moving. Whenever a flaw appeared in their coordination, Tang Wulin immediately called a halt, patiently pointed out the problem, adjusted their rhythm, and had them practice again and again until their coordination was flawless.
"Xiaoyan, make your control half a beat faster so it connects perfectly with my attack!"
"Gu Yue, disrupt the elements a little earlier. Break the illusion the moment it starts!"
"Xie Xie, get your ambush timing more precise. Don't expose your position!"
Tang Wulin's instructions were clear and timely, every sentence precisely identifying the crucial point. Everyone listened carefully and adjusted immediately. They refined their teamwork over and over, from formation transitions to the coordination between control and offense, and then to their response to sudden situations. They repeatedly practiced all three sets of tactics until everyone knew them by heart and they became muscle memory.
Fine beads of sweat covered Xu Xiaoyan's forehead, yet her gaze remained firm. She continuously adjusted her control rhythm, progressing from slight initial awkwardness to smooth, flowing execution. Her coordination with Gu Yue grew ever more seamless. Even when faced with simulated sudden illusions, she could quickly break them and firmly seize the initiative in controlling the field. Her growth was obvious.
The morning light gradually brightened, and the thin mist completely dispersed. Sunlight filled the entire training ground, stretching the striving youths' shadows long behind them. Sweat ran down their cheeks and necks, dripping onto the ground, yet it nurtured the most dazzling battle intent of youth.
The joint practice lasted a full two hours. Only when the sun had climbed high and everyone had refined every tactic to the utmost, without a single weak point, did Tang Wulin announce a pause.
Everyone sat down on the ground, gasping for breath, but their eyes were bright and their battle intent high. After an entire morning of harsh training, their teamwork had become even more perfect, and their confidence in defeating the Heaven Soul Team had grown stronger.
Xu Lizhi took out more Soul Power buns and handed them around, smiling as he said, "Hurry and replenish your Soul Power, everyone. You must be exhausted. With our current coordination, we can definitely beat the Heaven Soul Team!"
Tang Wulin sat where he was, looking at his resolute companions seated beside him. His heart was filled with emotion. From their initial inexperienced team formation to their current seamless understanding, they had competed together, trained hard together, and claimed victories together. They had long become the family each trusted most.
He stood, his gaze sweeping over everyone as his voice rang out firm and powerful. "Everyone did very well in today's practice. There are no more issues with our tactics. There's no need to be nervous about tomorrow's match. We only need to perform at today's level. If we work together, we will definitely win!"
"We will definitely win!" everyone shouted in unison. Their voices rang through the training ground, and the youths' battle intent seemed to solidify as it soared into the sky.
Xu Xiaoyan looked at the high-spirited Tang Wulin beside her, and a gentle smile rose to her lips. Her eyes were filled with trust and pride. She knew tomorrow's match would certainly be a hard battle, but as long as her brother and her companions were there, they had nothing to fear.
Morning training ended, and everyone left the training ground together. Sunlight fell over them, warm and dazzling. Carrying sweat and surging battle intent, the youths headed back toward their dormitories to rest and gather strength as they awaited tomorrow's ultimate showdown with the Heaven Soul Team. This morning drill had already tempered their battle intent and teamwork to the limit. Tomorrow, they would reveal their edge and continue their glorious winning streak.
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