Blazing Sun Against Gold Dragon, Breaking the Illusion

The referee's voice fell, and the instant silence across the arena was shattered. The flag in the referee's hand swung down sharply, and a clear voice rang through the stadium. "The match begins!"

Before the words had even faded, two formidable bursts of soul power erupted, shooting into the sky. Winds and clouds seemed to churn above the arena as the air itself twisted slightly under the powerful fluctuations of soul power.

The Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team moved with extreme speed, without the slightest hint of probing. Orange-red soul rings lit up around their captain. Two yellow and one purple soul ring rose into view as the Blazing Sun Tiger martial soul fully possessed him. Tiger-shaped markings appeared on his forehead, flames surged around his body, and scorching heat swept across the arena like the arrival of a blazing sun. He stomped the ground, instantly cracking it apart. Like a cannonball fired from its barrel, he charged straight at Tang Wulin with an all-consuming blaze, every move an all-out assault. Clearly, he intended to use his explosive power to crush Shrek's formation in one blow.

"Good!"

Tang Wulin gave a low shout, his gaze sharp as an eagle's. Golden Dragon soul power erupted from him without restraint. Yellow, purple, purple—three soul rings floated steadily around him as golden dragon patterns instantly spread across his arms and neck. Brilliant golden light contrasted sharply with the opponent's blazing flames. He did not retreat in the slightest. With steady steps, he met the attack head-on. The Golden Dragon Claw condensed with a roar, its tips gleaming with sharp golden light and carrying the unique pressure of the dragon race as it collided directly with the Blazing Sun Tiger's flaming fist.

He knew well that against a balanced and powerful team like the Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team, retreating even once would allow them to press forward step by step and force Shrek into a passive position. Only by confronting them head-on and stabilizing the line could he create opportunities for his companions.

At the same time, the Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team's control-system soul master flicked his wrist. Dark-green soul power burst forth as the Illusive Vine martial soul broke through the ground. Countless flexible vines, glowing with eerie green light, instantly lashed toward Xu Xiaoyan. Wherever they passed, ripples of distortion spread through the air. A spiritual illusion silently unfurled, attempting to directly disrupt Xu Xiaoyan's mind and destroy her control over the battlefield.

"Xiaoyan, focus!"

Gu Yue's voice rang out at once, calm and composed. The powers of four elements erupted around her simultaneously—wind, fire, water, and earth circling her body to form an elemental barrier before Xu Xiaoyan. At the same time, her fingers flicked repeatedly. Wind blades wrapped around water arrows and flew toward the Illusive Vine, while fire element transformed into scorching flames that burned away the vines' spiritual fluctuations, precisely disrupting the formation of the illusion and perfectly protecting Xu Xiaoyan.

Xu Xiaoyan's eyes narrowed as she instantly cast aside every distracting thought. She raised the Starwheel Ice Staff high, and icy-blue starlight suddenly burst forth. Holding nothing back, she spread a wide-area star control field across the arena. Cold soul power suppressed the Illusive Vine's eerie aura while Starburst Chains rapidly coiled outward. They not only blocked the opponent's vine assault, but also swept toward the Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team's front-line members to bind them. Control and counterattack flowed as one, with none of her former immaturity remaining. She fully displayed the composure of a battlefield control core.

"Xie Xie, Yehui, hold back their agility attackers! Xinglan, circle around and suppress their support!"

Tang Wulin's voice pierced through the roar of soul power and reached every companion clearly. His commands were precise and flawless.

Everyone moved at once, their coordination seamless. Xie Xie unleashed both martial souls, turning into two afterimages as he cut into the battlefield at extreme speed like a ghost, charging toward the Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team's agility-system soul master to disrupt his assault rhythm. Yuanen Yehui was possessed by the Titan Giant Ape martial soul, her body growing larger as heavy earth-yellow soul power surrounded her like a mountain. She firmly held the flank, blocking the enemy's side assault and protecting Xu Xiaoyan and Xu Lizhi. Ye Xinglan drew her longsword, its sword light incomparably sharp. She nimbly circled behind the enemy, sword energy pressing directly toward the Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team's two support-system soul masters and forcing them to divide their attention to defend. Holy golden light surged around Le Zhengyu as Holy Amplification spread across the field, golden radiance enveloping all seven Shrek Seven Monsters and increasing their strength, speed, and soul power recovery. Xu Lizhi remained at the rear, rapidly tossing steaming soul power buns to his companions, replenishing their consumption at any moment and ensuring flawless logistical support.

Boom!

A thunderous crash shook the arena as Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon Claw collided viciously with the Heaven Soul captain's Blazing Sun Tiger fist. Golden light and flames crashed violently together, and a powerful shockwave swept outward, cracking the arena floor in countless places. A searing pain shot through Tang Wulin's arm. The opponent's strength and explosive flames were even more formidable than he had expected, forcing him back two steps. Yet the Heaven Soul captain was also sent stumbling several steps backward by the Golden Dragon Power, his blood and energy churning. His eyes were full of shock; he had clearly not expected Tang Wulin, at such a young age, to possess the strength to clash with him directly.

"Shrek's captain does have some skill, but beating me won't be that easy!" the Heaven Soul captain roared. His second soul ring flashed, and the Blazing Sun flames grew even hotter. Flaming claws condensed as he pounced toward Tang Wulin once more, his attack becoming increasingly savage.

Tang Wulin's gaze remained firm as the Golden Dragon Berserk Domain silently spread out, causing his strength to surge once more. Rather than retreating, he advanced and met the Heaven Soul captain head-on again. Golden and crimson soul power clashed continuously as the battle grew incomparably fierce, firmly tying down the enemy's core assault force.

The battle on the arena remained deadlocked. The Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team's coordination was indeed seasoned. Even while being restrained by Shrek, their formation did not fall into disorder. The Illusive Vine launched illusion and binding attacks again and again, only for Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan to dissolve them together each time. Both sides traded blows as soul power roared without end. The spectators in the stands held their breaths, forgetting even to cheer as they stared fixedly at the arena, afraid of missing a single thrilling moment. Na'er gripped the railing tightly, her little face full of nervousness. Her small hands clenched into fists as she quietly cheered for her brother without pause.

Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue grew increasingly coordinated. Gu Yue precisely disrupted the illusions while Xu Xiaoyan pressed forward step by step, steadily shrinking the range of her control and gradually suppressing the Illusive Vine. Then Gu Yue's eyes turned cold. She accurately caught the half-second gap between the Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team's control and assault. Immediately, she shouted, "Wulin, there's an opening! Move!"

Tang Wulin's gaze sharpened instantly. Seizing that fleeting chance, he stopped entangling himself with the Heaven Soul captain. His third purple crystal soul ring blazed to its fullest, and the Golden Dragon Claw erupted with all its strength. Golden dragon power surged forth, bypassing the opponent's flaming edge and striking directly at the captain's weak point. At the same time, Xu Xiaoyan understood immediately. The Starburst Chains suddenly tightened, firmly binding the Illusive Vine as it tried to support its captain and preventing it from unleashing any illusionary interference.

The Heaven Soul captain's expression changed drastically. He tried to pull back and defend, but it was already too late. Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon Claw descended with unmatched force upon his flaming defense. With a crack, the flame barrier shattered instantly. The Heaven Soul captain was blasted away by the powerful Golden Dragon Power and slammed heavily onto the arena floor, blood spilling from his mouth as the soul power around him scattered.

With their core attacker defeated, the Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team instantly fell into disarray. The Shrek Seven Monsters seized the opportunity and attacked with all their strength. Xie Xie's ambushes, Ye Xinglan's sword energy, Yuanen Yehui's immense power, and Le Zhengyu's amplification worked in perfect concert. Within only a few breaths, members of the Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team were defeated one after another, losing their ability to fight.

Seeing this, the referee immediately announced loudly, "All members of the Heaven Soul Empire Academy Team have lost their ability to fight. The winner of this match is the Shrek Academy Team!"

As the announcement fell, thunderous cheers erupted from the entire stadium, shaking the arena. The Shrek Seven Monsters had defeated another powerful opponent and advanced into the finals!

Tang Wulin slowly withdrew his soul power, and the golden dragon patterns gradually faded. Sweat ran down his cheeks, yet it could not conceal the vigor in his eyes. Xu Xiaoyan hurried to his side, her face filled with joy. Though she was panting, her smile was radiant. "Brother, we won! We made it to the finals!"

The companions gathered around them, each filled with excitement as they embraced and celebrated. The passion and glory of youth bloomed freely across the arena. In the stands, Na'er jumped up in excitement and shouted that her brother was the best. Sunlight fell upon the high-spirited youths, reflecting the brilliant radiance that belonged to them.